MAYYAZHIPPUZHAYUDE THEERANGALIL by M.Mukhundan (Book Review by Sajna NS)

MAYYAZHIPPUZHAYUDE THEERANGALIL
     

           "Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil" [ On The Banks Of Mayyazhi] is a Malayalam novel by M.Mukhundhan.It is a classic novel describes the political and social background of Mahe [Mayyazhi] the former French colony, in the past ,in a mystical way.It was a story of an age, a story of love,independence and rebellion. The writer charts the mythology and legends of this region,existing in the period between colonization and democracy


                Dasan is the central character in this novel.Dasan is a person who is influenced by a political ideology.He appeared as a strong communist worker.His whole endeavor was to send back the foreigners to their mother land France. In between dasan fall in love with the niece of his school master. Mukhundhan could portray some real lives through this novel.Mayyazhippuzha itself is treated as the character in this novel.the novel stressed on the life styles of each and every people resided over Mayyazhi. The writer defines them 'mayyazhiyude makkal'. The life of people in Mayyazhi during pre independence period is described in this novel.Many foreigners used to live in mayyazhi during those days. Mayyazhi people had a very close relationship between them.They both lived in a co-operative manner.But when Dasan and his ideologies attained its highest growth,he and his followers tried to vanish the French people from Mayyazhi. Thus the life of the people at Mayyazhi became rebellious. As a result, Dasan was forced to go through many difficulties.

                    The novel has  a plenty of heart throbbing characters.Kurambiyamma, Kunjakkan, Lesley sayipp, Kunjichirutha, Girija , Pappan,  Achu, writer, Kausuamma were some of them. The interesting fact is 'Velliyaamkallu' which is located in the lap f the ocean , where the souls of the departed who became dragonflies  and traversed the sea to that distant island of souls. The main sensitive fact for the readers was that Dasan was not able to marry Chandrika .After all it seems to be a tragic end.