KARUR NEELAKANTA PILLAI

Karoor, Neelakanta Pillai(Malayalam: കാരൂർ നീലകണ്ഠപ്പിള്ള) (1898–1975) was a Malayalam short story writer and one of the founders of Sahithya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham (Writers' Co-operative Society). Karoor was born on 22 February 1898, in the village of Ettumanoor, in  Kottayam district, Kerala, to Kunhilekshmy Amma and Neelakanta Pillai. Karoor is his housename. He began his career as a school teacher. He is considered one of the best short storytellers of the Malayalam language.

Karoor was born in 22 February 1898 in the village of Ettumanoor   in  Kottayam district, Kerala  Kunhilekshmy Amma and Neelakanta Pillai. Karoor is his housename. He began his career as a school teacher.  He and  Vaikom Muhammad Basheer are considered to be the preeminent storytellers in Malayalam literature .  His short stories often portray the plight of the middle class in a simple and straightforward manner.^[3] Many of his stories were translated into other Indian languages and English. The short story "Anakkaran" (The Elephant Boy) was translated into English by Santa Ramesvara Rao.^[4] He wrote many stories for children. His story "Anchu Kadalasu" was filmed. In 1960, he received the Kerala Sahithya Academi Award.. He died in 1975.

Works:-Marappavakal (Wooden Dolls), Pathu Kadhakal (Ten Stories) ,Thirangedutha Kadhakal (Selected Stories) ,Rahasyam (Secret),Ambalapparambil (Temple Courtyard), Poovanpazham, Orupidimannu (A fist full of earth),Meenkari (Fisher woman),Smarakom, Thoopukaran (Sweeper),Kochanujathi (Little sister),Astrologer, Gruhanayika (Lady of the house) His most famous novels are Gauri, Hari and Panjiyum Thuniyum.,Apoopan (Grandfather) is his sole drama.He has written several stories for children, including:, Anchu Kadalasu,Enne Rajavakkanam (Make me King), Annakaran (The Mahout),Azhakanum Poovaliyum,Olayum Narayavum ,Bhruthyan ,Manmayil

Prof. John Kurakar