Svetlananhr at 04:29, 20 January 2026

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{{Short description|Indian writer}}
{{For|others with similar name|Benjamin (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox writer
| name = Benyamin
| image = Benyamin_Writer.jpg
| image_size = 200px
| alt =
| caption = Benyamin in July 2018
| pseudonym = Benyamin
| birth_name = Benny Daniel
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1971|05|18|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Kulanada]], [[Pathanamthitta district|Pathanamthitta]], [[Kerala]], India
| nationality = [[Indian people|Indian]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| resting_place =
| occupation = {{hlist|[[Novelist]]|[[Screenwriter]]|}}
| language = [[Malayalam]]
| education =
| spouse = {{marriage|Asha Mathew|2000}}
| children =Rohan Benny<br/>Kezia Ann Benny
| alma_mater =
| period = 2000 - present
| genre =
| subject =
| movement =
| notableworks = ''[[Goat Life]]''<br/>''Manja Veyil Maranangal''
| relatives =
| awards = {{Bulleted_list|[[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award]]|[[JCB Prize]]|[[Vayalar Award]]}}
| signature =
| signature_alt =
| website =
| portaldisp =
}}

'''Benny Daniel''' (born on 18 May 1971), better known by his pen name '''Benyamin''', is an Indian writer in [[Malayalam]] from [[Kerala]]. He is the author of about thirty books in various genres – from short stories to novels and memoirs. For his novel ''[[Goat Days]]'' (''Aadujeevitham''), he won the [[Abu Dhabi Sakthi Award]], [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award]] and [[JCB Prize]], and was shortlisted for the [[Man Asian Literary Prize]]. The novel ''Manthalirile 20 Communist Varshangal'' won the [[Vayalar Award]] in 2021.

Apart from literature he ventured [[Malayalam film industry]] in 2023 as a co-writer of the Malayalam film ''[[Christy (2023 film)|Christy]]'' with the writer [[G.R. Indugopan]], which marked his debut as a screenwriter. His magnum opus novel ''[[Aadujeevitham]]'' has been adapted by director [[Blessy]] into a film,''[[The Goat Life]]'', which was released on 28 March 2024.

== Early life ==
Benyamin was born on May 18, 1971, in the Njettoor area of [[Kulanada]] village, near [[Pandalam]], in [[Pathanamthitta]] district in the southern part of [[Kerala]].After living in Bahrain from 1992 to 2013, he returned to Kerala.
He also spent some time in Australia.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/books/the-prodigal-son-returned-author-benny-daniel-on-his-return-to-india/|title=The prodigal son returned: Author Benyamin on his return to India|date=2015-12-06|work=The Indian Express|access-date=2018-10-25|language=en-US}}</ref>
At present, he resides in his Mannil Puthenveedu home in Njettoor.

==Personal life==
Benyamin married Asha Mathew on 2 January 2000 and they have two children Rohan Benny and Kezia Ann Benny.
===Family Tree===
{{align|left|'''Mannil Puthanveedu Family'''}}
{{Tree chart/start|align=center}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | |||||| }}
{{Tree chart| | |||Benyamin|v|Asha|||||||||||||||||||||||Benyamin=Benyamin (Benny Daniel)|Asha=Asha Mathew|}}
{{Tree chart| |||||,|-|^|-|.| | ||||||||||||}}
{{Tree chart|||||Rohan||Kezia|Rohan=Rohan Benny |Kezia=Kezia Ann Benny}}
{{Tree chart/end|align=center}}

== Education ==
He had his primary education at Manthuka Government U.P. School. Later, he completed his pre-degree from Catholicate College, Pathanamthitta, and earned a diploma from Nanjappa Institute of Technology in Coimbatore.

== Writing Career ==
In 2000, ''Euthanasia'' was the first short story collection in Malayalam literature.
===Goat Days (2008)===
''[[Goat Days]]'' (''Aadujeevitham''), his most famous novel, portrays the life of Najeeb, an Indian labourer and how he survives the hardships and tortures in [[Saudi Arabia]]. It is used as a textbook at [[Kerala University]], [[Calicut University]], [[Bharathiar University]], [[Pondicherry University]] and 10th standard for Kerala State syllabus.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-06-14|title=Aadujeevitham novel: The Best Malayalam Novel(adujeevitham)|url=https://theinfomate.com/aadujeevitham-novel/|access-date=2021-10-05|website=The Infomate|language=en-US}}</ref> It was a magnum opus and a turning point work of Bennyamin in his writing career. ''[[The Goat Life]]'' is a film adaptation of this novel directed by [[Blessy]].

===Yellow Lights Of Death (2011) ===
Yellow Lights Of Death (Manjaveyil Maranagal) describes that once the author unexpectedly receives half of a story by email from a young man named Christy Andraper. At a seaside cafe, two friends, Christy and Jesinta, witness a murder. Christy discovers that his classmate Senthil was shot. But the police say that no such crime has been committed so far. The hospital authorities say he had a heart attack. Christy begins to suspect a conspiracy and begins to investigate. It's a beautiful work that leaves the readers to be confused as to whether it was a real incident or a fictional event, keeping it a mystery from start to the end.

===Jasmine Days (2014)===
''[[Jasmine Days]]'' (''Mullappoo Niramulla Pakalukal'') tells the story of a young woman Sameera Parvin who moves to a middle eastern city and finds herself in the middle of a revolution. It revolves around the [[Tunisian Revolution|Jasmine Revolution]] that sprang up in December 2010 and was quelled by January 2011.<ref name="One is the loneliest number">{{cite web | url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blink/read/one-is-the-loneliest-number/article25687804.ece | title=One is the loneliest number | publisher=The Hindu BusinessLine | date=December 7, 2018 | accessdate=January 22, 2019}}</ref> The English translation of the novel won the inaugural [[JCB Prize for Literature]], the richest literary award in the country. The jury chairperson Vivek Shanbag called the novel "brilliant and intense".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/books/malayalam-author-benyamins-jasmine-days-wins-first-jcb-prize-for-literature/article25319469.ece|title=Malayalam author Benyamin's 'Jasmine Days' wins first JCB Prize for literature|date=2018-10-25|work=The Hindu|access-date=2018-10-25|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-10-04|title=Debuts and translations make up the JCB Prize 2021 shortlist|url=https://lifestyle.livemint.com//news/talking-point/debuts-and-translations-make-up-the-jcb-prize-2021-shortlist-111633324178619.html|access-date=2021-10-05|website=Mintlounge|language=en}}</ref>
===Tharakans Grandhavari (2022) ===
''Tharakans Grandhavari'' (''The Chronicles of Tharakan'') is a unique experiment in narrative style as well as in production and publication. The plot revolves around the life of Mathu Tharakan and is narrated through 120 incidents. The book is published as 120 loose cards and the readers are given the choice to dictate the narrative. Each copy of the book is uniquely assembled such that each copy is a distinct permutation of the many possibilities in which the novel could be read.<ref>[http://www.allaboutbookpublishing.com/9590/a-unique-book-by-dc-books/ "A Unique Book By DC Books"]. Allaboutbookpublishing.com. 3 August 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2023.</ref><ref>[https://www.madhyamam.com/culture/literature/tharakans-grandhavari-994238 "ബെന്യാമിന്‍റെ "തരകന്‍സ് ഗ്രന്ഥവരി: അത്യപൂര്‍വ്വമായ ഒരു നോവല്‍ പരീക്ഷണം"]. ''[[Madhyamam]]'' (in Malayalam). 4 May 2022. Retrieved 8 February 2023.</ref>

===Christy (2023) ===
Beyond novel writing, In 2023, he made his debut as a screenwriter by co-writing the script of the film ''[[Christy (2023 film)|Christy]]'' with novelist [[G. R. Indugopan]] and he also played a small character in the film.<ref>[https://www.mathrubhumi.com/special-pages/christy/mathew-thomas-malavika-movie-christy-benyamin-character-poster-revealed-1.8309742 "തോമസായി ബെന്യാമിന്‍; ക്രിസ്റ്റിയിലെ ക്യാരക്ടര്‍ പോസ്റ്റര്‍ പുറത്ത്"]. ''[[Mathrubhumi]]'' (in Malayalam). 14 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.</ref> Also, the screenplay of this film is written by both of them has been published in book form by Manorama Books, which was launched during the audio launch of the film.

==Film Career==
Benyamin took his first step into cinema through the early discussions about adapting 2008 published novel, Aadujeevithamninto a film. Many renowned filmmakers, including Lal Jose and Adoor Gopalakrishnan, approached him to make the adaptation, but he eventually joined hands with acclaimed director Blessy.

Although deeply connected and affectionate toward literature, he did not hold the same attachment toward cinema; hence, he did not write the screenplay for Aadujeevitham, entrusting that responsibility entirely to Blessy. In 2018, the shooting of Aadujeevitham finally began, marking Benyamin’s true entry into the world of cinema. When the film released in 2024, it quickly achieved massive acceptance, just like the novel itself.

Yet, despite being one of the main creative spirits behind Aadujeevitham, he remained more like a shadow during the writing phase. Before the release of Aadujeevitham, Benyamin—who generally kept a distance from screenplay writing—stepped into the field through the film Christy, co-writing the script with another writer, G. R. Indugopan, while also appearing in a small role. The film began production in September 2022, wrapped up in December, and released in 2023, but turned out to be a complete failure.

Later, his next appearance in cinema came through a small cameo in Osler, released in 2024.

==Awards and honours==

* 2008 [[Abu Dhabi Sakthi Award]] (Novel), Winner, ''[[Goat Days|Aadujeevitham]]''<ref>[https://www.thehindu.com/books/benyamin/article4336130.ece "Benyamin"]. ''The Hindu''. 26 January 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2023.</ref>
* 2009 [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Novel]], Winner, ''[[Goat Days|Aadujeevitham]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3065:aboutkerala-literary-awards&catid=271:about-kerala&Itemid=2379|publisher=Government of Kerala|title=Literary Awards|accessdate=August 18, 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140701184347/http://kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3065%3Aaboutkerala-literary-awards&catid=271%3Aabout-kerala&Itemid=2379|archivedate=July 1, 2014}}</ref>
* 2012 [[Man Asian Literary Prize]], Longlist, ''Goat Days''<ref name=pw2012>{{cite web |url=http://www.pw.org/content/man_asian_literary_prize_announces_longlist?cmnt_all=1 |title=Man Asian Literary Prize Announces Long List |work=[[Poets & Writers]] |date=December 18, 2012 |accessdate=January 9, 2013}}</ref>
*2013 [[DSC Prize for South Asian Literature]], Shortlist, ''Goat Days''<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=[[India Today]]|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/indian-writers-dsc-prize-south-asian-literature-2014-anand-benyamin-cyrus-mistry-218298-2013-11-22|title=Three Indians in race for DSC prize for South Asian Literature 2014|date=November 22, 2013|access-date=November 22, 2013|author=Ashlin Mathew}}</ref>
* 2014 [[Padmaprabha Literary Award]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://metrovaartha.com/en/2015/08/30/benyamin-chosen-for-padma-prabha-puraskaram/|title=Benyamin chosen for Padma Prabha puraskaram|date=August 30, 2015|publisher=Metro Vaartha|accessdate=22 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151122221205/http://metrovaartha.com/en/2015/08/30/benyamin-chosen-for-padma-prabha-puraskaram/|archive-date=22 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 2018 [[JCB Prize|JCB Prize for Literature]], Winner, ''[[Jasmine Days]]''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thejcbprize.org/winner2018/index/2806361d-0c52-4c94-a207-993f47734595|title=Jasmine Days - Benyamin|website=thejcbprize.org|access-date=2018-10-25|archive-date=25 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025110234/https://thejcbprize.org/winner2018/index/2806361d-0c52-4c94-a207-993f47734595|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* 2018 [[Crossword Book Award]] for Indian language translation, Winner, ''Jasmine Days''<ref name="Crossword Book Award - Winners">{{Cite web |url=https://www.crossword.in/winning_titles |title=Crossword Book Award - Winners |date=2019-03-31 |website=www.crossword.in |access-date=2019-03-31}}</ref>
* 2019 [[Muttathu Varkey Award]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.eastcoastdaily.in/2019/04/27/benyamin-gets-muttathu-varkey-award.html |title=Benyamin gets Muttathu Varkey Award |date=27 April 2019 |website=East Coast Daily |access-date=17 December 2020}}</ref>
* 2021 [[Vayalar Award]], ''Manthalirile 20 Communist Varshangal''<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 October 2021 |title=Vayalar Award for Benyamin |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/vayalar-award-for-benyamin/article36912743.ece |access-date=21 November 2021 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

==Bibliography==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
!! style=width:15em | Title
!! style=width:15em | Title in English
!! style=width:15em | Category
!! style=width:14em | Publisher
|-
| 2000
| ''Euthanasia''
| ''Mercy Killing''
| Collection of stories
| [[Calicut]]: [[Mulberry Publications]]
|-
| 2000
| ''Irunda Vanasthalikal''
| ''Dark Forest Places''
| Diary notes
| [[Aluva]]: Pen Books
|-
| 2006
| ''Abeesagin''
| ''Abeesagin''
| Novel
| [[Thrissur]]: Current Books
|-
| 2006
| ''Penmarattam''
| ''Ladies Sex''
| Collection of stories
| [[Calicut]]: Haritham Books
|-
| 2007
| ''Pravachakanmarude Randam Pustakam''
| ''The Second Book of Prophets''
| Novel
| [[Kottayam]]: [[DC Books]]
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Aadujeevitham]]''
| ''Goat Days''
| Novel
| [[Thrissur]]: Green Books
|-
| 2008
| ''[[Akkapporinte Irupathu Nasrani Varshangal]]''
| ''Twenty Years of Christian Quarrels''
| Novel
| [[Kottayam]]: [[DC Books]]
|-
| 2010
| ''E M Ssum Penkuttiyum''
| ''EMS and the Girl''
| Collection of stories
| [[Kottayam]]: [[DC Books]]
|-
| 2011
| ''Manja Veyil Maranangal''
| ''Yellow Lights of Death''
| Novel
| [[Kottayam]]: [[DC Books]]
|-
| 2012
| ''Anubhavam, Orma, Yathra''
| ''Experience, Memories & Travel''
| Memoirs
| [[Calicut]]: Olive Publications
|-
| 2013
| ''Kathakal''
| ''Stories''
| Selected stories
| [[Kottayam]]: [[DC Books]]
|-
| 2013
| ''Manushyan Enna Sahajeevi''
| ''Human, a fellow being''
| Collection of stories
| [[Calicut]]: [[Mathrubhumi|Mathrubhumi Books]]
|-
| 2014
| ''Al Arabian Novel Factory''
| ''Al Arabian Novel Factory''
| Novel
| [[Kottayam]]: [[DC Books]]
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Mullappoo Niramulla Pakalukal]]''
| ''Jasmine Days''
| Novel
| [[Kottayam]]: [[DC Books]]
|-
| 2014
| ''Ottamarathanal''
| ''Single tree shade''
| Memoirs
| [[Thrissur]]: Green Books
|-
| 2015
| ''Irattamukhamulla Nagaram''
| ''A double faced city''
| Travelogue
| [[Thrissur]]: Green Books
|-
| 2015
| ''Green Zoninu Veliyil Ninnu Ezhuthumbol''
| ''While writing outside from green zone''
| Collection of essays
| [[Calicut]]: [[Mathrubhumi Books]]
|-
| 2016
| ''Kudiyettam: Pravasathinte Malayalivazhikal''
| ''Migration: The malayali ways of exile''
| Essays
| [[Kottayam]]: [[DC Books]]
|-
| 2017
| ''[[Manthalirile 20 Communist Varshangal]]''
| ''20 Communist years of Manthalir''
| Novel
| [[Kottayam]]: [[DC Books]]
|-
| 2017
| ''Ente Priyapetta Kathakal''
| ''My favourite stories''
| Selected stories
| [[Kottayam]]: [[DC Books]]
|-
| 2018
| ''Shareera Shasthram''
| ''Physiology''
| Novel
| [[Calicut]]: [[Mathrubhumi|Mathrubhumi Books]]
|-
| 2018
| ''Postman''
| ''Postman''
| Collection of stories
| [[Kottayam]]: [[DC Books]]
|-
| 2020
| ''Marquez Illatha Macondo''
| ''Macondo Without Marquez''
| Travelogue
| [[Kottayam]]: [[DC Books]]
|-
| 2020
| ''Nishabda Sancharangal''
| ''The journey of silence''
| Novel
| [[Kottayam]]: [[DC Books]]
|-
| 2020
| ''Akathe Christhu Purathe Christhu''
| ''Christ within and Christ without''
| Collection of speeches
| [[Thrissur]]: Green Books
|-
| 2020
| ''Ennu Swantham'' (editor)
| ''Your's Own''
| Letters
| [[Kottayam]]: [[DC Books]]
|-
| 2020
| ''Puzhameenukale Kollunna Vidham'' (co-author)
| ''How to kill river fishes?''
| Novel
| [[Kottayam]]: [[DC Books]]
|-
| 2021
| ''Ennathullikalum Upputharikalum''
| ''Oil droplets and Salt flakes''
| Collection of essays
| [[Calicut]]: [[Mathrubhumi Books]]
|-
| 2022
| ''Tharakans Grandhavari''
| ''Chronicles of Tharakan''
| Novel
| [[Kottayam]]: [[DC Books]]
|-
| 2023
| ''Ethoru Manushyanteyum Jeevitham''
| ''Any human's life''
| Jottings
| [[Calicut]]: [[Mathrubhumi Books]]
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Christy (2023 film)|Christy]]'' (co-authored with [[G. R. Indugopan]])<ref>{{cite news |title='ക്രിസ്റ്റി' സിനിമയുടെ തിരക്കഥ പുസ്തക രൂപത്തിൽ |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2023/02/11/christy-movie-script-turn-to-book.html |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=[[Malayala Manorama]] |date=11 February 2023 |language=ml}}</ref>
| ''Christy''
| Screenplay
| [[Kottayam]]: Manorama Books
|-
|2024
|''Montricher Diary''
|''Montricher Diary''
|Diary notes
|[[Calicut]]: [[Mathrubhumi Books]]
|-
|2025
|''Aanoyude pirake, Gaamayude pirake''
|''Behind Aano, behind Gaama''
|Travelogue
|[[Calicut]]: [[Mathrubhumi Books]]
|-
| 2025
| ''Badal Vayanakal''
| ''Alternative Readings''
| Articles
| [[Thrissur]]: Green Books
|-
|2025
|''Mulberry, Ennod Ninte Sorbayekkurich Parayu''
|''Mulberry, Tell Me About Your Sorba''
|Novel
| [[Kottayam]]: [[DC Books]]
|}

===Translations in English===
* {{cite book |last=Benyamin |date=2012 |title=[[Goat Days]] |translator=Joseph Koyippally |url= |language= |location=[[New Delhi]] |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |isbn=978-0-143-41633-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Benyamin |date=2015 |title=Yellow Lights of Death |translator=Sajeev Kumarapuram |url= |language= |location=[[New Delhi]] |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |isbn=978-0-143-42089-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Benyamin |date=2018 |title=[[Jasmine Days]] |translator=[[Shahnaz Habib]] |url= |language= |location=[[New Delhi]] |publisher=[[Juggernaut Books]] |isbn=978-9-386-22874-1}}
* {{cite book |last=Benyamin |date=2019 |title=Al Arabian Novel Factory |translator=[[Shahnaz Habib]] |url= |language= |location=[[New Delhi]] |publisher=[[Juggernaut Books]] |isbn=978-9-353-45066-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Benyamin |date=2021 |title=Addis Ababa |translator=Veena Muthuraman |url= |language= |location=[[New Delhi]] |publisher=[[Juggernaut Books]] |isbn=}}
* {{cite book |last=Benyamin |date=2023 |title=Marquez, EMS, Gulam and Others: Selected Short Stories |trans-title= |translator=Swarup B. R. |url= |language= |location=[[New Delhi]] |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |isbn=978-9-356-29567-4}}

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="width:105%"
! scope="col" style="width:5%" | Year
! scope="col" style="width:40%" | Film
! scope="col" style="width:10%" | Director
! scope="col" style="width:10%" | Contribution
! scope="col" style="width:10%" | Notes
|-
|2023
| [[Christy (2023 film)|''Christy'']] ||Alvin Henry|| Screenplay, Acting (played the role of Thomas)
|Debut as a [[Scriptwriter]]
|-
|2023
| ''[[Abraham Ozler]]'' ||[[Midhun Manuel Thomas]]||Acting (played the role of Himself)
|[[Cameo Appearance]]
|-
|2024
| ''[[The Goat Life]]'' ||[[Blessy]] || Story
|Adaptation of novel ''[[Aadujeevitham]]''
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Benyamin (writer)}}
*{{IMDb name|7976141}}
*[https://www.mathrubhumi.com/books/excerpts/benyamin-new-book-ethoru-manushyanteyum-jeevitham-aadujeevitham-novel-and-film-1.8292154 Excerpts from the book ''Ethoru Manushyanteyum Jeevitham'']. [[Mathrubhumi Books]] (in Malayalam)

{{Authority control}}
{{Malayalam Literature |state=collapsed}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Benyamin}}
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:Novelists from Kerala]]
[[Category:People from Pathanamthitta district]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian novelists]]
[[Category:Indian male novelists]]
[[Category:Indian male short story writers]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language novelists]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian short story writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Abu Dhabi Sakthi Award]]

Benyamin writer - Revision history

Svetlananhr at 04:29, 20 January 2026