Vaikom Muhammad Basheer (Malayalam:വൈക്കം മുഹമ്മദ്‌ ബഷീർ) (19 January 1908 – 5 July 1994) was a Malayalam fiction writer from the state of Kerala in India. He was a humanist, freedom fighter, novelist and short story writer. He is noted for his path-breaking, disarmingly down-to-earth style of writing that made him equally popular among literary critics as well as the common man. He is regarded as one of the most successful and outstanding writers from India.[3][better source needed] Translations of his works into other languages have won him worldwide acclaim.[3] His notable works include Balyakalasakhi, Shabdangal, Pathummayude Aadu, Mathilukal,Ntuppuppakkoranendarnnu, Janmadinam and Anargha Nimisham. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1982. He is fondly remembered as the Beypore Sultan.