Syam Sudhakar

Syam Sudhakar (born October 16, 1983) is a poet from Kerala, India. He writes poems in Malayalam, his native language. His poems have been translated into English and Tamil. His first publication was the anthology Earpam (Damp). This was followed by Syam Sudhakar Kavithaikal (Poems of Syam Sudhakar) translated into Tamil by the Tamil writer Yuma Vasuki. He has also published a number of poems and articles in leading magazines and journals both in India and abroad. He also has a few radio publications to his credit.

The sound patterns on which Malayalam poetry functions is moulded to perfection in the poetry of Syam Sudhakar. Being a member of the younger generation, the visual media culture that defines this generation has left a mark on him, which in turn is reflected in his poetry. Most of his poems resonate with strong visual images. K. Satchidanandan notes that his poems revel in linguistic play and thus interiorize the ontological essence of poetry. He points out that it is difficult to narrow in on a particular theme or story in his poems.

The spark of inebriate words

Creeps up the spine

Slowly

Transparently.

(54, from "Enchantress")

Syam Sudhakar received his Masters in English Literature from the University of Madras, in 2008 and Master of Philosophy from Presidency College, Chennai in 2009, specialising in South Indian Aesthetics. He received his PhD form University of Madras, Chennai, specializing in the Beat Generation writers. He is also one of the founder members of Centre for Performance Research and Cultural Studies in South Asia. He is currently teaching English literature at St. Thomas College, Thrissur, Kerala.

Syam Sudhakar won the Vallatol Poetry Prize for poetry conducted by the Kerala Kalamandalam, Cheruthurithi, Kerala, for the year 2007-2008. He was awarded the Madras Kerala Samajam Poetry Award, Madras Kerala Samajam, Chennai in 2008. On invitation, he has also delivered poetry readings and lectures in Brisbane and Sydney in 2009 and 2013.

Earpam (Damp, 2001)

Syam Sudhakar Kavithaikal (Poems of Syam Sudhakar, 2008)

Drenched by the Sun (2013)

Slicing the Moon: A Screen book of Poems (2013)

Avasanathe Kollimeen (The Last Meteor, 2014)