V. K. N.

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Born on April 6, 1932, in Thiruvilwamala, near Ottappalam, Kerala, V. K. N. (abbreviated from his full name Vadakkke Koottala Narayanankutti Nair), was a Malayalam novelist. Apart from novels, he wrote short stories, satirical pieces and political commentaries. His works are considered distinctive for their dark humour, trenchant criticism of the political class, and impressive ability to stretch the limits of language. V. K. N's works call for an attentive and informed reader who can recognize his allusions and follow his changes in language, where he shifts between English, Hindi, Malayalam and a distinctive variety of Tamil spoken by the Iyer community in Palghat. In most cases, the use of language other than Malayalam is immediately followed by a translation (in parentheses), but these translations have little do with what they stand for in the original.

After matriculation, he joined the Malabar Devasom Board and worked there for 9 years. Like a good number of modern Malayalam writers, such as O. V. Vijayan, Anand, and others, V. K. N. spent many years in New Delhi form 1959 through 1969, as an English journalist. The experiences of these years that also coincideded with the pre-adolescence of independent India finds a recreation in one of his most heralded works, Arohanam. He entered Malayalam literature in 1955.

VKN is considered as a genius, for his knowledge in agriculture, philosophy, astrology, history, art literature and sport. Without an acquaintance with his writing style, it is very difficult to understand what he actually means. His humour comes from inverting his own language. In certain stories/narrations the characters of the story/narration comment about the author. Sadly, Malayalam critics couldn't understand him well and a proper study about his works and style is yet to happen in the language. Served as vice-chair, Kerala Sahitya Academy, Trichur. He also was the chair, Kunchan Nambiar Smarakam, Killikkurussimangalam, Ottappalam. He passed away on Jan 25, 2004.

Contents

[edit] Works

[edit] Novels

  • Arohanam (V. K. N. himself translated this work into English with the title Bovine Bugles)
  • Pithamahan
  • Adhikaram
  • Anantharam
  • Asuravani
  • Penpada
  • Kaavi
  • General Chathans
  • Manchal
  • Syndicate
  • Vivahappittennu

[edit] Collections of Short Stories

  • Payyan Kathakal
  • Sir Chathuvinte Ruling
  • Hajyaru
  • Mananchira Test
  • V. K. N. Kathakal
  • Payyans
  • Ambathu Kathakal
  • Oru Nooru Mini Kathakal
  • Ayyaayiravum Kooppum
  • Naanuaru

[edit] Awards

  • 1969: Kerala Sahitya Academy Award; (for Arohanam)
  • 1978: MP Paul Award; (for overall contribution in Malayalam short story)
  • 1982: Kendra Sahitya Academy Award; (for Payyan Kathakal)
  • 1987: Religious Harmony Award; (instituted by the Organisation of Understanding and Fraternity, New Delhi
  • 1997: Muttathu Varkey Award; (for Pitamahan)
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