Aalahayude Penmakkal

Aalahayude Penmakkal (English: Daughters of God the father) is a Malayalam novel written by Sarah Joseph and published in 1999. The novel is the first in the trilogy which includes 'Mattathi' and 'Othappu'. This novel gave widespread recognition to Sarah Joseph and her craft. 'Aalahayude Penmakkal' won the Kerala Sahitya Academy award of 2001, Kendra Sahitya Academy award of 2003, Vayalar Ramavarma award of 2004, and Cherukad Award of 2000. The novel deals with the condition of marginalized groups in society pointed out as subalterns by Marxist Antonio Gramsci. The living and existential conditions of these groups are seldom acknowledged by the society at large and generally they are displaced from their places of stay and livelihoods, usually in the name of development and change. This transformation in their existential struggle is narrated by Annie, the central character, who gives voice to three generations of her subaltern group albeit with a feminine perspective.