Malayalam literature has a rich tradition of novels, with a number of famous works that have stood the test of time. Here are a few of the best Malayalam novels:
“Naalukettu” (The Ancestral Home) by M.T. Vasudevan Nair: This novel, published in 1958, is set in the early 20th century and depicts the decline of the traditional joint family system in Kerala. It is considered a landmark in Malayalam literature, and its themes of family, tradition and identity are still relevant today.
“Chemmeen” (The Prawn) by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai: This novel, written in 1956, is set in the coastal village of Chellanam and is widely considered a landmark in Malayalam literature for its powerful portrayal of the lives and struggles of the fisherfolk community. It also won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1965.
“Kayar” (Coir) by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai: This novel, written in 1978, depicts the lives of the people in a village in the backwaters of Kerala, India, and their struggles and challenges. The novel is considered a masterpiece and is widely considered as one of the greatest works in Malayalam literature.
“Oru Desathinte Katha” (The story of a place) by S.K Pottekkatt: This novel, written in 1965, is set in a small village in North Kerala and is widely considered as one of the greatest works of the author. The novel explores the theme of the relationship between the individual and society, and it is also known for its powerful portrayal of the cultural and social changes that took place in Kerala during that period. It was also awarded the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1967
“Balyakalasakhi” (Childhood companion) by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer: This novel is considered a modern classic, the story revolves around the love of a young boy and a girl, it explores the theme of unrequited love, it’s written in simple language and captures the essence of village life in Kerala.
“Meesha” (Moustache) by S. Hareesh: This novel, written in 2016, depicts the lives of the people in a village in Kerala and it’s a satirical take on contemporary political, social and cultural issues in Kerala. The novel was widely appreciated for its unique style of storytelling and its unflinching commentary on the society.
“Perariyathavar” (The ones who walked away) by K.R Meera: This novel, written in 2015, is set in the coastal village of Kerala and explores the themes of love, sacrifice and the human condition through the story of a young man who falls in love with a girl. It was widely praised for its powerful portrayal of the lives of the people living in the coastal area and it won several awards, including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award.
These novels are considered as classics in Malayalam literature and widely read and studied. They explore various themes such as love, family, tradition, human condition and society, providing readers with a powerful insight into the lives and culture of Kerala. They are all considered great works of literature in their own right and continue to be widely enjoyed by readers today.