M.K. Gopinathan Nair, popularly known as Vaisakhan, is an Indian short story writer, playwright, and screenwriter. Until 2022, he was the President of Kerala Sahitya Akademi. Recently he has been unanimously elected as the Chairman of Tirur Thunchan Smaraka Trust replacing the late M.T.Vasudevan Nair, who had been Chairman for 32 years. His stories are known for their simplicity in style and freshness in theme. Many feature the Indian Railways as their backdrop.
Early life, education and career Vaisakhan was born in 1940 as Gopinathan to A.V. Krishna Kurup and Narayani Amma in Muvattupuzha. He received his education at Maharaja's College, Ernakulam, Nirmala College, and St. Albert's College.
In 1964, he was appointed in the Southern Railway (India) as the station master. After 20 years of service, Vaisakhan took alvoluntary retirement to pursue a full-time career in writing.
Vaisakhan was married to Padma, who died in 1998. They have three children - Praveen, Pradeep, and Poornima. He currently lives in Raghavapuram, near Chittur, Palakkad.
Vaisakhan's most notable work is Noolpalam Kadakkunnavar, a story that has won multiple awards and critical acclaim. His other published books include:
Short story collection Appeal Anyayabhagam (അപ്പീൽ അന്യായഭാഗം) Athirukalillathe (അതിരുകളില്ലാതെ) Akalathil Vasantham (അകാലത്തിൽ വസന്തം ) Bommidippoondiyile Palam (ബൊമ്മിഡിപുണ്ടിയിലെ പാലം) Yamakam (യമകം) Kathakal (കഥകൾ) Priyappetta Kathakal (പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട കഥകൾ) Silencer (സൈലൻസർ)
Children's literature Meen Kaykkunna Maram (മീന് കായ്ക്കുന്ന മരം) Kathakalude Albhuthalokam (കഥകളുടെ അത്ഭുതലോകം)
Memoirs Vaisakhante Jeevithachinthakal (വൈശാഖന്റെ ജീവിതചിന്തകൾ) Oru Manassinte Rasathanthram (ഒരു മനസ്സിന്റെ രസതന്ത്രം) Ormayude Choottuvettam (ഒര്മ്മയുടെ ചൂട്ടുവെട്ടം) Ormayude Palangalil Pathinanju Sthreekal (ഒര്മ്മയുടെ പാളങ്ങളിൽ പതിനഞ്ചു സ്ത്രീകൾ)
Major awards 1989: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Story – Noolpalam Kadakkunnavar 1992: Cherukad Award – Noolpalam Kadakkunnavar 1993: Abu Dhabi Shakthi Award 2010: M.C. Joseph Award 2010: Kamala Surayya Award – Silencer (Short story collection) 2013: Ayanam - C.V. Sreeraman Katha Puraskaram 2017: Prof. Joseph Mundasserry Award 2021: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship
Positions held Chairman, Tirur Thunchan Smaraka Trust (Feb 2025 - present) President, Kerala Sahitya Akademi (August 2016 – 2022) President, Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham (2013–2018) Member, Thunchan Smaraka Samithi ( - 2025) Former Chairman, Kunchan Nambiar Smarakam - Killikurissimangalam Former Advisor, Sahitya Akademi Former Administration team member, Kerala Sahitya Akademi
See also List of Indian writers
References