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M.K. Gopinathan Nair, popularly known as Vaisakhan, is an Indian short story writer, playwright, and screenwriter. As of 2016^[update], he is the President of Kerala Sahitya Akademi.[1] His stories are known for their simplicity in style and freshness in theme. Many of his stories feature the Indian Railways as the backdrop.

Vaisakhan
Native name	വൈശാഖൻ
Born	M.K. Gopinathan Nair 27 June 1940 (1940-06-27) (age 82) Muvattupuzha, India
Language	Malayalam
Alma mater	Maharaja's College, Ernakulam Nirmala College St. Albert's College
Genre	Short stories, screenplays

Early life, education and career

Vaisakhan was born in 1940 as Gopinathan to A.V. Krishna Kurup and Narayani Amma in Muvattupuzha.[2] He did his education from Maharaja's College, Ernakulam,[3] Nirmala College,[4] and St. Albert's College.

In 1964, he was appointed in the Southern Railway (India) as the station master. After 20 years of service, Vaisakhan took a voluntary retirement to pursue a full-time career in writing.[2]

Vaisakhan was married to Padma, who died in 1998. They have three children - Praveen, Pradeep, and Poornima. He currently lives in Paravattani, in Thrissur district.

Literary career

Vaisakhan's most notable work is Noolpalam Kadakkunnavar, a story that has won multiple awards and critical acclaim. His other published books include:[5]

Short story collection

• Appeal Anyayabhagam (അപ്പീൽ അന്യായഭാഗം)
• Athirukalillathe (അതിരുകളില്ലാതെ)[6]
• Akalathil Vasantham (അകാലത്തിൽ വസന്തം )[7]
• Bommidippoondiyile Palam (ബൊമ്മിഡിപുണ്ടിയിലെ പാലം)[6]
• Yamakam (യമകം)[6]
• Kathakal (കഥകൾ)
• Priyappetta Kathakal (പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട കഥകൾ)
• Silencer (സൈലൻസർ)

Children's literature

• Meen Kaykkunna Maram (മീന്‍ കായ്ക്കുന്ന മരം)
• Kathakalude Albhuthalokam (കഥകളുടെ അത്ഭുതലോകം)

Memoirs

• Vaisakhante Jeevithachinthakal (വൈശാഖന്റെ ജീവിതചിന്തകൾ)
• Oru Manassinte Rasathanthram (ഒരു മനസ്സിന്റെ രസതന്ത്രം)
• Ormayude Choottuvettam (ഒര്‍മ്മയുടെ ചൂട്ടുവെട്ടം)
• Ormayude Palangalil Pathinanju Sthreekal (ഒര്‍മ്മയുടെ പാളങ്ങളിൽ പതിനഞ്ചു സ്ത്രീകൾ)

Major awards

• 1989: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Story – Noolpalam Kadakkunnavar
• 1992: Cherukad Award – Noolpalam Kadakkunnavar[8]
• 1993: Abu Dhabi Shakthi Award
• 2010: M.C. Joseph Award[9]
• 2010: Kamala Surayya Award – Silencer (Short story collection)
• 2013: Ayanam - C.V. Sreeraman Katha Puraskaram[10]
• 2017: Prof. Joseph Mundasserry Award
• 2021: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship[11]

Positions held

• President, Kerala Sahitya Akademi (August 2016 – present)[12]
• President, Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham (2013–2018)
• Member, Thunchan Smaraka Samithi ( - present)
• Former Chairman, Kunchan Nambiar Smarakam - Killikurissimangalam[13]
• Former Advisor, Sahitya Akademi
• Former Administration team member, Kerala Sahitya Akademi

See also

• List of Indian writers

References

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