Pyre (novel)

Pyre is a 2016 novel by Indian author Perumal Murugan, translated into English by Aniruddhan Vasudevan. The novel explores themes of caste, inter-caste marriage, and the honor killings that can result from such unions in rural India.

The story centers on Saroja, a young woman from a different caste, and Kumaresan, a man who marries her against the wishes of his family and village. They elope and return to Kumaresan's village, where their presence disrupts the established social order and creates suspicion and resentment amongst the villagers.

As tensions rise, rumors and false accusations spread, fueled by ingrained caste prejudices and the villagers' inability to accept the couple's relationship. The villagers construct narratives and justifications to ostracize and ultimately threaten the safety of Saroja and Kumaresan. The novel details the mounting pressure and the devastating consequences of societal intolerance.

Pyre is a stark and unflinching portrayal of the brutal realities of caste discrimination in contemporary India and the destructive power of rumour and collective paranoia. It serves as a commentary on the fragility of individual freedom in the face of deeply entrenched social hierarchies and prejudices. The novel is noted for its spare prose and its focus on the psychological impact of fear and persecution on its characters.