On categorizing travel essays

The other day I was looking at the articles on my website, and I found some in particular, that really touched me. As in really made me feel connected enough, to smile at the moments of joy and feel melancholic at words of yearning and despair.

 When I looked at the other articles, they were good, but didn't seem quite as intense. It was then that I realized that the fault was not perhaps in the words - c'mon, I can't criticize my own works, after all - but rather in the content. Most articles were describing places or events, while a handful were more philosophical. At this point in time, I realized I could categorize most travel essays into three categories: Descriptive, Narrative and Contemplative (you see, years of consulting will make you classify even the most banal of objects around you into something apparently spectacular, either making some 5Ts or ending in 3 similar sounding words!)

 Descriptive essays would be those where you end up talking about the place and its environs. This is where the author needs to weave magic within your five senses. He describes the views of the valleys, the feel of the wind, the smell of the pines, the sound of a nearby stream gurgling, as he sips sweet chai from an earthen cup (or preferably from a glass - as Shekhar Chacha keeps emphasizing). I would happily categorize some of the best travel writings of Ruskin Bond in this category, where he just walks about the hills and tries his best to make the reader imagine what he sees. Similarly, if Meghdoot writes about a weekend trip to Tamhini Ghat and describes the insane waterfalls, the redemption in its cold waters, followed by crunchy pakodas, he is being absolutely descriptive.

 Next would be the Narrative - where the author story-tells incidents that bring in characters and conversations, thus deviating from the descriptive format which basically has no protagonist. So, when Shekhar writes about how we took a crazy driver to Ganapatipule who fringed on the borders of delirium, and what an exciting return trip to Mumbai we had, he is being Narrative.  In my opinion, a good balance of Descriptive and Narrative writing helps weave a healthy balance in an essay, bring animation to description. Thus, in the above example, the description of the serene golden beaches of Ganapatipule along with the derelict ruins of Jaigarh, helps break the tension between Shekhar and his delirious driver. Another good example from our own archives comes from our guest writer - Firefly - who describes both ambiance and activities quite interestingly, while on a quick trip to Kashmir.

 Finally - and my most favorite - is the Contemplative essay, where the author takes in his surroundings and then gets moody enough to express his emotions through heady words. The essay may well start with the triggers of the fountain of emotion, but soon drifts to what the author feels, thus rendering a personal touch and making it the strongest form of the travel essay. Thus, when I find drizzling clouds covering the hills in Wellington, I get reminded of a cloudy day in Shillong or another rainy day escapade in monsoon Mumbai. Or when last week, Shekhar sent photos of Paris, there arises a deluge of distant memories from seven years back. The result -  I become contemplative in my nostalgia, to create in my opinion the most powerful form of the essay - the philosophical one. Similarly when Peekay gets pensive in Penang, or emotionally lost in the by-lanes of Langkawi, I would expect her to write a contemplative essay!

 So much for categorizing travel essays! In any case, a combination of all three may be difficult to integrate for a writer, while any two of the  elements are good enough to make a compelling piece of writing. 

 What are your thoughts? Do you agree? In the meanwhile, let's wait and watch how Peekay comes up with the colors of contemplation soon enough :P

~ Santiago / 11 25 pm