Sethu (writer)

Sethu (writer) Biography

A. Sethumadhavan, better known as Sethu is a Malayalam writer who has contributed over 30 books to Malayalam literature. He won the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in 2007 for the work Adayalangal. He is also a recipient of Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards twice - in 1982 and 1978 for his works Pandavapuram and Pediswapnangal respectively. Adyalangal earned Vayalar award for the year 2005.In 1997 he received state film award for best story for the movie -Poothiruvathira Raavil. Velutha Koodarangal, Thaliyola, Kiratham, Niyogam, Sethuvinte Kathakal and Kaimudrakal are other noted published works. Marupiravi – his last published work is regarded as a path breaking novel and entirely different from his style of work before.

Sethu was born in Chendamangalam village of Ernakulam district in 1942. After studies, he started his professional career in banking as a probationary officer of State India Bank and later moved on to many senior posts. He has served as chairman of the South Indian Bank Limited before his retirement. His brilliant literary career spans over a period of 40 years and many of his works have been translated into other languages like Tamil, English and Kannada. The English translation of Niyogam was shortlisted for the Crossword Prize. He currently serves as the General Council of Sahitya Akademi and also the chairman of National Book Trust, New Delhi since 2012.

Sethu is one of the pioneers of modern Malayalam fiction and has contributed his maximum works in the 1960s and 1970s. He has steered clear of controversies and is a sweet presence in the literary world at present. After retirement from banking, he moved to his native village Chendamangalam.

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Updated: July 09, 2014