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N. Prabhakaran

エヌ・プラバカラン

N. Prabhakaran

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1952-12-30 （Parassinikkadavu, Kannur, Kerala, India）
Nationality
India
Languages
Malayalam, English
Residence History
Madayi → Dharmadam, Thalassery → Various locations in Kerala

Career

Occupations
Writer (short stories, novels), Poet, Playwright, Essayist, Educationist, Editor, Columnist, Professor (Malayalam)
Active Years
1966-
Affiliations
Lekshmipuram College of Arts and Science, Neyyoor, University College, Thiruvananthapuram, CKG Memorial Govt College, Perambra, Government Brennen College, Thalassery, University of Calicut (Visiting Professor of Malayalam)

Education

Payyannur College
Country: India
Government Brennen College, Thalassery
Department of Malayalam
Country: India
Later retired as Head of the Malayalam Department

Awards

Mathrubhumi weekly short story competition (Vishu special) – First prize (college students)
1971
Work: Ottayante Pappan
Organization: Mathrubhumi (weekly)
Result: 受賞
State level drama competition – First prize (Pulijanmam)
1987
Work: Pulijanmam (play)
Category: 演劇
Organization: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
Result: 受賞
Cherukad Award
1987
Work: Pulijanmam
Organization: Cherukad Award organization
Result: 受賞
Kerala Sahithya Akademi Award
1987
Work: Pulijanmam
Organization: Kerala Sahithya Akademi
Result: 受賞
Katha Award (New Delhi)
1994
Work: Pigman
Organization: Katha
Result: 受賞
Kerala Sahithya Akademi Award (for Rathrimozhi)
1996
Work: Rathrimozhi (short story collection)
Organization: Kerala Sahithya Akademi
Result: 受賞
EMS Memorial Award (Munnad EMS Smaraka Trust)
2005
Work: Thiyoor Rekhakal
Organization: Munnad EMS Smaraka Trust
Result: 受賞
Melur Damodaran Sahithya Puraskaram
2008
Work: Jeevande Thelivukal
Organization: Melur Damodaran Sahithya Puraskaram organization
Result: 受賞
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer Smaraka Sahithya Award
2009
Work: Thiranjetutha Kathakal (Selected Stories)
Organization: Vaikom Muhammad Basheer Smaraka Award committee
Result: 受賞
Malayattoor Award
2010
Work: Janakdha
Organization: Malayattoor Award committee
Result: 受賞
Muttathu Varkey Memorial Award
2011
Organization: Muttathu Varkey Trust
Result: 受賞
Padmarajan Award
2017
Work: Kulipathalam
Organization: Padmarajan Award committee
Result: 受賞
Odakkuzhal Award
2019
Work: Mayamanushyar
Organization: Odakkuzhal Award committee
Result: 受賞
Crossword Book Award (translation)
2020
Work: Diary of a Malayali Mad Man (translated by Jayasree Kalathil)
Category: 翻訳
Organization: Crossword Book Award
Result: 受賞
Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship
2022
Category: 栄誉
Organization: Kerala Sahitya Akademi
Result: フェローシップ授与
Dharmadam Bank M P Kumaran Award
2023
Work: For comprehensive contribution to Malayalam literature
Organization: Dharmadam Bank
Result: 受賞
Various other regional and state awards

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Ottayante Pappan

1971 Short story

An early short story that established the author; focuses on local society and character psychology.

local societycoming of ageindividual vs community

Pulijanmam

1987 Play

A socially critical play that was later adapted into a film; the film won a National Film Award.

social critiqueidentitypower and alienation
Adaptations
  • [Film] Pulijanmam / Priyanandanan (2006)

Thiyoor Rekhakal

1999 Novel 211 pages

A novel set against the social and historical backdrop of North Kerala, weaving regional elements with personal histories.

regionmemorysocial change

Diary of a Malayali Mad Man

2013 Novel / diary-fiction

Through the protagonist's inner life and social observations, the book depicts facets of modern Indian society. It was translated into English and gained wider attention.

mindsocial observationmodernity and disarray
Translations
  • Diary of a Malayali Mad Man (translated by Jayasree Kalathil)

Mayamanushyar

2019 Novel

A novel reflecting aspects of contemporary society, portraying the boundary between reality and illusion.

reality vs illusionsocial critique

Bibliography

  • Ottayante pappan
  • Rathrimozhi
  • Thiyoor Rekhakal
  • Pulijanmam
  • Diary of a Malayali Mad Man
  • Mayamanushyar
  • Many other works (around 55 books)

Adaptations

  • Pulijanmam (play) → Film 'Pulijanmam' (dir. Priyanandanan, 2006; film won National Film Award)

Translations of Works

  • Diary of a Malayali Mad Man (translated by Jayasree Kalathil)
  • Theeyoor Chronicles (translated by Jayasree Kalathil)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
regional realismsocially critical perspectivepsychologically rich narration
Recurring Motifs
North Kerala milieu and cultureeducation and schoolingmemory and lossconflict between individual and community

Legacy

N. Prabhakaran is a versatile Malayalam writer known for his regional portrayals and social critique across multiple genres. His work has been introduced nationally and internationally through film adaptations and English translations, and he has contributed to literary education through initiatives such as the Sahithya Padasala.

Academic Societies

  • Kerala Sahitya Akademi (awarded fellowship)

In Popular Culture

  • Film adaptation of the play 'Pulijanmam' (2006; film won National Film Award)

Trivia

  • Began writing in 1966 and came to prominence with the 1971 short story 'Ottayante Pappan'.
  • Has around 55 books to his credit.
  • The 2017 short story 'Kaliyezhuthu' sparked controversy over its depiction of educational practices.
  • Runs an informal literature course 'Sahithya Padasala' in North Kerala.