Shelvy

Shelvy (1960 – 21 August 2003) was an Indian publisher, poet, novelist and short story writer in Malayalam–language. He owned the Calicut-based Mulberry Publications, a renowned publication house that promoted many new Malayalam authors and also introduced several great writers of foreign languages to Malayali readers.

Early life Shelvy Raj was born in 1960 as the son of Devassi and Clara in Orumanayur village in Trichur district in the state of Kerala, India. He completed his education in Orumanayur, Pavaratty and Palghat. He was interested in reading from childhood and was a regular visitor at the Township Library and the Devaswom Board Library in Guruvayur. As a child, he won awards for story, painting, drama directing, essay and speech. However, he did not receive much encouragement from his parents or relatives.

Mulberry Publications Shelvy started Mulberry Publications in 1985 with the help of his friend Daisy whom he later married. Mulberry's first publication was Moonnam Loka Katha which was an anthology of 12 shortstories from the Third World. Mulberry was based in Calicut and its headquarters at 25 Arya Bhavan, S. M. Street was a hub for several literary and cultural icons of Malayalam during the 1990s. Mulberry promoted many new authors and published a number of good quality Malayalam books. Shelvy took the initiative through Mulberry to promote reading through various club memberships and other subscription schemes. Mulberry also frequently published translations of foreign titles, introducing several great writers to Malayali readers. Mulberry translated the works of Nikos Kazantzakis, Kahlil Gibran, Federico García Lorca, Erich Fromm, Simone de Beauvoir, Irving Stone, Pablo Neruda, Franz Kafka, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jorge Luis Borges, Jiddu Krishnamurti, Colin Wilson and Osho among others. Daisy has written her reminiscences about him in her book Shelvi Enna Pusthakam (A book titled Shelvy).

List of works Poetry Nostalgia (1994) Alaukikam (1998) Shelviyude Kavithakal (2004)

Editor Bhoomiyude Manassil Orma