Paathumaavin Aadu

‘Pathumma’s Goat’ a family saga is widely considered to be a humourous novel. However among Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s works this is one that should be read as a layered novel to be understood at multiple levels. The trap of relatives who exploit the protagonist under the guise of love the conflicts that prevail in a women’s world the co-dependency of man and animal the strength of the bonds between life and literature an exemplary comedy are just some of the lens through which this novel can be looked at. It is not only humans but animals birds and plants that have a place in Basheer’s literature. His creativity bestows nature’s attributes to humans and imparts human characteristics to other creatures. Situating himself as the centre of the house he creates a world that revolves around him. This world could only ever be created by Basheer.