Ponni (novel)
Encyclopedia
Ponni is a Malayalam novel written by Malayattoor Ramakrishnan
in 1967. It is based on the lifestyle of Adivasi
s of Attappady at Malleswaram Hills.
. Slash and burn cultivation practised by the Adivasis suddenly stopped by the Government forcing them to search for new jobs. The hero changes his hair style to suit the times. The courtship dance and traditional songs were depicted in a realistic way. Ponnis characters talked and sang a mixture of Tamil and Malayalam with a tinge of Kannada.
says that the novel was inspired by true stories narrated by his friend Pareeth. Pareeth was working as a gramasevak in Attappady when Malayattoor was the sub-collector of Ottappalam sub-division (from 1959 to 1961). Several characters of the novel are based on real-life characters. The character of sub-collector (which was inspired by Malayattoor himself) and Adhikari (which was inspired by Basavayyan Chettiyar) are examples.
Malayattoor Ramakrishnan
Malayattoor Ramakrishnan was a prominent Malayali novelist of the 20th century from Kerala state, South India. He is credited with having authored several important works in Malayalam literature, including novels, short stories and biographical sketches...
in 1967. It is based on the lifestyle of Adivasi
Adivasi
Adivasi is an umbrella term for a heterogeneous set of ethnic and tribal groups claimed to be the aboriginal population of India. They comprise a substantial indigenous minority of the population of India...
s of Attappady at Malleswaram Hills.
Plot summary
The novel portrays the life of the Adivasis of Attappadi, a region in Malabar, to the south of the Nilgiris and to the east of KeralaKerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. Slash and burn cultivation practised by the Adivasis suddenly stopped by the Government forcing them to search for new jobs. The hero changes his hair style to suit the times. The courtship dance and traditional songs were depicted in a realistic way. Ponnis characters talked and sang a mixture of Tamil and Malayalam with a tinge of Kannada.
Writing
The novel was inspired by true stories. In his partial autobiography Service Story Ente IAS Dinangal, Malayattoor RamakrishnanMalayattoor Ramakrishnan
Malayattoor Ramakrishnan was a prominent Malayali novelist of the 20th century from Kerala state, South India. He is credited with having authored several important works in Malayalam literature, including novels, short stories and biographical sketches...
says that the novel was inspired by true stories narrated by his friend Pareeth. Pareeth was working as a gramasevak in Attappady when Malayattoor was the sub-collector of Ottappalam sub-division (from 1959 to 1961). Several characters of the novel are based on real-life characters. The character of sub-collector (which was inspired by Malayattoor himself) and Adhikari (which was inspired by Basavayyan Chettiyar) are examples.