Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, Malayalam novelist

Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai (17th April 1912 – 10 April 1999) popularly known as Thakazhi, after his birth place, was a novelist and short story writer of Malayalam literature. Thakazhi is village situated in Kuttanad in Alappuzha district, Kerala.

His novels mainly deal with oppressed classes. His love epic Chemmeen (Prawns – 1956) is one of the few works of fiction in Indian language to gain worldwide recognition. The novel deals with the life of fishermen. Later the novel’s film adaptation, also titled Chemmeen (1965) earned international fame. Chemmeen was translated into 19 world languages and adapted as film in 15 countries.

Kayar (Coir) is considered to be his masterpiece and is also considered to be one of the longest novels in Malayalam literature. Thottiyude makan (Scavenger's Son) is a pioneer work in Malayalam realistic novel. He was awarded Jnanpith in 1984. The video features an interview of Thakazhi by another famous Malayalam writer - MT Vasudevan Nair. 

Courtesy: ‘Thakazhi’, Movie directed by Mr. M T Vasudevan Nair for Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi.

You can buy this DVD from Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi.