CPPR Book Discussion on

“Fontamara”

Authored by Ignazio Silone, an Italian Novelist, and

Translated by P K Hormis Tharakan IPS (Retd)

Date: Tuesday, 17th February, 2026 | Time: 3:00 – 5:00 PM | Venue: Abad Knightsbridge Apartments, Kadavanthra

The Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) is hosting a book discussion – Fonthamara, the most celebrated work of Italian novelist Ignazio Silone, translated by P K Hormis Tharakan IPS (Retd), Former DGP of Kerala and Chief of R&AW, and Advisor to CPPR. This book was published by Prism Books Pvt Ltd in 2025.

About the Book

“Fontamara” is a novel by Ignazio Silone that depicts the struggles of impoverished Italian peasants under fascist rule. Set in the village of Fontamara, the story reveals the exploitation and resistance of its inhabitants against oppressive forces. From its first to its concluding sentence, it is aimed against the Fascist regime, its lies, brutalities, and abominations. Fontamara is a book of impassioned political propaganda. But in it, revolutionary passion attains such heights as to result in a genuinely artistic creation. He tells his tale through the
persons of the peasants, the cafoni, and the village paupers themselves. Despite the extraordinary difficulty of such a presentation, the author handles it like a true master.

The book is available on Amazon  and Flipkart

About the Author

Ignazio Silone

Ignazio Silone (1900–1978), born Secondino Tranquilli, was a prominent Italian novelist, journalist, and politician known for his staunch anti-fascist, anti-totalitarian, and social-justice-focused literature. His most famous works, notably Fontamara (1933) and Bread and Wine (1937), portrayed the struggles of poor rural Italian peasants and his disillusionment with communism.

About the Translator

P K Hormis Tharakan IPS (Retd)

Hormis Tharakan is a former Chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), India’s external intelligence agency (designated as Secretary (R) in the Cabinet Secretariat, Govt of India). He is a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Kerala cadre (1968 batch). He was also the Director General of Police of the state of Kerala, India. He had also served as a member of the National Security Advisory Board that acts as an advisory body to the National Security Council of India.

Moderator

Dr Dhanya S Panicker 

Dr Dhanya S Panicker, Asst. Professor, Dept of Malayalam, Maharajas College, Ernakulam. She holds a PhD in postmodernism in Contemporary Poetry from MG University. She started her career as a Govt School teacher, higher Secondary teacher, and joined KKTM Govt College on 1st July 2025. She is currently residing at Tripunithura.

Click here to download and read the Malayalam translation of “Fontamara”