V. K. N.

V.K.N., or VKN (abbreviated from his full name Vadakkke Koottala Narayanankutty Nair), (1932-2004) was a pathbreaking and celebrated Malayalam writer, noted mainly for his high-brow satire. [http://www.hindu.com/2004/01/26/stories/2004012605440400.htm] Apart from novels, he wrote short stories and political commentaries. A native of Kerala in south India, his works are considered distinctive for their multi-layered humour, trenchant criticism of the socio-political classes and uncanny ability to twist the meanings of words contextually, thus lend a touch of magic to his language (which, at times, was English too).

VKN's works call for an attentive and informed reader who can recognise his allusions and follow his changes in language, where he shifts between English, Hindi, Malayalam and a distinctive variety of Tamil spoken by the Iyer community in Palakkad. In most cases, the use of language other than Malayalam is immediately followed by a translation (in parentheses), but these translations have little do with what they stand for in the original.

Born on April 6, 1932, in Thiruvilwamala (near Ottappalam) in Thrissur district, VKN, after completing his matriculation, joined the Malabar Devasom Board and worked there for 9 years. Like a good number of modern Malayalam writers like O.V. Vijayan, VKN spent many years in New Delhi (from 1959 to 1969) -- as an English journalist. The experiences he gained furing these years that also coincided with the nascent post-Independent India finds a recreation in one of his most heralded work, "Arohanam". He entered Malayalam literature in 1955.

VKN is considered as a genius, for his knowledge in agriculture, philosophy, astrology, history, art, literature, ethnicity and sport. It merits some acquaintance with his writing style to really understand his wit. His humour comes from inverting his own language. In certain stories/narrations, the characters of the story/narration comment about the author. Malayalam critics have yet to understand him well, and a proper study about his works and style is yet to happen in the language. VKN served as vice-chairperson of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, Trichur. He had also chaired the Kunchan Smarakam at Killikkurussimangalam near Ottappalam.

VKN passed away on Jan 25, 2004.

Works

Novels

*"Arohanam" (VKN himself translated this work into English with the title Bovine Bugles)
*"Pithamahan"
*"Adhikaram"
*"Anantharam"
*"Asuravani"
*"Penpada"
*"Kaavi"
*"General Chathans"
*"Manchal"
*"Syndicate"
*"Vivahappittennu"

Collections of Short Stories

*"Payyan Kathakal"
*"Sir Chathuvinte Ruling"
*"Hajyaru"
*"Mananchira Test"
*"V. K. N. Kathakal"
*"Payyans"
*"Ambathu Kathakal"
*"Oru Nooru Mini Kathakal"
*"Ayyaayiravum Kooppum"
*"Naanuaru"

Awards

*1969: Kerala Sahitya Academy Award; (for "Arohanam")
*1978: MP Paul Award; (for overall contribution in Malayalam short story)
*1982: Kendra Sahitya Academy Award; (for "Payyan Kathakal")
*1987: Religious Harmony Award; (instituted by the Organisation of Understanding and Fraternity, New Delhi
*1997: Muttathu Varkey Award; (for "Pitamahan")