S. Hareesh

S. Hareesh Biography

S. Hareesh is a noted writer belonging to Malayalam literature. A Sahitya academy winner for his book, Adam in 2018, he got into controversies, after he published his novel ‘Meesha’ in 2018. It was earlier published in a serialized form in ‘Mathrubhumi’ weekly. But for some of anti-Hindu remarks and controversial statements, it angered Hindu wing and different religious organizations, which demanded the withdrawal of the book. Award winning 2018 film, Aedan is based on one among the three short stories of his award winning book, Adam. He won Sahitya Academy award in best story category. Film director Lijo Jose Pellissery’s newly announced film Jallikkattu, based on his short story, Maoist.

S. Hareesh was born on 15 May 1975 in Neendoor, Kottayam, Kerala. His stories are imbued with an undertone of caste and politics at play in daily life. As of now he has published three books – two short collections (Rasavidhyayude Charithram and Adam) and one novel, Meesa, which embroiled in controversies. Geetha Hiranyam Endowment by Kerala Sahitya Akademi, Thomas Mundassery Award for short story and V. P. Sivakumar Memorial Keli Award are other major awards won by this promising writer, who most recently won Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for the Best Story Writer in 2018.

His debut novel, Meesha (which literally means Moustache) had three installments published in ‘Mathrubhumi’ weekly, before it was published as a novel in July 2018. Some copies were burnt in Thiruvananthapuram and the case has reached the Supreme Court too. Hareesh and his wife shut down their social media accounts and switched off phones, following the threats received by him. The writer also decided to withdraw the book from market. A debate is still going on, supporting and opposing his move. He currently works as a village assistant at Kaipuzha near his native place Neendoor in central Kerala.

Published: August 13, 2018

Updated: August 13, 2018