Ayalkaar - P Keshavadev

Dec-2010-Jan 2011 അയല്കാര്‍ (Neighbours) പി കേശവദേവ്‌ (P Keshavadev)

This book, the 1964 Kendra Sahitya Academy award winning novel,was suggested by Abhaya when we had gone to DC Books, Kottayam during our Oct 2010 visit.

 This novel is acclaimed as the chronicle of the evolution of the three leading communities of the State of Kerala - the Nairs, Christians and Ezhavas from the days of feudalism to the post independent era. (between 1920s to 1950s).

This book basically talks about 3 basic premises:

• 1.       The downfall of the feudal system
• 2.       The uprising(awakening) of the Ezhavas
• 3.       The rise of the Christian community 

Writing about the tragedy of the disintegration of the two major tharavaads– Mangalassery and Pachazhi - Kesavadev recreates their glorious past and also narrates the trials and tribulations paving the way for their total destruction.

My Review

Initially, I was off to a slow start and when Keshavadev introducted a host of characters in the joint family, I was kind of losing track of all the family members in the 2 major Nair families. But slowly things settled in, many folks died off during the story-telling and was able to grasp the stories and lives of the remaining characters

Overall, I liked the writing style and managed to complete reading it without any hiccups !!

About Keshavadev(Portrait of a Rebel)

* P.Kesava Dev was born in the year 1904 and he died in 1983. He lived approximately eighty years of which almost half was pre-independent and the latter half was post-independent period. This period in the history of Kerala was one of great significance as far as the socio-economic life of the state was concerned, for reasons well known.

* It was a time when the caste system was practiced rigorously. The Namboodiri's emerged as a dominant caste and the ownership of land largely vested with them. The social system proved decadent with the Namboodiri's leading a life of ease and comfort and their womenfolk relegated to remain a frustrated lot. A number of retrograde customs and taboos were prevalent.

*The matrilineal system of inheritance known as Marumakkathayam was in practice. This system ensured that the family property remained in tact and the 'Karanavar' enjoyed the benefits as the ruler or manager of the family. All the members of the matriarchal family had the right of maintenance from the property but were not entitled to ownership. The joint family system was the order of the day and as a rule there was no peace or harmony among the members who lived under the same roof. Polyandry was practiced extensively leading to a decline of moral standards.

*The feudal system was the order of the day with Janmis holding the title to landed properties. The condition of the toiling section of the community was precarious.

The caste system with the 'Savarna' and 'Avarna' classification among the Hindus remained an impediment in the way of the advancement of the backward classes. The Avarna's were denied the right to enter temples, study in schools and even to walk along public roads. Strange as it may seem today; during those days Nair's prevented Ezhava's entering their temples and Ezhava's in turn prevented the Harijan's from entering the temples owned by them.

*Kesava Pillai was born at a time of transition. He was exposed to all the maladies that were prevalent in the society in general and in the institution of joint family in particular. He was also a witness to the wind of change that swept across the length and breadth of the country. His childhood and youth were punctuated by the changes that occurred around him and during the rest of his life he was part and parcel of a new era. Kesava Pillai was influenced by the men and society around him. His speeches and writings expressed his anguish against social injustice and a relentless attempt to rebel against the establishment. Hence the life and work of Kesava Dev should be examined and assessed bearing in mind the social scenario that prevailed during his lifetime.

More details: http://www.kesavadev.net/en/l_and_t_kdv.htm