This was the sole novel by Lalithambika Antharjanam who has penned many a short stories and poem. The novel has been translated to English by Vasanthi Sankaranarayanan. It also received the Odakkuzhal (1977) and Vayalar Award (1977). The unconventional storytelling employed in the book makes it a literary gem.Ĭonsidered a classic in Malayalam literature, the novel was published by Current Books in 1976.The novel also received the prestigious Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award (1977) and Kerala Sahitya Akademi (1977) Award. The narration technique used in the novel is unique and the wordplay requires special mention. For several years, a tiny room in a dilapidated building served her humble home, living at the mercy of others. A dream she weaved together with her late parents. Belle was an orphan from a young age, struggling for her dream. The characters, unique narration and the spectacularly crafted plot makes for a compelling read. the store manager exclaimed in pure disdain, glaring as he snickered. The novelist has captured with much clarity the social structure prevalent in Kerala in those times. Other main characters include Thankam Nair and Unni Namboodiri, Thettikutty’s husband.

The novel depicts her transformation into a revolutionary and later on her resigned life in an ashram. The plot revolves around Thettikutty and her trials and tribulations in the highly misogynist Namboodiri illoms (houses) and her journey towards liberation. The novel chronicles the struggles of a progressive Namboothiri (Brahmin) woman when she gets married to a highly conservative family. A landmark novel that dared to questioned the dark practices and the subjugation women in the Namboothiri community undergo in their homes, Agnisakshi written by Lalithambika Antharjanam remains one among the most celebrated works in Malayalam literature.

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