V. J. James

V. J. James is an Indian writer who primarily writes in Malayalam language. His first book, Purapaadinte Pusthakam, was published by DC Books as the winning work in the novel competition conducted as a part of its 25th anniversary celebration in 1999. His novel Nireeshwaran, which explores the clashes between theism and atheism, won several awards including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award and Vayalar Award.

Life

V. J. James was born in Changanassery, Kottayam, Kerala, India. He attended St. Theresa's Higher Secondary School, Vazhappally and St. Mary's Higher Secondary School, Champakulam, before studying at St. Berchmans College, Changanacherry. He has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Mar Athanasius College of Engineering. An engineer by profession, he worked at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.

Awards

DC Silver Jubilee Award
Malayattoor Prize,
Rotary Literary Award for Purappadinte Pusthakam
Thoppil Ravi Award for Nireeshwaran
Kerala Bhasha Institute Basheer Award for Nireeshwaran
Kerala Sahitya academy for Nireeshwaran
Basheer Puraskaram for Nireeshwaran
Thikkurissi award for Anticlock
O.V.Vijayan Award for Anticlock
Vayalar Award for Nireeshwaran
Shortlisted for the JCB Prize 2021 : Anti-Clock
Shortlisted for Atta Galatta-Banglore Literature Festival Book Prize 2021 : Chorashasathram
Longlisted for the PFC VoW Book Award 2022 : Anti-Clock
Malayatoor Foundation Literary Award for Anticlock
Padmarajan Award for Velli Kash
FOKANA Award for Literature 2023.
Pravasi Kairali Sahitya Paraskaram2023
IC Chacko Award 2025

Writing

V. J. James has said that he observes everyday life closely, as it "helps him to narrate common man's life with authenticity". His novels are known for explaining serious subjects in simple language.

Published works

Novels

1999 - Purappadinte Pusthakam
2002 - Chorashasthram
2005 - Dathapaharam
2006 - Leyka
2013 - Ottakkaalan Kakka
2014 - Nireeshwaran
2018 - ''Anticlock''

Short story collections

Shavangalil Pathinaraman Bhoomiyilekkulla thurumbicha Vathayanangal Vyakulamathavinte Kannadikkoodu Pranayopanishath

VJ James kathakal
Katha
B Nilavara
White Sound

Munthirivallikal Thalirkkumbol, a 2017 Malayalam family drama film directed by Jibu Jacob, written by Sindhu Raj, and starring Mohanlal and Meena, is loosely based on James' Malayalam short story Pranayopanishath.
Children's literature
Kinnaram

English Translations (Novels)

2021 - ANTI-CLOCK
2022 - NIREESWARAN
2022 - CHORASHASTRA :THE SUBTLE SCIENCE OF THIEVERY
2023 - DATAPAHARAM :CALL OF THE FOREST
2024 THE BOOK OF EXODUS