P. K. Kariyan (1951–2020) was among the most renowned exponents of the tribal art form Gaddika and played a crucial role in bringing this Adivasi ritual performance into Kerala’s public cultural sphere. Born into the Adivasi Raavula tribe, he dropped out of school after being arrested and falsely accused of murder and involvement in a Naxalite action. During his childhood, he developed a close and warm personal relationship with A. Varghese, the legendary Naxalite leader, who inspired him to study, think critically, and become politically aware. After his release following years of imprisonment, Kariyan dedicated his life to serving his community, preserving Adivasi cultural traditions, and fighting for tribal rights in Wayanad, Kerala.

Fazeela Mehar is a writer and journalist from Wayanad, Kerala. She has been part of the editorial teams at Madhyamam Daily, Mathrubhumi Daily and Manorama Online. Her debut novel Khanithath was shortlisted for the D. C. Books Novel Award in 2018 and the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar in 2024. She received the K. A. Kodungalloor Award in 2022 for the best short story in Malayalam.

The Translator
V. Prathiba retired as Associate Professor of English Language and Literature from the University of Calicut, Kerala. She has co-edited The Oxford India Anthology of Malayalam Dalit Writing.

Foreword by P. Sanal Mohan
Preface
Translator’s Preface
1. Creation
2. How the Raavulas Came into Being
3. Amma and Maaman
4. My Birth and Achan’s Death
5. My School, My Native Place, My People
6. Learning Becomes Serious Business
7. Childhood Memories
8. Aashramam School, and then to S.K.M.J.
9. The Memories of S.K.M.J.
10. An Unforgettable Episode
11. The Gods Continue Their Journey
12. That One Year I Skipped School
13. Thrissilery and Varghese
14. Meeting Varghese
15. Memories of Varghese
16. The Thirunelli–Thrissilery Episode
17. After the Attack, Peruman’s Murder
18. To the Jail
19. Memories of the Days Spent in Jail
20. The Trial
21. A Raavulan’s Political Statement
22. Imprisonment under MISA and the Emergency
23. Freedom, and Activities Afterwards
24. Work, Family
25. I Start Learning about My Community
26. The End of the Story of Our Origins
27. Rituals and Customs of the Raavulas
28. Gaddika—for Humans and Nature
29. How the Raavulas became Adiyaas

Postscript