Malayalam author Devadas VM on the genesis of his novel ‘Eru’
Eru, recently translated into English as Backlash by Nandakumar K, is about a retired policeman who is up against a faceless enemy and how his predicament upsets the socio-political fabric
Devadas VM, a prominent figure in contemporary Malayalam literature, has penned a pandemic novel titled "Eru." The story, published in 2021, gained renewed attention with the release of its English translation, "Backlash." "Eru" revolves around the life of Sreedharan Nair, a retired policeman living in Chennai with his family during the pandemic.
Sreedharan's wife is abroad with their newborn daughter, leaving him feeling isolated and vulnerable. He experiences an unknown threat as stones are thrown at his house each night. Sreedharan becomes obsessed with uncovering the culprit, visiting various suspects, but to no avail. Despite installing CCTV cameras, the threat persists. In desperation, he decides to perform a ritual to ward off the "invisible, evil forces" causing trouble.
The novel explores the psychological turmoil of a police officer who once held authority but now faces guilt over past actions. As the pandemic unfolds, Sreedharan's world is rocked by a hole appearing in his ceiling, reflecting his fear of losing privacy and tranquility. The book delves into the moral complexities of a society where the police interact closely with the public and the psychological struggle of an officer dealing with guilt and the consequences of his actions.
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