KANNADI
(THE MIRROR)
Novel 1986

Kochuraman and Neeli belonging to two different castes ran away from their parents and their native village, to fulfill their desire to get married. They arrived at Alleppey and Kochuraman gets employed in a coir factory. Soon they fell prey for the Christian Missionaries and get converted into Christianity- Kochuraman became Varkey and Neeli became Aley. In due time three children were born to them; Antony Rocky and Anna. The sons had their primary education and enrolled themselves as workers in the coir factory where their father worked. Antony was of a sober character and evinced a desire to acquire knowledge. Rocky on the other hand was impulsive in temperament. Varkey and Aley were God fearing an maintained unflinching loyalty to the owner of the factory.

The situation of the working class during those days was pitiable. Primarily they were ignorant of their rights and privileges and the management exploited their ignorance. There was no system of equal wages for equal work. All the employees were in one way or the other obliged to the owners. Workers were not united hence they could not collectively bargain for anything better. The employees of the Coir factory were in a miserable plight and the management threatened to close down factories saying that the wages have to be reduced. They protested and the owner's goondas intervened. Police worked in collusion with the owners. Antony, Rocky and a few others were arrested. Varkey died after being manhandled by police. One worker named Velayudhan died in police custody but the post mortem certificate issued by the doctor testified his death as suicide.

It was at this time of unrest that a person arrived in town. Nobody knew where he came from or to where he was heading. But he mingled with the working class, listened to them sincerely and when he spoke they all listened to him rapt attention. He told the workers "you have nothing to loose but chains of slavery". He was frail and tall. Nobody knew his name. They called him Kattu (wind). Truly so, he came in like wind to smooth. Sometimes he was like a cyclone. Whatever it was, he was the wind of change for the village and its working class.

Anna was left alone while Antony and Rocky were in prison. But "Kattu" kept vigil and he was giving her rice and provisions. The release of Antony, Rocky and others was a big affair. A meeting was organized to give them a welcome befitting heros of the working class. Anna had also gone to attend that meeting. Many comrades spoke. But Anna could not make out much. As the meeting was in progress Annas house was set fire "Kattu" appeared at the scene. But he was beaten up and tied up to a coconut tree. Rocky found out the man behind the heinous crime. He went to the Managers house and dragged him out and beat him up. Rocky went underground. Antony and several others were arrested.

The workers movement gained momentum. New leaders arrived at Alappuzha, of them Comrade Neelakantan created a new awareness among the working class. The slogan "Inquilab - Zindabad" reverberated throughout the length and breadth of the town. The Russian revolution and the doctrines of Karl Marx were the topics of discussion in the meetings of the workers. They slowly became an organized lot, aware of their rights and privileges.

"Kattu", the man who preached revolution, the man who indoctrinated the workers about their rights and privileges was often mistaken to be one who was instigating everyone to kill and get killed. But concealed deep inside this tough and frail looking man there was a heart full of love - love for Anna. But then the revolution had begun.

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