Madhavan bags Akademi award for Ilakkiya Chuvadugal

Tamil writer A Madhavan, has been chosen as a recipient of this year’s Sahitya Akademi award for his collected prose writings Ilakkiya Chuvadukal. The Akademi’s choice has come as a stunner of sorts as the 82-year-old author has kept himself away from the trappings of adulation, living in a quaint Thiruvananthapuram neighbourhood having made a name for himself as a novelist and short story writer.

Madhavan’s prior works appeared in Pongal special issues of Murasoli, the DMK’s official publication. The a native of Tirunelveli whose childhood was spent in Thiruvananthapuram, is known to have said that he would have been actively involved in politics had he been living in Tamil Nadu. A firm believer in the Dravidian Movement, the author is famed for his style of naturalist writing that lays bare the depths of the human psyche. Due to economic hardships early on in his life, Madhavan was forced to drop out of school and pursue a vocation. He went on to set up an own shop, christened as Selvi Stores in the business area of Chalai, which also inspired his writing to a major extent. 

A big chunk of Madhavan’s tales find their muse in real-life events that took place in Chaalai. A counter-top view of the world as seen from his store, led him to witness the drama, despair and delights of everyday existence as they played out on the streets. 

Madhavan has brought out a few short story collections and three novels including Krishna Parunthu,hailed as his masterpiece.