Meera one of the best literary writers in Malayalam. The original, Aarachaar (An Executioner) went on to bag Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for 2013, followed by Odakkuzhal Award in 2013, Vayalar Award in 2014 and Sahitya Akademi Award in 2015, making K.R.

Having been the creators of fate with the noose in their hands, the twist in the plot comes when the last heir is grudgingly handed over the title-and its a woman! Set in Chitpur, Kolkata, the narrative revolves around the ancient legacy of the Graddha Mullicks, a lineage believed to go back four hundred years before Christ. One of the noteworthy aspects of the story is the way the author disguises a trace of poignancy in the light narrative style and brings humour even during situations of abject tragedy. One of the finest writers in the history of Malayalam Literature, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer or simply Basheer is more popular for his works like Pathummayude Aadu, Mathilukal and Ntuppuppakkoranendarnnu.īut it is his Balyakalasakhi (Childhood Friend) that has managed to captivate its readers with its simple yet heart-wrenching story of two childhood friends who go on to become lovers till fate decides otherwise.īelieved to be an autobiographical work, the novel showcases love in its truest form-sometimes the one that remains unfulfilled. Balyakalasakhi (1944) by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer The Legends of Khasak was translated by the author himself in 1994 and has often been lauded for its extensive depth in characters and unprecedented narrative style that would have otherwise been rendered as a mundane village romance.

The plot begins with the man’s arrival to the village and how things are never the same again. Inspired by a real village called Thasarak near Palakkad, the novel does not have a single straight narrative which makes it all the more gripping – as one walks through the spiritual journey of an under-graduate dropout, Ravi. The novel, which is considered to be O.V Vijayan’s masterpiece, has been reprinted more than fifty times, making it one of the most best-selling novels in South Asia. One of the most unforgettable books ever written in Malayalam, Khasakkinte Ithihasam continues to mesmerise its readers with a surrealistic visualisation encapsulated within the settings of a sleepy little village that has a microcosm of its own. The book was adapted into a feature film by the same name in 1965, which is considered to be one amongst the greatest Indian films ever made. Penned with great emotional detail about the customs, taboos, moral boundaries and day-to-day instances of the community while trudging through toils of life and existence, the novel went on to win the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, India’s second highest literary prize, in 1957. One of the biggest cult classics to have been ever written in Malayalam, Chemmeen (Prawns) is a saga revolving around the myth among the fishermen communities in Kerala-that of a married woman’s chastity. Chemmeen (1956) by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai Here are ten best works in Malayalam literature – along with their translated English counterparts – ranging from the early 1940s to the present decade that you must not miss out for the pure love of reading: 1. While it is near impossible to round down to one for the vast diversity showcased by the authors in Kerala, we have tried our hand in sieving out some of the finest literary works ever produced in Malayalam. Meera and Benyamin, the writers have never failed to captivate both readers and critics alike with their skill of crafting unforgettable tales. Vijayan and works of contemporary authors like K.R.

With its unfathomable contribution to Indian literature, Kerala has carved itself a niche position in the literary circles with works that often reflect deep introspection through its unprecedented storylines and ingenious narrative styles.įrom simplistic writings of legendary Vaikom Muhammad Basheer to microcosmic narratives of O.V.

Malayalam novels