'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 TelegraphIndulekha (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.
Readership: Students of South Asian language (Malayalam), and literature, scholars of South Asian literature and culture, the general reader.
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
