For the Love of Art (Chronicles Series): The Lost History of Women in Kerala Theatre

This fifth volume in the Chronicles series of non-fiction translations from Indian languages offers a powerful and moving account of how women actors in Kerala theatre were persecuted and marginalized for decades, yet ultimately achieved nationwide recognition and critical acclaim. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, women were barred from acting, and those who defied convention faced social ostracism and even physical abuse. Their struggle, however, paved the way for a new wave of Malayalam theatre and marked a turning point in cultural history. A landmark feminist narrative, this book—acclaimed in its original Malayalam edition—shines a light on the resilience and courage of these trailblazing women. Sajitha Madathil, an accomplished writer and actor in both film and theatre, brings this forgotten history vividly to life.