MUDRITHA: A NOVEL

by Jayasree Kalathil, Jayasree Kalathil (translator)

One April, thirty-year-old Aniruddhan goes to the police station with a a woman named Mudritha has disappeared. He has, however, never met her; only interacted with her on the phone and by email while organizing, at her request, a tour to Odisha for herself and nine others - all women. After preliminary inquiries, though, the case is likely to be closed for want of progress. But Vanitha, the policewoman in charge, continues the investigation secretly. What begins as a search for Mudritha soon reveals more about the other women, a diverse group, who want to slip away, travel and touch the world beyond the mundane confines of their existence.

Jissa Jose's Mudritha explores women's their desires, ambitions, love, anger, and attempts to resist and rise above the encroachment over their bodies and souls. Set in contemporary Kerala, the novel is a compelling portrait of women and the sojourns they make to find themselves - its every surge, every swell enlivened in this English translation by Jayasree Kalathil.

Genres: Indian Literature

305 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2025

Reviews

[♡ Diyasha ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW: MUDRITHA
AUTHOR: JISSA JOSE

“𝐌𝐮𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡. 𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟.”

🂱 At first, this book can be seen as a simple  missing person mystery but of course it is not.  It simply gets to you with something rich and innovative. The exploration of silence, identity and the unseen emotional labor carried by women across generations. The voices are not loud but they are not enough to neglect. Even  it raises the question about what truly be seen in this story. 

“𝐀 𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐮𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝.”

🂱 This plot begins with Aniruddhan, a mild-mannered natured travel organizer, reporting a  missing woman Mudritha to the police. He has never actually met her. She had planned a women  - only trip to Odisha with him. But he did not turn up. This trip however went ahead with nine women, each strangers to one another, all brought by Mudritha's careful orchestration. 

🂱 The mystery of her disappearance is pursued by Vanitha, a soft spoken  determined police officer. She begins to uncover not just clues about  her but the layers of those women who went on that path. Through letters, emails and diary entries, the book uncover the lights on womanhood in many ways. MUDRITHA explores what is meant to be DISAPPEAR. Her absence is powerful. 

🂱 Each of the nine women has her own tale - filled with loss and betrayal. This story whispers a lot. To feel alive. To relive our lives. Vanitha as an investigating officer is facing sexism which is not abrupt in today’s modernism but it disgusts us all. She does not approach us all as a cop but as an individual who is curious to know more. The empathy towards her is quite unique. 

“𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫'𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐰𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧.”

🂱 The author's writing is both spare and poetic. She puts the readers into a path to fill those emotional gaps with ambiguity. She captures the shifts of the tone perfectly and this is why we felt that elegance in writing. If you are a reader who love to explore new plots with high praise, then this book is just for you. 

[Debabrata Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "Mudritha", Jissa Jose gifts the literary world a narrative that begins with the echo of absence and soon floods into a complex, stunning exploration of presence specifically, the nuanced, often unseen presence of women in society. What might seem like a missing-person mystery at the surface quietly unfurls into a deeply layered, unsettlingly beautiful meditation on identity, autonomy, and womanhood.

The story begins deceptively simply, Aniruddhan, a 30-year-old man, walks into a police station to report the disappearance of a woman named Mudritha. But the twist? He has never met her. Their only contact had been through email and phone conversations while organizing a women-only trip to Odisha. The case seems poised to dissolve into bureaucratic obscurity until Vanitha, the policewoman in charge, pursues the investigation in secret.

As Vanitha delves deeper, the book subtly shifts gears from procedural mystery to psychological excavation, from thriller to social commentary. Each woman on the tour emerges as a repository of suppressed longings, ruptured dreams, and fierce silences. Mudritha’s absence becomes a catalyst to explore not just one woman’s fate but the invisible weight carried by many.

Mudritha’s vanishing is not only an event; it is a metaphor. Through her absence, the book confronts a deeply patriarchal assumption that women exist only to be found, accounted for, and named by others. “Who was missing her?” Aniruddhan wonders. This inversion of the missing woman not as a victim, but as a seeker of space anchors the book’s subversive pulse. It presents disappearance not as loss, but as reclamation.

One of the book’s most powerful strands lies in its portrayal of how women internalize societal roles to the point of invisibility. She doesn’t scream this injustice, she whispers it through fractured confessions, gentle observations, and moments of unbearable restraint. The pain of being endlessly available, desirable, sacrificial without being seen pulses quietly but insistently.

✍️ Strengths :

🔸The author’s rare ability to combine deep psychological insight with breezy readability. The story never collapses under the weight of its themes.
🔸The women are not archetypes. They are breathing, bruised, and brimming with contradiction.
🔸Rich references to Kerala’s contemporary and mythic landscape ground the novel in a unique, local reality while speaking universally.

✒️ Areas for improvement :

▪️Some readers expecting a conventional thriller may find the plot's meandering rhythm disorienting.
▪️The book’s emotional intensity, especially for readers with high empathy, can be overwhelming. There are moments where one might have to pause, breathe, and reflect.

In conclusion, it is not a book you consume it’s a book that consumes you. It asks difficult questions but does not prescribe answers. It gives voice to silences, space to pain, and dignity to desire. At its core, it’s a celebration of women who choose themselves, even if the world insists they belong to others.
Her voice is quietly radical, and "Mudritha" is her literary rebellion, one that deserves to be read, remembered, and revered.

[Rahul Vishnoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

-When does a woman disappear?-
Review of 'Mudritha'

Quote Alert
"𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐫𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧. 𝐇𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭, 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐳𝐞, 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐮𝐬, 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲."

Mudritha, superbly translated from Malayalam by Jayasree Kalathil, is a delightful novel with layers that hide its true identity. The searing social commentary ensconced in humour is superbly delivered. A subject as heavy as a missing woman can wear a reader down, especially someone like me with a heavy empathy quotient. Jose keeps it burning hot and light on mind, both at the same time, a marvelous feat to achieve in written word.
Have a look at these words: "As I was writing the report, the term ‘missing woman’ brought a smile to my face. Who was missing her? What if she had gone away of her own accord? It reminded me of those who disappear in order to find themselves. There never seemed to be any women among them, and this thought made me smile again. Women were always for others to find. If they were not where they were or where they were supposed to be, complaints like this came to the police."

Mudritha is a story about the disappearance of a woman. The catch is that the man who reports her missing in a police station has never met her. Only talked to her on phone to organize a trip of a group of women to Odisha. After preliminary inquiries the case is likely to be closed but Vanitha, the policewoman in charge, continues the investigation secretly.

What begins as a search for Mudritha soon reveals more about the other women, a diverse group, who want to slip away, travel and touch the world beyond the mundane confines of their existence. Jissa Jose's Mudritha explores women's lives: their desires, ambitions, love, anger, and attempts to resist and rise above the encroachment over their bodies and souls. Set in contemporary Kerala, the novel is a compelling portrait of women and the sojourns they make to find themselves - its every surge, every swell enlivened in this English translation by Jayasree Kalathil.
This quote totally shook me: 'For women, every age is also the perfect age for suicide.'

[Prerna Shambhavee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Mudritha" by Jissa Jose is a thought-provoking novel that delves into the lives of women in contemporary Kerala. The story begins with Aniruddhan's complaint to the police about a woman named Mudritha's disappearance, but it soon unfolds into a complex exploration of the lives of Mudritha and nine other women who were planning to travel together.

Through the characters' stories, the novel sheds light on the societal expectations, restrictions, and pressures that women face in their daily lives. Each woman has her own unique struggles, desires, and ambitions, and the novel beautifully captures their individuality. The author's writing is engaging, and the characters' stories are woven together seamlessly, making it easy to become invested in their lives.

What struck me about this novel is its portrayal of women's desires for freedom and autonomy. The characters' journeys are not just physical but also emotional and psychological. They're trying to break free from the constraints of their lives and find themselves. The novel highlights the ways in which societal norms and expectations can suffocate women's desires and ambitions.

The translation by Jayasree Kalathil is smooth and effortless, making it easy to follow the story and connect with the characters. The author's writing is nuanced, and the characters' emotions and thoughts are conveyed with sensitivity.

All-in-all, "Mudritha" is a compelling novel that offers a powerful exploration of women's lives in Kerala. It's a story about women's desires, ambitions, and struggles, and it's a testament to their strength and resilience. If you're interested in stories about women's empowerment, self-discovery, and the complexities of human relationships, you'll likely enjoy this book.

The novel's portrayal of women's lives is relatable and thought-provoking, making it a great read for anyone interested in character-driven stories. Jissa Jose's writing is engaging, and the characters' stories will stay with you long after you finish reading the book.

[Aparna Prabhu · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I think all women yearn to travel. The desire to slip away, anxious that their lives don’t end in its everyday confines.”

- Jissa Jose, Mudritha (Translated by Jayasree Kalathil)

Aniruddhan, the co-owner of Himadri Tours & Travels gets a call to arrange an all-woman trip to Odisha. The lady who had called goes missing and doesn't turn up on the day of the trip. Aniruddhan, who’s communication with her was solely through emails and calls, files a police complaint. The case was almost buried under files, when Vanita, a young police officer,
took an individual initiative to sieve through Aniruddhan's emails and find the lady.

The mystery of a missing lady turned into a study of femininity, history and human behaviour. The nuanced cultural narrative gives rise to many questions on how difficult it is to be a woman. Through Aniruddhan’s perspective, we encounter women whose ambitions have been subdued and the wings of their desires mercilessly chopped. How women’s bodies have been a subject of lustful desires men is portrayed through instances dating back to Puranic stories. I had to close the book to compose myself whilst learning about the women's stories, their challenges. The prose is rich with cultural and historical references that deepen the reader’s understanding of the characters’ struggles. The profound insights of a woman's journey revealed layers and layers of emotional depth and unspoken resilience.

“All the pain I have endured in my life – none of it has ever lessened or gone away; I have learned to forget it on occasion, to pretend that it has ceased to exist”

Jissa Jose's exploration of the feminine is both wrenching and powerful stirring a visceral response that lingers long after the pages are turned. Jayasree Kalathil's masterful translation renders a poetic touch to the original text.

[_booksagsm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mudritha by Jissa Jose, translated from Malayalam by Jayasree Kalathil, begins with a curious situation: a man named Aniruddhan goes to the police to report a woman missing—Mudritha—whom he has never met in person. She had been planning a tour to Odisha with a group of other women, but suddenly disappears. What first appears to be a mystery slowly turns into something far more layered and emotional. As a policewoman, Vanitha, quietly continues the case, we start to learn about the lives of the other women connected to Mudritha, and their stories unfold with quiet intensity.

Jissa Jose, the author, brings a clear, fearless voice to the struggles and dreams of women. Her writing balances sharp insight with an ease that pulls the reader in, even when the themes are heavy. Jayasree Kalathil’s translation is a major strength of the book—it doesn’t just carry the meaning, but also the emotion, rhythm, and cultural depth of the original Malayalam. The result is a novel that feels alive in both language and spirit, accessible yet full of complexity.

What makes Mudritha stand out is how it shifts the idea of a missing person story into something deeply human and reflective. The disappearance becomes a metaphor for the ways women are often made invisible—expected to be available, obedient, or defined by others. Instead of focusing on solving the mystery, the book explores what it means for women to seek space, to want more, and to choose themselves. It doesn’t offer easy answers, but it leaves lasting questions. The novel gives voice to pain, strength, silence, and rebellion, reminding us how powerful it can be simply to listen—to what is said, and to what has long gone unsaid.

[Mili Das · Rating 5 out of 5]

How often do you realise that someone is slowly disappearing into obscurity?
Yes people disappear, it's just we never notice that fact, we never missed them too; sounds peculiar right? Let me explain it ....
To be precise, women disappeared, they slowly disappeared from the house, the society and from the human world. The body of the society never really paid any regards to them.

Women disappeared from the world like river slowly sank into earth, they shrank, the water evaporates, just like river Saraswati, like river Chandravaga, our woman also disappeared from earth.
Women disappeared behind the role of a daughter, daughter - in - law, wife, caregiver, pride of family etc. The girl, the woman she was born disappeared behind all these.

Jissa Jose found an unusual angle to search those lost women. Jissa waves the novel in deeply exquisite language, a novel to search and establish the lost souls. This is a story of ten women planning to embark on a journey, a travelling plan to explore not the popular Odisha but the muted, obscured, neglected part of it, but this is not an ordinary travelling idea, it's also meant exploring their own lost conscience. Ten women came from different parts of the world but they have some similarities between them, they all have the same kind of life, the struggles, the disappearance, everything is same but they didn't know it yet. On the day of the beginning of the tour, all nine women gathered at train station except the tenth woman, Mudritha, she was the one who organised this trip. When everything was done and she still didn't contact the travel agent, then the agent Aniruddhan went to the police station and filled a missing person report, and then the story begins.

Sometimes I thought that ten women are symbolic of Dasha Mahavidya, isn't it true that women are always regarded as live beings of Adi shakti, I don't know why the thought came in my mind.

[a_geminireader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever felt like vanishing—not out of fear or pain, but just to breathe, to remember who you are beyond all the roles you play?

That’s exactly the undercurrent that flows through Mudritha by Jissa Jose, translated delicately and powerfully by Jayasree Kalathil. What starts as a simple missing woman report turns into a layered, emotional journey—one that doesn’t just search for a person, but for freedom, identity, and meaning.

The woman who’s reported missing? The man who reports her has never even met her—only spoken to her on the phone. The case should’ve ended there. But Vanitha, the policewoman in charge, quietly refuses to let it go. And as she digs deeper, what unfolds is a tapestry of women—each carrying untold desires, silences, and a quiet fire to live life on their own terms.

There’s a line that stayed with me: “Women were always for others to find.” Isn’t that heartbreakingly true?

This book isn’t loud, but it leaves an ache. It’s tender, unflinching, and full of truths we often don’t say aloud. If you’ve ever felt unseen or yearned for a life outside the lines drawn for you, Mudritha will feel like a gentle companion and a fierce reminder—you’re not alone in your longing.

[Mahi Aggarwal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished reading "Mudritha" by Jissa Jose, and honestly, it stayed with me for a while. The story starts with the curious case of a woman disappearing, but it’s not your usual thriller or mystery. What really grabbed me was how the book slowly peeled back the layers on a group of women who all seem to be craving something more from life—freedom, adventure, a chance to break out of their everyday routines.


The way the author shows their desire to travel, to just be themselves away from everything holding them back, felt so real and relatable. It’s not just about the missing woman, Mudritha, but about all these women’s quiet rebellions and dreams. And Vanitha, the policewoman who chooses to dig deeper even when the case is about to be closed, adds a nice touch of determination and empathy to the story.


The writing flows smoothly, thanks to the translation by Jayashree Kalathil, making it easy to connect with the characters and their emotions. This book isn’t about big dramatic events but about those small, meaningful moments when people decide to take control of their own lives.


If you’re looking for a story that’s both simple and layered, with women’s voices and journeys at the heart of it, "Mudritha" is definitely worth reading.

[Priya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mudritha by Jissa Jose is an intricate narrative that will stay with you.

Translated from Malayalam by Jayasree Kalathil, this book begins when Aniruddhan, a 31-year-old man who used to run Himadri Tours and Travels many years ago, goes to the police station to file a missing person report for a woman named Mudritha. The interesting part? Hehas never met her. They only interacted via phone or email as he was organizing an Odisha tour at her request.

Without any solid evidence, the case is unlikely to move forward. But the policewoman in charge, Vanitha, decides to continue the investigation secretly. What appears as a mystery on the surface is far more different and emotional as we dive deep into the book.

This translation explores the women's desire for freedom, their need to rise above the barriers. It reflects their emotions, the love, hate and urge to break free. It carries emotional weight without being overly dramatic. It keeps the original rhythm intact.

The writing in this book really lingers. It's quiet, but the emotions seep in slowly and stay long after.

Overall, Mudritha is not a loud book. It's one that stays with you as a slow voice of your subconscious. Read this if you are drawn to introspective and emotionally layered stories.

[Srijani Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

mudritha begins with a simple scene: a man, aniruddhan, enters a police station to report a woman missing. the strange part? he has never met her. he only knows her through the calls and emails they have had in connection with a women only trip to odisha. what looks like a basic case of a missing person slowly turns into something much deeper and far more emotional.

when the case is all set to be dropped, vanitha, the policewoman in charge, silently keeps investigating. through her eyes, we step into the private worlds of nine women, whose loneliness, pressure, longing, and desire to breathe freely outside the roles that society has ordained upon them lead their planned journey to become much more than a trip, it becomes a symbol of escape, courage, and returning to one's true self.

jissa jose writes with honesty, warmth, and quiet strength, making every story feel real. the translation by jayasree kalathil maintains writing that is simple, soft, and impactful. this is not a loud thriller, it's a gentle yet powerful book about women disappearing, not from the world, but into expectations, responsibilities, and silence.

mudritha stays with you long after you finish reading. i'd highly recommend it.

[Craartology · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jissa Jose has crafted a novel that begins with a disappearance. An occurance that paves the way for the plot to flow with its mysteries.

Mudritha, is missing, a complaint for her disappearance is filed by Aniruddhan, the tour operator, who plans a trip to Odisha with a group of women who part take this adventure after Mudritha gets them together through the private - common all women's group on Facebook they are a part of.

Unusual as it may sound but the trip to Odisha is not just an expedition but a journey of self-exploration, to discover, absorb and live moments that are usually beyond reach. Love, security, respect that should be unconditional in life are often denied to the women of this travel group. Pain and grief, having established their omnipresence in their lives. Jissa Jose, through the missing Mudritha helps the reader find the true and missing- "self" of her characters in the story.

A novel that flows seamlessly through each story, making it a whole, this book is deeply emotional and detailed to perfection. The translation is brilliant as well, one of the best I've read lately.

[Archana Ashok · Rating 5 out of 5]

"AND THEN, I cry. All through the night I cry until I am satiated."

Jissa Jose’s Mudritha, deftly translated by Jayasree Kalathil, is a haunting and brilliant novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page. What starts as a simple missing person report soon unravels into a rich, empathetic exploration of women’s lives and their quiet quests for freedom. Jose handles heavy themes—loss, identity, resistance—with remarkable lightness and wit, making the novel as absorbing as it is thought-provoking. The story of Vanitha’s secret investigation leads us through the hidden worlds of a diverse group of women, each seeking something beyond their ordinary lives. The writing is tender, sharp, and at times unsettling, a beautiful tension that mirrors the struggles of its characters. Mudritha is a masterful work of fiction, layered with meaning, yet strikingly accessible. A standout novel that both disturbs and delights, it is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads it.

[Tina Bhowmik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mudritha by Jissa Jose isn’t your typical mystery. It starts with a woman’s disappearance—but quickly shifts focus to the lives of nine women who were supposed to travel with her. Through their stories and a quiet investigation led by policewoman Vanitha, the novel explores ambition, societal expectations, and the quiet strength of women in contemporary Kerala.

It’s not about who did it, but why. Thoughtful, moving, and beautifully translated by Jayasree Kalathil—this is a story of freedom, longing, and female solidarity. A powerful debut that lingers long after the last page.

[Ananthalakshmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A huge thanks to Jayasree Kalathil for picking this book for translation and another huge gratitude to Jissa Jose for writing this book. As someone, who doesn't know to read Malayalam, I'm glad for the translated version of the book. This is not a book that you finish in one reading. There are phrases and paragraphs that will stir hidden emotions in you that you will need to close the book for and sit with your emotions. Read it slowly, let the poetic and truth ringing words resonate with you for you to take them along. I wish someone could read this book for me in Malayalam :)

[Sahitya · Rating 5 out of 5]

More of a 4.5.

Not sure I can write a review but I read this for our book club and it was an amazing read. Heart touching tales of many resilient women whose tales of survival are Inspiring. And the connection they form with each other is so meaningful. One of the best reads of the year.

[Shweta Dogra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poignant tale of women's lives interwoven with one common thread, this book takes you on a journey with them where you feel the gamut of emotions they experience. Its a journey worth taking!

[Chitra Muralikrishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome read.

[Shrey Gupta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully nuanced book, surprisingly well-developed characters.