Punathil Kunjabdulla facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Punathil Kunjabdulla
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| Born | 3 April 1940 Vatakara, Malabar District, Madras Presidency, British India (present-day Kerala, India) |
| Died | 27 October 2017 (aged 77) Calicut, Kerala, India |
| Occupation | Writer, medical practitioner |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater | Brennen College, Thalassery Aligarh Muslim University |
| Notable awards | Sahitya Akademi Award (1980) Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award (1978, 1980, 2001, 2010) |
Punathil Kunjabdulla (born April 3, 1940 – died October 27, 2017) was a famous Indian writer from Kerala. He was also a medical doctor. Kunjabdulla was known for his unique and modern style in Malayalam literature. He wrote more than 45 books, including novels, short stories, and travelogues. His novel Smarakasilakal (which means Memorial Stones) won important awards like the Central and State Akademi Awards.
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About Punathil Kunjabdulla
Punathil Kunjabdulla was born in 1940 in a place called Karakkad, near Vatakara in Kerala. His parents were C. K. Mammu and Saina. He went to school in Karakkad and Madappally.
His Education and Career
After high school, he studied science at Government Brennen College, Thalassery. He wanted to study Malayalam literature next. However, his teacher, M. N. Vijayan, told him that he didn't need a special degree to be a writer. His teacher said, "All you need to know are the letters."
So, Punathil Kunjabdulla decided to study medicine instead. He went to Aligarh Muslim University to become a doctor. He worked as a doctor for several years. He married Haleema and they had three children. In his later years, he lived alone in Calicut.
His Unique Life
Punathil Kunjabdulla was known for living life his own way. Even though he grew up in a traditional Muslim family, he was very open-minded. He often said he felt like a Hindu by culture, even though he was born a Muslim. He was not afraid to share his thoughts and beliefs publicly.
He also had an interest in politics. In 2001, he ran for election in Kerala. He said he accepted the offer to run because he wanted to help people. He believed in serving the community, no matter which political party offered him a chance.
Punathil Kunjabdulla passed away on October 27, 2017, at the age of 77. He was working on a new novel called Ya Ayyuhannas when he died.
His Writing Journey
Punathil Kunjabdulla started writing at a young age. He sent his first short story, Bhagyakuri, to a magazine in 1958. He hoped it would be published in the children's section. However, the editor, M. T. Vasudevan Nair, liked it so much that he published it for everyone. Kunjabdulla always looked up to M. T. Vasudevan Nair as his guide in writing and in life.
Famous Novels and Stories
One of his most famous novels is Smarakasilakal (Memorial Stones), published in 1977. This story is set in the area where he grew up. It talks about a powerful family and their traditions.
As a doctor, Kunjabdulla also wrote about the world of hospitals and medical students. His novel Marunnu (Medicine) explores these themes. Another novel, Paralokam, also deals with ideas about death, drawing from his experiences as a doctor.
He wrote many short stories too. His story Kshethravilakkukal (Temple Lights) was chosen as one of the best short stories in Malayalam. He even wrote a novel called Navagrahangulude Thadavara with another writer, Sethu. They worked on it together, writing parts separately and then combining them.
Inspired by His Life
Many of Punathil Kunjabdulla's stories were inspired by his home village of Karakkad. He wrote about real people and places from his childhood.
His time studying medicine in Aligarh also greatly influenced his writing. He spent nine years there and wrote many short stories about his experiences. Because of this, he was sometimes called Aligadhinte Kathakaran, meaning "the storyteller of Aligarh." Some of his well-known books about Aligarh include Aligadhile Tadavukaran (The Prisoner in Aligarh) and Aligadh Kathakal (Aligarh Stories).
He also created strong female characters in his books. Women in his stories like Kure Sthreekal and Ente Kamukimarum Mattu Kathakalum showed life as it truly was.
Awards He Won
Punathil Kunjabdulla received many important awards for his writing:
- Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award (1980) – for Smarakasilakal
- Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel (1978) – for Smarakasilakal
- Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Story (1980) – for Malamukalile Abdulla
- Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Travelogue (2001) – for Volgayil Manju Peyyumbol
- Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (2010)
- Muttathu Varkey Award (1999)
- Mathrubhumi Literary Award (2013)
- Vishwadeepam Award – for Marunnu
Some of His Books
Novels
- Smarakasilakal (1977)
- Marunnu
- Paralokam
- Navagrahangulude Thadavara (with Sethu)
- Ammaye Kaanan (A children's novel)
Short Stories
- Aligarh Kathakal (2012)
- Ente Priyapetta Kathakal
- Kshethravilakkukal
- Malamukalile Abdulla (1974)
- Pranaya Kathakal
- Kathi
Other Writings
- Nashtajaathakam (His autobiography)
- Volgayil Manju Peyyumbol (A travelogue)
- Randaam Chemmeen (Memoirs)
