Indulekha

Description

Anitha Devasia's translation is alive to the nuances...without eroding the narrative smoothness. [There is] helpful additional material in the form of appendices...Susie Tharu, in the succinct foreword put[s] the reader "on the scent of the momentous issues that are at stake". — The Hindu

'The most charming part of the novel is the encounter between Indulekha and Surinamboothiri. Anitha Devasia has ...succeeded in keeping the spirit of the original intact.' — Deccan Herald

'The novel is a blend of West and East...The heroine is reminiscent of Austen's heroines...' — The Telegraph

Indulekha (1889) is widely held to be the first Malayalam novel. Often called an 'accidental' and 'flawed' work, as its core lies a love story. Written by a Nair, Indulekha achieves certain social goals: firstly, it creates a novel much like those of English authors read by Chandumenon, and secondly, it illustrates Nair society at that time.

This novel will appeal to ge neral readers interested in Indian writings in translation. Students of literature, history and culture, political and legal theory, and gender studies, will also find it useful.

About the author

Table of contents

Foreword by Susie Tharu
Preface
Acknowledgements
Beginnings
Indulekha
An Angry Man's Oath
A Separation
Panchumenon's Anger
Panchumenon's Anxiety
Kannazhi Moorkillatha Manakkal Surinambuthiripad
An Arrival from Madras
The Coming of the Nambuthiripad and Other Things
A Letter from Madras
What People Said about the Nambuthiripad
Conversation between Indulekha and the Nambuthiripad
Second Conversation between Indulekha and the Nambuthiripad
The Nambuthiripad's Wedding
A Calamity
Madhavan's Tour of the Country
How Madhavan was Found
A Conversation
Things Which Actually Happened at Home during the Period of Madhavan's Journey
The End of the Story
Afterword
Appendices
Bibliography
Glossary