Kumari Devi

by Benyamin

The maid Chanku found for Gopiettan and Geetha aunty turned out to be an ex-goddess. This could only mean trouble.

Genres: Short Stories, India

65 pages, ebook

Published January 1, 2017

About the author

Benyamin (born 1971, Benny Daniel) is an Indian novelist and short story writer in Malayalam language from Nhettur, Kulanada, Pattanamtitta district of the south Indian state of Kerala. He is residing in the Kingdom of Bahrain since 1992, from the age of twenty, and his works appear regularly on Malayalam publications in Kerala.

Reviews

[Elsa Rajan Pradhananga · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kumari Devi is a short, gripping narrative of an 'almost Kumari' and the misfortunes in her life. As a Malayalee married into a Newari family, the practice of worshipping the living Goddess was one of the most intriguing traditions that I had to come to terms with and I had been reading all that I could, to understand it better. So when I came across the translation of a book on Kumari originally written in my mother tongue, I was a bit sceptical, to say the least. Initially I thought that the research was flawed but all loose ends were tied in the last few pages. The book for sure has some stereotypical characters from both the cultures that I call mine. But otherwise, Kumari Devi is a well written quick read about an age old tradition.

[Krutika · Rating 4 out of 5]

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I happened to come across Kumari Devi purely by coincidence and boy, what a brilliant book it turned out to be. I first read Jasmine Days by Benyamin some time last year but it's truly something that I came to love Kumari Devi more. It's fascinating how Benyamin moves the readers with a story of barely 65 pages in length, by not only educating us about different cultures, but also by highlighting the darker side of things/traditions. Kumari Devi is a well known tradition in Nepal where prepubescent girls are worshipped. They follow a rigorous process of selecting the right girl to take the place of Kumari Devi. This story speaks of the downfall that associates with the girls who are betrayed by certain factors that stop them from being the goddess.
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Chanku is contacted by his uncle who's in desperate need of a domestic help and through a Nepali watchman he finds Sunina Shakya Devi. An elderly Nepali woman of few words, Sunina is hired by the middle aged couple in spite of the scepticism shown by the mistress of the house. Just when Chanku breathes a sigh of relief, he is again called but this time, with complaints against the help. Sunina's sharp tongue and her vibrant way of dressing isn't comprehensible by his aunt. Each time Chanku convinces his relatives to focus on Sunina's work ethics rather than getting flustered by her words or clothes. But an incident revolving around black magic starts making rounds in the colony and things get out of hand. The elderly woman is forced to leave the country and Chanku can't help but feel sympathetic towards her.
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Sunina's story is much deeper than her appearance as a maid and when Chanku learns the truth about her unfortunate life in Nepal, he is left heartbroken. From being so close to becoming Kumari Devi, Sunina pours her heart out about how cruel life has always been to her. The tradition of a young girl being treated as a goddess might sound pleasurable but no one often thinks of the girls who couldn't make it. Sunina's ability to be independent from a very young age is truly inspiring to read but at the same time makes one feel melancholic. Originally written in Malayalam, Kumari Devi packs a punch. Both impactful and thoughtful in nature, this work of fiction is a must read. I found this on Juggernaut app and finished it in just one sitting. I felt deeply moved by the message Benyamin conveyed so subtly. If you're looking for a quick yet wonderful read, this one's for you.
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Rating : 4.5/5.

[Bhumika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Benyamin's short story Kumari Devi translated by Veena Muthuraman revolves around the new maid for Gopietthan and Geetha's household. She is an old Nepali women who's good at work but has some odd habits, and a lot of mystery in her mannerism. When her identity is revealed it indicates only future troubles, but Chanku who has found her feels pity for her and let her continue with her ways, and that definately is invitation to trouble.

Benyamin's writing is simple and gripping. The story is insightful and much more than what it appears in the blurb. While at first it just appears to be a fun read but the story is more layered and dark and will leave you thoughts deeper that the ones you had started with.

[Ravi Teja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa! Packs so much punch in that tiny little book. A narrative that's so engrossing that you would not turn your head before you're done with the book. This also made me learn something unique ahout the Nepali culture. So few books manage to be both educational and entertaining, this is one.

The ratio of satisfaction to time taken to read the book is damn too high. I love it. This is the first piece of literature from this author that I've ever read. Will definitely read more of his work.

Must read.

[Soumya Prasad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you read books in your mother tongue? Or any other language apart from English?

I, unfortuantely, cannot read or write in my mother tongue, Malayalam. I can speak in bits and pieces and I'm far from being fluent. I can read and write English, Hindi and Kannada. But, I've only read books in English. While I do enjoy an occasional shayari in Hindi (which mostly has been translated from Urdu), I haven't read a fully fledged book in any other language. Will I? I doubt. Why? Purely for the matter of comfort.

Benyamin is an author I've been wanting to read since his Jasmine Days. Somehow, I never got to it. Until a few years ago, I wasn't reading any Indian author at all. While I've read quite a lot of them recently, I'm still skeptical about picking an Indian author. So, to try Benyamin's writing, I picked up this short work of his which was originally written in Malayalam.

An old Malayali couple, Geeta and Gopi, seek a house maid and reach out to their relative to help them find one. Chanku, Gopi's nephew manages to find them a Nepali woman. Sunaina Shakya Devi, is no ordinary maid. Always dressed in bright vibrant colors, she comes with a sharp tongue and speaks her mind. This obviously doesn't go down well with the couple.

This story sheds light on an age old Nepali tradition where some pre-pubescent girls are celebrated as a Goddess and called Kumari Devi, the reincarnation of Goddess Durga. This is no easy ordeal as there is a tedious and heinous process of finding a young girl and grooming her to be the Goddess. She's only celebrated until she reaches puberty. Then, discarded. It is believed that the Goddess leaves the body with her first period. This practice continues till date.

Coming back to the story, our maid Sunaina has a backstory where she almost becomes the Kumari Devi to having to flee the country. One day a Goddess, the next a maid. The story follows her ordeal and how Chanku gets embroiled in it.

In 65 pages, Benyamin packs a punch with his easy story telling. The writing flows naturally leaving a faint trickle of its impact. If you are looking for a quick read sometime, look no further.

[Bookishbong Moumita · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book authored by Benyamin. I read jasmine Days after this. This one is available on Juggernaut app for free. It's an engaging book with an unexpected plot twist! Kumari Devi will definitely make you emotional !

[Nina ( picturetalk321 ) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this for @end.notes' and @anovelfamily's #readtheworld21 challenge, prompt: #DiscoveringIndiaReadathon (left over from August 2020, last year). It is a short story and is strange and good. Others have told the plot of it. For me, the shifts in perception of identities and status compelled. The maid is not as her employers would like her to be: young and subservient. Yet she does her job very well. But she is old. She dresses in garish clothes, 'beyond her station'. She is not subservient. And then she starts to invite people into the house who pay her obeisance. All this spooks the employers and their friend (the I-narrator). It is told in a slightly detached way, with reactions, dialogues and emotions laid out there, and an uncompromising ending.

Translated from the Malayalam by Veena Muthuraman. I chose this because so much Indian fiction is in English, and a lot of it by Indian diaspora authors, and I wanted to read something that was translated from a language other than English.

[Chhavi Chauhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first book by Benyamin. I really liked the narration, this is the story of a Malayali family who knows nothing about their house-help. The old Napali woman who works in the house is quite an interesting character who has a mysterious back story.

It was a really short read.
Read this book on Juggernaut App for free.


Even though I was aware with the Kumari Devi tradition in Nepal, I learnt few more things. What kind of impact such practices makes on young girls, what kind of life they live.
A nice one time read.

[Mishika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book I stumbled across on @juggernaut.in! This was my first book authored by #Benyamin but I'm pretty certain it won't be the last. The book, #KumariDevi, is a short light read, thoroughly engrossing and, towards the end, has a very unexpected (albeit brilliant) plot twist. The book left me pondering about various things, and it's only now, a day later, that I realize the many delicate layers to this brilliant piece. Looking forward to more of Benyamin in my life! ❤️

[Titirsha Bhattacharya · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short yet very touching story. The story brings out the side of the society where you can be anything and nothing in a moment. Just like kumari devi. Where she was destined to be something great something more than just flesh and blood human but tragedy brought her down and he became nothing not even considered as a human made of flesh of blood. And how she survived and fought to live. Go for it if you are looking for a good short read which will keep an impression on you.

[Srithi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Glad to read Benyamin's Kumari Devi, this short story was in my tbr list since very long.


The story is a glimpse of the Nepali maid Kumari Devi's life. The steps she has taken to survive in this unknown world. Will she be able to survive is for you to find out?


The book has a compelling and an engrossing start. It is lucidly written. The story is different, refreshing and seems realistic but the ending could have been much better. I felt it as flat.

[Mohammad Sabbir Shaikh · Rating 3 out of 5]

How would you feel if the maid working in your house turns out to be an ex-goddess? That's exactly what the plot of this short story by Benyamin is. It's quite a decent read.

Thank you Veena Muthuraman for translating it.

[Maya (Bookshot) · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice time pass read 🙂

[Sachin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got to know about this book through Goodreads feed. The Book Description is very tempting.

Short and gripping. Loved it

[Geo O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful storytelling yet again by Benyamin...short story which will leave you speechless

[Deepthi Nair · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read. funny and painful at the same time. life is indeed not what is seen on the surface. Would love to read more from this author

[Rajanikanth Bijigiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The portrayal of the neighborly characters and their feelings is exquisite. Their dilemmas and touching scenes connect well.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens to a Goddess when she is no longer a goddess. A question I wondered. A tale sensitively told.

[Yashita · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gripping tale of an ex-goddess turned maid.

[Madhura · Rating 2 out of 5]

'All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players'

Who would know an old housemaid has a fascinating story to share...?

[Tejaswini · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️