Revathy Gopal: RIP

Sorry for a typing error in my interact no.53.

My name should be read as V.S.Gopalakrishnan.

Dear readers,

I am Revathy`s husband.On behalf of my two sons Kartik (35) and Skanda (24) and on my
own behalf I thank everyone who has shown such love and affection, respect and admiration for her. Her writings have been known for frankness and for a certain lyrical quality and have drawn many critics and admirers too.

A few days after her passing away,the following is what I wrote to my friends:

My dear wife Revathy passed away peacefully on 7 March
2007 at the age of 59 after a brave battle with the
deadly disease of cancer for nearly ten months. Till
the end she never asked “why me?” and never spoke of
death. She had no fear of death and took solace in
reciting Maha Mrutyunjaya Japa. She spent considerable
time at the hospital that treated her. She spoke to
visitors always cheerfully, giving them a smile and
making enquiries about their families.

I should have written this much earlier but we have
been having a constant stream of visitors including
relatives and friends and receiving innumerable phone
calls. All that is a testimony to what Revathy was – a
loving, gentle and gracious person. She was my life
partner for nearly 38 years and we passionately shared
very many common interests and her loss is something
that I can never get over. She was an extremely dear
mother to Kartik (35) and Skanda (24) and the young
boys are really shattered by the loss of the dear
mother who was so caring for them as only a mother
could be.

Revathy’s mental-makeup and strong character had
several facets including a deep compassion for the
poor, ready help to the needy , disenchantment with
poor governance by our governmental authorities, an
intolerance for all the despicable wrongs in our
society particularly against women and children etc.
Her intellect was as strong as her emotions. She was
as much a book-worm as a practical person, devouring
books after books. Almost every subject under the sun
interested her and she had an admirable fund of
general knowledge that stunned others. She was steeped
in English literature from her young days and had a
marvellous intimacy with the world of writers, poets
and books. She did MA and M.Phil. in English
literature and was indeed keen to obtain a Ph.D. too.

She had started with prose-writing decades ago but
over the years her inclination took her to writing
poetry which suited her sentiments and emotions much
more aptly and fittingly. She won the Second Prize
over two consecutive years in the All-India Poetry
Competition organized by the British Council together
with the Poetry Society of India. And I used to tease
her that she was not making any progress, just
remaining the second prize winner! A month before she
passed away she had the immense satisfaction of seeing
in print her latest collection of poems published by
the Writers’ Workshop, Kolkata, that is titled “The
Last Possibilities of Light”. And the light in my life
is now gone.

Many of you have known of her passing away and have
sent me finely written eulogies, while condoling her
death, for which I extend my sincerest thanks. And I
am sorry that I have not informed many of you about
this tragic news earlier due to factors that I could
not help.

We shall cherish her sweet memories. She is in a state
of bliss having attained God.

(Message ends)

I have also been a chowk-writer for more than a year. I have just sent an article titled `Medical Lessons from the death of a Poet` to the chowk editors for their consideration.Revathy had in recent years been more of an English poet than a prose writer and hence that title. How a famous hospital messed up her case is what is brought out in the article in order to guide the readers and create awareness.

With thanks and regards to the chowk readers,
V.S.Goplakrishnan

err... nadia .. it is not dismissal .. it is demise ... sorry.

I have not known to Revathy Gopal, but this piece led me know about her dismisal! And more sad to see that this board had been hijacked by the usual women abuser and taliban to progressiveness of females `Zeemax`, and the way he misled the whole unfortunate early reminiscent of a liberal thinker is disgusting. And look at the way he has twisted his tone and accepted the parallel views just because some Farzana Versey published to. Atleast Revathy Gopal saw light of vision in her life and had an expanded view of life cycle which these unified approach cant understand after one big bang!

I would advice Farzana to keep giving dose of such medicine to this munafique of times, because he doesnt believe in medicine therapy but the one who is giving it.

I am sorry Reva for putting an improper statements on your board, but cant escape from the bewildered thoughts!

And so its a reunion if people pay homage in their own cultural/ritual aspects as they are bound to give it that way!

Re: # 49

Zeemax, `Rest in Peace`adduces to the memory of the dead person. Memories dont die.

Dear Chowk-Staff,

Since you have given your verdict on the point Farzana raised, I humbly stand down with an apology to any sensitivities I might have callously wounded.

Regards.

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Zeemax sahib #43
Your posts are intellectual with logic and you make all the sense.

Quite honestly, you opened my eyes.

Re: # 43

Your interacts are embarassing. I agree with Farzana`s stance on your nonsense.

Chowk staff
If it is OK to post it here, I may have to add it here. I feel the need of it.

I do agree with Mr.zeemax on this.

Gill sahib, why this contradiction? Show some intellectual honesty.

Gill sahib always advertise openly on FP that He is atheist, so according to atheist, there is NO life after death....................

Then , if, we go by this logic, he should stick to his intellectual honesty, and shouldn`t say the things he doesn`t believe, ``like may she rest in peace``. That means HE believes in life after death and He is nOT atheist

... because they`ll be alive while you`ll be DEAD.

I hope my position is clear.

...... #41 ...

... I will wish peace upon the worms who eat you when you die ..

That`s a promise.

Re: # 39

Farzana - Hi. Good to see you around. I concur with your sentiments. Well said!

Regards,
Z

#39 by FarzanaVersey

FV, I don`t agree with your contention that ``No one is answerable to anyone to hold the views they hold and express sorrow as they choose to do.``

Expression of sorrow if it is a lie loses its validity. It is an insult to the dignity of the dead.

Ijaz:

I hope you understand that I find it inapproprate to share telephone numbers and other details on a public forum, although I respect your intent. Besides, I would need permission from Gopal and at this time I would not wish to inundate them with calls. I did mention this piece to him, though, and regret it now.

Chowk-staff:

If you wish this article to become a forum to discuss the `hypocrisy of atheists` who dared to mourn the loss of a colleague and used standard terms, then could you please change the headline to include whether the deceased would like to Rest In Peace or not in the title?

PS: No one is answerable to anyone to hold the views they hold and express sorrow as they choose to do.