Mudritha is a contemporary Kerala-set literary novel about a missing woman and the ten women whose lives become entwined in the search. Thirty-year-old Aniruddhan reports Mudritha to the police, having only spoken to her by phone and email while arranging a tour to Odisha for her and nine other women. When the case stalls, a diligent officer named Vanitha takes up the pursuit on her own—and as the threads unravel, we meet the vivid stories of each woman and the stubborn ache for freedom they share. Translated into English by Jayasree Kalathil, Mudritha offers a moving, hopeful portrait of resilience and self-discovery for adult readers who love character-driven fiction with social heart.
Written in a warm, accessible voice, Mudritha unfolds through interwoven chapters and multiple perspectives. The narrative balances the procedural thread of a missing-person investigation with intimate, diary-like glimpses into the women’s desires, fears, and ambitions. The experience is cinematic and immersive, with Kerala’s contemporary landscape providing a rich backdrop to a story about love, power, and identity. Each voice adds depth without spoilers, building toward a collective understanding of what it means to redefine one’s life.
Mudritha invites readers into ten intimate journeys—Mudritha's own mystery and the other women's quests to shape their own paths. Set against Kerala’s vibrant present-day life, the book moves through crowded markets, quiet homes, and hidden corners of desire and aspiration, offering a window into the social pressures that shape women's choices and the courage it takes to break free.
- Interwoven narratives from Mudritha and nine other women
- A patient, determined investigation led by Vanitha in contemporary Kerala
- Rich sense of place, from Kerala’s streets to the Odisha trip that ties the stories
- Exploration of freedom, identity, love, resilience, and challenging societal constraints
- Beautiful translation into English by Jayasree Kalathil; lyrical, cinematic prose
- Character-driven storytelling that lingers long after the last page
After finishing Mudritha, readers carry a deeper appreciation for women's voices and the power of choosing one’s own path. It leaves you hopeful, thoughtful, and inspired by resilience and self-discovery, a lasting impression that Mudritha will stay with you long after the last page.
