Arab comes with food every 10 days, takes to barber shop once in every six months; only one difference from Najeeb, says Anil

KOLLAM: The memories of the isolation and survival he experienced 28 years ago flashed through the minds of Anil Kumar (50) of Kollam Neeravil Pilleth Kizhakathil, after watching the film Aadujeevitham. Najeeb's experiences in the desert were also that of Anil's.

Anil Kumar went to Saudi Arabia when he was 23 to work as a driver on a visa obtained through a relative in order to save his family from the financial crisis. However, an isolated and hellish life of herding goats awaited Anil there. The goat farming was near a village called Hessa. Around 500 goats and only sand forest could be seen. The Arab would arrive every ten days, with food for the goats and Anil. Cried for several days without knowing what was happening. Sign language was the only means of communication for Anil, who knew only Malayalam.

Two years of miserable life
Anil lived with goats in the scorching sand forest for two years. Will take to the barber shop every six months. The Malayalam weekly got from there was the first weapon used to overcome loneliness. Will bathe once in a while in the water brought for the goats without anyone knowing. Survived in the beginning only by drinking Arabic bread kuboos and black tea. Only a small amount of water was available. He tried to reach home but failed. Then got adapted to the situation. Forgot home town and home. Dust storms, heat, poisonous snakes and scorpions became a part of life.

Poetry and film dialogue to surpass isolation
Anil surpassed isolation by reciting previously memorized poetry and reciting dialogues in the film's forgotten comedy scenes. After two years, reached the state when his visa expired. Anil later did not think of going back. He did some menial jobs in private firms. He later took charge of the management of the canteen in Kollam Corporation. Anil is running the canteen for eighteen years. He leaves behind his mother late Ramanikutty, father Kunjukrishnan, wife Manjusha and daughter Shweta.
I was drawn into the solitude of the desert and slowly grew to love it. Perhaps that is where I differ from Najeeb, said Anil Kumar.