Odakkuzhal Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 44 (2010) Winner
Unnikrishnan Puthur
ウニッキリシュナン・プトゥール
Unnikrishnan Puthur
Profile
- Gender
- Male
- Born
- 1933-07-20 （Engandiyur, Thrissur, Kingdom of Cochin）
- Died
- 2014-04-02 （Chavakkad, Kerala, India） age 80
- Nationality
- India
- Languages
- Malayalam
Career
- Occupations
- Writer, Short story writer, Novelist
- Active Years
- 1956-2014
- Affiliations
- Guruvayur Devaswom Library (retired head of establishment wing), Sahitya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society (president), Kerala Sahitya Akademi (executive committee member), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi (general council member), Editorial committee of Bhakthapriya (founder-member)
- Memberships
- Sahitya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society (President), Kerala Sahitya Akademi (Executive committee), Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi (General council)
- Influenced By
- Kesavadev, Ponkunnam Varkey, Dylan Thomas (influence evident)
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chavakkad Board School | — | — | — | — | India |
| Government Victoria College, Palakkad | — | — | — | — | India |
Chavakkad Board School
Country:
India
Primary/secondary schooling
Government Victoria College, Palakkad
Country:
India
Studied at college; worked as a newspaper correspondent during college
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award | Balikkallu | 小説 | Kerala Sahitya Akademi | 受賞 |
| 2010 | Odakkuzhal Award | Anubhavangalude Ner Rekhakal | — | Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala | 受賞 |
Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award
1968
Work:
Balikkallu
Category:
小説
Organization:
Kerala Sahitya Akademi
Result:
受賞
Odakkuzhal Award
2010
Work:
Anubhavangalude Ner Rekhakal
Organization:
Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala
Result:
受賞
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Balikkallu
1968 NovelA novel portraying the lives of impoverished people around the Guruvayur temple, highlighting the plight of those who eke out a living performing menial temple duties and the surrounding social structures.
Temple lifeSocial issuesClass and poverty
Aanappaka
1976 NovelDescribes the daily lives of workers serving the temple and their means of survival, emphasizing the weight of real life over romanticized ideals.
Workers' livesRealismTemple society
Nazhikamani
1990 NovelA record-like depiction of rituals around the Guruvayur temple and the lives of people involved, drawing on the author's long experience working at the temple.
RitualsLocal communityTradition
Aattukattil
1970 NovelA family novel depicting the growth and breakup of a Nair tharavad in the feudal era, addressing matrilineal traditions and social change.
Family declineFeudalismMatrilineal society
Jalasamadhi
2003 NovelA later work touching on themes of death, loss, and transformation of local communities (detailed information is limited).
LossTransformationLocal community
Anubhavangalude Ner Rekhakal
2009 Short story collection (includes memoir pieces)A collection of short pieces including the author's experiences and memoirs. Winner of the Odakkuzhal Award in 2010.
MemoirPersonal experienceTemple life
Kalpaka Poomazha
1985 Poetry collectionA poetry collection containing 38 poems, with an introduction by Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon.
PoetrySpiritualitySense of place
Bibliography
- Kettu Pinanja Jivita Bandham
- Vedanakalum Swapnangalum
- Premavum Vairupyavum
- Dylan Thomasinte Ganam
- Nidra Viheenangalaya Rathrikal
- Snehadarangalode
- Oru Devalayathinu Chuttum
- Sundari Cheryemma
- Charamavaranam
- Nakshatra Kunhu
- Gopura Velicham
- Akashavani
- Echumoppol
- Chathuppu Nilam
- Nee Thannu Nee Thiricheduthu
- Kuttasammatham (The Confession)
- Utsavam (children's stories)
- Makante Bhagyam
- Aswastatayude Chirakadi
- Thiranjedutha Kathakal
- Pallakkinte Saapam
- Vicharana
- Bhaga Pathram
- Nashtapetta Ponnonam
- Puthur Kathakal
- Annadana Prabhu
- Ellam Daivathinte Kayyil
- Ente Nootonnu Kathakal
- Kamsan
- Kazhchakalkappuram
- Dharmachakram
- Kalathinte Kali
- Thallaviral
- Anubhavangalude Ner Rekhakal
- Kalpaka Poomazha
- Guruvayurappante Kunnikurumala
- Gajarajan Guruvayur Kesavan
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Simple, descriptive proseRealismStrong sense of local setting
- Recurring Motifs
- Temple ritualsLives of ordinary peopleChanges in feudal/matrilineal systemsRitual and loss
Health
-
Age-related ailments晩年Underwent treatment for age-related ailments for several years and died in 2014
Legacy
A Malayalam writer known for portraying the lives of ordinary people around the Guruvayur temple in plain prose, illuminating social vulnerability and class structures. Prolific author with around 700 short stories, 29 short story collections and 15 novels, leaving a significant mark on Kerala literature.
Academic Societies
- Kerala Sahitya Akademi
- Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
Archives
- Guruvayur Devaswom Library (holds some works/materials)
Trivia
- Authored approximately 700 short stories.
- Published 29 short story collections and 15 novels.
- Won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1968 for Balikkallu.
- Received the Odakkuzhal Award in 2010 for Anubhavangalude Ner Rekhakal.
- Worked for many years at the Guruvayur temple office and depicted temple town life in his writings.
- Was a trade union leader and a socialist.
- Died in Chavakkad in 2014 and was cremated with full state honours.