940 short stories across 22 diaries: Extraordinary life of a retired teacher in Kerala

Thalassery, Kerala: At over 70, Sreekumari Sankaranellur, a retired school teacher, continues to write with remarkable dedication. She has authored 940 short stories, 12 novels, four novelettes, and numerous poems, with four novels already published. The fifth novel is currently getting ready for release, bringing her total published works to 17 books.

Sreekumari began her career as a UP school teacher and retired in 2007 after 29 years of service. She published her first short story collection, Mukhamudra, in 2018. She actively shares her writings through 28 WhatsApp groups, with friends noting that everything she experiences, hears, or observes often becomes a story.

Originally from Kodimatha in Kottayam district, she moved to Kannur through her father’s friend M.K. Purushothaman, in search of a job. In the same year, she became a teacher and married school teacher E.K. Janardanan of Ramavilasam HSS Chokli. Encouraged by her father Padmanabhan, Sreekumari began writing stories in her childhood.

After retiring, she won awards in literary competitions for teachers and has preserved all her writings in 22 diaries. She has received numerous awards, including one from veteran CPM leader MV Govindan during a ceremony at Thaliparambu.

Sreekumari, who later adopted the name Sreekumari Sankaranellur, has published collections such as Thamburattikkathakal, Ayalum Nalupenkuttykalum Vazhimaari Ozhukam, Penma, and Mukhamudra. Her novels include Malavika Devadasam, Malakha, Nirabhedangal, and Eval Gauri. She has also contributed to the Ramayana Balavijnanakosha, published in both Malayalam and English.

Other works include Manojalakam on mythological characters, Elancheri Madappura Charithram, and School Anubhavangalum Thalirkunna Ormmakalum, reflecting her school experiences and cherished memories. Sreekumari credits fellow teacher Rajalakshmi for encouraging her to publish works that had never been shared publicly.

She also acknowledged the support of the Senior Citizens Forum and its state secretary P. Kumaran in facilitating her book publications. Sreekumari currently resides with her family at Shankaranelloor, Kuttippuram Sreenidhi.