#memory
O.V.Vijayan.
2 July is the birth anniversary of O V Vijayan, one of the greatest among the modern day writers in Malayalam.
Vijayan was a multifaceted genius, and left an indelible impression as Novelist, Short Story writer, Cartoonist, Journalist and Columnist.
Vijayan who started his career as a college lecturer in Calicut, later worked in the Sankar’s Weekly, the Patriot, the Statesman, and the Hindu newspapers, as cartoonist.
He burst into the Malayalam literary world with his novel, “Khazakkinte Ithihasam” (Legends of Khazak). Malayalam novel was forever divided into
” Before and after Khazak”. The unique idiom, and the characters like Ravi, Appukkili, Nizam Ali, Mymuna etc, have been etched into the hearts and minds of the Malayalee for ever.
The 1969 novel and his subsequent works like ‘Gurusagaram’ remain among the best sellers in Malayalam . His satirical novel , ‘Dharmapuranam’ foresaw the detested Emergency imposed by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1975.
His cartoons are noted for their intellectual depth.
Vijayan was among the top political commentators of his time and his columns were among the most widely read and discussed.
His dilemmas about the dilution of the ideological moorings of the communists, the vanishing democratic space, increasing tendencies of communalism and fascism, all have turned prophetic in later years.
He was among the best short story writers in Malayalam. He will be remembered for ever for just one character, Vellayi Appan in the story “Kadaltheerathu’.
Vijayan remains one of the most read and written about writers in Malayalam to this day.
– Joy Kallivayalil.
