Mukesh English - Summary of 'Karvalo' by Poornachandra Tejaswi

Introduction

• Language: Kannada (Translated to English by D.A Shankar)
• Author: Poornachandra Tejaswi
• Summary By: Mukesh
• Type: Novel
• Unique Aspect: Mixes science with realization, meditation, and penance
• Editions: 12 editions in Kannada; also translated into English, Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam, and Japanese

Main Characters

• Carvalho: Botanist, scientist, entomologist
• Mandana and Lakshmana: Beekeepers in a B Cooperative Society
• Rama: Father-in-law of Mandana
• Prabhakara: Radio mechanic and photographer from Chikmagalur
• Cyril Gonzalez: Lawyer
• Yankata: Snake catcher and tree climber
• Biryani: Cook and tree climber
• Pyara: Muslim boy and kitchen assistant
• Kiwi: White spaniel, narrator's dog
• Narrator: Prime character

Summary of Events

Narrator's Visit to B Cooperative Society

• Visits to buy honey for his father; meets beekeepers Mandana and Lakshmana
• Narrator's Jeep breaks down and honey is swarmed by bees
• Returns to Cooperative Society to verify honey's quality
• Mandana asks narrator to write an application for beekeeper job

Minister's Address & Bee Attack

• Mandana's failed attempt to submit job application due to bee attack caused by noise from the celebration

Meeting with Carvalho

• Discussion on pests affecting narrator’s paddy crop
• Successful experiment with pests greatly impresses the narrator

Mandana's Role and Beekeeping

• Mandana provides quality pork to narrator and repairs bee boxes

Narrator’s Decision to Sell Land

• Due to lack of profit and burden of loans

Impact of Kiwi (Narrator’s Dog)

• Kiwi’s actions lead to discovering an ant port full of bees
• Kiwi affected by infection from a rotten bone

Police Incident Involving Mandana

• Mandana beaten by police for suspected illicit distillation (which was actually honey)
• Narrator bails Mandana out

Mandana's Marriage and Job Aspirations

• Mandana’s marriage intertwined with his job issues
• Narator and Carvalho intervene to get Mandana married

Expedition to Find Flying Lizard

• Preparation begins with maps and assembling an expedition team
• Encounters with various natural phenomena and small adventures
• Seeing of the flying lizard, its elusive behavior, and team’s efforts to capture it

Important Themes & Concepts

• Science vs Tradition: Western scientific methods vs traditional ways
• Environmental Awareness: Respect for nature, observation skills, the role of insects/animals
• Quest for Knowledge: Scientific curiosity blended with the sense of adventure and exploration

Conclusion

• Outcomes of the Expedition: Partially successful; team witnesses but does not capture the flying lizard
• Philosophical Undertones: Insights on evolution, importance of curiosity and discovery, interplay of various worlds of humans, animals, and nature

Credits

• Based on translated work by D.A Shankar
• Summary crafted by Mukesh, narrated in English

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