Malayalam Texts

Title of the Novel/Novella/PlayAuthor’s NameLanguageWater Body NameWater Body TypePublication DetailsYear of PublictionGenreThemeEnglish TranslationTranslator
Chemmeen [lit. Prawns]Thakazhi Sivasankara PillaiMalayalamArabian SeaSeaNational Book Stall1956NovelChemmeen tells the tragic love story of Karuthamma and Pareekutty against the backdrop of Kerala’s fishing community, where a wife’s fidelity is believed to determine her husband’s safety at sea. Blending romance, folklore, and social realism, Thakazhi portrays the sea as a living moral force that shapes the destinies of individuals and communities.Chemmeen: The Enduring ClassicAnita Nair
Jeevichirikkunnavarkku Vendiyulla Oppees [lit. Requiem for the Living]Johny MirandaMalayalamArabian SeaSeaMathrubhumi Books2003NovellaThe story follows a grave-digger from Kochi’s Cochin Creole community as he reflects on his family’s history and his community’s gradual disappearance into mainstream Catholic society.Requiem For The LivingSajai Jose
Marupiravi [lit. Reincarnation]A. SethumadhavanMalayalamArabian SeaSeaDC Books2011NovelThe novel is a work of historical fiction that narrates the fascinating tale of the glory and decline of a major port Muziris, once a hub of maritime trade in Kerala, South India, which mysteriously disappeared from the face of the earth during the fourteenth century.The Saga of MuzirisPrema Jayakumaran
Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil [lit. On the banks of river Mayyazhi]M MukundanMalayalamMayyazhi (Mahe) River, Arabian SeaRiver, SeaDC Books1974NovelSet over several decades in the French enclave of Mahé, the novel follows the intertwined lives of local families during the decline of French colonial rule and the movement to merge Mahé with independent India.On the Banks of the MayyazhiGita Krishnankutty
Chavunilam [lit. Deathland]P. F. MathewsMalayalamKochi Lake and BackwatersSeaDC Books1996NovelSet in the coastal villages of Kochi, the novel follows the lives of members of a Latin Catholic fishing community struggling against poverty, changing economic realities, religious authority, and the unpredictability of the sea.
Irrutil Oru Punyalan [lit. A Saint in the Dark]P. F. MathewsMalayalamKochi Lake and BackwatersSeaDC Books2015NovelThe ancient port town of Cochin, with the magic of its mesmerising sea and a history shaped by successive waves of colonial invasions, forms the backdrop to a story that unfolds the tale of a small Latin Catholic community
Thiranjedutha Kathakal [lit. Selected Stories]P. F. MathewsMalayalamKochi Lake and BackwatersSeaDC Books2018Short StoriesThe stories depict the human prediacaments and the religious and cultural lives of the coastal Christain community.
Adiyalapretham [lit. Ghost of the Serf]P. F. MathewsMalayalamKochi Lake and BackwatersIndian OceanMathrubhumi Books2019NovelThe novel engages with the mythic figure of Kappiri Muthappan and Cochin’s slave history.
Kaanayma [lit. Invisibility/Vanishing]P. F. MathewsMalayalamKochi Lake and BackwatersSeaManorama Books2024NovelThe theme of P. F. Mathews ‘Kaanayma’ is about people who disappear without a trace and the mysteries they leave behind. Set in the isolated area of Thuruth, the novel follows Balu, a young man who investigates by collecting news about the missing people.
Pathimoonnu Kadalkakkakalude Upama [lit. The Parable of Thirteen Seagulls]P. F. MathewsMalayalamKochi Lake and BackwatersSeaLogos Books2018Short StoriesThe stories portray the lives of the Latin Catholic community living on the islands of Kochi.
Puzhayude Paryayam [lit. The River’s Synonym]Johny MirandaMalayalamPonjikara IslandSeaPoorna Publications2016NovelThe novel presents the everyday life and culture of the Paranki community.
Athruptharaya Aathmakkal [lit. Discontented Souls]Johny MirandaMalayalamBackwaters of KochiSeaDC Books2024NovelThrough a woman named Delphi, Johnny Miranda tells the story of a world where gods, ghosts, saints, and humans live intermingled. Delphi, who stands firm within the cultural and religious framework in which she has developed a sense of identity, also protests against the occult logic that opposes it.
Visuddha Likhithangal [lit. Sacred Scriptures]Johny MirandaMalayalamBackwaters of KochiSeaCurrent Books2018NovellaJohny Miranda’s novella is one of the few Malayalam works that centres on Kerala’s Anglo-Indian Latin Catholic community, particularly those living in central Kerala and Kochi. Rather than presenting them through stereotypes or nostalgia, the novel examines their history, identity, and gradual social transformation.
Ora Pro Nobis [lit. Pray for Us (Latin)]Ponjikkara RafiMalayalamBackwaters of KochiSeaPranatha Books1981NovelOra Pro Nobis reconstructs seventeenth-century Dutch Cochin, depicting the struggle for political power between the Portuguese and the Dutch while exploring the lives of the region’s coastal Christian communities.
Asharanarude Suvishesham [lit. The Gospel of the Destitute]Francis NoronhaMalayalamBackwater Islands of KochiCoastal KeralaDC Books2017NovelThe novel reconstructs nearly a century of life along kerala coast through the intertwined histories of Father Reynold Purackal and the Latin Catholic fishing communities, preserving their language, folklore, rituals, foodways, political struggles, and collective memory.The Gospel of the NeglectedMini Krishnan
Mundanparunki (Memoir)Francis NoronhaMalayalamBackwater Islands of KochiCoastal KeralaManorama Books2020MemoirFrancis Noronha’s childhood and formative years within Kochi’s Anglo-Indian and Latin Catholic communities, preserving their customs, language, and everyday experiences through personal recollection. While the memoir is rooted in a historic port city shaped by maritime exchange, its primary focus is on community memory, identity, and cultural heritage rather than on the sea or maritime life itself.
Pulliyan [lit. The Spotted One]Soman KataloorMalayalamArabian SeaSeaDC Books2022NovelPulliyan narrates the lives of Kerala’s marine fishing communities, depicting their everyday struggles, occupational risks, and enduring dependence on the Arabian Sea. Malayalam has relatively little “organic” sea fiction and that Pulliyan authentically portrays the sea, fishing, and fisherfolk.
Purappadinte Pusthakam [lit. The Book of Exodus]V. J. JamesMalayalamBackwater IslandsBackwatersDC Books1999NovelPortrays the lives of the inhabitants of Potta Thuruthu, a river island in the Kochi backwaters, where waterways shape community, memory, livelihood, and the passage of time.The Book of ExodusMinisthy S.
AaliyaA. SethumadhavanMalayalamCoastal KochiSeaDC Books2016NovelA novel that depicts Jewish life in Kochi and its suburbs. Sethu tells the story of how a community deeply rooted in our history and culture disappeared, leaving its mark. A novel that fills history with imagination and marks a cultural history.AliyahCatherine Thankamma
Parishkaravijayam [lit. Reform’s Victory]Variath Chori PeterMalayalamArabian SeaSeaCochin Union Press1906NovelIt is the first Christian reform novel in Malayalam. The central theme of the novel is the customs and rituals followed by the Latin Catholic community on the Cochin coast. The novel criticizes the lavish weddings that cause severe financial crisis for the bride’s family.
Theeram Kanaatha Thiramalakal [lit. Waves That Never See the Shore]Nooranadu HanifMalayalamArabian SeaSeaSahitya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society1967NovelThe novel depicts the social lives of coastal communities in Kollam.
Matsyagandhi [lit. The fish-scented one] (reference to Satyavati in Mahabharata)Sajitha MadathilMalayalamArabian SeaSeaFirst Staged in 2012Play“Matsyagandhi,” a poignant one-act play by renowned Malayalam playwright Sajitha Madathil, transports us to the harsh realities faced by fisherwomen in contemporary Kerala. Through the powerful monologue of our protagonist, we witness the struggles, resilience, and quiet defiance of a woman battling poverty, societal neglect, and the relentless sea.MatsyagandhiV. C. Harris
Kappal [lit. Ship]J. M. RajuMalayalamArabian SeaSeaPrint House Printers & Publishers2022NovelA work that depicts all the beauties of a sailor’s life journey in a sea setting. It includes not only the voyage experiences of the sailor but also the private life that the sailor survived.
Kochiyude Pacheco [lit. Kochi’s Pacheco]G. SubramanianMalayalamKochi BackwatersSeaGreen Books2024NovelThis historical novel, ”Cochin’s Pacheco” is a journey through the life of the Portuguese sailor Duarte Pacheco Pereira. The adventures of the Portuguese explorer and sailor Pacheco in Kochi are depicted through a lively series of events, against the historical backdrop of Kochi and Kozhikode.
Biyyashayude Pettakam [lit. Biyyasha’s Chest]Alikutty BeeranchiraMalayalamArabean SeaSeaIvory Books2024NovelHistory comes alive through characters as forgotten voices rise from the graves near the Yusuf Mosque and the sea returns untold stories of lives shaped by the Arabian Sea. Blending history, memory, and myth, the novel gives voice to generations longing to be remembered.
KolodamIsmat HussainMalayalamLaccadive SeaSeaLakshadweep Sahithya Pravarthaka Sangam2012NovelKolodam is the first Malayalam novel from Lakshadweep. The work depicts the real-life situations and experiences of the ancestors, their history and culture. The novel contains the difficulties and gradual development that the islanders experienced in the island.
Qureshi Koottam [lit. The Qureshi’s]U. A. KhaderMalayalamArabian SeaSeaKottayam: SPCS1974NovelQuraishi used to be the prominent tribe in Mecca. In the novel’s context it means a group of people who bask in the glory of the family. Khader tells the story of the Quraish groups who have merged into the Muslim social life environment of North Malabar.
Arabikkadaloram [lit. Along the Arabian Sea]U. A. KhaderMalayalamArabian SeaSeaMathrubhumi Books2008NovelArabikkadaloram depicts the lives of people who venture into the Arabian Sea in search of livelihood, revealing the uncertainties, conflicts, and emotional burdens of Kerala’s fishing communities.
Oru Navikante Diary Kurippukal [lit. Diary of a Mariner]Rihan RashidMalayalamArabian SeaSeaMathrubhumi Books2025NovelThe novel tells the story of a young man who goes searching for the vessel six years after it vanished without a trace, carrying a cargo of iron ore from Goa.
ThakkakkeduAneesh FrancisMalayalamKochi BackwatersCoastal KeralaDC Books2023NovelThe survival of the 2018 flood is a historical example of how humanity can overcome even the greatest of disasters. This novel is an attempt to retell that great event by channeling memories through the lens of fiction.
Manal Jeevikal [lit. Sand Creatures]G.R. IndugopanMalayalamKochi BackwatersCoastal KeralaChintha2014NovelHis other famous novel Manaljeevikal focuses on the sad plight of people staying in the mineral sand mining areas of the Kollam Chavara area.
Arabikkadalum Atlantikum [lit. The Arabian Sea and the Atlantic]Ashraf KanambullyMalayalamArabian Sea, Atlantic OceanOceanMathrubhumi Books2021NovelThe Arabian Sea and the Atlantic Ocean are the two great bodies of water that have shaped Harris’s life. As he prepares to bid farewell to everything he has known, Harris looks back on his life. In the process, he comes to realise that everything he once believed to be true was an illusion.
AameenM MiharajMalayalamLaccadive SeaSeaMathrubhumi Books2025NovelA novel that journeys into the history of Lakshadweep through the life story of a girl named Beekunji, who escaped the merciless attack of the White Army.
Lanthanbatheriyile LuthiyinakalN S MadhavanMalayalamVembanad Lake (Arabian Sea)SeaDC Books2003NovelThe title of the novel reflects its geographical and cultural context. The story is set in Lanthan Bathery, a small island in Vembanad Lake near Kochi. The island derives its name from the five cannons installed at its head by the ‘Lanthakars’ (the Dutch), who took control of Kochi from the Portuguese. Most of the island’s inhabitants, as well as the principal characters in the novel, are Latin Catholics. The term litany refers to a Catholic prayer consisting of a series of repeated praises and petitions.Litanies of Dutch BatteryRajesh Rajamohan
Bheemachan [lit. The Old Giant]N S MadhavanMalayalamKochi BackwatersBackwatersDC Books2024Short StoryIn his remarkable story Bheemachan, writer N.S. Madhavan graphically captures the harrowing world of crocodile hunting in the backwaters of Kochi.
Nee Ennodu Koode Parudeesayil Irikkum [lit. You will be with me in paradise]Ratheesh Babu SMalayalamArabian SeaSeaGreen Books2020NovelThis novel traces the psychological transformation of a man who witnesses the truth and salvation of the children of the sea.
Kadaltheerathu [lit. On the Shore]O.V. VijayanMalayalamArabian Sea (Kannur)SeaDC Books1988Short StoryKadaltheerathu is a short story written by O.V. Vijayan. Vellayiyappan, who comes to see his son sentenced to death for the last time, finds himself helpless after hanging the bundle of clothes given to him by his wife on the beach as a sacrifice for his son. Vijayan beautifully depicts the eternal preoccupations of human life through the story.After the HangingO. V. Vijayan
ThumbaleAnupama SasidharanMalayalamIndian OceanOceanMambazham (DC)2024Children’s LiteratureLiving on an isolated island, Oli and Iyomi attempt to find survivors of a pandemic that has wiped out all of humanity. The journey takes them on an adventure across the islands, navigating natural disasters and facing powerful opponents, and Ollie and Iommi’s story becomes an extraordinary tale of hope and resilience. A narrative that weaves together folklore and reality. A work that children and adults alike can enjoy.
NeeraliyanAmbikasuthan MangadMalayalamArabian SeaSeaDC Books2014Short StoryA remote coastal village, where a rare species of sea turtle returns each year to nest, forms the backdrop of the story. Though Akhil and Thankuttan come from vastly different backgrounds, they are united by an unwavering commitment to protecting the turtles at any cost, forging an unlikely bond through their shared purpose.
Swargadoothan [lit. Heaven’s Messenger]Ponjikkara RafiMalayalamPonjikkara Island and Kochi BackwatersSeaKottayam: SPCS1958NovelSwargadoothan portrays life in the backwater islands of Kochi through the consciousness of a child, revealing how the sea, estuaries, and island landscape shape everyday existence, imagination, and community life.
Theerajeevithathinu Oru Oppees (Memoir) [lit. A Requiem for Coastal Life]P. F. MathewsMalayalamCoastal KochiSeaDC Books2013MemoirA memoir that marks the ebb and flow of coastal life. This work, which explores the culture and joys and sorrows of coastal dwellers, discusses the ecological politics of the sea and the uniqueness of life. Through its unique narrative, P. F. Mathews reminds us that the depths of the sea and its mysteries reflect human life itself.
Udhapluthasathwangal [lit. Creatures of the deep]Arun Babu AntoMalayalamUndefinedCoastal KeralaGreen Books2024NovelIt reveals some of the complex realities of life of the people of the coastal village of Vavakkad, and their encounters with some supernatural beings that lie hidden in the depths of the sea. In a land where cruelty, adventure, helplessness, and conflict are intertwined, Aniklet Srank stands as a symbol of contradictions.
Uppukatt [lit. The Salty Wind]Joseph PanakkalMalayalamIndian OceanGreen Books2008NovelUppukattu portrays the everyday realities of Kerala’s coastal communities, showing how the sea sustains life while simultaneously exposing people to poverty, uncertainty, and social conflict. Morality becomes a question mark in a commercial culture that creates tourist resorts, five-star hotels and massage centers. This novel is very relevant in this era when an invasive culture is swallowing up Kerala life.
Valakkar [lit. The Net-Casters]Sarah ThomasMalayalamArabian SeaSeaSB Press1994Novel The novel portrays the lives of fishermen and their profound relationship with the sea. The work presents a narrative centered on the endless ocean and its leaping waves, blending the calm, radiant, and terrifying moods of the sea into an integrated story.
Ore Desakkaraya Njangal [lit. We, of One Shore]P. A. KhalidMalayalamArabian SeaCoastal KeralaChintha Publishers1986NovelPortrays Fort Kochi as a maritime crossroads where the sea shapes commerce, migration, and the coexistence of diverse religious and cultural communities
Alakalillattha Kadal [lit. The Sea without Waves]S. Mahadevan ThambiMalayalamSri Lankan Coast, Indian OceanOceanGreen Books2008NovelThe sea route to the shores of Sri Lanka is filled with waves. The sea knows everything, and the sea erases everything. It then flows silently, without a ripple. By the time the reader reaches the terrifying caves and crosses the sea, they experience the full horror and ferocity of war.PurgeP. Muraleedharan
Kottakochiyum Kadalum Sakshi [lit. Fort Kochi and the Sea as Witness]Radha Narayana Menon (Pen. Anuradha)MalayalamCoastal KeralaOceanCurrent Books2015NovelIt is a historical fiction set in Seventeenth Century Kerala, when the Samoothiris of Kozhikode (also known as Zamorins of Calicut) and the Rajas of Kochi were sworn enemies and the Portuguese were busy strengthening their presence in this coastal part of the country. Backed by in-depth research, the story apart from giving us an insight into the relationship between the various princely states amongst themselves and with the Portuguese, explores a saga of deceit.The Silent WitnessRadha Narayana Menon
Kadalpporu [lit. Sea Battle]Mezhuveli BabujiMalayalamThrikkunnapuzha, Indian OceanOceanC I C C Book House2017NovelThe sea appears to function not merely as scenery but as an active symbolic presence throughout the novel.
Kadal Onnurangiyenkil [lit. If Only the Sea Could Sleep]Hamsa KayanikkaraMalayalamArabian SeaSeaTHANIMA BOOKS 2014NovelA tale centred on the dreams and survival of a people who live in dependence upon the sea. A community novel from Kerala, set among a fisherfolk society from which men set forth, in search of livelihood, toward the Gulf.
AlphaT. D. RamakrishnanMalayalamIndian OceanOceanDC Books2003NovellaA voyage to Alpha, an unknown island lying south of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, undertaken by a researcher named Upalendu Chatterjee and his team of twelve. Their purpose is to dwell alone, detached completely from the world amidst the sea for twenty-five years, in pursuit of studying the evolution of human social development.AlphaPriya K. Nair
Kappalinekkurichoru Vichithrapusthakam [lit. A Strange Book About a Ship]Indu MenonMalayalamArabian SeaSeaDC Books2015NovelThe detailed narrative of love and anticipation of Krishnachandran who embarks on a voyage in search of General Altomere, a giant shipwreck that has been buried at the sea for more than three centuries.
Kodunkkattil (From the collection Neerchalukal) [lit. In the Tempest]P C KuttikrishnanMalayalamArabian SeaSeaASHOKA PRESS1955Short StoryThe story of a coastal village that has to withstand constant cyclones amidst the personal and financial setbacks.
Katalirampangal [lit. Roarings of the Sea]KrishnadasMalayalamArabian SeaSeaGreen Books Private Limited2010NovelWandering along the seashore, in search of the author’s forefathers, men and women now grown old with age. The sea stands here as a profound symbol within the novel, which offers a reading of Keralite life in the decades following the 1950s. It speaks, too, of those who crossed over to distant shores in search of work.
Kadalguhakal [lit. Ocean Caverns]C. V. BalakrishnanMalayalamArabian SeaSeaKairali Books Private Limited2007NovelThe story of a couple, Joe and Emily, who, longing to dwell upon the shore of the sea, purchase there a flat for themselves and name their home “Kadalguha,” the Sea Cave. It traces, the daily affairs and lives of those who, from their earliest years, have yearned for the sea breeze and for a dwelling place upon its shore.
Kadalolam Kadal [lit. Boundless Ocean]Akbar KakkattilMalayalamArabian Sea (Kozhikode Beach)SeaDC Books2008Short StoryThe narrative centred on a wealthy and respected Hajji whose first and final encounter with the sea triggers a profound emotional upheaval.
Meenkaari [lit. Female Fish Vendor]KaroorMalayalamArabian Sea (Rameswaram)SeaBagyodayam Press1950Short StoryA unprecedented meeting with a stranger changes the judgemental perspective of how the protagonist looks at the lives of fishermen.
Kadaledukkunnu Kadal Vekkunnu [lit. The Sea Takes Away, The Sea Gives Back]Tatapuram SukumaranMalayalamArabian SeaSeaNational Book Stall, Kottayam1974PlayThe story of two brothers, Paulose and Sebastian, who dwell upon the coast. Paulose lives as a bitter enemy to Sebastian. One day, the sea rises in fury, and his hut is swallowed by the waters. Broken both in fortune and in spirit, Paulose turns at last to reconcile with his brother. The novel lays bare the helplessness and the unpredictability that mark the lives of those who dwell upon the shore of the sea.
Matthi [lit. Sardine]Jino JosephMalayalamArabian SeaSeaKerala Sangeetha Nataka Academi2014PlayThe story follows the life of Rafeeq, whose identity becomes inseparable from the fish he sells. Through his daily interactions, the play portrays the warmth, solidarity, and simplicity of traditional village life.
Moby Dick K. L. MohanavarmaMalayalamIndian OceanOceanDC Books2010NovelVishwanathan, an operative of the international secret organisation Fifty Plus, is assigned to investigate the disappearance of a trainee aboard the ship Moby Dick. As he follows the trail, his search leads him to a mysterious and uncharted island of sharks
Light HouseJaycee JuniorMalayalamNorwegian SeaSeaC I C C Book House1997NovelA gripping suspense thriller crafted for discerning readers, the novel unfolds against the backdrop of an intellectually engaging love story between two teenagers, Aleena and Romal.
Malsyaputhri [lit. Daughter of the Fish]Viswambaran KilimanoorMalayalamArabian SeaSeaNational Book Stall1988NovelThankamma, born of the sea, is raised in the village by her foster mother. When she reaches marriageable age, Bhadran and Bharathan, her cousin-suitors (they also happen to be Gandharvas) from the sea who hold customary claim to her, come to take her away. The narrative unfolds around the contention between them over her marriage, and their attempts to seize her by force.
Chhaya [lit. Shadow]ZachariaMalayalamArabian SeaSeaDC Books2002Short StoryThe tale of a boy haunted by visions of surreal creatures, who is ultimately claimed by the ocean.
Kadal [lit. Sea]ZachariaMalayalamArabian SeaSeaDC Books2002Short StoryA married couple visits the beach as usual but the incident that took place on that day changes their lives forever
Oru Samudra Parinamam [lit. Transformation of the Sea]Victor LeenusMalayalamArabian SeaSeaDC Books2000Short StoryRonnie, the protagonist, has a friend whose actions drive a woman to suicide. Afterward, her body is carried out by boat, to be thrown into the sea.
Kadalinte Vakkath Oru Veedu [lit. A House at the Edge of the Sea]MadhavikuttyMalayalamArabian SeaSeaDC Books1975Short StoryThis is the story of Arumukhan and his wife, who lose a good livelihood to alcoholism and are brought down at last to poverty, forced to raise a hut upon the shore of the sea. In a moment reminiscent of Madhavikutty’s fiction, the wife, met by a young man’s gentle inquiry into her plight, gives him even the one shawl left to her — a gesture through which her fine, subtle inner life is laid bare.
Kadalinte Moham [lit. Desire of the Sea]G. V. KakkanadanMalayalamKarumandikkara- Arabian SeaseaSankeerthanam publication1988NovelKakkanadan portrays the fishermen of Karumandikkara, who wake up to the sound of the sea’s and fall asleep to the sound of it’s lullaby, reluctant to be abosobered in the roar of the waves
Kadalkaakkakal [lit. Seagulls]Joseph PanakkalMalayalamArabian SeaSeaCurrent Books1998NovelRevolves around the coastal people and their love, sacrifice and struggle against nature. It also deals with the theme of modern mechanized fishing and the fishing industry.
Chuvanna Kadal [lit. The Red Sea]ThikkodiyanMalayalamArabian SeaSeaEye books 2016NovelThe novel captures the village life surrounding the love story of Pokkan and Panchali, set against the backdrop of the history of the Zamorin, Kunjali Marakkar, and the Portuguese.
Jeevithathinte Pusthakam [lit. Book of Life]K. P. RamanunniMalayalamArabian Sea (Athiyannur beach)SeaDC Books2006NovelSet against the unique backdrop of a fishing community near Kanhangad in Kerala, the novel explores the depth of human emotions, celebrating the power of love and care in human life while subtly questioning rigid societal and religious dogmas.
Kadal Karayile Sooryan [lit. Sun at the Seashore]Parvathy P ChandranMalayalamArabian SeaSeaGmotivation2017Short StoryA young boy and his mentally unstable mother survive by begging on the streets, sharing the pavement with a community of society’s forgotten. Set against the indifferent rhythm of the coastline, the story explores love, dignity, and survival among those who exist on the margins of society.
Kadalkkollakkarude Katha [lit. Tale of the Pirates]M. BalakrishnanMalayalamIndian OceanOceanCURRENT BOOKS2001NovelA few centuries ago, numerous pirate gangs operating in the Arabian Sea disrupted trade relations with the West. This novel is the story of pirates who were a nightmare for merchants and shipping companies.
Kadalchorukku [lit. Seasickness]V R HarshanMalayalamIndian OceanOceanMalayalam Writer’s Network, Bangalore2025NovellaThis novella details the challenging life of a naval officer at the ocean. Giving a glimpse into the life at sea and the many problems they face within their work and during bad weather.
Kadalum Karalum [lit. The Sea and the Heart]Sreekumaran ThampiMalayalamArabian SeaSeaLipi Publications2011NovelStory of the scandalous relationship between Hamsakoya and Khadeeja, who are from a community of people living near the seashore.
Kadal Nilavu [lit. Moonlight Over the Sea]M H M KannuMalayalamArabian SeaSeaDeshabhimani Bookhouse2014NovelA poignant portrayal of life in a coastal village, exploring the people’s love, disappointments, conflicts, and tragedies, while tracing the oppressed community’s collective struggle for dignity and justice.
Kadalchorukku [lit. Seasickness]C. AnoopMalayalamArabian SeaSeaDC Books2011Short StoryNarrated through the eyes of Father Michael Albino, the story unfolds against the backdrop of a brutal communal riot between Muslims and Christians on a coastal shore. Desperately pleading for peace, he struggles to prevent neighbours from turning on one another, warning them of the remorse that violence will leave behind. His efforts prove futile as the beach becomes a graveyard of bloodshed, with countless bodies strewn across the sand while many more are swallowed by the sea. A haunting reflection on faith, humanity, and the devastating cost of communal hatred.
Kadalkaakka [lit. Seagull]Vincent D’CruzMalayalamArabian SeaSeaDeshabhimani Bookhouse2019NovelA novel that portrays the adventurous lives of coastal people in simple language. Kadalkkaakka (Sea-crow) shares the sorrows, hopes, and helplessness of a community that constantly struggles against the sea, while also presenting the sea’s wondrous spectacles. Rich in regional authenticity, language, and culture, the novel marks one of the distinctive directions of contemporary Malayalam fiction.
Kadalum Nakshathrangalum [lit. Sea and the Stars]BenMalayalamArabian SeaSeaSaikatham Books LLP2020NovelThe story follows Adamsov, a Russian writer travelling across the world, whose journey is shaped as much by the places he visits as by the people he befriends along the way. As every farewell leaves an emotional imprint, he struggles with the loneliness and inner conflict of continually leaving behind meaningful connections in pursuit of his life at sea. A reflective tale of travel, human relationships, and the emotional cost of perpetual wandering.
Kadal [lit. Sea]C. P. AboobackerMalayalamArabian Sea (Lakshadweep)SeaSahitya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society2018NovelNumerous journeys to and from Kavaratti (Lakshadweep). The ocean plays a major role in the narrative plot of this novel.
Kadalillam [lit. Sea Home]E. U. AravindhakshanMalayalamArabian SeaSeaPrabhatham Publishing 2016NovelA story of the joys, sorrows, and conflicts of people who live by the sea and revere it as their mother. Drawn from the author’s firsthand experiences and the stories they have heard, the work offers a portrayal of the community’s way of life and distinctive manner of speech.
Allahuvinte Samakshathil [lit. In the Presence of Allah]V. V. Ayyappan (Kovilan)MalayalamBay of BengalSeaDC Books2017Short StoryWritten in the form of a letter from Madhavan to Sheikh Husain, both of them World War II veterans,detailing the fight at sea, the battleships,submarines and the armies from the Allied and Axial powers. The harships and inhumane situations faced by the naval officers are discussed in gripping detail.
Manjukaalathe Kaakka [lit. The Winter’s Crow]PadmarajanMalayalamArabian SeaSeaDC Books (Collection)1971Short StoryThe protagonist decides to commit suicide and narrates the story of his life with Rajamma, who is a prostitute. The protagonist belongs to a good prosperous family but decides to marry this prostitute. Long evenings they spent at the beach and cherishing their love are shown. At the end, he comes to the same brodge above the sea to commit suicide. (Pamban Bridge)
Kadalkizhavan [lit. Old Man of the Sea]Dr. Dhanya KiranMalayalamArabian SeaSeaSt. Jude Books2014Short StoryThe writer recounts the lives of two women from a coastal community, one whose husband goes missing at sea, and another who is compelled to remarry. Through the narrator’s observations, the story explores the lives of coastal people and the life-altering tragedies that shape their seemingly ordinary existence.
Kadal Pranayangal [lit. Sea Romances]Beena SajeevMalayalamArabian SeaSeaDeshabhimani Bookhouse2017Short StoryHelma falls in love with Jibran, a man whose profound devotion to the sea defines his life. After their marriage, Jibran fulfils the fate he had long foretold, surrendering himself to the ocean and becoming one with it. Left behind, Helma must endure her grief, accompanied only by the cold whispers of the sea.
Kidapparakal [lit. Bedchambers]N. P. MuhammadMalayalamArabian SeaSeaSahitya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society1999Short StorySivadasan and Ramani live on the seashore. Sivadasan sells dried fish to distant places. Ramani is without child. Hassan and his wife, Beetha are neighbours to Sivadasan. Quarrels with Hassan lead to his murder. Life of fishermen community is laid bare.
Kadalpalamvareyulla Dooram [lit. The Distance to the Sea Bridge]B. N. RoyMalayalamArabian SeaSeaPrabhatham Publishing 2017Short StoryThe protagonist reflects on his life through the metaphor of the sea, revisiting the pivotal moments that have shaped him. As he prepares to end his own life, his resolve is interrupted when another life demands saving, forcing him to confront the value of his own existence.
Kadal Kaanakkilikal [lit. Unseen Birds of the Sea]ImaMalayalamArabian SeaSeaAvya Publications2023Short StoryThrough the conversations of two lovers, the story reflects on the sea’s power to heal and the burdens imposed upon women in a patriarchal society, where they are expected to justify not only their desire to witness the sea at night but, at times, even their right to exist.
Puramkadal [lit. The Open Ocean]Berguman ThomasMalayalamTrivandrum CoastSeaMelinda Books2012NovellaLazar, a young fisherman, stands against the injustices inflicted upon his community in various forms. The novel sheds light on the everyday lives and struggles for survival of the coastal people of Trivandrum.
Paniyadima [lit. Bound to Labour]Berguman ThomasMalayalamTrivandrum CoastSeaPranatha Books2022NovellaThe novella, through the character of Paniyadima, holds up a mirror to the marginalised status of the fisherfolk. Thomas compares their precarious lives and existence to the unsettled sea, and the story explores the angst and anxiety of every sidelined community.
Thura-mukham [lit. The Port]Berguman ThomasMalayalamVarious Coasts of Southern TravancoreSeaPachamalayalam Books2021Short StoriesThe collection comprises a few stories that reflect the everyday experiences and challenges of the fisherfolk. The stories range from depicting their day-to-day lives to exposing the injustices inflicted upon the community by those in positions of power.
Sugandhi Enna Andal DevanayakiT. D. RamakrishnanMalayamIndian OceanOceanDC Books2018NovelSet in Kerala and Sri Lanka, this historical fiction narrates revolutionary movement that shook the island nation.Sugandhi Alias Andal DevanayakiPriya K. Nair
Marakkappile Theyyangal [lit. The Sacred Deities of Marakkappu]Ambikasuthan MangadMalayalamArabian SeaSeaDC Books2003NovelThe novel offers a critique of globalisation, the commodification of traditional arts for the tourism industry, and the degradation of coastal environments. Set on Marakkap Beach in Kasaragod district, it explores the tensions between indigenous cultural traditions and the forces of destructive modernity.
Kadalamakalude Theeram [lit. Shore of Sea Turtles]Bessy KadavilMalayalamArabian SeaSeaPrabhatham Publishing 2012Short StoryThe protagonist is walking along the seashore reflecting on emptiness of her life and about the lover that left her long time ago. This gap that is left in her soul is suddenly filled by a baby that is left by the mother due to unclear reasons.
Yauvananthinte Kadal [lit. Sea of Youth]Joseph MarianMalayalamArabian SeaSeaPranatha Books2003Short StoryThe story follows Gabriel Sabo, a celebrated sailor admired by his fellow seafarers for his courage and legendary tales of adventure. As he prepares to retire, he reflects on his remarkable life at sea, revisiting the defining voyage that shaped his legacy and made him the man he is remembered as.
Kadal Oru Nadhiyude Kathayanu [lit. The Sea is the Story of a River]MadhupalMalayalamArabian SeaSeaSankeerthanam Publication2007Short StoryFollows the extradordinary experiences of the protagonist Bergman on the sea shore and his consequent shifts in spirituality and encounter with Geevarghese.
Rajakkanmarude Pusthakam [lit. The Book of Kings]K. A. SebastianMalayalamArabian SeaSeaDC Books2004NovelDetails the life of a family from the coastal area and their daily affairs with the people and the sea
Kar Nikkobarile Kadal [lit. The Sea of Car Nicobar]Kaippattoor ThankachanMalayalamBay of Bengal (Andaman and Nicobar)SeaPrabhatham Publishing 2010Short StorySet in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the novel follows a government employee whose experiences with the islands and their people transform his understanding of life, while an unexpected reunion with a researcher from his past compels him to confront memory, change, and human connection.
Kadalile Kathakal [lit. Stories from the Sea]U. C. K. ThangalMalayalamLaccadive SeaSeaShort Story
Swarnameeninte Naattil [lit. In the land of Golden-fish] Sainaba BaniyamMalayalamLaccadive SeaSeaNovel
Janatha CurfewT. K. Anil KappalMalayalamLaccadive SeaSeaNovel
ShaasthramDr. SadathMalayalamLaccadive SeaSeaNovel
Theeram Paranja KathaKausar BeegamMalayalamLaccadive SeaSeaNovel
Moonnamathe GuruAboo AndrothMalayalamLaccadive SeaSeaNovel
NizhalukalT. K. IsmailMalayalamLaccadive SeaSeaNovel
Shaithan QuartersAsadMalayalamLaccadive SeaSeaNovel
MayappakshikalHazuriyaMalayalamLaccadive SeaSeaShort Stories
Ummamiyude AaduAboo AndrothMalayalamLaccadive SeaSeaShort Stories
Mystic BambanIsmath HussainMalayalamLaccadive SeaSeaShort Stories
Lakshadweep KathakalShylendranMalayalamLaccadive SeaSeaShort Stories
Swapna TheeramP. I. KalpeniMalayalamLaccadive SeaSeaShort Stories