Vaikom Muhammad Basheer : biography
21 January 1908 - 5 July 1994
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer (21 January 1908 – 5 July 1994). New York University. Retrieved June 4, 2013. was a Malayalam fiction writer from the state of Kerala in India. He was a humanist, freedom fighter, novelist and short story writer. He is noted for his path-breaking, disarmingly down-to-earth style of writing that made him equally popular among literary critics as well as the common man. He is regarded as one of the most successful and outstanding writers from India.. Ourkeralam.com. Retrieved June 4, 2013. Translations of his works into other languages have won him worldwide acclaim. His notable works include Balyakalasakhi, Shabdangal, Pathummayude Aadu, Mathilukal, Ntuppuppakkoranendarnnu, Janmadinam and Anargha Nimisham. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1982. He is fondly remembered as the Beypore Sultan.
Published works
Novels
# | Title | Translation in English | Year of Publishing |
1 | Premalekhanam | The Love Letter | 1943 |
2 | Balyakalasakhi | Childhood Companion | 1944 |
3 | Shabdangal | The Voices | 1947 |
4 | Ntuppuppakkoranendarnnu | My Grandad Had an Elephant | 1951 |
5 | Maranathinte Nizhalil | In the Shadow of Death | 1951 |
6 | Mucheettukalikkarante Makal | The Card Sharper's Daughter | 1951 |
7 | Sthalathe Pradhana Divyan | The Principal Divine of the Place | 1953 |
8 | Anavariyum Ponkurishum | Elephant Scooper and Golden Cross | 1953 |
9 | Jeevithanizhalppadukal | The Shadows of Life | 1954 |
10 | Pathummayude Aadu | Paththumma's Goat | 1959 |
11 | Mathilukal | Walls | 1965 |
12 | Thara Specials | | 1968 |
13 | Manthrikappoocha | The Magic Cat | 1968 |
14 | Prempatta | The Loving Cockroach (Published posthumously) | 2006 |
Short stories
# | Title | Translation in English | Year of Publishing |
1 | Janmadinam | The Birthday | 1945 |
2 | Ormakkurippu | Jottings from Memory | 1946 |
3 | Anargha Nimisham | Invaluable Moment (See "Anal Haq") | 1946 |
4 | Viddikalude Swargam | Fools' Paradise | 1948 |
5 | Pavappettavarude Veshya | The Prostitute of the Poor | 1952 |
6 | Vishwavikhyathamaya Mookku | The World-renowned Nose | 1954 |
7 | Visappu | The Hunger | 1954 |
8 | Oru Bhagavad Gitayum Kure Mulakalum | A Bhagavadgeetha and Some Breasts | 1967 |
9 | Anappooda | Elephant-hair | 1975 |
10 | Chirikkunna Marappava | The Laughing Wooden Doll | 1975 |
11 | Bhoomiyude Avakashikal | The Inheritors of the Earth | 1977 |
12 | Shinkidimunkan | The Fools' God Man | 1991 |
13 | Sarpayajnam | The Snake Ritual | | |