World Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Sukumar Azhikode

スクマール・アジッコーデ

Sukumar Azhikkode

Pen Names: Koloth Thattarath Sukumaran (birth name)（Used as birth/official name）, Azhikode (name with village identifier)（Popular name using village name）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1926-05-12 （Azhikode, Kannur, Kerala, India）
Died
2012-01-24 （Thrissur (Amala Institute of Medical Sciences), Kerala, India） age 85
Nationality
Indian
Languages
Malayalam, Sanskrit, English
Residence History
Azhikode, Kannur (birthplace / childhood) → Mangalore (education / early employment periods) → Thrissur (later life residence)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Social critic, Orator, Academic / Educator
Active Years
1948-2012
Affiliations
University of Calicut — founder head and professor, Department of Malayalam
Influenced By
Joseph Mundassery, M. P. Paul, Kuttikrishna Marar

Education

Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Patasala
Ayurveda studies (one-year)
Period: 1941–1942（約1年）
Country: India
Completed one year of Ayurveda training
St. Aloysius College, Mangalore
Commerce
Degree: Bachelor of Commerce
Period: 〜1943
Year of Graduation: 1943
Country: India
Graduated in commerce
Government College of Teacher Education, Kozhikode
Teacher training / Education
Degree: Bachelor of Education
Period: 1950年代（修了：1952）
Year of Graduation: 1952
Country: India
Completed teacher training and entered teaching career
University of Calicut
Malayalam literature
Degree: PhD
Period: 〜1981（博士取得）
Year of Graduation: 1981
Country: India
PhD thesis on 'Western Influence in Malayalam Literary Criticism'

Awards

Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Literary Criticism
1984
Work: Malayala Sahitya Vimarshanam
Category: Literary criticism
Organization: Kerala Sahitya Akademi
Result: won
Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Miscellaneous Works
1985
Work: Thathwamasi
Category: Miscellaneous works
Organization: Kerala Sahitya Akademi
Result: won
Sahitya Akademi Award
1985
Work: Thathwamasi
Organization: Sahitya Akademi
Result: won
Vayalar Award
1989
Work: Thathwamasi (and related work)
Organization: Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust
Result: won
DALA Award (Dubai Art Lovers Association)
1997
Organization: Dubai Art Lovers Association
Result: won
Ezhuthachan Puraskaram
2004
Category: State highest literary honour
Organization: Government of Kerala
Result: won
Vallathol Award
2007
Organization: Vallathol Memorial Trust
Result: won
Padma Shri
2007
Category: Civilian honour
Organization: Government of India
Result: refused
Rajaji Award
Organization: Unknown / multiple organizations
Result: won

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Thathwamasi

1984 Philosophy / Indian philosophy

A major treatise on Indian philosophy, the Vedas and Upanishads, providing detailed interpretations and essays connecting classical thought to contemporary concerns.

Indian philosophyVedasUpanishadsHistory of ideas

Malayala Sahitya Vimarshanam

1981 Literary criticism

Critical studies on Malayalam literature, analyzing works and applying critical theory to explore aspects of Malayalam literary tradition.

Literary criticismMalayalam literature

Aasante Seetakavyam

1970 Poetry criticism

A critical analysis of Kumaran Asan's poem 'Chinthavishtayaya Seetha'.

PoeticsRe-examination of classic poems

Huckleberry Finninte Vikramangal

2009 Translation (Children's / Adventure literature)

Malayalam translation of Mark Twain's 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'.

TranslationAdventureSocial satire
Translations
  • Malayalam translation (Huckleberry Finninte Vikramangal)

Bibliography

  • Ramananum Malayala Kavithayum
  • Thathwamasi
  • Malayala Sahitya Vimarshanam
  • Sankara Kuruppu Vimarsikkappedunnu
  • Aashaante Seethaakavyam
  • Viswasahitya Padanangal
  • Khandanavum Mandanavum
  • Thathwavum Manushyanum
  • Purogamana Sahithyavum Mattum
  • Mahathmavinte Margam
  • Bharathiyatha
  • Priyappetta Azhicodinu: Letters
  • Darsanam, Samooham, Vyakthi
  • Azheekodinte Lekhanangal
  • Nattellu Enna Gunam
  • Guruvinte Dukham
  • Akasham Nashtapedunna India
  • Vayanayude Swargathil
  • Pathakal Kazhchakal
  • Indian Avasthakal
  • Janalakkazhchakal
  • Azheekodinde Prabashanangal
  • Vaayichu Valarnna Katha
  • Arangukaliloode

Translations by Author

  • Translated Mark Twain's 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' into Malayalam (Huckleberry Finninte Vikramangal)

Translations of Works

  • Thathwamasi (translated / widely cited in criticism)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Discursive and lucid proseOratorical, incorporating conversational elements
Recurring Motifs
Modern interpretation of Indian philosophy and classical textsSocial criticism and ethicsTradition and criticism in Malayalam literature

Health

  • Bone cancer
    2011–2012
    Hospitalized from December 2011; illness led to reduced activity and death in 2012
  • Head injury from an auto accident (minor)
    2000年代初頭
    Required weeks of care and recovered; no long-term complications widely reported

Legacy

Sukumar Azhikode was a prominent Malayalam critic and orator, highly regarded for his interpretations of Indian philosophy. He received multiple major literary awards and is honored in Kerala with memorials and a cultural legacy.

Museums

  • Sukumar Azhikode Memorial (government-established) Thrissur (former residence converted into memorial) Opened in 2013
  • Azhikode Memorial at Payyambalam Beach Payyambalam Beach, Kannur

Academic Societies

  • Kerala Sahitya Akademi

Archives

  • Personal effects and book collection preserved at the Thrissur memorial

In Popular Culture

  • Sukumar Azhikode Memorial Award (annual prize instituted in his name)

Trivia

  • Refused the Padma Shri (2007) citing discrimination inherent in civilian honour gradation.
  • Lifelong bachelor.
  • Sustained a head injury in an auto accident in the early 2000s but recovered.
  • Founded the Department of Malayalam at the University of Calicut.