OTUPULAKAL VELUKUTTY VIJAYAN

INTRODUCTION

O.V.Vijayan was an Indian Writer and Cartoonist.
He is a major figure in modern Malayalam Language Literature.
He is famous for his first novel, “The Legend of Khazak” (1969).
He won Central and Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards, Vayalar, Muttathuvarki Awards, Ezhutchan Award and Padma Shri.
He was also honored with the Padma Bhushan by President APJ Abdul Kalam in 2003.

A WALK THROUGH HIS LIFE

He was born on July 2, 1930 in Mankara, Palakkad district.
His Father’s name is Velukkutty and Mother’s name is Kamalakshiamma.
His Primary Education was in Areekottulla Higher Elementary School, Kottaikkal Rajas High School, Koduvayur Board High School and Motilal Municipal High School, Palakkad.
He completed BA in English from Government Victoria College, Palakkad.
He completed his MA in English Literature from Presidency College, Madras.
In 1953, He wrote His First Short Story, “Tell Father Gonsalves”.
After passing MA in English from Presidency College,He became a College Teacher.
He then left Teaching and worked as a Cartoonist in Shankers Weekly (1958) and Patriot Daily (1963).
He became a freelance journalist from 1967.
He drew Cartoons for Far Eastern Economic Review (Hong Kong), Political Atlas, Hindu, Mathrubhumi and Kalakaumudi.
In 1969, His First Novel “Khazak’s Ithihasam” (Legends of the Khazak) was published.
He is one of the Indian writers who expressed sharp criticism through writings and cartoons against the Emergency that was declared in India in 1975.
He died on March 30, 2005 due to Parkinson’s Disease.

PROFILE

Name: Otupulakal Velukutty Vijayan

Date of Birth: 2 July 1930

Place of Birth: Palakkad, Kerala

Occupation: Novelist, Short Story Writer, Cartoonist, Journalist

Parents: Kamalakshi Amma, O.Velukutty

Awards:

Died: 30 March 2005

QUOTE’S

“From the nest of this reincarnation, stitched together with the leaves of Mandaram, I depart again.”
“Ravi thought. Wind-stopped house in the middle of coffee plantations, snow on hillsides, wild flowers, then strange evenings, nameless cities. Travel. Rest on the way”