Must Read Books Of Malayalam Literature

The beauty of Indian literature is the diversity it offers. The regional literatures available in India have such good content that it is a loss to miss those. Yes I know the language is barrier her. But here comes the translation to help us out. Translations in India have travelled a long way to reach the mark where they are able to recreate the magic the originals had.

Malayalam literature with a long recorder history is one of the most productive genres of regional literature. It has helped to enhance the richness of Indian literature with it’s priceless contributions. Here is a list of must read Malayalam works, novels to be specific

1. The Legends of Khasak by O V vijayan

Khasak and the stories of the people of Kahasak find a beautiful depiction in this novel

2. On The Banks of Mayyazhi by M. Mukundan

The fictional village Mayyazhi's tryst with colonisation is beautifully depicted here.

3. Works by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer

The works by Basheer revolve around very normal people whom you and I are mostly to encourage. His writing style also is highly colloquial.

4. The Hangwoman by K R Meera

Destined to be a hangwoman in prison Chetana is the survivor of a male chauvinistic society as the world questions her ability to inherit the profession for being a woman.

5. Bhima by M T Vasudevan Nair

This novel retells the Mahabharata tale from the perspective of Bhima.

6. Tales of Athiranippadam by SK Pottakkad

As the name suggests the novel paints a picture of the myriad loves in the village of Athiranippadam.

7. Goat Days by Benyamin

The novel is about the troubles of a Keralite who was trapped inthe deserts of the middle East.

8. Roots by Malayattur Ramakrishna

The novel talks about the indefinable attraction one has towards his/her roots even after long separation from the roots

9. Othappu: The scent of the other side by Sara Joseph

The novel narrates the struggles of Margalitha who rejects to fit into social conventions. Her struggles begins the day he decides to step out of the convent which gives no significance to natural human emotions

10. Chemmen by Thakazhi

Set in the backdrop of coastal settlements, the novel is about the fatal love story between Karuthamma and Pareekutty and the lives affected by their love.

These novels provide a good reading experience as well as a close encounter with the culture of Kerala.