M. MUKUNDAN (എം. മുകുന്ദൻ)

M. MUKUNDAN (എം. മുകുന്ദൻ)

M. Mukundan is one of the pioneers of modernity in Malayalam literature, belonging to Mahe, part of Pondicherry Union Territiry in South India. He was born on 10 September 1942 at Mayyazhi(Mahe) a one-time French territory in India  . He served as the president of Kerala Sahitya Akademy  from October 2006 until March 2010..Though he carved a niche for himself in Malayalam literature through his existentialist novels that heralded an era of creative anarchy in Kerala, Mukundan never ceased to experiment not only with themes and locales but also with form. Hence, he is regarded as a writer who appeals to all generations of readers. He is recipient of many national and international awards including AChevalier des Arts et des Lettres from the French Government, Sahitya Akademi Award and the prestigious Cross Word Award. The Library of Congress has in its collection thirty-two works by Mukundan and two on him.

Mukundan is known in Kerala as Mayyazhiyude Kathakaaran (The story-teller of Mayyazhi). His native village of Mayyazhi figures in his early works: Mayyazhipuzhayude Theerangalil ; Daivathinte Vikrithikal, Appam Chudunna Kunkiyamma and Lesli Achante Kadangal. His first literary work was a  short story published in 1961. Mukundan has so far published 12 novels and ten collections of short stories. Mukundan's latest four novels Adithyanum Radhayum Mattu Chilarum', Oru Dalit Yuvathiyude Kadanakatha,Kesavante Vilapangal and Nritham carries a change in structure and approach. Oru Dalit Yuvathiyude Kadanakatha reveals how Vasundhara, an actress has been insulted in the course of acting due to some unexpected situations. It proclaims the postmodern message that martyrs are created not only through ideologies, but through art also.

In 2008, Mukundan's magnum opus Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil fetched him the award for the best novel published in the last 25 years. Three of his novels were made into feature films in Malayalam . Mukundan wrote the script and one of them bagged a state film award. Mukundan's novel Pravasam (sojourn in non-native land) and tells the story of a Malayali whose journeys carry him around the world.The French government conferred on him the title of Chevalier des Arts et des Leters in 1998 for his contribution to literature.His novel Delhi Gadhakal (Tales from Delhi) was released in November 2011. In this work, the author takes us through his recollections in India's capital city, New Delhi.

Prof. John Kurakar

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