Chemmeen

Chembankunju, a fisherman, longs to own a boat and a net to expand his livelihood. Pareekutty finances this dream on the condition that all future hauls are sold only to him. This alliance seeds power dynamics that drive events later in the story.

Karuthamma, Chembankunju's daughter, falls in love with Pareekutty, a young fish trader. Chakki warns her daughter about the rigid social codes and the danger of such a relationship. The romance becomes a source of conflict as tradition clashes with desire.

Karuthamma sacrifices her love and marries Palani, an orphan discovered by Chembankunju during a fishing expedition. She accompanies him to his village and starts a new life as a wife and mother. Chembankunju, furious at the betrayal of the plan, disowns her.

With new boats and nets at his command, Chembankunju grows greedy and increasingly ruthless. His dishonest practices put Pareekutty into bankruptcy and threaten the livelihoods of others in the fishery. The once-dedicated father now wields wealth as a corrosive force.

The death of Chembankunju's wife leads him to marry Pappikunju, the widow of a man from whom he bought his first boat. Panchami is born as his younger daughter from this second marriage. The new wife and step-daughter dynamics foreshadow later conflict.

Pappikunju steals money from Chembankunju's savings to support her son who seeks a better life. Panchami uncovers the plan and informs Chembankunju, provoking a crisis in the household. The revelation fuels resentment and sets up further estrangement.

Chembankunju expels Pappikunju from the home after the theft. The successive setbacks push him toward madness as his life unravels. His family fractures as trust evaporates.

Alarmed by her father's madness, Panchami leaves to join Karuthamma, seeking shelter in the elder sister's family. The two sisters reunite in spirit as they face village life separately. The abrupt departure marks a turning point for both households.

Rumors of Karuthamma's old love with Pareekutty spread through the village. Palani's friends ostracize him and withdraw from fishing with him due to the gossip. Karuthamma endures the scorn while trying to uphold her duties as wife and mother.

With Karuthamma's support, Palani takes to fishing in a single-man boat and gradually prospers. The couple welcome a daughter, solidifying their hard-won stability. They find a measure of happiness amid community hostility.

Palani overhears Karuthamma asking Panchami about Pareekutty, and his trust collapses. He accuses her of cheating and resolves to leave for a fishing expedition that night. The suspicion plants a dangerous rift between them.

That same night, Karuthamma and Pareekutty meet again and their feelings are awakened. They confront the reality that their past passion has not vanished. The moment foreshadows the tragedy to come.

Palani, alone at sea, is caught in a huge whirlpool and swallowed by the ocean. His disappearance leaves his family in shock and grief. The narrative ties his fate to the storm of events engulfing Karuthamma and Pareekutty.

The next morning, Karuthamma and Parekutty are found dead hand in hand on the shore. Nearby lies the body and remains of the shark Palani had baited earlier. The tragedy completes the circle of loss that began with desire and greed.