P. Sachidanandan

P Sachidanandan, born in 1936, in Irinjalakuda, Kerala, is a popular writer with the pen name Anand. His father was a primary school teacher. He mainly writes in Malayalam and focuses on themes like philosophy, history and humanism. In 1958, he graduated from the College of Engineering in Trivandrum with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was the planning director of the Central Water Commission till the end of his career and has worked in Gujarat, Mumbai and Bengal. He also served in the military for four years, 1960-1964, in the Short Service Commission.

At the age of 34, he published his first work. M. Govindan, the famous critic, helped him publish his maiden novel, Alkkoottam. He kept writing and publishing works till his old age, making him a literary icon. Novels written by Anand are Marana Certificate (1974), Marubhoomikal Undakunnathu (1989), Govardhante Yathrakal (1995), Vyaasanum Vighneswaranum (1996), Aalkkoottam (1998), Utharayanam (2000), Abhayarthikal (2001), Apaharikkapetta Daivangal (2001), Samharathinte Pusthakam (2005), Vibhajanangal (2006), Parinamathinte Bhoothangal (2007), Dweepukalam Theerangalum (2010), and Anandinte Novellakal (2014).

His short story collections include Kathakal (2002), Asantham (2005), Veedum Thadavum (1980), Odiyunna Kurisu (1982), Samvadam (1987), Nalamathe Aani (1999), Ente Priyappetta Kathakal, Irippu Nilppu Ezhunnelppu (2018), Vruthanthagalum Kathakalum, and Charithrakandam (2003). He has also written two dramas titled Savaghoshyathra and Mukthipadham and a poem titled Thadhagatham.

He has received several honourable awards for his notable works, namely Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Story in 1981, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel in 1985, Vayalar Award in 1993, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Scholarly Literature in 1994, Odakkuzhal Award in 1996, Sahitya Akademi Award in 1997, Muttathu Varkey Award in 2000, Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize in 2012, Vallathol Award in 2015, and Ezhuthachan Puraskaram in 2019. However, he did not accept the Yashpal Award and the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel.