| Specifications |
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Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers |
| Author Mini Krishnan | |
| Language: English | |
| Pages: 237 | |
| Cover: PAPERBACK | |
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8.5x5.5 Inch |
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Weight 240 gm |
| Edition: 2025 | |
| ISBN: 9789365698428 | |
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HBR282 |
| Delivery and Return Policies |
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Ships in 1-3 days |
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Returns and Exchanges accepted within 7 days |
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Free Delivery |
THE
EVOLUTION OF Malayalam short stories can be traced back to the period between
the concluding years of the nineteenth century and the early part of the
twentieth century, arising from the initiative of contemporary publishers and
those lovers of language who could relate to Western literature. Modern prose,
especially literary prose, came into being only in the nineteenth century. The
efforts of the Christian missionaries should be remembered with gratitude
because they were the pioneers of liberal education and the translation of
religious and moral texts into Malayalam, which had an impact on the popular
imagination. There are a few who believe that the first short stories in
Malayalam were the stories published for children by Kerala Varma Valiyakoil
Thamburan (1845-1914). Those stories were compiled and published under the
title Keralavarma Kathakal (1983). The distinctive features of those stories
were their small format and allegorical content. Such publications that emerged
during that inceptual period did have a tale-to-tell in each, but lacked the
form and character of the short story of modern literature. The first
true-to-character short story of Malayalam is 'Vasana Vikruti'-published as
Instinctive Mischief' in this collection, originally published in 1891. It is
believed that this story was written by Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar. However,
researchers now say that the publisher of the story, the literary magazine
Vidyavinodini, did not print his name as the author. The compilation of
Nayanar's stories titled Kesari, published before his demise, does not include
this story. The foreword to this compilation was written by C.P. Achutha Menon,
the editor of Vidyavinodini. Were the story written by Vengayil Kunhiraman
Nayanar, he might have indeed indicated it. 'Vasana Vikruti' exhibits all the
distinctions now deemed mandatory for short stories. It is about the folly of a
thief. The man, who fell into the trap of the police-thanks to his own
folly-decides that he is not suited for his occupation and goes on a pilgrimage
to Kashi. The story is written in first person as narrated by the thief who is
discharged after serving a six-month sentence in jail. 'Dwaraka' (1993) by
Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1860-1914) is considered to be the first ever
'fantasy tale' in Malayalam. The author, in his dream state, wears a watertight
submersible suit and descends into the ocean where the ancient city of Dwaraka sank,
along with a fellow officer of his ship. It is only when he is jolted awake by
someone that the protagonist realizes that it was only a vivid dream. As
reality and illusion intermingle in this story, it can be termed fantasy.
KUNJU
NAMBOODIRI WISHES TO MARRY A SECOND TIME BUT FATE HAS OTHER PLANS A MAN VISITS
THE MYTHICAL CITY OF DWARAKA IN THE FIRST MALAYALAM FANTASY TALE AN ABANDONED
INFANT IS RAISED AS A MUSLIM TILL HER ROYAL IDENTITY IS DISCOVERED. AN INDIA
ALMOST UNKNOWN TO US FLOODS THE PAGES OF THIS SIGNIFICANT SERIES OF SHORT
STORIES SOURCED FROM THE LATE NINETEENTH TO THE MID TWENTIETH CENTURIES. RINGING
WITH THE MUSIC OF INDIA'S REGIONAL LANGUAGES, AND PEPPERED WITH WIT AND SOCIAL
COMMENTARY, THESE STORIES ARE WINDOWS TO THE PAST AND ITS PEOPLE THE EVERYDAY
STRUGGLES AND JOYS THE TIES OF FRIENDSHIP AND FAITH THE POLITICS OF LOVE AND
REJECTION THE INTRICACIES OF BETRAYAL AND ENVY AND THE CONFLICTS OF CLASS AND
CASTE-WHILE CONTINUING TO BE RELEVANT TO OUR PRESENT, PUNCTURING THE BOUNDARIES
OF TIME AND SPACE. HOW MUCH HAS INDIAN SOCIETY CHANGED? HOW MUCH OF IT HAS NOT?
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