Beneath the Devil Tree: Malabar 1921

by Anjana Varma

Something bitter and choppy is bubbling beneath the surface. The Matriarch senses this and it is what she most dreads. The volcano of human emotion that has been hitherto somewhat dormant is in danger of a violent eruption. The searing lava of hatred and revenge would flow out and all that remains would be the burnt out ashes of sorrow, loss, and suffering. The Matriarch fears for her loved ones and worries about the fate of the land. Ernad, Malabar 1921. The Khilafat movement has found a firm footing and has succeeded in inciting the pride of the essentially poor and downtrodden Mappila community. The oppression meted out by the Hindu landlords and the injustice of the British government's land reforms would no longer be tolerated, the newly formed CongressKhilafat Alliance was determined. But reality is a strange aberration. The Sixth Tirumulpad, a haughty landlord, Alijan Sahib, the local Khilafat kingpin, Mammad, the young secretary, Stanley-Pat Eaton the rich planter are all caught plumb in the middle of what follows. Apart from the Matriarch herself, Benu, Sethu, Priya, Razia, Winefred Eaton, and the tribal lass, Cheenkanni all find themselves staggering as things take a turn for the worse.

504 pages, Paperback

Published November 23, 2023

About the author

With a Bachelor's degree in English Language and Literature from St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam, and a Master's from Madras University, Anjana Varma has a solid foundation in the world of words. For nearly two decades, she led a centre for English Language Studies. But her heart belongs to her home in Tripunithura, Kochi, where she embraces her role as a wife and mother alongside writing. History, especially Kerala history, and genealogy are her fields of interest.

Reviews

[Nikhil Varma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mooplah rebillion of 1921 is a footnote in the broad politics of the Indian national movement. This book makes an effort to change this by placing a story in the period in Ernad, and populating it with relatable characters to tell a deeply engaging tale. Told through multiple perspectives, the characters are filled with shades of grey and not typecast in black or white. It is a tough ask to paint a landscape of an old world appear so effortlessly and the author succeeds in that count as well. It is a must read for history buffs and for those looking for a solid story

[Narender Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Selection of a particular year in history and weaving of the events and ideas are thrilling and mesmerising. Readers will enjoy its conception and presentation.

[Lakshmivarma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a huge fan of historical fictions. Beneath the devil tree by AnjanaVarma has really become one of my favourites in this genre. This book has really caught me by surprise and took me to a time and world of which I have read very less about.

Exactly 100 years ago, while the country was fighting to free itself from the imperial clutches, Kerala, the small coastal stretch in the south of India which is otherwise peaceful, witnessed a communal riot like never before. The author narrates the events of those turbulent times skillfully with the expertise of both a historian and a master story teller.

Each character is so thoughtfully crafted that as readers we feel for the good and bad in each of them in the same measure.As much as a story of conflict and revenge, it is a story of love and compassion as well. In a story of a communal riot, there are characters on two different sides. The feelings that that they share for each other and the bonds that they find difficult to break when caught in a situation like this are portrayed beautifully in the story.

Women in the story are so powerful and vulnerable - both at the same time - that they refuse to leave your thoughts and creates a lasting impression on you.

The story also tries fill in the gaps in history and succeeds in giving a humane perspective to the events that unfolded during this much less talked about event in the history. If you are a lover of historical fictions, this book would be a great choice.

[Akhil Ramesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very narrow representation of the 1921 events

[Vinod Varmah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to write a fiction on a event that happened in a relatively recent past. Much of what happened is in records and writer does not have liberty to change any of it. Author has to weave the story aligning within that structure.It is harder when the related emotion and potential to trigger wild reactions that could affect the social fabric.

However Anjana has managed to do that very easily. She is able to strike a balance presenting events through different characters in this novel, yet avoiding repetition. Overlapping events are presented through clever narration building up anxiety even though we already know the flow of events. Even through what apparently looks like trivia, she is able to transport us into thick of things.

What I felt particularly commendable is that she has narrated the
Story combining views of different people, yet weaving into a single structure. As she takes us back in time, we experience the spectrum of emotions like passion, emotion, fear, concern, anger, fear, and so on. No character is particularly too good or too bad and really makes it close to life.

That makes this novel relevant even to present day society. Though we claim to be better advanced, informed and educated now, careless words, mindless actions, and minor misunderstandings threatens to tear apart the very social balance we depend on everyday. A bit of recklessness can make our world hell. A elixir of love and care can heal and make this very world heaven! Choice is ours. Book reminds us that we need to make a responsible choice, for our sake, for the sake of our children!

Really commendable considering this is her first novel, and quite a daring attempt, and a successful one at that!

[nandkumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a good piece of fictionalised history on the events that led to the Moplah rebellion in the Malabar region of present-day Kerala in 1921. The author treats a sensitive subject, a movement seeking restoration of the Caliphate in Turkey dismantled by Britain and allies after the Great War that assumed communal overtones as Muslim tenants rose in revolt against oppressive landlords and the British Raj, with a balanced viewpoint.
She has brought to life Mathu, the matriarch of the Nilambur royal family as well as her granddaughter Sethu. These two feisty ladies propel the story forward. Others worth noting are the green-eyed Khilafat revolutionary Mammad, his wife Rezia, and Benu, the wife of Ali Jaan, a rich businessman involved in the movement all succeed in holding the reader's interest till the end.
Refreshingly, the characters are not portrayed as inherently good or evil. Circumstances lead many of them to indulge in cruel, despicable acts for which they atone at grave risk to life and limb.

[Anand Sukumaran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought the book as the period is fascinating. And I wasn't disappointed. It well and truly recreated Malabar 1921 for me. The characters are close to our hearts and they tell the story well. I especially loved Anachevi Mathu, so like the grandmother's of our childhood, kind and strong. And surprisingly ahead of our times.

[Booklover 123 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read if you want to understand Malabar of 1921. Well researched, enjoyable story

[Mahesh Raja · Rating 5 out of 5]

The film covers the Moplah rebellion and how Islam came to India in the first place..how these things were cross-linked to independence struggles is a parallel to watch out