Sithara S.

Sithara S
Sithara S
Sithara S
Born(1972-09-15)15 September 1972
Kasaragod
OccupationWriter
LanguageMalayalam
NationalityIndian
Alma materUniversity of Calicut
Period21st century
GenreFiction
SubjectWomen, Lesbianism, Sexuality
Literary movementFeminism
Notable worksAgni; Kathakal
Notable awardsSahitya Akademi

Sithara S. (born 1972) is an Indian feminist writer in Malayalam from Kerala.[1] In her short stories and novels she has highlighted women's issues, gender conflict and lesbian rights.[2] In 2004 she won Sahitya Akademi Golden Jubilee Award for her contributions to Indian literature[3] She is also a translator from Malayalam to English and vice versa.[4]

Early life and education

Sithara was born and brought up in Kasaragod district of Kerala. She obtained her post-graduation degree in English Literature and Diploma in journalism from University of Calicut.[5] At an early age she was afflicted with life-threatening cancer disease. She attributes her firebrand literary style to her lifelong battle against cancer and social stigma.[6]

Literary works

Sithara is one of the leading contemporary women writers from Kerala.[7][8] She has written several best-selling books in Malayalam which include "Kathakal", "Idam", "Veshappakarcha" and "Ushnagrahangalude Sneham".[9] She chiefly writes stories depicting oppression of women and sexuality in public places.[10] Her stories capture the complexities of modern life from women's perspective and have an angry and defiant tone.[11]

Sithara has also translated the works of Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai into Malayalam. Her short story "Fire" has been included in the English Literature syllabus of Kerala University.[12]

Other contributions

Sithara's short story Agni[13] has been made into a popular movie.[14] She is also a freelance content writer on children's topics for television.[15]

Awards and recognition

Sithara's works were recognised by Sahitya Akademi which conferred on her its golden jubilee prize in 2004.[16] She has also won Kerala Sahitya Akademi award. Besides he has won numerous other literary awards including ‘’Katha Award’’ and ‘’Geetha Hiranyan Endowment Award’’ for Malayalam literature.[17]

Bibliography

Books in English

  • Sithara, S.; K., Madhavikutty (2017). Lesbian Stories in Malyalam. Trivandrum: Chintha Publishers. ISBN 978-81-770239-7-8.

Books in Malayalam

  • Sithara, S. (2017). Kathakal. Kottayam: DC Books. ISBN 978-81-264400-1-6.
  • Sithara, S. (2015). Ushnagrahangalude Sneham. Kottayam: DC Books. ISBN 978-81-264529-4-1.
  • Sithara, S. (2015). Veyilil Oru Kaliyezhuthukari. Ernakulam: Mathrubhoomi Publications. ISBN 978-81-826607-3-1.
  • Sithara, S. (2010). Karutha Kuppayakkari. Kottayam: DC Books. ISBN 978-81-264276-6-6.
  • Sithara, S. (2012). Idam. Kottayam: DC Books. ISBN 978-81-264140-8-6.
  • Sithara, S. (2015). Agniyum Katakalum. Trivandrum: Mathrubhumi Books.
  • Sithara, S. (2017). Lesbose : Malayalathile Lesbian Kathakal. Vanchyoor: Chintha Publishers.
  • Sithara, S. (2020). Nrithashala. Kottayam: DC Books. ISBN 978-81-264467-4-2.
  • Sithara, S. (2020). Veshakaparcha. Kottayam: DC Books.
  • Sithara, S. (2021). Enteyum Katha. Kottayam: DC Books.

Chapters in books

  • Sithara, S. (2017), "Madri and Maria", in Anilkumar, K. S.; Resmi, G. (eds.), Lesbian Stories in Malayalam, vol. 1 (1st ed.), Trivandrum: Chintha Publishers, ISBN 978-81-770239-7-8

Journal articles

Translations

See also

References

  1. ^ "Sithara S. – Speaker Profile". Kerala Literature Festival. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  2. ^ Dr S. Gopi (2018). "Social Relevance of Malayalam Gynocentric Writing : Women Readers' Perusal of Her-Story" (PDF). Vimala International Research Journal for Humanities & Social Sciences. 4 (2): 192. ISSN 2348-4837. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Sahitya Akademi Golden Jubilee Awards". Government of India Ministry of Culture. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  4. ^ "Translators and Contributors to Sahitya Akademi Journal". Indian Literature. 46 (1). Sahitya Akademi: 192. JSTOR 23344555. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Sithara S. Author Profile". Mathrubhumi. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  6. ^ Anjali Lal (20 December 2017). "Battling Cancer Changed this Woman's Life for the Better". Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Malyalam Books That Should Not Be Missed". The Hindu. 24 July 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  8. ^ Soubin Nath. "God's Own Literature : Ten Contemporary Malyalam Writers". Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  9. ^ University of Calicut. "University of Calicut Academic Profiles". Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  10. ^ Christy, Carmel (16 March 2017). Sexuality in Public Space in India – Reading the Visible. Routledge. pp. 36–39. ISBN 978-13-156522-9-0. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  11. ^ Sara Joseph (31 January 2004). "The "Thing" Speaks – Feminism in Malayalam Literature". 2 (1): 14–19. Retrieved 26 January 2022. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  12. ^ Kerala University (2021). "Syllabus for BA English Language & Literature" (PDF). Kerala University Admissions. 1: 43. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  13. ^ Karthik Ramakrishnan (23 January 2015). ""Agni" Short Story by Sithara S." Women’s Web. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  14. ^ "Agni Movie by Sithara S." IMDB. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Sithara S. as Content Writer". Babee TV. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Sahitya Akademi Awards Ceremony". Government of India. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
  17. ^ "Sithara S. at Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters". Mathrubhumi. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2022.