Echoes of History

Book excerpt: Echoes of History is a historical narrative that brings to life the former princely states of Travancore and Cochin. The author has revealed the history of the region through word pictures based on the accounts of people who were directly a part of the events she writes about. Beautiful old pictures support the narration. The book is both interesting and educative. History and fascinating facts are intertwined with anecdotes and legends. The book captures an era that the world will never see again. An age when graciousness and courtesy reigned supreme. This makes it a stimulating read for all age groups and people from every walk of life. The chapters of the book feature lesser-known facets of Kerala’s history – for instance, how one man made Kerala a global tourist destination, or the humble beginnings of India’s space research programme. The story of how the Jains came to Kerala and contributed to its high literacy rate makes for fascinating reading, as do the legends surrounding the famous boat races. The book covers diverse topics ranging from banking to a wonderful football academy and even a delightful sailing club that is now housed on what is possibly India’s most expensive piece of real estate! The book's objective is to chronicle events and achievements that have largely been forgotten, which in a sense is both an injustice to the people concerned, as well as a gap in our recorded history. It is written with gentle humour from a perspective of deep affection and delight in the land and its people. It also serves as a well-researched historical narrative.