M. Govindan

M. Govindan (1919–1989) was a writer and cultural activist of Kerala, India. He was born in Ponnani in Malappuram district on September 18, 1919. His father was Kothayath Manakkal Chithran Nampoothiri and mother was Mancherath Thazhathethil Devaki Amma.He had his schooling at Higher Elementary School,Kuttippuram and A.V.HighSchool,Ponnani. He joined the freedom struggle while studying in high school class and could not complete his studies. He went to Madras (now ‘Chennai’) and settled there. In 1944 he joined Madras government service and worked there for 14 years. He was actively involved in politics in his early days and later concentrated on intellectual life. He was attracted towards the ideas of Radical Humanism expounded by M.N.Roy.

He edited three magazines Navasahiti, Gopuram and Sameeksha and organised many academic forums for cultural debate. He spotted and groomed many avante-garde writers and artists through his magazines. He wrote profusely both in Malayalam and English and his creative works were largely in Malayalam. His works include poems, short stories, plays and essays.

He died on January 22 in 1989 in Guruvayur, Kerala.