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M. Mukundan

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M. Mukundan
BornManiyambath Mukundan
(1942-09-10) 10 September 1942 (age 82)
Mahe, French India
Occupation
  • Writer
  • diplomat
CitizenshipIndian
Period1961 – present
Notable worksMayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil
Delhi Gadhakal
Daivathinte Vikrithikal
Notable awardsKerala Sahitya Akademi Award (1973)
Sahitya Akademi Award (1992)
Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (1998)
Crossword Book Award (2006)
Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2018)
JCB Prize (2021)

Maniyambath Mukundan (born 10 September 1942) is an Indian author of Malayalam literature and former diplomat. He worked as a cultural attaché at the Embassy of France in Delhi from 1961 to 2004, while concurrently working as an author. Many of his early works are set in Mahe (Mayyazhi), his homeland, which earned him the moniker Mayyazhiyude Kathakaaran (Mayyazhi's storyteller). He is known to be one of the pioneers of modernity in Malayalam literature. Some of his best known works include Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil, Daivathinte Vikrithikal, Kesavante Vilapangal, and Pravasam.[1]

He has received several literary awards, including Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award, Crossword Book Award, JCB Prize, and the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (the highest literary award of the Government of Kerala). He is also a recipient of the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres of the Government of France.[1]

Early life

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Mukundan was born on 10 September 1942 at Mahe, then a French overseas territory and now a part of the union territory of Puducherry in South India.[2][3] Mukundan worked as a cultural attaché at the New Delhi office of the Embassy of France in Delhi from 1961 to 2004. He concurrently worked as an author.[4]

Literary career

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His first literary work was a short story published in 1961[5] while the first novel, Delhi was published in 1969.[6] Mukundan has so far published 12 novels which include his later works such as Adithyanum Radhayum Mattu Chilarum, Oru Dalit Yuvathiyude Kadanakatha, Kesavante Vilapangal and Nritham and ten collections of short stories (which totals 171 in numbers till 2012). Adithyanum Radhayum Mattu Chilarum is a fictional story which dethrone the time from the narrative, it gives the readers a new method of writing. Oru Dalit Yuvathiyude Kadanakatha reveals how Vasundhara, an actress has been insulted in the course of acting due to some unexpected situations. It proclaims the postmodern message that martyrs are created not only through ideologies, but through art also. Kesavante Vilapangal (Kesavan's Lamentations) one of his later works tells the story of a writer Kesavan who writes a novel on a child named Appukkuttan who grows under the influence of E. M. S. Namboodiripad.[7] Daivathinte Vikrithikal has been translated into English and published By Penguin Books India.[8][9][10]

Three of his novels were made into feature films in Malayalam. He also co-wrote the screenplay of Daivathinte Vikrithikal (1992) for which he won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Story.[11] His novel Pravasam (sojourn in non-native land) is the story of a Malayali whose journeys carry him around the world.[12] Delhi Gadhakal (Tales from Delhi), a novel published in November 2011 is his recollections in India's capital city, New Delhi.[13][14]

Mukundan served as the president of Kerala Sahitya Akademi from October 2006 until March 2010.[15]

Awards and honours

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Mukundan received Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel in 1973 for Ee Lokam Athiloru Manushyan.[16] This was followed by Sahitya Akademi Award in 1992 when Daivathinte Vikrithikal (God's Mischief) was selected for the award; the novel also received the N.V. Puraskaram.[17] He received two honours in 1998, Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres of the Government of France[18] and the Muttathu Varkey Award.[19] He received the Vayalar Award in 2003, for Kesavante Vilapangal (Kesavan's Lamentations)[20] and three years later, the English translation of Kesavan's Lamentations received the 2006 Crossword Book Award.[7] The Government of Kerala awarded him their highest literary honour Ezhuthachan Puraskaram in 2018.[21][22] He also received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship the same year.[23] He is also a recipient of M. P. Paul Award.[24] In 2017, he received the T. K. Ramakrishnan Award, awarded as part of the Abu Dhabi Sakthi Awards, for his overall contribution.[25]

Mukundan received the JCB prize for literature in 2021 for his book Delhi: A Soliloquy.[26] His novel Nritham Cheyyunna Kudakal received the Basheer Award in 2022.[27] In 2023, he received the Thakazhi Award.[28] His most recent novel Ningal won the Padmarajan Award in 2023.[29]

Works

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Novels

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Year Title Publisher Ref.
1969 Aakashathinu Chuvattil
(Beneath the Sky) 		Kottayam: SPCS
[30]
1969 Delhi Thrissur: Current Books
[31]
1970 Avilayile Sooryodayam
(Sunrise at Avila) 		Thrissur: Current Books
[32]
1972 Haridwaril Mani Muzhangunnu
(Bells are Tolling in Haridwar) 		Kottayam: NBS
[33]
1972 Ee Lokam Athiloru Manushyan
(This World, In it a Man) 		Calicut: Poorna
1974 Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil
(On the Banks of River Mayyazhi) 		Kottayam: SPCS
1975 Kootam Thetti Meyunnavar Calicut: Poorna
[34]
1976 Oru School Master Kottayam: Priyamvada
1977 Seetha Kottayam: SPCS
[35]
1982 Ravum Pakalum
(Day and Night) 		Kottayam: SPCS
1984 Kili Vannu Vilichappol
(When the Bird Came Calling) 		Kottayam: DC Books
[36]
1989 Daivathinte Vikrithikal
(God's Mischief) 		Kottayam: DC Books
1993 Adityanum Radhayum Pinne Mattu Chilarum
(Adityan, Radha and the Others) 		Kottayam: DC Books
[37]
1996 Oru Dalit Yuvathiyude Kadanakatha
(The Tragic Story of a Young Dalit Woman) 		Kottayam: DC Books
[38]
1999 Kesavante Vilapangal
(Kesavan's Lamentations) 		Kottayam: DC Books
2000 Nrittam
(The Dance) 		Kottayam: DC Books [39]
2005 Pulayappattu
(The Song of the Pulayas) 		Calicut: Mathrubhumi [40]
2008 Pravasam
(Exile) 		Kottayam: DC Books
2011 Delhi Gadhakal
(Tales from Delhi) 		Kottayam: DC Books
2015 Kuda Nannakkunna Choyi
(Choyi, Who Mends Umbrellas) 		Kottayam: DC Books [41]
2017 Nrutham Cheyyunna Kutakal
(Dancing Umbrellas) 		Kottayam: DC Books
2023 Ningal
(You) 		Kottayam: DC Books

Novelettes

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Year Title Publisher Ref.
1979 Charlie Master Calicut: Poorna
[42]
1986 Aval Paranju Varoo
(collection of novelettes) 		Calicut: Malayalam Pub.
1989 Nagnanaya Thampuran
(The Naked Lord) 		Calicut: Malayalam Pub.
[43]
1989 Madamma Calicut: Poorna
[44]
1993 Ezhamathe Poovu
(The Seventh Flower) 		Kottayam: NBS
[45]

Short story collections

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Year Title Publisher Ref.
1967 Veedu (Home) Thrissur: Current Books
[46]
1969 Nadiyum Thoniyum Thrissur: Current Books
[47]
1971 Vesyakale Ningalkkorambalam Kottayam: SPCS
[48]
1973 Anchara Vayasulla Kutti Trivandrum: Navadhara
[49]
1977 Ezhamathe Poovu
(collection of 11 stories) 		Calicut: Poorna
1982 Thiranjedutha Kathakal
(Selected Stories) 		Kottayam: DC Books
1983 Hridayavathiyaya Penkutty Konni: Venus Book Depot
1985 Thattathippenninte Kalyanam
(The Marriage of the Goldsmith's Daughter) 		Kottayam: Current Books
[50]
1988 Thevidissikkili
(The Whoring Bird) 		Kottayam: Current Books
[51]
1990 Kallanum Polisum
(The Thief and the Police) 		Kottayam: Current Books
[52]
1990 Kathavaseshan
(new edition of Veedu) 		Kottayam: Current Books
1994 Russia Kottayam: DC Books
[53]
1995 Kannadiyude Kazcha
(The Eye of the Mirror) 		Kottayam: DC Books
[54]
2004 Pavadayum Bikiniyum Kottayam: DC Books
2004 Nagaravum Sthreeyum Calicut: Mathrubhumi
[55]
2008 Mukundante Kathakal Thrissur: Current Books
[56]
2009 Dinosarukalute Kalam Kottayam: DC Books
2009 Nattumpuram Kannur: Kairali Books
2009 Mukundante Kathakal Sampoornam Kottayam: DC Books
2013 Thanner Kudiyante Thandu Calicut: Mathrubhumi
[57]

Non-fiction

[edit]
  • Enthanu Aadhunikatha? (Calicut: Poorna, 1976)[58]

Memoirs

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  • Anubhavam Ormma Yathra (Calicut: Olive, 2014)[59]

Works translated

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References

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  1. ^ a b "M. Mukundan -- Malayalam Writer: The South Asian Literary Recordings Project (Library of Congress New Delhi Office)". www.loc.gov. 4 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  2. ^ "M. Mukundan on Good Reads". www.goodreads.com. 4 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  3. ^ "M. Mukundan on Kerala Culture.org". www.keralaculture.org. Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  4. ^ Najib, Rihan (9 September 2020). "M Mukundan: 'I grew up with Delhi'". Business Line. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
  5. ^ "About writer Mukundan". The New Indian Express. 13 June 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  6. ^ "M Mukundan on Keral.com". 5 August 2007. Archived from the original on 5 August 2007. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  7. ^ a b "Kesavan's Lamentations - Crossword.in". 24 February 2015. Archived from the original on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  8. ^ KAMALA, God's Mischief is a good read, with a French fragrance and flavour lingering in a very rooted Malayalam narrative, says N. (1 February 2003). "Old orders, new claims". The Hindu. p. 04. Retrieved 4 February 2019.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)[dead link]
  9. ^ "Making mischief... .By God !". The Hindu. 4 February 2019. Archived from the original on 24 March 2003. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  10. ^ Etteth, Ravi Shankar (18 November 2002). "Book review: M.Mukundan's 'God's Mischief'". India Today. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  11. ^ "State Film Awards 1969–2001". Information and Public Relations Department of Kerala. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  12. ^ "Pravasam is an attempt to redefine nostalgia, says M. Mukundan". The Hindu. 18 August 2008. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  13. ^ Shevlin Sebastian (28 October 2011). "The main character is Delhi". The New Indian Express. Shevlinsebastian.blogspot.in. Retrieved 24 February 2015.
  14. ^ M. Mukundan (21 November 2011). "ഇനി ഏത് ദേശത്തെക്കുറിച്ചാണ് ഞാൻ എഴുതേണ്ടത്?" (in Malayalam). Madhyamam Weekly. Archived from the original on 24 February 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2015. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  15. ^ Kerala Sahitya Akademi Annual Report: 2010–2011 (PDF) (in Malayalam), Kerala Sahitya Akademi, p. 5
  16. ^ "Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel". Kerala Sahitya Akademi. 4 February 2019. Archived from the original on 9 November 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  17. ^ "Katha profile". www.katha.org. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  18. ^ Staff Reporter (2 November 2011). "Finished work belongs to readers: Mukundan". The Hindu. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  19. ^ "Ezhuthachan Puraskaram for Mukundan". Deccan Chronicle. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  20. ^ "Vayalar award presented to Mukundan". The Hindu. 28 October 2003. Archived from the original on 3 December 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  21. ^ "Noted Malayalam writer M Mukundan wins Ezhuthachan award". The New Indian Express. November 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  22. ^ "Thiruvananthapuram: Ezhuthachan Puraskaram for Mukundan". Deccan Chronicle. 2 November 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  23. ^ "Akademi fellowships for Mukundan, Sankara Pillai". The Hindu. 22 December 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
  24. ^ "M P Paul Award Winners". www.goodreads.com. 4 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  25. ^ "അബുദാബി ശക്തി അവാർഡുകൾ പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു സമഗ്രസംഭാവന പുരസ‌്കാരം എം മുകുന്ദന്". Deshabhimani. 16 July 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  26. ^ Scroll Staff (13 November 2021). "Author M Mukundan wins JCB Prize for Literature 2021 for 'Delhi: A Soliloquy'". Scroll.in. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
  27. ^ "Basheer Award for Malayalam writer M. Mukundan". The Hindu. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  28. ^ "തകഴി സാഹിത്യ പുരസ്‌കാരം 17ന്‌ എം മുകുന്ദന്‌ സമ്മാനിക്കും". Deshabhimani. 8 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  29. ^ "എം.മുകുന്ദനും വി.ജെ ജെയിംസിനും പത്മരാജൻ സാഹിത്യ പുരസ്‌കാരം; ചലച്ചിത്ര പുരസ്‌കാരം ലിജോ ജോസ് പെല്ലിശ്ശേരിക്കും ശ്രുതി ശരണ്യത്തിനും". DC Books (in Malayalam). 22 May 2023. Retrieved 28 May 2023.
  30. ^ "Akasathinu Chuvattil". www.goodreads.com. 4 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  31. ^ "Delhi". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  32. ^ "Aavilayile Sooryodayam". www.goodreads.com. 1970. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  33. ^ "Haridwaril Manikal Muzhangunnu". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  34. ^ Mukundan, M. (1975). Koottam thetti meyunnavar. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  35. ^ "Seetha". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  36. ^ "Kili vannu vilichappol". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  37. ^ "Adityanum Radhayum Mattu Chilarum". www.goodreads.com. 4 February 2019. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  38. ^ "Oru Dalit Yuvathiyude Kadanakatha". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  39. ^ "Nrittam". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  40. ^ "Pulayapattu". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  41. ^ "Kuda Nannakkuna Choyi". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  42. ^ Charlie Master. MG University Library. ISBN 978-81-7180-362-0. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  43. ^ "Nagnanaya Thampuran". Kerala State Library Council. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  44. ^ "Madamma". Kerala State Library Council. Retrieved 11 January 2023.[permanent dead link]
  45. ^ "Ezhamathe Poovu". Kerala State Library Council. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  46. ^ "Veedum Mattu Kathakalum". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  47. ^ Nadiyum Thoniyum. 4 February 2019. ASIN 8130000954.
  48. ^ "Veshyakale Ningalkkorambalam". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  49. ^ "Anchara Vayasulla Kutti". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  50. ^ "Thattathipenninte Kalyanam". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  51. ^ Mukundan (M) (1997). "Thevidissikkili". Current Books. Retrieved 4 February 2019.[permanent dead link]
  52. ^ Mukundan, M. (1990). Kallanum polisum. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  53. ^ "Kannaatiyude Kaazhcha". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  54. ^ "Russia". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  55. ^ "Nagaravum Sthreeyum". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  56. ^ "Mukundante Kathakal". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  57. ^ "Latest books by Mathrubhumi: Thanner Kudiyante Thandu" Archived 2013-06-25 at the Wayback Machine
  58. ^ "Enthanu Athunikatha". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
  59. ^ "Anubhavam Prmma Yathra". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 4 February 2019.

Further reading

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