List of Top 7 Best Books in Malayalam

Kerala has contributed a lot to Indian literature and it is about time we appreciate it. In its literary circle, often deep introspection is required towards its unique storylines and clever narrative styles. Malayalam Literature is renowned for its depth in meaning and character. Malayali writers have the ability to bring words to life and that is what makes every book so beautiful. These authors connect with their audience using emotions and understanding. This makes readers want to read more. Malayali authors community is a good mix of simplistic writers like legendary Vaikom Muhammad Basheer to microcosmic narrators like O.V. Vijayan and works of contemporary authors like K.R. Meera and Benyamin. Read these best books in Malayalam to find your perfect fit.

 

Best Books in Malayalam

It is impossible to cover all of the books in one article and that is why we had to choose some of our personal favourites for this article. The vast diversity shown in Malayalam books never fails to impress us. We have picked out some of the finest works of legendary Malayali authors. Here is a list of some of the best books in Malayalam with a brief in English. This list contains books ranging from the early 1940s to the present decade. We have made sure every person from every generation is not left out from the love of reading. Get the details of some of the best Malayali books below.

1. Cheemmeen (1956) by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai

 

One of the biggest masterpieces to have been ever written in Malayalam, Chemmeen (Prawns) is a story revolving around the myth among the fishermen groups in Kerala — that of a married woman’s chastity. Penned with great emotional detail about the traditions, taboos, moral boundaries, and day-to-day instances of the culture while walking through the toils of life and nature, the novel went on to win the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, India’s second-highest literary prize, in 1957. The book was adapted in 1965 as one of the greatest Indian films ever made, a feature film with the same name.

 

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2. Khasakkinte Ithihasam (1969) by O.V. Vijayan

 

 

Published in 1969, Khasakkinte Ithihasam is one of the most unforgettable books ever written in Malayalam. It mesmerized its readers to date with realistic visualizations in the storyline. The story is set in a sleepy little village. The novel traces the journey of the protagonist, Ravi. He is tortured by the guilt of having an illicit love affair with his stepmother. Having been reprinted more than 50 times, this book is one of South Asia’s best selling novels. The novel has been translated into many languages like English, German and French. The Legends of Khasak is the English translation of this book which has been translated by OV Vijayan himself.

3. Balyakalasakhi (1944) by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer

 

 

Vaikom Muhammad Basheer or simply Basheer is one of the greatest writers in the history of Malayalam literature. His famous works involve as Pathummayude Aadu, Mathilukal and Ntuppakkoranendarnu. The book considered an autobiographical work, showcases love in its true form, which remains incomplete often. One of the impressive aspects of the story is the manner in which the author hides a trace of the influence of the luminous style and brings humour in abject disaster situations. The story is about two childhood friends who grow up to be lovers.

 

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4. Aarachaar (2013) by KR Meera

 

 

This story is set in Chitpur, Kolkata. It revolves around the ancient legacy of the Graddha Mullick’s, the ancestors believed to go back four hundred years before Christ. Having been the makers of destiny with the loop in their throats, the twist in the plot comes when the last heir is grudgingly handed over the title — and its a woman! 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, rendering K.R. Meera one of the best literary authors in Malayalam. J Devika’s translation of ‘Hangwoman: Everybody loves a Nice Hanging’. There is no doubt in this book is one of the best books in Malayalam.

 

5. Randamoozham (1984) by MT Vasudevan Nair

 

 

This book is one of the most frequently read Malayalam classics ever produced with a revisionist version of the epic Mahabharata. The main character is Bhima, which makes the novel an appealing and reflective reading. The novel, which has been considered the masterpiece of M.T. Vasudevan Nair, received the prestigious 1985 Vayalar Award and 1994 Muttathu Varkey Award for the best literary work in the country. Randamoozham (Second Turn), which diverges from the historical narration of the divine elements, gives the right part to the actual draughtsman behind Pandavas’ victory. In 2013, Gita Krishnankutty translated it as Bhima: Lone Warrior. The book is all set to become a mega-budget feature film. It is also a cultivation of cult status in the state.

 

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6. Verukal (1966) by Malayattoor Ramakrishnan

 

 

Verukal (Roots) is considered to be semi-autobiographical and one of Malayattoor Ramakrishnan’s best works. The tale is based on the life of a Tamil Speaker family who settled down in Kerala generations ago and shows the dramatic effects of modernism, and how it is able to weed out our heritage. This novel has honored with the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award back in 1967. The protagonist was originally settled elsewhere and returns to his native village solely to sell his ancestral land. However, he ends up walking down a memory lane during his stay and reaches a realization which is the heart of the plot. It’s a tale of returning home, that strikes a chord right at heart, that resonates with those who left their hometowns for jobs and other purposes. The English translation of the novel was published in 2002 by the name Roots.

7. Aatujeevitham (2008) by Benyamin

 

 

Aatujeevitham (Life of a Goat) is first republished in a serial in Mathrubhumi Illuminated Weekly and portrays the life of the exploited migrant worker of Bahrain-based Indian writer Benyamin in Saudi Arabia. The hitting story of a Gulf aspirant who ends up leading a Slave-like life in the middle of the Saudi desert when he eventually enters his dreamland. Based on actual events, a sequence of incidents demonstrates the man’s path through intense hardship and isolation, forcing him to flee his desert prison by a life-threatening scheme.

The novel Goat Days were translated in English into the long list of Man Asian Literary Awards 2012 and was awarded the DSC Literature Award 2013. Aatujeevitham has also won the 2009 Kerala Literary Academy Award, which has been called one of the leading best-sellers of today’s Malayalam literature. This is one of the best books in Malayalam. It is a part of the syllabus in Kerala University, Calicut University, Bharathiar University, Pondicherry University and 10th standard for Kerala State syllabus.

Hope you have got the complete list of the best books in Malayalam. Have a good read with this list. We are sure many of you think other books are better. We do not deny that fact as we know, most Malayali books are amazing. But, if you feel there is some novel that has to be a part of this list, then do let us know. Use the comment section below to drop in the names of the books you feel are the best. If you find these books are the best, make sure to let us know.

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