Rathinirvedam (novel)
Encyclopedia
Rathinirvedam is a Malayalam language
short novel written by P. Padmarajan and published in 1970. The story revolves around a teenager who falls in love with a woman older than he is. The title translates as "venereal disenchantment" in English.
, a small village surrounded by hills and valleys. Seventeen-year-old Pappu, awaiting school results and then college, has plenty of time on hand. His trouble is adolescence
, but neither his mother nor his aunt can diagnose his affiction. Everything round him excites and stimulates his sexual curiosity. Twenty two-year-old Rathi, the girl next door, has been chechi (sister) to him since he was a child. Unaware of the stirrings of his desire, she dismisses his first overtures to her as boyish pranks. But soon her feelings change. She is sympathetic to the boy's confusion and goes to the sarppakkavu (cobra-shrine) to keep a midnight assignation with Pappu. It storms and thunders while Pappu makes love to Rathi. Only then does the storm within and without subside. Aghast at what has happened, Rathi stumbles to her feet but is bitten by a cobra and dies. Next morning Pappu leaves home for college and his new life.
in 2005, as part of their grandhasala series, which included 12 best-selling novels.
and released in 1978, went on to become a large critical and commercial success. Another film adaptation
, officially announced as the remake of 1971 film, was released in 2011. It was directed by T. K. Rajeev Kumar
and was moderately received by citics but became a notable commercial success.
Malayalam language
Malayalam , is one of the four major Dravidian languages of southern India. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India with official language status in the state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry. It is spoken by 35.9 million people...
short novel written by P. Padmarajan and published in 1970. The story revolves around a teenager who falls in love with a woman older than he is. The title translates as "venereal disenchantment" in English.
Plot summary
The story takes place in Cheppattumukku village near KayamkulamKayamkulam
Kayamkulam is a town and a municipality in Alappuzha district of the Indian state of Kerala. It is an ancient maritime trading centre. One of the largest power plants in Kerala, run by the NTPC, is located in Kayamkulam. Krishnapuram Palace is located nearby and an old cashew factory.Kayamkulam is...
, a small village surrounded by hills and valleys. Seventeen-year-old Pappu, awaiting school results and then college, has plenty of time on hand. His trouble is adolescence
Adolescence
Adolescence is a transitional stage of physical and mental human development generally occurring between puberty and legal adulthood , but largely characterized as beginning and ending with the teenage stage...
, but neither his mother nor his aunt can diagnose his affiction. Everything round him excites and stimulates his sexual curiosity. Twenty two-year-old Rathi, the girl next door, has been chechi (sister) to him since he was a child. Unaware of the stirrings of his desire, she dismisses his first overtures to her as boyish pranks. But soon her feelings change. She is sympathetic to the boy's confusion and goes to the sarppakkavu (cobra-shrine) to keep a midnight assignation with Pappu. It storms and thunders while Pappu makes love to Rathi. Only then does the storm within and without subside. Aghast at what has happened, Rathi stumbles to her feet but is bitten by a cobra and dies. Next morning Pappu leaves home for college and his new life.
Publication history
The novel was originally published in May 1970 and was critically well received. The novel was re-published by D. C. BooksD. C. Books
DC Books is the largest publisher in Kerala, the leading publisher of books in Malayalam, and one of the top ten publishers in India. It also operates one of the largest book store chains in India, with a network of over 30 bookshops, and over 50 agencies in Kerala....
in 2005, as part of their grandhasala series, which included 12 best-selling novels.
Film adaptations
Two films have been made, both based on an original screenplay by Padmarajan. The first film adaptation, directed by BharathanBharathan
Bharathan was an Indian film director, artist, lyricist, music director, sculptor, poster designer, editor and art director. Bharathan is noted for being the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam cinema, along with Padmarajan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely...
and released in 1978, went on to become a large critical and commercial success. Another film adaptation
Rathinirvedam (2011 film)
Rathinirvedam is a 2011 Malayalam coming-of-age film directed by T. K. Rajeev Kumar and starring Shweta Menon and Sreejith. The film is a remake of the 1978 film with the same name directed by Bharathan and written by P. Padmarajan based on his own 1970 novel of the same name...
, officially announced as the remake of 1971 film, was released in 2011. It was directed by T. K. Rajeev Kumar
T. K. Rajeev Kumar
T. K. Rajeev Kumar is an award winning director of Malayalam films.He is settled in Trivandrum, Kerala. Rajeev Kumar served as the Chairman of Kerala State Chalachitra Academy from 2003 to 2006...
and was moderately received by citics but became a notable commercial success.