Not All Angels Fly…You Could Be One!
By Joseph Annamkutty Jose (Translated from the Malayalam by Hrishikesh Mundani)
HarperCollins, 208 pages, Rs 399.00 

‘Not All Angels Fly’, which is the English version of the Malayalam bestseller ‘Daivathinte Charanmar’, delves into the intricate interplay between sin and sainthood, while shining a light on the often-overlooked acts of heroism by ordinary people. It begs the question: Should we strive to be flawless, or is it wiser to navigate our imperfections with dignity and compassion?

Taken from everyday life, the poignant vignettes in this book explore human themes which are universal. The protagonists don’t appear ethereal: they do not possess shining halos and captivating wings, and they certainly aren’t airborne. If anything, they bear blemishes. Yet, they do not allow their scars to diminish their essence; in fact, they stand tall in their uniqueness.

Here is an excerpt from the book:

The Soul of a Streetlight

‘If I could give you one thing in life, I would give you the ability to see yourself through my eyes. Only then will you realize how special you are to me'
—unknown

Once, Jude Anthany Joseph, the young filmmaker known for his movie 'Om Shanthi Oshana', came to our church to participate in the inauguration ceremony of KYCM, the church’s youth forum. When he spoke that day, he shared something worth remembering.

‘I didn’t gain anything outstanding from catechism classes, but I still remember something a teacher of mine told me when I was young. I had found a ten rupee note on the road with no one to claim it. I asked my teacher what I should do with it. She said, “Son, you may keep seven rupees for yourself. With three, you should buy candies for your friends. God blesses you with ten rupees to share three with someone else.”’

What ten years of catechism classes couldn’t teach him about how to live life, that teacher could in a minute. What we need is not preaching but great examples, period!

* * *

‘Joseph, I request you to please talk to my son. He is very adamant and short-tempered, and won’t move an inch regardless of how much his teachers or I advise him. I have watched your videos, so I felt that maybe he would receive it better if you spoke to him. These days, kids seem to listen only to youngsters.’

That was the message I received in my Facebook inbox.

‘Chechi, I am facing a similar situation myself. I often argue with my mother the most and it’s a flaw in my personality that I’ve been trying to change for years without success. I don’t think I can make your son understand,’ I wrote back to her.

‘Please don’t say that, son. I have sought your help after intense prayers. Please consider this as a mother’s request. We stay at Edappally. You can let me know a place and time that would be convenient for you, and I will send him. I would have loved to accompany him, but I am choosing not to, as there’s a chance that he won’t open up in my presence.’

I thought for a few moments before composing my response.

‘I want to be honest; I’m unsure if I can make him understand. But, in any case, I will listen to him. I shall also speak with him for a bit. Please ask him to meet me at the Lulu Mall food court at 11.30 a.m., in front of the Baskin-Robbins outlet tomorrow.’

I gave her my contact number.

The following day, I met the boy and we had a conversation. He was a talented lad. He could draw, sing and play the guitar well. He had a budding music band of his own. His mother, a bank manager, and his father, a college dean, considered his music band activities to be ‘cheap’. Their son wasn’t meeting their academic expectations. And what was their expectation? That he should be the class topper. They constantly pressed him to drop his musical pursuits and focus exclusively on his curriculum.

How could he not be mad at his mom and dad? When he sat before me, I could see the roots of his anger. For a moment, I seriously considered changing sides and advising his parents on his behalf instead, but then I decided against that enterprise.

‘You should never drop music, no matter what!’ I told him. ‘At the same time, you should try not to piss off your parents either. Put more effort into your studies—even if it is just for their sake. You can be good at both; they should realize that music is your passion. Do you know something? A.R. Rahman wanted to be an electronics engineer! It was his mother who wanted him to be a musician. Maybe we have today’s Rahman because he heeded his mother to an extent. I am trying to say that these conflicts happen everywhere and there are constructive ways to deal with them. Give weightage to the wishes of your parents too. Once you become both an academic success and a musical hitmaker, try telling them you are dropping music. I bet they will call me again to advise you against quitting music; we know how parents are, right!’ I saw him laugh a bit for the first time. If I had to earn his trust, I had to hold on to that smile.

‘You think they will have a problem saying that their son is a great student and a rockstar? But for them to be able to cherish the rockstar part, we must take away their worry about the student. We need all of it, man, and you know what? We can have all of it! And here is a bonus: Don’t ask me how, but your academic efforts will someday help you surprisingly in unexpected areas of music. So, from now on, twist the throttle on both.’

His face just lit up.

‘Shall we eat something before dispersing? What would you like to have?’ I asked him.

‘Oh, no, brother. You need to tell me what you would prefer to have! Mom has told me that, if possible, we should have lunch together. And I have strict instructions that I must not make you pay. She has given me money for it.’

That was when I noticed a rolled 2000 rupee note in his fist.

A young chap with a currency note in his hand and a Baskin-Robbins stall in the background—that image was more than enough to remind me of Deepu Chettan. Why? Years earlier, I had stood precisely like this boy against a similar backdrop.

It is a not-so-boring flashback, if a bit lengthy though. But it won’t wear you down. […]

[The excerpt reproduced with the permission of the publishers.]