GRUHABHANGA IS ONE OF THE SEVERAL HIGHLY ACCLAIMED WORKS WRITTEN BY S. L. BHYRAPPA. THIS KANNADA NOVEL BEARS PROOF OF THE AUTHOR'S RELENTLESS SEARCH FOR TRUTH AND AN EXPLORATION OF WOMEN'S PLACE IN MODERN SOCIETY. THE TEMPORAL BACKDROP OF THE STORY IS THE EARLY 20TH CENTURY. THE NOVEL OPENS IN A RURAL SETTING WHERE NANJAMMA, A WOMAN WHO ASSAYS THE VARIOUS ROLES OF DAUGHTER, WIFE, DAUGHTER-IN-LAW, AND MOTHER, IS TRAPPED IN A SUFFOCATING FAMILIAL SITUATION. SHE HAS TO PUT UP WITH HER LAZY, TOBACCO ADDICTED HUSBAND CHENNIGARAAYA, AN OVERBEARING MOTHER-IN LAW GANGAMMA AND AN UNEDUCATED, SUPERSTITIOUS NEIGHBORHOOD IN GENERAL. ADDED TO ALL THIS IS THE CURSE OF ACUTE POVERTY. DESPITE THE APPARENTLY HOPELESS ARRANGEMENT, NANJAMMA SHINES WITH INNER STRENGTH OF DETERMINATION AND IT IS THIS STRONG WILL THAT DRIVES HER TO FINALLY OVERCOME HER PROBLEMS.