Sithara S.

Sithara S. (born 1972) is an Indian feminist writer in Malayalam from Kerala.^[1] In her short stories and novels she has highlighted women's issues, gender conflict and lesbian rights.^[2] In 2004 she won Sahitya Akademi Golden Jubilee Award for her contributions to Indian literature^[3] She is also a translator from Malayalam to English and vice versa.^[4]

Sithara S
Sithara S
Born	(1972-09-15)15 September 1972 Kasaragod
Occupation	Writer
Language	Malayalam
Nationality	Indian
Alma mater	University of Calicut
Period	21st century
Genre	Fiction
Subject	Women, Lesbianism, Sexuality
Literary movement	Feminism
Notable works	Agni; Kathakal
Notable awards	Sahitya Akademi

Early life and education

Sithara was born and brought up in Kasaragod district of Kerala. She obtained her post-graduation degree in English Literature and Diploma in journalism from University of Calicut.^[5] At an early age she was afflicted with life-threatening cancer disease. She attributes her firebrand literary style to her lifelong battle against cancer and social stigma.^[6]

Literary works

Sithara is one of the leading contemporary women writers from Kerala.^[7][8] She has written several best-selling books in Malayalam which include "Kathakal", "Idam", "Veshappakarcha" and "Ushnagrahangalude Sneham".^[9] She chiefly writes stories depicting oppression of women and sexuality in public places.^[10] Her stories capture the complexities of modern life from women's perspective and have an angry and defiant tone.^[11]

Sithara has also translated the works of Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai into Malayalam. Her short story "Fire" has been included in the English Literature syllabus of Kerala University.^[12]

Other contributions

Sithara's short story Agni^[13] has been made into a popular movie.^[14] She is also a freelance content writer on children's topics for television.^[15]

Awards and recognition

Sithara's works were recognised by Sahitya Akademi which conferred on her its golden jubilee prize in 2004.^[16] She has also won Kerala Sahitya Akademi award. Besides he has won numerous other literary awards including ‘’Katha Award’’ and ‘’Geetha Hiranyan Endowment Award’’ for Malayalam literature.^[17]

Bibliography

Books in English

• Sithara, S.; K., Madhavikutty (2017). Lesbian Stories in Malyalam. Trivandrum: Chintha Publishers. ISBN 978-81-770239-7-8.

Books in Malayalam

• Sithara, S. (2017). Kathakal. Kottayam: DC Books. ISBN 978-81-264400-1-6.
• Sithara, S. (2015). Ushnagrahangalude Sneham. Kottayam: DC Books. ISBN 978-81-264529-4-1.
• Sithara, S. (2015). Veyilil Oru Kaliyezhuthukari. Ernakulam: Mathrubhoomi Publications. ISBN 978-81-826607-3-1.
• Sithara, S. (2010). Karutha Kuppayakkari. Kottayam: DC Books. ISBN 978-81-264276-6-6.
• Sithara, S. (2012). Idam. Kottayam: DC Books. ISBN 978-81-264140-8-6.
• Sithara, S. (2015). Agniyum Katakalum. Trivandrum: Mathrubhumi Books.
• Sithara, S. (2017). Lesbose : Malayalathile Lesbian Kathakal. Vanchyoor: Chintha Publishers.
• Sithara, S. (2020). Nrithashala. Kottayam: DC Books. ISBN 978-81-264467-4-2.
• Sithara, S. (2020). Veshakaparcha. Kottayam: DC Books.
• Sithara, S. (2021). Enteyum Katha. Kottayam: DC Books.

Chapters in books

• Sithara, S. (2017), "Madri and Maria", in Anilkumar, K. S.; Resmi, G. (eds.), Lesbian Stories in Malayalam, vol. 1 (1st ed.), Trivandrum: Chintha Publishers, ISBN 978-81-770239-7-8

Journal articles

• Sithara, S. (2009). "The Poet and the Farmer". Indian Literature. 53 (5): 96–99. JSTOR 23340231.
• Sithara, S. (2005). "Contemporary Malayalam Literature". Indian Literature. 49 (1): 199–205. JSTOR 23346594.
• Sithara, S. (2006). "Lone Trips". Indian Literature. 49 (1): 47–51. JSTOR 23346550.
• Sithara, S. (2016). "Agni". Samyukta Journal of Gender and Culture. 1 (2): 40–45.

Translations

• Enteyum Katha (2021), DC Books (Translation of We Are Displaced by Malala Yousafzai)

See also

• Sahitya Akademi Award
• Kerala Sahitya Academy Award
• Malayalam literature
• Tapan Kumar Pradhan
• Mandakranta Sen

References

1. "Sithara S. – Speaker Profile". Kerala Literature Festival. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
2. Dr S. Gopi (2018). "Social Relevance of Malayalam Gynocentric Writing : Women Readers' Perusal of Her-Story" (PDF). Vimala International Research Journal for Humanities & Social Sciences. 4 (2): 192. ISSN 2348-4837. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
3. "Sahitya Akademi Golden Jubilee Awards". Government of India Ministry of Culture. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
4. "Translators and Contributors to Sahitya Akademi Journal". Indian Literature. 46 (1). Sahitya Akademi: 192. JSTOR 23344555. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
5. "Sithara S. Author Profile". Mathrubhumi. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
6. Anjali Lal (20 December 2017). "Battling Cancer Changed this Woman's Life for the Better". Malayala Manorama. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
7. "Malyalam Books That Should Not Be Missed". The Hindu. 24 July 2014. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
8. Soubin Nath. "God's Own Literature : Ten Contemporary Malyalam Writers". Retrieved 26 January 2022.
9. University of Calicut. "University of Calicut Academic Profiles". Retrieved 26 January 2022.
10. Christy, Carmel (16 March 2017). Sexuality in Public Space in India – Reading the Visible. Routledge. pp. 36–39. ISBN 978-13-156522-9-0. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
11. Sara Joseph (31 January 2004). "The "Thing" Speaks – Feminism in Malayalam Literature". 2 (1): 14–19. Retrieved 26 January 2022. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
12. Kerala University (2021). "Syllabus for BA English Language & Literature" (PDF). Kerala University Admissions. 1: 43. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
13. Karthik Ramakrishnan (23 January 2015). ""Agni" Short Story by Sithara S." Women’s Web. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
14. "Agni Movie by Sithara S." IMDB. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
15. "Sithara S. as Content Writer". Babee TV. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
16. "Sahitya Akademi Awards Ceremony". Government of India. Retrieved 26 January 2022.
17. "Sithara S. at Mathrubhumi International Festival of Letters". Mathrubhumi. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2022.

External links

• Interview with Abdul Rasheed – Times of India dated 17 October 2019