MalegaLalli MadumagaLu

"MalegaLalli MadumagaLu" is the novel written by Kuvempu, one of the best novels of Kannada even for today since it was published first time in 1969. The novel mainly hovers around the life of the Malnad region in the early 20th century. It explains the life in detail in those areas, the challenges faced by the nature, animals, low caste people, Gowda's (the landlords), Brahmins, and the good things enjoyed by the same class.

Kuvempu is a very famous Kannada writer and poet, first among the eight recipients of Jnanapit award for Kannada. I guess every body knows him for his famous Kannada poem : "O nanna chethana, aagu nee anikethana". You can know him more on his official website : Kuvempu

The novel starts with a few lines which is really really true through out the novel.

Most of the characters are the personification of some or the other things of nature, he wanted to touch upon.

The Gutti & Timmi, Mukundayya & Chinnamma, Aitha & Peenchalu are the main characters, basic skeleton of the novel. They have given the flow and life to the novel through out. The other main supporting characters are Bharamai Heggade & Jattamma (of Simbhavi), Kallayya Gowda (of Bettahalli), Rangappa Gowda (of KoNooru), Sanna Mane Shankara Heggade & Seethamma (of Halemane), Dodda Mane Subbanna Heggade (of Halemane), Dodda Mane Timmappa Heggade (of Halemane), Devayya Gowda & Devamma (of Bettahalli) have shaped the novel for perfection.

The novel starts with the introduction of Gutti, a guy from a low caste (Holeya) who is the Jeeta worker of Bharamai Heggade. He is a very courageous, adventure's guy, ready to take any risk for his life and also to his close associates. The loyal dog of his, is the hero of the novel which assists him in all of his courageous activities. Its the loyal servant of Gutti, which dies in the flood water of Tunga Bhadra river in front of the master, Gutti. The portrayal of dog's character is very touching, at least a few drops of tears will roll down from the eyes with the tragic scene of Gutti's dog getting drowned in the flood water. The events and description clearly indicates the author's intention of the problems faced by these low caste people are no better than animals. They are treated & exploited similar to dogs by the land lords i.e., Gowda's at the early 20th century.

Mukundayya & Chinnamma are the protagonists of the novel, personified for their true love towards each other. From the child hood, they have grown up together enjoying the company of each other. The true love remained for ever. In between, his father arranged her marriage with a very old aged guy (Bharamai Heggade) just to escape from the debt he was facing but Chinnamma will elope with Mukundayya just the day of the marriage. The love, tension, anxiety, fate, luck, respect have been depicted beautifully with these two characters. They are the life and body of the novel.

Aitha & Peenchalu are similar characters who are Jeeta workers for the master Mukundayya. Since they all are of the same age, they were very close friends. The distance between the master & the close friend (servant) is depicted very beautifully justifying their true colors at every stage of life.

Its very difficult to explain the novel in just a few lines as its a master piece of 750 pages. Its been a month i read the novel, still the scene is coming in my eyes as if the entire event happened just in front of eyes in a cinema hall.