In nineteenth century Madras, an announcement about a British ship bound for the Caribbean seeking passengers to work on their plantations attracts several unusual folk.
One is Kuyil, a poor Tamil fishergirl, who, with her parents, hopes to make a better living abroad than she does in her little fishing boat in the Bay of Bengal.
Another is Nithila, a beautiful young woman seeking to make a new life away from the taunts and harassment she faces on a daily basis for belonging to a low caste.
Then there is Selva, a young man whom Kuyil is desperately in love with. There was only one problem—Selva is in love with another man.
The Eye of the Fish is the story of these Tamil migrant workers who face loss, hardship, and extreme working conditions in their new home, but who also find love, friendship, and eventually, freedom.