O. V. Vijayan, Writer, Cartoonist
Writer, Cartoonist

O. V. Vijayan

Born 2 July 1930 · Kerala — Died 30 March 2005

Author of the groundbreaking Malayalam novel Khasakkinte Itihasam published in 1969.

Ottupulackal Velukkuty Vijayan, commonly known as O. V. Vijayan, was an Indian author and cartoonist, who was an important figure in modern Malayalam literature. Best known for his first novel Khasakkinte Itihasam (1969), Vijayan was the author of six novels, nine short-story collections, and nine collections of essays, memoirs and reflections.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

O. V. Vijayan’s first novel, Khasakkinte Itihasam, took 12 years to write and was initially serialized over 28 weeks in a weekly magazine before publication.

The Story

1
In 1969, O. V. Vijayan published Khasakkinte Itihasam after twelve years of writing and rewriting, a novel that cleaved Malayalam fiction into pre-Khasak and post-Khasak eras, first serialized in Mathrubhumi weekly in 1968 for 28 weeks.
2
🌟 Born premature in 1930 at Vilayanchaathanoor village, Palakkad, Vijayan spent much of his childhood confined indoors due to illness, receiving informal home education before joining formal schooling at age 12.
3After earning a master's degree in English literature from Presidency College, Madras, Vijayan briefly taught at Malabar Christian College and Victoria College before turning to journalism in 1958, moving to Delhi to work as a cartoonist.
4🎨 Joining Shankar's Weekly in Delhi, Vijayan became a political cartoonist whose searing critiques of Indira Gandhi’s Emergency and 1980 return to power marked high points in Indian cartooning history.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1990
Sahitya Akademi Award
2003
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Vijayan was born premature in the seventh month in 1930 and was sickly throughout childhood, leading to a mostly home-based education until age 12.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born premature in Vilayanchaathanoor, Kerala
O. V. Vijayan was born prematurely in the seventh month in a village in Palakkad district, impacting his early health and education.
1930
⚡
Career
First short story published
He wrote his first short story, 'Tell Father Gonsalves', marking the beginning of his literary career.
1953
⚡
Career
Moved to Delhi to pursue cartooning
Vijayan left Kerala to join Shankar's Weekly as a cartoonist and writer of political satire.
1958
📖
Publication
Khasakkinte Itihasam serialized
The novel was serialized in Mathrubhumi weekly for 28 weeks, gaining significant readership before book publication.
1968
📖
Publication
Khasakkinte Itihasam published
His first novel was officially published, initiating a new era in Malayalam literature.
1969
🏅
Award
Received Sahitya Akademi Award
Vijayan was honored with one of India's top literary awards for his contributions to Malayalam literature.
1990
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
The Government of India awarded Vijayan the Padma Bhushan for his literary and cartooning work.
2003
🕊️
Death
Passed away in Hyderabad
O. V. Vijayan died at age 74 in Hyderabad, ending a career that bridged literature and political satire.
2005
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

His novel Khasakkinte Itihasam was serialized in Mathrubhumi weekly for 28 weeks starting January 28, 1968, before its official 1969 publication.

02 / 05
💡SURPRISING

Vijayan’s cartoons appeared not only in Indian newspapers but also in international publications like The New York Times and Far Eastern Economic Review.

03 / 05
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He worked as a staff cartoonist for The Patriot starting in 1963 after leaving Shankar's Weekly in Delhi, a career shift from academia to political cartooning.

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O. V. Vijayan , Indian writer, Malayalam literature
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O. V. Vijayan , Indian writer, Malayalam literature
01
O. V. Vijayan , Indian writer, Malayalam literature
OV Vijayan's 10th Death Anniversary
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OV Vijayan's 10th Death Anniversary
In memory of O. V. Vijayan
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In memory of O. V. Vijayan

🌱 What changed because of them

O. V. Vijayan's novel Khasakkinte Itihasam transformed Malayalam literature by marking a clear division between traditional and modernist narrative styles, influencing generations of writers. His political cartoons in leading Indian newspapers like The Statesman and The Hindu set new standards for editorial critique during turbulent political times such as the Emergency. Institutions like the Sahitya Akademi and the Government of India acknowledged his impact through prestigious awards, ensuring his works remain studied and celebrated.

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