Vaikom Muhammad Basheer

Vaikom Muhammad Basheer Biography

Vaikom Muhammad Basheer was born on 21^st January 1908 and he is one of the prominent literary figures of Malayalam literature. He was also a freedom fighter, novelist and a humanist. His works are translated in many languages and got him worldwide acclaim. His works include Baalyakaalasakhi, Shabdangal, Mathilukal, Paaththummaayude, Anarga Nimisham, etc. He is called affectionately as Beypore Sultan. He got Padma Shri award in the year 1982.

He was born in Thalayolaparambu village in northern Travancore. His family was large and so he did not live a rich life in his younger days. He studied at Malayalam medium school in the beginning and later studied in English medium school at Vaikom. He adored Mahatma Gandhi and started to wear Khadi.

He left the school when studying fifth form and went to fight for the cause of Indian Independence. He joined Indian National Congress. He went to Kozhikode to take part in Salt Satyagraha in 1930. He was sentenced to imprisonment for three months. He was inspired by revolutionary leaders Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru. These three were executed when he spent his days in Kannur jail. He was released after Gandhi Irwin pact of March 1931.

He left Kerala and traveled to many parts of India and abroad for seven years. He undertook many works at that time like cook, fortune teller, fruit seller, accountant, watchman, etc. to keep him from starvation. He lived with Sufi mystics in the hermitages of Himalayas for more than five years. He had to starve most of the time.

He started to write stories when he was in jail. His works during 1941 – 1943 are Baalyakaalasakhi and PRemalekhanam. He had to publish his works himself and take them to homes to sell them. He also ran bookstalls. During his forties he married Fabi Basheer who was much younger than him and settled down to domestic life. He had two children Anees and Shahina. He lived at Beypore, south of Kozhikode. He wrote his famous book Pathummayude Aadu during his treatment for mental illness. He died on 5^th July 1994.

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Updated: July 03, 2017