T. P. Rajeevan

Thachom Poyil Rajeevan (born 1959, Paleri in Kozhikode, Kerala, India) is a poet, novelist and literary reviewer in Kerala, a southern state in India. He writes both in Malayalam, his native language and English. His poems have been translated into many languages and published in the United States and Europe. A regular contributor for The Hindu, where he writes literary reviews mostly in English. Although he enjoys a well-established place among the contemporary poets of Malayalam and started publishing poems in the early 1980s, he is not a prolific writer. There are 3 collections of poetry in Malayalam to his credit to date.

Novels

T. P. Rajeevan's two major novels, Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha (Paleri Manikyam: A Midnight Murder Mystery) and KTN Kottoor: Ezhuthum Jeevithavum,purapettu pokunna vaakk which were originally serialised in Mathrubhumi Weekly, caught attention of the public and was widely acclaimed. Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha was adapted into a film with the same name by Ranjith in 2009 and had Mammootty playing three major characters. Although many critics consider the film inferior when compared to the novel, it still won many awards. Rajeevan also wrote this novel in English, titled Undying Echoes of Silence. In 2014, his novel KTN Kottoor: Ezhuthum Jevvithavum was also adapted as a movie, Njaan by director Renjith.

Reviews

His poems have been translated and anthologised in various languages. He is also an editor for Yeti Books, the first publishing house in Kerala to publish exclusively in English. The venture received accolades from Sashi Tharoor who wrote in his column in The Hindu thus:

That the University of Calicut harbours such talent in its midst is itself a priceless public relations asset of which I hope the University's administrators are proud.

[1]

His collection of poems in English titled He Who Was Gone Thus was well-received. Anita Nair in a review appeared in the Hindu said that the collection would dazzle the reader even as one skimmed through it.[2] His latest book in Malayalam is a travelogue named Purappettu Pokunna Vaakku.

Awards and fellowships

Rajeevan was selected to Ledig House International Writers Residency in 2008. He is the second invitee from Kerala, and eight one from India.[3]

Personal life

Rajeevan is married to Sadhana P.R. and has two daughters, Sreedevi and Parvathy.

References