Inspired by a real village called Thasarak near Palakkad, the novel does not have a single straight narrative which makes it all the more gripping – as one walks through the spiritual journey of an under-graduate dropout, Ravi. The novel, which is considered to be O.V Vijayan’s masterpiece, has been reprinted more than fifty times, making it one of the most best-selling novels in South Asia. One of the most unforgettable books ever written in Malayalam, Khasakkinte Ithihasam continues to mesmerise its readers with a surrealistic visualisation encapsulated within the settings of a sleepy little village that has a microcosm of its own. The book was adapted into a feature film by the same name in 1965, which is considered to be one amongst the greatest Indian films ever made.
Penned with great emotional detail about the customs, taboos, moral boundaries and day-to-day instances of the community while trudging through toils of life and existence, the novel went on to win the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, India’s second highest literary prize, in 1957. One of the biggest cult classics to have been ever written in Malayalam, Chemmeen (Prawns) is a saga revolving around the myth among the fishermen communities in Kerala-that of a married woman’s chastity. Chemmeen (1956) by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai Here are ten best works in Malayalam literature – along with their translated English counterparts – ranging from the early 1940s to the present decade that you must not miss out for the pure love of reading: 1. While it is near impossible to round down to one for the vast diversity showcased by the authors in Kerala, we have tried our hand in sieving out some of the finest literary works ever produced in Malayalam. Meera and Benyamin, the writers have never failed to captivate both readers and critics alike with their skill of crafting unforgettable tales.
Vijayan and works of contemporary authors like K.R. With its unfathomable contribution to Indian literature, Kerala has carved itself a niche position in the literary circles with works that often reflect deep introspection through its unprecedented storylines and ingenious narrative styles.įrom simplistic writings of legendary Vaikom Muhammad Basheer to microcosmic narratives of O.V.