RICHES TO RAGS

 RICHES TO RAGS (Vaazhnthavar Kettal)

Novella. 82 p.
1951
World rights available
Copyright with Govt of TN

Key theme: Raghu's feud with Mammaliyaar, narrates the societal prejudice.

“Vaazhnthavar Kettal” is a poignant novella set in 1930s Tanjore. The narrator, revisiting after a decade, stays with his friend

Raghu, a widower. They relive school memories, explore Tanjore, and frequent eateries.Intrigue arises when Raghu vehemently refuses a particular route, only

to confront and curse a man from Mammaliyaar, once wealthy but now destitute. The narrator learns of a similar encounter at a coffee shop involving Mammaliyaar boys who couldn't pay the bill.

He then learns the societal prejudices against the Mammaliyaars who face malicious judgment for their financial downfall. As the novella unfolds, it takes us into human psychology, exploring prejudice, preconceived notions, guilt, and the impact of unfulfilled desires on one's psyche. The narrative, akin to a detective thriller, reveals the feud between Raghu and the Mammaliyaars, prompting readers to contemplate whether a life marred by embarrassment and misery is worse than death. Subramanyam skillfully navigates

the complexities of the human mind in this thought-provoking novella.