Joseph Edamaruku (7 September 1934 – 29 June 2006), popularly identified by his surname Edamaruku, was a journalist and rationalist from Kerala. He was the Delhi Bureau chief of the Malayalam magazine Keralasabdam for more than twenty years, and the founder-editor of Therali, a rationalist periodical in Malayalam.[2] He was president of the Indian Rationalist Association from 1995 to 2005.[1]

Joseph Edamaruku
Born(1934-09-07)7 September 1934
India
Died29 June 2006(2006-06-29) (aged 71)[1]
Occupation(s)Journalist, author, activist
OrganizationIndian Rationalist Association
AwardsKerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Autobiography

Edamaruku influenced a generation of freethinkers in 1970s and 1980s. His books were best-sellers in Kerala during those times. As a rationalist and an atheist, he wrote over 170 books on various subjects ranging from religion to philosophy to miracles. His autobiography, The Times that Raised the Tempest, won a Kerala Literary Academy award.[3] He also translated and published in Malayalam the complete works of Abraham Kovoor. His son, Sanal Edamaruku, is an Indian rationalist and president of the Rationalist International, who is currently in exile in Finland.

Selected publications

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  • Edamaruku, Joseph (2012). Christhuvum Krishnanum Jeevichirunnilla [Christ & Krishna Never Lived] (in Malayalam). India: Indian Atheist Publishers. ASIN B07GPRVLVY.
  • Edamaruku, Joseph (2015). Bhagavad Gita A Critical Study: Philosophy behind Hindutva explained. Rationalist International. ASIN B00TMIMS2E.
  • Upanishathukal: Oru Vimarsana Patanam (Upanishands: A Critical Study)
  • Chuvanna Theruvukal Chuvannath Engane?
  • Quran: Oru Vimarsana Patanam (Quran: A Critical Study)
  • Yukthivada Rashtram (Rationalist Nation)
  • Kovoorinte Sampoorna Krithikal (Complete Works of Abraham Kovoor: Translation)
  • Jaina Matham
  • Naveena Brahmana Matham
  • Ivar Matha Nishedhikal
  • India Gazetteer and Bhoomisasthra Nighandu
  • Kodumkattuyarthiya Kalam
  • Samsarikkunna Kuthira

Awards

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  • Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Biography and Autobiography (1999)[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Noted rationalist Edamaruku passes away". DNA India. Diligent Media Corporation. Archived from the original on 17 August 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  2. ^ Pande, SK (5 November 2018). "Debiprasad Chattopadhyaya: A Centenary Salute to Multifaceted Philosopher". Newsclick. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b Leckey, Susan, ed. (2015). The Europa Directory of Literary Awards and Prizes. Routledge. p. 227. ISBN 9781135356316.
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