`Ummachu' turns 50
SREEVARAHOM BALAKRISHNAN
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TRIBUTE `Ummachu,' Uroob's seminal novel, still captivates readers with its evocative language. Sreevarahom Balakrishnan
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`Ummachu' is a saga of love and longing, loss and suffering. It narrates the ups and downs in the eventful life of a handful of characters.
It was as a poet that Uroob made his presence felt in the world of Malayalam. The first work of his that was published was `Pirannaal,' a collection of poems. Subsequently, he switched over to short stories, and then to novels. He also wrote plays, skits and features for broadcast, and editorial pieces for a couple of weeklies. His literary works had the sparkle of poetic splendour. The genre of novel turned out to be his forte, and little wonder, he is hailed as a poet in the garb of a novelist.
Prolific writer
Uroob, whose name was P.C. Kuttikrishnan (1915-1979), has 40-odd volumes to his credit. The impressive list includes novels like `Ummachu,' `Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum,' `Ammini,' `Aniyara,' `Kunjammayum Koottukarum,' and `Mindappennu.' Some of his famous short stories were `Gopalan Nayarude Thaddi,' `Velutha Kutti,' `Manjinmarayile Sooryan,' and `Rachiyamma.' `Mannum Pennum,' `Miss Chinnuvum Lady Januvum' were plays. However, it was as an endearing novelist that Uroob enshrined himself in the minds of readers.
Fifty years have passed since the publication of `Ummachu.' Some critics consider `Ummachu' (1954) as quintessential Uroob while some feel that this honour should go to `Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum' (1959). The latter has a wider canvas than `Ummachu' and a number of characters, but both are identical in terms of design, diction and depiction. Both the novels are ranked among the finest novels in Malayalam.
`Ummachu' is a saga of love and longing, loss and suffering. It narrates the ups and downs in the eventful life of a handful of characters. It thrives as a pioneering work that blazed a new trail in the longer variety of fiction.
The novel begins with a depiction of the playful childhood of a naughty threesome - Ummachu, Mayan and Beeran. Ummachu, the charming daughter of `Athar' Ali, finds herself drawn to the strong and sturdy Mayan. But, ironically enough, she becomes Beeran's bride, much to her dislike. Ummachu confesses later: `What can I do, a hapless girl?' The novel covers two generations and signifies the dawn of the third. It also tracks the feud-ridden family tales, which are narrated by `historian' Ahammadunni. The focus is on `Ummachu.' The other protagonists who gain prominence are her close associates - Mayan, Beeran and Chappunni Nair. Assertive and impulsive, Chinnammu is said to be modelled on Ummachu; the mould may be the same, but each pursues a different path of her own.
Strong characters
A far cry from the usual sob-stories, Uroob's female characters are practical. Life is at once a struggle and a celebration. Ummachu's decision to marry the murderer of her husband has been severely panned by several critics, the puritans among them in particular. Subdued and conservative, Lekshmi Amma, Chappunni Nair's wife is a perfect foil to Ummachu. She is a happy homemaker. But Lekshmi Amma too has to swallow the bitter pill of life. In fact, Uroob depicts the different facets of womanhood, highlighting them against the complexities of crises, both domestic and social.
Uroob's style is lucid and layered with subtle insights into the niceties and crudities of human behaviour. Straight from the heart and disarmingly simple, the dialogues are colloquial and spiced with traditional wit. The resonance of his poetic syntax captivates readers. Aspiring writers have a lot to observe and absorb from Ummachu. The novel, however, is not without blemishes. There are a few occasions when the story slips into melodrama.
Whatever the flaws, Uroob casts a magic spell on the readers, making them `experience' the emotional conflicts of each character, major or marginal. `Ummachu' truly embodies Uroob at his evocative best.
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