Where the revolution still lingers

There is a defiant charm about Cuba, an island that has stood its ground against the American superpower for more than half a century, its shores a mere 90 miles from Florida. In Ullekh NP’s Mad About Cuba, this audacious spirit comes alive, as he takes readers on a journey through a nation where the Revolution still lingers in the air, much like the smoke of a Cohiba cigar. Through vivid storytelling and a keen sense of historical insight, Ullekh paints a picture of Cuba that is as much about resilience as it is about resistance.

The book opens with the familiar spectre of el bloqueo — the US-imposed economic embargo that Cubans have endured since 1960. Described by Ullekh as a relic of outdated Cold War politics, the embargo aimed to isolate Cuba for its dalliance with Soviet communism. Yet, decades later, its principal achievements remain limited to economic strangulation and humanitarian hardship, while its failure to spark regime change has been proven time and again. Ullekh draws on experts and institutions, including the United Nations, which has condemned the embargo for over three decades, to underscore its futility. And yet, the sanctions persist — weathering 13 US presidents and 65 years of history — like a ship stubbornly anchored in shallow waters, serving neither strategic purpose nor moral justification.

Paradox country

Despite this suffocating blockade, Cuba thrives in ways that defy its circumstances. Ullekh marvels at the nation’s achievements in education, healthcare, and social equity, presenting it as a paradox of scarcity and abundance. Here, life expectancy rivals the wealthiest nations, literacy is near-universal, and infant mortality rates are among the lowest in the world. These accomplishments, he argues, are testaments to the resilience of a people who have turned adversity into innovation.

For Ullekh, Cuba is not just a geopolitical curiosity but a deeply personal connection, rooted in the Marxist ethos of his native Kerala. He recalls how, as a young boy growing up in Kannur, he encountered the revolutionary fire of Fidel Castro through Malayalam newspapers and translated works. In Kerala, a state steeped in leftist ideology, Castro was more than a leader — he was a symbol of defiance, a figure whose speeches and writings shaped the political consciousness of an entire generation. Ullekh brings this cultural bridge to life, weaving Kerala’s solidarity with Cuba into his narrative like a crimson thread through a tapestry of shared dreams.

The narrative’s strength lies in its characters — ordinary Cubans who embody the spirit of their nation. A Dominican tourist named Enrique speaks reverently of the Revolution, while a young Havana barwoman offers a glimpse into the generational divide. Her parents’ unwavering loyalty to socialist ideals contrasts with her own disillusionment, her dreams of freedom and economic opportunity hinting at a broader shift among Cuba’s youth. Ullekh captures these encounters with empathy and colour, giving readers a nuanced view of a nation at a crossroads.

The streets of Havana unfold before the reader like a surreal film reel —vintage cars rumble down colonial boulevards, peeling pastel facades whisper of faded grandeur, and the haunting strains of son cubano music fill the air. Ullekh’s descriptions are evocative, immersing the reader in a city where every cobblestone seems to carry the weight of history. Yet, beneath this charm lies a nation grappling with its future, its people torn between the ideals of the past and the aspirations of tomorrow.

The book also delves into Cuba’s remarkable strides in biotechnology, with Ullekh dedicating a chapter to its biopharmaceutical sector. Amid the constraints of the embargo, Cuba has built a globally respected industry, producing life-saving medicines and pioneering innovations in cancer immunotherapy. Ullekh highlights the partnership between Cuba and Bengaluru-based Biocon, a collaboration that showcases the potential of scientific diplomacy.

Shared ideals

At its heart, Mad About Cuba is a love letter to a country that has captivated the world with its defiance, culture, and complexity. Ullekh balances his admiration with a critical lens, acknowledging Cuba’s challenges while celebrating its triumphs. The book is as much about Cuba’s journey as it is about Ullekh’s own — a Malayali revisiting the Revolution through the lens of shared ideals and enduring solidarity.

The prose is rich and textured, like the rhythm of Cuban jazz, inviting readers to linger on each page. From the bar counters of Havana to the echoes of Fidel’s speeches in Kerala, Ullekh’s narrative dances between the personal and the political, the past and the present. His journey through Cuba is not merely one of exploration but of reflection — on resilience, resistance, and the enduring power of a dream. The narrative is both literary and lyrical, a drapery woven with history, culture, and deeply human stories. It is a reminder that while Cuba may be defined by its defiance, it is sustained by its spirit — a spirit that Ullekh captures with both reverence and wit. For anyone curious about the enigma that is Cuba and the changing world, this book is an invitation to dive deep, to revel in its contradictions, and to emerge inspired.