Unnikrishnan Puthur

Unnikrishnan Puthur was a novelist born on 15th July 1933 in Engandiyur, in Thrissur district, Kerala. His parents are Chulliparambil Sankunni Nair and Puthur Janaki Amma. Unnikrishnan had written short stories, novels, poems and autobiographical writings. He did his schooling at Chavakkad Board School and did his graduation from Government Victoria College in Palakkad. While studying in college, he worked as a paper correspondent. Later, he got a clerical job at Guruvayur Sreekrishna temple’s Devaswom office. He was the head of the establishment wing of the Guruvayur Devaswom Library. He retired from the job in 1987. Unnikrishnan had been the representative of the employees of the Temple Managing Committee. Unnikrishnan worked at the Sahitya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society as its President. He was one of the executive committee members of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi and had been in the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi’s general council. He is the founded member of Bhakthapriya magazine’s editorial committee.

He had written nearly 700 short stories, 15 novels and 29 short story collections. He received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1968 for his novel, Balikkalu. In 2010, he was honored with Odakkuzhal Award for his novel, Anubhavangal Ner Reghakal. Some of his writings are Jalasamadhi, Gajarajan Guruvayur Kesavan, Dharmachakram, Puthurinte Kathakal, Akashavani, Kuttasammatam, Thallaviral, Atmaviboothi, Amruthamadhanam, Karayunna Kalpadukal, Aanappaka, Nashtapetta Ponnonam, Dylan Thomasinte Ganam, Kamsan, Sundari Cheriamma, Kalpakapoomazha, Panchara Mavu Veenu, Ozhivudinam, Bhagam, Gopuravelicham, Nakshatrakunju, Eeeranmundum Nananja Kannukalum, Pavakkalyanam and Kadinjool Prasanam. He wrote about Guruvayur Temple in Nazhikamani. Unnikrishnan worked in the temple for 32 years.

Unnikrishnan Puthur is married and has two sons. Due to some age-related health issues, he was admitted to a hospital in Chavakkad and died on 2^nd April 2014.