Media reviews on historic books- Reviews | Malayalam History books | Malayalam books Online |
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WITNESS - 2010 release.
This book written by Sri. P.Sudarsanan and Dr.N. Sarika Devi is a treatise on the historical anecdots, which were not brought out before. It gives a cross sectional view of the customs, practices, believes and life styles that were prevailing among the various caste Hindus in the Travancore-Cochin and Malabar areas during the eight eenth and nineteenth centuries.
It was an era when the Caste system was at its peak. Avocations of various natures were assigned to the castes in the lower strata, by the dominant castes who wielded power in the society. The order of the day was to accept it and obey them explicitly which otherwise would deprive them of their livelihood and life even. Those at the upper echelons snatched away the lions share of their efforts, leaving behind those toiled and moiled with little or no facilities for their alround development. They were even deprived of their rightto education and knowledge. It is worth mentioning that the topics of traditional history were the conquests,aggressions, and reforms of rulers and courtiers. It was of colourful nature intended to cater to the interests of the dominant sections of the society. The contributions made by the people of the lower sections were left out without making any mention.
The book discussed here qualifies to be included in the Post-Modern historical branch; as different from the traditional history. It can also be included in People's history which has its base on research, exploration and inquiry over the contributions made by lesser known sects about whom nothing has been mentioned in the traditional books. The Chakkala Nair comm unity, otherwise called Vattakkattu Nair, is a sub sect of Nair community, which include in it about 70 subsects.They had been traditionally engaged in the avocation of oil crushing, which was mostly supplied to palaces and temples for illumination purposes; especially in the olden days where there was no electricity. Several members of this community used to run miniature schools attached to their houses. This practice earned to them the name Ezhuthassan otherwise called Ezhuthachan. Thunchathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, the Father of Malayalam language was a member of this community. In several regions they merged with Nairs. Remaining people continues to be known in the old name.
The authors try to analyse the backwardness of the community from various angles. The language of the book is fluent and readable. The authors have taken strains to study the works of eminent persons such as S/S Sheik Sainudeen, Logan, Nagam Ayya, T.K.Velupillai, Mannathu Padman abhan,UUoor, C.Radhakrishnan and so on for the purpose of collecting materials for the book. It is fervently hoped that this book will be relished by both common readers and students in history alike.