Kamalambal Charithiram

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இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: கமலாம்பாள் சரித்திரம் ‎

கமலாம்பாள் சரித்திரம்

Kamalambal Charithiram, known to be the second novel of Tamil, was written in 1893 by B R Rajamaiyer. This was the first serialized Tamil novel. This was the first novel in Tamil where the protagonist is a woman and the title of the novel also is that of a woman. Critiques also credit it as being the first realistic Tamil novel that is written without being influenced by English novel styles. It is considered to be a novel of artistic expressions due to its elaborate characterization, psychological approach to the emotional expressions of the characters, description of the novel events without over dramatization in addition to its humor.

Creation

B R Rajamaiyar started writing the novel as a serial in February 1893 in the monthly magazine Viveka Cinthamani. The novel was serialized over three years with the title as Aniyaya Abavatham Allathu Kamalambaal Charithiram. It was published as a novel in 1896 with the title changed as Abathukkidamana Abavatham Allathu Kamalambal Charithiram.

When this story came in Viveka Cinthamani, the author was mentioned as B.R. Sivasubramania Iyer B.A. However, when it was published as a novel in 1896, author is mentioned as B.R. Sivasubramania Iyer alias B.R. Rajamayyar. In the subsequent editions, the name B.R. Sivasubramania Iyer is removed, and B.R Rajamayyar alone is retained.

Rajamayyar’s views on philosophy are Vedantic and directed towards inner self. He tries to find intellectual solutions for social problems. He gives importance to a life centered on inner self, focusing on realizing God. Rajamayyar says that the main aim of this novel is to describe the final attainment of a state of pure bliss by a restless soul suffering and struggling in this world.

Publication

This novel, which was serialized in Viveka Cinthamani from 1893 to 1896, was published as a book on behalf of Viveka Cinthamani in October, 1896. The editor of the Viveka Cinthamani magazine, V.V. Swaminathayyar had written the Introduction for the first print. The second edition of the novel came in February 1904 followed by subsequent editions in the years 1910, 1915, 1930. Having seen six editions by the year 1944, the novel went on to have many more editions in the later years. The Madras University had prescribed the novel as a textbook for the Teachers Certificate course.

Synopsis

The novel has two parts. The first part has 17 chapters and the second part has 20 chapters.

Muthuswamy Iyer lives in a village called Sirukulam in Madurai district. His wife is Kamalambal. They have a daughter, Kalyani alias Lakshmi. Kamalambal and Muthuswamy Iyer loved each other deeply. Subramania Iyer is the younger brother of Muthuswamy Iyer. Ponnammal is the wife of Subramania Iyer and they have a son named Sundaram. Subramania Iyer holds deep respect and love for his elder brother. However, he is obedient to his wife. Ponnammal was the head of the village’s chatters association. Muthuswamy Iyer’s family is one among the influential families of the area. Muthuswamy Iyer and Kamalambal finalize and fix the marriage of Kalyani to Srinivasan from Madurai. However, Ponnammal had been desiring to marry Kalyani to her brother’s son. She gets angry when her desire goes unfulfilled. She prevents her husband from attending Kalyani’s betrothal function. However, the marriage happens successfully. After some days, Kamalambal gives birth to a male child. They name him Natarajan.

Meanwhile, Komala Nayakkanur Zamindar develops hatred towards Subramania Iyer due to a rivalry developed during Jallikattu. Due to the animosity, the Zamindar engages a thief called Peyandi Thevar to go to Subramania Iyer’s home and steal all their jewels and the bull that will be participating in Jallikattu. Muthuswamy Iyer files a case against Peyandi Thevar on behalf of his brother. Succumbing to the charming medicine given by his wife, Subramania Iyer stands as a witness in favor of Peyandi Thevar. Still Peyandi Thevar gets convicted. After spending two years in prison, Peyandi Thevar on getting released from prison, kidnaps Muthuswamy Iyer’s two year old child and sells the child to Ramaseshayyar. The Family of Muthuswamy Iyer lose all their peace and happiness having been parted from their child.

Srinivasan, Muthuswamy Iyers son-in-law travels to Madras for pursuing his studies. Muthuswamy Iyer and Kamalambal relocate to Madras to live with their daughter. One day, on getting a telegram informing of the illness of his brother, Muthuswamy Iyer travels to Sirukulam with Kamalambal to see his brother. Subramania Iyer breathes his last while requesting for his brother’s pardon. Meanwhile, the business in which Muthuswamy Iyer had invested suffers losses. He begins to hate the worldly life and starts wandering in search of peace. Ponnammal along with the chatters association, spreads rumors on Kamalambal’s morality and triggers a separation between Muthuswamy Iyer and Kamalambal.  Becoming totally depressed, Muthuswamy Iyer tries to commit suicide. He gets the experience of God while trying to commit suicide. Satchithananda Swamigal becomes his guru. Both of them travel to Kasi.

Ponnammal becomes mad after the death of Subramania Iyer. Vaidyanatha Iyer, a judge and friend of Muthuswamy Iyer, gets to know of the betrayal of Kamalambal by Ponnammal. Kamalambal travels to Kasi along with her daughter and son-in-law, in search of Muthuswamy Iyer. Finally, a repenting Peyandi Thevar and Natarajan also reach Kasi. Everyone reunite amidst the search. Satchithananda Swamigal directs Muthuswamy Iyer to be an ascetic even while leading a family life. Kamalambal starts meditation on Rama.

Characters

Kamalambal: Protagonist. A lady who adjusts to others with patience. Love, humility and deference are part of her nature.

Muthuswamy Iyer: Kamalambal’s husband. A person of noble character always ready to help anyone in need. Involved in Vedanta.

Kalyani / Lakshmi: Daughter of Muthuswamy Iyer and Kamalambal.

Subramaniya Iyer: Younger brother of Muthuswamy Iyer. He has lot of respect and love for his brother. An obedient husband.

Ponnammal: Wife of Subramania Iyer. A woman filled with greed and arrogance. She is always ill advised by the village’s chatters association and its female members.

Sundaram: Son of Subramania Iyer and Ponnammal.

Adusapatti Ammayappa Pillai: Tamil teacher. A typical representative of scholars who the world is ignorant of in-spite of speaking in a manner which is not understood by others and having sung many songs. He saves Kamalambal from a train accident.

Critical assessment

Even though Pradhaba Mudhaliar Carithiram written by Mayuram Vedha Nayagam Pillai and published in 1879 is accepted as the first novel in Tamil, many critiques agree that Kamalambal Charithiram qualifies to become the first novel in Tamil when the evaluation criterion includes novel as a literary form, characterization, elegance in the story narration and the novel structure.