Ostracised former nun releases Malayalam translation of Perumal Murugan novel

Ostracised former nun releases Malayalam translation of Perumal Murugan novel
Ostracised former nun releases Malayalam translation of Perumal Murugan novel
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Perumal Murugan’s intensely controversial Tamil novel, Madhorubagan, has been translated into Malayalam and released by Sister Jesme on Tuesday, a woman ostracized by a church in 2008, later forcing her to  walk out of her 33 year-long life as a nun. Though the book itself was released over four years ago, its English translation was received with a lot of hue and cry in Tamil Nadu resulting in the ostracism of Perumal Murugan and his family from his hometown. However, Sister Jesme who officially released the book with Justice KT Thomas in Kottayam on Tuesday herself has seen her fair side of controversy.Her autobiography Amen recounts her experiences as a member of the Congregation of the Mother Carmelite (CMC) in Kerala which she walked out of in 2008 alleging physical and mental harassment. “My background must have contributed in choosing me for the release of the book. I have openly supported Perumal Murugan in his struggle and believes that every author has the freedom of expression, and the freedom to not use this right,” Sister Jesme said. “We wanted someone of Sr. Jesme’s stature to release the book, more so because the very purpose of translating the book is to stress the importance of freedom of speech and expression. It is best to let more people read the work and decide for themselves if the content is unacceptable or not”, translator of the book, Dr.Appu Jacob John, assistant professor at St.Albert’s College, Eranakulam said.  He further acknowledged an author’s right to take a stand as strong as Murugan’s, saying that it is difficult for a one-man-army to fight against the system. Published by DC Books, the novel was officially released by Sister Jesme and Justice KT Thomas in Kottayam on Tuesday.  

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