Contents
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer
Writing Malayalam stories in the lively language of everyday people.
Balyakalasakhi · Pathummayude Aadu
- Born
- 21 January 1908
- Birthplace
- India
- Died
- 5 July 1994
More people
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer was a novelist and short-story writer whose humour and compassion drew on poverty, travel, imprisonment and family life. He was also involved in India’s independence movement.
Early life
Kerala
Was the eldest child of a timber merchant near Vaikom.
Influence
Encountered Gandhi during the Vaikom campaign and became interested in the independence movement.
Career
- 1930
Political imprisonment
Was arrested during the Salt Satyagraha campaign.
- 1937
First story
Published Ente Thankam.
- 1944
Major novel
Published Balyakalasakhi.
- 1982
Recognition
Received the Padma Shri.
Selected work
Balyakalasakhi
Told a tragic story of childhood love.
Pathummayude Aadu
Turned family life into a comic, affectionate narrative.
Mathilukal
Explored love across the walls of a prison.
Beyond work
Travel
Supported himself through varied jobs while travelling widely beyond Kerala.
Family
Married Fabi Basheer and settled in Beypore, the source of his nickname Beypore Sultan.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Biography and career evidence ↗Photo: India Post, Government of India. GODL-India · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
