Paul Zacharia

Paul Zacharia Biography

Paul Zacharia is a noted writer from Kerala. He writes in Malayalam and his works include – novels, short stories and essays. Throughout his career, he has won numerous awards and honours including Kendra sahitya academy award in the year 2004 for his short stories collection – Zachariayude kathakal. Born in 1945 in Urulikkunnam in Kottayam district, at present he resides in the capital city. Many of his works have been translated to other languages including English and known for the distinct style of heterodox and similarly radical in theme. The Library of Congress has thirteen works by Zacharia in their collection. But his open criticisms on religious fundamentalism and religious figures such as Mata Amritanandamayi have caused in severe tensions and criticisms on his published books later.

A few of Paul’s published books include - Salaam America: kathakal, Aarkariyam: kathakal, Kannadi Kanmolavum: kathakal, Enthundu Vishesham Peelathose, Ishtikayum aashariyum: Novella, Ithanente Peru: Novella, Bhaskarapattelarum ente jeevithavum: Novella and Praise the lord: Novella. His English books include - Bhaskara Pattelar and Other Stories, Reflections of a Hen in Her Last Hour and Other Stories and Praise the Lord and Whats New, Pilate? – two novellas. Paul Zacharia is regarded as a post modernist writer from Malayalam.

His prose works are devoid of sentiments and often he experiments a lot his themes technically. At the climax of his each work, he manages to collapse the entire structure with a single suggestion. acharia`s famous novella Bhaskara Pattelar and My Life has been made a feature film by great Malayalam director, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, titled Vidheyam which gave National award for actor Mammootty. His noted works - Oridath (1978) and Arkariyam (1986) give an insight to Syrian-Christian texture to his stories. His works are of international standard.

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Updated: February 18, 2014