Key Indian writer OV Vijayan dies

By Omer Farooq
BBC News, Hyderabad

The eminent Indian writer, novelist and cartoonist OV Vijayan has died at a Hyderabad hospital after a prolonged battle against illness.

He was suffering from Parkinson's Disease and had been undergoing treatment for a year.

The 75-year-old, who is survived by wife Theresa Gabriel and son Madhu, died of cardiac and respiratory failure at the Care hospital.

He was highly popular among Malayalam language readers.

Masterpiece

Vijayan made his debut in the literary world with Khasakkinte Itihasam (Saga of Khasak), a multi-faceted work.

He was a journalist, columnist, cartoonist, short story writer and novelist rolled in to one.

Apart from five novels he also wrote what is considered to be a historical masterpiece, Itihasathinte Itihasam (The Story of the Saga).

Born on 2 July, 1930, in the village of Vilayanchanthannoor in Kerala, Oottupulackal Velukkutty Vijayan later became popular all over the country as OV Vijayan.

He graduated in arts from the government-run Victoria College in Palakkad and earned a Masters in English Literature from Presidency College, Madras.

Vijayan worked as a teacher in Calicut, but later found his niche as a writer.

He worked for the leading English newspapers The Hindu and The Statesman.

As a cartoonist he worked for Shanker's Weekly in 1958. After five years he moved to Patriot as staff cartoonist.