Publisher's Synopsis
Showcasing a range of writers of diverse styles and sensibilities, this two-volume anthology constitutes a selection of the seminal works of innovative writing in Malayalam, the language of Kerala, which has in recent years exerted a profound influence on the Indian literary imagination. The product of a fruitful alliance of writers and translators, this anthology represents a century and more of poetry, drama, fiction, and non-fictional prose by authors from varied social and cultural backgrounds. Both volumes are supported by a general introduction, introductions to individual sections, and biographical notes on the authors. Volume 1 is drawn from poetry, drama, and prose, demonstrate a creative struggle to rebuild tradition from a new perspective and signal a phenomenon that emphasizes the status of Malayalam as the language of social imagination. Volume 2 comprises of fiction that embodies the several transformations of the genre in the twentieth century. The stories and excerpts here demonstrate a resistance to historical linearity and illustrate Malayalam fiction's abiding fascination for experiment at the level of form and content.
