{{Short description|Malayalam novelist (1939–2023)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}} {{Infobox writer | name = P. Vatsala | image = Pvalsala.jpg | imagesize = 220px | caption = | pseudonym = | birth_name = Parakkulathil Vatsala | birth_date = {{Birth date|1939|08|28|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2023/11/22/p-valsala-passed-away.html|title=പി.വൽസല അന്തരിച്ചു; മലയാളത്തിന്റെ പ്രിയകഥാകാരി, കേരള സാഹിത്യ അക്കാദമി മുൻ അധ്യക്ഷ|publisher=manoramaONLINE|language=ml|date=22 November 2023}}</ref> | birth_place = Calicut, Malabar District, Madras Province, British India<br>(present-day Kozhikode, Kerala, India) | death_date = {{Death date and age|2023|11|21|1939|08|28|df=yes}} | death_place = Kozhikode, Kerala, India | occupation = {{hlist|Writer|Teacher}} | nationality = Indian | period = | genre = | subject = Novel, short story | movement = | debut_works = | influences = | influenced = | signature = | website = {{URL|http://www.vatsalap.com}} | footnotes = }}
'''Parakkulathil Vatsala'''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/literature/literaryworld/2023/11/22/remembering-writer-p-valsala.html|title=അങ്ങനെ പി. പേരിന്റെ കൂടെ|publisher=manoramaONLINE|date=22 November 2023}}</ref> (28 August 1939 – 21 November 2023) was an Indian Malayalam novelist, short story writer, and social activist from Kerala.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/05/09/stories/2008050950130300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523063103/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2008/05/09/stories/2008050950130300.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 May 2008|title=Telling her story |date=9 May 2008|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=29 April 2010}}</ref> She is a recipient of Ezhuthachan Puraskaram 2021, the highest literary honour by the government of Kerala.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Writer-activist P Vatsala wins Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, Kerala's highest literary honour|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2021/11/01/writer-activist-p-vatsala-wins-kerala-highest-literary-honour.html|access-date=1 November 2021|website=Onmanorama|language=en}}</ref> She is only the fifth woman to receive the award since its institution in 1993.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Writer-activist P Vatsala wins Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, Kerala's highest literary honour|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2021/11/01/writer-activist-p-vatsala-wins-kerala-highest-literary-honour.html|access-date=1 November 2021|website=OnManorama}}</ref>
Vatsala was also a recipient of Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for her novel ''Nizhalurangunna Vazhikal'' (The Paths where Shadows Sleep).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://malayalampadam.com/movies/showthread.php?t=25390|title=SAHITHYA ACADEMI AWARD WINNERS# from 1959 to 1999|publisher=malayalampadam.com|access-date=29 April 2010}}</ref> She has written over 25 short story collections and 17 novels. She is renowned for her distinct style of writing.
Her works have won several awards including Kumkumam Award (for ''Nellu'' published in 1972), the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award (for ''Nizhalurangunna Vazhikal''), the Muttathu Varkey Award, and the C. V. Kunhiraman Memorial Sahitya Award.
A former headmistress, Vatsala also held the post of Chairperson of Kerala Sahitya Akademi.<ref>{{cite news|date=29 March 2010|title=P. Valsala gets Sahithya Academy top post|newspaper=Malayala Manorama|url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/mmonline.dll/portal/ep/contentView.do?contentId=6990195&tabId=1&channelId=-1073865030&programId=1080132912&BV_ID=@@@|access-date=29 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=30 March 2010|title=P Valsala to chair Sahitya Akademi|newspaper=The Indian Express|url=http://expressbuzz.com/States/Kerala/p-valsala-to-chair-sahitya-akademi/160785.html|access-date=29 April 2010}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> She was associated with PuKaSa, a left-leaning cultural movement, but lately she had been supportive of Hindu right-wing organisations.<ref>Amiya Meethal (2 November 2021). [https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2021/nov/02/ezhuthachan-awardee-valsala-highlighted-social-realities-with-focus-on-women-and-nature-2378554.html "Ezhuthachan Awardee Valsala highlighted social realities with focus on women and nature"]. ''The New Indian Express''. Retrieved 12 November 2021.</ref><ref>Ashokan Charuvil (11 October 2013). [https://risalaonline.com/archives/2558 "വയനാട്ടില് നിന്ന് വള്ളിക്കാവിലേക്ക്"]. ''Risala Weekly''. Retrieved 12 November 2021.</ref><ref>S. R. Praveen (17 July 2015). [https://medium.com/@Praveenstoneage/p-valsala-journey-from-a-progressive-to-a-true-saffron-sanghi-9d1bd2daf39e "P.Valsala — Journey from a progressive to a true saffron sanghi"]. ''Medium.com''. Retrieved 14 October 2015.</ref>
Vatsala resided in Kozhikode district, in northern Kerala. She died from heart failure on 21 November 2023, at the age of 85.<ref>{{cite news |title=Writer P. Valsala passes away at 85 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/writer-p-valsala-passes-away-at-85/article67559831.ece |access-date=22 November 2023 |work=The Hindu |date=22 November 2023}}</ref>
==Selected works== ;Short stories *''Pempi'', Poorna Books, Calicut, 1969 *''Pazhaya, Puthiya Nagaram'' (The Old, New City), The Sahithya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society (SPCS), Kottayam, 1979 *''Anupamayude Kavalkkaran'' (The Bodyguard of Anupama), SPCS, 1980 *''Aanavettakkaran'' (The Elephant Hunter), SPCS, 1982 *''Unikkoran Chathopathiya'' (Unikkoran Chathopathiya), SPCS, 1985 *''Annamaria Neridan'' (For Anna Marie To Confront), SPCS, 1988 *''Karuttha Mazha Peyyunna Thazhvara'' (The Valley of Black Rains), SPCS, 1988 *''Chamundy Kuzhi'' (Chamundi's Pit), SPCS, 1989 *''Arundhati Karayunnilla'' (Arundhati doesn't Cry), SPCS, 1991 *''Koonychoottile Velicham'' (The Light behind the Flight Stairs), Prabhath Book House, Trivandrum, 1992 *''Madakkam II'' (The Return II), D. C. Books, 1998 *''Panguru Pushpathinde Theen'' (Honey from the Flower of Panguru), Poorna Books, 1998 *''Madakkam'' (The Return), D. C. Books, Kottayam, 1998 *''Kaly ’98 Thudarcha'' (Sports 98 Cont.), Prabhath Book House, 1998 *''Pookku Vayil Ponvayil'' (The Sunset that is Gold), Olive, 1999 *''Dhushyanthannum Bheemannummillatha Lokam'' (The world Devoid by Dhushyntha and Bhima), Poorna Books, 1999 *''Kalal Kavalal'' (The Soldier who is the Guard), D. C. Books, 2001 *''Kottayile Prema'' (Prema in the forth), Olive Books, Calicut, 2002 *''Pooram'' (The Temple Festival), D. C. Books, 2003 *''Aaranniya Kandam'' (Stories of the Forest), D. C. Books, 2003 *''Mythiliyuda Makal'' (The Daughter of Mythili), Green Books, Calicut, 2004 *''Ashokanum Ayalum'' (He and Ashokan), D. C. Books, 2006 *''Chandalabhikshukiyum Marikkunna Pownamiyum'' (Chandalabhikshuki and the Dying full Moon), Book Point, Calicut, 2007 *''Suvarna Kadhakal'' (The Golden Stories), Green Books, Trichur, 2008 *''Gate Thurannittirikkunnu'', SPCS, Kottayam, 2008
;Novels *''Thakarcha'' (Decadence), Poorna Books, Calicut, 1969 *Nellu (Paddy), The Sahithya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society (SPCS), Kottayam, 1972 (Adapted into a film with same name in 1974) *''Agnayam'' (Of Fire), SPCS 1974; translated into English by Vasanthi Sankaranarayanan as ''Agneyam: The story of a Nambudiri woman'', Sahitya Akademi, 2008 *''Nizhaluragunna Vazhikal'' (The Paths where Shadows Sleep), SPCS 1975 *''Arakkillam'' (The House of Wax), SPCS, 1977 *''Venal'' (The Summer), SPCS, 1979 *''Kanal'' (The Live Coal), SPCS, 1979 *''Nambarukal'' (The Numbers), SPCS, 1980 *''Palayam'' (The Barracks), SPCS, 1981 *''Kooman Kolly'' (The Valley Owls), SPCS 1981 *''Gauthaman'' (Gauthaman), SPCS, 1986 *''Aarum marikuunnilla'' (Nobody Dies), SPCS / D. C. Books, 1987 *''Chaver'' (The Knights), SPCS, 1991 *''Rose merreyude Aakasangal'' (The Skies of Rosemarry), D. C. Books, Kottayam, 1993 *''Vilaapam'' (The Cry), D. C. Books, 1997 *''Aadhijalam'' (The Primeval Water), D. C. Books, 2004 *''Melppalam'' (The Flyover), Mathrubhumi Books, Calicut, 2007
==Awards== *Kumkumam Award - ''Nellu'' *Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award - ''Nizhalurangunna Vazhikal'' *Muttathu Varkey Award - for her contributions to Malayalam literature<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/29/stories/2010042951280200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107121620/http://www.hindu.com/2010/04/29/stories/2010042951280200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 November 2012|title=Muttathu Varkey award for P. Valsala|date=29 April 2010|newspaper=The Hindu|access-date=29 April 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/news.php?id=90794|title=P Valsala bags Muttathu Varkey award|date=29 April 2010|newspaper=Mathrubhumi|access-date=29 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716073201/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/english/news.php?id=90794|archive-date=16 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> *C. V. Kunhiraman Memorial Sahithya Award<ref>{{cite web|url=http://latestawardsinkerala.blogspot.in/2012/03/p-valsala-bags-c-v-kunjiraman-memorial.html|title=P. Valsala bags Kunhiraman Award|date=28 March 2012 }}</ref> *Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship (2019)<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/kerala-sahitya-akademi-fellowships-for-p-valsala-nvp-unithiri/article33843100.ece |title=Kerala Sahitya Akademi fellowships for P. Valsala, N.V.P. Unithiri |newspaper=The Hindu |date=15 February 2021 |accessdate=31 July 2022}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category|P. Valsala}} * {{official website|http://www.vatsalap.com}} * {{cite web |last1=Sankaranarayanan |first1=Vasanthi |title=A way with words |url=http://hindu.com/thehindu/2001/07/12/stories/13120784.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031027171623/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2001/07/12/stories/13120784.htm |archive-date=27 October 2003 |url-status=dead |work=The Hindu |date=12 July 2001}}
{{Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship}} {{Ezhuthachan Puraskaram}} {{Malayalam Literature |state=collapsed}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Vatsala, P.}} Category:1939 births Category:2023 deaths Category:Malayalam short story writers Category:Malayalam-language novelists Category:Recipients of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award Category:Indian women short story writers Category:Writers from Kozhikode Category:20th-century Indian short story writers Category:20th-century Indian novelists Category:21st-century Indian short story writers Category:21st-century Indian novelists Category:Women writers from Kerala Category:Novelists from Kerala Category:Deaths from congestive heart failure in India Category:20th-century Indian women novelists Category:21st-century Indian women novelists