Indian writer and traveler
S. K. Pottekkatt
Born (1913-03-14 ) 14 March 1913Calicut , Madras Presidency , British India Died 6 August 1982(1982-08-06) (aged 69) Calicut, Kerala , India Occupation Genre Novel, travelogue, short story, plays, essay, poetry Notable works Notable awards Spouse
[ 1] Children 4[ 1] Relatives Kunjiraman (father) Kittuli (mother)
Sankarankutty Kunjiraman Pottekkatt (14 March 1913 – 6 August 1982) was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature , traveller, and politician from Kerala . Best known for his travelogues, he has authored nearly 60 books, which include 10 novels, 24 collections of short stories, three anthologies of poems, 18 travelogues , four plays, a collection of essays and a couple of books based on personal reminiscences.
He is a recipient of Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel , Sahitya Akademi Award and the Jnanpith Award . His works have been translated into English, Italian, Russian, German and Czech, besides all major Indian languages.
Early life
A bust of Pottekkatt facing S. M. Street in Kozhikode (Calicut).
S. K. Pottekkatt was born on 14 March 1913, in Calicut (Kozhikode) to Kunjiraman Pottekkat, an English school teacher and his wife, Kittuli.[ 2] After early schooling at Ganapath School , he matriculated from Zamorin's High School in Calicut in 1929 and passed the intermediate examination from Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College , Calicut in 1934 but could not find a job for three years, a period which he utilised for studying classics from Indian and western literature. In 1937, he joined Calicut Gujarati School as a teacher where he taught for almost three years.[ 3] He was involved with activities of the Indian National Congress and attended the Tripuri session of 1939 for which he resigned from the job as the school authorities did not allow him to leave of absence. Subsequently, he moved to Bombay and Lucknow where he stayed until 1945, doing many jobs.[ 2]
After returning to Kerala in 1945, he travelled to many parts of India and went on his first overseas tour in 1949 when he visited Africa , Switzerland , Italy , Germany , France and England . In 1952, he again went overseas to visit Ceylon , Malaya , and Indonesia .[ 3]
Literary career and travels
Pottekkatt published his first story, "Rajaneethi", in the college magazine of Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College in 1928.[ 4] "Makane Konna Madyam" (poem published in Athmavidya Kahalam ) and "Hindu Muslim Maithri" (story published in Deepam ) were some of his notable early works. The story "Vydyutha Shakthi" came in the February 1934 issue of Mathrubhumi Illustrated Weekly . He wrote his first novel, Naadanpremam , a romantic story set in Mukkam , a small hamlet in Kozhikode district ,[ 5] in 1939 while he was in Bombay and the novel was eventually published in 1941.[ 3] [ 6] This was followed by Yavanikakku Pinnil , a short story anthology, and the second novel Vishakanyaka ; the latter would receive a prize from the Madras government in 1949.[ 3] Two travelogues were the next two publications, Kappirikalude Naattil (In the Land of the Negroes ) and Innathe Europe (The Europe Today ), both based on his first overseas tour.[ 7] He published Oru Theruvinte Katha in 1960 and his magnum opus, Oru Desathinte Katha , in 1971.[ 8] [ 9]
Pottekkatt was a writer of strong social commitment and ideals, possessing an individualistic vision.[ 3] He is reported to be the pioneer of the genre of travelogues in India[ 10] and its most notable practitioner in Malayalam literature [ 11] which earned him the moniker, the John Gunther of Malayalam .[ 12] Poetry anthologies like Sanchariyude Geethangal and Premashilpi , Achan (play), novels like Premashiksha and Moodupadam , short story anthologies such as Nishagandhi , Pulliman and Chandrakatham , travelogues viz. Simhabhoomi , Nile Diary and Pathira Sooryante Nattil as well as memoirs like Ponthakkadukal and Samsarikkunna Diarykurippukal are some of his other major works.[ 13]
His works have been translated into English, Italian, Russian, German and Czech, besides all major Indian languages.[ 2] An Italian anthology of The Best Short Stories of the World published from Milan in 1971 included his Braanthan Naaya (Mad Dog). A collection of eleven of his short stories in Russian had a sensational sales of one hundred thousand copies in two weeks.[ 1] His stories have made into feature films in Malayalam; Naadan Premam ,[ 14] Moodupadam ,[ 15] Pulliman [ 16] and Njavalppazhangal are some of them.[ 17] Kadavu , a 1991 film written directed by M. T. Vasudevan Nair based on his short story "Kadathuthoni", received prizes at several international film festivals.[ 18] The 2015 film Manikyam was an adaptation of the novel Prema Shiksha .[ 19] [ 20]
Political career
Pottekkatt on a 2003 India Post stamp
Pottekkatt contested twice as independent candidate in elections to Indian Parliament from Thalassery under the banner of the Communist Party of India ,[ 21] the first in 1957 to the 2nd Lok Sabha when he lost to M. K. Jinachandran by 1000 votes and the next in 1962 to the 3rd Lok Sabha when he defeated Sukumar Azhikode by a margin of 66,000 votes; he served out his term until 1967.[ 2]
Personal life
Pottekkatt married Jayavalli in 1950 and the couple had two sons and two daughters. His wife died in 1980 and two years later, he suffered a paralytic stroke in July 1982, and he died on 6 August 1982, in a private hospital in Calicut.[ 1]
Awards and honours
Oru Theruvinte Katha (The Story of a Street), a novel based on Mittai Theruvu , a popular street in Kozhikode known for sweetmeat and halvah stalls, received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel in 1961.[ 22] His biographical novel , Oru Desathinte Katha was selected for the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1972.[ 23] Eight years later, in 1980, the novel earned Pottekkatt the Jnanpith Award , the highest literary honour in India.[ 24] [ 25] In 1982, the University of Calicut honoured him with the honoris causa degree of the Doctor of Letters .[ 26] India Post issued a commemorative postal stamp on him in 2003, as a part of their Jnanpith Award Winners .[ 27] Malayala Manorama and Madhyamam issued festschrifts on Pottekkatt on the occasion of his birth centenary.[ 28] [ 29]
Bibliography
Novels
Short stories
Year
Title
Publisher
Notes
Ref.
1945
Manimalika
Thrissur : Mangalodayam
Collection of 5 stories
1945
Rajamalli
Kottayam : S.P.C.S.
Collection of 13 stories
1945
Nisshagandhi
Thrissur: Mangalodayam
Collection of 9 stories
1945
Pulliman
Thrissur: Sundarayyar & Sons
Collection of 6 stories
1945
Meghamala
Kottayam: S.P.C.S.
Collection of 8 stories
1946
Chandrakantham
Wadakkancherry : Arunodayam
Collection of 5 stories
1946
Jalatharangam
Calicut : P. K. Brothers
Collection of 7 stories
1946
Vaijayanthi
Thrissur: Mangalodayam
Collection of 7 stories
1947
Pournami
Calicut: P. K. Brothers
Collection of 5 storiesISBN 9788130006345
1947
Padmaragam
Kottayam: S.P.C.S.
Collection of 6 stories
1947
Indraneelam
Calicut: K. R. Brothers
Collection of 6 stories
1948
Rangamandapam
Thrissur: Mangalodayam
Collection of 7 stories
1948
Himavahini
Thrissur: Mangalodayam
Collection of 5 stories
1949
Prethabhoomi
Calicut: K. R. Brothers
Collection of 5 stories
1952
Yavanikkakku Pinnil
Calicut: P. K. Brothers
Collection of 6 stories and a radio drama
1954
Kallippookkal
Thrissur: Mangalodayam
Collection of 6 stories and a radio drama
1954
Vanakaumudi
Thrissur: Mangalodayam
Collection of 4 stories and a radio drama
1955
Kanakaambaram
Calicut: P. K. Brothers
Collection of 7 stories
1960
Antharvahini
Calicut: Kerala
Collection of 5 storiesISBN 9788182654877
1962
Ezhilam Pala
Kottayam: S.P.C.S.
Collection of 7 stories
1967
Thiranjedutha Kathakal
Kottayam: S.P.C.S.
Collection of 36 stories; With an introduction by M. R. Chandrasekharan
1968
Vrindavanam
Calicut: Poorna
Collection of 8 stories
1970
Kattuchembakam
1978
S. K. Pottekkattinte Cherukathakal
Calicut: Jaya
1981
S. K. Pottekkattinte Cherukathakal
Calicut: Mathrubhumi
1999
Katha: Pottekkatt
2004
Sthree
Calicut: Mathrubhumi
ISBN 9788182640948
2006
S. K. Pottekkattinte Kathakal Sampoornam
Calicut: Poorna
Complete short stories in three volumes
2010
Ottakavum Mattu Pradhana Kathakalum
Kottayam: DC Books
2014
S. K. Pottekkattinte Kathakal Sampoornam
Kottayam: DC Books
Complete short stories in two volumesISBN 9788126440184
2014
Sthree: Sthreekale Kurichu Kure Kathakal
Calicut: Poorna
ISBN 9788130018003
Travelogues
Year
Title
Publisher
Notes
Ref.
1947
Kashmir
Thrissur : Mangalodayam
1948
Yathrasmaranakal
Calicut : P. K. Brothers
Based on the journeys to historical places in India
1951
Kappirikalude Nattil
Thrissur: Mangalodayam
ISBN 9788171307937
1954
Simhabhoomi
Calicut: K. R. Brothers
1949 journey to Bagamoyo, Tanga, Kenya and Uganda
1954
Nile Diary
Thrissur: Mangalodayam
ISBN 9788171803149
1954
Malaya Nadukalil
Thrissur: Mangalodayam
1955
Innathe Europe
Kottayam : S.P.C.S.
1950 journey to Europe and Britain; Later editions titled Europiloode ISBN 9788126403547
1955
Indonesian Diary
Kottayam: S.P.C.S.
1953 journey to Indonesia; originally published in two volumes; combined volume first published by S.P.C.S. in 1964
1955
Soviet Diary
Thrissur: Mangalodayam
1956
Pathira Sooryante Nattil
Calicut: P. K. Brothers
1955 journey to Finland
1958
Bali Dweep
Kottayam: S.P.C.S.
1953 journey to BaliISBN 9788171309047
1959
Simhabhoomi
Cochin : Parishath
Expanded version of the 1954 book and published in two volumes; combined volume first published by S.P.C.S. in 1968
1960
Bohemian Chithrangal
Thrissur: Current Books
1967
Himalaya Samrajyathil
Thrissur: Mangalodayam
Based on the journey to Haridwar and Badrinath in May 1966 ISBN 9788171803576
1969
Nepal Yathra
Kottayam: S.P.C.S.
1970
London Notebook
Kottayam: S.P.C.S.
1974
Cairo Kathukal
Kottayam: S.P.C.S.
1976
Sanchara Sahithyam: Vol. 1 – Africa
Irinjalakuda : Vivekodayam
Kappirikalude Nattil , Simhabhoomi , Nile Diary , Cairo Kathukal , Cleopatrayude Nattil
1977
Sanchara Sahithyam: Vol. 2 – Europe
Irinjalakuda: Vivekodayam
Europiloode (Innathe Europe ), London Notebook , Pathira Sooryante Nattil , Soviet Diary , Bohemian Chithrangal
1977
Sanchara Sahithyam: Vol. 3 – Asia
Irinjalakuda: Vivekodayam
Yathrasmaranakal , Kashmir , Himalaya Samrajyathil , Nepal Yathra , Malaya Nadukalil , Indonesian Diary , Bali Dweep
1977
Cleopatrayude Nattil
Irinjalakuda: Vivekodayam
Poetry
Year
Title
Publisher
Notes
Ref.
1936
Prabhatha Kanthi
Calicut : K. R. Brothers
14 poems
1946
Sanchariyude Geethangal
Calicut: P. K. Brothers
14 poems; with an introduction by G. Sankara Kurup
1958
Prema Shilpi
Thrissur : Current Books
5 poems
2015
S. K. Pottekkattinte Kavithakal
Calicut: Lipi
ISBN 9788188017935
Drama
Year
Title
Publisher
Notes
Ref.
1945
Achan
Alleppey : T. K. Varghese Vaidyan
1948
Achanum Makanum
—
Included in Himavahini
1954
Althara
—
A radio play included in Vanakaumudi
1954
Theevandi Odunnu
—
A radio play included in Kallipookkal
Others
Year
Title
Publisher
Notes
Ref.
1947
Ponthakkadukal
Calicut : Mathrubhumi
Collection of humour essays published in various newspapers and magazines under the name ArunanISBN 9788182656239
1949
Gadhyamekhala
Calicut: P. K. Brothers
Collection of 8 essays
1975
Ente Vazhiyambalangal
Kottayam : N.B.S.
Memoirs
1978
Muhammed Abdurahiman
Calicut: Mathrubhumi
Political biography of Muhammed Abdurahiman Co-authored with P. P. Ummer Koya , N. P. Mohammed and K. A. Kodungallur
1981
Samsarikkunna Diarykurrippukal
Calicut: Mathrubhumi
Diary
1995
Pottekkattinte Kathukal
Calicut: P. K. Brothers
Letters
2013
Paryadanam
Calicut: Mathrubhumi
Diary
Translations into other languages
Films
Moodupadam (1963) (based on the novel Moodupadam )
Naadan Premam (1972) (based on the novel Naadan Premam )
Pulliman (1972) (based on the story "Pulliman")
Njavalppazhangal (1976) (based on the story "Njavalppazhangal")
Ottakam (1978) (based on the story "Ottakam")
Thaala (1988)
Kadavu (1991) (based on the story "Kadathuthoni")
Manikyam (2015) (based on the novel Prema Shiksha )
References
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Further reading
External links
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