P. Balachandran

Padmanabhan Balachandran Nair (2 February 1952 – 5 April 2021) was an Indian writer, playwright, scenarist, director, and actor. He was known for his work in Malayalam literature and Malayalam cinema.

Career
Balachandran is best known for the play Paavam Usman for which he won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award and Kerala Professional Nataka Award in the year 1989. He has scripted many films including Ulladakkam (1991), Pavithram (1994), Agnidevan (1995), Punaradhivasam (2000), and Kammatti Paadam (2016). His directorial debut is Ivan Megharoopan (2012). He has also acted in a few films, the most notable being Trivandrum Lodge (2012).

Personal life
He was born to Padmanabha Pillai and Saraswati Bhai on 2 February 1952, in Sasthamkotta, Kerala. He was married to Sreelatha and the couple had two children, Sreekanth and Parvathy.

Death
Balachandran died at the age of 69 on 5 April 2021 at his house in Vaikom. He had suffered from brain fever for a long time and was hospitalized many times, the last time being in July 2020. His body was cremated with full state honours.

Awards

 * 1989: Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Drama – Paavam Usman
 * 2008: Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi Award for Drama