Translated from the Malayalam by Achamma C. Chandersekaran Introduction by R.E. Asher
Achamma Chandersekaran began her career 40 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.