Karisal (novel)
இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: கரிசல்
Karisal (1976) is a novel that promotes leftist ideologies, written by Ponneelan about the formation of a farmers' association in Kovilpatti town, Tamil Nadu.
Creation, Publication
Karisal was Ponneelan's first novel, written in 1976, based on his experience working as a school teacher in a small village in Kovilpatti. It was published by New Century Book House.
Synopsis
Kannappan arrives as a school teacher at a small town called Perumalpuram in the Karisal (black soil) land of Kovilpatti. He observes the life of the people in this arid land, as he tries to administer the abandoned school. He earns the enmity of a landlord named Sarkaraichamy who controls the town. Due to his effort, a farmers' association is founded. Rangaiyan, Kondappan, Veerasinnu, Appanasamy and Chandanapandi are few of the active members of the association. Thus, the first voice of dissent is raised.
Literary Significance
The idea of a teacher going to teach in a village or hamlet is important to Indian literature, as he is often the first educated individual to arrive there. Ideas about democracy, human rights and cosmopolitanism reach the villagers through him. It changes their outlook and transforms the village. This forms the plot of many Indian novel such as Vyankatesh Madgulkar's Bangarwadi and O.V. Vijayan's Khasakkinte Itihasam. Karisal was first Tamil novel to be published with this format. It contains straightforward propaganda and a regular plot structure to present Marxist ideologies. Critics consider it an important work because of its detailed descriptions of the Karisal landscape.
References
- 'Ponneelan's Karisal - Novel: Geography and Memoirs' - Jeyapirakasam
- 'Kandhaga Bhoomiyil Karisal Ilakiyam' - K.S. Radhakrisnan
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