The field of

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam was des ...

writers include the following people, from various disciplines and periods.

Art criticism

Mani Madhava Chakyar Guru Mani Madhava Chakyar (IAST: ''Māṇi Mādhava Cākyār'') (15 February 1899 – 14 January 1990) was a celebrated master performance artist and Sanskrit scholar from Kerala, India, considered to be the greatest Chakyar Koothu and Koodiy ...

(1899–1990)

Poetry

* Arnos Paathiri (1681–1732) *

Cherusseri Namboothiri Cherusseri Namboothiri (Malayalam:ചെറുശ്ശേരി നമ്പൂതിരി) is a 15th-century Malayalam poet who belonged to Kolathunadu, in present-day North Malabar region of Kerala. He was a court poet of Udaya Varma (1446� ...

Irayimman Thampi Iravivarman Thampi, better known as Irayimman Thampi (1782 October 12 - 1856 July 29), was an Indian Carnatic musician, music composer and poet from the Kingdom of Travancore. He was a vocalist in the court of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma, Swathi ...

Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai (1859–1936) was an Indian poet and playwright of Malayalam literature. He was known for the epic poem ''Shreeyeshu Vijayam'', which earned him the title of Mahakavi. He was the founder editor of '' Vijnaana Rathnaak ...

(1859–1936) * Kerala Varma Valiya Koyithampuran *

K. C. Kesava Pillai Kanakku Chembakaraman Kesava Pillai (1868–1914) was an Indian composer of Carnatic music and a poet of Malayalam literature. He was the Poet Laureate of Travancore and was known for ''Kesaveeyam'', a mahakavya in Malayalam, two Attakatha (perf ...

(1868–1914) *

Kunchan Nambiar Kunchan Nambiar was a prominent Malayalam poet of the 18th century (1705-1770). Apart from being a prolific poet, Nambiar is also famous as the originator of the dance art form of Thullal, most of his works were written for use in Thullal perfo ...

(1705–1770) *

Kumaran Asan Mahakavi Kumaran Asan (Malayalam: എൻ. കുമാരൻ ആശാൻ) (12 April 1873 – 16 January 1924) was a poet of Malayalam literature, Indian social reformer and a philosopher. He is known to have initiated a revolution in Malayalam ...

(1873–1924) * Kutty Kunju Thankachi *

Niranam poets The Niranam poets, also known as the Kannassan poets, were three poets from the same family by the names of Madhava Panikkar, Sankara Panikkar, and Rama Panikkar. They hailed from Niranam, a small village in southern Kerala, India, near the town ...

Poonthanam Namboothiri Poonthanam Nambudiri (1547–1640AD) was a famous poet and a devotee of Guruvayurappan, who lived in Keezhattoor in what is now Malappuram district, Kerala, India. He is remembered for his masterpiece, '' Jnanappana'' which means "the son ...

Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan (, ) (Malayalam: തുഞ്ചത്ത് രാമാനുജൻ എഴുത്തച്ഛൻ) (Floruit, ''fl.'' 16th century) was a Malayalam devotional poet, translator and linguist from Kerala, sout ...

* Ulloor S Parameswara Iyer (1877–1949) *

Unnayi Warrier Unnayi Warrier was a poet, writer, scholar, and dramatist who lived in Kerala, India during the 17th/18th century. He is best known for his chef-d'oeuvre '' Nalacharitham'' aattakatha and is known to have made significant contributions to the a ...

Vallathol Narayana Menon Vallathol Narayana Menon (Malayalam: വള്ളത്തോൾ നാരായണ മേനോൻ) (16 October 1878 – 13 March 1958) was a Malayalam poet and one of the triumvirate of modern Malayalam poetry, along with Asan and Ulloor ...

(1878–1958)

Modern Romantics

Bodheswaran Bodheswaran (28 December 1901 – 3 July 1990), (also known as Bodheswarananda), was an Indian independence activist, social reformer and a poet of Malayalam literature. He was known for his nationalistic poems such as ''Keralaganam'' and for hi ...

Changampuzha Krishna Pillai Changampuzha Krishna Pillai (Malayalam: ചങ്ങമ്പുഴ കൃഷ്ണപിള്ള; 10 October 1911 – 17 June 1948) was a celebrated Malayalam poet from Kerala, India, known for his elegy ''Ramanan'' (Malayalam: രമണന ...

(1911–1948) *

Edappalli Raghavan Pillai Edappally Raghavan Pillai (30 May 1909 – 4 July 1936) was an Indian poet of Malayalam literature and a close associate of Changampuzha Krishna Pillai. The pair, the front-runners of romanticism in Malayalam, was considered by many as the Shel ...

(1909–1936) * M.P.Appan *

Pala Narayanan Nair Pala Narayanan Nair (11 December 1911 – 11 June 2008) was an Indian poet and lyricist, best known for his work, ''Keralam Valarunnu'', written in 1953, comprising eight volumes, which earned him the title of ''Mahakavi''. He wrote more than 5 ...

* Pallathu Raman (1892-1950) *

P. Kunhiraman Nair Panayanthitta Kunhiraman Nair (4 October 1905 – 27 May 1978), also known as Mahakavi P, was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature. He was known for his romantic poems which detailed the natural beauty of his home state of Kerala in South Ind ...

(1906–1978) *

Vennikkulam Gopala Kurup Vennikkulam Gopala Kurup (1902–1980) was an Indian poet, playwright, translator, lexicographer and story writer of Malayalam. He was the author of a number of poetry anthologies, besides other works, and he translated '' Abhijnana Shakuntalam' ...

Other modern poets

Akkitham Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri (18 March 1926 – 15 October 2020), popularly known as Akkitham, was an Indian poet and essayist who wrote in Malayalam. He was known for a simple and lucid style of writing, exploring themes of profound love and ...

Attoor Ravi Varma Attoor Ravi Varma (27 December 1930 – 26 July 2019)

A. Ayyappan A. Ayyappan (27 October 1949 – 21 October 2010) was an Indian Malayalam-language poet in the modernist period. He is considered as the "Icon of anarchism" in Malayalam poetry. He was also an iconoclast figure who had a close friendship with ...

* Ayyappa Panicker *

Balachandran Chullikkadu Balachandran Chullikkad (born 30 July 1957) is an Indian poet, orator, lyricist and actor in Malayalam-language. Early life Balachandran was born in Paravur, Ernakulam, Kerala, India. He completed his graduation in English literature from the ...

Chandiroor Divakaran Kalathil Makki Divakaran ( ml, കളത്തിൽ മാക്കി ദിവാകരൻ), also known by his pen name Chandiroor Divakaran, is a Malayalam–language poet and folk-song writer from Kerala, India. He was awarded the Ambedkar Na ...

* Edasseri *

G. Shankara Kurup G. Sankara Kurup, (3 June 1901 – 2 February 1978) also referred to as Mahakavi G (The Great Poet G), was an Indian poet, essayist and literary critic of Malayalam literature. Known as one of the greats of Malayalam poetry, he was the first r ...

(1900–1978) *

Kadammanitta Kadammanitta is a village in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India which is famous for Padayani. See also * Padayani * Vazhamuttom * Thazhoor Bhagavathy Kshetram Thazhoor Bhagavathy Kshetram, ( ml, താഴൂര് ഭഗവതി ക� ...

Kadathanat Madhavi Amma Kadathanat Madhavi Amma (15 June 1909 – 24 December 1999) was an Indian poet, novelist and short story writer of Malayalam literature. Known for poetry anthologies such as ''Kalyopaharam'' and ''Kanikkonna'', she was also the author of two work ...

Kureepuzha Sreekumar Kureepuzha Sreekumar (born 10 April 1955 in Kureepuzha, Kollam, Kerala) is a noted Malayalam poet with modernist inclinations. His books of poetry include ''Habibinte Dinakkurippukal'', his first, published in 1984, ''Sreekumarinte Dukkangal'' ...

Lalitha Lenin Lalitha Lenin ( ml, ലളിത ലെനിന്‍‍; born 17 July 1946, in Thrithalloor, Thrissur, Kerala) is an Indian poet in Malayalam. K. K. Lalitha Bai (her official name) was also the Head of the Department of Library and Informati ...

V Madhusoodanan Nair V. Madhusoodanan Nair is an Indian poet and critic of Malayalam literature, who is credited with contributions in popularizing poetry through recitation. He is best known for ''Naranathu Bhranthan'', the poem with the most editions in Malayalam ...

M. Govindan Mancherath Thazhathethil Govindan (1919–1989) was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature and a cultural activist from Kerala, India. He was known for his writings as well as for his efforts in assisting Anand to publish his debut novel, ''Aa ...

* Mary John Thottam * Nellikkal Muraleedharan *

N. V. Krishna Warrier N. V. Krishna Warrier (May 13, 1916 – October 12, 1989) was an Indian poet, journalist, scholar, academician and political thinker. A prolific writer, Warrier's works covered the genres of poetry, drama, travelogue, translation, children's lit ...

Olappamanna Olappamanna Mana Subramanian Namboothirippad (January 10, 1923 – April 10, 2000), better identified by his family name, Olappamanna , was an Indian poet of Malayalam literature. A former chairman of Kerala Kalamandalam and an author of 20 bo ...

O. N. V. Kurup Ottaplakkal Neelakandan Velu Kurup (known as O. N. V. Kurup; 27 May 1931 – 13 February 2016) was a Malayalam poet and lyricist from Kerala, India, who won the Jnanpith Award, the highest literary award in India for the year 2007. He receive ...

Punaloor Balan Punalur Balan (1927–1987) was an Indian writer and a poet in Malayalam. He was born on 3 January 1927 in Punalur, Kollam district, Kerala. From his student days he was associated with the Communist movement and shot to fame during the ' Pink ...

Satchidanandan K. Satchidanandan (1946) is an Indian poet and critic, writing in Malayalam and English. A pioneer of modern poetry in Malayalam, a bilingual literary critic, playwright, editor, columnist and translator, he is the former editor of ''Indian L ...

Sugathakumari Sugathakumari (22 January 1934 – 23 December 2020) was an Indian poet and activist, who was at the forefront of environmental and feminist movements in Kerala, South India. Her parents were the poet and freedom fighter Bodheswaran and V. K. K ...

Thirunalloor Karunakaran Thirunalloor Karunakaran (8 October 1924 – 5 July 2006) was a poet, scholar, teacher and leftist intellectual of Kerala, India. Biography Early life Thirunalloor (variously spelled in English as Thiru''nelloor'', Thiru''nellur'' and Thiru''n ...

Vayalar Ramavarma Vayalar Ramavarma (March 25, 1928 – October 27, 1975), also known as Vayalar, was an Indian poet and lyricist of Malayalam language. He was known for his poems which include ''Sargasangeetham'', ''Mulankaadu'', ''Padamudrakal'', ''Aayisha'' a ...

* Vinayachandran *

Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri (2 June 1939 – 25 February 2021) was an Indian writer and scholar of Malayalam literature. Known primarily for his poems, Namboothiri also contributed to other genres such as essays, translations and children's lite ...

* Vyloppilli (1911–1985)

Post-modern poets

Anvar Ali Anwar Ali (born 1 July 1966), also known Anvar Ali, is an Indian poet and lyricist writing in Malayalam. He is also a literary editor and critic, translator, screen-writer, and documentary filmmaker. Career Literature Ali’s first collectio ...

A. C. Sreehari A. C. Sreehari (born 1970, in Payyanur, Kerala) is a poet/writer in Malayalam literature. His poems are included in many anthologies of Malayalam writing, such as ''Yuvakavithakkoottam'' (Kottayam: D. C. Books, 1999), ''Kavithayute Noottaantu'' ( ...

Kalpatta Narayanan Kalpatta Narayanan (born January, 1952) is an Indian novelist, short story writer, essayist, columnist, and a poet of Malayalam literature. He is known for his novel, ''Ithramathram'' and a number of poetry anthologies and other literary contribu ...

* Kavitha Balakrishnan *

Manoj Kuroor Manoj Kuroor (Malayalam മനോജ് കുറൂർ; born 31 May 1971) is an Indian poet and lyricist who writes in Malayalam. Personal life Manoj Kuroor was born at Kottayam, to chenda exponent Kuroor Cheriya Vasudevan Namboothiri and Sre ...

* Mohanakrishnan Kaladi *

M.S. Banesh M.S. Banesh is an Indian poet and novelist writing in Malayalam. He is also a documentary filmmaker and journalist. Life M. S. Banesh was born at Kodungallur in Thrissur District in Kerala, a southern state in India. He postgraduated in Malayala ...

Rafeeq Ahamed Rafeeq Ahmed (born 17 December 1961) is a Malayalam poet, lyricist and novelist. He has won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry and is a five-time winner of the Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics. With more than 600 songs in his cr ...

* Rajesh Chithira *

P. P. Ramachandran P. P. Ramachandran is a Malayalam poet. Works His poems are collected in two books, ''Kanekkane'' (Thrissur: Current Books) and ''Rantay Murichathu'' (Cut into Two) (Thrissur: Current Books). Awards His collection ''Kanekkane'' won the Ke ...

* T. P. Rajeevan *

Sathish Kalathil Sathish Kalathil is an Indian film and documentary director and producer in Malayalam. He is also story writer, and lyricist. His experimental works are well known and appropriately discussed in Malayalam Cinema industry and his debut movie Ja ...

* Satyan Madakkara * S. Joseph * T. P. Rajeevan * V. M. Girija *

Veerankutty Veerankutty ( ml, വീരാന്‍കുട്ടി) is a Malayalam poet and former Associate Professor in Dept of Malayalam Govt College Madappally. He was born in Narayamkulam near Perambra in Kozhikode District, Kerala, India. Veera ...

Fiction

Early period

* Ambadi Narayana Poduval (1871–1936) *

Appu Nedungadi Appu Nedungadi (11 October 1863 6 November 1933) is the author of ''Kundalatha'', which was published in 1887, making it as the first novel published in Malayalam. He was the founder/editor of literary publications ''Kerala Pathrika'', ''Kerala ...

(1863–1933) * C. Kunhirama Menon (M. R. K. C.) (1882–1939) * C. S. Gopala Panicker (1872–1940) * C. V. Raman Pillai (1858–1922) *

Moorkoth Kumaran Moorkoth Kumaran (1874–1941) was a social reformer, a teacher and a short story writer in Malayalam. Kumaran came from a Thiyya family of Thalassery, Kannur. He was a disciple of Narayana Guru and wrote the first biography of Guru. He initiated ...

(1874–1941) *

O. Chandhu Menon Oyyarathu Chandu Menon (popularly known as O. Chandu Menon) (1847–1899) was a Malayalam language novelist. He is the author of '' Indulekha'', the first major novel in Malayalam published in 1889. Life Chandu Menon was born on 9 January 1847 in ...

(1847–1900) *

Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1860 – 14 November 1914) was a Malayali essayist and short story writer, and a prominent landlord of Malabar district. Vengayil family Nayanar was born in an aristocratic Nair family known as "Vengayil" in Chiracka ...

(1860–1914)

Modern

* Anand * Ashitha *

Basheer Bashir or Basheer or the francicized Bachir or Bechir ( ar, بشير) is a male given name. Derived from Arabic, it means "the one who brings good news". It is also a surname. Bashir may refer to: Mononym * Bashir I, Lebanese emir of the Shih ...

(1908–1994) * Benyamin * Chandramathi *

C. Radhakrishnan C. Radhakrishnan (born 15 February 1939) is a writer and film director in Malayalam language from Kerala, India. Life Chakkupurayil Radhakrishnan was born on 15 February 1939 in Chamravattom (a village in Tirur) in Malapuram District, which wa ...

C. V. Kunhiraman C. V. Kunhiraman (6 February 1871 – 10 April 1949) was an Indian social reformer, journalist and the founder of Kerala Kaumudi daily. A follower of Sree Narayana Guru, Kunhiraman was the author of a number of books covering the genres of ...

E. Harikumar E. Harikumar (13 July 1943 – 24 March 2020) was an Indian Malayalam novelist and short story writer and novelist in Malayalam, the language of Kerala in South West India. Born on 13 July 1943 in Ponani a coastal town between Calicut and ...

Geetha Hiranyan Geetha Hiranyan (20 March 1958 – 2 January 2002) was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature. Known for her short stories, compiled in three books, ''Ottasnappil Othukkanavilla Janmasathyam'', ''Asangaditha'' and ''Iniyum Veedatha Hrudayathi ...

* George Onakkur * Hassan Thikkodi * Joy J. Kaimaparamban *

Kakkanadan George Varghese Kakkanadan (23 April 1935 – 19 October 2011), commonly known as Kakkanadan, was an Indian short-story writer and novelist in the Malayalam language. His works broke away from the neo-realism that dominated Malayalam literature ...

(1935–2011) *

Karur Karur () is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Karur is the administrative headquarters of Karur district. It is located on the banks of River Amaravathi, Kaveri and Noyyal. Karur is well known for the export of Home Textile products to ...

(1898–1974) *

Kovilan Kandanisseri Vattamparambil Velappan Ayyappan (9 July 1923 – 2 June 2010) or V. V. Ayyappan, better known by his pen name Kovilan, was an Indian Malayalam language novelist and freedom fighter from Kerala. He is considered one of the most pro ...

* K. Saraswathi Amma (1919–1974) * K. Surendran *

Lalithambika Antharjanam Lalithambika Antharjanam (March 30, 1909 – February 6, 1987) was an Indian author and social reformer best known for her literary works in Malayalam language. She was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and social reform movements among the Nambuthir ...

(1909–1987) * Madhavikkutti (Kamala Das) *

Malayatoor Ramakrishnan K. V. Ramakrishna Iyer, better known by his pen name, Malayattoor Ramakrishnan (27 May 1927 – 27 December 1997), was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature, cartoonist, lawyer, judicial magistrate, and Indian Administrative Service (IAS) o ...

(1927–1997) * M. Mukundan *

M. P. Narayana Pillai Malikathazhathu Pulluvazhy Narayana Pillai ( ml, എം.പി. നാരായണപിള്ള) (22 November 1939 – 19 May 1998), affectionately known as Nanappan among his friends, was a journalist and writer of Malayalam literature. Know ...

M. T. Vasudevan Nair Madath Thekkepaattu Vasudevan Nair (born 1933 July 15 ), popularly known as MT, is an Indian author, screenplay writer and film director. He is a prolific and versatile writer in modern Malayalam literature, and is one of the masters of post-I ...

Nandanar Nandanar (also spelt as Nantanar), also known as Tirunalaippovar (Thirunaallaippovaar (The one who will go tomorrow)) and Tiru Nalai Povar Nayanar,Other names include: Nandan (Nanda, Nantan), Tirunalaipovanar, Nalaippovar, Nalaippovan was a ...

N. S. Madhavan N. S. Madhavan (born 9 September 1948) is an Indian writer of Malayalam literature. Known for his novel, ''Lanthan Batheriyile Luthiniyakal'' (Litanies of the Dutch Battery) and a host of short stories such as ''Higuita'', ''Thiruthu'', ''Chulai ...

* N. P. Mohammed * O. V. Vijayan (1930–2005) *

P. Padmarajan P. Padmarajan (23 May 1945 – 23 January 1991) was an Indian film maker, screenwriter and author who was known for his works in Malayalam literature and Malayalam cinema. He was the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam cinema, a ...

(1945–1991) *

Parappurath Kizhakkepainummoodu Easo Mathai, better known by his pen name Parappurath (1924–1981), was an Indian novelist, short story writer and screenwriter who wrote in the Malayalam language. His body of work comprises 20 novels, 14 short story anthol ...

(K.E. Mathai) * Pattathuvila * P. F. Mathews *

P. K. Balakrishnan Panikkassery Keshavan Balakrishnan (March 2, 1925 – April 3, 1991) was an Indian novelist and critic. A doyen of Malayalam literature, he is best known for his novel, '' Ini Njan Urangatte'' (''And now, Let me Sleep''), a novel based on Maha ...

(1926–1991) * Ponjikkara Rafi *

Ponkunnam Varkey Ponkunnam Varkey ( ml, പൊൻകുന്നം വർക്കി; 1 July 1910 – 2 July 2004) was a writer and activist from Kerala, India. Varkey was one of the pioneers of the progressive writers' forum and literary writers' co-operative ...

(1908–2004) * Kesava Dev (1904–1983) * P. M. Taj (1956–1990) * P. R. Shyamala * Priya A. S. *

Sachidanandan K. Satchidanandan (1946) is an Indian poet and critic, writing in Malayalam and English. A pioneer of modern poetry in Malayalam, a bilingual literary critic, playwright, editor, columnist and translator, he is the former editor of ''Indian L ...

* Sajil Sreedhar * Shahina EK * *

S. K. Pottekkatt Sankarankutty Kunjiraman Pottekkatt (14 March 1913 – 6 August 1982) was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature and a politician from Kerala, India. He was also a great traveller among the Keralites, who wrote many travelogues for the peopl ...

(1913–1982) *

Subhash Chandran Subhash Chandran (born 1972) born in Kerala, India, is a Malayalam novelist, short story writer and journalist best known for the 2010 novel '' Manushyanu Oru Aamukham''. His stories "Vadhakramam", "Sanmargam", "Parudeesa Nashtam" and "Gotham" ...

* T. D. Ramakrishnan *

Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai (17 April 1912 – 10 April 1999), popularly known as Thakazhi after his place of birth, was an Indian novelist and short story writer of Malayalam literature. He wrote over 30 novels and novellas and over 7 shor ...

(1914–1999) *

T. Padmanabhan Thinakkal Padmanabhan (born 5 February 1931), popularly known as T. Padmanabhan, is an Indian short story writer of Malayalam literature. He is a recipient of several awards including the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, the highest literary award of t ...

* T. V. Kochubava *

Uroob Parutholli Chalappurathu Kuttikrishnan, popularly known by his pen name Uroob ( ml, ഉറൂബ്; 1915 – 1979) was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature. Along with Basheer, Thakazhi, Kesavadev, and Pottekkatt, Uroob was counted am ...

(1915–1979) *

Vaikom Chandrasekharan Nair Vaikom Chandrasekharan Nair ( ml, വൈക്കം ചന്ദ്രശേഖരൻ നായർ; 1920 – 12 April 2005), popularly known as Vaikom ( ml, വൈക്കം), was an Indian writer and journalist who wrote primarily in Malayala ...

V. J. James V. J. James is an Indian writer who primarily writes in Malayalam language. His first book, ''Purapaadinte Pusthakam'', was published by DC Books as the winning work in the novel competition conducted as a part of its 25th anniversary celebrati ...

V. K. N. 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. He wrote novels, short stories and political commentaries. His works are ...

(1932–2004) * V. P. Sivakumar * Zacharia

Post-modern fiction

* Anoop Sasikumar * G. R. Indugopan *

Pradeep Pradeep is a Diya lamp, used in Puja (religious ceremonies) in Hinduism, Jainism, & Buddhism. It is related to the name Pradip. Notable people with the name include: Pradeep Dahal* Pradeep (actor) * Kavi Pradeep * Vidya Pradeep * Pradeep Kumar * ...

S. Hareesh S. Hareesh (born 1975) is an Indian writer, translator and screenwriter of Malayalam literature and cinema. He is best known for his short stories and his acclaimed but controversial debut novel, Meesha, which explores caste in Kerala in the ...

* Socrates K. Valath

Playwrights

* C. J. Thomas * C. L. Jose *

C. N. Sreekantan Nair C. N. Sreekantan Nair (1928–1976) was an Indian independence activist, a Malayalam writer, short story writer, playwright and screenwriter, best known for his ''Ramayana'' trilogy – ''Kanchana Sita'', ''Saketham'' and ''Lankalakshmi''. He wrot ...

G. Sankara Pillai Gopala Pillai Sankara Pillai (June 22, 1930 – January 1, 1989), better known as G. Sankara Pillai, was an Indian playwright, literary critic, and director, known to be one of the pioneers of modern Malayalam theatre. A proponent of total the ...

Kainikkara Kumara Pillai Kainikkara Kumara Pillai (1900–1988) was an Indian teacher, actor, short story writer, essayist and playwright of Malayalam literature, best known for his plays such as ''Harichandra'', ''Mathruka Manushyan'' and ''Mohavum, Mukhtiyum''. He was ...

Kainikkara Padmanabha Pillai Kainikkara Padmanabha Pillai (1898–1976), popularly identified as Swathithirunal Kainikkara Padmanabha Pillai after his magnum opus, ''Swathithirunal'', was an Indian author of Malayalam literature, actor, speaker, teacher and thinker. He was ...

S. L. Puram Sadanandan S. L. Puram Sadanandan (15 April 1928 – 16 September 2005) was an Indian playwright and film scriptwriter from Kerala, India. Career In 1967, he got the first ever National Film Award for Best Screenplay for the film '' Agniputhri''. Dea ...

Thikkodiyan P. Kunjanandan Nair (February 15, 1916 – January 28, 2001), better known by his pseudonym, Thikkodiyan, was an Indian playwright, novelist, lyricist and screenwriter of Malayalam. He was known for his contributions to the genre of radio p ...

Thoppil Bhasi Thoppil Bhaskara Pillai, known as Thoppil Bhasi (8 April 1924 – 8 December 1992) was an Indian Malayalam-language playwright, screenwriter, and film director. He was associated with the communist movement in Kerala and his play '' Ningalenne ...

T. N. Gopinathan Nair T. N. Gopinathan Nair (24 April 1918 – 24 May 1999), was an Indian dramatist, novelist, poet, screenwriter and biographer of Malayalam language. One of the prolific among Malayalam playwrights, Nair published 39 plays, besides his four novels ...

Children's literature

* P. Narendranath * Shebaly *

Sippy Pallippuram Sippy Pallippuram is an Indian writer of children's literature in Malayalam who has won several awards including Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award and Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. His novel about the memories of Kunjunni Mash ''Oridathoru Kunjun ...

* Sumangala

Essayists

* Annie Thayyil *

C. N. Ahmad Moulavi C. N. Ahmad Moulavi (1905 – 1993) was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature, best known as the translator of the first complete publication of Quran in Malayalam. He was the author of a number of books on Islam and was reported to have cont ...

* K. M. George *

Puthezhath Raman Menon Puthezhath Raman Menon (19 October 1891 – 22 September 1973) was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature. Known for essays, historical writings, biographies and translations, Menon was the first to translate Tagore's works into Malayalam. He ...

R. Narayana Panickar R. Narayana Panickar (25 January 1889 – 29 October 1959) was an Indian essayist, playwright, translator, lexicographer, novelist and historian of Malayalam. He was credited with over 100 books but the best known among them are the seven-volume ...

Sanjayan Mannikoth Ramunni Nair (1903–1943), better known by his pseudonym, Sanjayan, was a Malayalam writer, journalist and one of the pioneers of satirical writing in Malayalam literature. Along with E. V. Krishna Pillai, another of the notable Malay ...

S. Guptan Nair S. Guptan Nair (1919 – 2006) was an Indian scholar, academic, critic and writer of Malayalam literature. Known for his literary works as well as for his oratorical skills, Nair was a prolific writer with over 35 books to his credit. He was a d ...

* Sabeena Rafi *

Sooranad Kunjan Pillai Sooranad P. N. Kunjan Pillai (24 June 1911 8 March 1995) was an Indian researcher, lexicographer, poet, essayist, literary critic, orator, grammarian, educationist, and scholar of the Malayalam language, best remembered for his contributions ...

Sukumar Azhikode Koloth Thattarath Sukumaran, popularly known as Sukumar Azhikode (26 May 1926 – 24 January 2012) was an Indian academic, orator, critic and writer of Malayalam literature, known for his contributions to Malayalam language and insights on Indian ...

* T. M. Chummar * V. V. K. Valath

Literary criticism

* K.Damodaran (1912–1976) *

Kesari Balakrishna Pillai Akathoot Balakrishna Pillai (1889–1960), better known as Kesari Balakrishna Pillai, was a Malayalam writer, art and literary critic and journalist, considered by many as one of the most influential thinkers of modern Kerala. He was the eponymous ...

(1889–1960) * K. M. Daniel (1920–1988) * K. P. Appan (1936–2008) *

Kuttikrishna Marar Karikkatt Marathu Kuttikrishna Marar (14 June 1900 – 6 April 1973) was an Indian essayist and literary critic of Malayalam literature. He was known for ''Bharathaparyaadanam'', a critical study of the Mahabharata, which is counted by many a ...

(1900–1973) *

Kuttipuzha Krishna Pillai Kuttipuzha Krishna Pillai (1 August 1900 – 11 February 1971), was an Indian scholar, journalist, philosopher, atheist and critic of Malayalam language. Counted among the prominent literary critics of the language, he wrote a number of books co ...

* M. Achuthan (1930–2017) * M. Krishnan Nair *

M. K. Sanu M. K. Sanu (born 27 October 1928) is a Malayali writer, critic, retired professor, biographer, journalist, orator, social activist, and human rights activist. He has authored over thirty-six books. He is a permanent member of the International B ...

* M. Leelavathy * M. N. Vijayan (1930–2007) *

M. P. Paul Menacherry Poulose Paul (1904–1952) was an academic, educationist, scholar and literary critic of Malayalam. Considered by many as one of the major literary critics of Malayalam literature, Paul inaugurated comparative literature in Malayala ...

(1904–1952) * M.R. Chandrasekharan * Mundasseri (1901–1977) *

Narendra Prasad Raghava Kurup Narendra Prasad (26 December 1946 3 November 2003) was an Indian actor, playwright, director, teacher and literary critic. He was born at Mavelikkara in the erstwhile Kingdom of Travancore. Appreciated for his body language and ...

(1946–2003) *

P. K. Narayana Pillai P. K. Narayana Pillai (21 March 1879 – 10 February 1936), better identified as Sahitya Panchanan P. K. Narayana Pillai, was an Indian literary critic, essayist, scholar, grammarian and poet of Malayalam language. One of the pioneers of literar ...

(1919–2006) * S. Rajasekharan *

(1926–2012) * V. C. Sreejan * P. K. Rajasekharan

Film criticism

C. S. Venkiteswaran Venkiteswaran Chittur Subramanian (born 23 May 1959) is an Indian film critic, professor, documentary filmmaker, writer and occasional subtitler from Chalakudi, Kerala, India, who writes predominantly in English and Malayalam. He won the Nationa ...

Kozhikodan K. Appukuttan Nair (1925–2007), better known as Kozhikodan, was a film critic and writer from Kerala, India. He began writing on films from the early 1950s. He started writing in ''Mathrubhumi'' and '' Chandrika'', and later became a regular co ...

Vijayakrishnan Vijayakrishnan was born in 1952 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He is a well-known film critic as well as a film director who also writes stories and movie reviews. Vijayakrishnan has received eight State Awards, one National Award, and two Cri ...

Translation

Leela Devi Dr. R. Leela Devi (13 February 1932 – 19 May 1998) was an Indian writer, translator, and teacher who wrote in English, Malayalam, and Sanskrit. She was from the state of Kerala. Profession Writer and translator Dr. R. Leela Devi wrote ...

* M. K. Kumaran * M. N. Sathyaardhi * Nileena Abraham *

N. K. Damodaran N.K.Damodaran (1909–1996) was a writer and translator of Kerala, India. He was born on 3 August 1909 in Aranmula Aranmula is a temple town in the state of Kerala, India. It is known as the cultural capital of Pathanamthitta distr ...

V. Unnikrishnan Nair Vasupurath Unnikrishnan Nair (9 January 1893 – 19 May 1985) was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature, best known as a contemporary and associate of Vallathol Narayana Menon. He was the author of a number of books which include ''Tagorinte ...

Others

Hermann Gundert Hermann Gundert ( Stuttgart, 4 February 1814 – 25 April 1893 in Calw, Germany) was a German missionary, scholar, and linguist, as well as the maternal grandfather of German novelist and Nobel laureate Hermann Hesse. Gundert is chiefly kno ...

* Jyesthadevan *

Kottarathil Sankunni Kottarathil Sankunni (born Vasudevan, 1855–1937) was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature. Best known as the author of Aithihyamala, an eight-volume compilation of century-old legends about Kerala, Sankunni's writings cover prose and poetry ...

* Krishna Chaithanya

References

{{Reflist

* authors by category