Author Description

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. The contents of this volume, 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.