Pattummas Goat was published without revisions in the original manuscript. It was written in 1954 during Basheer’s first period of insanity. After writing the manuscript, he considered revising and editing it, but took no action for five years. Later, he dropped the idea and published the original manuscript without any change. Between the writing (1954) and publication (1959), Basheer married Fabi.
The novel was first published serially in Gopuram, a bimonthly newspaper from Thiruvananthapuram, edited by N. Damodaran. It was later translated into English by R E Asher and Achamma Collparambil Chandrashekharan. The alternate title of the book is Wisdom of Women (Pennungalude Budhhi )
Basheer’s introduction to the story begins with, “The man who wrote the true story of Pattumma’s Goat was an ignorant bachelor”, and he concludes the Introduction by stating, “Pattumma’s Goat is not just a story. All the characters in it are still living by the grace of God. I mentioned before that it had been five years since I wrote it. Many new characters have come into being since then. You must remember that this is the story of my family.”
The above statement makes it clear that Pattumma’s Goat is highly autobiographical. The story is divided into six chapters. It is a perfect example of realistic writing with existential undertones. It doesn’t have a specific structure or sequence of events likely to be in fiction. The reader might feel as if someone has put a camera to absorb the daily happenings of a family. Basheer is neither ashamed nor class-conscious of revealing the pathetic financial constraints of his family members.
The story is not based on a single conflicting situation or the life of a central character. It moves around Pattumma’s goat, its activities and its effects on the family’s day-to-day life. One of the major concerns in the novel is money – lack of money – a family trying hard to make both ends meet. Despite this, the members are well-knit with each other – bonding, adjustment, sharing, and togetherness all find their way, along with quarrels and borrowings. It also highlights the resourcefulness of women in managing a household and keeping a family together.
WORKS CITED
Asher, R, E. & Coilparampil Chandrasekharan Achamma, Pattumma’s Goat, Mathrubhumi Books. 2021. Print.
Pathummayude Aadu. Malayalam Audio Book. Chapter 1-6.Anu Prathap Official.
Prominent Personalities of Kerala Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.
http://www.stateofkerala.in/kerala_celebrities/vaikkom-muhammed-basheer.php
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.Keralaculture.org. http://www.keralaculture.org/basheer/714
Zompa Tenzin. Vaikom Muhammad Basheer was the master of disguise. Writer to revolutionary, he did it all. The Print. https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/vaikom-muhammad-basheer- was-the-master-of-disguise-writer-to-revolutionary-he-did-it-all/808431/
Dr Aswathy Aravindakshan is a teacher, bilingual writer and artist with over two decades of experience in teaching English language and literature. She currently serves as Assistant Professor of English at NSS College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. Her blog, ashlit.in brings together academic resources, creative writing in Malayalam and English, and visual art. The platform features lecture notes, study materials, poems, reflections, short prose, and a curated collection of her paintings. Through this space, she seeks to foster learning, creativity, and meaningful engagement with literature and the arts.
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