Thaha Madayi

Thaha Madayi Biography

Thaha Madayi is a freelance journalist and writer of Malayalam language. His book Mamukkoya (2007) won him the best book award at the International Book Fair in Thiruvananthapuram. He is popular for writing life experiences of others and credited to starting a new branch of writing in Malayalam literature - 'Jeevithamezhuth' which literally means Life sketch. Among those biography works, the most noted works include - Mamukkoya, Dr. B. Abdulla, A. Ayyappan, Captain Krishnan Nair, Airanjoli Moosa, Punathil Kunjabdulla, Kallen Pokkudan, Fabi Basheer, Gemini Shankaran and many more. He regularly writes for Malayalam magazines like Mathrubhumi and Madhyamam.

Priyapetta Sambhashanangal, Kanneerinte Kanaku Pusthakam, Nagna Jeevitham, Kaari, Deshame Deshame Ivarude Jeevitha Varthamanam Kelku, Satyan Anthikadinte Grameenar and Mukham are among his prominent works as a writer. Uppilitta Ormakkal is a memoir by Thaha Madayi which records his childhood memories, love, friendship and many other reminiscences of his life. The book is divided into three sections - Balyathinte Naatidavazhikalam, Jeevithamezhuthumayi Bandhapecha Ormakkal and Pranayam/Shariram/Laingikatha.

Thaha is one among those modern Malayalam writers who visualized Dalits through his novels and life sketches. He has also interviewed many celebrities and published those interviews. His interview with M.N. Vijayan brought him to limelight. He has also done a few documentaries and short films like     Anayupappa, Enikku pooviloode madanganam and Paattu krishi.

As a writer, he started as a columnist of Mathrubhumi weekly for children and later moved to other topics. He has also written memorials of film maker Sathyan Anthikaad, titled Sathyan Anthikaadinte Grameenar. Priyappetta Sambhashanangal includes long interviews with noted personalities like M T Vasudevan Nair, Punathil Kunjabdulla, Kadammanitta, A Ayyappan, Balachandran Chullikkad, M N Vijayan and Venu Nagavally. Memoirs, essays and travel notes are included in ‘Udo baba’.

Published: N/A

Updated: June 19, 2014