Pravasam
Pravasam is a 2008 Malayalam novel written by M. Mukundan. According to the author, the novel is an attempt to re-define nostalgia which is thought to be the essence of life of non-resident Malayalis and to pay respect to hundreds of thousands of Malayalis living as non-resident Keralites in different parts of the world. It is a novel that travels through generations. It depicts a clear picture of the life stories of various persons living in various parts of the world as non-resident Keralites. It explains us about the different kinds of feelings of various kinds of people who had left their homeland for various reasons. These reasons include the emigration for the sake of seeking a better profession, for studies, for getting a better class of living and so on. But almost all of them dreams of returning to their homeland one day and enjoying the homeliness. One of the issues the books addresses is the question of cultural identity of the Malayali.[1] A notable fact about the novel is that renowned Malayalam author S. K. Pottekkatt is a major character in the narrative. In the beginning, the narration is given such that, story is told by Pottekkatt and after his death, it was completed by Mukundan. Even, the narrator, himself is a non-resident Keralite and has many experiences to share with the readers. Whatever amenities the emigration life had provided them, each one of them, deep in their mind had a strong desire to come back to their native land one day. This uncontrolled emotions and sentiments of Malayalis towards their homeland is clearly illustrated in the story.
| Author | M. Mukundan |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Genre | Novel |
| Publisher | DC Books |
Publication date | 23 August 2008 |
| Pages | 432 |
| ISBN | 9788126419890 |
The novel was officially released on 23 August 2008 by former Kerala minister Binoy Viswam during the 6th World Malayali Conference held in Singapore.[2] A formal release function was also held at Kerala on 18 September 2008. Former minister M. A. Baby handed over the first copy of the book to Sukumar Azhikode.[3]
M. Mukundan won the Habeeb Valappad Award in 2009 for this novel.[4] Also, the 2009 Mudranamikavu Awards for Excellence in Book Production, instituted by the Department of Printing and Publishing of Mahatma Gandhi University, was awarded to DC Books for the printing and production of Pravasam.[5]
References
- "'Pravasam' is an attempt to redefine nostalgia, says M. Mukundan". The Hindu. 18 August 2008. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- "Programme schedule for 6th World Malayali Conference". World Malayali Conference Singapore. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- "Stone laid for golden jubilee building of Kerala Sahitya Akademi". 19 September 2008. The Hindu. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- "Award for writer". The Hindu. 31 January 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- "Mudranamikavu awards announced". The Hindu. 23 May 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
