P Kesavadev
| P. Kesavadev | |
|---|---|
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| Born |
20 July 1904 Kedamangalam, North Paravur, Ernakulam, Kerala, India |
| Died | 1 July 1983 (aged 78) Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India |
| Spouse | Seethalekshmy Dev |
| Children | Jothydev Kesavadev |
| Relatives | Appu Pillai Karthiyani Amma |
| Website | |
| kesavadev |
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P. Kesava Pillai (20 July 1904 – 1 July 1983), better known by his pen-name P. Kesavadev, was a novelist and social reformer of Kerala state, South India. He is remembered for his speeches, autobiographies, novels, dramas, short stories, and films.
Odayil Ninnu, Nadhi, Bhrandalayam, Ayalkar (Central Academi Award-winning novel), Ethirppu (autobiography) and Oru Sundariyude Athmakadha are some among his 128 literary works. Kesavadev along with Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai and Vaikom Muhammad Basheer are considered the exponents of progressive Malayalam Literature.
Born Kesava Pillai, he adopted the name Kesava Dev to get rid of his last name "Pillai" which denoted his caste. His wife Seethalekshmi Dev is also a known novelist. Dev married her in his late 60s, while she was in her 30s. Their son Jothydev Kesavadev is a diabetologist and a pioneer in telemedicine in diabetes care.
Kesava Dev emerged as one of the makers of modern Malayalam fiction. He can be referred to as the first writer to usher in the Renaissance in Malayalam literature, by writing the novel Odayil Ninnu (From the Gutter; 1942) with a rickshaw puller as its hero. Dev was in the forefront among the writers who employed new norms in the content and characterisation in Malayalam fiction. Odayil Ninnu came as a shocking revelation that a finest piece of literature can be produced with commonplace themes and unconventional style of prose with ordinary mortals as heroes and heroines. Apart from the fact that the appearance of rickshaw puller was a thrilling experience at that time, the author blazed a new trial in Malayalam literature and many writers followed suit.
Bhranthalayam (The Mad House; 1949) is a novel based on the tragedy of partition of the nation. This novel brings out the humanist in Kesava Dev in all its dimensions. Rowdy (1958) the novel is based on the story of an orphan abused in every possible manner, resorting to arms in defence against the community. Dev's narrative tinged with humour and sarcasm rips open the shroud of the contemporary society. Ayalkar (The Neighbours; 1963) is Kesava Dev's best known work – his masterpiece. This novel is acclaimed as the chronicle of the evolution of the three leading communities of the State of Kerala – the Nairs, Christians and Ezhavas from the days of feudalism to the post independent era. Writing about the tragedy of the disintegration of the two major tharavads – Mangalassery and Pachazhi – Kesavadev recreates their glorious past and also narrates the trials and tribulations paving the way for their total destruction. The novel on the other hand narrates the history of the state for a period of about fifty years from the times of feudalism to the rise of the new era. This novel won the National Award for literature.
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