"It was a wonderful experience interacting with you and appreciate the way you have planned and executed the whole publication process within the agreed timelines.”
Subrat SaurabhAuthor of Kuch Woh Pal
In this era of rapid urbanisation, the provincial stories are forgotten. The provincial way of life is now limited to the literature. Only through creative imagination can we retrieve the provincial histories, otherwise lost forever. Thakshankunnu Swaroopam represents a sentimental blend of history, myths, and traditions. It reflects the lives of those who lived during a certain period in time, though not in existence anymore, through its interactions at various dimensions of politics, culture, and humanity. It shows the social renaissance movements and India’s freedom struggle defining its contours. That life is what Thakshankunnu Swaroopam has sought to capture for the generations to follow. A symbol of the bygone era. A tombstone.
Review:
“This is the story of people who lived at Thakshankunnu, situated in the Malabar region of present Kerala. The rich descriptions of villages, cities, romance, strife, and litigations combine to elevate this novel to an epic status. The novelist has succeeded in providing a distinct personality and individuality to Thakshankunnu, through the experiences of the people who lived there during its nearly a century-long era of social and political transformation. Here is another novel written entirely from the ambience of Kerala.”
Prof. MGS Narayanan, Former Head, the Department of History, Calicut University, and former Chairman, the Indian Council of Historical Research.
UK Kumaran, Translated by: Jayasankar Keezhayi
UK Kumaran was born in Payyoli, Kozhikode district, on May 11, 1950.
Kumaran attended Kizhur AUP School and Payyoli Government High School. He did his bachelor’s degree in economics from Guruvayurappan College, Kozhikode. Later, he obtained diplomas in Journalism and Public Relations.
Kumaran began his journalistic career as a sub-editor with Veekshanam Weekly. The positions he occupied included Kozhikode Unit Chief of Kerala Koumudi, Vice President of Kerala Journalist Union, Member of State Telephone Advisory Committee, Member of Journalism Board of Studies at Calicut University, Vice Chairman of Kerala Sahitya Academy, Chairman of OV Vijayan Smaraka Samithi, Member of Advisory Committee to National Book Trust, and Director of Nava Kerala Co-operative Publishing House.
A prolific writer in Malayalam, Kumaran has published over 95 books. His published works include a collection of short stories, novels, novelettes, memoirs, and travelogues.
Jayasankar Keezhayi was born in 1967 at Maniyur, Kozhikode, Kerala.
Jayasankar did his early education at Maniyur AUP school, Govt UP School, Kizhur, BTMHS Thurayur, and Govt College Madappally.
After joining Indian Air Force Jayasankar continued his studies and completed his graduation from Osmania University, LLB from Panjab University, MBA from IGNOU, and MBL from National Law School, Bangalore.
After his tenure with Indian Air Force, Jayasankar practised as a lawyer for a short while and then moved to corporate roles. During this period, he worked in various managerial and executive roles with different companies. Currently, Jayasankar is working as the Director of PESTEL Consultants (OPC) Pvt Ltd, providing consultancy and research support services to corporate clients.
