NS MADHAVAN

N. S. Madhavan was born in Ernakulam. He received his IAS in 1975 and was a civil service officer. He is a prominent Malayalam writer and former civil servant, known for his sharp social and political commentary. A distinguished short story writer and novelist. Madhavan is credited with making a significant contribution to bringing short story literature back into the mainstream. 

He is best known for his novel ‘Lanthanbatheriyile Luthiniyakal’ and several celebrated short stories, including ‘Higuita’, ‘Thiruthu’, ‘Chulaimedile Shavangal’, Panchakanyakakal, Bheemachan and ‘Vanmarangal Veezhumpol’. In addition to fiction, Madhavan writes columns on football and travel.

In 1970, his story ‘Shishu‘ won the first prize in the short story competition organised by Mathrubhumi for college students. He is a distinguished fellow of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi and has won numerous prestigious awards, including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi and Odakkuzhal award for his work Higuita, the Mulberry, Padmarajan and V.P. Sivakumar Memorial ‘Keli’ for best single stories, Muttathu Varkey Award, Mathrubhumi Literary Award, Crossword Book Award, and the Kerala State Students Federation Sahithyolsav Award. He was also selected three times for the ‘Katha’ Prize in Delhi.