# Maythil Radhakrishnan

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Maythil_Radhakrishnan
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Maythil_Radhakrishnan.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maythil_Radhakrishnan
> Source revision: 1342503433
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

**Maythil Radhakrishnan** aka **Rad Maythil** is an all-rounder in [Malayalam literature](/source/Malayalam_literature),[2] who writes [poetry](/source/Poetry) and [fiction](/source/Fiction) as well as [non-fiction](/source/Non-fiction). He was chosen for the [Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award](/source/Kerala_Sahitya_Akademi_Award) for Overall Contributions in 2016 which he refused.

## Biography

Maythil graduated in [Economics](/source/Economics) from the [University of Kerala](/source/University_of_Kerala) in 1968. For the next eight years, he researched insect [ethology](/source/Ethology), while working as a [freelance journalist](/source/Freelance_journalist).

From 1976 to 1984 he worked in [Kuwait](/source/Kuwait) for a Norwegian shipping firm as [EDP](/source/Electronic_data_processing) Coordinator. For the next three years, he ran his own [computer aided design](/source/Computer_Aided_Design) and drafting center in [Coimbatore](/source/Coimbatore), [Tamil Nadu](/source/Tamil_Nadu). Since 1987, except for a four-year stint as Editor for Youth Express of [The New Indian Express](/source/The_New_Indian_Express) (then [The Indian Express](/source/The_Indian_Express)) group, at [Thiruvananthapuram](/source/Thiruvananthapuram) and [Chennai](/source/Chennai), Maythil has spent his time mostly in writing; on occasions working as a freelance journalist, [quizmaster](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Special%3ASearch%2Fquizmaster) and a [web developer](/source/Web_developer).

He writes popular columns in The Sunday Express (*Zebra Crossing*, now available online as a social network created by the author) and in [Madhyamam Weekly](/source/Madhyamam_weekly) (*Moonnu Vara* a.k.a. *Three Stripes*).

Presently, he lives in Thiruvananthapuram. He is a widower and has a daughter named June and a son named Julian. June died on February 13, 2025.[3]

## Writing

Maythil's first novel, *Sooryavamsam*, published in 1970, announced the arrival of a major talent in [Malayalam literature](/source/Malayalam_literature). Four novels and many stories and poems later, his is still a fresh voice. His oeuvre reflects the whole gamut of unrelated experience—from computers to insects—that he had acquired. The essence of his writing is summed up by [K. Satchidanandan](/source/Satchidanandan) in the following words:

There are very few in Indian fiction who can compare with this author in artistic innovation, intellectual subtlety and original perception of things and of life. The three novellas here represent all that is newest in Indian fiction.[4]

Maythil was awarded the 2015 [annual award](/source/Kerala_Sahitya_Akademi_Award_for_Overall_Contributions) for his contributions to Malayalam literature by [Kerala Sahitya Akademi](/source/Kerala_Sahitya_Akademi) in 2016[5] which he refused, citing his distrust in academies.[6] He received [Mathrubhumi Literary Award](/source/Mathrubhumi_Literary_Award) for the year 2025.[7]

## Bibliography

### Novels

- Sooryavamsam (Sun Dynasty), novel, 1970
- Bra, novel, 1974
- Chuvanna Vidooshakarute Anchampathi (Fifth Column of the Red Jesters), novel, 1974
- Hitchcockinte Itapetal (Hitchcock's Intervention), novel, 1994
- Laingikathayekkurichu Oru Upanyasam (An Essay on Sexuality), novel, 1995

### Poetry

- Penguin, poems, 1973
- Bhoomiyeyum Maranatheyum Kurichu (Of The Earth and Death), poems, 1991

### Short fiction

- Naayakanmaar Shavapetakangalil (Heroes in Coffins), Short stories, 1994
- Dylan Thomasinte Panth, (The Ball of Dylan Thomas) Short stories, 1994
- Sangeetham Oru Samayakalayaanu (Music Is A Time-art), Short stories, 1995
- Sooryamalsyathe vivarikkal(Describing the Sunfish), Novella, 2017

### Collected works in English

- The Love Song of Alfred Hitchcock, 2004

(Translated by VC Harris)

### Collected works in Malayalam

- Maythil Kathakal, Published by Mathrubhumi Books, 2013
- Maythil Radhakrishnan - Pratikathakal: Vimatam, Published by DC Books, 2003

### Non-fiction (Science)

- Romam (Hair), 1981
- Daivam, Manushyan, Yanthram (God, Man and Machine) 2001

## References

1. ["മേതിൽ=മേതിൽ: ചിന്തയിൽ രൂപകങ്ങളുടെ മഹാസമുദ്രത്തെ വഹിക്കുന്ന എഴുത്തുകാരൻ"](https://www.manoramaonline.com/literature/literaryworld/2023/12/02/book-bum-column-by-unni-r-about-maythil-radhakrishnan-and-his-works.html) (in ml). *മേതിൽ=മേതിൽ: ചിന്തയിൽ രൂപകങ്ങളുടെ മഹാസമുദ്രത്തെ വഹിക്കുന്ന എഴുത്തുകാരൻ*. Retrieved 2024-08-30.

1. Torcato, Ronita (2006-10-01). ["Literary sojourns"](https://web.archive.org/web/20061010112441/http://www.hindu.com/lr/2006/10/01/stories/2006100100140400.htm). *[The Hindu](/source/The_Hindu)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.hindu.com/lr/2006/10/01/stories/2006100100140400.htm) on 10 October 2006. Retrieved 22 September 2011.

1. Feb 13 2025, Web Desk Published & Ist, 11:04 Pm. ["മേതില്‍ രാധാകൃഷ്ണന്റെ മകള്‍ ജൂണ്‍ അന്തരിച്ചു"](https://www.asianetnews.com/kerala-news/june-daughter-of-maythil-radhakrishnan-dies-at-47-srmu5m) (in ml). *Asianet News Malayalam*. Retrieved 2025-09-24.

1. Satchidanandan, Prof. K: Introduction to The Love Song of Alfred Hitchcock, Maythil Radhakrishnan Translated by V. C. Harris

1. ["Kerala Sahitya Academy Awards Announced - Trivandrum News"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180710041648/http://www.yentha.com/news/view/1/kerala-sahitya-academy-awards-announced). *Yentha*. Archived from [the original](http://www.yentha.com/news/view/1/kerala-sahitya-academy-awards-announced) on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.

1. ["പുരസ്കാരങ്ങൾ നിരസിക്കപ്പെടുമ്പോൾ"](http://www.manoramaonline.com/literature/literaryworld/methil-radhakrishnan-rejects-honour.html). *Manorama Online*. 1 March 2016.

1. ["Renowned writer Methil Radhakrishnan has been awarded the 2025 Mathrubhumi Literary Award"](https://www.mathrubhumi.com/literature/news/methil-radhakrishnan-wins-2025-mathrubhumi-literary-award-v6fvrnpw). *@mathrubhumi*. March 5, 2026. Retrieved 2026-03-06.

## External links

- ["ഇന്ത്യയെ വീണ്ടും വിഭജിക്കേണ്ടി വരുമോ?"](http://www.mathrubhumi.com/news/interview/interview-with-methil-radhakrishnan-malayalam-news-1.909952). *Mathrubhumi*. 2017-08-15.
- Radhakrishnan (March 9, 2026). ["എന്റെ ജീവിതം കൊണ്ട് എനിക്ക് ഒരു ഉപകാരവുമുണ്ടായിട്ടില്ല"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qB0Wf1Cwqw)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Maythil Radhakrishnan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maythil_Radhakrishnan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maythil_Radhakrishnan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.