Paul Zacharia
Encyclopedia
Paul Zacharia is a Malayalam short story
writer
, novelist and essayist. Born in Urulikkunnam in Kottayam
district in Kerala
, India
, Zacharia lives in Trivandrum.
and other languages. He is a recipient of the Sahitya Akademi
Award. Recognised as heterodox in style, Zacharia's short stories and novels are similarly radical in theme. His prose is devoid of sentiment, and he is constantly experimenting technically. The Library of Congress
has thirteen works by Zacharia in their collection. His criticism of religious fundamentalism, and his airing of concern over the 'hijacking' of religious figures such as Mata Amritanandamayi
, has led to severe criticism of his writing by the organizations of the Sangh Parivar
.
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, novelist and essayist. Born in Urulikkunnam in Kottayam
Kottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
district in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Zacharia lives in Trivandrum.
Literary career
His works have been translated into EnglishEnglish language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and other languages. He is a recipient of the Sahitya Akademi
Sahitya Akademi
The Sahitya Akademi ', India's National Academy of Letters, is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of literature in the languages of India...
Award. Recognised as heterodox in style, Zacharia's short stories and novels are similarly radical in theme. His prose is devoid of sentiment, and he is constantly experimenting technically. The Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
has thirteen works by Zacharia in their collection. His criticism of religious fundamentalism, and his airing of concern over the 'hijacking' of religious figures such as Mata Amritanandamayi
Mata Amritanandamayi
Mātā Amṛtānandamayī Devī , primarily known simply as Amma ["Mother"], is a Hindu spiritual leader and guru, who is revered as a saint by her followers. She is widely respected for her humanitarian activities...
, has led to severe criticism of his writing by the organizations of the Sangh Parivar
Sangh Parivar
The Sangh Parivar refers to the family of organisations of Hindu nationalists which have been started by members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or are inspired by its ideas. The Sangh Parivar represents the Hindu nationalist movement. It includes the RSS and several dozen smaller...
.
In Malayalam
- Salaam America: kathakal, DC Books, Kottayam (Kerala), India,1998
- Aarkariyam: kathakal, Current Books, Kottayam (Kerala), India, 1998
- Kannadi Kanmolavum: kathakal, DC books, Kottayam (Kerala), 2000
- Zachariayude Kathakal, DC Books, Kottayam (Kerala), India 2002
- Enthundu Vishesham Peelathose, DC Books, Kottayam (Kerala), India 1996
- bhaskarapattelarum ente jeevithavum: Novella, DC books, Kottayam (Kerala)
- Praise the lord: Novella
- Ishtikayum aashariyum: Novella
- Ithanente Peru: Novella
In English
- Bhaskara Pattelar and Other Stories, Manas books, Chennai, 1992
- Reflections of a Hen in Her Last Hour and Other Stories, Penguin books, New Delhi, India, 1999
- Praise the Lord and Whats New, Pilate?: Two Novellas, Katha books, India, 2002
External links
- Paul Zacharia (Library of Congress web-page)