The Maverick of Malabar: An Introduction to Basheer
- Anugrah Reghu
- May 15
- 7 min read
Updated: May 19
A man known for his simple and down-to-earth style of writing, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer (1908-1994) is a towering figure in contemporary Malayalam literature. He was a novelist and short-story writer who was informally also known as the Beypore Sultan, based on the place he had settled down in. Basheer was known prominently as a Malayalam writer but also as an activist for the independence of India. Having published fourteen novels and fourteen short stories, his stories still live on in the form of mandatory school readings, translations, and film adaptations. He was also popularly known as a humanist, someone who emphasised working towards the spiritual and emotional needs of a human without the usage of God or religion.
Basheer was born in Vaikom, Travancore to a modest Muslim family. This setting provided and informed his understanding of the life and struggles of an ordinary man, which we’ll see is deeply embedded in his literary works. Basheer was on the forefront of Indian independence activism through writing, which was inspired by an encounter in his youth with Mahatma Gandhi during the Vaikom Satyagraha. This was such an influential point in his life that he abandoned formal education in fifth form, embraced the Swadeshi movement and fought for India’s freedom. When we look at Basheer as a political writer, this is a pivotal movement as he led on to publish his first book Dharmarajyam in 1938, a collection of politically charged essays against the then Diwan of Travancore. The book was promptly banned by the British government. This soon became a trend with Basheer’s works as most of his works were strongly opposed by the government of his time. This did not deter his pursuits though as he went on to be a formidable activist with both his writing as well as other forms of dissent and protest.
Basheer became the editor of Ujjivanam (‘Uprising’ in Malayalam), a revolutionary journal in 1931. This publication led to an arrest warrant sent out in his name which in turn led to him going underground. He moved across the country and beyond for the next seven years, engaging with various cultures and working different jobs before returning to and becoming the editor of a weekly publication called Pauradanam (‘The citizens’ voice’ in Malayalam). His exile shaped his worldview highly and affected his later literary works, taking him to places like the Himalayas as well as abroad to some African countries. Very soon , he was imprisoned again for his work in his weekly publication. During his many imprisonments, he was known to interact with other inmates as well as work on stories and poetry himself, with his popular short story Premalekhanam being one of those works. This short story was a criticism of caste discrimination and dowry communicated through a love story between a Hindu man and a Christian woman written in a humorous tone. The fact that this book challenged social norms was underscored by the Government banning the book in Travancore. His activism continued even after India’s independence, with themes still revolving around morality and political integrity. His works and style reveal to us why he remains a significant voice to this day. Take a look at one of his most popular works: Balyakalasakhi (‘Childhood Companion’ in Malayalam). This novel was published in 1944 and told the love story of two childhood friends. This autobiographical tale is told in a light and humorous tone, covering the harsh realities of life that both characters have to go through, only for them to end up away from each other. These characters talk of the hope they keep in themselves for the future but Basheer ends the story giving them no rewards for their sacrifice, mirroring the truth of the unfair world they live in. This book was considered to be his best work and was translated into many Indian and global languages.
Basheer employed a style of writing and a choice in characterisation among other elements that made him revolutionary in Malayalam writing. In an article in The Economic Times, Kakanadan says this about him:
"His characters were picked out of the lower strata of society. They included gamblers, thieves, pickpockets and the like. Basheer portrayed them in all their purity and naivety. His language was theirs. His diction was theirs. His demeanour was theirs. His language was as simple as simplicity itself. But behind the simplicity lay concealed a sober and mature mind's concern about his fellow human beings and their predicament. Basheer dived deep into the dark oceans of the human mind, picking up the corals and gems from the bottom. Basheer’s work could be enjoyed by readers of all age-groups."
In characterisation, language, and plots, Basheer wrote a powerful reflection of the society he inhabited. Themes like poverty and hunger and his emphasis on the lives of the marginalised came from his background of imprisonment and exile. In Shabdangal (‘Voices’ in Malayalam), a novel he published in 1947, he portrays the human cost of war as he tells the stories of orphans and their suffering due to hunger and disease. He also wrote semi-autobiographical works, like Janmadinam (‘Birthday’ in Malayalam), illustrating the life of a writer and his struggles.
Basheer’s works generally contain political and social undertones, which in their subtle nature convey his criticisms of society. This existed alongside the anti-colonial and nationalistic stance he held while writing. Among the many characteristics of his writings, the simplicity of the language he used made his stories and poetry accessible to a large audience that could read simple Malayalam. He did not differentiate between the language used in his writing and the one spoken by ordinary people around him. On the occasion of his 30th death anniversary, Parliamentarian and orator M.P. Abdussamad Samadani said “Basheer did not believe in any set rules, not even grammar. He believed that language belonged to people”. He also added that through his writing, Basheer bridged the gap between life and literature, a gap of language, characters, and plots.
Basheer was actively involved in the independence movement of India, a part of his commitment to public life. He concerned himself with the social issues of his time which he would then address in his writing. By actively choosing to write in the language spoken around him by ordinary people, he took his writings to larger audiences of a kind who were not concerned with sophisticated language or correct grammar. This feature of his writing ended up arousing interest from literary critics as well. Basheer thus becomes much more than a writer, a public figure. By focussing on marginalised communities, he brings to light the experiences of the oppressed. In his novel Ntuppuppakkoranendarnnu, he delves into themes like female education and orthodoxy by attacking superstitious practices among Muslims. Figures like God and religion held no significance to him as he followed a humanistic philosophy with his life. This philosophical belief was something he advocated for in his works, which he hoped would help enlighten the public. In a world constantly pitted against itself because of communal, societal, and caste conflicts, his secularism and interfaith advocacy (the kind found in Premalekhanam) prove highly valuable. His work remains highly recognised in Kerala, India, and the rest of the world. The awards to his name include Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (1970), Padma Shri (Government of India, 1982), Kerala State Film Award for Best Story (for Mathilukal, 1989), Abu Dhabi Malayala Samajam Literary Award (1982), and the Doctor of Letters (honorary degree, University of Calicut, 1987).
The continuing relevance of Basheer in today’s world is highlighted by the film adaptations of his works as well the recent opening of a museum in his honour. ‘Mathilukal Museum’ was opened recently to the public in Chathamangalam, Kozhikode. The museum is named after a notable work of his of the same name. This establishment contains some of his letters as well as unpublished works, including the only English pages of Balyakalasakhi he wrote (Express News Service). Mathilukal was also adapted into a movie directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan starring Mammootty. The film focuses on Basheer’s life in prison and the love story between him and another unseen female inmate in the prison. The film went on to win awards in the following events: Venice Film Festival in 1989, National Film Awards (India) in 1989, Kerala State Film Awards in 1990, and Amiens International Film Festival in 1990. The film is available publicly on Youtube on the channel Evergreen Classical Music under the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JH2yFiF1Jw.
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s literary contributions, coupled with his political life, prove the deep connection he had with the reality he lived in. The role he played in the independence movement, his addressal of social issues in his works, and humanism continue to resonate with the world today. His language provided him with a powerful medium to comment and challenge social and political inequalities. A challenger and advocate, his legacy endures to this day because of his clarity, compassion, and humanistic approach to this world. Alongside the stronghold he has on Malayalam readers, his translations have taken these stories beyond our shores, giving foreign readers a look into the reality of lives around the Beypore Sultan.
Bibliography:
Aksharathalukal Wiki. “Vaikom Muhammad Basheer Biography: Novel, Age, Awards - aksharathalukal.” Aksharathalukal, 18 July 2023, wiki.aksharathalukal.in/vaikom-muhammad-basheer.
Express News Service. “Mathilukal, Kerala’s First Basheer Museum, Brings Alive Rich Legacy of Legendary Writer.” The New Indian Express, 24 Oct. 2024, www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2024/Oct/24/mathilukal-keralas-first-basheer-museum-brings-alive-rich-legacy-of-legendary-writer.
Jovial, Nirmal. “Vaikom Muhammad Basheer: When brevity becomes soul of wit.” The Week, 12 July 2018, www.theweek.in/leisure/society/2018/07/12/vaikom-muhammad-basheer-when-brevity-becomes-soul-wit.html.
Kakanadan. “Vaikom Mohammed Basheer is the true inheritor of the earth.” The Economic Times, 7 Mar. 2008, economictimes.indiatimes.com/culture-cauldron/vaikom-mohammed-basheer-is-the-true-inheritor-of-the-earth/articleshow/2846609.cms?from=mdr.
Mahotsav, Amrit. “Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.” Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, amritmahotsav.nic.in/district-reopsitory-detail.htm?2774.
“Mathilukal - Mammootty | Adoor Gopalakrishnan (Full HD).” YouTube, directed by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JH2yFiF1Jw.
Nagarajan, Saraswathy. “Ode to Basheer.” The Hindu, 13 May 2016, www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/ode-to-basheer/article5534665.ece.
Reddiar, Mahesh. “Vaikom Muhammad Basheer - Biography.” PhilaIndia.info, 10 Oct. 2020, philaindia.info/vaikom-muhammad-basheer-biography.
The Hindu Bureau. “Call to include Basheer’s works in school syllabus.” The Hindu, 5 July 2024, www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kozhikode/call-to-include-basheers-works-in-school-syllabus/article68371342.ece.
留言