Vaisakhan
M.K. Gopinathan Nair, popularly known as Vaisakhan, is an Indian short story writer, playwright, and screenwriter. As of 2016, he is the President of Kerala Sahitya Akademi.[1] His stories are known for their simplicity in style and freshness in theme. Many of his stories feature the Indian Railways as the backdrop.
Vaisakhan | |
---|---|
Native name | വൈശാഖൻ |
Born | M.K. Gopinathan Nair Muvattupuzha |
Occupation | Short story writer, screenplay writer, playwright |
Language | Malayalam |
Nationality | India |
Alma mater |
Early life, education and career
Vaisakhan was born in 1940 as Gopinathan to A.V. Krishna Kurup and Narayani Amma in Muvattupuzha.[2] He did his education from Maharaja's College, Ernakulam,[3] Nirmala College,[4] and St. Albert's College.
In 1964, he was appointed in the Southern Railway (India) as the station master. After 20 years of service, Vaisakhan took a voluntary retirement to pursue a full-time career in writing.[2]
Vaisakhan was married to Padma, who died in 1998. They have three children - Praveen, Pradeep, and Poornima. He currently lives in Paravattani, in Thrissur district.
Literary career
Vaisakhan's most notable work is Noolpalam Kadakkunnavar, a story that has won multiple awards and critical acclaim. His other published books include:[5]
Short story collection
Children's literature
- Meen Kaykkunna Maram (മീന് കായ്ക്കുന്ന മരം)
- Kathakalude Albhuthalokam (കഥകളുടെ അത്ഭുതലോകം)
Memoirs
- Vaisakhante Jeevithachinthakal (വൈശാഖന്റെ ജീവിതചിന്തകൾ)
- Oru Manassinte Rasathanthram (ഒരു മനസ്സിന്റെ രസതന്ത്രം)
- Ormayude Choottuvettam (ഒര്മ്മയുടെ ചൂട്ടുവെട്ടം)
- Ormayude Palangalil Pathinanju Sthreekal (ഒര്മ്മയുടെ പാളങ്ങളിൽ പതിനഞ്ചു സ്ത്രീകൾ)
Major awards
- 1989: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Story – Noolpalam Kadakkunnavar
- 1992: Cherukad Award – Noolpalam Kadakkunnavar[8]
- 1993: Abudhabi Shakthi Award
- 2010: M.C. Joseph Award[9]
- 2010: Kamala Surayya Award – Silencer (Short story collection)
- 2013: Ayanam - C.V. Sreeraman Katha Puraskaram[10]
- 2017: Prof. Joseph Mundasserry Award
Positions held
- President, Kerala Sahitya Akademi (August 2016 – present)[11]
- President, Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham (2013–present)
- Member, Thunchan Smaraka Samithi ( - present)
- Former Chairman, Kunchan Nambiar Smarakam - Killikurissimangalam[12]
- Former Advisor, Sahitya Akademi
- Former Administration team member, Kerala Sahitya Akademi
References
- "KERALA SAHITYA AKADEMI - About". Retrieved 7 December 2016.
- tommattam (5 January 2011), Interview with Vaisakhan-writer-Mattathil Thodupuzha., retrieved 7 December 2016
- "A special get-together at Maharaja's college". 17 December 2016. Retrieved 7 December 2016 – via The Hindu - Kerala.
- "Nirmala Alumni Association". www.nirmalaalumni.org. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
- "കെ.പി.എ.സി. ലളിത സംഗീതനാടക അക്കാദമി അധ്യക്ഷ" – via The Big 14 News.
- "Centralized OPAC Catalog › VAISAKHAN". central.tnopac.gov.in. Retrieved 7 December 2016.
- AKALATHIL VASANTHAM - Koha Online Catalog (1 ed.). VIMA.
- "Cherukad Award". Retrieved 7 December 2016.
- "KOCHI TODAY". 28 November 2010. Retrieved 7 December 2016 – via The Hindu - Kerala.
- "Award presentation". 12 January 2014. Retrieved 7 December 2016 – via The Hindu - Kerala.
- Praveen, S.R. (31 July 2016). "Vaisakhan to head Sahitya Akademi". Retrieved 7 December 2016 – via The Hindu - Thiruvananthapuram.
- "Kuncham Nambiar Smarakam - Killikurissimangalam". www.kunchannambiarsmarakam.com. Retrieved 7 December 2016.