All About ‘The Ayurvedic Healer’

Set in the intriguing atmosphere of India in the early 20th century, full of mysticism, love, compassion, and political drama, The Ayurvedic Healer tells the story of Madhavan Namboodiri, a physician practicing an ancient medical science, and his enduring love for Rosilie. By healing the underprivileged, regardless of their civilian and religious status, touching the untouchables, he follows his beliefs and disobeys the rules of his society. His life story is set in the background of India's struggle for freedom, the communist revolt in the Southern State of Kerala, social advancement, and the emergence of new societies. The Ayurvedic Healer sweeps the reader into an exotic place and time, rendering an intimate experience through sharing Madhavan Namboodiri's life and love.

In Trikkaanipuram village of Cochin Country there was a landlord named Dathathreyan Namboodiri. Madhavan Namboodiri was his younger brother. According to the law of Brahmin community, Madhavan had no claim in the traditional wealth. All wealths went under the control of the elder brother. And he could marry more than one girl from his community. Dathathreyan had three wives.

Younger brothers were allowed to marry Soodra ladies, but Madhavan decided to not to marry. After completing communal ceremonies at the age of sixteen, he left to his uncle's house at Calicut.He was an Ayurvedic Practitioner. Under the training of uncle, Madhavan became an expert Ayurvedic Physician. Later he returned to Trikkaanipuram with the ambition of beginning an infirmary there. The elder brother gave Madhavan his barn for the purpose. Madhavan never liked his brother’s deeds and he was ready to help the downtrodden people. His elder brother never liked his mode of dealings.

Madhavan had several assistants in his infirmary. Political worker Ananthan Bhattathiri was one of them.

Dathathreyan Namboodiri had a gang of goons. He used them to repress the poor people whom he hated. Madhavan opposed it. This situation forced him to leave this place, but destiny did not let him. His fame had spread everywhere. Once, a rich man named Anthappan from Travancore visited him with the request to treat his sister Rosilie, who has been on bed for years.

Madhavan went to Kerathala in Travancore to treat the woman. For his help Anthappan posted a masseuse named Rajamma from Vayalumkara.

Rajamma at first sight began to love Madhavan. Rosilie’s illness was decreasing and she too was loving Madhavan. She considered him to be her saviour and she was unable to live separating from him. He too loved her. As Madhavan had nothing to expect from his family, he thought of acquiring the huge wealth by marrying Rosilie. Converting into Christianity in the name of Julian, Madhavan married Rosilie.

Anthappan had a Naalukettu Bungalow at Vayalumkara, which was given with its vast surrounding land to the newly wedded couple for residing. Rajamma became the masseuse of Julian’s infirmary. As Rosilie had liked her, she did the domestic works in her leisure times. Despite Rosilie liked hearing about sex, she was very poor in practical dealing in bedroom. Rajamma was very efficient in it. Naturally Julian was physically attracted with Rajamma. At the very same time, he loved his partner very much. Rosilie gave birth to three children, whom Rajamma considered as her own children. Rajamma had a daughter, Kastoori by a white man doctor Henry, who was with Rajamma’s married sister Thulasi, residing at Trivandrum. Because of the threatening of the white man’s wife Lavinia, that she would kill the baby, if she had not been driven out from Vayalumkara, Rajamma had sent the child to Trivandrum.

Henry, the neighbour of Anthappan was cruel and at the same time, a slave of his wife Lavinia. Henry and Anthappan together had committed several cruel deeds. With the help of Henry, Anthappan became rich. As Julian’s elder brother Dathathreyan Namboodiri had, Anthappan too had rowdies for his help.

The coming parts of this novel are heading readeres to a new dimension.