Agnisakshi Paperback – September 14, 2015

Agnisakshi by Lalithambika Antharjanam is an unputdownable book. The book is quite progressive for its age and period. It throws light on the pathos of Antharjanams ( Brahmin women) of Kerala. It also throws light on the dilemma of a son stuck between dharma (moral duty) towards parents, customs, traditions and love for his newly wed wife. Other topic dealt with is the 'sambhandam' pratha that was prevalent between the Nair community and the Namboodiris.The story is set in the pre independent India when caste system, untouchability, traditional bigotry were prevalent.Thetikutty, wife of Unni Namboodiri, finds it difficult to adjust in the bigoted Manampally Illam. She was brought up on books, thoughts, opinions by her rebellious brother, who was himself fighting for the freedom of Namboodiri women and untouchables. However, her husband was brought up on religious scriptures and moral duties towards family and traditions. When these opposite poles come together, many displeasing situations arise. They love each other but dharma of Unni Namboodhiri overpowers their love. Tethikutty yearns to read something except Sheelavathy and Ramayana ( Brahmin women were expected only to read these) in her new home. This is when Thankam, Unni's sister, born out of his father's sambhandam with a Nair woman, comes as a relief to Tethi. She provides her with books and magazines that her mother reads. However, when Tethi's brother ends up in jail, the women in Tethi's husband's family checks her cupboards and finds and aflames all her books and magazines. Unni's family also prohibits her from meeting her dying mother. Unni doesn't stand up for his wife against his family even though he loves her with whole heart. He had stood against his father once when Thankam wanted to go for higher studies instead of getting married. He knew he had failed his father then so he didn't wish to hurt his father for himself and Tethi. The couple separates. Unni lives for his mother and Tethi vows to spend her life for the motherland. Thankam is left hopeless seeing the stubbornness of her brother and fate of her loving sister in law. Thankam is also sad about the fact that her father didn't forgive her for going against his will and studying further. Her sadness is also rooted in the fact that she never got to touch or embrace her father for the fear of polluting him, as she is considered a Shudra being born from a Nair woman. Tethi becomes everything that a Namboodhiri woman is not supposed to be. She goes out in open and fight for the freedom of women, riddance of caste system. She becomes part of Gandhiji's freedom struggle. Unni goes on with his religious rituals, Thankam and her mother leaves her father's house after his death as was the custom for the Nair women.The book deals with themes of bigotry, renunciation, detachment, liberation, love, despair, struggle, freedom, and revolution. Personally, it choked me a little and made me ponder too as my maternal grandfather was born out of a wedlock between a Namboodiri and a Nair woman. It made me wonder what all my grandfather must have gone through due to this system. My grandfather's paternal lineage was never spoken in my family,. However, we all knew it. But I never thought the sambhandam system was so cruel. Many questions now surface in my mind after reading this book.

An okay read. Seems the beauty of the writing was lost in translation. Words like polluting, non polluting ,water-crazy grandmother did not fit in. To an extent irritating.

A really good book. It gives an insight into the customs and practices of the traditional Namboodiri community. A truly brilliant writer. She beautifully portrays how different relationships are affected by the society.

Good

Good