“Madhavikutty longed to reconvert to Hinduism, fear prevented her,” reveals Leela Menon

Eminent writer Leela Menon has come out with a startling revelation of how the acclaimed writer Madhavikutty, who converted to Islam, was desperate on reverting back to her own faith almost immediately.

Leela Menon, a close friend and confidante of Madhavikutty said that it was fear that restricted her from doing so. She said that Kamala’s son Madhav Das Nalapat forbade her from doing so, citing “fear of backlash from the Muslim community.”

In an article published in a Malayalam daily, Leela Menon says how Madhavikutty’s conversion to Islam took place following Samadaani’s promise of marrying her. He later retracted his word along with a public statement bordering on mockery that “it was nothing but the poetess’ fancy”. This is said to have shattered Madhavikutty.

“When Samadaani broke his word, Kamala ardently desired to return to Hinduism. But her elder son Monu Nalapat (Madhav Das) firmly dissuaded her from doing so. He is said to have warned her that if she reconverted, members of the Muslim community will not only kill her, but also her children and grandchildren. She was terrified. That stopped her from recoverting,” said Leela Menon.

Leela Menon further spoke of Madhavikutty’s desire to get back into familiar attire. “When Kamala went to Pune, she called me and spoke, with a lot of glee in her voice. “I have abandoned the purdah. Back to Mundu-Veshtti. I have left my hair lose,” she said. But that was short lived. In two days time, she called me again, this time, her voice heavy with despair. “Monu and others have cloaked me back into purdah . He went to Pune Bazar and bought the purdah and directed me to get back into it,” she said.”

The article goes on to say, how Samadaani invited her to his residence, seduced her and later casually withdrew his marriage proposal he had put forth to Madhavikutty, after her conversion to Islam.

“Kunhalikutty asked Samadaani if he was going marry Kamala. Samadaani is said to have stated casually, in a mocking manner, “She is a writer. It is nothing but her fancy.” Anyway Kamala was not Samadaani’s first Surayya. He is said to have made the same proposal to Ashitha, when she politely refused and showed him the door. Ashitha herself told me this,” said Leela Menon.

“Kamala missed her Lord Krishna, she yearned for him,” said Leela Menon in the article. “She was Radha, who yearned and pined for her Krishna. Kamala was so devoted to Lord Krishna. When I visited her in Pune, along with my friend Sarada, she requested Sarada to sing “Kaarmukil Varnante Chundil”. She also wanted to hear the Lalitha Sahasranamam being recited. She used to ask her nurse Ammu to chant ‘Narayana Narayana’ as she lay down to sleep. That happened during her last moments too.”

Leela Menon reveals how Monu Nalapat insisted on the Islamic way of burial for Madhavikutty, even as her youngest son Jayasurya had made all arrangements for cremation ceremonies to be conducted the Hindu way.

“Kamala lived as Radha. Why was she interred at Palayam mosque? She was denied freedom of religious choice even at her deathbed. To think that she was denied this, due to fear of life… it is sad,” concluded Leela Menon.