P. Sachidanandan
Encyclopedia
P. Sachidanandan who uses the pseudonym
Anand, is an Indian writer.
Anand writes primarily in Malayalam. He is one of the noted living intellectuals in India. His works are noted for their philosophical flavor, historical context and their humanism
. Veedum Thadavum and Jaivamanushyan won the Kerala Sahithya Academy
Award. Marubhoomikal Undakunnathu won the Vayalar Award
. He did not accept the Yashpal Award for Aalkkootam and the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Abhayarthikal.
in Thrissur district
of Kerala
. His father was a primary school teacher.
He graduated in Civil Engineering
from College of Engineering, Trivandrum
in 1958. He retired as Planning Director of the Central Water Commission after a career which included extended stints working in Gujrat
, Mumbai
and Bengal
. He also worked in the military for four years in the Short Service Commission.
It was a new experience for the Malayalee readers and the book received rave reviews and pungent criticisms alike. He followed Alkkoottam (Crowd) with three more equally abstract novels: Maranacertificate (Death Certificate), Abhayarthikal (Refugees) and Utharayanam. These books made Anand a writer with considerable standing in Malayalam.
But it was in the late eighties and early nineties that Anand came up with two more novels, Marubhoomikal Undakunnathu and Govardhanante Yaathrakal, which made him an icon in Malayalam literature.
Contemporary Malayalam writer M. Mukundan
made the following comment about Anand's style.
He has also written many short stories and articles, most of which deal with plight of the ordinary people who are exploited by the people in power. Anand's characters are not necessarily a Malayali, and often weaves in historical elements into his stories. More often they are also located outside Kerala.
Anand is also a prolific essayist.
, a well-known poet in Malayalam, once said that Anand is the messiah of NGOs.
Short story collection
Dramas
Other Books
Pseudonym
A pseudonym is a name that a person assumes for a particular purpose and that differs from his or her original orthonym...
Anand, is an Indian writer.
Anand writes primarily in Malayalam. He is one of the noted living intellectuals in India. His works are noted for their philosophical flavor, historical context and their humanism
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
. Veedum Thadavum and Jaivamanushyan won the Kerala Sahithya Academy
Kerala Sahithya Academy
Kerala Sahitya Akademi or Academy for Malayalam literature is an autonomous body established to promote Malayalam language and literature. It is situated in Thrissur, Kerala in India. The academy was inaugurated on October 15, 1956, by Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, the former king of...
Award. Marubhoomikal Undakunnathu won the Vayalar Award
Vayalar Award
The Vayalar Award is given for the best literary work in Malayalam. The award was instituted in 1977 by the Vayalar Ramavarma Memorial Trust in memory of the poet and lyricist Vayalar Ramavarma . A sum of Rs.25,000/-, a silver plate and certificate constitutes the award...
. He did not accept the Yashpal Award for Aalkkootam and the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Abhayarthikal.
Life
Sachidanandan was born in 1936 at IrinjalakudaIrinjalakuda
Irinjalakuda is a municipal town situated in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India. It is famous for the sprawling Koodalmanikyam Temple that has Bharata as the main deity and the St Thomas Cathedral in the heart of the City...
in Thrissur district
Thrissur district
Thrissur is a revenue district of Kerala situated in the central part of that state. Spanning an area of about 3,032 km2, Thrissur district is home to over 10% of Kerala’s population. Thrissur district was formed on July 1, 1949, with the headquarters at Thrissur City. Thrissur is known as...
of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. His father was a primary school teacher.
He graduated in Civil Engineering
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
from College of Engineering, Trivandrum
College of Engineering, Trivandrum
The College of Engineering, Trivandrum, commonly known as CET, is situated in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. Founded in 1939, it is the top ranked engineering college in Kerala, and one of the top engineering schools in India....
in 1958. He retired as Planning Director of the Central Water Commission after a career which included extended stints working in Gujrat
Gujrat
Gujrat is a city in Pakistan. It is the capital of Gujrat District and the Gujrat Tehsil subdivision in the Punjab Province. People living in Gujrat refer to themselves as Gujratis, which sometimes leads to confusion with people from the Indian state of Gujarat which adjoins Pakistan...
, Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
and Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
. He also worked in the military for four years in the Short Service Commission.
Writing
It was the famous critic Govindan who helped Anand publish his maiden novel Alkkoottam. At age 34, it was his first ever published work.It was a new experience for the Malayalee readers and the book received rave reviews and pungent criticisms alike. He followed Alkkoottam (Crowd) with three more equally abstract novels: Maranacertificate (Death Certificate), Abhayarthikal (Refugees) and Utharayanam. These books made Anand a writer with considerable standing in Malayalam.
But it was in the late eighties and early nineties that Anand came up with two more novels, Marubhoomikal Undakunnathu and Govardhanante Yaathrakal, which made him an icon in Malayalam literature.
Contemporary Malayalam writer M. Mukundan
M. Mukundan
M. Mukundan is one of the pioneers of modernity in Malayalam literature, belonging to Mahe, part of Pondicherry Union Territory in South India. He was born on 10 September 1942 at Mayyazhi , a one-time French territory in India...
made the following comment about Anand's style.
Anand's is the most articulate voice in Kerala today, which questions the moral premises of politics and most importantly, resists Hindu fundamentalism. His essays and novels unmistakably establish a metaphor of resistance.
The prose in Anand's novels is taut - no moon will ever rise in it, nor flowers blossom or river breezes waft through. His language, stripped to the bone, sometimes challenges the reader to go through it.
He has also written many short stories and articles, most of which deal with plight of the ordinary people who are exploited by the people in power. Anand's characters are not necessarily a Malayali, and often weaves in historical elements into his stories. More often they are also located outside Kerala.
Anand is also a prolific essayist.
Criticisms
The 'abstractness' of Anand's writing has been a cause for criticism, from people alleging he does not actually name concrete people and organizations, instead relying on a historical and abstract narrative, even in his political essays. Balachandran ChullikkaduBalachandran Chullikkadu
Balachandran Chullikkadu is a renowned Malayalam poet and film actor.-Early life:Balachandran was born in Paravur, Ernakulam, Kerala. He completed his graduation in English literature from Maharajas College, Ernakulam.-Writing career:...
, a well-known poet in Malayalam, once said that Anand is the messiah of NGOs.
Books by Anand
Novels- Alkkoottam (The Crowd)
- Maranacertificate (The Death Certificate)
- Utharayanam
- Abhayarthikal (The Refugees)
- Marubhoomikal Undakunnathu (The Deserts come into existence)
- Govardhante Yaathrakal (The Journeys of Govardhanan)
- Vyaasanum Vighneswaranum
- Apaharikkapetta Daivangal
- Samharathinte Pusthakam
- Vibhajanangal
- Parinamathinte Bhoothangal (The Ghosts of Evolution)
- Dweepukalum Theerangalum (Islands and Shores)
Short story collection
- Asantham
- Veedum Thadavum (Home and Prison)
- Ira (Victim)
- Odiyunna Kurisu (The Breaking Cross)
- Samvadam (Convesations)
- Naalamathe Aani (The Fourth Nail.)
- Kathakal, Aatmakathakal (Stories, autobiographies)
Dramas
- Savaghoshyathra
- Mukthipadham
Other Books
- Sambhashanangal (Dialogue with Sachithanandan, the poet)
- Idavelakalil
- Jaivamanushyan (The Biological Man)
- Vettakaaranum Virunnukaaranum
- Prakriti, Paristhithi, Daaridryam, Jalam, Oorjam
- Kannadilokam
- Nashtapradeshangal