K. P. Appan

K. P. Appan Biography

Karthikayil Padmanabhan Appan, shortly known as K. P. Appan was a renowned literary critic in Malayalam. For his collection of essays Madhuram Ninte Jeevitham, he won Kendra sahitya academy award in the year 2008. The award was announced post humorously. He was born on August 25, 1936 in Alappuzha to Poonthoppil Padmanabhan and Karthiyani. He has served as Professor of Malayalam literature at SN College, Kollam till 1992. He died in 2008.

Appan did his schooling at Sanadana Dharma Vidyalaya there and graduation at SD College, Alappuzha. He took PG from Maharaja's College, Ernakulam. Appan began his career as a high school teacher. Later he joined UC College, Aluva as faculty. His subject was Malayalam. Later he worked in SN College, Cherthala and got retired from SN College, Kollam in 1992.

His works noticed a slow transformation from socialist realism to modernism over time. His entry to literature was at a time when Malayalam literature noticed some sort of stagnation in literary criticism. And his entry was often described as ‘like fresh air to a closed room’ where Appan pointed out that the new generation writers are impatient with existing reality. His first book Kshobhikkunnavarude Suvisesham opened a new way to literal criticism and widely opened a new trend as well.

Appan had written over 20 books and they hold subjects of interesting debate. His published books include - Kalapam, Vivadam, Vilayiruthal, Kshobhikkunnavarude Suvisesham, Maduram Ninte jeevitham, Kalahavum Viswasavum, Bible: Velichathinte Kavacham , Penayude Samaramukhangal, Malayala Bhavana: Mullyangalum Sangharshangalum, Marunna Malayalam Novel, Innalekalile Anveshanaparishodanakal, Charithrathe Aghadahamakkiya Guru, Thiraskaram, Charithrathe Ningalkoppam Kootuka, Varakalum Varnangalum, Samayapravahavum Sahithyakalayum, Swargam theernnu pokunnu narakam nilanilkunnu, Utharadhunikatha: Varthamanavum Vamsavaliyum, Abhimuka Sambhashanakal and Katha: Akhyanavum Anubhava Sathayum.

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Updated: February 18, 2014