Avakasikal

By Vilasini (M. K. Menon)

Avakasikal, published in 1980, runs into 3958 pages, in four volumes and is the second longest novel written in any Indian language after Jeymohan’s Tamil epic Venmurasu. Regarded as Vilasini’s magnum opus, the novel is set in Malaysia and deals with Velunni Kurup, a septuagenarian self-made millionaire and a host to his greedy relatives who try to defraud him of his wealth. Krishnanunni, a leading lawyer and a close friend of Velunni Kurup is the protagonist of the novel. The novel depicts the minds of about ten persons belonging to four generations with great insight. It won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1981 and Vayalar Award in 1983.

About the Author
M. K. Menon was born in Karumathra, near Vadakkancherry, British India. In 1953 he left for Singapore where he started his life as the editor of the English monthly called Indian Movie News. Two years later, he became the sub-editor at the French News service Agence France-Presse (AFP) in Singapore. He was also a member of the Kerala Socialist Party. He came back to Kerala in 1977. He made his debut as a novelist with the book Niramulla Nizhalukal (1965) that gives a vivid description of the lives of Malayalis in Singapore during the Second World War. He has a special liking for the stream of consciousness novel.