Books continue to redefine our culture and traditions, passed onto us by generations through and through. As someone who’s still discovering many and many books, books I’d have never imagined me reading, through the word of mouth and many forums like Goodreads and Reddit, I can safely say that this short yet definitive (also ever-expanding) list will help you in deciding to pick out your next Malayalam book!
A good piece of literature is like a good friend. It’s there with you throughout your life, with its theme being profound enough to impact you, just like an irreplaceable friend. While you might have read most of these books as they still continue to be popular among the general public, it is needless to say these are amongst the very finest pieces of literature Malayalam language can provide you with! So, without further ado, here you go: –
1, There’s no denying that ‘Randamoozham’ tops the list with all its glory, as it is one of the most influential epics ever written in the Malayalam language ever and is considered as magnum opus of M. T. Vasudevan Nair by many. Penned by the Jnanpith award winner in 1984, ‘Randamoozham’ or ‘Bhima: The Lone Warrior’ (Eng. Trans.) is set as a retelling of the Indian epic Mahabharata, from the view of Bhima, the second Pandava.
2, The second one in this list is ‘Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil’ by M. Mukundan. Also considered as one of the finest pieces of literature from the post-independence/colonialism era, the novel vividly describes the political and social background of Mahe (Mayyazhi), the former French colony, in the past, in a mystical way. Both the original and translated versions have won many accolades including M.P. Paul award and such.
3, ‘Khasakinte Ithihasam’ by O. V. Vijayan manages to capture the soul of Khasak, a fictional land from the past resting in the Palghat countryside of Kerala, potent with dreams and legends, enfolds the traveller/reader in a powerful and unsettling embrace. Published in 1968 when magical realism as a genre was not even known to most, O. V. Vijayan masterfully creates a land and people filled with mystique, with just as much folklore as any real places, and captures the reader into his refined prose.
4, ‘Aatujeevitham’ by Benyamin does not really need an introduction, as its popularity had only skyrocketed after a live-action movie starring Prithviraj which also went to snatch many awards in the Kerala State Film Awards ceremony. This novel explicitly tells the story of Najeeb, who’d gone to the Middle East in search of prosperity, and how he was betrayed and taken advantage of in the cruellest and most inhumane ways, and how his resilience helped him survive and escape from there.
5, S. K. Pottekkatt is best known for his travelogues, which still continues to create rises in the Malayalam literary cycles. His ‘Oru Desathinte Katha’ remains as one of the wide-read novels in the history of Malayalam literature. It portrays the people of Athiranippadam, drawing on history while detailing the story of one place. It won the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in
1972, and the Jnanpith Award in 1980. The story takes place over a span of about 55 years. It travels from Athiranippadam to North India to Africa and Switzerland.
6, Kamala Suraiyya Das, or alternatively Madhavikkutty, was one of the most celebrated poet and writer in India. Nominated in 1984 for the Nobel Prize of Literature, her works have been widely studied and critically acclaimed for promoting women liberation. Her ‘Neermathalam Poothakaalam’ is a semi-autobiographical novel which describes her childhood in the most nostalgic of ways and it enables the reader to feel exactly as how little Kamala must have felt all those years ago.
7, Sarah Joseph, known for her advocacy of both feminist and humanist causes, paved the way for future generations of female writers with her establishment of ‘Pennezhuth’ (woman writing). The first installment in a trilogy, ‘Aalahayude penmakkal’, was succeeded by ‘Mattathi’ and ‘Othappu’. This novel received the Kerala Sahitya Academy award in 2001, the Kendra Sahitya Academy award in 2003, and the Vayalar Ramavarma Award in 2004, too.
8, Balyakalasakhi is a Malayalam romantic tragedy fiction written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. Published in 1944, it is considered by many as Basheer’s best work. The story revolves around Majeed and Suhra, who are in love with each other from childhood. By Basheer’s own admission, the story is largely autobiographical.
9, P. Padmarajan was an Indian author, screenwriter, and film director who was known for his landmark works in Malayalam literature and Malayalam cinema. ‘Udakappola’ by P. Padmarajan is a short story that explores the themes of love, loss, and the power of memory. It revolves around a man who returns to his childhood home and encounters his first love, only to find that their lives have taken vastly different paths. The story delves into the bittersweet nostalgia of revisiting the past and the enduring impact of early relationships.
10, The last but not the least one in this series is ‘Agnisakshi’ by none other than Lalithambika Antharjanam. It is considered a milestone in Malayalam literature and a significant work in feminist literature. It offers a compelling narrative about a strong female character and her journey towards self-discovery and empowerment. Truth be told, it is one of my favourite books in the world.
We hope that these books continue to enthral you, with its indescribably innate and magical prose, and gift you with feelings and memories that will last a lifetime. Here’s to more good books along your way!
If you have any more suggestions, we’d love to hear from you!
Just comment down below!