Paul Zacharia is a celebrated writer of Malayalam literature, who writes short stories, novellas, travelogues, screenplays, essays, columns and children’s books. He is a screenwriter and public speaker, too. He is a recipient of various honours, including the prestigious Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, Ezhuthachan Puraskaram and the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award (for story). Considered one of the most important Indian writers living today, Zacharia’s works have been translated into English and other languages.
Paul Zacharia – Malayalam’s Fiction Writer
Paul Zacharia initially taught English literature at different colleges
His full name is Mundattuchundayil Paul Scaria, shortly called M. P. Scaria or Zacharia. He was born on 5 June 1945 in Urulikunnam of present-day Kottayam district. He was born into a farming family as the youngest of 3 kids. M. S. Paul and Thresiakutty are his parents. After completing his secondary school education, Paul Zacharia completed the pre-University course at St. Thomas College, Palai in 1961. Then he moved to St. Philomena’s College, Mysore, for graduation.
He completed his Master’s in English literature from Central College of Bangalore in 1966, and started his career as a lecturer of English at MES College, Malleswaram, where he worked for a year. Returning to his home state, Zacharia joined St. Dominic’s College, Kanjirappally, in 1967 as a lecturer.
Paul Zacharia worked in different publishing houses in Delhi for 2 decades
He moved to Coimbatore in 1971 and later worked as an area manager of Ruby Tyre and Rubber Works, Bengaluru, for one year. He realised that his real passion was literature and journalism, and moved to Delhi. For the next two decades, he worked with various media and publishing houses, including AIMA and PTI and returned to his hometown in 1993.
He was one of the founding members of Asianet, one of the early cable network channels in Kerala, where the channel boom happened in Kerala. Paul Zacharia also co-hosted the first television program review alongside B. R. P. Bhaskar, Patravisesham, which ran for 7 years. He has been associated with the channel for many years.
Literary career of Zacharia began in the 1960s
Kunnu in 1969, was his first published book, which was a collection of stories. His first few publications were short stories, and later started writing novels, travelogues and essays. He also wrote columns in different forms of publications, apart from literary work for children. He has published over 50 works of fiction and non- fiction combined.
Paul Zacharia has been compared to Jorge Luis Borges as he has limited his creative writing to short stories and novellas. Oridathu: Zachariyayude kathakal, Kannaadi Kaanmolavum: kathakaḷ, Oru Nasrani Yuvavum Goulisasthravum and Zachariayude Thiranjedutha Kathakal are among his selected list of short story collections. He published 4 children’s works – Vaayanasaala, Padayaali, Shanthanuvinte Pakshikal and Ju-story.
His published novels include Bhaskara Pattelarum Ente Jeevithavum, Enthundu Visesham Pilatose, Ayyappathinthkathom and Praise The Lord. He published 6 travelogues in the 2000s which include – Oru African yaathra, Nabiyude Naṭṭil and Nabiyude Naṭṭil. In 2011, he published the memoir – Urulikunnathinte Lutheenia.
His literary works include a huge collection of essays too. He started publishing essays since early 1990s. Some of his essays include – Sakhave Naam Aarkkuvendi Vilapikkanam, Malayaliyude Avasaantahe Athazham, Govindam Bhaja Moodamathe, Sthuthiyayirikkatte, Buddhanum Njanum, Budhijeevikalekondu Enth Prayojanam, Sanmanassullavarku Samadanam and Ezhuthukaarkku Indiakku Vendi Enthu Cheyyan Kazhiyum.
Zacharia is a member of the Press Club of India, New Delhi and the Thiruvananthapuram Club. His wife is Lalitha, and the couple has 2 kids. Currently, he is settled in Thiruvananthapuram.
Vidheyan – Screen adaptation of his novel, Bhaskara Pattelarum Ente Jeevithavum
National award-winning Mammootty starrer Vidheyan (1993) was based on his novel Bhaskara Pattelarum Ente Jeevithavum. For adding Hindutva elements to the film adaptation, Paul Zacharia had a tiff with film’s director, Adoor Gopalakrishnan. The lead character of the novel was inspired by a real-life character named Patela Shekhara Gowda.
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