Agnisakshi, a novel by Lalithambika Antharjanam, author and social reformer whose works embody the strength of women’s writing in Malayalam, was first published in 1976. On Reading Day on Friday, the book’s golden jubilee was celebrated at Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Karamana.

As part of the celebrations, the school has kicked off a host of programmes, including public readings. A screening of the movie Agnisakshi, based on the novel, was held on the occasion. Cultural activist M. Ajayadev inaugurated the fete. The public readings are intended to take Agnisakshi to more people, school headmistress Mini Y. said.

Making reels

Arrangements will be made for conducting readings of the novel in houses and small junctions near the school in the coming days. Reels will be made on excerpts from the novel and audio books prepared as part of the celebrations.

Ms. Mini presided over the inaugural fete. Principal Bilu V.B. delivered the keynote address. The novel is the story of a Namboothiri woman, set against the backdrop of reformist movement in the State. Lalithambika Antharjanam’s only novel, it received the Kendra and the Kerala Sahitya Akademi awards.