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പാലേരി മാണിക്യം ഒരു പാതിരാക്കൊലപാതകത്തിന്റെ കഥ | Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha
അരനൂറ്റാണ്ടു മുമ്പ് കേരളത്തിലെ ഒരു കുഗ്രാമത്തില് ഒരു സ്ത്രീ കൊല്ലപ്പെട്ട സംഭവത്തെ ചുറ്റിപ്പറ്റിയുള്ള അന്വേഷണം ചില നിഗൂഡസത്യങ്ങളിലേക്കെത്തുന്നതാണ് ഈ കൃതി.
360 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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1448 people want to read
About the author
T.P. Rajeevan
10 books23 followersThachom Poyil Rajeevan (born 1959, Paleri in Kozhikode, Kerala, India) is a poet, novelist and literary reviewer in Kerala, a southern state in India. He writes both in Malayalam, his native language and English. His poems have been translated into many languages and published in the United States and Europe. A regular contributor for The Hindu, where he writes literary reviews mostly in English. Although he enjoys a well-established place among the contemporary poets of Malayalam and started publishing poems in the early 1980s, he is not a prolific writer. There are 3 collections of poetry in Malayalam to his credit to date.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 27, 2015
This novel (which in English means "Paleri Manikyam: A Midnight Murder Story")straddles the no man's land between fiction and reportage. Apparently it is based on a true incident: the rape and murder of a beautiful girl, Manikyam, immediately after she is married and brought to the Northern Kerala village of Paleri in 1957. The case is interesting because it is the first recorded case of its kind in the newly formed state of Kerala, and the first case to be investigated during the tenure of the first democratically elected communist government in the world (so many firsts!). However, the court records show a typically botched-up case: an incomplete investigation, weak prosecution witnesses and total lack of evidence which allows the accused to get away scot-free. Fifty years after the incident, the unnamed narrator is probing into the incident, intent upon getting into the heart of the matter. But it is far from easy because most of the dramatis personae have passed away, and many of the remaining are almost senile.
Manikyam, a village beauty from another village, is brought to Paleri as the bride of the village idiot Pokkan. The scheming mind of the local evil landlord, Ahmed Haji, is behind this: as with any beautiful girl in the region, he wants Manikyam for himself. Manikyam's mother-in-law Cheeru is already his keep.
However, Manikyam proves to be made of different stuff - she would have none of it. Afraid that the hue and cry made by her would alert the village and publicly disgrace him, Haji arranges a play in the town, free for all, thus ensuring that all villagers would be away. With the help of Cheeru, Haji sees to it that the girl would not be able to go for the play, and also that her husband is away. The stage is thus perfectly set for rape.
During that fateful night, however, the girl is murdered. The inconsistent witness statements point fingers in many directions. And the cause of truth is not helped by self-seeking policemen, helping to protect the rich and influential.
An excellent premise for a whodunit, isn't it? But the novel is much more. On the framework of the classic detective story, the novelist hangs the history of a rapidly changing region, a social commentary on the caste-relationships of Kerala, and the deep, dark mythology of a country still not very far removed from the days of tribal warfare. Manikyam herself becomes a legend (as exemplified by the ballad written about her): a symbol both of downtrodden femininity and the lower classes and the all-pervading, blood-drinking Goddess who is forever present in the Malayali psyche. As the narrator keeps on uncovering layer after layer of truth, the heart of the land also stands revealed.
This is an interesting read, if you resign yourself to the fact that the ultimate revelation is not mind-blasting like a proper mystery. To be fair, it is based upon a true story (though I could not find any reference to it on the web) and we cannot expect real life to behave like a Hercule Poirot mystery. Also, the novel rambles at times, moving into side avenues and expository passages: it is not exactly a page-turner.
The verdict: a strange, unique but ultimately unsatisfying book.
Manikyam, a village beauty from another village, is brought to Paleri as the bride of the village idiot Pokkan. The scheming mind of the local evil landlord, Ahmed Haji, is behind this: as with any beautiful girl in the region, he wants Manikyam for himself. Manikyam's mother-in-law Cheeru is already his keep.
However, Manikyam proves to be made of different stuff - she would have none of it. Afraid that the hue and cry made by her would alert the village and publicly disgrace him, Haji arranges a play in the town, free for all, thus ensuring that all villagers would be away. With the help of Cheeru, Haji sees to it that the girl would not be able to go for the play, and also that her husband is away. The stage is thus perfectly set for rape.
During that fateful night, however, the girl is murdered. The inconsistent witness statements point fingers in many directions. And the cause of truth is not helped by self-seeking policemen, helping to protect the rich and influential.
An excellent premise for a whodunit, isn't it? But the novel is much more. On the framework of the classic detective story, the novelist hangs the history of a rapidly changing region, a social commentary on the caste-relationships of Kerala, and the deep, dark mythology of a country still not very far removed from the days of tribal warfare. Manikyam herself becomes a legend (as exemplified by the ballad written about her): a symbol both of downtrodden femininity and the lower classes and the all-pervading, blood-drinking Goddess who is forever present in the Malayali psyche. As the narrator keeps on uncovering layer after layer of truth, the heart of the land also stands revealed.
This is an interesting read, if you resign yourself to the fact that the ultimate revelation is not mind-blasting like a proper mystery. To be fair, it is based upon a true story (though I could not find any reference to it on the web) and we cannot expect real life to behave like a Hercule Poirot mystery. Also, the novel rambles at times, moving into side avenues and expository passages: it is not exactly a page-turner.
The verdict: a strange, unique but ultimately unsatisfying book.
June 11, 2022
A 20-something year-old Manikyam was found dead on March 30th,1957. She was purported to have died of an epileptic attack. But since her injuries spelled a different story, she was soon found to be gang-raped, killed and hanged. But in 5 months, the court acquitted all those suspected of the crime. Manikyam had married into Paleri just 11 days before her death. She had married Pokkan, a simple and naive “village idiot”. She was said to be quite a beauty who neither deserved Pokkan for a husband, neither the end that was to be hers.
What had conspired in her life in those 11 days? Or, was her death shroud sewn much before she even came to Paleri? Who are these powerful forces who want to cover up the murder of a simple Thiyya girl at great cost?
More than in her life, her death and the cover up of her murder has intrigued and enthralled the public conscience. This is partly why half a decade later a native of Paleri wants to find the truth behind this case, which is also Kerala’s first reported rape and murder. Through this investigation the part-time detective not just wants to find the truth behind the murder, but he also makes observations on systemic power corruptions. Manikyam is often remembered as a very beautiful woman. Her death is even pitied only on account of the “lost beauty” than the loss of a life and opportunities. Is this because collectively women are seen merely as objects of beauty that exist to “tempt” and “seduce” men? Are women, dead or alive, reduced to just being beautiful “things” for the beholder’s eyes? Is a woman’s death just a minor inconvenience because she won’t walk around as a sight for the sore eyes?
What had conspired in her life in those 11 days? Or, was her death shroud sewn much before she even came to Paleri? Who are these powerful forces who want to cover up the murder of a simple Thiyya girl at great cost?
More than in her life, her death and the cover up of her murder has intrigued and enthralled the public conscience. This is partly why half a decade later a native of Paleri wants to find the truth behind this case, which is also Kerala’s first reported rape and murder. Through this investigation the part-time detective not just wants to find the truth behind the murder, but he also makes observations on systemic power corruptions. Manikyam is often remembered as a very beautiful woman. Her death is even pitied only on account of the “lost beauty” than the loss of a life and opportunities. Is this because collectively women are seen merely as objects of beauty that exist to “tempt” and “seduce” men? Are women, dead or alive, reduced to just being beautiful “things” for the beholder’s eyes? Is a woman’s death just a minor inconvenience because she won’t walk around as a sight for the sore eyes?
January 9, 2012
There was a move based on this book which was visually a very interesting one. There is a thread of story that goes back into the Kerala of 1950's and one that unspools in the present day. The premise is very straightforward : A murder that occurs in a sleepy hamlet in Kerala and what happens there after. It's the very substance that whodunit's are based of.
There are however, differences to Paleri Manikyam. The victim is the first woman to be raped and killed in Kerala ever since the first elected communist government comes to power, most of the people surrounding the incident give you contradicting views. To top it all off, the proper investigation begins 50 years post the incident. All said, the focus on this tale shifts with the narrative. There is a lot of social commentary on the state of affairs in Communist Kerala, a lengthy & quite interesting musing on women's freedom, the nature & logic that surrounds a crime, a vivid portrait of a village steeped in superstitions and myths and so forth. With this shift in focus in the narrative, the plot suffers at times and the closure of the tale leaves a lot to be desired.
An interesting read nonetheless.
There are however, differences to Paleri Manikyam. The victim is the first woman to be raped and killed in Kerala ever since the first elected communist government comes to power, most of the people surrounding the incident give you contradicting views. To top it all off, the proper investigation begins 50 years post the incident. All said, the focus on this tale shifts with the narrative. There is a lot of social commentary on the state of affairs in Communist Kerala, a lengthy & quite interesting musing on women's freedom, the nature & logic that surrounds a crime, a vivid portrait of a village steeped in superstitions and myths and so forth. With this shift in focus in the narrative, the plot suffers at times and the closure of the tale leaves a lot to be desired.
An interesting read nonetheless.
January 2, 2019
Its more like a 3.75 star read for me. Based in the first recorded rape murder case in Kerala, the story is set in the 1950s. Intricately written , but i found that there was too much character development of characters that had just the role of maybe passing by a main character’s house.
There is extensive mention of the communist party and the government formed by them, literally blaming them for hushing it up even. So this book has been in a lot of controversies as well
There is extensive mention of the communist party and the government formed by them, literally blaming them for hushing it up even. So this book has been in a lot of controversies as well
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2017
Classic Magnum opus!!
July 20, 2020
This work of T P Rajeevan is an amazing piece.
February 9, 2024
Film - Book Review #2
Engaging, and the film directed by Ranjith delivered too.
Personally, the content felt dated though.
Engaging, and the film directed by Ranjith delivered too.
Personally, the content felt dated though.
February 23, 2017
പാലേരി എന്ന ഗ്രാമം ഞാൻ കണ്മുന്നിൽ കണ്ടു. മാണിക്യം മരിച്ചതിന് ഞാനും സാക്ഷിയായി.
പാലേരി മാണിക്യം - മലയാളത്തിലെ ഏറ്റവും മികച്ച ക്ലാസ്സിക്കുകളിൽ ഒന്ന്..
പാലേരി മാണിക്യം - മലയാളത്തിലെ ഏറ്റവും മികച്ച ക്ലാസ്സിക്കുകളിൽ ഒന്ന്..
November 4, 2011
A young writer Rajeev and his crime analyst friend tries to travel back to Paleri, in time, to unravel truths behind the murder of a young woman that shook a tiny village in 1957, when Kerala was in the verge of a major Political transformation.
In a village called Paleri, a young woman from opressed caste is brutally raped and murdered. The village hope the new people's government would bring the culprits to justice, but they don't. What Rajeev discovers is a village that shrunk itself with guilt, and of hope that expired prematurely.
In a village called Paleri, a young woman from opressed caste is brutally raped and murdered. The village hope the new people's government would bring the culprits to justice, but they don't. What Rajeev discovers is a village that shrunk itself with guilt, and of hope that expired prematurely.
August 5, 2015
കാല്പനികതയെ ചരിത്രമാക്കി മാറ്റുന്ന എഴുത്താണ് പലേരി മാണിക്യം: ഒരു പാതിരാ കൊലപാതകത്തിന്റെ കഥ .. കഥയോട് കൂടി ഉപകഥകളും ചരിത്രവും രാഷ്ട്രീയവും ശാസ്ത്രവും ഇടകലർന മികവുറ്റ സൃഷ്ടി തന്നെയാണ് ഇത് .. ടി പി രാജീവൻ എന്ന നോവലിസ്റ്റിന്റെ വ്യത്യസ്തതയാർന ആഖ്യാന രീതിയും ഇരുട്ട് മറഞ്ഞ പലേരിയുടെ വഴികളിലൂടെയുള്ള സഞ്ചാരവും രാഷ്ട്രീയവും അസ്വാധനതിനു വേറിട്ട തലങ്ങൾ സമ്മാനിക്കുകയും ആകാംഷ ഉളവാക്കുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നു .. കല്പനികതെയെന്നോ ചരിത്രമെന്നൊ വേര്തിരിക്കാനാവാത്ത അവതരണം കൊണ്ട് മനസിനെ നിറയ്ക്കുന്ന പുസ്തകം ഉള്ളടക്കം കൊണ്ടും വേറിട്ട് നില്ക്കുന്നു ..
October 17, 2012
Amazing Narration. Still didnt understand one thing that how Filmmaker Ranjith was dare enough to make movie out of it.. Brilliant stuff by T.P Rajeevan...
November 23, 2018
This is a quite a classic historical fiction set in a village somewhere around 50's, the story unfolds the mystery behind the rape and murder of a girl after almost 50 years of her death.
August 29, 2015
Her dead body wears the smile of accomplishment.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews