ഇന്നലത്തെ മഴ | Innalathe Mazha

by N. Mohanan

ജ്യോതിശാസ്ത്രജ്ഞന്‍,വ്യാകരണപണ്ഡിതന്‍, ഭൗതികശാസ്ത്രപരിജ്ഞാനി എന്നീ നിലകളിലൊക്കെ പ്രസിദ്ധനായ വരരുചി എന്ന ബ്രാഹ്മണന് ഒരു ചണ്ഡാളസ്ത്രീയില്‍ പന്ത്രണ്ടുമക്കള്‍ ജനിച്ചു. മേഴത്തോളഗ്നിഹോത്രീ മുതല്‍ പാക്കനാര്‍ വരെ നീളുന്ന ആ പന്തിരുകുല ഐതിഹ്യത്തിന്‍റെ നോവല്‍ രൂപം. വായനക്കാ‍‍ര്‍ വര്‍ഷങ്ങളായി ഒരുപോലെ നെഞ്ചേറ്റിയ പുസ്തകം.

114 pages

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Akankshya · Rating 4 out of 5]

What The Rains Foretold by N. Mohanan, translated from the Malayalam by Manoj Neelakantham, was a refreshing read, taking me back to my childhood when I obsessed on Indian folklore. The book is based on the origin myth of the state of Kerala.

The story follows the (mis)adventures of a young Brahmin scholar, Vararuchi, who leaves a place in the royal kingdom in search of true knowledge. He is a rationalist and believes in logic, and hence is adamant of proving the fate wrong when he overhears a prophecy that says he, a Brahmin, will marry a Pariah girl.

The translation stands out for me as it translates both prose and verse. The two love birds in the title page are the ones who bring the prophecy and narrate the fate of Vararuchi through the story in the form of verses. These songs are rhythmic and rhyming, alluding to the structure of shlokas in the Gita.

Vararuchi had a difficult childhood. His elder brother decided to send him to study as he escaped to Nepal to save his life. Stories of their childhood till the time the brothers reunite are narrated through flashbacks, dreams, and visions. It is a reminder of the fact that even though that the language that we are reading it in is simple and comprehensive, the story belongs to a different era where we don't question the logic behind visions, dreams, and prophecies. It is annoying to read about Vararuchi's egotistical ways over and over again but the reunion with his long lost brother is an episode that I really liked. Logic and rationality vis-a-vis faith and love!

It seemed to me that the story sends out the message of what we now call breaking the generational curse. In doing so, it paves way to the creation of various communities of Kerela and its people.

Definitely a beautiful read for people interested in folk stories. This book actually got me thinking if each state/place has its origin myth, something I'll be diving into soon.

[Mugdha Mahajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the Rains Foretold by N. Mohanan is a fascinating novel that narrates the legend of Vararuchi, the Brahmin scholar who became the ancestor of Kerala. The novel, translated from Malayalam by Manoj Neelakantham, captures the essence and beauty of the original language through prose and poetry. The novel follows Vararuchi’s quest for truth, which leads him to defy his destiny and marry a Pariah girl. They have twelve children, who are abandoned by Vararuchi and later become the founders of the diverse communities of Kerala. The novel ends with a touching reunion of Vararuchi and his family, where he seeks forgiveness and redemption. The novel is not only a mythological tale, but also a commentary on the themes of fate and free will, logic and faith, love and duty, and diversity and unity. It is a novel that I found very enjoyable and enlightening. I would recommend this novel to anyone who is interested in Indian folklore and culture.

[Sreelekshmi Ramachandran · Rating 3 out of 5]

സ്കൂളിൽ പഠിക്കുമ്പോൾ മലയാള പാഠപുസ്തകത്തിൽ നാറാണത്ത് ഭ്രാന്തന്റെ കഥ പഠിക്കാനുണ്ടായിരുന്നു...
അദ്ദേഹം വലിയ കല്ലുകള്‍ മലമുകളിലേക്ക് കഷ്ടപ്പെട്ട് തള്ളി കൊണ്ടുപോകും. എന്നിട്ട് മുകളില്‍ എത്തിയാല്‍ താഴെക്ക് ഉരുട്ടിവിടും. അത് കണ്ട് കൈകൊട്ടി പൊട്ടിച്ചിരിക്കും..
നാറാണത്തിന്റെ ഇത്തരം പ്രവർത്തി കണ്ട് എല്ലാവരും ഭ്രാന്തനെന്നു വിളിച്ചു. പക്ഷേ അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ പ്രവര്‍ത്തികളില്‍ മഹത്തായ ഒരു തത്വശാസ്ത്രം ഒളിച്ചിരുന്നു..മനുഷ്യന്റെ അഹങ്കാരങ്ങളെയും ഗർവിനെയും ഇല്ലാതാക്കിയ തത്വശാസ്ത്രം..

നാറാണത്ത് ഭ്രാന്തനിലൂടെയാണ് വരരുചിയേയും പറയിപെറ്റ പന്തിരുകുലത്തിന്റെയും കഥകൾ അറിയുന്നത്.

നിളയുടെ തീരത്തിൽ നിന്നും ഉത്ഭവിച്ച കഥപറച്ചിൽ..
വിക്രമാദിത്യ സദസ്സിലെ പണ്ഡിതനായ വരരുചി തനിക്ക് പറയ കുലത്തില്‍ പിറക്കുന്ന ഒരു പെണ്‍കുട്ടിയെ വിവാഹം കഴിക്കേണ്ടി വരുമെന്ന് മനസ്സിലാക്കി, ഗൂഢ തന്ത്രത്തിലൂടെ അവളെ ഇല്ലാതാക്കാൻ ശ്രമിക്കുന്നു, എന്നാൽ വിധി മറ്റൊന്നായിരുന്നു.. ആരെ ഇല്ലാതാക്കാൻ ശ്രമിച്ചോ അവൾ തന്നെ വരരുചിയുടെ പത്നിയായി മാറുന്നു... വിധിമഹിമ അലംഘനീയമാണെന്ന കാര്യത്തിന്റെ ഊട്ടിഉറപ്പിക്കല്‍ കൂടിയായിരുന്നു ആ വിവാഹം. അവിടെവെച്ച് സ്വയം ഭ്രഷ്ട് കല്‍പ്പിച്ച് വരരുചിയും ഭാര്യയും ദേശാടനത്തിനിറങ്ങുന്നു, ആ യാത്രയിൽ അവർക്ക് പന്ത്രണ്ടു മക്കൾ ജനിക്കുന്നു.
ഈ നോവലില്‍ സ്ത്രീയുടെ കരുത്തിനും ധിഷണയ്ക്കും മാതൃകയായ പഞ്ചമി എന്ന മാതാവിന്റെ ആത്മനൊമ്പരം മഴയായ് പെയ്യുന്ന അനുഭവം വായനക്കാരന് ലഭിക്കും.. ആത്മാവില്‍ ഏകാകിയായവന്റെ നിത്യ സങ്കടങ്ങള്‍ക്കു വാക്കു ലഭിക്കുന്ന അത്ഭുത പ്രതീതി ഉളവാകും..

പരിചിതമായ കഥയെങ്കിലും എൻ. മോഹനന്റെ എഴുത്തിന്റെ ഭംഗിയാണ് എന്നെ നോവൽ വായിപ്പിക്കാൻ പ്രേരിപ്പിച്ചത്..
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📚Book - ഇന്നലത്തെ മഴ
✒️Writer- എൻ മോഹനൻ
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[Kinjal Parekh · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started reading this book, I had a constant feeling of calm and content for some reason. The writing made me believe that I was at the scene as I kept reading through brilliant texts as Vararuchi's story progressed.

Vararuchi had a difficult childhood. He is a rationalist and believes in logic. So when he overhears about a prophecy about him, he takes it to himself to of proving the fate wrong. But Vararuchi not particularly an ideal man. More of the edge of self-centred, egoistical, and all the mistreatments towards his wife - Panchami enraged me. But does his character shift? Is there a curve? You can only find out after reading this book.

Panchami, the parayi girl, is a dutiful wife. As you read the book, you will ask yourself a question everytime if she would stand up for herself, if she would finally voice her thoughts, if she would protest against the wrong - and the questions are answered.

Without giving any spoilers, for me, this book was more about faith and destiny. The duality of nature - be it culture, society, love, knowledge - the good and the bad side of each. The book made me question logic, made me want to read more of this folklore. It makes us consciously aware how it somehow is all written.

[Sneha Pathak (reader_girl_reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars, rounded to 4.

What the Rains Foretold is a novel that reminded me of the folk-tales i was so fond of reading as a child, and then gradually lost touch with as my reading scene exploded with the different kind of books i switched to reading.

The story of Vararuchi and how he tries to escape what fate has in store in him only to realise that he has actually fulfilled it reminded me of so many similar stories prevalant in other cultures and languages, especially the stories of the Greek myths like Oedipus. The idea that one cannot run from one's destiny and yet even the most learned of people can fall prey to this fallacy is inherent in this fable. The novel is also related to the folk-tale of how the land and its people came to be. Told in a mixture of prose and poetry, and translated deftly by the translator, this book will be enjoyed by all those who have an interest in folk-tales and mythological stories.

[Rachel Coutinho · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautifully written story tells of the myth of the formation of Kerala, India. The descriptions of the scenes were calm and peaceful which contrasted to the infruriating arrogance of the main character.

[Siddhartha · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Innalathe Malaza" (Yesterday's rain - though in English translation they named in differently) by N. Mohanan is a fascinating novel that narrates the legend of Vararuchi, the Brahmin scholar who became the ancestor of Kerala based on the myth "Parayi petta panthirukulam".
This can be seen as the way of claiming all the caste in Kerala had a Brahmin (so called highest caste) and a lowest caste mother thus the children range from the highest to lowest caste in society.

The novel is focused on the thoughts and actions of Vararuchi and how he tries to defeat Fate and in the attempt fails miserably and loses everything including any happiness and peace in life and love of his wife and children. There are other books focusing in detail on the life of their 12 children but this one the focus is on Vararuchi.

It's a good attempt to look into the mind of a person who tries to challenge the fate but in the process hardens his mind and loses almost everything and even after realizing and regretting, he wants to change and rather than taking the steps to change himself he is waiting or his wife to plead with him so that his ego won't be hurt in the process. This part is what's going through the life of many people who even after realizing the mistakes in their life, is not able to change their path due to their ego and the unwillingness to admit they made mistakes and in the process prefer to suffer and suffer and lose all the dear and near ones.

[Àbhìshék Hárî · Rating 4 out of 5]

എല്ലാം കണ്ട് കുതൂഹലമാർന്ന പെണ്ണിനോട് ആൺകിളി വീണ്ടും ചോദിച്ചു;

'പണ്ട് ഞാൻ പറഞ്ഞ ഒരു കാര്യം ഓർമയുണ്ടോ? ഒരു പറയി പെറ്റുണ്ടാകാൻ പോകുന്ന കുലങ്ങളെപ്പറ്റി?'

'ഉവ്വ്. ഓർമയുണ്ട്. പന്ത്രണ്ടു കുലങ്ങൾ.'

ആൺകിളി അങ്ങു ദൂരെ താഴ്‌വരയിലേക്കു നോക്കി,

'അല്പം മുൻപു കണ്ടില്ലേ, അവിടെ? അതാ, അതാണ്, ആ പറയിപെറ്റ പന്തിരുകുലം.'

[FBN · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good narration of the famous malayalam legend 'Parayipetta Panthirikulam'. Definitely worth a read.

[bookmonk._ · Rating 4 out of 5]

What the rains foretold written by N. Mohanan in Malayalam titled Innalathe Mazha translated by Manoj Neelakanthan follows Vararuchi through his eventful journey that spans a lifetime. This is in fact a retelling of the famous folklore “parayi petta panthirikulam”

Vararuchi, a child prodigy, karma yogi and the youngest scholar to win a place in the king’s court as the chief advisor, declines worldly pleasures to set out on a journey to liberate himself with knowledge and to know the essence of the world. Seek and you shall find, so did he but pandit or not, poor or rich, no one is spared the wear and tear of time, The writ of destiny patiently carved into human existence waiting for an unfolding. Vararuchi stumbles upon a prophecy that shook him to his core and he sets out to challenge destiny.
Coming back to an old story, I have heard and read numerous times as a young girl is always a pleasure but the fun part was that, I finally got a chance to look at it from a different perspective especially since the retelling bought life and light to the characters.

Here’s a bunch of reasons as on why I would suggest you to pick this elegant translated work,

1.To start with, translating anything from the parent language without losing its vitality is a tedious process and as a Malayali, when I read the English translation, I was elated to know the beauty wasn’t lost in translation, I realised this further as I discussed it with my mother who have priorly read this book, I compared a few parts especially the ending and the shlokas (verses) only to realise the terrific job at translation.

2.Vararuchi isn’t a likeable character, he was nothing but difficult, he was a man of knowledge but he was coarse enough to question destiny & take impulsive decisions to protect himself ,he was self-centred and egoistical , he went to the extremes of mistreating Panchami (his wife) by denying her the pleasures of motherhood , he abandoned his 12 children solemnly without a tinge of guilt, the main reason why I loved the retelling is because of Vararuchi’s redemption, a man sworn to celibacy, pawn to destiny finds his true self, he realises all his learning was just cold and calculated, an arrogant display of  knowledge, I never expected an ounce of tenderness but yet as I burned through the pages Vararuchi grew on me, love alone endures and to see him as a doting father even for a short moment was a pleasure.

3.Panchami, the parayi girl, a woman who never yielded to emotions, has always been a dutiful wife, even if it meant forfeiting her wishes, I always wondered how she could endure all these without even a whimper of protest and my questions finally have an answer and unlike the other times, she has a voice, and I have always loved it when women wronged by history are given a voice that echoes through the void of self-loathing, they had built for themselves.  

4.The relevancy of the storyline, even after all these years. Casteism is an ongoing topic, you aren’t what you are branded with at birth and that doesn’t define your essence ,the 12 children born from a woman who was branded at birth went on to do great things , they have been abandoned and yet they chose to value their roots and family ,treated their parents with respect even though they had all the rights to be angry something that’s very rare to see in this generation, this tale weaves a beautiful thread of finding your own footing in the chaos and to always respect your heritage, no matter what.

5.Last but not the least this story is a prime example of how destiny and faith plays a significant role in the sands of time, you can shape your path but you can never erase the path that has been set out for you, this timeless classic still holds a place in the modern world for all the right reasons.



And just as the rains foretold ,we wait for a new dawn, for a new beginning!

[Sukaina Majeed · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do you do when you are told of a prophecy that you are meant to marry beneath your caste? Do you try to change it or do you accept it as it comes?
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Here in this myth of Kerala and its people where the origins of the land's people got their identities. Where does it start? Well it starts with a young Brahmin scholar Vararuchi who learns of his prophecy of being married to a pariah girl. As young Vararuchi sets on a path to write his own destiny,his own faith,his own truth the young man meets a Brahmin 's daughter who he realises later in the story that it's the same pariah girl.
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A beautiful translation that not only crafts a beautiful narrative of the young scholar, bringing forth his arrogance and where actually his quest for truth ultimately lands him in.
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The mythical tale also talks about the sacrifices Panchami makes for her beloved husband and how love takes the place of anguish,grief and anger for being separated from her children. The tale in itself is a social commentary of every individual who goes on to carve their own name in history and come what may the twists and turns in your life will happen.

The book also left an impact on me as a woman whose husband and the father of her children, her dedication towards him didn't stop from making her children who they become. Vararuchi's thirst for knowledge and to know about the truth reminded immensely me of the saying "stop and smell the flowers" but the end also reminds me that as we take our past with us into the future our past decisions will effect what's to come and what happens.

The book has been translated by Manoj Neelakanthan in a lyrical tale and the magical writing keeps the essence of the original intact.

This has been the first of many such tales that I hope to read whenever they get translated.
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Grab your copy now because this my friend is a mythical tale and we don't find tales like this often.

Thanks @niyogibooks for giving me a chance to be a part of the Readalong.
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[Chetana Thakur Chakraborty · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Based on the origin myth of the Indian state of Kerela and its people, N. Mohanan's What the Rains Foretold narrates the mythical tale of the highly accomplished scholar, Vararuchi. The book has been translated into English from the Malayalam original Innaathe Mazha by Manoj Neelkanthan.

The tragic story of Vararuchi evokes pity and makes the readers contemplate. The young scholar Vararuchi refused the coveted position of the Roya Pundit at the King's court and decided to embark on a journey in pursuit of truth and knowledge. While on his journey, he happened to hear a prophecy which stated that he was destined to marry a Pariah girl. On hearing this, he was distraught and tried to prevent it by subverting fate. Years later, he got married to the beautiful and gifted daughter of a Brahmin, Panchami. However, Vararuchi was unable to escape from the clutches of fate. As fate would have it, he comes to know that Panchami is the same child of the Pariah couple whom he was destined to marry. Vararuchi tried to challenge fate and overturn its writ but his efforts were in vain. He realised the impossibility of altering one's fate. In his quest for knowledge, he abandoned all his twelve children. These children grew up into people from different walks of life and were all remarkable for their wisdom and accomplishments. They went on to become the progenitors of the land of Kerala.

The book has been brilliantly translated which makes it a lucid read. The tussle between man and his fate; man's desire to control his destiny which ultimately leads to his downfall has been outstandingly portrayed in this novel. It reminds us of ancient Greek tragedies.
If you like reading novels based on myths and folklores, this book is definitely for you!

[Kajori Patra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a translation of a famous

[Shivani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Struggle, sacrifice and resignation. Ultimately they found peace spiritually but not in their real lives. A sad and wasteful life journey.