Vaikom Muhammed Basheer by A V Pavithran

MLNFBI-VaiMuhBas-001 Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, popularly referred to as Beypore Sulthan, was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature, a humanist, and an Indian independence activist. His path-breaking, down-to-earth style of writing made him equally popular among literary critics and the common man. His notable works include Balyakalasakhi, Shabdangal, Pathummayude Aadu, Ntuppuppakkoranendarnnu, Mathilukal, Janmadinam, and Anargha Nimisham. The translations of his works into other languages have earned him worldwide acclaim. The Government of India awarded him the Padma Shri in 1982, and he received several other prestigious awards during his lifetime. Born on January 21, 1908, in Thalayolaparambu (near Vaikom) in Kerala, Basheer’s life journey was marked by his commitment to social justice, secularism, and the pursuit of truth. His encounters with Mahatma Gandhi during the Vaikom Satyagraha left a lasting impact on him, inspiring him to actively participate in the Indian independence movement. Basheer’s legacy continues to resonate, and his works remain timeless reflections of the human experience