Ponkunnam Varkey

Ponkunnam Varkey (1 July 1910 – 2 July 2004) was a writer and activist from Kerala, India. Varkey was one of the pioneers of the progressive writers' forum and literary writers' co-operative in Kerala. He was the president of Kerala Sahitya Akademi and Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society.

Biography Varkey has said that his childhood was not a protected one, but based on the dictum of the survival of the fittest. While studying in school, he was attracted to Indian independence movement and the subject matter of his early writings was related to this theme. After high school studies he passed the Malayalam 'Vidwaan' examination; the then prevalent qualifying test for language teachers and joined a Catholic school, near Ponkunnam. But his relationship with the management was unpleasant and he left the institution when he was appointed teacher at the Vernacular Middle School in Pampady in 1942. Soon he resigned this job and jumped into the freedom struggle and was imprisoned.

Literary career Varkey entered the literary field in 1939 with Thirumulkazhcha, a collection of poems that got rave reviews from the stalwarts of the time.

In 1944, Varkey started the National Book Stall, with the support of people like D. C. Kizhakemuri. But the venture was a total failure; after a few years, it merged with the Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society (SPCS), world's first writer's publishing cooperative and Varkey functioned as its president. His short story Sabdikkunna Kalappa has always been considered one of the best short stories in Malayalam literature. It describes the close relationship between a farmer and his ox.

The recurrent themes of Varkey's writings are the decadence in the echelons of power and the corruption among the clergy. His style is direct, simple and unostentatious and the characters of his stories are ordinary rural folk, mostly farmers and workers. The focus of his works was on human relationships and man's relationship with nature. He also worked for films like Asha Deepom, Snehaseema, Bharya, Vidhithanna Vilakku, School Master and many others. He also produced two films – Makam Piranna Manka and Chalanam. Varkey was an honorary member of Malayalam Cine Technicians' Association (MACTA).

Major works

Short stories Kunakiriyam Aniyara Anthithiri Veliyil Enikku Sthalamilla Nivedanam Idivandi'ailil ninnu model Ezhakal Pottiya Izhakal Nattuvelicham Daham Daivathekkal Njan pedikkunnathu Hridayanadam Sabdikkunna Kalappa Democracy

Plays

Kathirukanakkili Bharthavu Jethakkal Premaviplavam Swargam Nanikunnu Pooja Njan oradhikappattanu Vazhi Thurannu Visarikku Kattu Venda Karnan Manushya Althara Irumpumara Chalanam Thrumulkazhcha (Poetry) Neeravi Ente Vazhithirivu (Autobiography)