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Best of Thakazhi S. Pillai
Translation of selected Malayalam short stories.
160 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1999
About the author
തകഴി |Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
50 books148 followersThakazhi Sivasankara Pillai (Malayalam: തകഴി ശിവശങ്കര പിള്ള) (17 April 1912 - 10 April 1999) was a novelist and short story writer of Malayalam language. He is popularly known as Thakazhi, after his place of birth. He focused on the oppressed classes as the subject of his works, which are known for their attention to historic detail. He has written several novels and over 600 short stories. His most famous works are Kayar (Coir, 1978) and Chemmeen (Prawns, 1956; film adaptation, 1965). He was awarded India's highest literary award, the Jnanpith in 1984.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 7, 2017
I remember reading Thakazhi's works as a young pre teener, at an age when most of the stories wouldn't have made much sense. Yet I immensely enjoyed those. As a grown up I expected more understanding and pleasure from his works, but was sorely disappointed.
Agreed that this is a translation, but will most of the essence be lost in translation?
Almost all the stories seemed flavourless. There was no vibrancy. I went through those thinking the next one would be a gem which would compensate for its cohorts. But to no avail.
Perhaps his novels are better than short stories, or still more, one has to read in the original language a writer writes to get all the nuances.
Agreed that this is a translation, but will most of the essence be lost in translation?
Almost all the stories seemed flavourless. There was no vibrancy. I went through those thinking the next one would be a gem which would compensate for its cohorts. But to no avail.
Perhaps his novels are better than short stories, or still more, one has to read in the original language a writer writes to get all the nuances.
February 3, 2017
A nice set of short stories which bring out the details and idiosyncrasies of Kerala and Keralites. Not all the stories are very good but overall the book works well.
Many of the stories are about the impact of floods on the normal life of the farmers and to appreciate it read the foreword which sets the background for the stories, unless you are familiar with farming in Kerala.
The stories are based on the caste system, the generation gap, the apathy, the traditions and many other facets of Kerala.
A good read.
Many of the stories are about the impact of floods on the normal life of the farmers and to appreciate it read the foreword which sets the background for the stories, unless you are familiar with farming in Kerala.
The stories are based on the caste system, the generation gap, the apathy, the traditions and many other facets of Kerala.
A good read.
October 9, 2019
Stories of a common man, stories which are relevant even today. Wonderful collection.
April 6, 2014
Stories of a common man, stories which are relevant even today. Wonderful collection.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews