S. Guptan Nair

S. Guptan Nair was born in a affluent Nair family at Oachira, a temple town famous for Oachira Parabrahma Temple of Kollam district of the south Indian state of Kerala on August 22, 1919 to Sankara Pillai, a known ayurvedic scholar and physician and his wife, Kali Amma.{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralaculture.org/prof-s-guptan-nair/427 |title=Prof. S. Guptan Nair (1919-2006) |date=2019-02-07 |website=Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala |language=en |access-date=2019-02-07}}

His early schooling was the local school in Kayamkulam after which he graduated with honours in Malayalam literature from Government Arts College, Thiruvananthapuram in 1941.{{Cite web |url=https://www.veethi.com/india-people/s._guptan_nair-profile-4377-25.htm |title=S. Guptan Nair - Veethi profile |date=2019-02-07 |website=veethi.com |access-date=2019-02-07}} In 1945, he joined the department of Malayalam of the University College Thiruvananthapuram as a lecturer and before superannuating from service in 1978 as the head of the department of Malayalam of the University of Calicut, he served in many educational institutions across Kerala such as Brennen College, Thalassery; Maharaja's College, Ernakulam and Government Victoria College, Palakkad, as a University Grants Commission (UGC) professor.{{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/guptan-nair-dead/article3174944.ece |title=Guptan Nair dead |date=2006-02-07 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-02-07}} Later, he chaired the Kerala Sahithya Akademi and the Sahithya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham (SPCS - Writers 'Cooperative Society). Besides, he served as the president of Kerala Sahitya Samithi, Margi, Vidhyabhyasa Sureksha Samithi and Shree Chithirathirunal Granthashala, as the assistant director of Kerala Bhasha Institute and was the editor of publications like Malayali, Grandhalokham and Vigyana Kairali. He was also involved with Education Protection Forum, a movement against student politics in the educational institutions in Kerala.

Guptan Nair was married to Bhagirathi Amma and the couple had three children, B. Lakshmi Kumari, M G Sasibhooshan, a historian and writer,{{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/history-and-culture/Philosopher-and-guide/article14674083.ece |title=Philosopher and guide |last1=Sasibhooshan |first1=M. G. |last2=Sasibhooshan |first2=Bindu |date=2011-04-07 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-02-07}} and B. Sudha Kumari. Nair died in a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on February 6, 2006, succumbing to respiratory illnesses, at the age of 86.{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Malayalam-literatteur-Guptan-Nair-dead/articleshow/1402674.cms |title=Malayalam literatteur Guptan Nair dead - Times of India |date=February 6, 2006 |website=The Times of India |access-date=2019-02-07}}

Guptan Nair was considered by many as one of great critics of modern Malayalam literature. He dealt with complex literary topics in a simple style, found in books such as Isangalkkappuram, a literary study which received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Literary Criticism.{{Cite web |url=http://keralaliterature.com/old/book.php?bukid=1615 |title=Isangalkkappuram |date=2019-02-08 |website=keralaliterature.com |access-date=2019-02-08 |archive-date=9 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124234/http://keralaliterature.com/old/book.php?bukid=1615 |url-status=dead }} Asthiyude Pookkal, Changampuzha Kaviyum Kavithayum, a study on the life and literature of Changampuzha Krishna Pillai is another of his notable works.{{Cite web |url=https://malayalam.oneindia.com/culture/literature/book-review-asthiyude-pookkal-changampuzha-kaviyum-kavithayum-149194.html |title=ചങ്ങമ്പുഴ... ഉരുകുന്ന അസ്ഥിയില്‍നിന്ന് ഉരുവം പൂണ്ട കവി |last=Binu |date=2016-05-03 |website=malayalam.oneindia.com |language=ml |access-date=2019-02-08}} Books such as Krantha Darsikal, Navamalika and Gadyam Pinnitta Vazhikal are counted among his major works. Apart from several essay anthologies and biographies, he also edited a dictionary, the N B S Concise English-Malayalam Dictionary of National Book Stall.{{Cite book |url=https://www.abebooks.com/B-Concise-English-Malayalam-Dictionary-Guptan-Nair/22422185629/bd |title=N B S Concise English-Malayalam Dictionary |last=S. Guptan Nair |publisher=Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham |language=en}} His memoirs is titled Maanasasmarami.{{Cite book |title=Maanasasmarami |last=S. Guptan Nair |publisher=DC Books |year=2007 |isbn=978-8126412471}} He was also instrumental in publishing a number of letters written by his friend and poet, G. Sankara Kurup{{cite book|author=Ji Śaṅkarakkur̲uppȧ|title=Sweet, Gentle, Radiant: Selected Poems of G. Sankara Kurup|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p3_dIkCdTcsC&pg=PR9|year=2001|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=978-81-260-1341-8|pages=9–}} as well as the writings of Kutti Kunju Thankachi, the 19th century writer and the daughter of Irayimman Thampi,{{Cite web |url=http://womenwritersofkerala.com/author.php?author_id=266&lang=en |title=Women Writers of Kerala |date=2019-02-08 |website=womenwritersofkerala.com |access-date=2019-02-08}} which was edited and published by Guptan Nair under the title, Kuttikunju Thankachiyude Kruthikal in 1979.{{cite book|author=J Devika|title=Womanwriting=Manreading?|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wWItAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT149|date=15 August 2013|publisher=Penguin Books Limited|isbn=978-93-5118-184-2|pages=149–}}

The Kerala Sahitya Akademi instituted an annual award for literary criticism in 1966.{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/ml_aw5.htm |title=Kerala Sahithya Akademi Award for Literary Criticism 1 |date=2019-02-08 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-02-08}} the award for the second year was awarded to Guptan Nair, for his work, Isangalkkappuram.{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/ksa/Awards/Criticism_Studies.htm |title=Kerala Sahithya Akademi Award for Literary Criticism |date=2019-02-07 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-02-07}} Nair received the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983{{cite web|url=http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/awards.htm |title=Kendra Sahitya Academy Awards (Malayalam) |publisher=Public Relations Department, Government of Kerala |access-date=11 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524212356/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/awards.htm |archive-date=24 May 2007 }} and the Lalithambika Antharjanam Award in 1995.{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralaculture.org/lalithambika-antharjanam-award/580 |title=Lalithambika Antharjanam Smaraka Sahitya Award |date=2019-02-07 |website=Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala |access-date=2019-02-07}} Kerala Sahitya Akademi honoured him with the distinguished fellowship in 1996{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralaculture.org/distinguised-fellows/616 |title=Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship |date=2019-02-07 |website=Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala |access-date=2019-02-07}} and two years later, he received the Vayalar Award.{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralaculture.org/vayalar-award/575 |title=Winners of Vayalar Award |date=2019-02-07 |website=Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala |language=en |access-date=2019-02-07}} The Vallathol Award reached him in 1999{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/signposts/story/19990920-s-guptan-nair-selected-for-prestigious-vallathol-samman-for-1999-824195-1999-09-20 |title=S. Guptan Nair selected for prestigious 'Vallathol Samman' for 1999 |magazine=India Today |language=en |access-date=2019-02-07 }} and the Government of Kerala awarded him their highest literary honour of the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram in 2005. He was also a recipient of G. Sankara Kurup Award, C. Achutha Menon Award, R. Sankaranarayanan Thampi Award, CV Raman Pillai Award and P. N. Panicker Award.

A foundation in Nair's name, Prof. Guptan Nair Foundation, instituted an annual award, Guptan Nair Award in 2007 in his honour.{{Cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/07/stories/2007020722480300.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101104060454/http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/07/stories/2007020722480300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 November 2010 |title=Guptan Guptan Nair award presented |date=7 February 2007 |access-date=2009-10-17 |work=The Hindu}} The award carries {{INR}} 25,000 cash prize, a citation and a plaque and M. Leelavathi received the inaugural award. Ambalapuzha Rama Varma (2008), Sukumar Azhikode (2009), Hridayakumari (2010), G. Balakrishnan Nair (2011), O. N. V. Kurup (2012){{Cite web |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/memorial-for-guptan-nair-sought-444312.html |title=Memorial for Guptan Nair sought |website=News18 |date=7 February 2012 |access-date=2019-02-07}} Panmana Ramachandran Nair (2013),{{Cite web |url=http://www.currentaffairsonline.in/news.php?id=3191&news=Panmana%2520Ramachandran%2520Nair%2520Selected%2520for%2520Guptan%2520nair%2520Award |title=Panmana Ramachandran Nair Selected for Guptan nair Award |date=2019-02-08 |website=currentaffairsonline.in |access-date=2019-02-08 |archive-date=9 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124502/http://www.currentaffairsonline.in/news.php?id=3191&news=Panmana%2520Ramachandran%2520Nair%2520Selected%2520for%2520Guptan%2520nair%2520Award |url-status=dead }}

Puthussery Ramachandran (2015){{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/guptan-nair-award-for-puthussery/article6807253.ece |title=Guptan Nair Award for Puthussery |date=2015-01-21 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-02-08}} and K. P. Sankaran (2019){{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/guptan-nair-award-for-k-p-sankaran/articleshow/67648134.cms |title=Guptan Nair award for K P Sankaran - Times of India |website=The Times of India |date=23 January 2019 |access-date=2019-02-07}} are some of the recipients of the award.

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• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=70965&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Krantha Dharsikal |last=Guptan Nair |first=S. |date=1958 |publisher=S.P.C.S}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=212748&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Samalochana |last=Guptan nair. S |date=1964 |publisher=N.B.S |location=Kottayam}}
• {{Cite book |title=Isangalkappuram |last=Guptan Nair |first=S.|date=1967 }}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=208216&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Adhunikasahithyam |last=Guptan Nair. S |date=1969 |publisher=NBS |location=Kottayam}}
• {{cite book|author=S. Guptan Nair|title=Thiranjedutha Prabandhangal|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TdcHAQAAIAAJ|year=1982|publisher=Sahityapravarttaka Sahakaranasangham : Nasanal Bukkstal|language=ml|page=325}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=208870&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Amruthasmruthi |last=Guptan Nair. S |date=1990 |publisher=Grandakartha |location=Grandakartha}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=82721&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Navamalika |last=Guptan Nair |first=S. |date=1991 |publisher=Current |location=Thrissur}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=85678&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Paaschaathyakathakal |last=Guptan Nair |first=S. |date=1992 |publisher=Kerala Sahitya Academy |location=Thrissur}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=211039&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Malayala Niroopanam - Innale |last=Guptan Nair S |date=1994 |publisher=Kerala Bhasha Institute, Thiruvananthapuram |location=Kerala Bhasha Institute, Thiruvananthapuram}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=83916&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Ramayana Samgraham |last=Guptan Nair |date=1998}}
• {{cite book|author=S. Guptan Nair|title=Asthiyude Pookkal Changampuzha Kaviyum Kavithayum|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FQIYvAEACAAJ|year=1998|publisher=DC Books|language=ml|isbn=978-81-7130-862-0|page=171}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=206746&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Srushtiyum Srashtavum |last=Guptan Nair S |date=1999 |publisher=D.C Books, Kottayam |location=D.C Books, Kottayam}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=84489&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Gadyam Pinnitta Vazhikal |last=Guptan Nair |first=S. |date=2001 |publisher=D. C. Books |isbn=9788126403332 |location=Kottayam}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=85711&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Kesariyute Vimarsam |last=Guptan Nair |first=S. |date=2002 |publisher=Kerala Sahitya Academy |isbn=9788176900478 |location=Thrissur}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=85097&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Yaskamuniyude Nirukthopakramam |last1=Guptan Nair |last2=Vedabendhu |date=2004 |publisher=State Institute of Languages |isbn=9788176384230 |location=Thiruvananthapuram}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=84970&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Keralavum Sangeethavum |last=Guptan Nair |first=S. |date=2004 |publisher=Poorna |isbn=9788130001258 |location=Kozhikode}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=272268&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Kaavya Swaroopam |last=Guptan Nair |first=S. |date=2004 |publisher=Lipi Publications |location=Kozhikode}}
• {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/gupthan-nayarude-lekhanangal-essays-s-gupthan-nair?author_id=&page=2 |title=Gupthan Nayarude Lekhanangal |last=S. Guptan nair |publisher=Mathrubhumi Books |year=2007}}
• {{cite book|author=S. Guptan Nair|title=Samalochanayum Punaralochanayum|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RUlVPgAACAAJ|date=2007|publisher=DC Books|language=ml|isbn=978-81-264-1479-6}}
• {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/thookkakkarante-chiri-literary-study-s-gupthan-nair?author_id=141 |title=Thookkakkarante Chiri |last=S. Guptan Nair |publisher=Poorna Publications |year=2010}}
• {{Cite book |title=Thirayum Chuzhiyum |last=S. Guptan Nair |publisher=Lipi Publications |year=2012 |isbn=978-8188012879}}

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• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=213901&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Tagore Kaviyum Manushyanum |last=Guptan Nair. S |date=1974 |publisher=Kumar.K.S}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=45218&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=C. V. Raman Pillai |last=Guptan Nair |first=S. |date=1992 |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |location=New Delhi}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=228914&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Adhythmika Vavodanathinte Shilpikal |last=Guptan Nair |first=S. |publisher=Mathrubhumi books |location=Kozhikode}}

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• {{cite book|author=S. Guptan Nair|title=Manasasmarami|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_3CpNQAACAAJ|date=1 January 2007|publisher=DC Books|language=ml|isbn=978-81-264-1247-1|page=348}}

• {{cite book|author1=S. Guptan Nair|translator1=K. K. Nair |title=Aayda Malayala Sanna Kathegalu|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3sBEPwAACAAJ|date=1 January 1996|publisher=Sahitya Akademi Publications|language=kn|isbn=978-81-260-0029-6}}

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• {{Cite book |title=Kuttikunju Thankachiyude Kruthikal |last=S. Guptan Nair |publisher=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |year=1979}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=306513&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Thunchan prabandhangal |last=S. Guptan Nair |date=1985 |publisher=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |editor-last=Guptan Nair |editor-first=S. |location=Thrissur}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=223115&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Dr. Godavarmayude Prabandangal |last=Guptan Nair. S |date=1990 |publisher=Thiruvananthapuram Kerala Bhasha Institute |location=Thiruvananthapuram Kerala Bhasha Institute}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=211567&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Pashathyakathakal |last=Guptan Nair S |date=1992 |publisher=Kerala Sahitya Academy |location=Kerala Sahitya Academy}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=210889&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Kerala Bhasha Nighandu |date=1997 |publisher=Kerala Bhasha Institute |editor-last=Gupthan Nair S |location=Thiruvananthapuram}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://www.abebooks.com/B-Concise-English-Malayalam-Dictionary-Guptan-Nair/22422185629/bd |title=N B S Concise English-Malayalam Dictionary |last=S. Guptan Nair |publisher=Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham |language=en}}

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• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=299920&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=Prof. S Guptan Nair: Vyakti, Nirupakan, Adhyapakan |date=2015 |publisher=Kerala Bhasha Institute |isbn=9788176389808 |editor-last=Narayanakkuruppu |editor-first=P. |location=Thiruvananthapuram |editor-last2=Vasudevan Pillai |editor-first2=A. M.}}
• {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=272582&query_desc=kw%252Cwrdl%253A%2520S.%2520Guptan%2520Nair |title=S Guptan Nair Vyakriyum Nirupakanum |date=1994 |publisher=D C Books |editor-last=Ramachandran Nair |editor-first=K. |location=Kottayam}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/RamanPillaiC.V.GuptanNairS.SahityaAkademiMS/Raman%20Pillai%20C.V.%20Guptan%20Nair%20S.%20Sahitya%20Akademi%20%28MS%29_djvu.txt |title=Makers of Indian Literature |last=S. Guptan Nair |year=1992 |website=Shodhganaga |publisher=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |quote=full text of the article on C. V. Raman Pillai}}
• {{Cite web |url=http://sguptannair.blogspot.com/ |title=Tribute to S Guptan Nair - An eminent Critic |date=2007}}

• {{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/lf/2003/06/25/stories/2003062501570200.htm |title=Literary debate |date=June 25, 2003 |website=The Hindu |access-date=2019-02-08}}{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

{{Sahitya Akademi Award For Malayalam}}

{{Ezhuthachan Puraskaram}}

{{Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship}}

{{Malayalam Literature |state=collapsed}}

{{Vayalar Awards}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nair, S. Guptan}}

Category:Malayalam-language writers

Category:Writers from Kerala

Category:Indian male essayists

Category:Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Malayalam

Category:Recipients of the Ezhuthachan Award

Category:Academic staff of the University College Thiruvananthapuram

Category:Academic staff of Government Victoria College, Palakkad

Category:Academic staff of Maharaja's College, Ernakulam

Category:Malayalam literary critics

Category:Recipients of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award

Category:2006 deaths

Category:1919 births

Category:People from Kollam district

Category:20th-century Indian essayists

Category:Indian literary critics