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S. K. Pottekkatt
Born	(1913-03-14)14 March 1913 Calicut, Madras Presidency, British India
Died	6 August 1982(1982-08-06) (aged 69) Calicut, Kerala, India
Occupation	Teacher writer politician
Genre	Novel, travelogue, short story, plays, essay, poetry
Notable works	Oru Desathinte Katha Oru Theruvinte Katha Naadan Premam
Notable awards	1961 Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel 1972 Sahitya Akademi Award 1980 Jnanpith Award
Spouse	Jayavalli ​(m. 1950)​
Children	4
Relatives	Kunjiraman (father) Kittuli (mother)

Sankarankutty Kunjiraman Pottekkatt (14 March 1913 – 6 August 1982) was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature, traveller, and politician from Kerala. Best known for his travelogues, he has authored nearly 60 books, which include 10 novels, 24 collections of short stories, three anthologies of poems, 18 travelogues, four plays, a collection of essays and a couple of books based on personal reminiscences.

He is a recipient of Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel, Sahitya Akademi Award and the Jnanpith Award. His works have been translated into English, Italian, Russian, German and Czech, besides all major Indian languages.

Early life

S. K. Pottekkatt was born on 14 March 1913, in Calicut (Kozhikode) to Kunjiraman Pottekkat, an English school teacher and his wife, Kittuli. After early schooling at Ganapath School, he matriculated from Zamorin's High School in Calicut in 1929 and passed the intermediate examination from Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College, Calicut in 1934 but could not find a job for three years, a period which he utilised for studying classics from Indian and western literature. In 1937, he joined Calicut Gujarati School as a teacher where he taught for almost three years. He was involved with activities of the Indian National Congress and attended the Tripuri session of 1939 for which he resigned from the job as the school authorities did not allow him to leave of absence. Subsequently, he moved to Bombay and Lucknow where he stayed until 1945, doing many jobs.

After returning to Kerala in 1945, he travelled to many parts of India and went on his first overseas tour in 1949 when he visited Africa, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, France and England. In 1952, he again went overseas to visit Ceylon, Malaya, and Indonesia.

Literary career and travels

Pottekkatt published his first story, "Rajaneethi", in the college magazine of Zamorin's Guruvayurappan College in 1928. "Makane Konna Madyam" (poem published in Athmavidya Kahalam) and "Hindu Muslim Maithri" (story published in Deepam) were some of his notable early works. The story "Vydyutha Shakthi" came in the February 1934 issue of Mathrubhumi Illustrated Weekly. He wrote his first novel, Naadanpremam, a romantic story set in Mukkam, a small hamlet in Kozhikode district, in 1939 while he was in Bombay and the novel was eventually published in 1941. This was followed by Yavanikakku Pinnil, a short story anthology, and the second novel Vishakanyaka; the latter would receive a prize from the Madras government in 1949. Two travelogues were the next two publications, Kappirikalude Naattil (In the Land of the Negroes) and Innathe Europe (The Europe Today), both based on his first overseas tour. He published Oru Theruvinte Katha in 1960 and his magnum opus, Oru Desathinte Katha, in 1971.

Pottekkatt was a writer of strong social commitment and ideals, possessing an individualistic vision. He is reported to be the pioneer of the genre of travelogues in India and its most notable practitioner in Malayalam literature which earned him the moniker, the John Gunther of Malayalam. Poetry anthologies like Sanchariyude Geethangal and Premashilpi, Achan (play), novels like Premashiksha and Moodupadam, short story anthologies such as Nishagandhi, Pulliman and Chandrakatham, travelogues viz. Simhabhoomi, Nile Diary and Pathira Sooryante Nattil as well as memoirs like Ponthakkadukal and Samsarikkunna Diarykurippukal are some of his other major works.

His works have been translated into English, Italian, Russian, German and Czech, besides all major Indian languages. An Italian anthology of The Best Short Stories of the World published from Milan in 1971 included his Braanthan Naaya (Mad Dog). A collection of eleven of his short stories in Russian had a sensational sales of one hundred thousand copies in two weeks. His stories have made into feature films in Malayalam; Naadan Premam, Moodupadam, Pulliman and Njavalppazhangal are some of them. Kadavu, a 1991 film written directed by M. T. Vasudevan Nair based on his short story "Kadathuthoni", received prizes at several international film festivals. The 2015 film Manikyam was an adaptation of the novel Prema Shiksha.

Political career

Pottekkatt contested twice as independent candidate in elections to Indian Parliament from Thalassery under the banner of the Communist Party of India, the first in 1957 to the 2nd Lok Sabha when he lost to M. K. Jinachandran by 1000 votes and the next in 1962 to the 3rd Lok Sabha when he defeated Sukumar Azhikode by a margin of 66,000 votes; he served out his term until 1967.

Personal life

Pottekkatt married Jayavalli in 1950 and the couple had two sons and two daughters. His wife died in 1980 and two years later, he suffered a paralytic stroke in July 1982, and he died on 6 August 1982, in a private hospital in Calicut.

Awards and honours

Oru Theruvinte Katha (The Story of a Street), a novel based on Mittai Theruvu, a popular street in Kozhikode known for sweetmeat and halvah stalls, received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel in 1961. His biographical novel, Oru Desathinte Katha was selected for the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1972. Eight years later, in 1980, the novel earned Pottekkatt the Jnanpith Award, the highest literary honour in India. In 1982, the University of Calicut honoured him with the honoris causa degree of the Doctor of Letters. India Post issued a commemorative postal stamp on him in 2003, as a part of their Jnanpith Award Winners. Malayala Manorama and Madhyamam issued festschrifts on Pottekkatt on the occasion of his birth centenary.

Bibliography

Novels

Short stories

Travelogues

Poetry

Drama

Others

Translations into other languages

• Stree Thatha Anya Kahaniyam (in Hindi). 1986.
• Kadha Ek Pranthar Ki (in Hindi). Bharatheey Njanpeet Prakasan. 1981.
• Tales of Athiranippadam. Hyderabad: Orient Blackswan. 2013. ISBN 9788125051275.
• Twelve stories. Calicut: Tarjuma. 2010. ISBN 9788190895811.
• Many works are translated to Tamil by Su Ra.

Films

• Moodupadam (1963) (based on the novel Moodupadam)
• Naadan Premam (1972) (based on the novel Naadan Premam)
• Pulliman (1972) (based on the story "Pulliman")
• Njavalppazhangal (1976) (based on the story "Njavalppazhangal")
• Ottakam (1978) (based on the story "Ottakam")
• Thaala (1988)
• Kadavu (1991) (based on the story "Kadathuthoni")
• Manikyam (2015) (based on the novel Prema Shiksha)

References

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10. Sisir Kumar Das (2005). History of Indian Literature: 1911-1956, struggle for freedom : triumph and tragedy. Sahitya Akademi. pp. 253–. ISBN 978-81-7201-798-9. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
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12. ഹരികൃഷ്ണന്‍, എച്ച്. "അനുസ്മരിക്കാം ഈ മാന്ത്രികസഞ്ചാരിയെ". Mathrubhumi. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
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14. "Nadan Premam". IMDb. 1 March 2019. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
15. "Moodupadam". IMDb. 1 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
16. "Pullimaan". IMDb. 1 March 2019. Archived from the original on 1 September 2021. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
17. "Njaaval Pazhangal". IMDb. 1 March 2019. Archived from the original on 9 February 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
18. "Pottekkatt’s tryst with cinema". The Hindu. 14 December 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
19. "മാണിക്യം". Deshabhimani. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
20. "Manikyam Malayalam Movie". Nowrunning.com. 1 March 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
21. Thomas Welbourne Clark (1970). The Novel in India: Its Birth and Development. University of California Press. pp. 218–. ISBN 978-0-520-01725-2.
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27. "Postage Stamps:: Postage Stamps, Stamp issue calendar 2014, Paper postage, Commemorative and definitive stamps, Service Postage Stamps, Philately Offices, Philatelic Bureaux and counters, Mint stamps (unused stamps)". postagestamps.gov.in. 1 March 2019. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
28. "S K Pottekkatt Centenary Special". specials.manoramaonline.com. Archived from the original on 1 March 2019. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
29. "മഹാസഞ്ചാരി - Madhyamam Weekly". archive.is. 29 June 2013. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
30. Moodupadam. University of Calicut Library. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
31. Vishakanyaka. University of Calicut Library.
32. Karamboo. University of Calicut Library.
33. Kurumulaku. University of Calicut Library.
34. Kabeena. University of Calicut Library.
35. Bharathappuzhayude Makkal: Novatakam. University of Calicut Library.
36. Pulliman. University of Calicut Library.
37. Vaijayanthi. University of Calicut Library. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
38. Pournami. University of Calicut Library.
39. Prethabhoomi. University of Calicut Library.
40. Kallippokkal. University of Calicut Library.
41. Antharvahini. University of Calicut Library.
42. Ezhilam Pala. University of Calicut Library.
43. Kattuchembakam. University of Calicut Library.
44. S K Pottekkatinte Cherukadhakal. University of Calicut Library.
45. S.K. Pottekkattinte Cherukathakal. University of Calicut Library. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
46. Kadha-Pottekkatt. University of Calicut Library.
47. Sthree. University of Calicut Library. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
48. 'Ottaka'vum Mattu Pradhana Kathakalum. University of Calicut Library.
49. S. K. Pottekkattinte Kathakal Sampoornam. University of Calicut Library.
50. Sthree: Sthreekale Kurichu Kure Kathakal. University of Calicut Library. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
51. Yathrasmaranakal. University of Calicut Library.
52. Kappirikalute nattil. University of Calicut Library.
53. ^ Simhabhoomi. University of Calicut Library. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
54. Nile Diary. University of Calicut Library.
55. Malaya Nadukalil. University of Calicut Library.
56. Soviet Diary. University of Calicut Library. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
57. Pathiraa Suryante Nattil. University of Calicut Library.
58. Baalidweep. University of Calicut Library.
59. Bohemian Chithrangal. University of Calicut Library.
60. Himaalaya Saamraajyathil. University of Calicut Library.
61. Nepal Yathra. University of Calicut Library.
62. London Note Book. University of Calicut Library.
63. Sanchara Sahithyam: Vol 1 Africa. University of Calicut Library.
64. Sanchara Sahithyam: Vol 2 Europe. University of Calicut Library.
65. Sanchara Sahithyam: Vol 3 Asia. University of Calicut Library.
66. Cleopatrayude Nattil. University of Calicut Library. Archived from the original on 2 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
67. Sanchariyude Geethangal. University of Calicut Library.
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Further reading

• Krishnan P. (1985). S K Pottekkatt: Jeevithavum Krithiyum (in Malayalam). Kottayam: National Book Stall.
• A. P. P. Namboothiri, ed. (1982). S K Pottekkatt: Padanavum Anusmaranavum (in Malayalam). Calicut: Poorna Publications.
• S. Susmitha (2012). Folklore elements in S K Pottekkatt's works: a comparative study (in Malayalam). Calicut: University of Calicut.
• P. M. V. Panicker (2014). S K Pottekkatt Rashtreeyasancharapadham (in Malayalam). Kottayam: Sahithya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham. ISBN 9789384571450.
• K. Afsina (2017). S K Pottekkattinte Sthalanirmmithi: Vishakanyaka, Nadanpremam, Oru Theruvinte Kadha Ennee Novelukale Munnirthiyulla Padanam (in Malayalam). Calicut: Department of Malayalam, University of Calicut.
• George Irumpayam, ed. (1984). Pottekkatt: Vyakthiyum Sahithyakaranum (in Malayalam). Kottayam: D.C.Books.
• S K Pottekkatt: Yathra, Ezhuthu, Kazhcha (in Malayalam). Trivandrum: Kerala Bhasha Institute. 2014. ISBN 9788176389662.

External links

• Rajendra Awasthy, ed. (2004). "Nishaganthi (short story by S, K. Pottekkatt (full text)". Selected Malayalam Short Stories. Diamond Pocket Books. pp. 53–. ISBN 978-81-288-0479-3.
• "നൂറ് തികഞ്ഞ യാത്ര". 4 June 2013. Archived from the original on 4 June 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2019. Excerpts from Pottekkatt Diaries
• "അനുഭവങ്ങള്‍, ഭാവനകള്‍". 4 June 2013. Archived from the original on 23 August 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2019. Interview with S. K. Pottekkatt: Excerpts from the book Malayalathinte Jnanapeeda Prabhashanangal edited by R. Arsu
• S. K. Pottekkatt at IMDb
• "Portrait commissioned by Kerala Sahitya Akademi". Kerala Sahitya Akademi. 1 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
• Ambikasuthan Mangad. Review of the famous story "Pulliman". Madhyamam Weekly.

v t e Sahitya Akademi Award for Malayalam
1955–1975	R. Narayana Panickar (1955) Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai (1957) K. P. Kesava Menon (1958) Uroob (1960) G. Sankara Kurup (1963) P. Kesavadev (1964) Balamani Amma (1965) Kuttikrishna Marar (1966) P. Kunhiraman Nair (1967) Edasseri Govindan Nair (1969) M. T. Vasudevan Nair (1970) Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon (1971) S. K. Pottekkatt (1972) Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri (1973) Vennikkulam Gopala Kurup (1974) O. N. V. Kurup (1975)
1976–2000	Cherukad (1976) Lalithambika Antharjanam (1977) Sugathakumari (1978) N. V. Krishna Warrier (1979) Punathil Kunjabdulla (1980) Vilasini (1981) V. K. N. (1982) S. Guptan Nair (1983) Ayyappa Paniker (1984) Sukumar Azhikode (1985) M. Leelavathy (1986) N. Krishna Pillai (1987) C. Radhakrishnan (1988) Olappamanna (1989) O. V. Vijayan (1990) M. P. Sankunni Nair (1991) M. Mukundan (1992) N. P. Mohammed (1993) Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri (1994) Thikkodiyan (1995) T. Padmanabhan (1996) Anand (1997) Kovilan (1998) C. V. Sreeraman (1999) R. Ramachandran (2000)
2001–present	Attoor Ravi Varma (2001) K. G. Sankara Pillai (2002) Sara Joseph (2003) Zacharia (2004) Kakkanadan (2005) M. Sukumaran (2006) Sethu (2007) K. P. Appan (2008) U. A. Khader (2009) M. P. Veerendra Kumar (2010) M. K. Sanu (2011) K. Satchidanandan (2012) M. N. Paloor (2013) Subhash Chandran (2014) K. R. Meera (2015) Prabha Varma (2016) K. P. Ramanunni (2017) S. Ramesan Nair (2018) V. Madhusoodanan Nair (2019) Omchery N. N. Pillai (2020) George Onakkoor (2021) M. Thomas Mathew (2022) E. V. Ramakrishnan (2023)

• 1913 births
• 1982 deaths
• Indian travel writers
• Indian male novelists
• Indian male short story writers
• Indian diarists
• Indian memoirists
• Writers from Kozhikode
• Malayalam-language novelists
• Malayalam short story writers
• Malayalam poets
• Recipients of the Jnanpith Award
• Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Malayalam
• Recipients of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award
• India MPs 1962–1967
• 20th-century Indian novelists
• 20th-century Indian poets
• Indian male poets
• Lok Sabha members from Kerala
• Politicians from Kozhikode
• 20th-century Indian short story writers
• 20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights
• Indian male dramatists and playwrights
• Novelists from Kerala
• Poets from Kerala
• 20th-century Indian essayists
• Journalists from Kerala
• Dramatists and playwrights from Kerala
• 20th-century Indian male writers
• 20th-century memoirists
• 20th-century diarists