Renowned Malayalam Author P Valsala Dies At 85 (Image:X/Shashi Tharoor)
Noted Malayalam novelist and short story writer P Valsala died at a private hospital in Kerala’s Kozhikode on Tuesday. She was 85-years-old and had published nearly 20 novels, over 20 anthologies, and over 300 short stories, besides biographies, travelogues, and children”s stories.
Ms Valsala died of a heart failure and was admitted to the KMCT Medical College at Mukkom. She was popularly known as the narrator of ‘Thirunelli’ (Thirunelliyude Kathakaari) and was active in the phase of Malayalam literature since the 1960s – wrote her first novel ‘Thalarcha’ in 1969. Known as the writer who touched the soul of tribal people in Kerala’s Wayanad, she penned their life at close hand without any prejudice attitude.
Her major works include Nellu (1972), ‘Anupamayude Kavalkkaran’ (1980), ‘Panguru Pushpathinde Theen’ (1998), ‘Aaranniya Kandam’ (2003) and ‘Kadhakal’ (2008). Among these, ‘Nellu’ narrated the lives of tribes in Wayanad. For her incredible contribution to the language, Ms Valsala received numerous honours including the Kerala Sahithya Academi Award, Ezhuthachan Award, Padma Prabha Award, Muttathu Varkey Award, and the CV Kunhiraman Memorial Sahithya Award.
She also held the post of the Sahitya Akademi President and Vice President and was also the President of the Sahitya Samithi for the last 17 years, reported Mathrubhumi. She was also associated with Purogamana Kala Sahithya Sangam, a left-aligned cultural organisation.
Ms Valsala was born in 1939 in Kanhangad and completed her undergraduate studies at Providence College and began her career as a teacher at the Koduvalli Government High School. She retired in 1993 after completing 32 years of service.
On her demise, the Congress leader and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle and expressed condolences. He remarked her writings had made “profound impacts” on the people of Kerala. “Sad to learn of the passing of Malayalam novelist, short story writer, and social activist P. Vatsala yesterday at the age of 85”, said Mr Tharoor. “Her prolific output (over 25 short story collections and 17 novels) have endured and her writing made a profound impact on generations of Malayalis. Om Shanti”, he added.
Sad to learn of the passing of Malayalam novelist, short story writer, and social activist P. Vatsala yesterday at the age of 85. Her prolific output (over 25 short story collections and 17 novels) have endured and her writing made a profound impact on generations of Malayalis.… pic.twitter.com/g9fBEbPDEu
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) November 22, 2023
