ആരാച്ചാര് | AARACHAR by K.R. Meera
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Aarachar by K R Meera is the first Malayalam language book I read in a few months, and must say this has been an unforgettable read. It is dark, morbid and appalling and as the title suggests, death lingers in every page of the story. Chetna Grdha Mallick, the main character of the story is among the last descendants of a Bengali family of executioners, whose ancestry, according to her grandmother, could be traced back to years before Christ. By some twists of fate, Chetna is appointed as the official Hangwoman of the state- the first female to take up the job after Chetna’s own ancestor centuries before. The novel reads like a legend, with the narrative constantly switching between past and present, recounting tales from the centuries long history and myths surrounding the Mallick family. It is also the story of the sheer power and defiance of a woman in a man’s world and in front of his pride. The way the author has entwined the history and socio-political scenario of Bengal, and the way she has described the tiny little details of Kolkata are commendable; I sometimes felt I was reading the translation of a novel written by a Bengali author. Undoubtedly one of the best works I have read in Malayalam.
the pensive soul 
Thank you, Harsha. – K R Meera
Wow, so honoured that you read my review and commented. Thanks for dropping in, and thank you for an amazing reading experience. Looking forward to reading many more of your works. 🙂
well said…… 🙂
Dear readers,
Chetana Gridha Mullick is not only a hang woman. She started her career as hangchild at the age of 5. She killed a boy of 3 years old.She recollects her experience was interesting”
In the novel Hang woman,smt. K.R.Meera blames the Govt.of West Bengal (year 2004) lead by Left and Democratic Front.
The C.M was Com.Budha Deb Bhattacharya (name changed slightly in the novel as Goutham Deb Bhattacharya).Phanibhooshan mullick’s demand for a govt job for his daughter was denied without even considering her caste(backward class).She was forced to accept the temperory job with a monthly allowance of Rs.75/-. for which she had to sign an agreement and bond.
The novel says that this is BONDED LABOUR that prevailed in West Bengal during 2004. during communist rule. (Former P.M.Indira Gandhi,BANNEDbonded labour during Emergency)
.
As per the agreement the goverment had to give the hangwoman Rs.20,000/ for the hanginging of Yathindranath Banergi .But the so called communist C.M., cheated the poor young +2 lady by giving her only Rs.10,000/-
Again,the Chief Minister Com.Budha Deb Bhattacharya (Goutham Deb Bhattacharya) cheated the hang woman by giving her(through I.G.Prison) a cheque signed by C.M.himself, for an amount of Rs.50,000/- for having done the hanging of the rapist.The C.M.Is not supposed to issue signed cheques to any person as rewards,I think.
Chetana Mullick does not belong to Mullick family.She was born to her mother Sachinmay idevi at the age of 44. Phanibhooshan mullick became her father at the age of 66. The age difference between father and mother stated by the novelist is 23..So, mother of Cheatna is definitly Sachinmayi devi. But the father is not at all Phanibhooshan Gridha mullick
.(44+23=67)
Since Phani Bhooshan mullick is not her real father,he refused to continue
her studies
. His mothly family income is as folows:
Lakhs
1] Total income from 491 hangings(average Rs.5000/hanging)
= Rs.24.55
(Excluding expenditure for Liquer and Sonagachi girls)
=Rs.18.41
18.41
2] Tea-shop income of Kakkima and ma 0.14
3] Monthly allowance of Phani and Sugh Deb @75/each 0.018
4] Income from Sugh Deb’s saloon 0.06
Total: 18.79
(Rs.18 lakhs/year)
Deposit
5] From drama(ma-matir-manush)600 stage: :Rs.60,000/-
6] Value of the Gold coin with Dhakkuma(Bhuvaneswari Devi)
,
received from Gwaliyar Maharaja (page 331) =Rs.1 lakh
Chetana has no character
.She was molested by her bridegroom
several times, even in the presence of the jail officers and her father.
[Father says ,”take bath before you enter the house” ]
Readers,
I have read the novel and study is made.You’ll read my study very shortly, and I’m sure you’ll be surprised to see the truth behind this Hang woman
.
Chandramohansivakrishna@gmail.com
I read k.r meeras aarachar. I didnt such a beautiful novel before . My friends tell it was nice novel then i bought it