Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the new AchammaChander.com!

This site is all about Daughters of Kerala, a wonderful collection of 25 short stories spanning a period of 7 decades by award-winning Malayalam authors translated into English.

Now In Its Second Edition!

About The Book

Available on Amazon.com and Wheatmark.com

Kerala, one of the smallest states in India, is located in the country's southwest corner. Known for its great beauty, religious diversity, and zero population growth, the region also boasts an exceptionally high literacy rate -- reportedly above 95 percent -- resulting in a large readership for books, journals, and newspapers. The quality of Kerala's literary production is very high, and this anthology represents some of its best short stories.

Though educated and enterprising, women from this area face the same problems as women the world over. The stories in this collection explore their lives, giving readers everywhere a greater understanding of what it means to be a daughter of Kerala.

Learn More about Daughters of Kerala >>

Who is Achamma?

Achamma Chandersekaran began her career 50 years ago as a teacher in India. After coming to the United States on a full scholarship to do her undergraduate work, she earned two master's degrees and worked for many years for the U.S. Department of Commerce. A longtime political activist in the Indian- and Asian- American communities, she lay the groundwork for the establishment of the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial in Washington, D.C.

Mrs. Chandersekaran was co-translator, along with Dr. R. E. Asher, of three novellas by the late Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. The book, "Me Grandad 'Ad an Elephant", was well received in India and elsewhere. Daughters of Kerala is Mrs. Chandersekaran's first solo translation project.

Learn more about Achamma >>