P. I. Sankaranarayanan

P. I. Sankaranarayanan (1945–2026), known by his pen name Sankaranara, was an Indian writer, Children's writer, poet and radio personality who wrote in Malayalam language. He wrote 91 books, covering children's literature, mythological stories, and poems. He was a recipient of several awards including Kerala State Institute of Children's Literature Award, Thonnakkal Kumaran Asan Memorial Poetry Award, Kunjunni Puraskkaram, Consumer Awareness Award, Bhilai Malayalam Library Golden Jubilee Award and Kavisamajam Puraskaram. He died on March 25, 2026, at the age of 80.

Biography Sankaranarayanan, born on August 4, 1945, in Pallikkunnu, in Kannur, in the south Indian state of Kerala, completed his college education in Ernakulam and Kozhikode, before starting his career as a journalist. Later he joined the Spices Board of India and served as the editor of Spices Board publications such as Spice India and Elam. It was during his tenure there, he coined the famous tag line, Make cardomom a habit, for the Board.

Sankaranarayanan published 91 books covering the stories, children's literature and poetry. He also did radio programs in Kochi FM Radio under the names, Subhashithangal, Madhuramee Malayalam and Paryayamanjari. He received a number of awards which included Kerala State Institute of Children's Literature Award, Thonnakkal Kumaran Asan Memorial Poetry Award, Kunjunni Puraskkaram, Consumer Awareness Award, Bhilai Malayalam Library Golden Jubilee Award and Kavisamajam Puraskaram.

Sankaranarayanan was married to Nalini. He was under treatment during his last days and died at a private hospital in Kochi on March 25, 2026, at the age of 80.

Selected bibliography Title Year Publisher Urangunna Thalamura 1980 Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangam Thalappattukal 1985 Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangam Utharamenth 1994 Current Books Kadamkatha Padaprasnam 2010 Nirmala Books Aravindaghosh 2012 Kerala Bhasha Institute Devathayude swapnam 2014 Kairali Books Spandikkunna Changambuzha 2014 Green Books Easoupu Kathakal 2014 DC Books Syamanthakarahasyam 2022 Poorna Publications