A mythical and elemental romance set against the backdrop of the sea. It explores the forbidden love between Karuthamma, a fisherman's daughter, and Pareekutty, a Muslim fish trader, and the tragic consequences of defying social norms. 3. – O. Chandu Menon
A unique romance set within a prison, where the protagonist falls in love with a female prisoner on the other side of a high wall, connecting only through their voices and shared scents. 5. – M. T. Vasudevan Nair
Widely regarded as the first major Malayalam novel, this 19th-century work centers on a strong-willed protagonist and her love story, reflecting the social transitions of the Nair community during that era. 4. – Vaikom Muhammad Basheer