Malayalam Literature

Malayalam poet Akkitham, a recipient of the Jnanpith Award, passes away at 94

The Padma Shri awardee, Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri was regarded as a prominent figure in modern Malayalam poetry and produced 43 works of literature during his lifetime.

In Unni R's latest work, a witch hunt for an invisible rooster exposes the foibles of a privileged, fanatical society

Known for his short stories and screenplays, The Cock is the Culprit is Unni's first novel, which brilliantly exposes the patriarchy, politics, privilege and bigotry prevalent in Kerala society.

Translation of M Mukundan's Delhi: A Soliloquy, depicts the city's squalor as observed by its Malayali diaspora

It took two years for the writer to paint a picture of Delhi which was far from the glamorous and ‘cosmetic’ construct of the city in those minds that have never truly visited the capital

S Hareesh’s Moustache is a diligently told story of a troubled yet awe-inspiring land

S Hareesh’s novel Moustache, translated from Malayalam into English by Jayasree Kalathil, is set in Kuttanad where he has lived his entire life.

Destroying patriarchal norms is the kind of political activism I want to do in my books: KR Meera

In this interview with Firstpost, KR Meera discusses how she visualises chapters, the influence of her journalistic background on her work, breaking patriarchal norms, and how writing can require immense physical stamina too.

In his sequel to Jasmine Days, Benyamin explores literary censorship, the aftermath of a failed revolution

Autocratic governments do not like freedom of speech, says Benyamin. He says the conviction within people that prompts them to rebel against dominant forces and act in ways that could even land them in prison should serve as a lesson to all governments.

K Satchidanandan on his raison d'être: 'A poet needs to take sides; I am with those who suffer injustice'

Poetry is like breathing, it is the way in which I respond to myself, to nature and to the world around, says K Satchidanandan. A prolific translator, he is of the opinion that translation, by virtue of being a kind of writing in itself, teaches one about the possibilities and limitations of language.

Celebrated Malayalam poet Akkitham wins 55th Jnanpith award for outstanding contribution to literature

Akkitham, 93, has written over 40 literary pieces in Malayalam, including poems, short stories and plays.

Paul Zacharia on A Secret History of Compassion, his relationship with the Left, and pursuing 'pure storytelling'

Paul Zacharia's latest novel A Secret History of Compassion is immersed in grand parody and yet, anchored to some of the vital truths of our time — the erosion of ideology, the collapse of institutions, the way the vocabulary of social justice has been weaponised.

Renowned Malayalam writer, Sukumar Azhikode passes away

Eminent Malayalam writer Sukumar Azhikode, who dominated Kerala's cultural scene as a literary critic, orator, academic and journalist for over five decades, died at a private hospital today.