MALAYALAM
Literary criticism
NEELA PADMANABHAN
PROF.M.K.SANU-JEEVITHAVUM KRUTHIKALUM MAHATHWATHINTE SANKEERTHANAM: A. Aravindakshan; Green Books, Little Road, Ayyanthole, Thrissur-680003. Rs. 350.
M.K.SANU. A familiar figure as teacher, literary critic, progressive thinker, editor, social activist and orator, has earned a name in contemporary Malayalam literature for his deep, humanitarian, and positive approach. In this book, which is a study on the life and works of Sanu, Aravindakshan evaluates his 51 works that include critiques, reviews, biographies, collection of essays, commentaries and translations.
The first of the three parts deals with his family history, early life, and the environs that shaped and prepared him for his future role in the world of Malayalam literature. The second examines the different works of Sanu in such a way as to bring out his aesthetic and analytical approach to literary works and personalities. Although he introduces his own literary doctrines in his critical studies, he never allows them to overwhelm or cloud the creativity or aesthetics of the literary works being studied.
The biographies Sanu wrote — on eminent people such as Narayana Guru, Kumaran Asan, Basheer, K.C. Maman Mappilai, and Changanpuzha Krishna Pillai — are striking for the way they steered clear of controversies without sacrificing objectivity while seeking to ‘discover’ those personalities.
His commentaries on Ramayanam and Mahabharatham, and his Malayalam translations can be read with the same ease and enjoyment as his critical studies and biographies.
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