M. Leelavathy

M. Leelavathy Biography

Professor M. Leelavathy is a well-known author, critic and professor from Kottappadi, Wayanad. For her overall contributions to the field of Malayalam literature and education, Indian government honoured her with Padma Shri in 2010. She received Kerala Sahithya Academy Award (1980) for Varnaraji and Kendra Sahithya Academy Award (1986) for Kavithadhwani. She also received Vayalar Ramavarma Award (2007) for Appuvinte Anweshanam. Odakuzhal Award, Ezhuthachan Award, Lalithambika Antarjanam Award, Vallathol Award Basheer Award, P S John 2011 award and Guptan Nair Memorial Award are other major honours received by her in her long literal career.

Leelavathy was born in Kottapadi near Guruvayur in 1927. She schooled at Kunnamkulam, near to her native place and later joined Maharaja's College, Ernakulam where she completed graduation. She also received her M.A. degree from Madras University before starting her career as a teacher in the year 1949 at St. Mary's College, Thrissur. She has also taught in various colleges including Stella Maris College, Chennai; Victoria College, Palakkad and Maharaja's College Government Brennen College, Thalassery before she retired from Brennen College in the year 1983. In 1972 she received PHD in literature from Kerala University, Thiruvananthapuram.

She is a contemporary of such noted Malayalam critics including K. M. George, S. Guptan Nair, N. Krishna Pillai, P. K. Balakrishnan, and Sukumar Azhikode. She needs no introduction to the Malayalees and she is the only accomplished female critic of Malayalam. Her works include poetry, translation and biographies, apart from criticism. As an eminent teacher, she has been a research guide to more than 200 research students. Ardhantarangal, Balamani Ammayude Kavitha lokangal, Moulana Abdul Kalam Azad, Anayatha Deepam and Kavitharathi are a few among her noted books.

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Updated: May 23, 2014