Mukundan was born on 10th September 1942 at Mayyazhi in Mahe, a former French territory in Kerala. This territory came into the hands of the French in 1716 AD, acquired from the ruler of Badagara, and was liberated at first somewhat dramatically by a mass uprising of the residents of Mahe, but transferred legally only in slow stages through diplomatic channels in the 1950s.

He spent his childhood and primary education in Mayyazhi. He worked in Delhi in the late sixties.

His first short story is published in 1961. Known as the 'storyteller of Mayyazhi', he gives a clear picture of Mayyazhi through the works 'Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil', 'Daivathinte Vikrithikal', 'Appam Chudunna Kunkiyamma' and 'Lesli Achante Kadangal'.

Mukundan's latest four novels 'Adithyanum Radhayum Mattu Chilarum', 'Oru Dalit Yuvathiyude Kadanakatha','Kesavante Vilapangal' and 'Nirtham ' carries a change in structure and approach.

'Oru Dalit Yuvathiyude Kadanakatha' reveals how Vasundhara, an actress has been insulted in the course of acting due to some unexpected situations. It proclaims the postmodern message that martyrs are created not only through ideologies, but through art also.

'Kesavante Vilapangal' the latest work of Mukundan tells the story of a writer Kesavan who writes a novel on a child named Appukkuttan who grows under the influence of EMS Namboodirippad. 'Daivathinte Vikrithikal' bagged the Kendra Sahithya Academy award and NV Prize. 'Ee Lokam Athiloru Manushyan' bagged the Kerala Sahitya Academy award

The French government conferred on him the title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 1998 considering his contributions to literature. It is not common for regional language writers to be recognised outside their language readership. And recognition from abroad is coveted, especially when it comes from a country like France.

The meritorious distinction is well deserved for Mukundan's literary career spanning over 35 years has been brilliant. Mukundan has so far published 11 novels and 10 collections of short stories.

Mukundan's magnum opus Mayyazhi Puzhayude Theerangalil fetched him the award for the best novel published in the last 25 years during the current year. The novel is under publication in both English and French. Three of his novels were made into feature films in Malayalam and Mukundan himself wrote the script and one of them bagged a state film award.