5 Best Books To Read On Karnataka Foundation Day By Famous South Indian Authors

Written by Kalki Krishnamurthy, this edition of Pratibhan's Dream is translated by Nandini Vijayaraghavan. A rich exploration of human tendencies, the nuances of being on the cusp of right and wrong and the triumph of love makes this one of the best books to pick for the occasion of Karnataka Foundation day. This would serve as a good choice to get an introduction to South Indian literature. The main plot of the book can be categorized as a fictional historical romance that can be read with rapt undivided attention at one go. It is poetic in sections, where the vivid description of nature is done for world building and deep and intriguing with interesting character developments. 

The story of Chetna Grddha Mullick in Hangwoman is gripping and makes the book a page turner. Written by K R Meera an award winning writer and journalist, the story of the protagonist would resonate with the readers. Chetna Grddha Mullick is the first female executioner of India, following the footsteps of her feather she inherits the most controversial and odd job of being a person that snatches away life from another human. The story takes an interesting turn when her services are required and the peace of her life is lurched away by media coverage of the case. This book is an engaging read and has been carefully translated to provide the subtle nuances of the original text. 

For a truly immersive reading experience this book written by Amulya Malladi would be a great choice as it follows the story of the aftermath of a tragedy. The novel is set on the backdrop of the infamous Bhopal Gas Tragedy, A Breath of Fresh Air is the story of Anajli who survives the tragedy of Bhopal disaster. The tragedy ends her first marriage, and she moves on in life, gets remarried and becomes a mother, seemingly having the stability of a happy family life, but things do not remain the same after her ex husband comes back in her life as a reminder of her dark and traumatic past. This would be one of the top books to pick up if you have an interest in South Indian authors and their impactful storytelling. 

For the event of Karnataka foundation day, if you are looking for a riveting and compelling read then The Gypsy Goddess by Meena Kandasamy would be an absolute gem to pick. It's a book on revolution, fight against repression, class struggle and a lot more. The fluid and free flowing writing that crafts a vivid picture of the happenings in villages, the sufferings of the villagers makes this a tale to not only be a book that needs a one time reading, but also a great choice for rereading once finished with the first time charm. This book would require some patience and pondering to absorb its essence and beauty completely. 

This is story collection of D. Jayakanthan, that is steeped with the flavour of mundane yet at times astonishing daily lives of people confirmed by the common phenomenon being humans. Each story is a deep dive into the human consciousness and psyche, this would be one of the best books to read if committing attention to a full length novel is too much of an ask for busy lifestyles. This collection of stories would be the perfect reading choice for the event of Karnataka Foundation day. D. Jayakanthan is a well known and celebrated South Indian twitter who has graced the literary richness of the region with his incredible stories and writings.