The idea for this photo book came from her longtime love of stories. Chino Mannikarottu developed a passion for literature growing up in Kerala, one of the southern states in India. She read all of the Malayalam classics (the language spoken in Kerala) and used to wonder what her favorite characters would look like in real life.

“Whenever I would meet someone new, I would relate them to a character I had read about and pictured in my mind while reading. That curiosity grew with time, and the idea of doing a photoshoot recreating some of the characters came to mind,” she says, with an initial idea of simply uploading some photos on social media or turning the project into a calendar. After interest in her project grew, she realized she wanted to do more. “The photoshoots became more elaborate, making it apparent to me that I needed to do more with the photos — to reflect on the characters and give a sense of why they were iconic and unforgettable. I realized it was important to give my perspectives about them and a photo book would give the opportunity for precisely that.”

She describes the finished project, “Through Her Eyes,” as a photo book that brings the female characters from these iconic novels to life, focusing on the strength, resilience, intellect, and values demonstrated through each of their stories. She says it’s both an homage and “an exploration of how their stories continue to resonate in our society today.” She spent more than a year gathering her girlfriends in her local Indian community, scouting locations in San Diego (an area in Torrey Pines that mimicked a hill station in India, or a lush and green section of Balboa Park that looked like a scenic Indian village), and the final editing and compilation of the book. (Copies of the book are available for $30 by emailing her at chinnamma@gmail.com, and all of the proceeds are being donated to San Diego area charities focused on the welfare of women.)

Mannikarottu, 40, studied internal medicine and is a hospitalist at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla. She lives in Carmel Valley with her husband, Elviz George, and their three children. An actress, writer, and dancer active in her local Indian community, she took some time to talk about her project and the relatability women share, regardless of culture or location.

Q: I’m guessing that the novels you chose the characters from carry significance? Can you talk about why these selected novels and their characters are so special? Special enough to be included in your book?

A: Yes, each one of them holds specific significance, particularly because of the times that these novels were written in. Set in a heavily patriarchal society, the female characters symbolize various facets of femininity, identity, and societal roles. Their stories were often about their struggle against societal constraints, whether it’d be gender norms, class structures, or familial expectations. They all search for autonomy in their own way, in a world that seeks to restrict them. By knowing them, a woman today can feel a sense of connection that’s unifying and may even offer a gentle relief to modern day struggles. Many of these women, though seemingly silent or subdued, speak volumes through their emotions and inner turmoil. Their silence becomes a powerful tool to challenge society, and by photographing them, I wanted to emphasize how silence in literature and in real life can be powerful. These women may not speak loudly due to their constraints, yet they made a prominent presence in a man’s world.

Q: Can you tell us the backstories of a couple of the characters who are featured in your book?

A: Indulekha is from the novel of the same name, which was published in 1889. Set in the backdrop of 19th-century Kerala, the novel revolves around her life. She is a strong-willed, independent woman from a prominent Hindu-Nair family, which is a subcaste in the Hindu religion, during the time in which the caste system was prevalent (and unfortunately, it still is to some degree). She belonged to a time when something called “Sambhandam” existed, where an older man of the upper caste (a Brahmin) could have sexual relations with young Nair girls, as the latter were of the lower caste compared to Brahmin. Indulekha rejects a “Sambandham” proposal from a Brahmin man who is three times her age, symbolizing a new era of self-respecting, educated women seeking dignity and equality in relationships. She is regarded as a proto-feminist character, as she embodies the idea of intellectual freedom and self-expression, paving the way for future literary portrayals of strong female characters in Malayalam literature.

Malu is from the novel, “Oppol,” which was published in 1975. Malu is a young woman who raises a 6-year-old boy with deep love and care, but without ever revealing to him that she is his real mother, as the child was born out of wedlock. The man left her and she is trapped between societal norms and maternal instinct. The boy calls her “oppol,” which means “elder sister,” as the truth is never revealed to him or to the people in the new village she relocates to. She represents the silent endurance of women navigating love, shame, and the guilt of motherhood within the confines of a conservative society, where a child out of wedlock could not even be talked about, let alone be accepted.

Saramma is from the novel “Premalekhanam (Love Letter),” published in 1943. Saramma is a witty, intelligent, and progressive young woman who challenges societal and religious norms. A Christian girl, she falls in love with Keshavan Nair, a Hindu man, and together they question the absurdities of caste, religion, and conventional marriage. She lived in an era where interreligious marriages were unheard of and socially unacceptable. Saramma and Keshavan Nair wrote love letters to each other, unafraid to challenge tradition in pursuit of love and equality.

What I love about Carmel Valley…

I love the vibe of our neighborhood in Carmel Valley, where I can just wave at people I pass by, or stop for a quick chat with a neighbor while picking up groceries. I love having that sense of familiarity while seeing the same people, having little interactions that make me feel like part of a shared space. 

Q: You mentioned the universality of the social, physical, and emotional experiences of these characters; why is it important to you that women from other cultures be able to relate to the characters you’re sharing in this book?

A: I wanted this photo project to be done through the lens of universality because the physical and emotional experiences these characters go through is key in making them unforgettable. Art often reflects society, so these characters represented a cross-section of what that society was when these novels were written. Despite cultural, geographical, or linguistic differences, such human experiences are often deeply shared. I believe women from different backgrounds, even if they come from very distinct cultures, will find moments of empathy and understanding when they encounter these characters. Themes of love, loss, empowerment, and societal expectations transcend borders, and this is especially important when it comes to female representation. Their stories talk about navigating societal restrictions, family dynamics, or self-discovery, which women from various backgrounds can relate to as we all face similar challenges, even today. Whether it’s the pressure of traditional roles or the journey of self-empowerment, these are struggles that we can understand collectively. Also, the idea that women’s experiences are only defined by their culture or region is quite narrow as it’s often much more complex than that.  With a wider audience, my hope is that the book can make you reflect on your own life through the lens of another culture.

Q: For people who may be unfamiliar, how would you describe Malayalam fiction?

A: Malayalam fiction has this compelling ability to connect you emotionally while making you think deeply. The blend of realism with elements of magical realism, myth, and folklore can make the stories feel deeply rooted in place, but also transcendent, touching on something that’s universal. It has a lyrical, almost poetic flow. The rhythm of the language itself feels very natural, and it’s often said that it has an almost musical quality. The cadence of the sentences can be soft and meditative one moment, then abruptly intense the next. It makes you feel the weight of every word. It tends to have a slower, reflective pace compared to some other genres. This allows for a deep exploration of the characters.

Many Malayalam novels linger on small moments, whether it’s the way a character picks up a cup of tea, or how they stare out the window while lost in thought-seemingly insignificant details, but they often carry much more emotional weight than the main plot.

The structure is often non-linear; stories are broken up in flashbacks and fragmented perspectives, mirroring the complexity of human memory, which makes the story feel more authentic, especially when exploring personal stories or trauma. It often incorporates elements of Kerala’s culture, traditions, and landscapes, which gives the stories a very local flavor, but also a universal resonance. For instance, you’ll find references to the monsoon, the lush green landscapes, the backwaters, and the cultural importance of religion, festivals, and the local communities.

Q: Let’s say someone comes to you and they want an introduction to Malayalam fiction (that has been translated to English)-what are three books you’d recommend they start with, and why those books?

A: The first book I’d recommend is “The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese. The book is actually written in English and is set in Kerala with all the characters residing there. The book made it to Oprah’s book club and Obama’s reading list last year. It’s about a Christian family where, in each generation, at least one person dies of drowning. The novel explores themes of family, tradition, the pain of loss, and the impact of societal changes, including India’s fight for independence. The story revolves around Mariamma, a child bride at age 12, who grows to become the powerful matriarch of the family. In the photobook, we have recreated her, as the novel was translated to Malayalam last year and is now part of Malayalam literature.

Another book, again set in Kerala and written in English, is “The God of Small Things” by Arudhathi Roy, which has won several accolades, including the Booker prize. It’s about the complexities of forbidden love, colonialism, and the caste system. It reveals how the past continues to shape the future and how things that may be considered insignificant can have profound consequences.

I would also recommend the English translation of one of the most popular Malayalam novels of all time, “Chemmeen,” which was later made into a blockbuster movie. “Chemmeen-The Enduring Classic” is the translated version by Anita Nair. The story revolves around the fishing community in Kerala, which explores the myth of “sea mother” and how a fisherman’s safety is impacted by his wife’s fidelity. We have recreated “Karuthamma,” the female protagonist from this novel, in “Through Her Eyes.”

Q: What was your initial goal for pursuing this project and are there ways that goal changed/evolved by the end of it?

A: My initial goal was just some pretty photos to look at and a fun experience to play dress up with my female gang of friends within the Malayalee community. Later, it evolved to something much more meaningful; I realized I had a powerful tool to educate and introduce Malayalam literature. The goal then changed to having these characters make an impact on folks who have never heard of them-particularly non-Malayalam speakers here and our next generation of children who are unaware of the legacy they carry of such a rich literary heritage.

Q: Ultimately, what do you want to say through this book?

A: I want to encourage people to imagine! I want to encourage everyone to read, particularly fiction, and realize it can be more engaging and entertaining than watching a movie sometimes, as the imagination and possibilities in your mind are endless. I want someone to become curious about one of these characters, maybe look them up online and read about them.

Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

A: If you have a strong conviction about something, it’s worth going for it. Somehow, things will fall into place and the universe will make it happen for you. If it doesn’t work out as you expected it to, there will still be some things that you can take away from it. It’s a matter of perspective. Don’t be too focused on the end result as the process, the journey, will make it most meaningful.

Q: What is one thing people would be surprised to find out about you?

A: I was surprised to find out that I could manage coordinating such a large group of women who are unlike me. Personally, I like to plan ahead and arrange things ahead of time, but I had women in this photoshoot who would be preparing at the last minute, which was initially bothersome to me. Later, as the project went on, I realized I can be flexible to accommodate that. I do not need to worry about how others do things. Everyone has their own pace and modus operandi in life, I just need to trust it.

Q: Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend.

A: The theme would be “chill and unwind”—going to brunch in La Jolla, watching the seals at La Jolla Cove, catching the sunset at Sunset Cliffs, getting dinner in Old Town, and a nightcap in the Gaslamp Quarter would make it ideal.