O. V. Vijayan (Ottupulackal Velukkutty Vijayan) was a pioneering Indian writer, cartoonist, and satirist, best known for his immense contribution to Malayalam literature. Born on July 2, 1930, in Palakkad, Kerala, Vijayan played a transformative role in reshaping modern Malayalam fiction with his bold experimental style, philosophical depth, and profound existential themes. He is most renowned for his debut novel, “Khasakkinte Itihasam” (The Legends of Khasak), which is considered a landmark in Indian literature.
Early Life and Education
O. V. Vijayan was born into a middle-class Nair family in Palakkad, Kerala, an area known for its rich cultural and intellectual heritage. He grew up in a rural environment, which later became a significant influence in his literary works. His early education took place at local schools, and he developed a keen interest in reading and writing during his childhood.
Vijayan attended Victoria College in Palakkad for his undergraduate studies and later moved to Madras (now Chennai) to continue his education. He earned a master’s degree in English literature from Presidency College, Madras. His education exposed him to Western literature, philosophy, and existentialism, which would later become central to his writing.
Literary Career
O. V. Vijayan’s career as a writer was marked by his distinctive narrative style, blending realism with allegory, fantasy, and myth. He explored philosophical and existential questions in his works, drawing from Indian philosophy, Western existentialism, and his observations of the human condition.
“Khasakkinte Itihasam” (1969)
Vijayan’s debut novel, “Khasakkinte Itihasam” (The Legends of Khasak), published in 1969, is his magnum opus and one of the most celebrated works in Malayalam literature. The novel, set in the fictional village of Khasak, tells the story of Ravi, a young man who escapes from his privileged life and guilt-ridden past to a remote village to work as a teacher. The novel explores Ravi’s internal struggles, existential crisis, and his interactions with the villagers, each of whom has their own mythical or mystical story.
“Khasakkinte Itihasam” was a groundbreaking work that departed from the traditional realism of Malayalam literature. Vijayan employed a stream-of-consciousness narrative, blending mythology, mysticism, and rural life with themes of alienation, death, and existential angst. The novel’s open-ended, cyclical structure, philosophical undertones, and vivid descriptions of the village and its inhabitants captivated readers and revolutionized Malayalam fiction. It has been translated into multiple languages and remains a classic.
