MUST READ INDIAN REGIONAL LANGUAGE BOOKS

India have a long list of world class writers. Many of their creations are unique in subject and rare in presentation. We are now presenting here some must read books of Indian regional languages. These books are translated into many foreign languages.

Bharatipura

By U R Ananthamurthy

U R Ananthamurthy has received the Padma Bhushan and the Jnanpith Award for his outstanding work in Kannada literature. Bharatipura revolves around the practice of untouchability and the caste system in India.

The Legends of Khasak

By O V Vijayan (Author and translator)

O V Vijayan was a renowned author of Malayalam literature. Winner of many prestigious awards like Padma Bhushan, Sahitya Academy Award etc. This book says the story of Ravi, who embarks on a journey to get rid of his guilt, restlessness and despair. He ends up in a remote village called Khasak where he becomes a school teacher.

Cobalt Blue

Sachin Kundalkar, Jerry Pinto (Tr)

Sachin is a Marathi writer and an award winning film director. This debut novel revolves around a Marathi family and paying guest who comes to live with them.

Umrao Jan Ada

Mirza Muhammad Hadi Ruswa,

Khushwant Singh (Tr) and M A Husaini (Tr)

Mirza Hadi is a popular Urdu poet and writer. This is considered by many as the first Urdu novel. This book covers the life of Umrao Jan, a courtesan in Lucknow.

Chemmeen

By T S Pillai, Anita Nair (Tr)

T S Pillai was the recipient of the Padma Bhushan and the Jnanpith Award for his exceptional work in Malayalam literature. Chemmeen is the love story of Karuthamma, a Hindu woman of the fishermen community and Pareekkutty, a Muslim man.

One Part Woman

Perumal Murugan, Aniruddha Vasudevan (Tr)

Perumal Murugan is a popular Tamil writer. This novel is about Kali and Ponna, a married couple who are unable to conceive a child.

Ghachar Ghochar

By Vivek Shanbhag, Srinath Perur (Tr)

Vivek is a Kannada author. It is about a family who becomes rich after the uncle starts a successful spice company.

The Fakir

By Sunil Gangopadhyay, Monabi Mitra (Tr)

The author was the winner of many prestigious awards including Sahitya Academy Award. The Fakir is a fictional adaptation that tells of the legends of the Bengali mystic Lalan Fakir.

Litanies of Dutch Battery

By N S Madhavan, Rajesh Rajamohan (Tr)

N S Madhavan is a contemporary Malayalam writer who has won many awards including the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award. He is also 2007 Man Asian Literary Prize nominee. The story is told through the eyes of Edwina Jessica who was born on Dutch Battery, one of the many islands that speckle the Kochi waters. The book is a wonderful mix of history and imagination, giving us a glimpse of life 50 years ago.

Tamas

By Bhisham Sahni (Author and translator)

Bhisham is a Hindi writer who won the Padma Bhushan and Sahitya Academy Award. Tamas is told through the eyes of Bathu, a sweeper who was deceived by a Muslim politician to cut a pig  found ouside the local mosque. Muslims were enraged and killed hundreds of Hindus and Sikhs who in turn killed every Muslim they could find. The book will leave you to a shock.

K V George

kvgeorgein@gmail.com