M. Mukundan

Who is M. Mukundan?

M. Mukundan is one of the pioneers of modernity in Malayalam literature, born in Mahe, part of Puducherry Union Territory in South India. He was born on 10 September 1942 at Mayyazhi, a one-time French territory in India. He served as the president of Kerala Sahitya Akademi from October 2006 until March 2010.

Mukundan is known in Kerala as Mayyazhiyude Kathakaaran. His native village of Mayyazhi figures in his early works: Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil, Daivathinte Vikrithikal, Appam Chudunna Kunkiyamma and Lesli Achante Kadangal.

His first literary work was a short story published in 1961. Mukundan has so far published 12 novels and ten collections of short stories. Mukundan's latest four novels Adithyanum Radhayum Mattu Chilarum, Oru Dalit Yuvathiyude Kadanakatha, Kesavante Vilapangal and Nritham carries a change in structure and approach.

Oru Dalit Yuvathiyude Kadanakatha reveals how Vasundhara, an actress has been insulted in the course of acting due to some unexpected situations. It proclaims the postmodern message that martyrs are created not only through ideologies, but through art also.