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Famous Malayalam Books

famous malayalam books

Want to know Famous Malayalam Books ? Well you have landed on the right article The Malayalam language is a member of the South Dravidian subgroup of its language family.

It is spoken mainly in India and it is the official language of Kerala as well as the union territory of Lakshadweep. This language has evolved either from a Proto-Dravidian or a western dialect of Tamil.

The Book publishing industry in India has grown over the last few years. In Kerala, the industry has witnessed huge development. From classic theology to biblical studies, the authors are scholars, experts, and artists.

By combining academic excellence with innovative technology, the industry has been able to produce affordable and must read in Malayalam books.

Our Top Picks

Famous malayalam books 

1. Aadujeevitham by Benyamin

This is a one of the must read top Malayalam novels. This is a novel about an abused migrant worker who resided in Saudi Arabia.

It is a story based on real-life happenings and was the bestseller in Kerala.

The original version had gone through more than 100 reprints. This book had also won the “Kerala Literacy Academy Award” in 2009.

details

  • Author: BENYAMIN
  • Published: August 2008 by Green Books Pvt. Ltd
  • Pages: 212
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review: 4.7 stars and 1439 rating given by people

Video Review

2. Randamoozham by M.T. Vasudevan Nair

It is one of the famous Malayalam novels , 1984 India Malayalam-language mythological novel that was widely credited as the writer’s masterpiece.

It is a drama novel. This book explores the emotions of the Pandavas as a son, brother, husband and, father. 

The story brings to light the love and concern he holds for Draupadi, his wife.

details

  • Author: M.T.Vasudevan Nair
  • Published  date : 1 January 1984
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review: 4.6 stars and 227 rating given by people

Video Review

3. Khasakkinte Ithihasam by O.V. Vijayan

At no.3 on our list of best Malayalam books we have Khasakkinte Ithihasam . It is a Malayalam debut novel that was first serialized in 1968. The book was published in a single edition one year later.

Also, it was translated into French by Domonique Vitalyos.

The novel narrates the story of a young University student who was bewitched by the village where legends and dreams intermingle.

details

  • Author: VIJAYAN O V
  • Published: August 1990 by DC Books (first published November 12th 1969)
  • Pages: 164
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review: 4.5 stars and 1146 rating given by people 

Video Review

4. Pathummayude Aadu by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer

This is a humorous novel where the characters are members of the author’s family.

The action takes place at his home. It is the only major Basheer work that was published without any revisions from the original writing.

In this novel, he mentioned that he is not writing it in lyrical language but in slang.

details

  • Author: Basheer Vaikom Muhammad
  • Publisher: DC Books
  • Publication date: 1 January 2019
  • Pages: 124
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review: 4.5 stars and 255 rating given by people

Video Review

5. Balyakalasakhi by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer

It is a romantic tragedy which was published in 1944. This novel is considered as Basheer’s best work.

The story revolves around two characters who were deeply in love. The story is largely autobiographical.

Later on, the Malayalam language was translated into English.

details

  • Author: Vaikom Muhammad Basheer
  • Publication date: November 2016
  • Publisher: DC Books
  • Pages: 92
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review: 4.6 stars and 201 rating given by people

Video Review

6. Ente Katha by Kamala Suraiyya Das

It is an autobiography that was written in 1973. She wrote this story after she became ill and thought that she would not survive.

The book was outspoken and controversial and had her critics gunning her after the book was published.

There was a myriad of fiction in this book.

details

  • Author: MADHAVIKKUTTY
  • Publisher: DC BOOKS; 69th edition (1 January 2018)
  • Pages: 197
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review:  4.7 stars and 12 rating given by people

Video Review

7. Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil by M. Mukundan

The novel vividly states the social as well as the political background of the former French colony, Mahe in the past in a very shocking manner.

The novel was later on translated into French and English and both the versions became a hit and received awards.

details

  • Author: M MUKUNDAN
  • Publisher: DC Books; 55th edition (1 January 1920)
  • Pages: 304
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review: 4.6 stars and 510 rating given by people
  • Reading age: 7 - 14 years

Video Review

8. Oru Desathinte Katha by S.K. Pottekkatt

This novel sketch the men and women of Athiranippadam. It drew the history of the country while detailing the country’s micro-detailing.

It also won the “Kendra Sahitya Academy Award”. This is a gem and the story was narrated really well.

The autobiographical stance haunts the readers.

details

  • Author: S K Pottekkatt
  • Publisher: DC Books
  • Pages: 566
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review: 4.7 stars and 377 rating given by people

Video Review

9. Oru Sankeerthanam Pole by Perumbadavam Sreedharan

It is a 1993 novel and it deals with the life of the Russian author Fyodor Dostoyevsky.

It narrates his love story with his girlfriend who later became his wife.

This book won several awards and surpassed its 100th edition with more than two lakh copies in a time span of 24 years.

details

  • Author: Perumbadavam Sreedharan
  • Publisher: ‎ Sangeerthanam Publications (1 January 2012)
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review: 4.5 stars and 212 rating given by people

Video Review

10. Naalukettu by M.T. Vasudevan Nair

It was the author’s first major novel and the title attributes to a traditional ancestral home, Nalukettu.

It is a classic fiction and it contributed to the literacy tradition renewal initiated by three famous people.

This story deals with the depiction of the social order of the Nair community of Kerala.

details

  • Author: M T Vasudevan Nair
  • Publisher: CURRENT BOOKS (1 January 1958)
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review: 4.7 stars and 151 rating given by people

Video Review

11. Neermathalam Pootha Kalam by Kamala Suraiyya Das

This novel bears the flowering memories of the lives of humans. It is a story about the author himself and his school days.

It speaks about his memories until the age of 14. The literary creation of this novel made people fall in love with this story.

details

  • Author: MADHAVIKUTTY, Kamala Suraiyya Das
  • Publisher: D.C. Books
  • Pages: 300
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review: 4.5 stars and 216 rating given by people

Video Review

12. Ntuppuppaakkoraanaendaarnnu by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer

A short novel that was published in 1951 became one of the most popular stories among his works.

It is woven around the dominant character, Kunjupattumma’s mother.

The central theme was about the values that she upheld. This story is full of pleasant anecdotes and humor from Muslim religious tradition.

details

  • Author: Basheer Vaikom Muhammad
  • Publisher: D.C. Books
  • Pages: 128
  • Language: Malayalam

Video Review

13. Yakshi by Malayattoor Ramakrishnan

It is a novel based on a college lecturer. It is a thriller novel which brings the reader’s mind to a departure world.

The author shapes the stories make it a stunning experience for the readers.

The story is described in a very simple way that makes the audience connect with it.

details

  • Author:MALAYATTOOR RAMAKRISHNAN
  • Publisher: DC Books; 28th edition (1 January 2019)
  • Pages: 176
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review: 4.4 stars and 234 rating given by people

Video Review

14. Agnisakshi by Lalithambika Antharjanam

This novel was published in 1976. The book is pretty progressive for its period and age.

The story throws light on Antharjanams’ (Brahmin women) pathos of Kerala.

The novel discusses the story of a Nambudiri woman who was drawn into the problems for political and social freedom.

details

  • Author: LALITHAMBIKA ANTHARJANAM
  • Publisher: DC Books; 21st edition (1 January 1920)
  • Pages: 108
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review: 4.5 stars and 106 rating given by people

Video Review

15. Verukal by Malayattoor Ramakrishnan

A semi-autobiographical novel that received the “Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award” in 1967.

It is considered one of the most authentic works of the author.

This piece of art made the readers sink in the story completely and this is why it is a wonderful novel from the master storyteller.

details

  • Author: MALAYATTOOR RAMAKRISHNAN
  • Publisher: DC BOOKS (1 January 2021)
  • Pages: 132
  • Review: 3.5 stars and 2 rating given by people

Video Review

16. Nashtapetta Neelambari by Kamala Suraiyya Das

This story consists of thirteen stories which reflect the strong feelings of a woman for love and betrayal.

Nashtappetta Neelambari is a novel based on love-based stories. People loved this book and the plots are very simple as well as familiar to the daily lives of people.

The characters are the usual people in the society we live around.

details

  • Author: MADHAVIKUTTY
  • Publisher: DC Books (1 January 2017)
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review: 4.6 stars and 45 rating given by people

Video Review

17. Ini Njan Urangatte by P.K. Balakrishnan

This novel is regarded as a historically notable language novel because it has become a yardstick for great Malayalam fiction, laying several Mahabharata based-novels.

It is a psychological study of Draupadi and Karna, set against the background of the critical occurrences in the Mahabharata.

details

  • Author: BALAKRISHNAN P K
  • Publisher: DC Books; 33rd edition (1 January 2019)
  • Pages: 216
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review: 4.5 stars and 246 rating given by people

Video Review

18. Indulekha by O. Chandu Menon

The novel was published in 1889 and it was the first novel in Malayalam language.

Indulekha, the educated heroine of the novel dramatized the resistance of a liberal Nair woman.

She refused to yield to the Namboothiri’s oppression.

A character named Madhavan was an important plot who stood up to the social evils of that time.

details

  • Author: O Chandu menon
  • Publisher: Tamara (1 January 2016)
  • Pages: 280
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review: 4.3 stars and 201 rating given by people

Video Review

19. Janmadinam by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer

The novel describes a woman and her daughter who was admitted in a hospital who was waiting for the latter to give birth.

However, there is no definite setting. Instead, time in non-linear, contrasted with scenes widely depending on place and time.

It has won Kerala State Film Awards.

details

  • Author: Basheer Vaikom Muhammad
  • Publisher: DC Books
  • Pages: 96
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review:4.7 stars and 15 rating given by people
  • Publication date: 1 December 2018

Video Review

20. Francis Itty Cora by T.D. Ramakrishnan

It is the bestselling mystery novel which received considerable accolades from critics due to its unparalleled incorporation of several global historical knowledge

And characters that are present to the prevalent Malayalam readers of that time for weaving the story line. 

details

  • Author: T D Ramakrishnan
  • Publisher: DC Books
  • Pages: 599
  • Language: Malayalam
  • Review:3.8 stars and 15 rating given by people
  • Publication date: 11 November 2016

Video Review

Conclusion

It can be said that Malayalam language is one of the most important languages spoken in India. Besides, the book publishing industry in Kerala has been growing over aa period of time. 

With the amalgamation of technology and excellent writing capabilities, the industry has been able to build lasting partnerships.

This is always been their focus area. Not just that, the industry has been selling affordable books for people’s convenience.

With a diverse list of books and determination to write, the book publishing industry has seamlessly managed the work. Every step of publication reflects their commitment and good imagination.  

I hope you liked our article on Famous Malayalam Books , if you have any comments or suggestions do share them in the comments below

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) 

Q1. Which is the biggest novel in Malayalam?

The biggest novel in Malayalam is Avakaasikal. It is a novel written by Vilasini and published in 1980. It runs into 3958 pages, divided in four volumes.

This novel was soon taken up by the readers and critics as one immensely magnificent and finest works in the field art.


Q2. Which is the first book in Malayalam?

The first book in Malayalam that was conceived and published was Kundalatha written by Appu Nedundadi.

Although this is not considered a major novel, it gets the pride of place since the first work in the language having the fundamental features of a novel. It was published in 1887.


Q3. Who is the father of Malayalam?

Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan is known as the father of the Malayalam language. He is a translator, spiritual minstrel, and, linguistic who was originally from Kerala.

He was an Indian poet who was famous during the 16th century. Also, his other contribution has been in mainstreaming the current Malayalam alphabet.  

Here are the best Malayalam books

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About the Author

Currently working as an Editor in Chief with Ankuraggarwal.in, he is managing all the ins and outs of the content management process and editorial operations. Having an experience of 8 years in the publishing/ e-solution industry, he manages a small freelancing team of fellow editors and has worked with several domains including academics, healthcare, lifestyle and technical writings. He is a stickler for accuracy and loves to read noir-fiction and binge-watch anthologies.

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