Mariyath’s voyage through the world of lines and colours

Abdul Hafees

Willpower and determination lent her higher echelons of success. Now, Mariyath CH, a young paraplegic girl from Malappuram is not only a renowned painter but a writer, whose voyage continues through the world of lines and colours. Though it seems to be beyond her hand’s reach Mariyath is now working also as the library assistant at University of Calicut.

‘All the praise is to God’, thanking her well-wishers and, self-assuredly looking at the edges to be achieved, Mariyath gushes that ‘It is the first stepping stone of success in my life’.

          Mariyathul Qibthiyya was born in a middle class family at Chungathara village from Malappuram district in   Kerala. Her childhood was also packed to full with colourful days. When she was seven, her legs went dysfunctional owing to severe fever. She could no longer bask in the warmth of nature, nor could enjoy reading textbooks.  Having no friends, life started to turn tedious. Finding a space nearby windows in her room, she looked at students of her age going to schools. Inside the four walls, she remained locked. Though, little by little, some books made her relaxed and uplifting her towards a new life. She befriended them and found a new world through pages. Meanwhile, from the hospital bed, she found some pieces of papers, which later moulded her as a painter by giving a small space to draw pictures of her imagination.

          After ten years of support extended from her teacher Kunjamma and her parents, Mariyath cleared tenth class. Then, she completed her pre-degree course from Marthoma College, Chungathara. By hard work and steadfastness, she learned to type her experiences in her own computer.  She composed the stories of her broken winged childhood into letters, which was later compiled as a small Malayalam book named Kalam Maycha kalppadugal (Footsteps wiped out by destiny).  The anthology of success stories, scripted by a differently abled person had enough stuff to conquer the hearts of readers.  The book has so far two editions in Malayalam. Adding much to her enthusiasm, it was translated into Kannada after two years.

          Even though destiny tried to close all the doors before her, Mariyath was resurrected only by a resolute decision to take over her fate. She has been so far conferred with much recognition for her single book, which envisaged her passion to the life. Her words render confidence to those, who struggle their lives with disabilities. Her story of realization is that she never surrendered before a trapped life in wheel chair but she learned to dream high. When she was terribly struggling with her unfavorable situations, the young girl with no legs functioning never believed that her future is at stake.

Now, with Lalita Kala Academy exhibiting her paintings titled ‘Colours of dreams’ at Kottakkunnu, Malappuram, she has also opened a new canvas of remarkable sketches from her life. Now, Mariyath is not only betrothed in writing poems and stories, but also engaged in fabric painting and sari designing. She has also a blog in the same name of her book with a sprawling of day to day visitors. Her facebook page is also filled with appreciations from her own readers.

          In 2012, she was invited to be awarded the first women achiever of the year in women’s day by University of Calicut. Listening to her stories of struggle with drastic circumstances, University offered her a temporary job of Library Assistant. Later she was transferred from Library to University friends’ office. After the intervention of some political affiliates, she was made permanent in the same job. Still, here in the corridors of CH Muhammad Koya Library, being never ready to be beaten by disability, Mariyath is dreaming higher firmaments of success.