Ramakrishnan’s prose is known for its lyrical realism, and this novel is often cited as a must-read for lovers of contemporary Tamil literary fiction.
The narrative revolves around the protagonist’s search for his roots. He tries to trace the history of his family through the last seven generations, exploring how each generation was enslaved, either literally or psychologically, by landlords ( Mirasiyadars ). Unlike typical historical romances, Ezhu Thalaimuraigal is brutal, raw, and unflinching. It describes how the "right to the soil" is often a myth for the lower castes, who work the land but never own it. ezhu thalaimuraigal book pdf