Kovilan is a well-known Malayalam writer. His official name is Kandanishery Vattamparambil Velappan Aiyappan. He was born on July 9, 1923. Some of his works are Thottangal, Shakunam, a minus b, Ezhamidangal, Himalayam, Thervazhachakal and Thattakam. He got Kerala Sahitya academy award in 1972 for Thottangal and in 1977 for Shakunam.
The novel is about an IIT bus conductor Bharathan who was thrown out of his job for a murder case. He is a symbolic representation of our Indian society. The novelist has chosen the title as Bharathan may be because he wanted everyone to give priority to the character. But I felt more consideration to Kishan Lal, who came to IIT in search of his wife Madhu Chathurvedi who worked in IIT. Madhu left her village years back and never bothered to return. Kishan was murdered at Madhu’s home and Bharathan was arrested for the crime.
Pilgrimage and offerings in temple can give only peace of mind for a temporary period. But what we need is peace forever. Bharathan is also the name of a king who ruled India and India was known as Bharath for that reason. So Bharathan was a king but now what is his condition. IIT roads and buildings are constructed in a similar manner. It is an organization of authority which is a symbol of fascism.
The novel gives an image of common man’s life in the community. It is a good work by Kovilan.
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