Arachar

We see, hear and read a lot about people in all phases of life. But there is no way to know the life of an executioner so deeply. Such is the story that Meera tells through the story of “The Executioner”.

 “The love of man and the love of woman are not the same. A man can love only those who make him happy. But a woman can love even the ones who hurts her.” These are the lines of Meera’s executioner. She has won many awards including Odakkuzhal Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award and Vayalar Award. The Executioner was released in 2012.

 There are many characters in this novel. The central character is a woman. That is chetana.Another character is Chetana’s father Phanibhushan Krinda Mallik. The story is told by Ramada (Chetana’s brother), Sanjeev Kumar (who fell in love with Chetana for greed of money and fame), Sachin Mai Devi (mother) and Dakumma (grandmother).Family of executioners in Kolkata.

 As we look at this story, we can say that consciousness is the last link. Chetana has 2 brothers. The elder sister committed suicide. The brother is in bed with his limbs amputated. That’s because of the consequences of his father’s custome of hanging.

Chetana is a woman living in a poor hut. One fine morning she had to take on the difficult task of being an executioner. A poor girl came forward boldly. She had to face social constraints and types of harassment. While reading this book, you can understand each executioner has a unique feature in his own. The novel also deals with the role played by the media in television reporting, the art of the new age, which is breaking news. Reporter Sanjeev Kumar Mitra seduces Chetana by proposing her price to the channel’s Hang Women’s Diary ‘, which advocates against human rights and the death penalty.

 Chetana is a strong character. Although poor in the beginning, she was strengthened by many circumstances in life. After reading the last page of the book and covering the cover, amidst the noises of stinking streams and corpses carrying corpses through the busy streets, and the sound of cloth bags slung over the shoulders, the minds of those who could go to the press for proof reading work would be captivated. In mythology and history, executioners are seen as a class tasked with administering justice.

Throughout the story, periodicals show the prevailing masculinity in society, Indian politics, violence against women and the intrusion of the media.

 The story is based on the magnificent culture of Kolkata and its history, streets and way of life are awe-inspiring. Meera has adopted a narrative style that captures the mind of the reader as if in a movie, the dying Strand Road, the swamp-waiting river Nimthalaghat, the red light Sonagachi, the Alipore Jail and the gallows.

 The magic of female writing and the variety of narratives make it clear that “The Executioner” is an unparalleled work of Indian literature.