Kolkata :
The country’s first and only woman executioner lives in Kolkata — well, if not in reality, at least in K R Meera’s fictional novel ‘Hangwoman’. Meera was honoured with the prestigious Vayalar Award in Kerala for the novel.
The Vayalar Award, instituted in 1977 in the memory of poet Vayalar Ramavarma, recognizes the best literary work in Malayalam every year.
The idea of placing her protagonist Chetna Grddha Mullick in a Kolkata family came to the journalist-turned-author as the city, at the time of finishing her novel, was where the last hanging had taken place in India. The author, though, is emphatic in clarifying that her plot has nothing to do with any person living or dead.
“I wanted to write about women and their empowerment in our country. All my characters are fictional and have nothing to do with any person living or dead. In my story, Mullik is not only a common name, but Mallika means jasmine in both Bengali and Malayalam. I had written the story in a serialized fashion for my Malayali reader as I had no inkling then that this would be translated,” the author told TOI.
Chetna grew up in a poverty-stricken family near a crematorium, fed on stories of her lineage that predates even Christ.
In due course of time, she is appointed as the successor to her hangman father and later, finds herself under the glare of TV cameras and lights. She fights her inner turmoil till she breaks out and turns into a genuine role model. The story was published in a serialized form in a Malayali magazine before being published as the book, ‘Aarachar’. In July 2014, ‘Hangwoman’, translated by Malayali hisotiran and social critic J Devika, hit the stands.
When managing editor of Penguin Books, India, R Shivapriya spotted the story, she sniffed a potential bestseller.
“The first chapter of the book was translated and printed on a magazine. When I read it, I knew instantly that this had huge potential. So I approached Meera, who we have published earlier. She was delighted and immediately gave her nod to be translated,” said Shivapriya.
“Meera’s first visit to Kolkata was when she was on her way to Jamshedpur in 1999 to receive a journalism award. But after she decided on the plot, she again went to Kolkata and visited many locations unique but typical to the city.”
“Many readers from Bengal have congratulated me. With its immense history and cultural heritage, I’m glad I was able to capture the essence of the city, though it was originally meant for Malayali readers,” said the author.
Penguin’s senior sales manager (eastern region) Pinaki Sarkar said: “The book is selling well. There have been repeat orders as well.”
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kolkata / TNN / October 13th, 2014