Satheesh Babu Payyannur
Satheesh Babu Payyannur (13 August 1963 – 24 November 2022) was a Malayalam–language short story writer and novelist from Kerala, India. His works include the novels Mannu, Daivappura, Manja Sooryante Naalukal and Kudamanikal Kilungiya Raavil, and the short story collections Peramaram, Vrishchikam Vannu Vilichu and Mazhayilundaya Makal. His oeuvre consists of 12 novels and around 200 short stories.[1] The collection Peramaram won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Story in 2012. He received the Karoor Award, Malayattoor Award, and Thoppil Ravi Award. He was also a media personality and has written, directed and produced television programmes, telefilms, and documentaries.
Satheesh Babu Payyannur | |
|---|---|
| Native name | സതീഷ്ബാബു പയ്യന്നൂർ |
| Born | Satheesh Babu August 13, 1963 Pathirippala, Palghat, Kerala, India |
| Died | November 24, 2022 (aged 59) Vanchiyoor, Trivandrum, Kerala, India |
| Occupation | Writer, journalist, television filmmaker, bank employee |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Alma mater | Payyanur College Kanhangad Nehru College |
| Genre | Short story, novel |
| Years active | 1979–2022 |
| Notable works | Peramaram, Mannu, Vrishchikam Vannu Vilichu |
| Notable awards | Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award |
| Spouse | Girija (m. 1990–2022) |
| Children | 1 |
Early life and education
He was born on 13 August 1963 in Pathirippala in the Palakkad district of Kerala.[1] His mother was from Pathirippala and his father was from Payyannur, Kannur district, Kerala.[1] He did his schooling in Payyannur Govt. School. He wrote stories and features during his school days and won several prizes at school youth festivals.[1] He completed his pre-degree course (PDC) from Payyanur College and Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree from Kanhangad Nehru College.[1] He made his mark as a writer during this period itself, publishing stories, poetry, and essays in periodicals.[1] He edited and published Nehru College's campus newspaper Campus Times, which was the first campus newspaper from any college in Calicut University.[2]
Career
After completing the education, Payyannur became the editor of the Kasaragod-based weekly Ee Aazhcha.[3] Prominent editor S. Jayachandran Nair advised him against becoming a full-time journalist if he wanted to become a writer. Taking the advice, Payyannur quit his job at Ee Aazhcha and joined the State Bank of Travancore (SBT) in 1985. He worked in the Sreekandapuram and Thrikaripur branches of SBT.[4] In 1991, he was transferred to the Trivandrum branch of SBT.[4] He went to Trivandrum with the hope of becoming an assistant of writer-filmmaker Padmarajan whom he had befriended during the filming of Innale.[5] But Padmarajan had died around this time. Payyannur still tried his luck in cinema, writing the screenplay for the 1992 film Nakshthrakoodaram which was directed by Padmarajan's assistant Joshy Mathew.[6] Payyannur also wrote the dialogues for the live-action animated film O' Faby.[4]
Since Payyannur could not find success in cinema, he changed his field to television.[4] He directed telefilms, documentaries, and other television programmes. He visited foreign countries for the series Gulfilunarunnu Keralam (Kerala Waking Up in the Gulf). A series called European Sketchukal (European Sketches) was also notable.[1] In 2001, Satheesh resigned from the State Bank of Travancore to become fully immersed in literary activities and visual media.[2] The same year he also established his own production house for television shows called Panorama.[3] Panorama produced several television programmes including Ponpulari on Surya TV.[7] A magazine titled Kerala Panorama was also published from Trivandrum.[8] The company also has a YouTube channel with the name Kerala Panorama.[9]
Payyannur was a member of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi and the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy.[2] He served as the Member Secretary of Bharat Bhavan under Kerala Cultural Affairs Department for five years.[10] During his time at the State Bank of Travancore, he was active in promoting literary events sponsored by the bank and in organising the annual SBT Literary Award.[11]
Death
Payyannur was found dead in his flat at Vanchiyoor near Trivandrum on 24 November 2022.[12][2] A case was registered for unnatural death, but it was later declared that he died from a heart attack.[13] The last rites were performed at Paramekkavu Santhighat in Thrissur.[14] He was survived by his wife Girija, a retired school teacher, and daughter Varsha, who lives in Pune.[12]
At the time of death, Payyannur was working on an uncompleted novel titled Sathram. The novel was based on the life of poet P. Kunhiraman Nair.[15] He was also in talks with publishers for publishing a complete collection of his short stories, coinciding with his 60th birthday.[15] He was also planning a film adaptation of his short story "Lift" with actor Mammootty playing the lead role.[15]
Literary career
Short stories
Satheesh Babu Payyannur "writes with compassion and force, his stories delving into the world of the most ordinary people to reveal extraordinary moments of human predicament. They are endowed with a gentle humaneness that probes the secret places of our humdrum existence in simple, direct words."
Malayalam writer Paul Zachariah about Satheesh Babu Payyannur.[16]
Payyannur started to publish his works in the late 1970s and early 1980s.[17] He won the praise of the readers through the several stories he wrote in the 1980s in various periodicals.[18] He published around 200 stories in total. Some of his stories include "Daivam", "Peramaram", "Vrishchikam Vannu Vilichu", "Manalparappu", "Manassu", "Ilayamma", "Scene Over" and "Lift". "Daivam" written in 1984 was based on Theyyam and won the Karoor Award instituted by Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society.[19] "Peramaram" ("The Guava Three"), which was originally published in 1989 April in Mathrubhumi Illustrated Weekly, tells the story of Kunjuraman Nambiar, Meenakshi Amma and their beloved guava tree, and the loneliness they face in their old age.[4] It was published as a book only in 2001, in the collection Vrishchikam Vannu Vilichu (Vrischikam Came Calling), which is a collection of 31 stories written between 1988 and 2001.[4] "Peramaram" developed renewed interest among Malayali readers in 2007 when V. K. Sreeraman wrote an article on the story through his column Vazhvum Ninavum in Madhyamam Weekly.[4] The story was included in the collection Peramaram (2011) with a preface by Sreeraman. The collection had 20 stories and received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Story in 2012. The story "Peramaram" was also included in the 2018 collection Katha (Story).[4]
The story "Manassu" was published in Kalakaumudi in May 1990 and was inspired by an experience Payyannur heard from the poet Balachandran Chullikkadu.[4] The story "Vrishchikam Vannu Vilichu" was also written in 1990, and was inspired by an experience the writer had during the Payyanur Subramanya temple festival, which happens for fourteen days in the Malayalam month of Vrischikam.[4] The story "Manalparappu" (1990) tells the story of the intercaste marriage of Alice and Narayanan.[4] A collection of his stories with rain as a common theme was published in the 1991 book Mazhayilundaya Makal.[4] The story "Ilayamma" appeared in 1993 in Kalakaumudi.[4] Some of his later stories are inspired by his experiences in cinema and visual media. "Scene Over", "Mazha Maranna Sumithra", "Thiruvananthapuram Cinema", "Thiranadakam", "K. P. Mariamma" are some of them.[4] The stories "Cinema", "Nightmare" and "Story Board" also talk about the changes in the visual media in recent years.[4]
Some of his other short story collections include Khamaruneesayude Koottukari (Khamaruneesayude's Friend), Newsreaderum Poochayum (The Newsreader and the Cat), Scene Over and Photo. Newsreaderum Poochayum is a collection of ten stories including "Vayalattam", "Cinema", "Newsreaderum Poochayum", "Kudi Pallikoodam", "Lift" and "Fathima Suhra".[20] The collection Mazhayilundaya Makalum Mattu Mazhakathakalum was published posthumously in January 2023.[21] Some of his stories are translated into English and compiled in the title The Guava Tree.[16]
Novels
Payyannur's early novels such as Daivappura, Manja Sooryante Naalukal, Mannu, and Vilapavrikshathile Kaattu were written in the second half of the 1980s while he was staying in Kannur and Kasargod districts.[1] Payyannur was fascinated by the ritualistic dance form of Kannur known as Theyyam, which formed the background for his 1984 novel Daivappura (Abode of God).[1] Manja Sooryante Naalukal (The Days of the Yellow Sun) told the tale of the employees of an evening newspaper.[1] Mannu (Soil), which is set in the backdrops of Kavumbai agitation of 1949, was written in 1985 when Payyannur was an employee of the Sreekandapuram branch of the State Bank of Travancore.[4] Kavumbai was only a few kilometres away from Sreekandapuram and Payyannur initially wanted to write a feature on the Kavumbai agitation but the story was so compelling that he finally decided to write a novel based on it.[4] The novel was published in 1988 over a period of 35 weeks in the Sunday supplement of Deshabhimani. It was published as a book in 1989 by Trivandrum-based Chintha Publications with a preface by E. M. S. Namboodiripad.[4]
In the novel Vilapavrikshathile Kaattu, Payyannur talks about the life of Christians who migrated from Travancore to the hills of northern Kerala.[4][22] His other novels include Ulkhananangal and Kudamanikal Kilungiya Raavil (On the Night When the Bells Tolled). Ulkhananangal, written during the opening of vaults of the Padmanabhaswamy temple, is based on the history of Payyannur and Payyannur Pattu.[4] The novels Oru Superhit Cinemayude Thirakkatha (The Script of a Superhit Film) and Kalikaal were inspired by Payyannur's experiences with visual media and cinema.[4]
Ekantha Rathrikal (Lonely Nights) is a collection of five short novels—Ekantha Rathrikal, Noolkkolangal, Olikkuvan Oridam (A Place to Hide), Nadakam (Drama) and Ninavil Anitha Vararund (Anitha Comes in the Dreams).[23] Moonnu Pranaya Novelettukal is a collection of three short romantic novels—Aval Neeraja (She, Neeraja), Ethetho Pulinangalil, and Sana—the latter based on a same-sex romantic relationship.[24] The last published work during his lifetime was Kamal Haasan Abhinayikkathe Poya Oru Cinema (A Film in Which Kamal Haasan Did Not Act) which is a collection of ten novellas including Kamal Haasan Abhinayikkathe Poya Oru Cinema, Oru Asambandha Online Padam (A Ridiculous Online Movie), Sana, Ulahannanum Njanum (Ulahannan and Me), Idanazhiyude Ingeyattathu (On this End of the Corridor), Nadakam (Drama), Thaniye (Alone), Ethetho Pulinangalil and Mazhayude Neenda Viralukal (The Long Fingers of the Rain).[25] Chila Silkian Ninavukal (Some Silk Memories) is a collection of essays and memoirs including the memoirs about P. Kunhiraman Nair, Silk Smitha and Padmarajan.[26]
Awards
- 1985: Karoor Award by Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society for "Daivam"[19]
- 2006: Abu Dhabi Sakthi Award for Story for Scene Over[15]
- 2012: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Story for Peramaram[27][28]
- 2014: Abu Dhabi Sakthi Award for Novel for Ulkhananangal[29][30]
- 2017: Malayattoor Award for Khamaruneesayude Koottukari[31]
- 2018: Thoppil Ravi Award for Photo[19]
- 2022: Ankanam Shamsudheen Smruthi Award for Short Story for Newsreaderum Poochayum[32][33]
- Kerala Sahitya Vedi Award for Mannu[9]
- SBT Literary Award for Scene Over[15]
- TKD Memorial Award for Peramaram[4]
- FOKANA International Award for Peramaram[4]
- Atlas-Kairali Literary Award for Ulkhananangal[34]
Bibliography
| Year | Title | Publisher | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Daivappura | Kottayam: Current | Novel based on Theyyam | |
| 1987 | Kudamanikal Kilungiya Raavil | Kottayam: Vidyarthi Mithram | Novel | [35] |
| 1988 | Manja Sooryante Naalukal | Kottayam: DC Books | Novel | |
| 1988 | Hridaya Daivatham | Calicut: Poorna | Collection of three novelettes | [36] |
| 1988 | Oru Thoovalinte Sparsham | Kottayam: N.B.S. | Novel | [37] |
| 1989 | Mannu | Trivandum: Chintha | Novel based on Kavumbai agitation | [38] |
| 1991 | Mazhayilundaya Makal | Kollam: Imprint | Short story collection | [39] |
| 1996 | Vilapavrikshathile Kaattu | Kottayam: DC Books | Novel based on Christian immigration to Malabar | [22] |
| 2000 | Oru Superhit Cinemayude Thirakkatha | Kottayam: S.P.C.S. | Novel | [40] |
| 2001 | Vrishchikam Vannu Vilichu | Thrissur: Current | Short story collection | [41] |
| 2005 | Scene Over | Trivandrum: Kalam | Collection of 15 stories | |
| 2005 | Chila Silkian Ninavukal | Alleppey: Unma Publications | Essays and memoirs | [26] |
| 2008 | Ekantha Rathrikal | Calicut: Mathrubhumi | Collection of novelettes | [42] |
| 2009 | Moonnamathe Muri | Calicut: Poorna | Collection of stories | [43] |
| 2011 | Peramaram | Calicut: Poorna | Short story collection | [44] |
| 2011 | Kalikaal | Kannur: New Books | Novella | [45] |
| 2013 | Ulkhananangal | Kottayam: DC Books | Novel | [34] |
| 2016 | Khamaruneesayude Koottukari | Kottayam: DC Books | Short story collection | [46] |
| 2017 | Photo | Trivandrum: Kalam | Collection of nine stories | |
| 2018 | Katha | Kottayam: S.P.C.S. | Short story collection | [47] |
| 2018 | Moonnu Pranaya Novelettukal | Calicut: Olive | Collection of three novelettes | [24] |
| 2020 | Newsreaderum Poochayum | Kottayam: DC Books | Short story collection | [20] |
| 2021 | Ente Gramakathakal | Calicut: Olive | Short story collection | [48] |
| 2022 | Kamal Haasan Abhinayikkathe Poya Oru Cinema | Trivandum: Chintha | Collection of ten novelettes | [25] |
| 2023 | Mazhayilundaya Makalum Mattu Mazhakathakalum | Thrissur: H&C Books | Short story collection | [21] |
References
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- ^ a b c d "Sahitya Akademi-winning Malayalam writer Satheesh Babu Payyannur found dead at residence". The New Indian Express. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Writer Satheesh Babu Payyanur passes away". Malayala Manorama. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
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- ^ M. K. Suresh (25 November 2022). "പദ്മരാജന്റെ കൂടെനില്ക്കാനാഗ്രഹിച്ചു; പയ്യന്നൂരില് നിന്നും തിരുവനന്തപുരത്തേക്ക് സതീഷ്ബാബു കൂടുമാറി". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ Joshy Mathew (25 November 2022). "'നക്ഷത്രക്കൂടാരം എന്റെയും സതീഷ് ബാബുവിന്റെയും ആദ്യസിനിമ'- സംവിധായകന് ജോഷി മാത്യു". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Satheesh Babu Payyanur". Marunadan Malayali. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 19 January 2023 – via YouTube.
- ^ "ഹരിതസിനിമയെപ്പറ്റി സതീഷ്ബാബു പയ്യന്നൂര്". Chandrasekharonline.in. 21 April 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ a b Satheesh Babu Payyannur (25 May 2020). "മൂടിക്കെട്ടിയ ലോകവും മുഖമില്ലാത്ത മനുഷ്യരും". Jordays.in. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Focus on culture". The Hindu. 29 June 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ N. P. Hafiz Mohamad (25 November 2022). "'സതീഷ്ബാബുവിന്റെ കഥയിലെ ഒരു ട്വിസ്റ്റുപോലെ മരണം, ആരെയുമറിയിക്കാതെ കൊണ്ടുനടന്ന അന്ത്യം'". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Writer Satheesh Babu Payyannur found dead at his house in Thiruvananthapuram". The Hindu. 24 November 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "എഴുത്തുകാരൻ സതീഷ് ബാബു പയ്യന്നൂർ മരിച്ചത് ഹൃദയാഘാതം മൂലമെന്ന് പോസ്റ്റ് മോർട്ടം റിപ്പോർട്ട്; സംസ്കാരം നാളെ തൃശൂരിൽ". Roundstime.com. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "Last rites of Satheesh Babu in Thrissur today". The Times of India. 26 November 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "മമ്മൂട്ടി നായകനായി 'ലിഫ്റ്റ്' ഒരുങ്ങുകയായിരുന്നു, ഒപ്പം എഴുതിതീരാത്ത 'സത്ര'വും". Vanitha. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ a b "The Guava Tree". Indulekha.com. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
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- ^ "Satheesh Babu Payyanur passes away". The Times of India. 25 November 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ a b c Munhinad Padmakumar, Satheesh Babu Payyannur (24 May 2018). Aksharam.com: Satheesh Babu Payyannur (Interview). Trivandrum: JaiHind TV – via YouTube.
- ^ a b "Newsreaderum Poochayum". Keralabookstore.com. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ a b "Mazhayilundaya Makalum Mattu Mazhakathakalum". H&C Books. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
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- ^ a b "Kamal Hasan Abhinayikkathe Poya Oru Cinema". Chintha Publishers. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "Santhosh Kumar, Joseph bag Akademi awards". The Hindu. 12 July 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "Kerala Sahitya Academy Award for Sathish Babu Payyannur". Kerala Kaumudi. 11 July 2013. Archived from the original on 15 July 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "Award winners". The Hindu. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "അബുദാബി ശക്തി അവാര്ഡുകള് പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു". Deshabhimani. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- ^ "Satheesh Babu selected for Malayattoor award". The New Indian Express. 21 December 2017. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
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