Lately, I have been trying to get my hands on a literary classic which I haven't been able to find in most of the 'prime' libraries in most of the cities I have visited. So, yesterday I googled to find out the book and surprisingly among the first few entries displayed I came across a newsarticle from 'Telegraph' which also featured a very familiar name. I clicked on that entry to find that indeed it was about a familiar 'gentleman' who stays at XLRI and this gentleman has the book I am so desperately looking for. Now, One may go and ask that book from him but then one may not agree to lend it to me...
Wondering, whoz that...well...just read this article from 'Telegraph'..
QUOTE -
A nail-biting finish to a cricket match does not impress him. Neither does masala Bollywood movies. For Tamonas Gangopadhyay, professor of qualitative technique and systems selective, XLRI, what matters most is words. Nothing holds more significance than the fine print. His collection of over 3,000 books is his prized possession and Tamonas has found a new world for himself in them.
Walk into his office and you will find more in this man’s booty. A PHD in mathematics, he loves Coetze as much as he adores the Brahms. He prizes his complete collection of Kafka just like he can’t get over Beethoven.
A man with a classy taste in literature and music, Tamonas says, “Pulp fiction is not my kind of stuff.” And why not, for one who has tasted the richness of literary novels like Coetze’s “Disgrace” and “Waiting for the Barbarians” and Marcel Proust’s “Remembrance of Things Past”, anything short of it is not good enough.
“The originality of idea, the aesthetic mature of his writing and the stylistic aspects of Kafka bowled me over. And as for Proust, the seven volume work of about 4,200 pages gave me an unparalleled literary treat. I must say I have not chanced upon such unconventional experiments in any author,” he admits. , says Tamonas, a dreamy smile flitting across his face.
Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Tamonas was introduced to literature, culture and painting by his father. “My grand collection of books is part of a family heirloom. Previously I used to travel a lot to buy books for my collection mainly because there weren’t any good bookshops in Calcutta. But now Landmark in Calcutta is my favourite book-hunting spot. Besides, I also like the collection at Bookworm in Khan market Delhi and Crosswords at Delhi and Bombay,” Tamonas explains.
To this professor of many parts the definition of pleasure and fun is rather unconventional.
“I am not among those who thrive on material possessions. Yes, you can say I will give in to the temptation of a 29-inch television simply because it will ensure better viewing . But too much of socialising is not my cup of tea. I love to spend my time reading instead. I personally feel literature cannot be understood without knowing the history behind it. It is the same with music,” he adds.
His daughter Jagriti, a student of Class XI, too swears by books. “My family comprises avid readers so we spend a lot of time together engrossed in books. Of late I have introduced my daughter to the works of Tolstoy and Dotoevsky and she seems to loves it. Literature is not just stories but the entire world compressed in words. It encompasses the social, historically and economical history of our times.”
Tamonas enjoys his Solhello or Jaques Berzun reclining on the bed in his study-cum-bedroom which has on display all his collection well kept in a glass case. “The reading habit is dying. People rarely read books leave alone buying them. Take for example the book fair in the city and you will find nothing beyond a few technical or children’s books. But then each to their own. Some people are interested in the share market, some in politics and some like me thrive on literature. I have changed with the books I have read. And in this evolution I have identified myself more with the authors than the characters or situations. That is perhaps because with time even literature evolves.”
Drawing a parallel between mathematics and music, Tamonas explains, “Discrete mathematics and music go hand in hand. Music which can be categorised into rhythm, melody and harmony is based on mathematical concepts. For instance, Indian classical music does not have much harmony while it is predominant in western classical music. In the West, great mathematicians have a strange penchant for music.” In a league of his own that’s Tamonas Gangopadhyay for you.
- UNQUOTE.
No marks for finding the probability of me going to borrow the book from Dr. T. Gangopadhyay :)
Any QT toppers volunteering for help ?
PS - sorry .. Kuttas at XL delayed.
PSS - Passing the course in Financial management - I is gonna be damn tough for me. Unlike some of my fellow mates with a high a romantic quotient, I fail to understand the logic of portfolio diversification and believe in investing in a single fixed income security.
