Country India Media type Print(Paperback) | Language Malayalam Originally published 2009 Genre Mystery | |
Publisher Current Books (Original)
Amaryllis (English) Publication date 2009 (Original)
2013 (English) Pages 304 (Original)
382 (English) Adaptations Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha (2009) Mystery books Francis Itty Cora, Fallen Gods, Double in Trouble, Capitol murder, Pay Off | ||
Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha is a best-selling Malayalam-language mystery novel by T. P. Rajeevan (Thachom Poyil Rajeevan). It was originally serialised in Mathrubhumi Weekly and was published as a book by Current Books. Paleri Manikyam was first written in English when the author was residing in Iowa, United States. He wrote it in Malayalam after coming back to Kerala. However, the English version, titled Undying Echoes of Silence, was released in August 2013 only.
Contents
Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha literally translates to Manikyam of Paleri: A Midnight Murder Story and is based on the true story of the first recorded murder case that was registered after the formation of the first democratically elected communist government in Kerala.
Plot summary
The novel is set in Kerala in 1950s-an era of transition from feudal system to modern democracy. Manikyam, a young Thiyya girl, comes from the neighbouring village to Paleri as the wife of Pokkan, the assistant sorcerer of the village. She was found dead a few days after her marriage. Her close relatives suspected it to be a murder, and investigations were carried out. A few people were suspected, arrested and questioned, only to be released by the court which described the prosecution's case as flawed. With no further investigation, the case had, since then, gone cold over the years, eventually acquiring the status of an unsolved mystery. Around 50 years later, a detective living in New Delhi, sets out on a journey to Paleri hoping to solve this mystery. The story is narrated in first person by the investigator.
Translation
Film adaptation
The novel was adapted into a film with the same title in 2009. It was scripted and directed by Ranjith and starred Mammootty in three different roles alongside Mythili, Shwetha Menon, Sreenivasan and Gowri Munjal. The film was critically acclaimed but could not get the cult status the novel had achieved.