Oyyarathu Chandu Menon (1847-1899), who wrote the first and finest novel in Malayalam was honoured by the British Government with the title of Rao Bahadur in 1898. He was then the Sub Judge and earlier he had worked under William Logan to shape the Malabar Manual. When Chandumenon translated English novels into Malaiyalam for his wife, he realized that the Western scenario was inscrutable and un-relatable to Malayali readers. So, he decided to write ‘Indulekha’ a love story of Indulekha and Madhavan. It was first translated into English by Francis Dumergue in 1890 and then by R. Leelavathi and Anitha Devassia.
Indulekha, an English-educated woman, skilled in English pastimes like embroidering, painting and playing musical instruments, is in love with Madhavan, an educated and handsome young man in the family. When Panchumenon decides to marry Indulekha off to Suri Nambudiripad in the form of Sambandham, the hero and heroine decide to move to Madras at the end of the Novel. Through this novel, Chandumenon exposes the importance of English education, argues for the need of changing the matrilineal family system prevalent in the Nair community and stands against the immorality of Sambandham, a non-legal but accepted form of marriage. The present excerpt is taken from the translation of Anitha Devassia.
Madhavan is a man of intelligence, courage and courtesy. He has passed all his examinations in first class and won different prizes and scholarships. He is not afraid to speak his mind openly. He speaks against the injustice his valiammavan, Panchumenon showed to Kummini Amma’s family. When his valiammavan is unwilling to send Shinnan for English education, he is determined to get him educated. His uncle Sankaramenon thinks that it is his English education that has made Madhavan forget their customs, traditions and ways of life. That is why he is speaking against Valiammavan. Even Parvathiamma says that everything is to be decided by Valiammavan. When Sankaramenon talks about Valiammavan’s anger and its consequences, Madhavan thinks about Indulekha and his love for her. Sometimes he may not allow their marriage. But Madhavan being an educated man decides to do things that are right.
Madhvan knows very well that the money left in the hands of Valiammavan by their ancestors is meant for the well-being of all the members of the family. He treats Kummini Amma and her children as servants. He paid no attention to Kalyanikutty’s education. He has also decided to raise the little Shinnan as a bull. He says that he won’t allow his valliammavan do this. Thus Madhvan argues for English education and against the matrilineal system in ‘Indulekha’.
----Thulasidharan V
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