A Contribution by Joy J. Kaimaparamban, author of The Ayurvedic Healer. For more information see also his website at http://www.kaimaparamban.com/.

Vishnu Sakharam Khandekar, the celebrated Novelist of India who had born in the Saangli village of Maharashtra in January 19, 1898 was a creator of fifty literary works.  He had been awarded by Sahitya Academy and Njanapeeda for his outstanding Novel ‘Yayaathi’, which was written basing a plot taken from Mahabharatha.  He had been given Padmabhooshan of India Government also. In September 2, 1976 he died leaving behind last glory.

With compassion and affection he watched the condition of women who lived in India.  He gave his each lady character the status of a Deity.  His readers are compelled to worship ladies. Khantekar was a creator who had been with great care in making his works perfect.

Saangli was a village of great dramatists and actors.  From his very early childhood Khantekar was interested in seeing plays which were performed in the village.  Sreepaadakrishna Holkatkar was a famous playwright of that time.  Khantekar installed Holkatkar in his heart as his preceptor in writing.

In 1913 he passed Matriculation with an eighth rank.  He joined Ferguson College for continuing his education.  Due to financial backwardness, he was unable to get a degree.  In a village named Shiroda he started his official life as a high school teacher. Then he became the headmaster of the same school.

In the age of 18, he wrote a beautiful essay on the works of G. T. Madgolkar, which had become his entrance to the literary world. Up to the age of 78, he continued his creative work.  He wrote novels short stories, screenplays, poems and essays as well.

Shiroda was a centre of salt depots of the British Government.  It was the time of Indian Independent struggles. Volunteers of Sathyagraha thrust towards the salt depots connecting with the struggles. The police party cruelly tried to suppress it in futile.  Khantekar could not take part in the struggle due to his physical condition.

But he was a follower of Gandhian Philosophy.  In his novel ‘Krounchavaddh’ (Killing of a Krouncha Bird) he could have manifested his ideas.

In his novels he went deep into the souls of men and women.  And he was trying to reveal a clear and healthy vision of life through his creations.  In his works the life of humans and natural phenomena stand embracing with each other.

When directors from the film world approached him for his stories, he wanted to write their film scripts himself.  When the films came before the viewers they felt them to be more beautiful and attractive.  The films were professional and artistical.

His creations became very famous all over India.  His works had been translated into several Indian languages.

In the beginning of nineteen forties, he left his job and village for staying at Rajaram of Kolhapur.

He was a believer in Gandhian Philosophy.  He could recognize that socialism too could be connected with Gandhianism.  In a novel he advocates the need of multitude’s agitation for progress.  He suggests individual persons agitations as fruitless.

In another novel, he pleads for the poor women who live under the yokes of cruel society.

In his several novels characters themselves narrates their own experiences.  The author never appears before the readers.  This dramatic monologue type of novel writing needs more effort and patience.

It took more than six years for writing the novel ‘Yayaathi’.  He has said that his characters are different from of Mahabharatha.

While he had been staying at the home of his daughter at Islampure, he passed on due to cerebral haemorrhage.

The Ayurvedic Healer

by Joy J. Kaimaparamban

Set in the intriguing atmosphere of India in the early 20th century, full of mysticism, love, compassion, and political drama, The Ayurvedic Healer tells the story of Madhavan Namboodiri, a physician practicing an ancient medical science, and his enduring love for Rosilie. By healing the underprivileged, regardless of their civilian and religious status, touching the untouchables, he follows his beliefs and disobeys the rules of his society. His life story is set in the background of India’s struggle for freedom, the communist revolt in the Southern State of Kerala, social advancement, and the emergence of new societies. The Ayurvedic Healer sweeps the reader into an exotic place and time, rendering an intimate experience through sharing Madhavan Namboodiri’s life and love.

Joy J. Kaimaparamban is not only a passionate story teller. He envisions people and events, past or present, in his native India as material for unwritten works. These visions and the ability to transform them into fascinating stories about his country is a trademark of his novels. [More information...]

The Ayurvedic Healer ia available through Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Barnes & Noble, and any other good bookstore.