RICH TRIBUTE PAID TO NOVELIST KAKKANADAN

RICH TRIBUTE PAID TO NOVELIST KAKKANADAN

Kakkanadan

The Eminent novelist George Varghese Kakkanadan - popularly known as Kakkanadan ,one of the pioneers of modern Malayalam Literature,died on 19th October,2011, Wednesday morning, according to family sources. He was 76.Kakkanadan was battling cancer for the past few years. He breathed his last at a private hospital in Kollam, 70 km from Thiruvananthapuram. He is survived by his wife, two sons and a daughter.

A multi-faceted personality, Kakkanadan began his career as a school teacher. He later worked with the Indian Railways in Delhi for 10 years before he quit his job to pursue his interest in Physics and went to West Germany in 1967.But after a few years of dabbling in Physics, he quit his research and shifted full time to writing.He was often credited with laying the foundation of modernism in Malayalam literature and was a recipient of the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award.He authored numerous short stories and novels. Two of his popular works have been made into superhit Malayalam films.His popular works include 'Ushnamekhala', 'Vasoori', 'Japana Pukayila', 'Kakkanadante Priyakathakal' and 'Saakshi'.A jovial personality, Kakkanadan was known for his trade mark flowing hair and one who used to express his feelings very openly and had a huge fan following.

Novelist Kakkanadan & Prof. John Kurakar

Kakkanadan's early works broke new ground in Malayalam fiction on account of their earnest exploration of deeper realities of life by employing a new diction and narrative methods. Though vast majority of readers initially found it hard to accept the modern trends ushered in by Kakkanadan and some of his contemporaries, their works soon created a new sensibility marking a radical break from the past. Kakkanadan's major works include 'Vasuri', 'Ezham Mudra', 'Ushnameghala', 'Parankimala' and 'Kshathriyan'. He has also penned hundreds of short stories, known for their freshness of themes and unique narrative style. Hailing from a family known for their Left sympathies, Kakkanadan, after his graduation worked for the Indian Railways in New Delhi for a while but left the job to pursue a whole time literary career.

  Kakkanadan had received several A multi-faceted personality, Kakkanadan began his career as a school teacher. He later worked with the Indian Railways in Delhi for 10 years before he quit his job to pursue his interest in Physics and went to West Germany in 1967.But after a few years of dabbling in Physics, he quit his research and shifted full time to writing.He was often credited with laying the foundation of modernism in Malayalam literature and was a recipient of the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award. honours including the Kendra Sahitya Academy award.  The body of Kakkanadan was kept at the hospital chapel for some time for the public to pay their last respects. Labour Minister Shibu Baby John and Mayor Prasanna Earnest arrived at the chapel to pay their last respects. The body was brought to his house at Madan Nada-Bharanikavu in the city by 11.30 am. The body was brought  at muncipal town hall Kollam at 1 pm on Thursday,20th October,2011 for the public to pay thier homage. As the body was brought to the house,hundreds of people from all walks of life were thre to pay their last respects to the master story teller. District Collector P.G Thomas placed a wreath of flowers on the body on behalf of the State government. Among those who paid their last respects to the Writer were Kollam M.P Peethambara Kurup, former Ministers C.V Padmarajan, P.K Gurudasan,N.K Pramachandran and Benoy Viswom, Film director T.V Chandran, writer Perumbadavam Sreedharan, Sethu and Balachandran,Journalist B.R.P Bhaskar,CPI Leader Prakash Babu and Congress leaders Sooranad Rajashekaran and Bindu Krishna.
 A leading Malayalam Novelist Kakkanadan was a sociable person. He had won the Kerala Sahithya Akademi award for his novel Ordha in 1984.He won the Kerala Sahithya Akademy award in 2005 and the kerala Sahithya Akademy Fellowship in 2008. Minister K.Babu said Kakkanadan's death was abig loss for Malayalam Literature. He had opened up new paths for modern Malayalam Literature. Though his works he will live in the hearts of Malaylam Literature lovers foreever he added. Film actor Mukesh said that Kakkanadan's death was  aloss not only the world Literature but also to Kollam where wayone  was his friend. He had crafted novel with a difference and had always encouraged people with talents.His novel always reflected the sound of of youth he added. Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademy Secretary P.V krishna said that Kakkanadan gave a kerala entity to modern Malyalam Literature.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy described Kakkanadan as a brilliant writer who opened the windows of modeernism to Malayalam Literature. His works stood out for projecting man's helplessness and grief even as he rejected traditional value concepts.
Kerala has given its final farewell writer Kakkanadan, one of the pioneers of modernity in Malayalam literature. His funeral was held with full state honours at the Palayathodu public cemetry at a plot specially allotted by the corporation. The body was taken to the cemetery after services at the Marthomma cemetery chapel.

    

    Kottarakara Based Kurakar Cultural Forum arranged a condolence meeting at 5 p.m on 21st October at Kottarakara Kurakar Town Center. Prof. John Kurakar, Mr. Sam Kurakar, Dr. Balakrishnan, Dr Jaya Sankar, Dr.Manoj, Dr. Jaya Kumar, Dr Gangadharan Nair, Prof. Varghese John were spoke on the condolence meeting.                                                                                   Prof. John Kurakar