{{short description|Indian writer}} {{distinguish|Thayat Sankaran}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Use Indian English|date=April 2023}} '''Thayat Kunjananthan''', commonly known as '''K. Thayat''' (17 February 1927 – 4 December 2011) was an Indian writer of children's literature and plays in Malayalam–language. He has written 42 books and over a hundred radio plays. He was also a school teacher and has received various awards in the field of literature as well as central and state awards for excellence in teaching.<ref name=Madhyamam>[https://www.madhyamam.com/kerala/local-news/kannur/--611027 "തായാട്ടി​ന്റെ ഓർമക്ക് ഒമ്പതാണ്ട്"]. ''Madhyamam'' (in Malayalam). 4 December 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2021.</ref>

==Biography== He was born on 17 February 1927 in Panniyannur near Tellicherry in the present-day Indian state of Kerala, as the son of Chandu Nambiar and Lakshmi Amma. His brother Thayat Sankaran was a famous writer and Thayat Balan was a social activist. He completed his education at Kunnummal Higher Elementary School, BEMP High School, Kathirur Govt. High School and Brennen College.<ref name=DCB>[https://www.dcbooks.com/february-17.html "കെ. തായാട്ടിന്റെ ജന്മവാര്‍ഷികദിനം"]. DC Books. 17 February 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2021.</ref>

Prior to joining the teaching profession, he worked for a short time as a ticket seller in cinema theatres, as a clerk in the Sub-Registrar's Office, as a non-operator in a military camp, and as a clerk in the Madras General Hospital. He also worked in Calicut All India Radio station. After a few months of teaching at Punnassery UP School in Puthiyara, Calicut, and Lakshmivilasam LP School in Chokli, Kannur, he joined Panoor UP School in 1952. He retired from the service in 1982 when he was the headmaster of the same school.<ref name=DCB/> He died on 4 December 2011 at the age of 85.<ref>[https://www.deepika.com/News_latest.aspx?catcode=latest&newscode=86121 "ബാലസാഹിത്യകാരന്‍ കെ.തായാട്ട് അന്തരിച്ചു"]. ''Deepika'' (in Malayalam). 4 December 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2021.</ref>

==Literary life== He has written 42 books which include story, poetry, drama, children's literature and essays. His first collection of stories was ''Puthenkani'', published in 1951. His first collection of poems, ''Palpathakal'', was published in 1953. His ''Naam Changala Potticha Katha'' is an exciting story of many freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of India. He was instrumental in writing the book ''Swathanthrya Samaram Kuttikalkk'' (History of the Freedom Struggle for Children), published by the State Institute of Children's Literature. Thayat was also an excellent orator. Thayat also authored over a hundred radio plays. His ''Thottakkaran'' was the first play by a non-employee to be aired on All India Radio, Calicut.<ref name=Madhyamam/>

==List of works== {{div col}} ; Children's literature * ''Mela'' * ''Naivedyam'' * ''Palppathakal'' * ''Nadukanichuram'' * ''Mazha Mazha Thenmazha'' * ''Viddiyude Swargam'' * ''Yakshiyum Kathakalum'' * ''Snehamanu Sakthi'' * ''Oru Katha Parayoo Teacher'' * ''Muthassi Parayatha Katha'' * ''Naranathu Bhranthanum Valmikavum'' * ''Tenaliyile Kochuraman''

; Short story * ''Puthankani'' * ''Nilakkannukal''

; History * ''Naam Changala Potticha Katha'' * ''January 30''

; Translation * ''Oliver Twist'' * ''Huckleberry Finn'' * ''Velichathilekk'' * ''Oru Kuttiyude Athmakatha''

; Play * ''Thyagaseema'' * ''Bahadur Shah'' * ''Shurpanakha'' * ''Manthara'' * ''Akshatham'' * ''Socrates'' * ''Bhagat Singh'' * ''Janani Janmabhumi'' * ''Aa Vaathil Adaykkaruth'' {{div col end}}

==Awards== The following are some of the awards received by K. Thayat.<ref name=Madhyamam/><ref name=DCB/> ; Awards for literature * 1982: Cherukad Award - ''Katha Urangunna Vazhiyiloode'' * 1997: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award (Drama)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.keralaculture.org/drama-a-ksna/465 |title=Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award: Drama |publisher=Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala|access-date=26 February 2023}}</ref> * 2002: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Endowment - ''Chakravarthiye Urumbu Thinnunnu'' * 2006: C. G. Santhakumar Award - Overall contribution<ref name="Santhakumar Award">[https://ksicl.org/%e0%b4%b8%e0%b4%ae%e0%b4%97%e0%b5%8d%e0%b4%b0%e0%b4%b8%e0%b4%82%e0%b4%ad%e0%b4%be%e0%b4%b5%e0%b4%a8-%e0%b4%aa%e0%b5%81%e0%b4%b0%e0%b4%b8%e0%b5%8d%e0%b4%95%e0%b4%be%e0%b4%b0%e0%b4%82/ "സമഗ്ര സംഭാവന പുരസ്കാരം"]. Kerala State Institute of Children's Literature. Retrieved 15 January 2023.</ref> * Kairali Children's Book Trust Award - ''Nadukanichuram''{{fact|date=April 2023}} * Bombay Natakavedi Award - ''Bahadur Shah''{{fact|date=April 2023}} * Abu Dhabi Sakthi Award - ''Bhagat Singh''{{fact|date=April 2023}} * Kerala State Institute of Children's Literature Award - ''Oliver Twist''{{fact|date=April 2023}}

; Awards for excellence in teaching * 1975: Kerala State Award for Best Teacher{{fact|date=April 2023}} * 1976: National Award for Best Teacher{{fact|date=April 2023}}

==References== <references /> {{Malayalam Literature |state=collapsed}} Category: 1927 births Category: 2011 deaths Category: Indian children's writers Category: Indian male short story writers Category: Indian male dramatists and playwrights Category: Malayalam-language writers Category: Malayalam-language dramatists and playwrights Category: Malayalam short story writers Category: 20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights Category: Dramatists and playwrights from Kerala Category: Writers from Kerala Category: People from Kannur district Category: People from Thalassery Category: Recipients of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award Category:Recipients of the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award