Girl in Scarlet Hijab is a sweeping, multi-generational political-historical novel that journeys through the vibrant yet tumultuous socio-political landscape of Kerala, India. Penned by Suresh U. Kumar—a professor, entrepreneur, and activist with deep roots in Kerala—the novel gracefully marries the personal with the political. At its core, it examines the long shadow of India’s freedom struggle and the ideals that both shaped and haunted the generations that followed.
With a narrative that shifts across decades, from the 1940s to the late 20th century, the book delves into themes of resistance, legacy, identity, and the ever-present tension between idealism and compromise. Kumar’s deep understanding of history, combined with his flair for storytelling, makes this novel a stirring tribute to revolutionaries—both known and forgotten—and a poignant meditation on what it means to inherit a struggle.
Structure and Narrative Style
The structure of Girl in Scarlet Hijab is ambitious, and remarkably so. Told across 51 chapters organized into thematic arcs, the narrative moves fluidly between time periods, beginning with a haunting prologue: a diary entry by T.K. Karunakaran (Karnan), a revolutionary and former mentee of Jayaprakash Narayan. This opening transports us to the immediate aftermath of the 1942 Hazaribagh Jailbreak—a dramatic and symbolic act of resistance against colonial rule—and lays the ideological foundation for the novel’s unfolding drama.
“My entire life’s purpose had built up to this singular moment. I felt I had finally done something that mattered”.
From there, the novel shifts its focus to post-independence Kerala, chronicling the political, emotional, and spiritual journeys of a compelling cast of characters. The narrative doesn’t just recount history—it interrogates it. Through dialogues, reflections, and moments of quiet introspection, Kumar invites the reader into the intimate worlds of individuals grappling with inherited burdens, evolving dreams, and the compromises of a democracy still in its adolescence.
“Where the freedom fighter’s work ends, the work of the revolutionary starts.”
Characters: Ideals in Flesh and Blood
At the heart of the novel are four central characters whose lives form the emotional and ideological core of the story:
T.K. Karunakaran (Karnan): A former Azad Dasta revolutionary and follower of Jayaprakash Narayan, Karnan emerges as the moral conscience of the novel. Revered and resented in equal measure, Karnan embodies unyielding commitment to socialist ideals, resisting the seductions of political power. His internal monologues and ideological musings offer some of the novel’s most searing critiques of post-independence India—particularly the betrayal of its founding ideals.
Vasudev Panicker (Vasu): Karnan’s close friend and comrade, Vasu once fought under Subhas Chandra Bose as part of the Indian National Army (INA). His character acts as a bridge between history and memory, revolution and reconciliation. Through Vasu, we witness the weight of lived experience, the fragility of aging dreams, and the quiet dignity of enduring friendships.
Murali Panicker: Vasu’s son, Murali, personifies a generation caught between the pull of the past and the demands of the present. As a charismatic student leader, Murali is passionate and politically conscious, yet emotionally torn—particularly in his relationship with Rukhsana Mirza. His story charts the uneasy inheritance of revolutionary ideals and explores how youth navigate the complexities of love, ideology, and cultural expectations.
Rukhsana Mirza: The eponymous “girl in scarlet hijab” is the novel’s emotional center and perhaps its most subversive figure. A Muslim woman from Abu Dhabi studying in Kerala, Rukhsana refuses to be defined by religion or stereotype. She is bold, intelligent, and thoughtful—challenging patriarchal assumptions from both conservative and leftist quarters. Through her, Kumar addresses gender, faith, and the right to self-definition with depth and grace.
Rukhsana, the titular character, is a revelation. Smart, quietly confident, and thoughtful, she challenges Murali’s worldview. Her first words to him are teasing but wise:
“Tell me, Murali, does your heart say politics or music?”
Themes: Interrogating the Idea of India
- Revolution and Its Aftermath
A central question the novel asks is: what becomes of the revolutionary once the war is over? In Karnan and Vasu’s lives, we see the price of integrity in a world increasingly shaped by compromise. As parties jockey for power and historical memory fades, Girl in Scarlet Hijab reminds us of the revolutionaries who lived—and often died—in quiet resistance.
- Ideological Inheritance and Generational Dialogue
Murali’s mentorship under Karnan and his evolving political consciousness are a testament to the fragility and importance of intergenerational dialogue. The novel recognizes that movements must be renewed and reimagined by each generation—and that the youth must confront the same fundamental questions anew, with no easy answers.
- Gender, Faith, and Belonging
Rukhsana’s presence challenges every political and cultural assumption within the story. She is not simply a love interest but a voice of reason and resistance. Her journey—navigating faith, feminism, and political expression—echoes broader struggles faced by women in South Asian societies. Her hijab, scarlet in color, becomes a multifaceted symbol of visibility, defiance, and choice.
- Caste and Structural Injustice
Kumar’s critique of caste dynamics in Kerala is unflinching. Karnan’s exclusion from political power due to his Ezhava identity, despite his credentials and moral authority, is a stark commentary on the limitations of social mobility in even the most “progressive” spaces. The novel explores how caste continues to underpin political alliances and individual destinies.
- Memory, Friendship, and the Quiet Heroism of the Ordinary
Vasu and Karnan’s friendship is portrayed with warmth, complexity, and a shared dignity. Through their conversations, the novel pays tribute to the many unsung heroes of India’s freedom struggle—those who sacrificed personal comfort for collective dreams. In doing so, Girl in Scarlet Hijab becomes as much about remembering as it is about resisting.
Prose and Storytelling
Suresh U. Kumar’s writing is at once lyrical and grounded. His prose is accessible yet evocative, drawing on a deep well of historical knowledge without ever veering into didacticism. Dialogues are natural, often carrying the emotional and intellectual weight of entire chapters. Descriptions—particularly of Kerala’s political gatherings, rural landscapes, or charged university campuses—are cinematic in their vividness.
The tone is contemplative and reverent, with moments of dry humor and heartbreak. Kumar never indulges in nostalgia for its own sake. Instead, he critiques the romanticism of revolution while honoring its necessity. He writes like someone who has not only studied movements, but lived through their consequences.
Symbols: Layered and Resonant
The novel’s symbolism is subtle yet powerful. The revolver “Kali”—passed from Mohan Singh to Vasu to Murali—is more than a weapon; it is a symbol of continuity, struggle, and the responsibilities that come with ideological inheritance. Similarly, the scarlet hijab itself operates on multiple levels—as a symbol of identity, rebellion, vulnerability, and strength.
The title’s imagery captures the novel’s essential tensions: between past and future, faith and politics, public and personal realms. It encapsulates the central character’s emotional and ideological crossroads.
Criticism and Considerations
If there is a critique to be made, it lies in the novel’s density. With a broad cast of characters, historical references, and overlapping plotlines, some readers—particularly those unfamiliar with Kerala’s political history—may find themselves pausing to contextualize events or individuals. Occasionally, transitions between timelines feel abrupt, momentarily breaking the otherwise immersive flow.
However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise rich and rewarding reading experience. The complexity of the narrative reflects the complexity of the history it seeks to portray.
Conclusion: A Modern Epic of Ideals and Introspection
Girl in Scarlet Hijab is a remarkable achievement—ambitious in scope, meticulous in detail, and profoundly moving in its emotional resonance. It is at once a political treatise, a historical excavation, and a deeply human story about love, loss, and the search for meaning in a fractured world.
Suresh U. Kumar offers more than a tale of revolution—he presents a meditation on what it means to remain true to one’s ideals in an age of disillusionment. He gives us characters who love fiercely, resist quietly, and remember courageously.
Ultimately, Girl in Scarlet Hijab reminds us that the story of a nation is also the story of its dreamers—those who dared to believe in justice, equality, and freedom, and those who continue to carry the torch, even when the world forgets.
Rating: 4.9/5