INDULEKHA IS the first classic novel in Malayalam. The novelist had originally intended to translate Benjamin Disraeli `s Henrietta Templebut abandoned the idea and depicted a familiar story. Indulekhabecame a landmark in the history of Malayalam literature and initiated the novel as a new flourishing genre.
The book became significant and there have been innumerable critical studies on it. One has only to evaluate whether anything new has emerged in its study and in that respect the one by E.P. Rajagopalan is commendable and analytical, placing the novel in perspective.
The novel highlights the eternal conflict and clash between two generations, the old and the young, and between tradition and modernity. It deals with the decline of the feudal system in Kerala and of the emergence of an educated middle class. Suri Nambudiri represents the decadence of feudalism, its caste oppression and polygamy. Indulekha, the novel's educated heroine, dramatises the resistance of a progressive woman. She refuses to succumb to the oppression of the Nambudiri and marries Madhavan, who stands up to the social evils of the period.
It heralded the voice of rebellion against such customs and traditions that stood in the way of humanisation. Social issues have been forcefully debated in the novel through the experiences of the characters reflecting contemporary society. The critical study clearly brings out the aspects of modernity of the novel and of its essential imperative of synthesis between tradition and modernity. It also deals with the significance of the novel resulting in many sequels and adaptations in novels, plays and other literary forms. The impressive bibliography bears testimony to it.
K. KUNHIKRISHNAN
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