Sithara S.

Sithara S
Sithara S
Born	(1972-09-15)15 September 1972 Kasaragod
Occupation	Writer
Language	Malayalam
Nationality	Indian
Alma mater	University of Calicut
Period	21st century
Genre	Fiction
Subject	Women, Lesbianism, Sexuality
Literary movement	Feminism
Notable works	Agni; Kathakal
Notable awards	Sahitya Akademi

Sithara S. (born 1972) is an Indian feminist writer in Malayalam from Kerala.^[1] In her short stories and novels she has highlighted women's issues, gender conflict and lesbian rights.^[2] In 2004 she won Sahitya Akademi Golden Jubilee Award for her contributions to Indian literature^[3] She is also a translator from Malayalam to English and vice versa.^[4]

Sithara was born and brought up in Kasaragod district of Kerala. She obtained her post-graduation degree in English Literature and Diploma in journalism from University of Calicut.^[5] At an early age she was afflicted with life-threatening cancer disease. She attributes her firebrand literary style to her lifelong battle against cancer and social stigma.^[6]

Sithara is one of the leading contemporary women writers from Kerala.^[7][8] She has written several best-selling books in Malayalam which include "Kathakal", "Idam", "Veshappakarcha" and "Ushnagrahangalude Sneham".^[9] She chiefly writes stories depicting oppression of women and sexuality in public places.^[10] Her stories capture the complexities of modern life from women's perspective and have an angry and defiant tone.^[11]

Sithara has also translated the works of Nobel Laureate Malala Yousafzai into Malayalam. Her short story "Fire" has been included in the English Literature syllabus of Kerala University.^[12]

Sithara's short story Agni^[13] has been made into a popular movie.^[14] She is also a freelance content writer on children's topics for television.^[15]

Sithara's works were recognised by Sahitya Akademi which conferred on her its golden jubilee prize in 2004.^[16] She has also won Kerala Sahitya Akademi award. Besides he has won numerous other literary awards including ‘’Katha Award’’ and ‘’Geetha Hiranyan Endowment Award’’ for Malayalam literature.^[17]

• Sithara, S.; K., Madhavikutty (2017). Lesbian Stories in Malyalam. Trivandrum: Chintha Publishers. ISBN 978-81-770239-7-8.

• Sithara, S. (2017). Kathakal. Kottayam: DC Books. ISBN 978-81-264400-1-6.
• Sithara, S. (2015). Ushnagrahangalude Sneham. Kottayam: DC Books. ISBN 978-81-264529-4-1.
• Sithara, S. (2015). Veyilil Oru Kaliyezhuthukari. Ernakulam: Mathrubhoomi Publications. ISBN 978-81-826607-3-1.
• Sithara, S. (2010). Karutha Kuppayakkari. Kottayam: DC Books. ISBN 978-81-264276-6-6.
• Sithara, S. (2012). Idam. Kottayam: DC Books. ISBN 978-81-264140-8-6.
• Sithara, S. (2015). Agniyum Katakalum. Trivandrum: Mathrubhumi Books.
• Sithara, S. (2017). Lesbose : Malayalathile Lesbian Kathakal. Vanchyoor: Chintha Publishers.
• Sithara, S. (2020). Nrithashala. Kottayam: DC Books. ISBN 978-81-264467-4-2.
• Sithara, S. (2020). Veshakaparcha. Kottayam: DC Books.
• Sithara, S. (2021). Enteyum Katha. Kottayam: DC Books.

• Sithara, S. (2017), "Madri and Maria", in Anilkumar, K. S.; Resmi, G. (eds.), Lesbian Stories in Malayalam, vol. 1 (1st ed.), Trivandrum: Chintha Publishers, ISBN 978-81-770239-7-8

• Sithara, S. (2009). "The Poet and the Farmer". Indian Literature. 53 (5): 96–99. JSTOR 23340231.
• Sithara, S. (2005). "Contemporary Malayalam Literature". Indian Literature. 49 (1): 199–205. JSTOR 23346594.
• Sithara, S. (2006). "Lone Trips". Indian Literature. 49 (1): 47–51. JSTOR 23346550.
• Sithara, S. (2016). "Agni". Samyukta Journal of Gender and Culture. 1 (2): 40–45.

• Enteyum Katha (2021), DC Books (Translation of We Are Displaced by Malala Yousafzai)

• Sahitya Akademi Award
• Kerala Sahitya Academy Award
• Malayalam literature
• Tapan Kumar Pradhan
• Mandakranta Sen

• Interview with Abdul Rasheed – Times of India dated 17 October 2019