Kalmaram(கல்மரம்) -The Stone Tree

This is my first book of G.Thilakavathy.Written in very simple language and the story is crystal clear.This book portrays the state of construction worker in India through a family.

The story is about Adhilakshmi and her children - Kaasi her only son, Kanniamma elder daughter and Kauvery the last of all.Adhilakshmi's husband died of accident at the construction site and she alone brought up these three children.She never allowed Kaasi to work as construction worker or any work in construction site.Kaniamma was married and is pregnant,Kauvery is in home.

Adilakshmi arranges marriage for Kaasi,though he is not working they lied and married him to Raagini who was brought up in a good environment.The story takes a turn when Kaasi and Raagini was given a job at a construction site whose owner is RMM.They were secure and started earning more than they expected.Initially everything looked good for them.But as building rises up ,Raagini understands the sacrifices and the suffering of the construction workers.

RMM , the owner is a typical capitalist who never respects the feeling of the workers.He gets anger for delay in the construction and he never minds the injuries and other health problems of the workers.At one point  the workers decided to join the union and they oppose RMM in regards to pending wages. The rest of the stories how these workers came to realize their power when the united. There are two other character's life run side by side with these workers story .One is of Kanniamma and her struggle with her husband and in-laws and other of Sushila the social worker who educates the workers.

As i mentioned earlier very simple story but the way the author brings the emotion and make the reader to feel for the plight of these workers -a victory for the author.She brings the construction workers' unique language beautifully.The episode of Kamsalai's injury is happening everywhere in India and kudos to author for bringing it beautifully.

Hands that build our houses don't have a shelter.. 

Everyday i see many construction workers working near my place for me its tough to imagine to be in their shoes. But as far as i have seen in Singapore ,everywhere safety comes first and the government have strict rules and regulations at the construction site.Its pathetic to see the living conditions of construction workers in India.They do not have a permanent home and proper sanitation and more importantly they are not educated about their rights.As the construction business booms in India, i hope government will protect these hands who build shelter for us.

G.Thilakavathy IPS-Author

Nice to read a book about the forgotten people who built our houses.A realistic portrayal.This book won the 2005 Sahitya Academy award.