KOCHI: The sleuths strike back! Decades after fading into obscurity, the iconic detectives of Malayalam literature — Bhaskar, Pushparaj and Marxin — are making a comeback. Collectors are clamouring for reprints, and translations are flying off the shelves. Moreover, academia has finally recognised their significance, incorporating these works into the syllabus for popular culture studies.
Rayan Pushpanath, grandson of renowned author Kottayam Pushpanath, attests to the resurgence of crime thrillers. In 2018, he reprinted his grandfather’s debut novel, ‘Chuvanna Manushyan,’ featuring Detective Marxin. The book’s second life has seen a remarkable print run of 50,000 copies, with demand remaining robust.
The revival of Kottayam Pushpanath’s works began as a tribute to his legacy. “We had a publishing company, and my grandfather wrote nearly 350 books. Although the company was almost defunct, we decided to reprint his first book as a testament to his body of work. The response was overwhelming, and we now publish 30 books annually, having revived 70 titles,” Rayan explained. Additionally, translations in Hindi, Tamil, and Bengali have expanded the readership base.
Dr Thomas Scaria, professor of Malayalam at St Thomas College, Pala, corroborates the renewed interest in crime thrillers. “The decline of weeklies that serialised these works was a significant factor in their temporary disappearance. However, with the recent reprinting of these works, there has been a notable demand from libraries and enthusiasts at book festivals.”
As a member of the expert committee at Mahatma Gandhi University (MGU), Scaria notes that academia has acknowledged the cultural significance of these works, leading to renewed interest and research. Notably, MGU and Kerala University have both included ‘Chuvanna Manushyan’ in their syllabus.
‘New gen remains fascinated by classic crime thrillers’
“This genre of fiction has evolved, yet the new generation remains fascinated by classic crime thrillers. Interestingly, young readers are also showing a keen interest in these works, alongside those revisiting them from their childhood,” Scaria observed.
Dr K Ayyappa Paniker, in his seminal work ‘A Short History of Malayalam Literature,’ notes that these popular works captivated a vast readership, significantly contributing to the growth of literacy.
Prasad Parapuram, senior civil police officer, Ernakulam Rural, echoes this sentiment. “These books have played a pivotal role in fostering a culture of reading within our community.”
For Prasad, revisiting childhood favourites has been a nostalgic journey, reconnecting him with the heroes who inspired him during his formative years. This nostalgia has also influenced his professional life as a police officer. “I often drew inspiration from the skills and tactics employed by fictional detectives, wondering how I could incorporate them into my own work.”
Growing up, Prasad was captivated by the twists and turns of detective novels. Although the stories often seemed far-fetched, they sparked his imagination and instilled in him a lifelong love for reading.
Kottayam Pushpanath Publications has also successfully leveraged the digital landscape, fostering a devoted community of fans. The company adopts a print-on-demand approach, catering to the growing interest in these classic novels. Initially serialised in magazines, these novels have retained their allure, with readers eagerly anticipating reprints. Interestingly, Tamil and Hindi readers have shown a particular affinity for themes of magic and sorcery, Rayan stresses.
Jumping on the bandwagon, Kochi-based CICC Book House reprinted Neelakantan Paramara’s ‘Last Witness.’ Paramara is renowned for creating Bhaskar, a character made famous by his distinctive attire and habit of smoking cigarettes as he navigates the streets of Ernakulam.