Sethumadhavan

Sethumadhavan, who is popularly known as Sethu, is a writer and a banker by profession. He was born on 5th June 1942 in Chendamangalam in Ernakulam, Kerala. He went to Paliam High school in Chendamangalam. He completed his B.Sc Physics at Union Christian College in Aluva. In 1962 Sethu got a job in Indian Meteorological Department, Mumbai. In 1964, he was transferred to Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station in Trivandrum. He got a promotion and was transferred to the Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune. Later, he shifted to New Delhi, as he got a job in Railway Board.

In 1967, he started writing, and his first short story was published in Mathrubhumi Magazine. In 1968, he left his job and joined the banking sector. He worked as a probationary officer in the State Bank Group. Later, he got the post of General Manager in the Corporation Bank. After a few years, he became the Chairman of the South Indian Bank. He worked in the South Indian Bank from 1999 to 2005. After retiring, he joined the board of the State Bank of Travancore. He worked there for 3 years. Sethu was appointed as the Chairman of the National Book Trust, Delhi, and he worked for three years. 

In his career, Sethu has published nearly 40 books. He has written 18+ novels and 20+ short stories. His literary works had been used in films and serials. Njangal Adimakal, Ariyatha Vazhikal, Kiratham, Thaliyola, Pandavapuram, Niyogam, Navagrahangalude Thatavara, Vanavasam, Vilayattom, Ezham Pakkam, Kaimudrakal, Kaiyoppum Kaivazhikalum, Atayalangal, Kilimozhikalkkappuram, Marupiravi and Aaliya are some of his novels. Thinkalazhchakalile Aakasam, Velutha Koodarangal, Aswinathile Pookkal, Prakasathinte Uravidom, Pampum Koniyum, Pediswapnangal, Arundhatiyude Virunnukaran, Doothu, Guru, Chilakalangalil Chila Gayathrimar, Arundhathiyute Virunnukaran, Sethuvinte Kathakal and Prahelika Kantam are some of his short story collections. He has written essays, including Sanidasa and Yathrakidayil. Sethu’s latest work is Cuckoo’s Nest, which speaks about a nun.

He won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award twice - once in 1978 for his story, Petiswapnangal, and in 1982 for his novel Pandavapuram. In 1989, he was honored with the Viswadeepam Award for his novel, Niyogam. In 1994, he received the Padmarajan Award for Uyarangalil. In 1997, he received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Story for Poothiruvathira Ravil, based on his novel Njangal Adimakal. In 1999, he got Malayattoor Award for his short story, Kaimudrakal. Vayalar Award, Muttathu Varkey Award, Pravasi Kairali Sahitya Puraskaram, Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam Award, Thrissur Souhrudavedi Award, and Odakkuzhal Award are some of the awards he received for his excellence in literature.