P. K. Balakrishnan: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Indian novelist and critic}}
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| caption      =  
| caption      =  
| pseudonym    =  
| pseudonym    =  
| birth_name  =  
| birth_name  = Panikkassery Keshavan Balakrishnan
| birth_date  = {{Birth date|1925|3|2}}
| birth_date  = {{Birth date|1925|3|2}}
| birth_place  = [[Edavanakkad]], [[Ernakulam]], [[Kingdom of Cochin]]
| birth_place  = [[Edavanakkad]], [[Ernakulam]], [[Kingdom of Cochin]]
| death_date  = {{Death date and age|1991|4|3|1925|3|2}}
| death_date  = {{Death date and age|1991|4|3|1925|3|2}}
| death_place  = [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kerala]], India
| death_place  = [[Thiruvananthapuram]], [[Kerala]], India
| occupation  = [[Novelist]], [[critic]], [[essayist]], [[Journalist]] [[Indian independence movement|freedom fighter]]
| occupation  = [[Novelist]], [[critic]], [[essayist]], [[Journalist]], [[Historian]]
| nationality  = Indian
| nationality  = Indian
| citizenship  =  
| citizenship  =  
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| subject      =  
| subject      =  
| movement    =  
| movement    =  
| notableworks =  
| notableworks = Narayana Guru, Tippu Sultan, Novel Sidhiyum Sadhanayum, Kavyakala Kumaranaasaniloode, Pluto Priyapetta Pluto, Ini Njan Urangatte, Jathivyavasthitiyum Kerala Charitravum, Balakrishnante Lekhanangal, Keraleeyathayum Mattum, Ezhuthachante Kala
grandchildren =Kevin krishnan
| spouse      = K. Bhageerathi
| spouse      = K. Bhageerathi
| partner      =  
| partner      =  
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| awards      = {{ubl|1974 [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel]]|1978 [[Vayalar Award]]|SPBF Award|Prof Velayudhan Endowment Award|Kesari Award}}
| awards      = {{ubl|1974 [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel]]|1978 [[Vayalar Award]]|SPBF Award|Prof Velayudhan Endowment Award|Kesari Award}}
| signature    =  
| signature    =  
| website      = {{url|pkbalakrishnan.com}}
| website      = {{URL|pkbalakrishnan.com}}
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'''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 [[Mahabharata]] as well as a number of critical studies which include ''Chandu Menon Oru Padanam'', ''Novel - Siddhiyum Sadhanayum'', ''Kavyakala Kumaranasaniloode'' and ''Ezhuthachante Kala : Chila Vyasabharatha Patanangalum''. His work 'Jathivyavasthayum Kerala Charitravum is a work in social history. [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi]] awarded him their [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel|annual award for novel]] in 1974. He was also a recipient of the [[Vayalar Award]] and other honours.
 
{{Indian name|Balakrishnan|Panikkassery Keshavan}}'''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 [[Mahabharata]] as well as a number of critical studies which include ''Chandu Menon Oru Padanam'', ''Novel Siddhiyum Sadhanayum'', ''Kavyakala Kumaranasaniloode'', and ''Ezhuthachante Kala: Chila Vyasabharatha Patanangalum''. His ''Jathivyavasthayum Kerala Charitravum'' is a work in social history.
 
[[Kerala Sahitya Akademi]] awarded him their [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel|annual award for novel]] in 1974. He was also a recipient of the [[Vayalar Award]] and other honours.


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
P. K. Balakrishnan was born on March 2, 1925 at [[Edavanakad]], in [[Vypin]] island in [[Ernakulam district]] of the south Indian state of [[Kerala]] to Keshavan and Mani Amma.<ref name="Profile P K Balakrishnan">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/PKBalakrishnan/Html/PKBgraphy.htm |title=Profile P K Balakrishnan |publisher=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-03}}</ref> After early schooling in Edavanakkad, he joined [[Maharaja's College, Ernakulam]] but his studies were disrupted after four years when he participated in [[Quit India Movement]] and was jailed.<ref name="P. K. Balakrishnan - Veethi profile">{{Cite web |url=https://www.veethi.com/india-people/p._k._balakrishnan-profile-4315-22.htm |title=P. K. Balakrishnan - Veethi profile |date=2019-04-03 |website=veethi.com |access-date=2019-04-03}}</ref> Though he was released from jail in 1944 and he resumed his studies, he could not complete it as he joined [[Kochi rajya prajamandalam]] to enter politics only to move to [[Kerala Socialist Party]] (KSP) soon. His association with KSP brought him into contact with [[Mathai Manjooran]], a noted [[Indian independence activist]] and KSP leader as well as others such as Perunna Thomas, [[Vaikom Muhammad Basheer]], M. P. Krishna Pillai, [[M. K. Sanu]]. Later, he took up the editorship of ''Dinaparabha'' but he had to quit following a public speech he made at a temple in [[Kozhikode]]. Later, he became associated with such publications as Kerala Bhooshanam, [[Kerala Kaumudi]] and [[Madhyamam]].<ref name="Madhyamam - History">{{Cite web |url=https://www.madhyamam.com/aboutus/history.html |title=Madhyamam - History |date=2019-04-03 |website=www.madhyamam.com |access-date=2019-04-03}}</ref>
P. K. Balakrishnan was born on March 2, 1925, at [[Edavanakad]] at [[Vypin]] island in [[Kerala]] to Keshavan and Mani Amma.<ref name="Profile P K Balakrishnan">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/PKBalakrishnan/Html/PKBgraphy.htm |title=Profile P K Balakrishnan |publisher=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-03}}</ref> After early schooling in Edavanakkad, he joined [[Maharaja's College, Ernakulam]] but his studies were disrupted after four years when he participated in [[Quit India Movement]] and was jailed.<ref name="P. K. Balakrishnan - Veethi profile">{{Cite web |url=https://www.veethi.com/india-people/p._k._balakrishnan-profile-4315-22.htm |title=P. K. Balakrishnan - Veethi profile |date=2019-04-03 |website=veethi.com |access-date=2019-04-03}}</ref>
 
Although he was released from jail in 1944 and resumed his studies, he could not complete it as he joined [[Kochi rajya prajamandalam]] to enter politics only to move to [[Kerala Socialist Party]] (KSP) soon. His association with KSP brought him into contact with [[Mathai Manjooran]], a noted [[Indian independence activist]] and KSP leader as well as [[Vaikom Muhammad Basheer]] and [[M. K. Sanu]], among others.
 
Later, he took up the editorship of ''Dinaparabha'' but he had to quit following a public speech he made at a temple in [[Kozhikode]]. Later, he became associated with such publications as Kerala Bhooshanam, [[Kerala Kaumudi]] and [[Madhyamam]].<ref name="Madhyamam - History">{{Cite web |url=https://www.madhyamam.com/aboutus/history.html |title=Madhyamam - History |date=2019-04-03 |website=www.madhyamam.com |access-date=2019-04-03 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403180801/https://www.madhyamam.com/aboutus/history.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>


Balakrishnan died on April 3, 1991, at the age of 66.<ref name="Profile P K Balakrishnan" />
Balakrishnan died on April 3, 1991, at the age of 66.<ref name="Profile P K Balakrishnan" />


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==
The first of Balakrishnan's published works was a book on [[Narayana Guru]], which was a compilation of writings on Guru, including biographical sketches, narratives on Guru's activities and his literary contributions.<ref name="Narayana Guru">{{Cite web |url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/best_book/47382023-narayana-guru |title=Narayana Guru |website=www.goodreads.com |access-date=2019-04-03}}</ref><ref name="Smith2015">{{cite book|author=Donald Eugene Smith|title=South Asian Politics and Religion|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dknWCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA182|date=8 December 2015|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-1-4008-7908-3|pages=182–}}</ref><ref name="Smith1976">{{cite book|author=Bardwell L. Smith|title=Religion and Social Conflict in South Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xNAI9F8IBOgC&pg=PA35|year=1976|publisher=BRILL|isbn=90-04-04510-4|pages=35–}}</ref> This was followed by critiques<ref>{{cite web|title= A Short History of Malayalam Literature by Dr. K. Ayyappa Paniker, P 119,Information & Public Relations Department Kerala State, April 2006|url= https://archive.org/stream/ASHORTHISTORYOFMALAYALAMLITERATURE/A+SHORT+HISTORY+OF+MALAYALAM+LITERATURE_djvu.txt }}</ref>  [[Chandu Menon]], [[Kumaran Asan]] and [[Ezhuthachan]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Criticism in Malayalam Literature|url= http://keralaculture.org/literature-criticism/551|publisher=Dept of Cultural Affairs, Govt of Kerala}}</ref>
The first of Balakrishnan's published works was a book on [[Narayana Guru]], which was a compilation of writings on Guru, including biographical sketches, narratives on Guru's activities and his literary contributions.<ref name="Smith2015">{{cite book|author=Donald Eugene Smith|title=South Asian Politics and Religion|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dknWCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA182|date=8 December 2015|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-1-4008-7908-3|pages=182–}}</ref><ref name="Smith1976">{{cite book|author=Bardwell L. Smith|title=Religion and Social Conflict in South Asia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xNAI9F8IBOgC&pg=PA35|year=1976|publisher=BRILL|isbn=90-04-04510-4|pages=35–}}</ref> This was followed by critiques<ref>{{cite web|title= A Short History of Malayalam Literature by Dr. K. Ayyappa Paniker, P 119, Information & Public Relations Department Kerala State, April 2006|url= https://archive.org/stream/ASHORTHISTORYOFMALAYALAMLITERATURE/A+SHORT+HISTORY+OF+MALAYALAM+LITERATURE_djvu.txt }}</ref>  [[Chandu Menon]], [[Kumaran Asan]] and [[Ezhuthachan]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Criticism in Malayalam Literature|url= http://keralaculture.org/literature-criticism/551|publisher=Dept of Cultural Affairs, Govt of Kerala}}</ref>


In his writings, he first dealt with Kerala history in the anthology on [[Narayana Guru]], the great social reformer of Kerala who changed the face of its caste-ridden society. He brushes with Kerala history again to study why [[Tipu Sultan]], an able ruler and administrator is perceived as an aggressor and a religious fanatic. The culmination of these studies over 3 decades was his work on the social history which departed from the established narration, titled ''Jaathivyavasthayum Kerala Charitravum'' (''The Caste System and History of Kerala'').<ref>{{cite web|title= A Differing Viewpoint on Kerala History |url= https://nandakishorevarma.wordpress.com/2015/09/25/a-differing-viewpoint-on-kerala-history/}}</ref>
In his writings, he first dealt with Kerala history in the anthology on [[Narayana Guru]], the great social reformer of Kerala who changed the face of its caste-ridden society. He brushes with Kerala history again to study why [[Tipu Sultan]], an able ruler and administrator is perceived as an aggressor and a religious fanatic. The culmination of these studies over 3 decades was his work on the social history which departed from the established narration, titled ''Jaathivyavasthayum Kerala Charitravum'' (''The Caste System and History of Kerala'').<ref>{{cite web|title= A Differing Viewpoint on Kerala History |url= https://nandakishorevarma.wordpress.com/2015/09/25/a-differing-viewpoint-on-kerala-history/}}</ref>


''Pluto, Priyapetta Plutto'', was his first novel, was a real life story about his own dog.<ref name="P K Balakrishnan - chintha">{{Cite web |url=http://www.chintha.com/node/140 |title=P K Balakrishnan - chintha |website=www.chintha.com |access-date=2019-04-03}}</ref> His next novel, ''[[Ini Njan Urangatte]]'' (And Now Let Me Sleep), a Mahabharata inspired work, is considered by many to be his magnum opus.<ref name="An Epic in Modern Idiom">{{Cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/br/2003/10/21/stories/2003102100020203.htm |title=An Epic in Modern Idiom |newspaper=The Hindu, 21 October 2003}}</ref> He also wrote a number of articles, of which only four collections have been published; two of them were published after his lifetime.<ref>{{cite web|title=Author's Website|url= http://www.pkbalakrishnan.com/about.php}}</ref> His novel, ''[[Ini Njan Urangatte]]'', has been translated into English by his daughter, P. K. Jayalekshmy two decades after his death under the name, ''Battle beyond Kurukshetra''.<ref name="Translating a legacy">{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/books-and-art/220318/translating-a-legacy.html |title=Translating a legacy |last=cris |date=2018-03-22 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en |access-date=2019-04-03}}</ref>
''Pluto, Priyapetta Plutto'', was his first novel, was a real life story about his own dog.<ref name="P K Balakrishnan - chintha">{{Cite web |url=http://www.chintha.com/node/140 |title=P K Balakrishnan - chintha |website=www.chintha.com |access-date=2019-04-03 |archive-date=21 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821195639/http://chintha.com/node/140 |url-status=dead }}</ref> His next novel, ''[[Ini Njan Urangatte]]'', a Mahabharata inspired work, is considered by many to be his magnum opus.<ref name="An Epic in Modern Idiom">{{Cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/br/2003/10/21/stories/2003102100020203.htm |title=An Epic in Modern Idiom |newspaper=The Hindu, 21 October 2003}}</ref> This novel, has been translated into English by K.C. Sarsamma under the title ''And Now Let Me Sleep''. Two decades after P. K. Balakrishnan's death, his daughter P. K. Jayalekshmy has been made another English translation under the title ''Battle beyond Kurukshetra''.<ref name="Translating a legacy">{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/lifestyle/books-and-art/220318/translating-a-legacy.html |title=Translating a legacy |last=cris |date=2018-03-22 |website=Deccan Chronicle |language=en |access-date=2019-04-03}}</ref> Balakrishnan also wrote a number of articles, of which only four collections have been published; two of them were published after his lifetime.<ref>{{cite web|title=Author's Website|url=http://www.pkbalakrishnan.com/about.php|access-date=8 January 2018|archive-date=9 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109064029/http://www.pkbalakrishnan.com/about.php|url-status=dead}}</ref>


== Awards and honours ==
== Awards and honours ==
P. K. balakrishnan received the [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel]] in 1974 for his work, ''[[Ini Njan Urangatte]]''.<ref name="Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/ksa/Awards/novel.htm |title=Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel |date=2019-04-04 |access-date=2019-04-04}}</ref> Four years later, the same novel fetched him another major award in the form of [[Vayalar Award]] of 1978.<ref name="Winners of Vayalar Award">{{Cite web |url=http://keralaculture.org/vayalar-award/575 |title=Winners of Vayalar Award |date=2019-04-04 |website=keralaculture |publisher=Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala |access-date=23 March 2017}}</ref> He received the Kerala History Association Award for the book, [[:ml:ജാതിവ്യവസ്ഥിതിയും കേരളചരിത്രവും|''Jaathivyavasthithium Keralacharithravum'']].<ref name="Profile P K Balakrishnan" /> He was also a recipient of SPBF Award,  Prof Velayudhan Endowment Award and Kesari Award.
P. K. balakrishnan received the [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel]] in 1974 for his work, ''[[Ini Njan Urangatte]]''.<ref name="Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/ksa/Awards/novel.htm |title=Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel |date=2019-04-04 |access-date=2019-04-04}}</ref> Four years later, the same novel fetched him another major award in the form of [[Vayalar Award]] of 1978.<ref name="Winners of Vayalar Award">{{Cite web |url=http://keralaculture.org/vayalar-award/575 |title=Winners of Vayalar Award |date=2019-04-04 |website=keralaculture |publisher=Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala |access-date=23 March 2017}}</ref> He received the Kerala History Association Award for the book, ''Jaathivyavasthithium Keralacharithravum''.<ref name="Profile P K Balakrishnan" /> He was also a recipient of SPBF Award,  Prof. Velayudhan Endowment Award and Kesari Award.


== Works ==
== Works ==
* {{Cite book |url=https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com:443/books/narayanaguru?t=1 |title=Narayana Guru |publisher=DC Books |year=1954 |editor-last=P. K. Balakrishnan |quote=an anthology on the social reformer of Kerala}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/narayanaguru?t=1 |title=Narayana Guru |publisher=DC Books |year=1954 |editor-last=P. K. Balakrishnan |quote=an anthology on the social reformer of Kerala |archive-date=3 April 2019 |access-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403155318/https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/narayanaguru%3Ft%3D1 |url-status=dead }}
* {{Cite book |url=https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com:443/books/chandu-menon-oru-padanam?t=1 |title=Chandu Menon Oru Padanam |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=DC Books |year=1957 |isbn=9788126412686 |quote=Chandu Menon, a Study - on the author of the first Malayalam novel, [[Indulekha (novel)|Indulekha]]}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/chandu-menon-oru-padanam?t=1 |title=Chandu Menon Oru Padanam |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=DC Books |year=1957 |isbn=9788126412686 |quote=Chandu Menon, a Study - on the author of the first Malayalam novel, [[Indulekha (novel)|Indulekha]] |archive-date=3 April 2019 |access-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403161202/https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/chandu-menon-oru-padanam%3Ft%3D1 |url-status=dead }}
* {{Cite book |url=https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com:443/books/tippu-sulthan?t=1 |title=Tippu Sulthan |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=DC Books |year=1959 |isbn=9788126414703 |quote=a historical biography}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/tippu-sulthan?t=1 |title=Tippu Sulthan |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=DC Books |year=1959 |isbn=9788126414703 |quote=a historical biography |archive-date=3 April 2019 |access-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403190409/https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/tippu-sulthan?t=1 |url-status=dead }}
* {{Cite book |url=https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com:443/books/pluto-priyappetta-pluto?t=1 |title=Pluto Priyappetta Pluto |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=DC Books |year=1963 |isbn=9788126408931 |quote=Pluto, My Dear Pluto - the story of his real life dog named after the [[Walt Disney]] counterpart}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/pluto-priyappetta-pluto?t=1 |title=Pluto Priyappetta Pluto |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=DC Books |year=1963 |isbn=9788126408931 |quote=Pluto, My Dear Pluto - the story of his real life dog named after the [[Walt Disney]] counterpart |archive-date=3 April 2019 |access-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403160849/https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/pluto-priyappetta-pluto?t=1 |url-status=dead }}
* {{Cite book |url=https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com:443/books/novel-siddhiyum-sadhanayum?t=1 |title=Novel Siddhiyum Sadhanayum |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=DC Books |year=1965 |isbn=9788126411788 |quote=a work  on the craft of novel writing, based on the works of [[Dostoevsky]], [[Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay]] and [[Jane Austen]]}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/novel-siddhiyum-sadhanayum?t=1 |title=Novel Siddhiyum Sadhanayum |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=DC Books |year=1965 |isbn=9788126411788 |quote=a work  on the craft of novel writing, based on the works of [[Dostoevsky]], [[Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay]] and [[Jane Austen]] |archive-date=3 April 2019 |access-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403161520/https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/novel-siddhiyum-sadhanayum%3Ft%3D1 |url-status=dead }}
* {{Cite book |url=https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com:443/books/kavyakala-kumaranasaniloode?t=1 |title=Kavyakala Kumaranasaniloode |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=DC Books |year=1970 |isbn=9788126412563 |quote=The Art of Poetry through Kumaran Asan - on Malayalam poet [[Kumaran Asan]]}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/kavyakala-kumaranasaniloode?t=1 |title=Kavyakala Kumaranasaniloode |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=DC Books |year=1970 |isbn=9788126412563 |quote=The Art of Poetry through Kumaran Asan - on Malayalam poet [[Kumaran Asan]] |archive-date=3 April 2019 |access-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403161159/https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/kavyakala-kumaranasaniloode?t=1 |url-status=dead }}
* ''[[Ini Njan Urangatte]]''  (''And now, Let me Sleep'') (1973) - A work originating from the great Indian epic Vyasabharatha (''Mahabharath'').<ref>{{cite news|title=A literary giant|url=http://www.thehindu.com/books/literary-review/remembering-kodungallur-kunhikkuttan-thampuran-the-prolific-writer-best-known-for-translating-the-mahabharata-into-malayalam/article6470973.ece|access-date=23 March 2017|newspaper=The Hindu|date=4 October 2014}}</ref>
* ''[[Ini Njan Urangatte]]''  (''And now, Let me Sleep'') (1973) - A work originating from the great Indian epic Vyasabharatha (''Mahabharath'').<ref>{{cite news|title=A literary giant|url=http://www.thehindu.com/books/literary-review/remembering-kodungallur-kunhikkuttan-thampuran-the-prolific-writer-best-known-for-translating-the-mahabharata-into-malayalam/article6470973.ece|access-date=23 March 2017|newspaper=The Hindu|date=4 October 2014}}</ref>
* {{Cite book |url=https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com:443/books/ezhuthachante-kala-chila-vyasabharatha-patanangalum?t=1 |title=Ezhuthachante Kala : Chila Vyasabharatha Patanangalum |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=DC Books |year=1982 |isbn=9788126421329 |quote=a work on the father of Malayalam literature and some studies on The Mahabharata}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/ezhuthachante-kala-chila-vyasabharatha-patanangalum?t=1 |title=Ezhuthachante Kala : Chila Vyasabharatha Patanangalum |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=DC Books |year=1982 |isbn=9788126421329 |quote=a work on the father of Malayalam literature and some studies on The Mahabharata |archive-date=3 April 2019 |access-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403160223/https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/ezhuthachante-kala-chila-vyasabharatha-patanangalum%3Ft%3D1 |url-status=dead }}
* [[:ml:ജാതിവ്യവസ്ഥിതിയും കേരളചരിത്രവും|''Jaathivyavasthithium Keralacharithravum'']] (''The Caste system and History of Kerala'') (1983) - a work in Kerala history.
* [[:ml:ജാതിവ്യവസ്ഥിതിയും കേരളചരിത്രവും|''Jaathivyavasthithium Keralacharithravum'']] (''The Caste system and History of Kerala'') (1983) - a work in Kerala history.
* {{Cite book |url=https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com:443/books/p-k-balakrishnante-lekhanangal?t=1 |title=P. K. Balakrishnante Lekhanangal |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=DC Books |year=2004 |isbn=8126407794 |quote=Articles of Balakrishnan}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/p-k-balakrishnante-lekhanangal?t=1 |title=P. K. Balakrishnante Lekhanangal |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=DC Books |year=2004 |isbn=8126407794 |quote=Articles of Balakrishnan |archive-date=3 April 2019 |access-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403155648/https://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/p-k-balakrishnante-lekhanangal%3Ft%3D1 |url-status=dead }}
* ''Keraleeyatayum Mattum'' (''The Essence of Kerala etc.'') (2004) - a collection of 20 articles published in various periodicals over a time
* ''Keraleeyatayum Mattum'' (''The Essence of Kerala etc.'') (2004) - a collection of 20 articles published in various periodicals over a time
* {{Cite book |url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/best_book/59587278-veritta-chintakal |title=Veritta Chintakal |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=Pratheeksha Books |year=2011 |quote=Thoughts Apart - Commentaries on social and political history of India triggered by contemporary events. Collected from articles written in Malayalam daily [[Madhyamam]]}}
* {{Cite book |title=Veritta Chintakal |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=Pratheeksha Books |year=2011 |quote=Thoughts Apart - Commentaries on social and political history of India triggered by contemporary events. Collected from articles written in Malayalam daily [[Madhyamam]]}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/best_book/59587013-oru-veera-pulakathinte-katha |title=Oru Veera Pulakathinte Katha |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=Poornna Printing And Publishing House |year=2015 |asin=B077XCCHZ4 |quote=The Story of a Heroic Thrill - a collection of articles}}
* {{Cite book|title=Oru Veera Pulakathinte Katha |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=Poornna Printing And Publishing House |year=2015 |asin=B077XCCHZ4 |quote=The Story of a Heroic Thrill - a collection of articles}}


=== Translations of Ini Njan Urangatte ===
=== Translations of Ini Njan Urangatte ===
* {{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CsBDDwAAQBAJ |title=Battle Beyond Kurukshetra: A Mahabharata Novel |last=P.K. Balakrishnan |date=2018 |publisher=OUP India |isbn=978-0-19-909322-9 |translator-last=P. K. Jayalekshmy |quote=English translation}}
 
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indiaclub.com/Ini-Naan-Urangattum-TAMIL_p_391254.html |title=Ini Naan Urangattum |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |year=2001 |isbn=8126010843 |translator-last=A. Madhavan |quote=Tamil translation}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MIjuCK1_s4QC |title=And Now Let Me Sleep |last=P.K. Balakrishnan |date=1999 |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |isbn=9788126006816|translator-last=K.C. Sarsamma|quote=English translation}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CsBDDwAAQBAJ |title=Battle Beyond Kurukshetra: A Mahabharata Novel |last=P.K. Balakrishnan |date=2018 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-909322-9 |translator-last=P. K. Jayalekshmy |quote=English translation}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indiaclub.com/Ini-Naan-Urangattum-TAMIL_p_391254.html |title=Ini Naan Urangattum |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |year=2001 |isbn=8126010843 |translator-last=A. Madhavan |quote=Tamil translation |access-date=3 April 2019 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403153719/http://www.indiaclub.com/Ini-Naan-Urangattum-TAMIL_p_391254.html |url-status=dead }}
* {{Cite book |url=https://www.sapnaonline.com/books/naninnu-nidrisuve-pk-balakrishnan-8126007230-9788126007233 |title=Naninnu Nidrisuve |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |isbn=9788126007233 |year=2000 |translator-last=Sara Aboobacker |quote=Kannada translation}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://www.sapnaonline.com/books/naninnu-nidrisuve-pk-balakrishnan-8126007230-9788126007233 |title=Naninnu Nidrisuve |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |isbn=9788126007233 |year=2000 |translator-last=Sara Aboobacker |quote=Kannada translation}}
* {{Cite book |title=Ab Mujhe Sone Do |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=Partishruti Prakashan |year=2017 |isbn=978-8126050710 |translator-last=G. Gopinathan |quote=Hindi translation}}
* {{Cite book |title=Ab Mujhe Sone Do |last=P. K. Balakrishnan |publisher=Partishruti Prakashan |year=2017 |isbn=978-8126050710 |translator-last=G. Gopinathan |quote=Hindi translation}}
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* [[List of Malayalam-language authors]]
* [[List of Malayalam-language authors]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}
 
{{Portal|India|Literature}}


==References==
==References==
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== Further reading ==
== Further reading ==
* {{Cite web |url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/202468 |title=P K Balakrishnan - A Multifarious Writer |last=K. A. Jency |date=2019-04-03 |website=Shodhganga |access-date=2019-04-03}}
* {{Cite web |url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/handle/10603/202468 |title=P K Balakrishnan - A Multifarious Writer |last=K. A. Jency |date=2019-04-03 |website=Shodhganga |hdl=10603/202468 |access-date=2019-04-03}}


==External links==
==External links==
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{{Malayalam Literature |state=collapsed}}
{{Malayalam Literature |state=collapsed}}
{{Vayalar Awards}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


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[[Category:Indian male novelists]]
[[Category:Indian male novelists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian historians]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian historians]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language writers]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language novelists]]
[[Category:Malayalam novelists]]
[[Category:Malayalam literary critics]]
[[Category:Malayalam literary critics]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language journalists]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language journalists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian novelists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian novelists]]
[[Category:People from Ernakulam district]]
[[Category:Writers from Ernakulam district]]
[[Category:Novelists from Kerala]]
[[Category:Novelists from Kerala]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian writers]]
[[Category:Maharaja's College, Ernakulam alumni]]
[[Category:Maharaja's College, Ernakulam alumni]]

Latest revision as of 05:14, 28 November 2025


P. K. Balakrishnan
BornPanikkassery Keshavan Balakrishnan
(1925-03-02)March 2, 1925
Edavanakkad, Ernakulam, Kingdom of Cochin
DiedApril 3, 1991(1991-04-03) (aged 66)
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
OccupationNovelist, critic, essayist, Journalist, Historian
NationalityIndian
Notable worksNarayana Guru, Tippu Sultan, Novel Sidhiyum Sadhanayum, Kavyakala Kumaranaasaniloode, Pluto Priyapetta Pluto, Ini Njan Urangatte, Jathivyavasthitiyum Kerala Charitravum, Balakrishnante Lekhanangal, Keraleeyathayum Mattum, Ezhuthachante Kala
Notable awards
SpouseK. Bhageerathi
ChildrenHarikesh, Harikrishnan, Jayalekshmy
Relatives
  • Keshavan (father)
  • Mani Amma (mother)
Website
pkbalakrishnan.com
In this Indian name, the name Panikkassery Keshavan is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, 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 Mahabharata as well as a number of critical studies which include Chandu Menon Oru Padanam, Novel Siddhiyum Sadhanayum, Kavyakala Kumaranasaniloode, and Ezhuthachante Kala: Chila Vyasabharatha Patanangalum. His Jathivyavasthayum Kerala Charitravum is a work in social history.

Kerala Sahitya Akademi awarded him their annual award for novel in 1974. He was also a recipient of the Vayalar Award and other honours.

Biography[edit | edit source]

P. K. Balakrishnan was born on March 2, 1925, at Edavanakad at Vypin island in Kerala to Keshavan and Mani Amma.[1] After early schooling in Edavanakkad, he joined Maharaja's College, Ernakulam but his studies were disrupted after four years when he participated in Quit India Movement and was jailed.[2]

Although he was released from jail in 1944 and resumed his studies, he could not complete it as he joined Kochi rajya prajamandalam to enter politics only to move to Kerala Socialist Party (KSP) soon. His association with KSP brought him into contact with Mathai Manjooran, a noted Indian independence activist and KSP leader as well as Vaikom Muhammad Basheer and M. K. Sanu, among others.

Later, he took up the editorship of Dinaparabha but he had to quit following a public speech he made at a temple in Kozhikode. Later, he became associated with such publications as Kerala Bhooshanam, Kerala Kaumudi and Madhyamam.[3]

Balakrishnan died on April 3, 1991, at the age of 66.[1]

Legacy[edit | edit source]

The first of Balakrishnan's published works was a book on Narayana Guru, which was a compilation of writings on Guru, including biographical sketches, narratives on Guru's activities and his literary contributions.[4][5] This was followed by critiques[6] Chandu Menon, Kumaran Asan and Ezhuthachan.[7]

In his writings, he first dealt with Kerala history in the anthology on Narayana Guru, the great social reformer of Kerala who changed the face of its caste-ridden society. He brushes with Kerala history again to study why Tipu Sultan, an able ruler and administrator is perceived as an aggressor and a religious fanatic. The culmination of these studies over 3 decades was his work on the social history which departed from the established narration, titled Jaathivyavasthayum Kerala Charitravum (The Caste System and History of Kerala).[8]

Pluto, Priyapetta Plutto, was his first novel, was a real life story about his own dog.[9] His next novel, Ini Njan Urangatte, a Mahabharata inspired work, is considered by many to be his magnum opus.[10] This novel, has been translated into English by K.C. Sarsamma under the title And Now Let Me Sleep. Two decades after P. K. Balakrishnan's death, his daughter P. K. Jayalekshmy has been made another English translation under the title Battle beyond Kurukshetra.[11] Balakrishnan also wrote a number of articles, of which only four collections have been published; two of them were published after his lifetime.[12]

Awards and honours[edit | edit source]

P. K. balakrishnan received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel in 1974 for his work, Ini Njan Urangatte.[13] Four years later, the same novel fetched him another major award in the form of Vayalar Award of 1978.[14] He received the Kerala History Association Award for the book, Jaathivyavasthithium Keralacharithravum.[1] He was also a recipient of SPBF Award, Prof. Velayudhan Endowment Award and Kesari Award.

Works[edit | edit source]

  • P. K. Balakrishnan, ed. (1954). Narayana Guru. DC Books. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019. an anthology on the social reformer of Kerala
  • P. K. Balakrishnan (1957). Chandu Menon Oru Padanam. DC Books. ISBN 9788126412686. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019. Chandu Menon, a Study - on the author of the first Malayalam novel, Indulekha
  • P. K. Balakrishnan (1959). Tippu Sulthan. DC Books. ISBN 9788126414703. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019. a historical biography
  • P. K. Balakrishnan (1963). Pluto Priyappetta Pluto. DC Books. ISBN 9788126408931. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019. Pluto, My Dear Pluto - the story of his real life dog named after the Walt Disney counterpart
  • P. K. Balakrishnan (1965). Novel Siddhiyum Sadhanayum. DC Books. ISBN 9788126411788. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019. a work on the craft of novel writing, based on the works of Dostoevsky, Tarasankar Bandyopadhyay and Jane Austen
  • P. K. Balakrishnan (1970). Kavyakala Kumaranasaniloode. DC Books. ISBN 9788126412563. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019. The Art of Poetry through Kumaran Asan - on Malayalam poet Kumaran Asan
  • Ini Njan Urangatte (And now, Let me Sleep) (1973) - A work originating from the great Indian epic Vyasabharatha (Mahabharath).[15]
  • P. K. Balakrishnan (1982). Ezhuthachante Kala : Chila Vyasabharatha Patanangalum. DC Books. ISBN 9788126421329. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019. a work on the father of Malayalam literature and some studies on The Mahabharata
  • Jaathivyavasthithium Keralacharithravum (The Caste system and History of Kerala) (1983) - a work in Kerala history.
  • P. K. Balakrishnan (2004). P. K. Balakrishnante Lekhanangal. DC Books. ISBN 8126407794. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019. Articles of Balakrishnan
  • Keraleeyatayum Mattum (The Essence of Kerala etc.) (2004) - a collection of 20 articles published in various periodicals over a time
  • P. K. Balakrishnan (2011). Veritta Chintakal. Pratheeksha Books. Thoughts Apart - Commentaries on social and political history of India triggered by contemporary events. Collected from articles written in Malayalam daily Madhyamam
  • P. K. Balakrishnan (2015). Oru Veera Pulakathinte Katha. Poornna Printing And Publishing House. ASIN B077XCCHZ4. The Story of a Heroic Thrill - a collection of articles

Translations of Ini Njan Urangatte[edit | edit source]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Profile P K Balakrishnan". Kerala Sahitya Akademi. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  2. ↑ "P. K. Balakrishnan - Veethi profile". veethi.com. 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  3. ↑ "Madhyamam - History". www.madhyamam.com. 3 April 2019. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  4. ↑ Donald Eugene Smith (8 December 2015). South Asian Politics and Religion. Princeton University Press. pp. 182–. ISBN 978-1-4008-7908-3.
  5. ↑ Bardwell L. Smith (1976). Religion and Social Conflict in South Asia. BRILL. pp. 35–. ISBN 90-04-04510-4.
  6. ↑ "A Short History of Malayalam Literature by Dr. K. Ayyappa Paniker, P 119, Information & Public Relations Department Kerala State, April 2006".
  7. ↑ "Criticism in Malayalam Literature". Dept of Cultural Affairs, Govt of Kerala.
  8. ↑ "A Differing Viewpoint on Kerala History".
  9. ↑ "P K Balakrishnan - chintha". www.chintha.com. Archived from the original on 21 August 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  10. ↑ "An Epic in Modern Idiom". The Hindu, 21 October 2003.
  11. ↑ cris (22 March 2018). "Translating a legacy". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 3 April 2019.
  12. ↑ "Author's Website". Archived from the original on 9 January 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2018.
  13. ↑ "Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel". 4 April 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
  14. ↑ "Winners of Vayalar Award". keralaculture. Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  15. ↑ "A literary giant". The Hindu. 4 October 2014. Retrieved 23 March 2017.

Further reading[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:Vayalar Awards

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