1. Ayyappan, better known by his pen name Kovilan, was an Indian Malayalam language novelist and freedom fighter from Kerala.
14 Facts About Kovilan
1. 2.
Kovilan is considered one of the most prolific writers of contemporary Indian literature.
3.
Kovilan won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1972 and 1977 and the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in 1998.
4.
Kovilan was a recipient of the Kerala state government's highest literary honour Ezhuthachan Puraskaram in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Malayalam literature.
5.
Kovilan had been a Fellow of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi since 1997 and Sahitya Akademi since 2005.
6.
Kovilan was born in Kandanassery in Guruvayur, Thrissur to Vattomparambil Shanku Velappan and Kotakkattil Kunjandi Kali.
7.
Kovilan did his early education at the Kandanisseri Excelsior School and Nenmini Higher Elementary School.
8.
Kovilan then joined the Sahitya Deepika Sanskrit College at Pavaratty at the age of 13.
9.
Kovilan joined the Royal Indian Navy in 1943 and was trained in Anti-submarine Detecting Operations.
10.
Kovilan quit following the Royal Indian Navy mutiny of 1946 and returned home.
11.
Kovilan worked as National Cadet Corps training officer at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur.
12.
Kovilan retired from the Indian Army in 1968 as Havildar Major and settled down at Pullanikunnu at Kandanassery.
13.
Kovilan died on 2 June 2010 in Kunnamkulam, aged 86.
14.
Kovilan realised that there is a legend behind every man.