Weekend reads: These Malayalam books narrate the tale of human struggles

Stories of human struggles always carry the profundity of truth as they mostly remain close to real incidents. Apart from uncovering realities, which depict people in their helpless state, they portray the invincible power that helps them break free from cultural, physical or emotional shackles binding them.

Jeevitham Aadujeevitham by Blessy and Praveendas

In 2008, writer Benyamin penned a novel based on the true story of a Malayali who flew to Saudi Arabia dreaming of making life better and was duped to toil in the desert. The book titled 'Aadujeevitham', turned out to be an instant bestseller and the incredible travails of Najeeb, the protagonist in the novel, deeply moved the Malayali psyche. Film director Blessy planned a movie, based on the same book, which took almost 16 years to hit the screen. The making of the movie was undoubtedly a painstaking exercise, as a major chunk of it was filmed in the desert. In the book Jeevitham Aadujeevitham authored by Blessy and Praveendas, the arduous journey of the film crew and the actors towards the finishing line has been explored as captivatingly as the movie itself.

Ram C/O Anandhi by Akhil P Dharmajan

Akhil P Dharmajan's book Ram C/O Anandhi was released in 2020. In the writer's own words, the book is supposed to be read with the feel of watching a movie. The vivid picturisation of characters and events gives the book its cinematic quality. The novel follows Ram, the central character in the book, and the people who get involved in his life. The story is set in Chennai and Akhil is said to have lived in the city for two years before writing the novel. The narrative progresses engagingly as the writer blends his own experiences with the fictional plot.

Ethiru by Kunjaman M

Ethiru, considered one of the most motivational books in Malayalam, deals with the complications the Dalits undergo while fighting their way to gain self-esteem and merge with mainstream society. In the preface to the book, social commentator and writer K Venu wrote that Dr Ambedkar had pointed out the slavish attitude of the Dalits for social and historical reasons. He said Ambedkar explained how the Dalits were not able to come out of that mindset fast. An individual who is not a Dalit won't be able to realise its complexities. The only way to understand it is to experience it, he said. The book throws light on the same intricacies of this conundrum.