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V K N: Thiranjedutha Kathakal | വി കെ എൻ: തിരഞ്ഞെടുത്ത കഥകൾ
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About the author
വി കെ എന് | V.K.N.
54 books112 followersV.K.N.' or VKN (abbreviated from his full name Vadakkke Koottala Narayanankutty Nair) (6 April 1932 - 25 January 2004) was a pathbreaking and celebrated Malayalam writer, noted mainly for his high-brow satire. Apart from novels, he wrote short stories and political commentaries. A native of Kerala in south India, his works are considered distinctive for their multi-layered humour, trenchant criticism of the socio-political classes and uncanny ability to twist the meanings of words contextually, thus lend a touch of magic to his language (which, at times, was English too).
VKN's works call for an attentive and informed reader who can recognise his allusions and follow his changes in language, where he shifts between English, Hindi, Malayalam and a distinctive variety of Tamil spoken by the Iyer community in Palakkad. In most cases, the use of language other than Malayalam is immediately followed by a translation (in parentheses), but these translations have little do with what they stand for in the original.
Born on 6 April 1932, in Thiruvilwamala in Thrissur district, VKN, after completing his matriculation, joined the Malabar Devaswom Board and worked there for 9 years. Like a good number of modern Malayalam writers like O. V. Vijayan, VKN spent many years in New Delhi (from 1959 to 1969) as an English journalist. The experiences he gained during these years that also coincided with the nascent post-independent India finds a recreation in one of his most heralded work, Pitamahan (The Great Grandfather). He entered Malayalam literature in 1955.
VKN is considered as a genius, for his knowledge in philosophy, history, art, politics, literature (both Indian and Western; ancient and modern), social issues, ethnicity, agriculture, astrology and sport. It merits some acquaintance with his writing style and deep understanding of language and politics to really comprehend and appreciate his wit and insight. Due to this reason, it is near impossible to convey his brilliance in translations and it is very difficult even for those who understand Malayalam to fully grasp his multi-dimensional wizardry.
His humour comes from inverting his own language to expose both the inner workings and shortcomings of our languages as a means of communication. In certain stories/narrations, the characters of the story/narration comment about the author. Malayalam critics have yet to understand him well, and a proper study about his works and style is yet to happen in the language. VKN served as vice-chairperson of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, Thrissur. He had also chaired the Kunchan Smarakam at Killikkurussimangalam near Ottappalam.
More Details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V._K._N.
VKN's works call for an attentive and informed reader who can recognise his allusions and follow his changes in language, where he shifts between English, Hindi, Malayalam and a distinctive variety of Tamil spoken by the Iyer community in Palakkad. In most cases, the use of language other than Malayalam is immediately followed by a translation (in parentheses), but these translations have little do with what they stand for in the original.
Born on 6 April 1932, in Thiruvilwamala in Thrissur district, VKN, after completing his matriculation, joined the Malabar Devaswom Board and worked there for 9 years. Like a good number of modern Malayalam writers like O. V. Vijayan, VKN spent many years in New Delhi (from 1959 to 1969) as an English journalist. The experiences he gained during these years that also coincided with the nascent post-independent India finds a recreation in one of his most heralded work, Pitamahan (The Great Grandfather). He entered Malayalam literature in 1955.
VKN is considered as a genius, for his knowledge in philosophy, history, art, politics, literature (both Indian and Western; ancient and modern), social issues, ethnicity, agriculture, astrology and sport. It merits some acquaintance with his writing style and deep understanding of language and politics to really comprehend and appreciate his wit and insight. Due to this reason, it is near impossible to convey his brilliance in translations and it is very difficult even for those who understand Malayalam to fully grasp his multi-dimensional wizardry.
His humour comes from inverting his own language to expose both the inner workings and shortcomings of our languages as a means of communication. In certain stories/narrations, the characters of the story/narration comment about the author. Malayalam critics have yet to understand him well, and a proper study about his works and style is yet to happen in the language. VKN served as vice-chairperson of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, Thrissur. He had also chaired the Kunchan Smarakam at Killikkurussimangalam near Ottappalam.
More Details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V._K._N.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 6, 2022
This book contains major story collections of V.K.N. together in one book. It contains, Chaathans, Mananchira Test, 50 kathakal, Payyan kathakal, V.K.N. Kathakal and Ammoommakatha and an interview (or more of discussion) of V.K.N by Paul Zakaria and 3 studies of V.K.N language and style. Of them one by Sunil P Ilayidam is quite pretentious. Other one by V.C. Harris and the one by Sanil V. comparing V.K.N.'s writing style with Namboothiri's drawing style is also quite good.
For anyone who wants to read a wide variety of V.K.N stories this is the one to go for. I think this book contains most important stories of V.K.N in one book together with some good essays and an interview. Hats off!!
For anyone who wants to read a wide variety of V.K.N stories this is the one to go for. I think this book contains most important stories of V.K.N in one book together with some good essays and an interview. Hats off!!
February 5, 2017
a different world of subtle, sarcastic comedies and short stories. some of them made me guffaw, while most of them left me perplexed trying to understand the joke. it could be my language disability or the genre disability. with the stories I connected with, I saw an entire world of beautifully crafted words weaving simple narratives evoking laughter and I feel a new found respect for VKN.
January 19, 2016
Humorous... Great writing..Down to earth dialogues...Reminds me of MT..Very Nostalgic atmosphere.
P.S : I would suggest not to read the book while you are among crowd. People would stare at you, when you laugh uncontrollably :)
P.S : I would suggest not to read the book while you are among crowd. People would stare at you, when you laugh uncontrollably :)
March 21, 2014
VKN is beyond reviews and You never finish reading VKN :)
November 13, 2014
Excellent Stories..!!
December 3, 2014
Classic V.K.N.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews