Malegalalli Madumagalu

ಇಲ್ಲಿ 

        ಯಾರೂ  ಮುಖ್ಯರಲ್ಲ;

         ಯಾರೂ ಅಮುಖ್ಯರಲ್ಲ;

          ಯಾವುದೂ ಯಃಕಶ್ಚಿತವಲ್ಲ!

ಇಲ್ಲಿ 

        ಯಾವುದಕ್ಕೂ ಮೊದಲಿಲ್ಲ;

         ಯಾವುದಕ್ಕೂ ತುದಿಯಿಲ್ಲ;

          ಯಾವುದೂ ಎಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ನಿಲ್ಲುವುದೂ ಇಲ್ಲ;

           ಕೊನೆಮುಟ್ಟುವುದೂ ಇಲ್ಲ!

ಇಲ್ಲಿ

        ಅವಸರವೂ ಸಾವಧಾನದ ಬೆನ್ನೇರಿದೆ!

ಇಲ್ಲಿ

       ಎಲ್ಲಕ್ಕೂ ಇದೆ ಅರ್ಥ:

        ಯಾವುದೂ ಅಲ್ಲ ವ್ಯರ್ಥ;

          ನೀರೆಲ್ಲ ಊ ತೀರ್ಥ!

                                             - ಕುವೆಂಪು

The above lines are the prologue to the book given by the author himself.

Kuppalli Venkatappa Puttappa, fondly known by his pen name Kuvempu was a prolific writer and in Kannada literature. He was the first Kannada writer to be conferred Jnanapeetha award, the highest award in literature in India. He was also called Rashtrakavi (poet of the state) and Vishwamanava (man of the world).

Malegalalli Madumagalu is one of his great works. A 700 page beauty! The vocabulary used in this book is unbelievable.

Prologue explains the expectations of the book. Understanding the prologue is very important as it sets the tone for the story. According to prologue, all the characters in the book are important and the writer delivers that promise. The writer has given the importance to a dog character.

The story revolves around characters present in a small part of the Malnad, situated in western part of Karnataka. Each and every character arcs are related to other character arcs. The story is set during 1890s and early 1900s. History significance is beautifully depicted in the story.

The twists sometimes are shocking and brutally realistic. The story heavily focuses on human emotions. As mentioned in the prologue, the story has no beginning and has no ending. The story just starts at a time and ends at a time. All the characters are at their respective positions at the end of the book and continues their journey.

This kind of books define Kannada literature!