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Chandu Menon, Oyyarathu

Born on 9th January 1847 at Vadakara had his primary education from Thiruvangattu Koran Gurukkal, Sanskrit classes from Kunjambu Nair and English education from Thalassery Parsi School. After passing the ‘ uncovenanat civil service’ examination at the age of 16, joined service as a clerk in the court in 1864.

Retired from service as a judge.‘Indulekha’,the first Malayalam Novel was published in 1889 December is a social narrative. Apart from skillful character sketches and comeliness of structure, it also herald modern views and approach hes. The strength of characters is evident in his second novel ‘Sharada’ too. But he could not complete it.Chandu Menon expired on 7th September 1899.

Indulekha, the first Malayalam novel in the true sense, had a chequered history since its publication in 1889. In 116 years the novel had a reprint almost every year, proving its immense popularity.

Indulekha is an endearing love story woven around a feudal Nair taravad. Ravishingly beautiful, headstrong, English-educated and well accomplished, Indulekha is a rebel in her own right far ahead of her times. She has found a perfect match in her cousin, the handsome, scholarly Madhavan.How she deftly wards off the amorous advances of middle-aged, lecherous Surinamboothiripad forms the crux of the story.Chandu Menon is at his best in portraying the vainglorious womaniser who is the epitome of decadence. While seeking a sambandham with Indulekha, Surinamboothiri has no qualms about setting his covetous eyes on Indulekha’s mother as well as her maid.The most charming part of the novel is the encounter between Indulekha and Surinamboothiri.

As a pioneering work Indulekha stands out. The present day reader may fault the novel on many counts - lengthy dialogues bordering on monologues or discourse, unrealistic twists in the plot, typecast characters, the author’s intervention, etc. But in an era yearning for change this social novel had made an impact.

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