PONKUNNAM VARKEY
Ponkunnam Varkey (1910---2004) was a writer and activist living in Kerala, India. He is considered a leading figure of the 'progressive' school of Malayalam fiction. Varkey was born on July 1, 1911 in a Syrian Christian family of Edathua village in Kuttanad , Alappuzha district, to Katappuram Varkey Joseph and Annamma Joseph. After his father's death Varkey went to his mother's house at Ponkunnam in .While studying in school, he was attracted to Indian independence movement and the subject matter of his early writings was related to this theme. After high school studies he passed the Malayalam 'Vidwan' examination; the then prevalent qualifying test for language teachers and joined a private school as teacher and later moved to a government school. His first collection of short stories 'Thirumulkazhcha' won the award of the Madras government in 1939. Soon he resigned his job and jumped into the freedom struggle and was imprisoned. He was associated with the Communist Party for some time and was the secretary of Purogamana Sahithya Sanghadana' (progressive writers' forum) for five years. His short stories 'Manthrikkettu' and 'Model' were banned in 1946 by the government of the princely state of Travancore on the charge of treason and Varkey was imprisoned for six months .
He was one of the founders of S.P.C.S, world’s largest writers' publishing cooperative and functioned as its president. In 1973 he was nominated as the president of Kerala Sahitya Academy . In 1997'Ezhuthachan Puraskaram' the highest literary honour of the Kerala government was awarded to Varkey . He died on July 2, 2004.The recurrent themes of Varkey's writings are the decadence in the echelons of power and the corruption among the clergy. His style is direct, simple and unostentatious and the characters of his stories are ordinary rural folk, mostly farmers and workers. Varkey has published 24 volumes of short stories, 16volumes of plays, two collection of poems one collection of essays(profiles of some politicians and public figures) and a volume of autobiography .He wrote screen plays for several films and produced two films.
The grand old man of Malayalam literature, Varkey shot into fame with his short stories. With his fiery spirit and outspoken nature he soon earned the title 'The Rebel'. He pictured the dishonesty anddeceit prevalant in the society in his novels and stories, and urged the common men to rise against them. His rebellious nature has won him many admirers and fans. Varkey was the recipient of various award including Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (1997), Vallathol Puraskaram, Koduppunna award Kaladarsana (1995), Kerala State Film Critic Award and Kerala Sahitya Academy Fellowship. He had published more than 40 books including short stories and dramas and written over 100 short stories. Shabdikkunna Kalappa, Visharikku Kaattu Venda, Althara etc are a few of the masterpieces authored by Varkey.
Vidhwan V.J.Varkey was a Teacher first in Private school and then in Govt School. Varkey was a fearless critic of Divan Sir. C.P Ramaswamy Ayyar, Catholic Church and Priests. . He was a well known Short story writer, Play writer and scriptwriter for films. His first book was Thirumulkazha(1939) . At first he wrote with the name Vidwan V.A.Varkey. Ponkunnam V.J. Joseph author of the poetry Thyagadarsam asked Varkey to change it to Ponkunnam Varkey. His popular stories include Democracy, Aniyara, Anthithiri, Veliyi Enikku Sthalamilla, Model, Idivandi, Manthrikettu, Vazhavettu, father Plenkodu, Anthnee neeyum achanayoda? Tution etc.
Plays include Vazhithurannu ( on the life story of M.P.Paul ,the Critic), Visakkunna Karinkaly, Vissarikku Kattuvenda, Jethakkal,Swargam Nanikkunnu, Janoradhikappattanu, Althara ,Erumpumara and Kathirukana Kili and Pooja
, Ponkunnam Varkey, who died on Friday, July 2nd, 2004, was entombed in a specially-constructed crypt in his house compound this evening. The funeral was held with State honours. While some of his family members wanted the funeral to be held at the family crypt at the cemetery of St. Mary's Church at Pulickal Kavala, near Pampady, the wishes of the activists of Navalokam Cultural Society, an organisation closely linked to the CPI(M), prevailed. The body was taken to the Perumcheril House by noon. Hundreds of people, braving heavy rain, lined up to pay their respects to one of the last of the `Titans of Malayalam literature'. While political leaders irrespective of political affiliation lined up to pay homage to Varkey, the literati was conspicuous by their absence. Only Sukumar Azhikode and Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan, president of the Purogamana Kalasamskarika Sanghom, arrived to pay their respects. The body was interred at the crypt after the special prayers of the Syro-Malabar Church.
Prof. John Kurakar
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