P. Valsala

Parakkulathil Vatsala (28 August 1939 – 21 November 2023) was an Indian Malayalam novelist, short story writer, and social activist from Kerala. She is a recipient of Ezhuthachan Puraskaram 2021, the highest literary honour by the government of Kerala. She is only the fifth woman to receive the award since its institution in 1993.

Vatsala was also a recipient of Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for her novel Nizhalurangunna Vazhikal (The Paths where Shadows Sleep). She has written over 25 short story collections and 17 novels. She is renowned for her distinct style of writing.

Her works have won several awards including Kumkumam Award (for Nellu published in 1972), the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award (for Nizhalurangunna Vazhikal), the Muttathu Varkey Award, and the C. V. Kunhiraman Memorial Sahitya Award.

A former headmistress, Vatsala also held the post of Chairperson of Kerala Sahitya Akademi. She was associated with PuKaSa, a left-leaning cultural movement, but lately she had been supportive of Hindu right-wing organisations.

Vatsala resided in Kozhikode district, in northern Kerala. She died from heart failure on 21 November 2023, at the age of 85.

Selected works Short stories Pempi, Poorna Books, Calicut, 1969 Pazhaya, Puthiya Nagaram (The Old, New City), The Sahithya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society (SPCS), Kottayam, 1979 Anupamayude Kavalkkaran (The Bodyguard of Anupama), SPCS, 1980 Aanavettakkaran (The Elephant Hunter), SPCS, 1982 Unikkoran Chathopathiya (Unikkoran Chathopathiya), SPCS, 1985 Annamaria Neridan (For Anna Marie To Confront), SPCS, 1988 Karuttha Mazha Peyyunna Thazhvara (The Valley of Black Rains), SPCS, 1988 Chamundy Kuzhi (Chamundi's Pit), SPCS, 1989 Arundhati Karayunnilla (Arundhati doesn't Cry), SPCS, 1991 Koonychoottile Velicham (The Light behind the Flight Stairs), Prabhath Book House, Trivandrum, 1992 Madakkam II (The Return II), D. C. Books, 1998 Panguru Pushpathinde Theen (Honey from the Flower of Panguru), Poorna Books, 1998 Madakkam (The Return), D. C. Books, Kottayam, 1998 Kaly ’98 Thudarcha (Sports 98 Cont.), Prabhath Book House, 1998 Pookku Vayil Ponvayil (The Sunset that is Gold), Olive, 1999 Dhushyanthannum Bheemannummillatha Lokam (The world Devoid by Dhushyntha and Bhima), Poorna Books, 1999 Kalal Kavalal (The Soldier who is the Guard), D. C. Books, 2001 Kottayile Prema (Prema in the forth), Olive Books, Calicut, 2002 Pooram (The Temple Festival), D. C. Books, 2003 Aaranniya Kandam (Stories of the Forest), D. C. Books, 2003 Mythiliyuda Makal (The Daughter of Mythili), Green Books, Calicut, 2004 Ashokanum Ayalum (He and Ashokan), D. C. Books, 2006 Chandalabhikshukiyum Marikkunna Pownamiyum (Chandalabhikshuki and the Dying full Moon), Book Point, Calicut, 2007 Suvarna Kadhakal (The Golden Stories), Green Books, Trichur, 2008 Gate Thurannittirikkunnu, SPCS, Kottayam, 2008

Novels Thakarcha (Decadence), Poorna Books, Calicut, 1969 Nellu (Paddy), The Sahithya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society (SPCS), Kottayam, 1972 (Adapted into a film with same name in 1974) Agnayam (Of Fire), SPCS 1974; translated into English by Vasanthi Sankaranarayanan as Agneyam: The story of a Nambudiri woman, Sahitya Akademi, 2008 Nizhaluragunna Vazhikal (The Paths where Shadows Sleep), SPCS 1975 Arakkillam (The House of Wax), SPCS, 1977 Venal (The Summer), SPCS, 1979 Kanal (The Live Coal), SPCS, 1979 Nambarukal (The Numbers), SPCS, 1980 Palayam (The Barracks), SPCS, 1981 Kooman Kolly (The Valley Owls), SPCS 1981 Gauthaman (Gauthaman), SPCS, 1986 Aarum marikuunnilla (Nobody Dies), SPCS / D. C. Books, 1987 Chaver (The Knights), SPCS, 1991 Rose merreyude Aakasangal (The Skies of Rosemarry), D. C. Books, Kottayam, 1993 Vilaapam (The Cry), D. C. Books, 1997 Aadhijalam (The Primeval Water), D. C. Books, 2004 Melppalam (The Flyover), Mathrubhumi Books, Calicut, 2007

Awards Kumkumam Award - Nellu Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award - Nizhalurangunna Vazhikal Muttathu Varkey Award - for her contributions to Malayalam literature C. V. Kunhiraman Memorial Sahithya Award Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (2019)