VERUKAL – A classy yet thoughtful semiautobiographical novel was written by the renowned writer Malayatoor Ramakrishnan in 1966. Apart from his Vayalar award winning creation “YAKSHI” which was superstitious and interesting alongside, we cannot consider “VERUKAL” just as a story. It has that power to mesmerise the reader to peek through his/her “roots”, from the very start till they started reading their next book. This Kerala Sahithya Academy award winning book is a must read one because of the realistic approach of the author to showcase the reality and importance of a person’s soul which exists at the root of his/her family.

Verukal tells the story of a Tamil speaking Iyer family who were settled in Kerala. The protagonist of the story is Reghu who is an IAS officer. The very beginning of the story narrates the present generation busy life in which people won’t find time to spend with their kids too. Reghu was living with his Amma(mother),Geetha(wife) and 2 children Ajayan and Suma in the city. The pivotal event on which the novel turns is when Reghu returns to his native village after several years. Reghu was in immense pressure from his domineering wife who forces him to sell his ancestral property for building a luxurious mansion for them. On reaching the village he meets his sisters Ammulu(elder sister) , Lakshmi(younger) and their family after so long. From this moment onwards, the author switches the storyline between the memories of Reghu and his present feeling. The author points out even minute details to showcase how he has been attached to his ancestral village.

Each character is exceptional in one or the other way. Ammulu who is very strong in taking the decisions at hard times and taking all the responsibilities as an elder son without thinking about her good is quite an inspiring one. It was only because of Ammulu’s strength and determination Reghu was able to complete his studies. The uneducated yet hardworking Maniyan Athimbar(Ammulu’s husband) who was very much dependent on his wife’s decisions. Then Reghus father Vishwanathan Iyer who was very strict that he won’t allow Reghu to play with neighbours and not allows him to read

a book other than school texts. Then the very conservative and selfish Patta (Reghu’s grandpa) whose sword inside his walking stick fascinates Reghu during his childhood.

In some areas the author takes us to some serious emotions. It not only hurts us but also drives our mind to the inner corners of our thoughts and memories that are buried deep down. The death of Ramu(Lakshmi’s son)who was infected with rabies who was very brilliant among the kids, the death of Reghu’s father who was always thinking about Reghu till his last moment and the story of mad Kittunni was some among them. At some point the author tries to point out the rude feudalism which was prevailing at that time. There, Reghu was portrayed as a great leader who takes a bravest step to bring equality to all the people regardless of their caste and creed for devoting to their deity.

Verukal shares some good thoughts and memories as well as it shows the mistakes made by Reghu which is when he dropped out of college at some point and the realisation of life which encourages him to come back. All these moments makes the reader realises that this may happen to me also or I too had a similar experience in some part of my life. The story ends with the return of Reghu who has changed his mind on selling his ancestral property due to all the memories which flooded towards his mind while he wanders in and around his home. He is returning home with a strong mind and determination along with his Patta’s sword to face his domineering wife. The summery has already been explained by the author itself in just a single sentance at the very end as –“verukal marathynum manushyanum mannilaanu”- it is enough said.