SUGATHAKUMARI
Archives: Authors
SUGATHAKUMARI
Sugathakumari (1934–2020) was born in January 1934 and earned a Master’s degree in Philosophy. She served as the Principal of Jawahar Balabhavan in Thiruvananthapuram, editor of the children’s magazine Thalir, and Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission. She was also the founding secretary of both the Prakriti Samrakshana Samithi (Nature Conservation Society) and Abhaya, a shelter for women and the mentally ill. A celebrated poet and activist, she received numerous awards including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Pathirappookkal, the Sahitya Akademi Award, the Sahitya Pravarthaka Award for Rathrimazha, the Odakkuzhal Award, Asan Prize, Vayalar Award for Ambalamani, the Asan Memorial Committee (Madras) Award for Kurinjippookkal, the Vishwadeepam Award for Thulavarshappacha, Vallathol Award, Balamani Amma Award, P. Kunhiraman Nair Award, Lifetime Achievement Award for Children’s Literature, Basheer Award, V.T. Sahitya Award, Mathrubhumi Literary Award, Panampilly Pratibha Award, Sreesakthi Award, Abu Dhabi Malayali Samajam Award for Radhayevide?, Janmashtami Award for Krishnakavithakal, the Bhattia Award for social service, the Sacred Soul International Award, and India’s first Vrikshamitra Award from the Government of India for her work in environmental conservation. She also received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship, Durga Bai Deshmukh Award (as secretary of Abhaya), the prestigious Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, and the Saraswati Samman. In 2006, the Indian government honored her with the Padma Shri. She passed away on December 23, 2020.
Prof. A. Sreedhara Menon
Prof. A. Sreedhara Menon (1925-2010)
Born on December 18, 1925 at Eranakulam. Completed his M. A. Degree in History as a private candidate from the University of Madras with first rank in 1948. Went to Harvard University on a Fullbright Travel Grant and a Smith-Mund Scholarship and secured Masters degree in Political Science from there with specialisation in International Relations. Worked in various capacities such as Professor of History, State Editor of the Kerala Gazetteers, Registrar of the University of Kerala and UGC visiting Professor in the University of Calicut. Held many other positions during his eventful career. Apart from compiling eight District Gazetteers of Kerala he has written more than 25 books in English and Malayalam. Died in July 2010.
K. SARASWATHY AMMA
K. Saraswathy Amma (1919–1975) was born on April 4, 1919, in the village of Kunnappuzha near Thiruvananthapuram, to Karthyayani Amma and Padmanabha Pillai. She passed the E.S.L.C. examination in 1936 with first rank and graduated with a B.A. from Government Arts College, Thiruvananthapuram, in 1942. Although she enrolled for M.A. at University College, she could not continue her studies. Her first short story, Seethabhavanam, was published in the Mathrubhumi weekly in March 1938. Her first book, the novel Premabhajanam, was published in March 1944, followed by the short story collection Ponnmukudam and the play Devadoothi in 1945. Subsequent works included Sthreejanmam (1946), Keezhjeevankari, Kalamandiram (1949), Vivahasammanam (1950), Penbuddhi (1951), Kanatha Mathil (1953), Chuvanna Pookkal, Premapareekshanam (1955), Ellam Thikanja Bharya, Cholamarangal, Idivettu Thailam, and Purushanmarillatha Lokam (1958). Saraswathy Amma remained unmarried and passed away on December 26, 1975.
S. K. Pottekkatt
S. K. Pottekkatt (1913–1982) was born on March 14, 1913, in Kozhikode. He was a celebrated travel writer, novelist, and short story author. In 1949, he undertook his first foreign journey by sea and went on to visit most countries across Europe, Africa, America, South Asia, and East Asia, often interacting closely with local communities. He won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1962 for his novel Oru Theruvinte Katha and the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1973 for Oru Desathinte Katha, which also earned him the prestigious Jnanpith Award in 1980. The University of Calicut honored him with a doctorate. Other notable works include Nadan Premam and Vishakanyaka. He passed away on August 6, 1982.
P PADMARAJAN
P. Padmarajan (1945–1991) was born on May 23, 1945, at Njavarakkal House in Muthukulam, Alappuzha district, to Anantha Padmanabha Pillai and Devakiyamma. He studied at Muthukulam Boys High School and M.G. College, Thiruvananthapuram, earning a degree in Chemistry in 1963. He then spent two years studying Sanskrit under the great scholar Cheppad Achyutha Varrier. In April 1965, he joined All India Radio, Thrissur, as a program announcer and continued there until 1986. His first published work was the short story Lola Milford, the American Girl, which appeared in Koumudi in 1965. He went on to write around fifteen novels and over a hundred short stories. His debut novel Nakshathrangale Kaaval won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1972. In 1974, he entered the world of cinema through the film Prayaanam, marking the beginning of his work as a screenwriter and director. Padmarajan wrote 36 screenplays, including those for films he directed himself, and earned numerous national and international accolades as a filmmaker. He passed away on January 23, 1991, in Kozhikode.
KAROOR NILAKANTA PILLAI
Karoor Neelakanta Pillai (1898–1975) was born on February 22, 1898, in Ettumanoor near Kottayam. He began his professional life as a government school teacher and entered the literary world in 1932. His first short story, Bhrityavatsalyam, was published in the Mathrubhumi weekly. Over his career, he authored more than 200 short stories, the novels Gowri, Hari, and Panjiyum Thuniyum, ten children’s books, and the short play Appuppan. He received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Aanakaran (children’s literature) in 1959 and for the short story collection Mothiram in 1968. He played a key role in founding the Sahitya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society in 1945 and served as its secretary from its inception until 1965. Karoor Neelakanta Pillai passed away on September 30, 1975.
MALAYATTOOR RAMAKRISHNAN
Malayattoor Ramakrishnan (1927–1997) was born on May 30, 1927, in New Kalpathy, Palakkad. He earned his B.L. degree with first rank and joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1958. Over his career, he served in various key positions such as Sub Collector, Collector, Department Head, Government Secretary, Chairman and Managing Director of public sector undertakings, and Member of the Revenue Board. He resigned from the IAS in February 1981. He later served as the Chairman of the Kerala Lalithakala Akademi for seven years. His novel Verukal won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, while Yantram received the Vayalar Award and the Sahitya Pravarthaka Award. A versatile writer, he authored over 200 short stories and several screenplays. He was also known as a cartoonist and painter. Malayattoor Ramakrishnan passed away on December 27, 1997.
MADHAVIKKUTTY
Madhavikutty (1934–2009), later known as Kamala Surayya, was a renowned poet and writer. She was the daughter of the celebrated poet Nalappatt Balamani Amma and V. M. Nair, who was the Managing Editor of Mathrubhumi. Born on March 31, 1934, she wrote in both Malayalam and English. Over her literary career, she received numerous accolades, including the Asian Poetry Prize, Kent Award, Ashan World Prize, Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Short Story, Vayalar Award, and the prestigious Ezhuthachan Puraskaram. In 2001, she was honored with the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship. She passed away on May 31, 2009.
M. Sukumaran
M. Sukumaran (1943–2018) was born in 1943 in Chittur, Palakkad. His father was Narayana Mannadiar and his mother was Meenakshiamma. In 1963, he began working as a clerk at the Accountant General’s Office in Thiruvananthapuram, but was dismissed from service in 1974 due to his involvement in trade union activities. He authored several acclaimed works including Paara, Azhimukham, Shuddhavayu, Thookkumarangal Njangalkku, Charithragatha, Vanchikkunnampathi, and Pithrutharppanam. He received Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards for Marichittillathavaruṭe Smārakangal in 1976, Janithakam in 1997, and for his overall contributions in 2004. Pithrutharppanam won the Padmarajan Memorial Award for Best Short Story in 1992 and the U.P. Jayaraj Memorial Award in 2004. He also received the Muttathu Varkey and C.V. Kunhuraman Foundation Awards for lifetime achievement in 2008 and 2016, respectively. Sukumaran won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Story for Sheshakriya in 1981 and Kazhakam in 1995. His story Pithrutharppanam was adapted into the film Margam, which won the Kerala State Award for Best Feature Film in 2003. In 2006, he was honored with the Central Sahitya Akademi Award for his novella collection Chuvanna Chihnangal. He passed away on March 16, 2018.
M P NARAYANAPILLAI
M. P. Narayana Pillai (1939–1998) was born on November 22, 1939, in Perumbavoor. His wife was Prabhapillai. He held a degree in Agricultural Science and served in various roles, including journalist, telephone operator, and Planning Commission official. He worked extensively in journalism, holding positions such as Chief of Publications for the Commerce Group in Mumbai, Indian correspondent for McGraw-Hill World News, associate editor of Far Eastern Economic Review, editor of Trial, and editor of Minerals and Metals Review. He authored sixteen works spanning short stories, novels, and essays. His novel Parinama received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1991. He passed away in Mumbai on May 19, 1998.