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Mad About Cuba: A Malayali Revisits the Revolution
In 1982, when Ullekh N.P. was still a young schoolboy in Kerala, he first came across Cuba and Fidel Castro in political discussions at home and on the streets. Kerala’s active communist movement and high literacy rates had made Castro a recognizable name in the state, and Cuba was idolized as a repository of ‘communist’ values.
While growing up in the north Kerala district of Kannur—a bastion of Marxist politics—Ullekh delved into Cuba’s history, culture, literature and political legends in Leftist journals and through Malayalam translations of Cuban works. The great strides the tiny Caribbean nation made in biotechnology, public health, pharmaceuticals and agriculture despite American sanctions were seen as a testament to the power of public-sector-led growth.
Ullekh was finally able to travel to Cuba in 2023 on a journalist visa. Mad About Cuba documents his visit and observations. Through conversations with senior bureaucrats, scientists at Cuba’s fabled pharma research institutes, youth beginning their careers, students and many others, he paints an intimate and objective picture of the nation that has managed to withstand American sanctions for over six decades.
Will the Revolution endure? What does the future hold for this island? How will its remarkable transcontinental bond with Kerala pan out? This wonderfully written book attempts to provide answers.
While growing up in the north Kerala district of Kannur—a bastion of Marxist politics—Ullekh delved into Cuba’s history, culture, literature and political legends in Leftist journals and through Malayalam translations of Cuban works. The great strides the tiny Caribbean nation made in biotechnology, public health, pharmaceuticals and agriculture despite American sanctions were seen as a testament to the power of public-sector-led growth.
Ullekh was finally able to travel to Cuba in 2023 on a journalist visa. Mad About Cuba documents his visit and observations. Through conversations with senior bureaucrats, scientists at Cuba’s fabled pharma research institutes, youth beginning their careers, students and many others, he paints an intimate and objective picture of the nation that has managed to withstand American sanctions for over six decades.
Will the Revolution endure? What does the future hold for this island? How will its remarkable transcontinental bond with Kerala pan out? This wonderfully written book attempts to provide answers.
256 pages, Paperback
Published November 25, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 23, 2025
Kerala, a small state in India's extreme south (where I reside), is one of the few places where communism is still seen as a viable alternative to free market capitalism. So naturally, we are always in opposition to the Union Government in Delhi - who try to squeeze the state in many ways. Since India has never had a communist government, this has been the status ever since India became a republic in 1920, except for short periods of time when the central government was dependent upon external support from the leftist parties to survive.
So it's not unnatural that we feel a natural affinity for Cuba, the small Caribbean state which has been virtually choked economically by the USA ever since Fidel Castro overthrew the Batista regime and assumed power in 1960.
The author of this book is from Kannur in North Kerala. He is the son of a communist leader, who grew up with the leftist mythology whose pantheon included Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Castro and Che Guevara. For most of us Malayalis (the people of Kerala are called so, based on their language Malayalam, which means "the mountain tongue"), Cuba and Latin America were very close to the heart. The writings by Castro and Che have been available in Malayalam for ages, which were part of the author's youthful reading.
This trip to Cuba is the realisation of a dream for him. Even though disenchanted with traditional communism (as most left-liberals are), Ullekh still holds the basic ideals of revolution and socialism in high esteem: and this journey is a sort of pilgrimage. As he navigates the worn-out streets of Havana in ramshackle vintage taxis which run on a wing and a prayer, he takes us through the history and geography of Cuba in an engaging manner.
This book would be an eye-opener for the average American, who has been relentlessly fed the myth of a terrorist state which is a permanent danger to American democracy. Contrary to a police state where people live in constant fear, Ullekh shows us the picture of a progressive country with excellent free healthcare and education, filled with scientists who are doing pioneering research in biochemistry. Criticism of the government is allowed, and there isn't a policeman on each corner waiting to pounce upon the suspected dissident.
Cuba suffers from crippling poverty. But that's not because of socialism - it's because of the economic sanctions by the US, which prevents the state from trading with almost any country in the world. The American trade embargo is virtually a blockade for Cuba, and it is the vindictive action of a "Big Brother" who has not been able bring his younger sibling to heel. Because of this, Cuban youth are emigrating in droves, making the future of this island nation a big question mark.
One incident the author relates is sufficient to prove the vindictiveness of the American authorities. He was carrying a box of cigars and Cuban rum (both internationally renowned) to take to India. But since his transit was through the USA, the customs officials confiscated both - even though it was not going to be taken out of the airport - and incinerated the cigars, and poured away the rum ! It seems that the USA won't rest until Cuba collapses. They are still pissed off at Castro even eight years after his death, maybe because he survived 634 assassination attempts by the CIA !
Many people predicted the end of Cuba after the fall of the Soviet Union. Now it's been 34 years, but the state still survives.
PS: Ullekh's book has whetted my appetite for a Cuba trip. I will be careful to bring the rum out without touching the US, however!
So it's not unnatural that we feel a natural affinity for Cuba, the small Caribbean state which has been virtually choked economically by the USA ever since Fidel Castro overthrew the Batista regime and assumed power in 1960.
The author of this book is from Kannur in North Kerala. He is the son of a communist leader, who grew up with the leftist mythology whose pantheon included Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Castro and Che Guevara. For most of us Malayalis (the people of Kerala are called so, based on their language Malayalam, which means "the mountain tongue"), Cuba and Latin America were very close to the heart. The writings by Castro and Che have been available in Malayalam for ages, which were part of the author's youthful reading.
This trip to Cuba is the realisation of a dream for him. Even though disenchanted with traditional communism (as most left-liberals are), Ullekh still holds the basic ideals of revolution and socialism in high esteem: and this journey is a sort of pilgrimage. As he navigates the worn-out streets of Havana in ramshackle vintage taxis which run on a wing and a prayer, he takes us through the history and geography of Cuba in an engaging manner.
This book would be an eye-opener for the average American, who has been relentlessly fed the myth of a terrorist state which is a permanent danger to American democracy. Contrary to a police state where people live in constant fear, Ullekh shows us the picture of a progressive country with excellent free healthcare and education, filled with scientists who are doing pioneering research in biochemistry. Criticism of the government is allowed, and there isn't a policeman on each corner waiting to pounce upon the suspected dissident.
Cuba suffers from crippling poverty. But that's not because of socialism - it's because of the economic sanctions by the US, which prevents the state from trading with almost any country in the world. The American trade embargo is virtually a blockade for Cuba, and it is the vindictive action of a "Big Brother" who has not been able bring his younger sibling to heel. Because of this, Cuban youth are emigrating in droves, making the future of this island nation a big question mark.
One incident the author relates is sufficient to prove the vindictiveness of the American authorities. He was carrying a box of cigars and Cuban rum (both internationally renowned) to take to India. But since his transit was through the USA, the customs officials confiscated both - even though it was not going to be taken out of the airport - and incinerated the cigars, and poured away the rum ! It seems that the USA won't rest until Cuba collapses. They are still pissed off at Castro even eight years after his death, maybe because he survived 634 assassination attempts by the CIA !
Many people predicted the end of Cuba after the fall of the Soviet Union. Now it's been 34 years, but the state still survives.
PS: Ullekh's book has whetted my appetite for a Cuba trip. I will be careful to bring the rum out without touching the US, however!
September 23, 2025
This is a book written by a Malayali (the author repeats this again and again),who is quite curious about Cuban society. His curiosity takes him to Cuba where he meets various people,from taxi drivers to diplomats to Cuban health workers.What he discovers is that the young Cuban is anxious and ambitious while the old Cuban is happy with fruits of Cuban Revolution of 1959.
Though,books by an Indian on Cuba are rare,it cannot be discounted that the author repeats himself in every chapter with the same rant about American sanctions,aspirations of Cuban youth etc.That is poor editing. Further,the author should have explored more of Cuba (rather than staying in Havana).
The bottom line is that it is a good enough book to make one taste the Cuba Libre,but does not have enough substance for one to enjoy.
Though,books by an Indian on Cuba are rare,it cannot be discounted that the author repeats himself in every chapter with the same rant about American sanctions,aspirations of Cuban youth etc.That is poor editing. Further,the author should have explored more of Cuba (rather than staying in Havana).
The bottom line is that it is a good enough book to make one taste the Cuba Libre,but does not have enough substance for one to enjoy.
May 24, 2025
This short book chronicles the journey of a Kerala-based journalist to Cuba, a nation close to his heart. Despite its modest size, Cuba is globally recognized for its robust healthcare system, iconic cigars, revolutionary figures like Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, and its decades-long, contentious relationship with the United States. Through vivid storytelling, the author paints a portrait of a socialist society, celebrating its ideals while also shedding light on the challenges and contradictions that demand attention within this unique political landscape.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews