Latest news with #Benyamin
Indian Express
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘A garden of spring': Malayalam writers on breaking free from the West and finding their voice
(Written by Deepak Rajeev) 'I watched people get shot from my window,' said Benyamin, the celebrated Malayalam novelist, recounting the Jasmine Revolution in Bahrain. 'What moved me most was the raw hunger for freedom.' The JCB Prize-winning author of Jasmine Days and the Man Asian Literary Prize longlisted Goat Days was speaking at a panel titled 'Contemporary Malayalam Novels,' held at the Oxford Bookstore in Connaught Place on July 25. Organised by DC Books in collaboration with Red FM, the event brought together three of Kerala's leading literary voices, Benyamin, S Hareesh and E Santhosh Kumar, for a wide-ranging conversation moderated by the writer and critic S Gopalakrishnan. For Benyamin, the uprisings he witnessed first-hand became the catalyst for many of his most well-known novels. 'I was able to write many of these novels only because I had spent almost 25 years in the Gulf,' he said. 'From back home, people often see the Gulf as a place of wealth and luxury, especially when thinking of the Arabs. But when I was in Bahrain, I met social workers, politicians and communists who were against the autocracy. One day, from utter silence, Jasmine Revolution exploded, and these people took to the streets fighting against dictatorship. Through my window I saw the protest and people getting shot. I have the videos on my phone; one day, I intend to release it.' The discussion turned to the long arc of Malayalam fiction, beginning with its colonial-era roots. The form began in 1889 with O Chandu Menon's Indulekha, a novel already bearing signs of British influence. 'Madhavan, a key character in Chandu Menon's masterpiece, was a tennis player, living in the caste-infected society of greenery and paddy fields,' S Hareesh said. Subsequent generations of writers absorbed influences from French Realism, especially in the works of Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai and P Kesavadev, while remaining grounded in the lives of Kerala's working class. By the second half of the 20th century, literary figures such as OV Vijayan and M Mukundan introduced currents of Existentialist thought, drawing inspiration from European philosophy and literature. But by the 1980s, Malayalam literature entered yet another phase of stylistic cross-pollination this time with Latin America. 'During the 80s, we went even further into the West, influenced by Latin American authors including Marques, Rulfo and Llosa,' said E Santhosh Kumar. 'But after this, a period came into being when all these authors were questioned and the profound onus of standing on one's own leg fell upon us. It is in this time-frame that Malayalam literature took a different route, striving to find an authentic voice.' He credits writer Sara Joseph for lighting the spark that shifted Malayalam literature away from external influences and toward something unmistakably its own. 'Her novels Aalahayude Penmakkal, which was published when she was 53 years old, and Mattathi, fuelled our literature forward, both in content and narration. Then, a whole new generation of authors started growing beside her into a garden of spring.' That shift has been shaped, in part, by the turbulence of the 21st century. Benyamin cited three cultural transformations that have impacted how writers think and work today: the rise of visual storytelling through new media; the explosion of information on the internet; and the proliferation of memoirs, biographies and autobiographies in the Indian publishing space. He described the present moment as a 'transaction period' one where writers are learning how to find their voices in a rapidly shifting cultural and technological landscape. That process is evident in recent works that blur the line between autobiography and fiction, memory and narrative invention. S Hareesh's Pattunool Puzhu tells the story of Samsa, a 13-year-old boy lost in sorrow and solitude, whose perceptions shaped by a ghostly encounter with a 'dead girl' drift between hallucination and reality. Subash Chandran's Samudrashila follows a woman named Amba caring for her autistic son and senile mother, with the author and people close to him appearing as characters in the narrative. Kumar's Thapomayiyude Achan unfolds as a series of diary entries from a man named Gopal Barua, grappling with guilt, displacement and a life severed from his roots. Benyamin's latest, Mulberry, Tell Me About Your Zorba, in which author Nikos Kazantzakis, his iconic character Zorba, a mulberry tree, and a parrot named Pinki are characters. At the close of the evening, the authors returned to the question of what makes literature 'contemporary.' The answer, they suggested, lies not in when a work is written, but in its emotional and moral resonance. 'Contemporary literature is that which interacts with every generation and age, irrespective of the time period in which it is written,' Benyamin said. 'Whether it is The Iliad or Mahabharata or OV Vijayan's The Legends of Khasak, great literature addresses universal human emotions and struggles, bringing about a change inside the reader like a flash of light moving through a prism.' 'If a work is read even after 20 years since its publication,' the writers agreed, 'if it impacts generations, then it can be considered as contemporary literature.' (Deepak Rajeev is an intern at The Indian Express.)
The Star
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
AirAsia X eyes Central Asia in expansion plan
SEPANG: Medium-haul low-cost airline AirAsia X Bhd plans to make the Central Asian region the main focus of its flight network expansion, supported by the high potential market demand. Chief executive officer Benyamin Ismail said that so far the company has started flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan, since March last year, and Tashkent, Uzbekistan, starting this October. 'The Central Asian market is still underserved. 'For example, Almaty, if there was no AirAsia X, it would take 18 hours to get there. But with AirAsia X, it will only take eight hours. 'I think the focus is on this region, we have started from Almaty and we have another route that we are developing. 'We are looking at Turkiye, Azerbaijan and other Central Asia countries and hopefully, this will be a platform for us to Europe,' he told the media after the launch of the airline's new route to Tashkent yesterday. According to Benyamin, Central Asia not only offers the attraction of lower tourism costs, but also has interesting historical and Islamic cultural values for the Malaysian market. He said the launch of the Kuala Lumpur-Tashkent route was a strategic milestone in AirAsia X's efforts to expand across Asia and beyond. 'We have seen a significant increase in tourism demand to Central Asia following the impressive performance of the Almaty route,' he added. — Bernama
Scroll.in
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
July fiction: Six books in translation and in English that present diverse stories
All information sourced from publishers. Silent Journeys, Benyamin, translated from the Malayalam by Anoop Prathapan In Benyamin's Silent Journeys, we trace the voyage of Mariamma, a young nurse from Kerala who travelled from her hometown in Manthalir all the way across the world. Nothing was known of her journey until many decades later, when a curious great grandson began his investigations only to stumble across a tale of great adventure, hardship, resilience, and love. The novel reflects upon terrific stories of unaccompanied and courageous journeys that many valiant women, primarily nurses, have made through history, reaching the coldest places in the Arctic, Canada, remote tribal locations in the desert, the interiors of the dark continent, and almost everywhere in Europe. Burns Boy, Krupa Ge A fifteen-year-old in a burns ward is tormented by the events that led him to the hospital. His mother and sister have their own versions of what happened, causing the reader to reconsider the truth of what the boy says, but also see it anew. All of them are right, and yet, they are all guilty in a way. The question is: which of them is more guilty? The Remnants of Rebellion, Ponnu Elizabeth Mathew Aleyamma, a tormented young artist, arrives at a bungalow in Puthuloor that she inherited from her late grandfather, Eesho. The manor on top of the hill – a remnant of British colonisation – bears scars of violence. Locals murmur of gruesome murders that have stained its past and ghosts that lurk in its corners. Decades ago, when young Eesho had first arrived at the bungalow as the supervisor of the rubber plantation, along with his wife and their faithful dog, life had seemed blissful. But beneath the quiet, unrest simmered as estate workers banded together against the owners, and whispers of a rising radical-left Naxalite movement grew louder. As the turmoil escalated, it threatened to sweep away everything that Eesho held dear. Now, even as Aleyamma is consumed with grief over the loss of her grandfather, the dark history of her inheritance makes its presence known. Estranged from her Syrian Christian family, Aleyamma sets out to untangle the knots of the past. What stories will she uncover? Will she be able to draw strength from them to confront the present? Tagore Never Ate Here, Mohammad Nazim Uddin, translated from the Bengali by V Ramaswamy When ace detective Noore Chhafa arrives in the sleepy town of Sundarpur to probe a series of unexplained disappearances, he becomes entangled in a web of secrets surrounding a mysterious restaurant named Tagore Never Ate Here and its enigmatic owner, Mushkan Zubeiri. As Chhafa delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a chilling connection between Mushkan's past, a gravedigger's eerie predictions and a decades-old tragedy. As the line between culinary artistry and sinister manipulation blurs with each revelation, Chhafa finds himself navigating local politics, supernatural occurrences and his own growing obsession with the truth. But in a town where every meal could be your last, will he become the next victim of Mushkan's irresistible cuisine? Angalityat: The Step Child, Joseph Macwan, translated from the Gujarati by Rita Kothari Angaliyat tells the story of oppression and exclusion by transforming the vanquished into the victor, by turning the periphery into the core. The portrayal of Methi and Kanku as 'pure' women challenges the age-old perceptions of higher castes, which denigrate the practice of remarriage among 'backwards' communities. The stepchild who follows the mother to a new home, holding her finger or angali, remains on the periphery of the stepfather's family. Caught in external and internal forms of colonisation, the community of weavers, the Vankars, is subject to oppression from the more powerful upper caste of the Patels. Whose Urdu Is It Anyway?: Stories by Non-Muslim Urdu Writers, edited and translated by Rakhshanda Jalil Is Urdu the language of Muslims? Or, to be more precise, the language of Indian Muslims? In modern-day India, is Urdu a language of Upper India? What of the Deccan plateau, then, which was once the cradle of Urdu? Can the India south of the Vindhyas lay claim to Urdu? What of the sweet cadences of the Urdu of the Malwa region or the princely states of Bhopal and Hyderabad or even the rural hinterland of present-day Telangana, which has suffused Urdu with a lilting charm over a period of slow distillation spanning several centuries? So, whose Urdu is it anyway? As long as Urdu is yoked to a religion – Islam – and a certain community – the Muslims – it will never be understood in its entirety. This collection of 16 short stories, entirely by non-Muslim Urdu writers, is an attempt to bust stereotypes and address a persistent misconception: that Urdu is the language of India's Muslims and that it addresses subjects that are, or should be, of concern to Muslims, and Muslims alone. It locates Urdu in its rightful place – in the heart of Hindustan.
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Mustaches, mad minds & more: 5 modern Malayalam novels to devour now
(Written by Anosha Rishi Kakanadan) Over the last few years, Malayalam cinema has gained popularity both nationally and internationally due to its compelling narratives often delving into socio-political issues as well as the exceptional performances by the actors. However, another sphere that reflects the cultural richness of Kerala is its literature. With narratives that challenge the mainstream, Malayalam novels explore a diverse array of themes and topics including many socio-political and philosophical themes. Malayalam literature is abundant, and with more and more works getting translated to other languages, the readership is increasing. Here are a few contemporary Malayalam novels with translations that offer a glimpse into the many facets of Kerala while delving into contemporary issues that are prevalent nationally: Written by Mary Sandhya, Maria, Just Maria (Harper Perennial India, pages 244, Rs 499) or Maria Verum Maria, is a novel about Maria, currently admitted in a psychiatric hospital, who believes that the death of her grandfather triggered her madness. The novel evokes questions about normalcy and madness, and depicts madness not as a disruption, but as a divergence from what is considered normal. Through its incorporation of magical realism, the novel presents a world different from as we know it along with an array of fascinating characters that include talking animals and dead famiy members. Winner of the JCB Prize For Literature 2020, Moustache (Harper Perennial India, pages 360, Rs 440) or Meesha, by S Hareesh is a novel following Vavachan who decides to refuses to trim his moustache as a rebellion towards caste norms. Set in the Kuttinad district in Kerala in the early 20th century, the novel presents the power dynamics involved in the caste system through a story that entails magic and myth amidst the jarring cruelty of caste hierarchies. There is an abundance of successful stories with respect to the Gulf migrants, however, through this novel Benyamin, the author, depicts the pain of the migrants that get entrapped in a routine of suffering. Based on a true story, Goat Days (Penguin, 264, Rs 250) or Aadujeevitham features Najeeb, an abused migrant worker who gets trapped working as a goatherd in the Saudi desert. Following this novel, Benyamin was awarded the prestigious Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, and a movie adaptation of the novel was released in 2024 with the title The Goat Life. Another novel regarded as a Malayalam contemporary classic, Hangwoman (Penguin Books Classic, pages 448, Rs 550) or Aarachar written by KR Meera, is a story about the first female executioner in India, Chetna, who belongs to a family with a long lineage of executioners. KR Meera is known for her depiction of strong and complex female characters in her novels, and through the unconventional story of Chetna she explores patriarchy, gender roles, and themes of death and execution. Valli (Harper Perennial India, pages 420, Rs 454) by Sheela Tomy is a story about Bayalnad, now the popular tourist destination, Wayanad, its culture and its people. It's a multi-generational tale spanning across four generations about the land home to the adivasis. The novel is interspersed with epistles exchanged between characters and diary entries which crafts a textured narrative that entails a story of exploitation, of both the land and the people, and its implications. (The writer is an intern with The Indian Express.)
New Straits Times
23-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
AirAsia X targets Central Asia in expansion push
SEPANG: Medium-haul low-cost carrier AirAsia X Bhd plans to focus its flight network expansion on Central Asia, citing strong market potential and the region's status as relatively underserved by commercial airlines. Chief executive officer Benyamin Ismail said the airline began flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan, in March last year and will launch a new route to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, this October. Another new destination is expected to be announced soon. "The Central Asian market is still underserved. Not many airlines fly there. For example, without AirAsia X, getting to Almaty could take up to 18 hours — with AirAsia X, it's just eight hours on a direct flight. "We're focusing on this region. We've started with Almaty, and another route is in development. We're also eyeing Turkiye, Azerbaijan and other Central Asian countries. Hopefully, this will eventually serve as a platform for expansion into Europe," he told reporters after launching the Kuala Lumpur–Tashkent route today. Benyamin said Central Asia not only offers lower tourism costs but also rich historical and Islamic cultural value, making it attractive to Malaysian travellers. He said the Tashkent route launch marked a strategic milestone in the airline's ongoing expansion across Asia and beyond. "Central Asia holds great potential, with Uzbekistan's economy growing rapidly and a rising middle class keen to explore new destinations. "We've seen strong demand for Central Asia travel following the success of the Almaty route. "Our vision is to build a comprehensive network to support regional development, connect travellers to new destinations, and deliver unforgettable travel experiences," he said. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Malaysia, Karomidin Gadoev, said the launch of AirAsia X's direct flight to Tashkent was a significant development in Malaysia–Uzbekistan relations. "With Uzbekistan's rapidly growing tourism sector and Malaysia's strong position as a tourism and business hub in Southeast Asia, this route will enhance connectivity, boost tourism exchanges, and offer new investment opportunities. "We are delighted to welcome AirAsia X to this promising market and hope this collaboration yields positive results," he said. According to AirAsia X, promotional fares for the new route start from RM99 for economy seats, available for booking between June 23 and 29, for travel from Oct 15, 2025, to Sept 14, 2026. Located in the heart of Uzbekistan, the capital city of Tashkent is a rapidly developing destination known for its stunning Islamic architecture, bustling bazaars and lush green parks.
