Balachandran Chullikkad (born 30 July 1957) is an Indian poet, orator, lyricist and actor in Malayalam-language media.

Early life Balachandran was born in Paravur, Ernakulam, Kerala, India. He completed his graduation in English literature from the Union Christian College, Aluva (first two years) and Maharajas College, Ernakulam.

Career His collection of poems published includes Pathinettu Kavithakal, Amaavaasi, Ghazal, Maanasaantharam, Dracula etc. Another collection of his previously published poems, Balachandran Chullikkadinte Kavithakal (The Poems of Balachandran Chullikkad), was published in 2000. He has also published a book of his memoirs, Chidambarasmarana (2001).

He has participated in many national literary seminars organised by the Central Academy of Letters, India. He was one among the ten members of a cultural delegation of India to Sweden in 1997 invited by Nobel Academy and Swedish Writers Union."Cultural Exchange Programmes and Festivals of India Abroad" . Sahitya Akademi. Retrieved 23 January 2023. He represented Indian poetry in the international bookfair in Gothenburg, Sweden in November 1997."ജന്മദിന ആഘോഷങ്ങളിൽ നിന്നകന്ന് ബുദ്ധവിഹാരത്തിൽ ബാലചന്ദ്രൻ ചുളളിക്കാട്". Indian Express (in Malayalam). 30 July 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2023.

Chullikkad is also an actor in Malayalam films and serials. As an actor, he is best known for G. Aravindan's Pokkuveyil (1981) in which he played a young artist who lives with his father, a radical friend and a music-loving young woman. The film is about how his world collapses when his father dies, the radical friend leaves him and her family takes the woman away to another city.

In 2018, he criticised the state education department for their incompetency in teaching Malayalam language. He urged it to remove his poems from curricula in schools, colleges and universities. Chullikkadu alleged that marks were being given in abundance for papers containing mistakes without proper evaluation, and the appointment of Malayalam teachers are not on the basis of qualifications, but caste, religion, political influence and nepotism. He said research work on Malayalam literature lack quality and that doctoral degrees were conferred on even those works which contain mistakes.

Personal life Chullikkad is married to Vijayalakshmi, a known Malayalam poet and they have a son named Appu."ചുള്ളിക്കാടിന് ഒരു പിറന്നാള്‍ കൂടി..". Madhyamam (in Malayalam). 31 July 2013. Retrieved 23 January 2023.

In 2000, he took Buddhism as his religion.Malayalam poet embraces Buddhism Rediff – 24 January 2000 He says that this cannot be called a conversion from Hinduism because he was never a follower of that religion. "I have not converted because I have not been a believer though I was a Hindu. I have now embraced Buddhism, not converted to Buddhism. The problem with Hinduism is that it is a religion of social status and set-ups. Your value in Hinduism depends on the family in which you were born," he says.George Iype (4 April 2000). "Hindu gods never forgive. They only punish". Rediff.com. Retrieved 10 June 2013.

Political views In a 2000 interview, Chullikkad revealed that he was a sympathiser of the Naxalite movement during his teenage years. He then continued as a Marxist for some years. But after the fall of the Soviet Union and "the Eastern European experience", he rethought his conviction about Marxism and reorganised his intellectual life on a different path. "I found that Marxism is outdated and irrelevant. Now I am not a Marxist, but a social and political democrat. Soviet experience proved that individual freedom without the base of socialism and socialism without sanctioning individual freedom is a failure. Communism practised all over the world is some kind of socialism without sanctioning individual freedom. Communism without approving individual freedom is social fascism", he said.

Awards In 1990, he refused the Sanskriti Award for the best young writer in India and declared that he would not accept any award for his literary works."ബാലചന്ദ്രന്‍ ചുള്ളിക്കാട് തിരഞ്ഞെടുത്ത ചങ്ങമ്പുഴക്കവിതകള്‍". Daily Indian Herald (in Malayalam). 14 August 2015. Retrieved 22 January 2023. In 2001, his work Balachandran Chullikkadinte Kavithakal was selected for the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry, but Chullikkad did not accept the award. In 2003, he received the National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film Narration / Voice Over (Non Feature Film Category) for The 18 Elephants – 3 Monologues.

Bibliography Poetry Pathinettu Kavithakal (Trichur: Rasana, 1980) Amavasi (Kottayam: S.P.C.S., 1982) Ghazal (Kottayam: DC Books, 1987) Ente Sachidanandan Kavithakal (Calicut: Bodhi, 1993) Manasantharam (Trichur: Current, 1994) Dracula (Kottayam: DC Books, 1998) Balachandran Chullikkadinte Kavithakal (Kottayam: DC Books, 2000) Prathinayakan (Kottayam: DC Books, 2013) Balachandran Chullikkadinte Kavitha Paribhashakal (Kottayam: DC Books, 2013) Rakthakinnaram (Kottayam: DC Books, 2017) Alakal (Calicut: Mathrubhumi, 2021)"127 കുഞ്ഞുകവിതകളില്‍ വാക്കുകളുടെ വിരുന്നൊരുക്കി വീണ്ടും ചുള്ളിക്കാട് | അലകള്‍ |കിതാബ്". Mathrubhumi. 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 January 2023. Ulkkakal (Kozhikode: Mathrubhumi, 2024)ബാലചന്ദ്രന്‍ ചുള്ളിക്കാടിന്റെ പുതിയ കവിതാസമാഹാരം പ്രസിദ്ധീകരിച്ചു. Mathrubhumi. 3 June 2024 Retrieved 10 October 2024. Marakkamo (DC Books, 2024)

Others Chidambarasmarana (Alwaye: Pen, 1998, memoirs) Hiranyam (Kottayam: DC Books, 2019, short novel)

Filmography Films As Actor Year Title Role Notes 1982 Pokkuveyil 1987 Ezhuthapurangal Balan Theertham Shivan 1988 Marikkunnilla Njaan 1994 Pradakshinam Sraadham 2005 Rappakal Deva Narayanan Maanikyan Himself Cameo The Tiger Dr. Bharathan Kumar Nerariyan CBI Thirumeni Bharathchandran I.P.S. Mudoor Sidhan 2006 Chinthamani Kolacase Sathyan Master Aanachandam Vishwanathan Vaasthavam 2007 Ali Bhai Collector Sukumaran Nair Abraham & Lincoln Nasrani Adv. Mathews 2008 One Way Ticket Balan Master Parunthu Abraham Oridathoru Puzhayundu Comrade Dasettan Minnaminnikoottam Appukuttan Maashu Pakal Nakshatrangal Roudram Doctor Surendran 2009 Kali Evidam Swargamanu Elias Vellathooval Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded Samastha Keralam PO Balagangadharan Patham Nilayile Theevandi Board member Chattambinadu Kattappilly Cheriya Kuruppu Madhya Venal Vairam: Fight for Justice Ivar Vivahitharayal 2010 Drona 2010 Nelloor Karanavar Pokkiri Raja Amma Nilaavu Sadgamaya Body Guard Elsamma Enna Aankutty Dr. Stephen Tharakan Sakudumbam Shyamala Pranchiyettan & the Saint Ajay Nambiar 2011 Ithu Nammude Katha Advocate Three Kings Shankaran Unni Raja's father August 15 Vasudevan Collector Bombay March 12 2012 Orkut Oru Ormakoot Naughty Professor Ayalum Njanum Thammil Murali Mayamohini Shankaradi Melpathoor Thattathin Marayathu Last Bench Vinyan 916 Narayanan 2013 Sound Thoma Dr. George Joseph Bharya Athra Pora Rajendran August Club White Paper Lokpal Ashraf Immanuel Madhavettan Proprietors: Kammath & Kammath Sathyaneshan Namboothiri Yuvavu @ 43 Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty Shamsu Nadodimannan KRP Omega.exe Silence Pigman Kaattum Mazhayum Unreleased 2014 Cousins Varkey Master The Dolphins Pranayakadha Kootathil Oral Manja Abhayaraj's friend Mr. Fraud Adv. Idiculla On The Way Thomson Villa Parayan Baaki Vechathu Ringmaster Onnum Mindathe 2015 Kumbasaram Mashithandu Oru New Generation Pani Onnam Loka Mahayudham Tharakangale Sakshi Ellam Chettante Ishtam Pole 32aam Adhyayam 23aam Vaakyam Noaha Two Countries Kanaran Master 2016 Action Hero Biju Paulachan Kolamass Pachakallam King Liar Paraparambil Narayanan Nair Welcome to Central Jail Khader 2017 Hello Dubaikkaran Sathya Aakashamittayee Himself Role Models College Principal Vishwa Vikhyatharaya Payyanmar Govindan Master 2018 Marubhoomiyile Mazhathullikal Aami Himself Ottakoru Kaamukan Older Dominic Neeli Mohanlal Hari Ira Judge Oru Pazhaya Bomb Kadha Rohith Shetty Thanaha 2019 Janaadhipan Swamy Madhura Raja Adv. Mohandas Children's Park Rishi's father Thrissur Pooram Adv. Jayamohan 2021 Ice Orathi Bheeshma Parvam Girija Achari 2022 Naradan Vijayan 2023 Sesham Mike-il Fathima Himself 2025 L Jagadamma Ezham Class B Aabhyanthara Kuttavaali Sahadevan's father Flask 2026 Bharathanatyam 2 Mohiniyattam Sathyan Mollywood Times Vineeth's grandfather

Screenwriter Year Title Notes 1987 Jaalakam Story, screenplay and dialogues 1987 Idanazhiyil Oru Kaalocha Story and dialogues 1988 Oozham Story and screenplay 1990 Orukkam Story 1994 Pradakshinam Story

Television Year Title Role Notes2024-PresentSnehapoorvam ShyamaZee Keralam2023–2024Anuraga Ganam PoleZee Keralam2022–2023Amma MakalZee KeralamThoovalsparsham (TV series)Asianet2020–2023ThinkalkalamaanSurya TV2019–2020Chackoyum Maryyum Mazhavil Manorama2019–2021Sumangali Bhava Zee Keralam2018–2020Bhagyajathakam Mazhavil Manorama2018Gauri Surya TV2017Seetha Flowers TV2017–2018Ammuvinte Amma Mazhavil Manorama2016–2017Pokkuveyil Flowers TV2016Mayamohini Mazhavil Manorama2015Karuthamuthu Asianet2015GangaDoordarshan2014Balamani Mazhavil Manorama2013Eran Nilav Doordarshan2011Chila Nerangalil Chila Manushyar Amrita TV2011–2012Kathayile RajakumariMazhavil Manorama2010Indhraneelam Surya TVDevimahathmyam Asianet2009–2010Vadakaikkoru Hridayam Amrita TV2009Pookalam Surya TV title song lyrics2008–2009Priyamanasi Surya TV2008Thulabharam Surya TVMeera Asianet2007Makalude Amma Surya TVMizhi Thurakkumbol Surya TVVenalmazha Surya TVParvanenduSwapnagale Kaaval Kairali TVMizhi Thurakkumo Doordarshan

Web series Year Title Role Notes 2024 Jai Mahendran Rtd Tahasildar Shibu

Discography Lyricist Song / Poem Film Year Singer / Notes "Amme Pinvili Vilikkaathe" Pokkuveyil 1982 "Oru Ormmathan" Pokkuveyil 1982 "Nimishamaam" Sruthi 1987 S. Janaki "Leelaaravindam" Sruthi 1987 K. J. Yesudas "Cheekithirukiya" Sruthi 1987 K. J. Yesudas "Onam Vannu" (Bit) Sruthi 1987 "Ganapathiye Nin Achan" Theertham 1987 "Aathintho" Theertham 1987 "Bas More Nainan" Theertham 1987 "Paampu Kadicha" Ezhuthaappurangal 1987 "Kaanaamarayathu" Pradakshinam 1994 "Indrasabha" Abraham & Lincoln 2007 "Thakkida Tharikida" Abraham & Lincoln 2007 "Swapnamaraalike" Abraham & Lincoln 2007 "Kezhamaan Kannaale" Abraham & Lincoln 2007 "Uduraajamukhi" Abraham & Lincoln 2007 "Raagam Shokam" Thaniye 2007 "Choodathe Poyi Nee" 1983 2014 "Arikilundu Njaanengilum" Poomaram 2018 "Ore Sooryanalle" Poomaram 2018 "Choodathe Poyi Nee" Etham 2022 "Janmanaattil Chennu Vandiyirangave" Zha 2024

Playback singer Song Film Year Notes "Poothappaattu" Chillu 1982 "Amme Pinvili Vilikkaathe" Pokkuveyil 1982 Also composer "Joseph, Oru Ormmathan" Pokkuveyil 1982 Also composer "Paampu Kadicha" Ezhuthaappurangal 1987 Also composer "Idavamaasa Perumazha" Makalkku 2005 "Ottakkirikkunnu" Mashithandu 2015 "Enikku Nere" Oppam 2016

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