People Of Gopallapuram

People of Gopallapuram is set in a humble South Indian village negotiating the transition from colonial rule to independence. As India moves toward freedom, the village undergoes rapid social and economic changes, challenging caste barriers and reshaping relationships among lovers, leaders, tenant farmers, and others who make up its vibrant fabric. In Ki Rajanarayanan’s classic ode, translated by Shubashree Desikan, Gopallapuram comes alive in a visceral, animated way, reminding readers of their roots and the enduring spirit of rural life. Ki Rajanarayanan (1922–2021), a doyen of Karisal literature, captured the essence of Tamil Nadu’s black soil region with unmatched authenticity. Winner of the Sahitya Akademi Award for this novel in 1991, Ki Ra published numerous short stories, novels, and essays, and even compiled a dialect dictionary of the Karisal region. Despite leaving school after the seventh grade, his literary contributions earned him an honorary professorship at Pondicherry Central University, cementing his legacy as one of Tamil literature’s most celebrated voices.