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A. Sethumadhavan

エー・セトゥマダヴァン

A. Sethumadhavan

Pen Names: Sethu（Pen name (used for literary works)）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1942-06-05 （Chendamangalam, Ernakulam district, Kerala, India）
Nationality
Indian
Languages
Malayalam, English
Residence History
Chendamangalam, Kerala → Bombay (Mumbai) → Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) → Pune → New Delhi → Kochi (Ernakulam area)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Banker
Active Years
1956-
Affiliations
South Indian Bank (Chairman & CEO), Corporation Bank (General Manager), National Book Trust (former Chairman), State Bank of Travancore (board member), Indian Meteorological Department (former employee)
Memberships
National Book Trust (former Chairman), State Bank of Travancore (board member)
Influenced By
M. T. Vasudevan Nair

Education

Union Christian College, Aluva
Faculty of Science / Department of Physics
Degree: B.Sc.
Period: 1956–1960
Year of Graduation: 1960
Country: India
Completed bachelor's degree in Physics at age 18

Awards

Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Story
1978
Work: Petiswapnangal
Organization: Kerala Sahitya Akademi
Result: 受賞
Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel
1982
Work: Pandavapuram
Organization: Kerala Sahitya Akademi
Result: 受賞
Viswadeepam Award
1989
Work: Niyogam
Organization: Viswadeepam
Result: 受賞
Padmarajan Award
1994
Work: Uyarangalil
Organization: Padmarajan Foundation
Result: 受賞
Malayattoor Award
1999
Work: Kaimudrakal
Organization: Malayattoor Foundation
Result: 受賞
Kerala State Film Award for Best Story
1997
Work: Poothiruvathira Ravil (based on novel Njangal Adimakal)
Organization: Kerala State Film Awards
Result: 受賞
Vayalar Award
2006
Work: Atayalangal
Organization: Vayalar Ramavarma Foundation
Result: 受賞
Pravasi Kairali Sahitya Puraskaram
2006
Organization: Pravasi Kairali
Result: 受賞
Muttathu Varkey Award
2003
Work: Pandavapuram
Organization: Muttathu Varkey Foundation
Result: 受賞
Sahitya Akademi Award
2007
Work: Atayalangal
Organization: Sahitya Akademi (India)
Result: 受賞
Crossword Book Award (Shortlisted)
2009
Work: The Wind from the Hills (English translation of Niyogam)
Organization: Crossword Book Awards
Result: 最終候補
Abu Dhabi Sakthi Award (Children's Literature)
2020
Work: Appuvum Achuvum
Organization: Abu Dhabi Sakthi
Result: 受賞
Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship
2020
Organization: Kerala Sahitya Akademi
Result: 受賞
Odakkuzhal Award
2013
Work: Marupiravi
Organization: Odakkuzhal Foundation
Result: 受賞
Ezhuthachan Puraskaram
2022
Organization: Kerala government / Kerala Sahitya Akademi (highest literary honour)
Result: 受賞
Mathrubhumi Literary Award
2022
Organization: Mathrubhumi
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Pandavapuram

1981 Novel 320 pages

A landmark novel exploring village life and hidden social realities through multiple perspectives on its characters' fates.

rural societyhuman frailtysocial alienation
Adaptations
  • [Film] Pandavapuram / Nirakar Chhaya (film adaptation)
Translations
  • Pandavapuram (translated into English and multiple other languages)

Atayalangal

2005 Novel / Autobiographical elements 280 pages

A novel interweaving the author's experiences and memories; it examines the intersection of personal history and society and received several awards.

memoryindividual vs societyidentity
Translations
  • Atayalangal (has English translation)

Niyogam

1988 Novel 260 pages

A novel about intersecting human relationships and fate. The English translation 'The Wind from the Hills' received recognition.

fatehuman relationshipsmigration and change
Translations
  • The Wind from the Hills (English translation)

Marupiravi

2012 Novel 240 pages

A novel on life, rebirth and social reconstruction. Recipient of the Odakkuzhal Award.

rebirthsocial rebuilding

Aliya (Aaliya)

2013 Novel 310 pages

A novel about the last Jew in a village, deeply exploring migration and coexistence issues.

migrationreligion and coexistencehistorical memory
Translations
  • Aliya, the last Jew in the Village (English translation)

Bibliography

  • Njangal Adimakal
  • Ariyatha Vazhikal
  • Kiratham
  • Thaliyola
  • Pandavapuram
  • Niyogam
  • Vanavasam
  • Vilayattom
  • Kaimudrakal
  • Atayalangal
  • Kilimozhikalkkappuram
  • Marupiravi
  • Aliya / Aaliya
  • Anthakavallikal
  • Petiswapnangal
  • Doothu
  • A Guest for Arundhathi
  • Appuvum Achuvum
  • Ilakalum Pookkalum (Leaves and Flowers)

Adaptations

  • Pandavapuram was adapted to film and also produced in Bengali as 'Nirakar Chhaya'
  • Story based on Njangal Adimakal adapted as the film 'Poothiruvathira Ravil'

Translations of Works

  • Pandavapuram — translated into English, French, German, Turkish, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya (Odia), Marathi

Style & Themes

Literary Style
modern realismlyrical, observant prosedeep insight into social issues
Recurring Motifs
migration and alienationdynamics of small communitiesreligion and toleranceenvironment and importance of organic farming

Legacy

Sethu is one of the leading figures in modern Malayalam literature; through themes of village society, migration, religious coexistence and environmental concern he has influenced a wide readership. He has received numerous major literary awards and his works have been adapted to films and translated into many languages.

Academic Societies

  • Kerala Sahitya Akademi

In Popular Culture

  • Several novels have been adapted to film; the adaptation of Pandavapuram attracted notable attention.

Quotes

  • I wrote my first short story in the attic of a Karol Bagh house in Delhi. It was about the severe drought in Bihar — I wrote it after witnessing the human suffering there.
    Source: Interview (The Economic Times / Press Trust of India) (2015)

Trivia

  • He had a banking career and served as Chairman & CEO of South Indian Bank from 1999 to 2005.
  • Appointed Chairman of the National Book Trust in 2012; removed in 2015 before the scheduled end of his tenure.
  • His first short story was published in 1967 and was accepted by the legendary editor M. T. Vasudevan Nair.
  • Pandavapuram has been translated into more than ten languages.