Prominent author of children’s literature Sumangala passes away at 88
Eminent author of children’s literature Sumangala died at her residence at Wadakkanchery on Tuesday after a short sickness. She was 88.
Born Leela Namboodiripad and identified to her readers as Sumangala, the veteran author has written over 40 titles, 23 of them for youngsters. She had received the Kendra Sahitya Academy Award for children’s literature in 2013.
Recreation of Panchatanthra tales is her most celebrated work, which has gone over greater than two dozen editions. Mittayippothi, Neypayasam, Manchaadikkuru, Kurinjiyum Koottukarum, Nadodi Cholkadhakal and Kudamanikal are some of her famous works.
Compilation of Pacha Malayalam Nikhandu is one other necessary work.
“Sumangala’s works, including Mittayipothi and Neypayasam, led many generations of children to the world of reading. She wrote her books, whether it’s purana or others, like how a grandmother tells stories to her grandchildren. They are simple and readable for children. They helped to inculcate human values in children. She wrote the history of the Kerala Kalamandalam, another notable work,” recalled veteran author and Kerala Sahitya Academy president Vaisakhan.
“Sumangala made great effort to introduce Indian mythology to children in a simple language. A member of the literally rich Olappamann family, she was a voracious reader of world literature but chose the fantasy world of children’s literature as her field,” mentioned academy secretary K.P. Mohanan within the condolence message.
Sumangala was the recipient of many awards, together with the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for children’s literature in 1979 and the Bala Sahitya Institute Award for lifelong contribution to children’s literature in 1999. She wrote for many years within the children’s journal Poompatta.
Daughter of Sanskrit students O.M.C. Narayanan Namboodiripad and Uma Antharjanam, she served within the Public Relations Department of the Kerala Kalamandalam for 22 years.