Aithihymaala: The Garland of Legends' from Kerala (Set of 3 Volumes)

Aalaththur Nambis, divine healers known to cure the incurable. Vilva Mangalaththu Swaamiyaar, blessed with the power of seeing God. Bhattathiri, the extraordinary astrologer, rumoured to have Mercury and Venus living in his outhouse. The deep bond between Kasavan and his mahout that lasted for sixty years. A vibrant and diverse cast of characters brings to life the ancient, enduring legends of Karala in the Aithihryamaala, the garland of Iagands.

Orignally dacumantad ovar 25 years and written in the 1900s by the famous Malayalam scholar Kottaaraththil Sankunni, the Aithihryamaala was a coIlection of 126 tales, some based on real events, and others a meId of fact and fiction. These stories of well-known figures in Kerala folklore, including the honest thief Kaayamkulam Kochchunni and the powerful king Sakthan Thampuraan, were first published in Bhashaposhini, the renowned Malayalam literary magazine.

This edition of 15 stories, the first of three volumes, meticulously curated and translated by Leela James, transports you to the magical world of history, myth and fantasy of more than a hundred years ago. Wisdom and vice, revenge and loyalty, imagination and fact, faith and superstition are intricately Intertwined to create a collector's edition for Lovers of legends,Malayalam folklore and Indian literature.

Kottaaraththil Sankurmi is a well-known author of Malayalam literature. He was born on 23rd March, 1855 in Kottayam town in the erstwhile Travancore State, which was then in the Madras Presidency of British India. From the age of 54, he began compiling common legends of Kerala, a task which took him a quarter of a century. These stories of famous figures in Kerala folklore, including Kaayamkulam Kochchunni and Sakthan Thampuraan, were first published in the renowned Malayalam literary magazine of the nineteenth century, the Bhashaposhini. These stories were then published, again in Malayalam, in the early twentieth century as an eight-volume book called Aithihyamaala (Garland of Legends) by the Reddiar Press in Kollam (Quilon of British India) in Kerala. Although he wrote both poetry and prose, including books on Kathakali and Thullal (cultural dances of Kerala), he is best known today as the author of the hugely popular Aithihyamaala. He died on 22nd July, 1937.

Mrs Leela James is 82 years old. Before her marriage to the late Professor Josef James, she taught at the New Era High School in Panchgani, Maharashtra. She discovered her writing abilities after she was 75, taking up the pen when most people put it down, and surprised herself and others. She is 'Aruma' to her children and to their friends, and by extension, 'grandmother' to all their children. This translation is meant for all those who cannot read Malayalam to enjoy its colourfulliterature. She has a son Viju, daughter Soumya and son-in-law Madhu. She lives with her son in Delhi.

I have ventured to translate a few of these legendary stories, at the earnest insistence of my son, Viju, and daughter, Soumya. While staying with Soumya in Ithaca in 2007, she told me that one of her class of research students asked her if she knew anything about the Kerala yaks his and gandharvas which she came across in her research. Fortunately, Soumya had remembered the story of Kadamattaththu Kaththanaar which I had recounted to her a long time ago. So she got the brilliant idea to get the Kerala folktales of Aithihyamaala translated for the benefit of those who cannot read Malayalam and thus she asked me if I could undertake this work. Since my children also cannot read fluent Malayalam, which is a pity, of course, I thought I would try, as best as I could, to translate a few of these legends for them to readand enjoy. Thinking of my incredible venture which I started five years ago, when I was past 75 years old, I am unaccountably surprised at myself and so I ask you to forgive the faults you would definitely find in my narrative. I have tried my best to keep up the Malayalam style of narration followed by the author.

It is universally accepted that every country has its own popular folk tales and legends, come down to the generations by word of mouth, from the age of storytelling. Kerala had its own such stories of its temple, kings and kingdoms, their own traditional religious beliefs and social customs. Mo t of these need not be true, some may have traces of truth but the main importance of these, is that we are shown the life 'of those times', the long-disappeared or slowly disappearing religious rites, customs and manners and the political structure of those days. People lived then just as we also 'live' now, but differently.

Aithihyamaala is a collection of Kerala legends, painstakingly collected and excellently written and compiled by a man named Kottaaraththil Sankunni. He was born on 23 March 1855 at Kottayam in Kerala. It is unbelievably true that he never attended any school. Till the age of 10, he was tutored by private teachers [called aasaan in Malayalam]. After 17, he studied various subjects of interest, including indigenous medicine, under well-known masters. From the age of 26 onwards he had to take up responsibilities of the family, but he continued his education on his own! Thus it was from among his incredibly varied interests that we are fortunate to get the book, Aithihyamaala, first published in 1909. Written in Malayalam, it is a vivid, lucid narrative of captivating interest, which not only holds our attention but encourages us to think; a modern style of educating us through fun and fantasy.

The first story 1 chose to translate (Aazhvaancheri Thambraakkalum Mangalathth Sankaranum) is said to be related to my own mother's family - a maternal heritage! An ancestor from my mother's family (her father's side) is supposed to have come from this family of Aazhvaancheri Narnboothiris long ago, and later converted to Christianity. This was related to me by my mother's second sister whose name was Thankamma and whom I called Thankochamma. God bless her memory.

Prabhaakaran, the illustrations scholar who attained immortal fame while punishing himself by self-immolation. The untrained physician Kohchuraaman, who became popular for curing fatal snakebites because of his implicit faith in his master. Gopalan, the beloved, intelligent and hard-working elephant. A vibrant and diverse cast of characters brings to life the ancient, enduring legends of Kerala in the Aithihayamaala, the garland of legands.

Originally documented over 25 years and written in the 1900& by the famous Malayalam scholar Kottaaraththil Sankunni, the Aithihyamaala was a collection of 126 tales, some based on real events, and others a meld of fact and fiction. These storiesof well-known figures in Kerala folklore, including the honest thief KaayamkuIam Kochchunni and the powerful king Sakthan Thampuraan, were first published in Bhashaposhini, the renowned Malayalam literary magazine.

This edition of t 7 stories, the second of three volumes, meticulously curated and translated by Leela lames, transports you to the magical world of history; myth and fantasy of more than a hundred years ago. Wisdom and vice, revenge and loyalty, imagination and fact, faith and superstition are intricately intertwined to create a collector's edition fur lovers of Malayalam folklore and Indian literature.

Kunju Thambaan, recognized for his extraordinary prowess in jugglery; astrology and mass-illusion. The dexterous Namboothiri, who captured a terrifying Yakshi and enshrined her to worship her as a goddess. Kandangoran, the magnificent elephant blessed with a royal physique and astonishing wisdom. A vibrant and diverse cast of characters brings to life the ancient, enduring legends of Kerala in the Aithihyamaala, the garland of legends.

Originally documented over 25 years and written in the 19005 by the famous Malayalam scholar Kottaaraththil Sankunni, the Aithihyamaala was a collection of 126 tales, some based on real events, and others a meld of fact and fiction. These stories of well-known figures in Kerala folklore, including the honest thief Kaayamkulam Kochchunni and the powerful king Sakthan Thampuraan, were first published in Bhashaposhini, the renowned Malayalam literary magazine.

This edition of 18 stories, the third and final volume, meticulously curated and translated by Leela James, transports you to the magical world of history; myth and fantasy of more than a hundred years ago. Wisdom and vice, revenge and loyalty, imagination and fact, faith and superstition are intricately intertwined to create a collector's edition for lovers of Iegends , Malayalam folklore and Indian.