One of the prominent figures in modern Indian literature, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, wrote many short stories and novels based on the Indian freedom struggle. Some of his noted works include Janmadinam (Birthday), Ormakkurippu (Jottings From Memory), Polisukarande Makal (The Policeman's Daughter), Idiyan Panikkar (Bully Panikkar) and Oru Manushyan (A Man). All these works were written and published during 1940 to 1952. Basheer's writings reflect his deep involvement in the freedom movement. Though his works have been published as ‘fiction', most of them are autobiographical accounts and true narratives of his fight for the independence.