V. K. N.

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"VKN" redirects here. For other uses, see VKN (disambiguation).
V.K.N.
Trichur, Kingdom of Cochin
Died25 January 2004(2004-01-25) (aged 74)
Thiruvilwamala, Trichur, Kerala, India
OccupationWriter, journalist
LanguageMalayalam
GenreNovel, short story, humour, essay, screenplay (Appunni).
Notable worksArohanam, Payyan Kathakal
SpouseVedavathi
ChildrenBalachandran, Ranjana

Vadakkke Koottala Narayanankutty Nair, commonly known as V.K.N. (7 April 1929 – 25 January 2004), was a prominent Malayalam writer, noted mainly for his highbrow satire.[1] He wrote novels, short stories and political commentaries. His works are noted for their multi-layered humour, trenchant criticism of the socio-political classes and ability to twist the meanings of words contextually and lend a touch of magic to his language.[2]

Biography

A native of

Mathrubhumi Weekly
.

Personal life

V.K.N was married to Vedavathi Amma. They had a son Balachandran & a daughter Ranjana.[4]

Literary life

VKN's entry into

Kamasutra
, was a narrative device for him, which he brought into play in his stories and novels.

It was in the 1960s that VKN came to prominence as a writer. But, by then he had left

O.V. Vijayan, M. Mukundan, George Varghese Kakkanadan and M. P. Narayana Pillai
. VKN "landed" in this circle. These writers used to meet regularly to thrash out literature, politics or whatever else was the topic of the day – a preparation that capacitated them to accomplish new heights in writing.

As might be expected, VKN became an unfailing member of that collective. Those interactions, evidently, helped him be conversant with the latest developments in literature and consummate his style that is full of vim and vigour. Also, it could be that it was from those gatherings that he picked out many of his prototypical characters, especially the quick-witted, but hard-up "hero", Payyan (The Guy) of his seminal work, Payyan Kathakal (The Stories of Payyan), who made inroads into the higher echelons of power and wealth using nothing but his sharp intelligence and winning demeanour.

The Delhi life in 1960s had significantly contributed to framing VKN's social outlook as well. The institutionalisation of unscrupulous political manipulations, power brokerage, corruption and the murky dealings in the corridors of power; all that to which he became a silent, nonetheless alert, head-on witness deepened his distrust of the entire social and political order. And, what he did was to make them materials for a laugh that begot another laugh, which finally spread across our body, mind and intellect. For that reason, he was labelled "humorist". He called his novels "Pennpada", "Manchal" and "Pithamahan" "historical satires", a new genre he created.

VKN's important works are Pithamahan (The Great Grandfather), Arohanam, which literally means "The Ascend" but "Bovine Bugles" in the author's own translation, Adhikaram (The Power), Payyan Kathakal (The Stories of Payyan), Sir Chathuleecock, Kavi (The Saffron), Chathans, and Chitrakeralam (Kerala Pictures). "Humour", in none of these works, did mean just a laugh. Certainly, he made use of all that is available in the repertoire of humour: irony, satire, parody and burlesque. But, be it about the misuse of power, the abuse of female body, the libertinism of the affluent, or about the fate of the poor of the day; his narration was historically and politically many-voiced. Nothing escaped his keen-eyed scrutiny by which he puzzled readers as to how they should take it; laugh, cry or get agitated. His humour, in substance, was a lamentation on human fallacies. And, just like that, a resistance to authoritarianism of all sorts. He dispassionately chronicled the transition of society from one phase to another. And "laughed" because, like his favourite character Payyan, "he could not cry". [5]

Positions held

Sl. No: Designation Institution/Board Period
1 Chairman Kunchan Nambiar Society Unknown
2 Vice chairman Kerala Sahitya Academy Unknown

[6]

Death

He died on 25 January 2004 at his residence in Thiruvilwamala. He was 74. He was ailing for some time. The last rites were performed at Pambadi on the banks of the Bharathappuzha.

Works

Novels

  • Bovine Bugles
    )
  • Pithamahan
  • Adhikaram
  • Anantharam
  • Asuravani
  • Penpada
  • Kaavi
  • General Chathans
  • Manchal
  • Syndicate
  • Orazhcha

Collections of short stories

  • Payyan Kathakal
  • Sir Chathuvinte Ruling
  • Hajyaru
  • Mananchira Test
  • V. K. N. Kathakal
  • Ambathu Kathakal
  • Oru Nooru Mini Kathakal
  • Ayyaayiravum Kooppum
  • Naanuaru
  • Payyan
  • Kaalaghattathile Payyan
  • Mandahasam
  • Cleopatra
  • Payyante Samaram
  • Payyante Rajavu
  • Mangalapuram Pootham
  • Kozhi
  • prathal

Awards

  • 1969: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award – Arohanam[7][8]
  • 1978: M. P. Paul Award – overall contributions for Malayalam literature
  • 1982:
    Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award
    – Payyan Kathakal
  • 1987: Religious Harmony Award (instituted by the Organisation of Understanding and Fraternity, New Delhi
  • 1997:
    Muttathu Varkey Award
    – Pitamahan

References

  1. ^ "VKN dead". The Hindu. 26 January 2004. Archived from the original on 18 February 2004. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
  2. ^ a b Thachom Poyil Rajeevan (4 April 2004). "Laughter born of tears". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 May 2004. Retrieved 17 July 2009.
  3. ^ "Ennu Swantham V.K.N" published by Priyatha books
  4. ^ "VKN dead". Angelfire. Retrieved 19 April 2023.
  5. ^ "The Hindu : Laughter born of tears". www.hindu.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2004. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Recipients Since 1995". Archived from the original on 13 April 2021.
  7. ^ "Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award" (in Malayalam). Kerala Sahitya Akademi. Retrieved 1 July 2013. [dead link]
  8. ^ "Literary Awards" Archived 18 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Government of Kerala. Retrieved 1 July 2013.

Further reading

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