Alternative Readings To The Central Theme Of Aadujeevitham (image: facebook/Benyamin)Aadujeevitham has been read, celebrated, and eulogised as an epic novel of unparallel proportions. Amidst its popularity, there are alternate readings that counter the novel’s popularity. Though such social media discussions have not taken the internet by storm, even minor discussions also require attention.
“Aadujeevitham, as a literary work, failed to encompass Gulf migration as a historical experience and identity construction,” KK Babu Raj, Dalit thinker and activist, wrote. In a long Facebook post posted a few days ago, he jotted down his observations in this regard. Even the spiritual encounters in the movie sound artificial if you observe the language construct and narrative style in the work, he adds. He also mentions another Facebook post written by writer and academic Dr. Vasu AK and his criticism of Aadujeevitham.
“Benyamin’s Aadujeevitham is not at all a good novel,” Dr. Vasu writes. His criticism also delves into Dalit reading and discussion on the novel’s receptivity as well. The work does not possess the narrative capacities and aesthetic language, and from beginning to end, the novel stuck with language akin to a unilateral eyewitness account, he observes. Dr. Vasu states that Aadujeevitham was much-celebrated due to lack of literature pertaining to Gulf lives and its multi-faceted realms.
Gulf migration and resultant wealth generation were immensely beneficial in improving the financial condition of Kerala. But the novel portrays Gulf life as difficult. He criticises the theme of the novel as it denotes Gulf migration is dangerous. “Aadujeevitham is the embodiment of Islamophobia,” Dr. Vasu adds in the post.
In the comments section of both posts, many expressed their agreements and disagreements concerning the novel’s counter-readings. One user stated in the reply that rather than great fiction, Aadujeeevitham is popular fiction in reporting format.
Some users stress the superficiality and call the book “overrated”. The novel is also criticised on account of its language and sentimentality, which, ironically, are the same attributes that made the fiction popular.
The novel became popular due to its expression of over-sentimentality, and the movie industry is now taking advantage of it, another user argued.
