Agnaadi
 | |
| Author | Poomani |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
| Genre | Fiction, History |
| Publisher | Crea Publications |
| Pages | 1066 |
| Award | Sahitya Akademi Award for Tamil literature (2014) |
| ISBN | 9788192130217 |
Agnaadi is a fictional, historical novel written by eminent Tamil writer Poomani, set in 19th century dealing about the lives of people from the Kalingal, Kazhugumalai, Chatrapatti, Veppankadu, Chinnaiahpuram, and Sivakasi region for a span of 170 years. This novel revolves around the caste conflicts, discrimination among the different castes such as Pallars, Vannaars, Panaiyeri Nadars, Naickers, and Thevars lived in that period set in novel. The painful famine episode of the novel is lauded widely for bringing that period in front of the readers. This novel is considered as one of the greatest milestone achievement in Tamil literature..
The title is an expression that signifies many emotions such as relief, wonder, fatigue and resignation.
Plot
The story starts with Aandi or Kalingalaandi son of a farmer returning after giving the lunch to his mother. On his return, Aandi falls into quicksand and rescued by Maari a son of a washer-man. Both Aandi and Maari becomes friends.
Sanmugam has two brothers, they die after fighting each other due to conflicts created and fueled by their wives. Sanmugam cremates his brothers and flee out of the place to Kazhugumalai with his pregnant wife. Sanmugam and Malayamma name their son as Thangaiah. After living in Kazhugumalai and helping Ammamuthu in his business for a while, Sanmugam wants to move and pursue own business. Ammamuthu introduces him to Aandi who accommodates him in his home and gives Sanmugam his palm grove to look after.
The era set in the novel is one of the dark period when certain caste people were not allowed in temples. The discrimination of castes such as Nadar leads them to change their religion and living place.
Main Characters
- Aandi or Kalingalaandi
- Karuppi (Aandi's wife)
- Maari
- Anandhi (Maari's wife)
- Karuthayyan
- Raakan (Aandi's Son)
- Marudhan (Maari's Son)
- Veeramma (Aandi's daughter and Karuthayyan's wife)
- Poyyaali
Awards
Agnaadi received Sahitya Akademi Award 2014 for Tamil literature [1]