P. Valsala

P. Valsala Biography

P. Valsala is an acclaimed writer and social activist from Kerala. As a writer she is best known for fiction works – novels & short stories. She has been a teacher, who retired as Head Mistress from a school of Kerala. She was the Chairperson of Kerala Sahitya Akademi. As an activist, she has been associated with PuKaSa, a left-leaning cultural movement during younger days. But later she supported Hindu fascist organisations. She received Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for her novel Nizhalurangunna Vazhikal and Kumkumam Award for Best Novel for Nellu (1973). Muttathu Varkey Award and C. V. Kunhiraman Memorial Sahithya Award are other major awards given for her contributions towards Malayalam literature.

The highly acclaimed & national award winning movie – Nellu (1974) is based on one of the works of Valsala. She wrote the novel after a rejuvenating experience in Wayanad and it was published in 1972 by Sahithya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society. The novel went on to become a bestseller and won the Kumkumam Award for Best Novel in 1973. She shot to fame and after that she wrote numerous novels. Later she co-scripted the film made by Ramu Kariat. But she was not fully satisfied by its outcome. She herself wanted to make a film based on her novel ‘Agneyam’, which is yet to happen. ‘Jeevitham Pole Kathakal’ is a documentary based on novelist P. Valsala and it unfolds how a school teacher becomes a prominent writer in Malayalam.

She was born on 4 April 1938 in Kozhikode of Madras Presidency in British India. She was associated with left principles during her early days. She met Naxalite leader Varghese for the first time on the banks of Kalindi river in 1967. She had anticipated the armed revolution in Wayanad. Thakarcha was her first published novel, followed by Nellu, Agnayam, Nizhaluragunna Vazhikal, Arakkillam, Venal, Kanal etc.

Published: September 16, 2018

Updated: September 16, 2018