M. Mukundan

Maniyambath Mukundan (born 10 September 1942) is an Indian author of Malayalam literature and former diplomat. He worked as a cultural attaché at the Embassy of France in Delhi from 1961 to 2004, while concurrently working as an author. Many of his early works are set in Mahe (Mayyazhi), his homeland, which earned him the moniker ''Mayyazhiyude Kathakaaran'' (Mayyazhi's storyteller). He is known to be one of the pioneers of modernity in Malayalam literature. Some of his best known works include ''Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil'', ''Daivathinte Vikrithikal'', ''Kesavante Vilapangal'', and ''Pravasam''.

He has received several literary awards, including Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award, Crossword Book Award, JCB Prize, and the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (the highest literary award of the Government of Kerala). He is also a recipient of the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres of the Government of France. Provided by Wikipedia