Ummachu

{{short description|Book by Uroob}} {{About|the Malayalam novel|the 1971 film adaptation|Ummachu (film)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2018}} {{Use Indian English|date=September 2018}} {{Infobox book | name = Umachu | title_orig = | translator = | image = Ummachu.jpg | caption = The cover of ''Ummachu'' | author = Uroob | illustrator = | cover_artist = | country = India | language = Malayalam | genre = | publisher = DC Books | release_date = 1954 | english_release_date = | media_type = | pages = 264 (first edition)<br>199 (current edition) | isbn = 81-7130-230-0 }} '''''Ummachu''''' (''Beloved'') is a Malayalam novel written by Uroob in 1954. ''Ummachu'' along with ''Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum'' are considered the best works by Uroob and are ranked among the finest novels in Malayalam.<ref name="Novel">{{cite news|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2005/04/15/stories/2005041502510300.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121111053505/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/fr/2005/04/15/stories/2005041502510300.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=11 November 2012|title='Ummachu' turns 50 |author=Sreevarahom Balakrishnan|newspaper=The Hindu|date=15 April 2005}}</ref> In ''Ummachu'', Uroob explores the ramifications of human relationships in a village.<ref>{{cite book |last= |title=Modern Indian literature, an anthology, Volume 2 |publisher= |year=1992 |page=249 |isbn=81-7201-324-8}}</ref>

==Plot summary== Ummachu is in love with Mayan, her childhood friend. But much to her dislike, she is married to a rich, but timid Beeran making her marriage unhappy. Mayan manhandles the old man, the ‘village historian,’ who is supposed to have been instrumental in conducting Ummachu’s marriage with Beeran. The old man becomes unconscious and Mayan leaves the village believing that he is dead. Mayan goes to Wayanad and becomes a rich spice merchant. He returns to the village when he learns that the old man was not dead, but had later died of illness.

Ummachu lived an unhappy life with her husband and son. Mayan murders Beeran and the police arrest an innocent man for the crime. Mayan marries Ummachu. Years roll by. Abdu, Ummachu’s son is in love with their Manager’s daughter Chinnammu, a Hindu. Abdu learns that his stepfather Mayan is the murderer of his father and dislikes Ummachu because she was aware of his father's murder by Mayan. Mayan commits suicide. Ummachu divides her property between Abdu and her two sons by Mayan.

In the elections, Abdu contests as the Congress candidate against Hydros, the younger son of Ummachu by Mayan, a candidate of the ‘League’ and Hydros wins. Ignoring the strong protests from the communities, Abdu marries Chinnammu.

==Film adaptation== {{Main|Ummachu (film)}} In 1971, a film adaptation of the novel was released, starring Sheela as Ummachu, Madhu as Mayan, Nellikode Bhaskaran as Beeran, and directed by P. Bhaskaran. Uroob himself scripted the film.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ashish Rajadhyaksha and Paul Willemen |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=1999 |page=411 |isbn=0-85170-455-7}}</ref> Its music is scored by Raghunath with lyrics by P. Bhaskaran.

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{IMDb title|qid=Q7881691|id=tt0156150|title=Ummachu}}

Category:Indian novels adapted into films Category:Malayalam novels Category:Novels set in Kerala Category:Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award–winning works Category:Novels by Uroob Category:DC Books books Category:1954 Indian novels