Uroob

P. C. Kuttikrishnan
Born	Paruthulli Chalapram Kuttikrishna Menon (1915-06-08)June 8, 1915 Ponnani
Died	July 11, 1979(1979-07-11) (aged 64) Medical college, Kottayam
Pen name	Uroob
Occupation	Novelist, short story writer, journalist
Language	Malayalam
Nationality	Indian
Subjects	Social aspects
Literary movement	Realism
Notable work(s)	Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum, Ummachu
Notable award(s)	Sahitya Akademi Award
Spouse(s)	Devakiamma

P. C. Kuttikrishnan, popularly known by his penname Uroob (Malayalam: ഉറൂബ്; 1915 – 1979) was a famous Malayalam writer from Kerala state, South India. He along with writers like Basheer, Thakazhi, Kesavadev, and Pottekkatt formed the progressive writers in Malayalam during the twentieth century. Uroob is a recipient of Kendra Sahithya Academy Award (Malayalam) for his novel Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum.

Career

Uroob (or Oroob) is the penname of P. C. Kuttikrishnan. The word "Uroob" means "eternal youth" in Persian language and "dawn" in Arabic. Uroob was a prominent member of the literary circle that had formed in the 1930s in Ponnani. Others in the group are the eminent critic Kuttikrishna Marar, young poets Edasseri Govindan Nair, Akkitham, Kadavanad Kuttikrishnan, and Moothedath Narayanan Vaidyar. Uroob had spent the best years of his creative life in Kozhikode where he was working in All India Radio. He, later went to Thiruvanathapuram as editor of Kunkumam magazine and from there to Kottayam to work as editor of Bhashaposhini published by Malayala Manorama group. He has also worked as the editor of Mangalodhayam magazine and Malayala Manorama weekly. He has also held the post of the president of Sahitya Akademi.

One of the most progressive novels in Malayalam, Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum (The Beautiful and the Handsome) was authored by Uroob. His other notable works include Ummachu (translated as The Beloved) and Aniyara.

Uroob Memorial Literary Museum at the Kiliyanad School in Kozhikode is named in his honor.

Major works

Novels

• Aamina (1948)
• Kunjammayum Koottukarum (1952)
• Ummachu (1954)
• Mindappennu (1956)
• Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum (1958)
• Chuzhiku Pimbe Chuzhi (1967)
• Aniyara (1968)
• Ammini (1972)
• The Beloved (1974; Hind Pocket Books, English trans. of Ummachu by Raghava R. Menon).

Short stories

• Gopalan Nayarude Thaddi
• Velutha Kutti
• Manjinmarayile Sooryan
• Rachiyamma
• Neer Chalukal
• Navonmesham
• Kathir-Katta
• Thurannita Jalakam
• Neela Mala
• Kumbedukunna Mannu
• Ullavarum Ellathaverum
• Thamara Thopi
• Lathiyum Pookalum
• Mukham Mudikal
• Vasandhayude Amma
• Moulavium Changathimarum
• Nilavinde Rahasyam
• 3334-enta Charithum
• Reserve Chayyatha Berth

Poems

• Pirannal

Plays (theatre)

• Mannum Pennum
• Theekondu Kalikaruth
• Miss Chinnuvum Lady Januvum

Essay compilations

• Kavi Samelanam
• Uroobinde Shaniazhichakal
• Uroobinde Lekhanangal

Children's stories

• Anka Veeran
• Apuvinde Lokam
• Mallanum Maranavum

Screenplays

• Neelakuyil
• Rarichan Enna Pouran
• Nairu Pidicha Pulivalu
• Ummachu
• Kurukshetram
• Thrisandhya

Short film

• Rachiyamma

Awards

• Madras Govt. Award (1948) - Kathir-Katta
• Madras Govt. Award (1949) - Thurannitta Jalakam
• Madras Govt. Award (1951) - Kumbedukkunna Mannu
• President of India's silver medal for Best Regional Film (1954) - Neelakuyil
• Kerala Sahithya Academy Award (1959) - Ummachu
• M. P. Paul award (1960) - Gopalan Nayarude Thady
• Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award (1960) - Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum
• Kerala State Film Award for Best Story (1971) - Ummachu
• Ashan Centenary Award (1973) - Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum