Thiruvananthapuram, April 11 -- Writer Jayaraj Mithra's latest work, "Maamaangam: The Light Beneath," presents a compelling reinterpretation of Kerala's historic Mamankam tradition, seeking to move beyond conflict-centric narratives and recover its deeper cultural and spiritual dimensions.
The book revisits the origins of Maamaangam, tracing it to the ancient Mahamagha festival held once every twelve years on the banks of the Bharathappuzha at Thirunavaya, where it functioned as a grand confluence of scholars, artists, warriors and spiritual seekers.
Published by Mithra Publications, the work argues that over time, the rich and layered legacy of this gathering was overshadowed by narratives focused primarily on warfare. Through a narrativ...