Punathil Kunjabdulla was a maverick. Both as a writer and as a man.
He is often bracketed among the writers of modernism in Malayalam. But, his writing isn’t exactly modern.
I think he rather followed in the footsteps of masters such as Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai and S.K. Pottekkatt. His writing appealed not just to the intellectuals, but to the lay reader as well. He had exceptional craft as a writer.
His writing, in fact, was magical, often. It is most evident in Smarakashilakal , which, to my mind, is undoubtedly one of the greatest novels ever in Malayalam.
But it wasn’t as celebrated as it ought to have been, especially at the time of its publication. I remember reading it with great admiration.
I had met him for the first time at a literary function in Kasaragod in 1974. I had only begun to write at that time, but he was already an established author. His speech there had created a controversy, I recall.
On his parents
He had said that he owed nothing to his parents; they had not even planned his birth, he had said. That speech was later published. But, I remember people close to him telling me that he might not have meant what he said and that he was fond of his parents.
We became good friends and travelled often together. He had a great sense of humour and reminded one of Vaikom Mohammad Basheer. Besides Smarakashilakal , I also admire his Marunnu and Kanyavanangal . Among his short stories my favourites include Joothanmarude Shmashanam and Malamukalile Abdulla . I was fascinated by his style, which sometimes reminded me of P. Padmarajan.
I admired him as a human being too. He was unpretentious. And he happily crossed the boundaries created by his religion and his family.
He celebrated life, the way very few people I know of have.
(As told to P.K. Ajith Kumar)
