Paul Chirakkarode
Paul Chirakkarode was a noted Malayalam- and English-language author, social critic, orator, and human rights activist. The author has been considered one of the pioneers of Dalit Literary Movement in India.
Personal life
Chirakkarode was born in Maramon, a small village situated on the banks of Pamba river, near Thiruvalla in the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. He belonged to a Christian family. His father, Rev LT Daniel, was well known among the people of his village as a teacher, social worker, and as Missionary. His mother's name was Elikutty. Chirakkarode went to Maramon High School and attended University College Thiruvananthapuram, now part of the University of Kerala, where he later attended law school. He also earned master's degrees in English literature, Malayalam literature, economics, and sociology. Chirakkarode died in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.Literary life
Chirakkarode started his literary life in 1955, at the age of seventeen, by publishing his first novel Alinju Theernna Athmav. Then he wrote a number of short stories and novels, such as Pravasam, Aavaranam, Sathyathinte Mugham, and Pulayathara. Among these novels, Pulayathara has been considered one of his masterpieces. In this the novelist traces the saga of Dalit Christians and their aspirations in a picturesque style. Chirakkarode's works came out even before the dawn of Dalit Literary Movement emerged in Maharashtra during the 1970s.Through his study on Bertrand Russell, Chirakkarode proved his creative talent as a biographer. This study collected a special award from the Kerala Sahithya Academy, in 1962; the Government of Kerala selected it as the best book of the year.
Besides the biography of Bertrand Russell, Chirakkarode wrote biographies of David Livingstone and Rabindranath Tagore. The critical studies of Paul include Ambedkar: Bhauthika ''Vikshobhanathinde Theejwala, Dalit Christians Keralathil and Dalit Sahithya Pathangal His study on Ambedkar, is considered one of the best books ever written in such a manner in Malayalam on Babasaheb Ambedkar, the Architect of Indian Constitution, and his thoughts. Paul Chirakkarode's critical studies in English includes Dalits and the left; The Subalttern Emergence, and several essays. These works mainly analyze the socioeconomic conditions of the subaltern sections of the caste-ridden Indian society.
He was the founder editor of Padavukal'', a news journal magazine published by the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Kerala, during 2001–2005. In the second phase of his writings, Chirakkarode entered the field of socio-literacy critical studies. Among these studies, four works were published in Malayalam and two were in English. During this period he wrote around 56 novels and 2 biographies.
Works
- Mathil,
- Nizhal,
- Oru Maidanam; Kure vazhikal,
- Aadimayum Yajmananum,
- Anuragam Anaswarmanu,
- Dhughathinte Panapathram,
- Oru Kudumbam Parichunattu,
- Nanaja Bhoomi,
- Irulil Alinja Velicham,
- Kayam, Vellithira,
- Ooshara Bhoomi,
- Chathuppunilam,
- Azhimugham,
- Vedhanakalude Thazhvara,
- Akshayapathram, Bheerukkal,
- Sooryakanthi,
- Olichupokunna Mankoonakal,
- Angeyude Rajyam Varename. Chilanthivala,
- Ekanthathayude Dweep,
- Udatham, Nyayasanam,
- Aa Velicham,
- Parudheesa,
- Athum Sambhavichu,
- Velichem,
- Puthiya Paarpidum,
- Annathe Appam, Kurumba etc.