MALAYALAM WRITERS

Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan

2011-11-14T19:36:00.000-08:00

Thunjathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan (Malayalam: തുഞ്ചത്തു രാമാനുജന്‍ എഴുത്തച്ഛന്‍, Tuñchattŭ Rāmānujan Eḻuttacchan; also known as തുഞ്ചത്തെഴുത്തച്ഛന്‍, Tuñcatt-Eḻuttacchan) was an Indian poet from around the 16th century, known as the father of the Malayalam language — the principal language of the Indian state of Kerala, spoken by 36 million people in the world. In his era, Vattezhuttu, an old script originally used to write Tamil, was generally used in Kerala to write this language. However, he wrote his Malayalam poems in Arya-ezhuttu, a Grantha-based script originally used to write Sanskrit, so that he could accurately transliterate Sanskrit words into Malayalam. His works became unprecedentedly popular, which popularized the writing system adopted by him, and it is the current Malayalam alphabet.

He was born in Trikkantiyur (തൃക്കണ്ടിയൂര്, Tr̥kkaṇṭiyūr), in the town of Tirur, in Kerala. At that time, it was a part of Vettattnad. His personal name is Ramanujan. Thunchaththu is his “family name”, and Ezhuthachan (schoolmaster) is an honorific title or the last name indicating his caste. His name is transliterated in several ways, including Thunchath Ezhuthachan, Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan, and Thunjath Ezhuthachan.

Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan lived in the 19th century, He was born at Trikkantiyur (Trkkantiyur) in the Tirur municipality, Malappuram, Kerala, India. His birthplace is now known as Thunjan Parambu.

According to Arthur Coke Burnell, he was “a low-caste man who goes under the name Tunjatta Eḻuttacchan, a native of Trikkaṇḍiyûr in the present [1874] district of Malabar. He lived in the seventeenth century, but his real name is forgotten; Tunjatta being his ‘house’ or family-name, and Eḻuttacchan (=schoolmaster) indicating his caste”. In 1865, Burnell saw the manuscript of the Bhagavata translated and adapted by Thunchaththu, allegedly copied by his sister, preserved at Puzhakkal in the Chittur taluk, and wrote in his book published in 1874: “The author’s stool, clogs, and staff are preserved in the same place; it thus looks as if Tunjatta Eḻuttaččhan was a sannyâsi of some order.” Some sources[who?] state that he was born into a Chakkala Nair family, held low among Savarna Hindu caste system of Kerala and among the Nair caste. Some apocryphal legends have that Ezhuthachan's father was a Namboodiri. That version is unhistoric. A few sources claim that he was of the Ezhuthachan caste. A. C. Burnell, a noted Indologist, categorically stated that Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan belongs to the Ezhuthachan caste only. He had stated this when he edited an article written by another important scholar, F. W. Ellis, when he published an article in Indian Antiquery in 1878 after the death of linguist Ellis. In that path-breaking article Ellis articulated the evolution of Malayalam ("Malayanma") and other south Indian languages.

Ellis stated:

"A Brahman without a father must be born of an unmarried female of that tribe, whose celibacy ought to have been inviolate: he is considered, therefore, illegitimate, and has scarcely an assignable place in society. Elutt' Achan, or the 'Father of Letters', was a Brahman without a father, and on that account has no patronymic ... The Brahmans envied his genius and are said to have seduced him by the arts of sorcery into the habit of ebriety ... he enriched the Malayalam with the translations, all of which, it is said, he composed under the immediate influence of intoxication."

To which Brunell added the footnote:

"Eluttachchan lived in the 17th century; there is no reason for supposing that he was a Brahman father's illegitimate son; he was certainly an Eluttachchan (or schoolmaster) by caste."

Great Malayalam poet and historian Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer concludes Ezhuthachan as either Chakkala Nair or Vattekattu Nair. Sri K. Balakrishna kurup in his famous book Viswathinte Kanappurangal published by Mathrubhumi printing and publishing company Kozhikode had stated that Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan belongs to Ezhuthachan caste. Prof. T. B. Vijayakumar, a noted scholar and historian who wrote many articles in prestigious journals, like Mathrubhumi Weekly, also stated that Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan belongs to the Ezhuthachan caste.

In nutshell, Ezhuthachan was a Kaniyan by caste and had the title Ezhuthu Asan in relation to his teaching service in Ezhuthupalli. In the pre- and early-British ruling era of Kerala, the Kaniyans (traditional astrologers) were the only class who had undertaken the role of teaching letters, grammar, Sanskrit and literature to non-Brahmin communities. So they were known Ezhuthu Asan (Ezhuthachan in the vernacular) but, later, this professional name was adopted by the descendants of families of non-Brahmin disciples of Thunchat Ezhutahchan as a special caste or class. Most of these people were from the Chakkala Nair and Kadupattan castes.

Census reports from 1870 onwards show the Ezhuthachan caste as low Sudra caste.

Mahakavi Kodungallore Kunhikuttan Thampuran, a titan among poets who singlehandedly translated entire Mahabharatham into Malayalam vernacular within short span, stated in an article in a literary journal, Rasikaranjini (edited by himself) that Thunchath Ezhuthachan belonged to Ezhuthachan Caste only.

Father of Malayalam language

According to Dr. K. N. Ezhuthachan, noted scholar, writer, essayist, poet, only Ramayanam and Bharatham belong to him. Others, usually attributed to him, were not really his. According to Dr Ezhuthachan even Uththara ramayanam is not his. Its composition lacks Ezhuthachan's stamp and genius. There may have been many popular keerthanas, namam or japam by other poets, but it was impossible to find a single house in Kerala without Ezhuthachan's Adhyathmaramayanam during those dark times of war, disease and famine.

There is no doubt about his contribution to the literary level of the common man. Ezhuthachan taught the people to respect and worship the language and the alphabet, a level of culture which is difficult to find even in the modern era. He refined the Malayalam language style and wrote his works for ordinary people, incorporating whatever is good with a strong sense of righteousness and worship. His contribution to the Malayalam language through the Adhyatmaramayanam (a translation of the Ramayana and Mahabharatham (a translation of the Mahabharata) is unparalleled, and his contribution in the cultural level is immense. His chief original works are said to include the:

Keralolpathi

Hari Nama Keerthanam (the song of the holy vame "Hari")

Ganapatistavam

Kilippatu Prasthanam

Devi Mahathmayam

Kerala Natakam

Harihara Sudham

"...[T]he phrase ‘father of language’ is a symbolic reference. Language represents culture. So Ezhuthachan is in fact denoting culture. He shone as a brilliant star above our culture. He renovated the alphabets of heart. We see the light of conscience and moderation in Ezhuthachan. We call him ‘the father of Malayalam language’ because he led the language to a new dimension." — Chattanath Achuthanunni, chair, Thunjan Festival meeting (1998)

The Thunjan Parambu

It was in the Thunjan Parambu that Ezhuthachan modified the Malayalam alphabet and wrote the Hari Nama Keerthanam to popularize the 51-letter alphabet. Even centuries after these events, people from around the state come to take sand from the Thunjan Parambu to use in the initiation of their children to the alphabet. Every year, hundreds of people bring their children to Thunjan Parambu to write their first letters during the Vijayadasami festival which falls in October–November. Children are initiated to the world of letters by masters, teachers or parents by holding their fingers and writing the letters in a plate filled with rice. The letters will also be written in their tongues with a golden ring. They write:

"Anpathoraksharavum oronnithenmozhiyil

Anpodu cherkka Hari Narayanaya Nama" — Hari Nama Keerthanam 14th stanza

There is no controversy that the great teacher was the strongest sponsor of the 51-letter alphabet for Malayalam instead of the 30-letter Vattezhuthu.

O. N. V. Kurup

2011-09-19T04:17:00.000-07:00

Ottaplakkal Nambiyadikkal Velu Kurup (Malayalam: ഒറ്റപ്ലാക്കല്‍ നമ്പിയാടിക്കൽ വേലു കുറുപ്പ്), popularly known as O. N. V. Kurup or simply O. N. V., is a Malayalam poet and lyricist from Kerala, India, who won Jnanpith Award,the highest literary award in India for the year 2007. He is considered one of the finest living lyrical poets in India. O. N. V. Kurup is also a lyricist in Malayalam cinema. He received the awards Padma Shri in 1998 and Padma Vibhushan in 2011, the fourth and second highest civilian honours from the Government of India. In 2007 he was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate by University of Kerala, Trivandrum. O. N. V. is known for his leftist leaning. He was the Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate in the Thiruvananthapuram constituency for the Lok-Sabha elections in 1989.
Kurup was born to O. N. Krishna Kurup and K. Lakshmikutty Amma, on May 27, 1931 at Chavara, Kollam in Kerala.[4] He lost his father when he was eight. His childhood days were spent in the village where he attended the public 'Government School, Chavara'. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in Economics from SN College, Kollam, he moved to Thiruvananthapuram city (Trivandrum) where he joined Travancore University (now Kerala University) and pursued Master of Arts (postgraduate) in Malayalam literature.

O.N.V. was a lecturer at Maharajas College - Ernakulam, University College - Trivandrum, Arts and Science College - Kozhikode, and Brennen College - Thalassery. He joined Government Women's College - Trivandrum as the Head of Malayalam Department. He was also a visiting professor at Calicut University. He retired from service in 1986.

He received the Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary honour, for the year 2007. He is the fifth Jnanpith laureate from Kerala and the second Malayalam poet to win the prestigious award. According to a statement by Bharatiya Jnanpith, the trust which presents the award, Kurup began his career as a "progressive writer and matured into a humanist though he never gave up his commitment to socialist ideology".

He is now settled in Vazhuthacaud in Thiruvanathapuram, with his wife Sarojini, son Rajeev, and daughter Mayadevi.
O. N. V.'s first published poem was 'Munnottu' (Forward) which appeared in a local weekly in 1946. His first poetry collection named Porutunna Soundaryam, came out in 1949. He published a book named Dahikunna Panapatram (The Thirsty Chalice) which was a collection of his early poems during 1946-1956.

P. Kunhiraman Nair

2011-09-19T04:11:00.000-07:00

P. Kunhiraman Nair (4 November 1906 – 27 May 1978), also known as Mahakavi P, was a renowned Malayalam poet whose works romanticised the natural beauty of his home state of Kerala in southern India and juxtaposed it with the hard realities of his life and times.

Born in Bellikoth near Kanhangad of North Malabar, P., as he is known (simply by his initial), led a Bohemian lifestyle, wandering across Kerala, living in several places, meeting their people and making them part of his life and literature. He worked as a school teacher, having taught at Koodali near Kannur and Kollengode in Palakkad district.

Poetry formed his main genre of work (it isn't exactly known how many poems he penned during his half-a-century career as many are irretrievably lost), though he has also penned stories, articles and a few plays. His autobiography, 'Kaviyude Kaalpaadukal' (The Footmarks of a Poet), is one of the celebrated works in prose in Malayalam.

The central Kerala belt of Valluvanad, known for its scenic charm and cultural vibrancy, worked as a major source of inspiration for the poet, who lived there for long—partly as a family man. His works are also dotted with metaphors from Kathakali, the classical dance-drama of his region.

Kunhiraman Nair was an award winner of both the Kerala Sahithya Akademi and the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award.

Also proficient in Sanskrit, Kunhiraman Nair initially worked at a printing press in Thrissur for a few years. Later, he published a newspaper from Kannur, before taking to teaching job and gaining name as 'Kavimaash' (poet teacher) among children. He retired from service in 1961. A sudden bout of illness claimed his life on May 27, 1978, when the poet was staying in a rest house in Thiruvananthapuram.

Poetry

Kaliyachhan (Oriental Dance teacher, 1954)
Onassadya (Onam Feast, 1960)
Pookkalam (spring, 1964)
Thaamarathoni (Lotus Boat, 1966)
Vasantholsavam (Spring Festival, 1972)
Chilamboli (Tinkling of the Anklet Bells, 1974)
Ratholsavam (Chariot Festival - 2 volumes, 1978)
Thamarathen ( Honey of the Lotus, 1983)

Stories

Indira
Chaaithraraksha
Nirmala
Ramabai
Veerapratinha

Plays

Rangamandapam (Stage Canopy, 1956)
Upaasana (Worship, 1958)
Swapnasanchari
Poonilaavu
Chandramandalam
Essays

Vichaaravibhaatam
Satyaraksha

Autobiography

Kaviyude kalpadukal(Footprints of poet)
Ennethirayunna njan(I searching myself)

Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon

2011-09-19T04:07:00.000-07:00

Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon (11 May 1911 – 22 December 1985) was a renowned Indian poet of Kerala. He was born on 11 May 1911 in Kaloor in the Ernakulam district. After taking his bachelors degree in science he took B.T. and joined as teacher in government service in 1931.

He started writing under the pen name 'Sree' and his very first collection 'Kannikkoythu' (Maiden Harvest), which came out in 1947, attracted the attention of critics by its innovative style free from the clutches of the Romantic tradition. He was associated with Samastha Kerala Sahithya Parishath the biggest forum for Malayalam writers at that time, for more than 10 years. He represented Kerala in the national poets' meetings held at Delhi (1951 and 1969) and Bangalore (1965). In 1970 he toured the Soviet union. He was the first President of Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham, a forum of progressive writers led by leftist intellectuals and artists.[1]

He is considered by literary historians as one of the major voices in Malayalam poetry who marked the transition from the Romantic to the modern era. A scientific insight into the historical roots of social evolution and a deeper understanding of the psychological undercurrents of the human mind characterise his poetry. His mastery of the medium is evident in all his poems both lyrical and narrative.[2]

Many critics consider the long poem Kudiyozhikkal (Eviction of the tenant) as his magnum opus. In the prefatory lines to the poem the poet says: "Punchiri! Ha, Kuleenamam kallam. Nenchu keeri njan nerinekkattaam" (The smile! Oh, It's but a noble lie. Let me tear open my chest and show you the truth). The poem is a ruthless self-examination of a middle class land owner who realizes that the future belongs not to himself but to his poor tenant whom he despises at heart.[3][4]

He died on December 22, 1985 and his body was cremated on the banks of river Bharathappuzha (also called 'Nila'), as he had wished.

Awards and honors

Madras Government Award
M. P. Paul prize
Kerala Sahithya Academy Award (1965) for Kaipavallari
Kendra Sahithya Academy Award (1972) for Vida
Vayalar Award (1981) for Makarakoythu
Sovietland Nehru Award (1964)
Odakkuzhal Award

Selected works

Kannikoythu
Sreerekha
Onappatukar
Makarakoythu
Vithum Kaikkottum
Vida
Kaipavallari
kadalkkakkakal
Kuruvikal
Kudiyozhikkal
Minnaminni
Pachakkuthira
Mukulamala
Krishnamrigangal
Charithrathile Charudrisyam
Anthi Chayunnu
Kunnimanikal
Risyasringanum Alexandarum (Play)
Kavyalokasmaranakal (Autobiography)
Mambazham

Vallathol Narayana Menon

2011-09-19T04:04:00.000-07:00

Vallathol Narayana Menon (Malayalam: വള്ളത്തോള്‍ നാരായണമേനോന്‍) (1878–1958), popularly known as Mahakavi, was one of the celebrity poets in Malayalam language, spoken in the South Indian state of Kerala. Vallathol was born in Chennara, near Tirur, in Malappuram District of Kerala state, southern India. Up to his 27 years he lived in Chennara and wrote so many poems after that he moved to Cheruthuruthi. Born in 1878 and died in March 1958.

He is the author of the famous Sahithya Manjari. He got the title, Mahakavi for his Mahakaavyam 'Chitrayogam'. He played a prominent role in setting up the Kerala Kalamandalam at Cheruthuruthy, near the banks of Bharathapuzha River. Later this place was renamed Vallathol Nagar. He raised [Kathakali] as a great art form to the level today. He wrote dozens of kavya.

Vallathol wrote predominantly in Malayalam, the language of Kerala. Along with Kumaran Asan and Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer, he was part of a highly creative period in Malayalam literature. Influenced by Rabindranath Tagore, Gandhi, and Karl Marx, as well as by the Sanskrit classics, Vallathol's poetry evolved from its classical beginnings to increasing expression of nationalist and broadly socialist sentiment. He wrote in a variety of forms, using both Sanskrit and Dravidian meters. He did not know English. Vallathol's many works include the mahakavya (a form of epic poem), Chitrayogam (1914), and the narrative poems Magdalena Mariyam (Mary Magdalene, 1921) and Kochu Sita (1928), as well as 11 volumes containing his collected romantic poems entitled Sahityamanjari. In addition to subjects from nature and the lives of ordinary people, Vallathol's opposition to the indignities of the caste system and the injustices suffered by the poor form the themes of many of his poems. His own struggle with deafness from his early twenties also features in some works. Vallathol's poetry has been translated into English and Russian as well as Hindi. Kerala Kalamandalam - The temple of classical arts - It is the realisation of a poet's dream, of a life of dedication, of a journey through the agonies of creation, of the ecstasies of fulfillment. Mahakavi Vallathol was forty nine years old when the idea struck him like a ton of bricks. He had been to a friend's house in Kunnamkulam to witness a performance of Kathakali. Several connoisseurs like him were there. They had come with great expectations. The performance was deplorable, shocking. The Mahakavi felt scandalised that this unique art form, well recognised as total theatre, should have fallen to such low depths. He took a silent vow that night. He would dedicate the rest of his life to the resurrection of Kathakali.

The stunning depression that followed some years after the first world war further ruined the classical arts of Kerala. It was only the strength of character and determination of a few dedicated veterans and an occasional shot in the arm by an isolated patron that kept the flame alive. Kathakali or other classical arts could not attract talented youth in numbers as they offered no source of decent livelihood. No wonder the artists who performed before the poet at Kunnamkulam shocked him. It was that shock however, that saved Kathakali.

Once the idea got into him, the Mahakavi did not waste any time. He called together all his friends and got a new society registered at Calicut in 1927. He christened it the Kerala Kalamandalam. To raise funds for an institution that did not offer a monetary return was not an easy matter. The Mahakavi therefore ventured on a new way of getting money. He got the government approval to start a raffle. It took him and his friends three years to collect a reasonable sum before they could hold the draw at the famous Guruvayur Temple in 1930. The net proceeds of the raffle amounting to Rs. 75,000/ became the capital of Kalamandalam.

The real functioning of the Kalamandalam began in 1930 at the Kakkat Madhom premises at Kunnamkulam. The Mahakavi felt that the institution needed more space and facilities. Manakkulam Mukunda Raja, friend and colleague of the Mahakavi in this venture came forward and offered his premises at Ambalapuram, a few kilometres off Trichur to house the Kalamandalam. When the Kalamandalam was shifted there, the Mahakavi also came and stayed at Ambalapuram so that he could devote his personal attention to the students and teachers. He believed that artists should have a reasonable education and awareness of our classical literature and epics. So he persuaded Kuttikrishna Marar, a rare renowned scholar of Kerala to join the institution to teach the students.

By 1936 a reasonably spacious compound was secured on the banks of the Bharathappuzha at Cheruthuruthy and a building put up at considerable expense. The institution was shifted to the new site and started functioning there from 1937. Kalamandalam had established name of its own by then. Students came from different parts of the world to take advantage of the systematic training available there under the direct supervision of the Mahakavi. They included famous danseuse Ragini Devi and the great choreographer and dancer of international renown, Guru Gopinath. The Mahakavi insisted that the teachers of the institution be the very best available. Thus he secured the services of great masters like Guru Kunju Kurup, Pattikkanthodi Ravunni Menon and Kavalappara Narayan Nayar to teach the actor students, Venkatakrishna Bhagavathar to teach music, Moothamana Namboothiripad to teach Chenta and Venkachan Pattar to teach the Maddalam.

In addition to his poetry, Vallathol also translated the Sanskrit Rig Veda and Valmiki's Ramayana into Malayalam verse, as well as producing a prose translation of the Puranas. He was awarded the prestigious honour of Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 1955.

Edasseri Govindan Nair

2011-09-19T04:01:00.000-07:00

Edasseri Govindan Nair (December 23, 1906 – October 16, 1974) is a leading figure in modern Malayalam poetry. He has to his credit 19 books spreading over 300 poems in 10 anthologies, 6 books of plays and a collection of essays.

He died on 16 October 1974, and a memorial is erected in his name - Edasseri Smaraka Samithi. He was an important member of Ponnani kalari of mlayalam literature which contributed many a stalwarts to malayalam literature. The locality where he lived in Ponnani, his home town, today is known as Edasseri Nagar in memory of this great poet. He was a law clerk by profession. Edassery as a poet and humanbeing was loved by one and all in Ponnani. Edasseri is revered so much by the new generation poets that poems have been written in eulogy. His poetry has also become a subject of serious discussion among the young intellectuals and critics. Edasseri can be best described as a realistic poet. The real phases of life are depicted in his poem. Here cruelty of life becomes poetry. The best evidences are pengal, Nellukuthukari Paruvinte Kadha, and Bhudhanum Nariyum Jnanum. An award is set up in his name for the best book of the year from among the young writers.
Awards

Government of Madras Award for the play Koottukrishi
Government of Madras Award for the collection of poems Puthan Kalavum Arivalum
Kerala Sahithya Academy Award for the collection of poems Oru Pidi Nellikka - 1969
Sahitya Academy Award (New Delhi) for the collection of poems Kavile Pattu - 1970
Kumaran Asan Prize (posthumously given) for the collection of poems Anthithiri - 1979
Literary works

1. Kavile Pattu
2. kootukrishi
3. karutha chettichikal
4. Poothappattu
5. Puthan kalavum Arivalum
6. Thathvashasthrangalurangumbol
7. Oru pidi Nellikka
8. Anthithiri
9. Nellukuthukari Paruvinte katha
10.Ambadiyilekku veendum
11.Alakavali
12.Kunkuma Prabhatam

A. Ayyappan

2011-05-10T23:12:00.000-07:00

A. Ayyappan (27 October 1949 - 21 October 2010) was a Malayalam poet in the modernist period. Born in a wealthy goldsmith's family, in Nemom, Thiruvanathapuram, Kerala, he became a non-conformist member of reading Malayali families. He had a very tragic childhood. His father, Arumukham, died when he was only one year old, perhaps due to poison. He lost his mother, Muthammal, when he was 15. Ayyappan was supported by his sister Subbalakshmi and his brother-in-law V. Krishnan.

Ayyappan started writing poetry when he was a student. He became involved in the Communist Party and joined the staff of Janayugam, the party newspaper. Ayyappan is well known for his heart touching poems and his bohemian lifestyle. He can also be considered as the last remaining icon of anarchism in Kerala. He was a close friend of the late filmmaker John Abraham. Ayyappan is also famous as a great lover of sunlight ('veyil' by malayalam language) and a passionate adherent of Communism.

"Though a bohemian in the tradition of P. Kunhiraman Nair, Malayalam's celebrated poet of yesteryear, Ayyappan was amazingly rigorous in his poetic expression. Often, the street was his home, for homes seldom welcomed the poet in. But few writers in these times can claim to have had so vast a circle of loving and adoring friends, a large majority of them young men and women.

He won the Asan Puraskaram (Asan Poetry Prize),[3] one of the highest literary awards in Malayalam literature, for the year 2010. Ayyappan was also a recipient of Kerala Sahithya Akademi Award in 1999.

Death

His body was found abandoned in the streets of Thampanoor, Thiruvanathapuram on 21 October 2010. Without recognising the poet, police took his body to General Hospital. His body was kept in hospital mortuary without anybody recognizing who he was and later identified by noon on 22 October 2010.[2][4] He was on his way to Chennai to accept the Asan Puraskaram on Saturday, 23 October 2010.[5] According to other news papers like "Gulf News", "Gulf Times", "The Times of India", "Hariyana News"and "Indian Express", he passed away in a local general hospital after being found unconscious at a roadside.

Important works

Mulamthandinu Rajayakshmaavu
Yangjam
Ente shavapetti chumakunnavarodu
Veyil Thinnunna Pakshi
Greeshmame sakhee
Karuppu
Budhanum Aattinkuttiyum
Chitharogaaspatryile Dinangal
Malamillaatha Pambu
Greeshmavum Kanneerum
Tettiyodunna SeconduSoochi
Kalkkariyude Niramullavar (Collection of Poems)

Sumangali

From His Last Poem. അമ്പ് ഏതു നിമിഷവും മുതുകില്‍ തറയ്ക്കാം പ്രാണനും കൊണ്ട് ഓ!ടുകയാണ് വേടന്റെ കൂര കഴിഞ്ഞ് റാന്തല്‍ വിളക്കുകള്‍ ചുറ്റും എന്റെ രുചിയോര്‍ത്ത് അഞ്ചെട്ടുപേര്‍ കൊതിയോടെ ഒരു മരവും മറ തന്നില്ല ഒരു പാറയുടെ വാതില്‍ തുറന്ന് ഒരു ഗര്‍ജനം സ്വീകരിച്ചു അവന്റെ വായ്ക്ക് ഞാനിരയായി (അയ്യപ്പന്‍ അവസാനം എഴുതിയ കവിത)

G. Sankara Kurup

2011-05-10T23:09:00.000-07:00

G. Sankara Kurup, ( Malayalam: ജി.ശങ്കരകുറുപ്പ്, born June 03, 1901, Nayathode, Kerala, India - February 2, 1978, Vappalassery, Angamaly, Ernakulam, Kerala), better known as Mahakavi G (The Great Poet G), was the first winner of the Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary award [1][2]. He won the prize in 1965 for his collection of poems in Malayalam Odakkuzhal (The bamboo flute, 1950). With part of the prize money he established the literary award Odakkuzhal in 1968. He was also the recipient of the Soviet Land Nehru Award, in 1967, and the Padma Bhushan in 1968.

After completing his education, Kurup worked as the Malayalam teacher in a secondary school in Thiruvillwamala in 1921. Later he became a teacher in the Government Secondary Teacher Training Institute near Trichur. He worked as the Malayalam Pandit in Maharaja's College, Ernakulam, and retired as Professor of Malayalam from the College in 1956.

Kurup published his first poem, called Salutation to Nature in 1918, while still a student. Apart from 25 collections of poetry, Kurup also wrote verse dramas and collections of literary essays—in all about 40 works in Malayalam. He also translated the Rubáiyát (1932) of Omar Khayyám, the Sanskrit poem Meghaduta (1944) of Kalidas, and the collection of poems Gitanjali (1959) of Rabindranath Tagore into Malayalam. Indeed, one often speaks of the influence of Tagore and Gandhi on the humanism and nationalism of Kurup. Interestingly, he has also been described as a “bard of science” who explores the role of science in achieving the human potential.

He also penned the lyrics for P.J.Cherian’s Nirmala, (1948), the first Malayalam film to incorporate music and songs.

Kurup also led an active public life as a member (1968–72) of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament.

Works

Poetry

Suryakaanthi (Sunflower) (1933)
Nimisham (The Moment) (1945)
Odakkuzhal (Flute) (1950)
Padhikante Paattu (The Traveler's Song) (1955)
Visvadarsanam (The Sight of the Universe) (1960)
Moonnaruviyum Oru Puzhayum (Three Streams and a River) (1963)
Jeevana Sangeetham (The Music of Life) (1964)
Sahithya Kauthukam (The Sweetness of Literature), in 3 Volumes (1968)

Essays

Gadhyopahaaram (Honouring with Prose) (1947)
Mutthum Chippiyum (Pearl and Oyster) (1958)
Ormayute Olangalil (In the Waves of Memory) (1978)

Kunjunni Mash

2011-05-10T23:06:00.000-07:00

Kunjunni, popularly known as Kunjunni Mash, was a noted Indian Malayalam poet.
Kunjunni was born in the village of Valapad in Thrissur to Njayapilly Illathu Neelakantan Moosath and Athiyarathu Narayani Amma. Kunjunni started his career as a teacher at the Chelari school. He joined Sree Ramakrishna Ashram High School in Kozhikode in 1953 and retired from teaching in 1982.
He was known for writing small poems which appeared to be childlike in form, but conveyed a message. Kunjunni handled the column for children in the Mathrubhumi weekly under the pseudonym "Kuttettan". He initiated three or four generations of aspiring writers into writing.[1]

His major works include Oonu Thotturakkam Vare, Pazhamozhi Pathayam, Kunjunniyude Kavithal, Kadankathal, Vithum Muthum, Kutti Pencil, Namboodiri Phalithangal, Raashthriyam, Kuttikal Padunnu, Undanum Undiyum, Kutti Kavithakal, Kalikoppu, Pazhanchollukal, Pathinanchum Pathinanchum, Aksharathettu, Nonsense Kavithakal, Muthumani, Chakkarappava, Kadalippazham, Kalikkalam and Kunjunni Ramayanam. His autobiography, Enniloode, is noted for its candour, humour and simplicity.

Kunjunni returned to his native village in 1987 and became involved in social and cultural activities in the Thrissur area. He appeared in Bhoomigeetham, a film directed by Kamal

Awards

Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award (1974, 1984).[1]
State Institute of Children's Literature Award (1982).[1]
The Kerala Sahitya Akademi lifetime achievement award (1988).[1]
State Institute of Children's Literature lifetime achievement award (2002).[1]
Vazhakunnuam Award (2002).[1]
V.A. Kesavan Nair Award (2003).[1]
Tomyas Award

Sukumar Azhikode

2011-05-10T23:01:00.000-07:00

Sukumar Azhikode (Malayalam: സുകുമാർ അഴീക്കോട്) is a writer, critic and orator, acknowledged for his contributions to Malayalam and insights on Indian philosophy.[1] He is a bachelor and lives in Eravimangalam near Thrissur.

Dr. Sukumar Azhikode (born on May 26, 1926) is a writer, critic and orator, acknowledged for his contributions to Malayalam literary criticism and insights on Indian philosophy. He is a bachelor and lives in Viyyoor near Thrissur. Sukumar Azhikode completed BCom in 1946. He then took BT in Malayalam followed by MA and PhD in Malayalam. Azhikode was a teacher at Rajas High School, Chirackal, St. Aloysius College, Mangalore and Devagiri College, Kozhikode and later Principal of SNM Training College, Moottakunnam, and a Professor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Calicut University. He retired in 1986.

Azhikode's most famous work is Tatvamasi (1984, Malayalam), an authoritative book on Indian Philosophy, Vedas and Upanishads. Thathvamasi has won twelve awards including the Indian Sahitya Academi Award, Kerala Sahithya Academy Award, Vayalar Award and the Rajaji Award.

In Jan 2007, he refused to accept the Padma Shri conferred on him stating that "such honours are against the Constitution. The Constitution says everyone should be treated as equal. Giving such honours at different levels, the State discriminates between people. I see the Padma Shri conferred on me as an opportunity to expose this discrimination."

Azhikode is the founder and President of Navabharathavedi – a socio-cultural organization. He has also worked at several newspapers including Varthamanam, Dinabandhu, Malayala Harijan, Desamitram, Navayugam and Dinaprabha. He was the chairman of the National Book Trust between 1993 and 1996.

Prof. Sukumar Azhikode, has been selected for the CN Ahmad Moulavi MSS Endowment Award for the year 2002. The award instituted by the Muslim Service Society in memory of the famous Qur'an commentator and reformist the late CN Ahmad Moulavi, goes for his contributions in the cultural field of Kerala and his relentless struggle for the cause of communal harmony and other human values. Prof. Azhikode is known for his uncompromising fight against communal forces through his writings and oratory.
Azhikode's most famous work is Tatvamasi (1984, Malayalam), an authoritative book on Indian Philosophy, Vedas and Upanishads. Thathvamasi has won twelve awards including the Indian Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahithya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award and the Rajaji Award.

In Jan 2007, he refused to accept the Padma Shri conferred on him stating that Such honours are against the Constitution. "The Constitution says everyone should be treated as equal. Giving such honours at different levels, the State discriminates between people. I see the Padma Shri conferred on me as an opportunity to expose this discrimination.
Major works

Aasante Seetakavyam
Ramananum Malayalakavitayum (Ramanan and Malayalam Poetry)
Mahatmavinte Margam (Way of the Mahatma)
Purogamanasahityavum Mattum (Modern Literature and Others)
Malayala Sahityavimarsanam (Criticism of Malayalam Literature)
Vayanayute Swargattil (In the Paradise of Reading)
Tatvamasi
Malayala Sahitya Patanangal (Studies on Malayalam Literature)
Tatvavum Manushyanum (Philosophy and Humans)
Khandanavum Mandanavum (Destructive Criticism and Constructive Criticism)
Entinu Bharatadare
Azhikodinte Prabhashanangal (Speeches of Azhikode)
Azhikodinte Falitangal (Jokes of Azhikode)
Guruvinte Dukham (Sorrow of the Teacher)
Aakasam Nashtapetunna India (India Losing Horizon)
Pathakal Kazhchakal (Routes and Sights)
Mahakavi Ulloor (The Great Poet Ulloor)

Vaikom Muhammad Basheer

2011-05-10T06:40:00.000-07:00

Vaikom Muhammad Basheer (21 January 1908 – 5 July 1994)[1] was a Malayalam fiction writer. He was a humanist, freedom fighter, novelist and short story writer. He is noted for the pathbreaking, disarmingly down-to-earth style of writing that won both literary critics as well as the common man. He is regarded as India's one of the most successful and outstanding writers.[2] Translations of many of his works into other languages has won him worldwide acclaim.[2] His notable works include Baalyakaalasakhi, Shabdangal, Paaththummaayude Aadu, Mathilukal, Ntuppuppaakkoraanaendaarnnu and Anarga Nimisham. He was awarded the Padma Sri in 1982. He is fondly remembered as the Beypore Sultan.
Basheer, born in the village of Thalayolapparampu in northern Travancore, was the eldest child of devout Muslim parents. His father was in the timber business as a contractor, but the business did not do well enough for his large family to live in anything approaching luxury. After beginning his education at the local Malayalam medium school, he was sent to the English medium school in Vaikom, five miles away. While at school he fell under the spell of Mahatma Gandhi. He started wearing Khadar, inspired by the swadesi ideals. When Gandhi came to Vaikom to participate in the Vaikom Satyagraham (1924) Basheer went to see him. He managed to climb on to the car in which Gandhi travelled and touch his hand, a fond memory Basheer later mentioned in many of his writings. He used to visit Gandhi's Satyagraha Ashram at Vaikom daily. He got punished for going late to school due to this.

K. P. Appan

2011-05-10T06:36:00.000-07:00

Karthikayil Padmanabhan Appan (August 25, 1936 – December 14, 2008), better known as K. P. Appan, was a renowned literary critic in Malayalam. Born in Alappuzha, Kerala, Appan worked as a Professor of Malayalam literature at S N College, Kollam, Kerala.
In 2008, K. P. Appan won the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for his collection of essays in Malayalam, Madhuram Ninte Jeevitham. The award was announced after his death.[1]. He was born in 1963 at Alappy.
Books by K. P. Appan

Kshobhikkunnavarude Suvisesham
Kalahavum Viswasavum
Malayala Bhavana: Mullyangalum Sangharshangalum
Varakalum Varnangalum
Bible: Velichathinte Kavacham
Kalapam, Vivadam, Vilayiruthal
Samayapravahavum Sahithyakalayum
Katha: Akhyanavum Anubhava Sathayum
Utharadhunikatha: Varthamanavum Vamsavaliyum
Innalekalile Anveshanaparishodanakal
Vivekashaliyaya Vayanakkara
Rogavum Sahithyabhavanayum
Charithrathe Aghadahamakkiya Guru
Swargam theernnu pokunnu narakam nilanilkunnu
Thiraskaram
Marunna Malayalam Novel
Penayude Samaramukhangal
Maduram Ninte jeevitham
Abhimuka Sambhashanakal
Charithrathe Ningalkoppam Kootuka

Anand

2011-05-10T05:08:00.000-07:00

P. Sachidanandan (born 1936), who uses the pseudonym Anand is an Indian writer.

Anand writes primarily in Malayalam. He is one of the noted living intellectuals in India. His works are noted for their philosophical flavor, historical context and their humanism. Veedum Thadavum and Jaivamanushyan won the Kerala Sahithya Academy Award. Marubhoomikal Undakunnathu won the Vayalar Award. He did not accept the Yashpal Award for Aalkkootam and the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Abhayarthikal.Sachidanandan was born in 1936 at Irinjalakuda in Thrissur district of Kerala. His father was a primary school teacher.

He graduated in Civil Engineering from College of Engineering, Trivandrum in 1958. He retired as Planning Director of the Central Water Commission after a career which included extended stints working in Gujrat, Mumbai and Bengal. He also worked in the military for four years in the Short Service Commission.It was the famous critic Govindan who helped Anand publish his maiden novel Alkkoottam. At age 34, it was his first ever published work.

It was a new experience for the Malayalee readers and the book received rave reviews and pungent criticisms alike. He followed Alkkoottam (Crowd) with three more equally abstract novels: Maranacertificate (Death Certificate), Abhayarthikal (Refugees) and Utharayanam. These books made Anand a writer with considerable standing in Malayalam.

But it was in the late eighties and early nineties that Anand came up with two more novels, Marubhoomikal Undakunnathu and Govardhanante Yaathrakal, which made him an icon in Malayalam literature.

Contemporary Malayalam writer M. Mukundan made the following comment about Anand's style.

Anand's is the most articulate voice in Kerala today, which questions the moral premises of politics and most importantly, resists Hindu fundamentalism. His essays and novels unmistakably establish a metaphor of resistance. The prose in Anand's novels is taut - no moon will ever rise in it, nor flowers blossom or river breezes waft through. His language, stripped to the bone, sometimes challenges the reader to go through it.

He has also written many short stories and articles, most of which deal with plight of the ordinary people who are exploited by the people in power. Anand's characters are not necessarily a Malayali, and often weaves in historical elements into his stories. More often they are also located outside Kerala.

Anand is also a prolific essayist.
Novels

* Alkkoottam (The Crowd)
* Maranacertificate (The Death Certificate)
* Utharayanam
* Abhayarthikal (The Refugees)
* Marubhoomikal Undakunnathu (The Deserts come into existence)
* Govardhante Yaathrakal (The Journeys of Govardhanan)
* Vyaasanum Vighneswaranum
* Apaharikkapetta Daivangal
* Samharathinte Pusthakam
* Vibhajanangal
* Parinamathinte Bhoothangal (The Ghosts of Evolution)

Short story collection

* Asantham
* Veedum Thadavum (Home and Prison)
* Ira (Victim)
* Odiyunna Kurisu (The Breaking Cross)
* Samvadam (Convesations)
* Naalamathe Aani (The Fourth Nail.)
* Kathakal, Aatmakathakal (Stories, autobiographies)

Dramas

* Savaghoshyathra
* Mukthipadham

Other Books

* Sambhashanangal (Dialogue with Sachithanandan, the poet)
* Idavelakalil
* Jaivamanushyan (The Biological Man)
* Vettakaaranum Virunnukaaranum
* Prakriti, Paristhithi, Daaridryam, Jalam, Oorjam

Anil Panachooran

2011-05-10T04:38:00.000-07:00

Anil Panachooran is a noted Malayalam film lyricist and poet. A lawyer by profession, Panachooran lives on the income from his lyrical and poetic work.[1] His songs are predominantly on romantic themes.

His noted lines include Chora veena mannil ninnum from the 2007 Malayalam film Arabikkatha by Lal Jose in which he acted as one of the singers and Vyathyasthanamoru Barbaram Balane from the 2007 film Kadha Parayumbol by M. Mohanan which he himself has sung.
Anil Panachooran was born as Anilkumar P. U. to Udayabhanu and Draupathi in the village of Vayalar, a part of Cherthala in Alappuzha district, Kerala. He did his studies from T. K. Madhava Memorial College, Nangiarkulangara, Kerala Law Academy Law College, Thiruvananthapuram and Kakatiya University, Warangal.

Anil is married to Maya.
Asianet Film Awards

* 2007 - Best Lyricist Award -Kadha Parayumbol, Arabikatha
* 2009 - P. Bhashkaran memorial Golden Award by Kannur Kavimandalam.

Uroob

2010-08-07T07:06:00.001-07:00

Uroob

Uroob (Malayalam: ഉറൂബ്) (1915 – 1979) was a famous Malayalam writer. He along with writers like Basheer, Thakazhi, Kesavadev, and Pottekkatt formed the progressive writers in Malayalam during the twentieth century. Uroob is a recipient of Kendra Sahithya Academy Award (Malayalam) for his novel Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum.[1]
Career

Uroob is the penname of P. C. Kuttikrishnan.[2] He was a prominent member of the literary circle that had formed in the 1930s in Ponnani. Others in the group are the eminent critic Kuttikrishna Marar, young poets Edasseri Govindan Nair, Akkitham, Kadavanad Kuttikrishnan, and Moothedath Narayanan Vaidyar. Uroob had spent the best years of his creative life in Kozhikode where he was working in All India Radio. He, later went to Thiruvanathapuram as editor of Kunkumam magazine and from there to Kottayam to work as editor of Bhashaposhini published by Malayala Manorama group.

One of the most progressive novels in Malayalam, Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum (The beautiful and the handsome) was authored by Uroob.[3] His other notable works include Ummachu and Aniyara.

Uroob Memorial Literary Museum at the Kiliyanad School in Kozhikode is named in his honor.[4][5]
Major works

Novels

* Aamina(1948)
* Kunjammayum Koottukarum(1952)
* Ummachu (1954)
* Mindappennu(1956)
* Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum (1958)
* Chuzhiku pimbe chuzhi(1967)
* Aniyara(1968)
* Ammini(1972)

Short stories

* Gopalan Nayarude Thaddi
* Velutha Kutti
* Manjinmarayile Sooryan
* Rachiyamma
* Neer chalukal
* Navonmesham
* Kathir-katta
* Thurannita jalakam
* Neela mala
* Kumbedukunna mannu
* Ullavarum ellathaverum
* Thamara thopi
* Lathiyum pookalum
* Mukham Mudikal
* Vasandhayude amma
* Moulavium Changathimarum
* Nilavinde rahasyam
* 3334-enta charithum
* Reserve Chayyatha berth

Poems

* Pirannal

Play (theater)

* Mannum Pennum
* Theekondu kalikaruth
* Miss Chinnuvum Lady januvum

Essay compilations

* Kavi samelanam
* Uroobinde shaniazhichakal
* Uroobinde Lekhanangal

Children's stories

* Anka veeran
* Apuvinde lokam
* Mallanum maranavum

Screen play(movie)

* Neela kuyil
* Rarichan ena pauran
* Nairu pidicha pulivalu
* Ummachu
* Kurukshetram
* Thrisandhya

Short filim

* Rachiyamma

Awards

* Madras Govt. Award (1948) (Kathir-katta)
* Madras Govt. Award(1949) (Thurannu eta jalakam)
* Madras Govt. Award(1951) (Kuumbedukuna manu)
* President of india's silver medal for story & screen play(1954) (Neela kkuyil)
* Kerala sahitya Academy(1959) (Ummachu)
* M.P. Paul award(1960) (gopalan nayarude thady)
* Kendra Sahitya Academy (1960) (Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum)
* Kerala State Film Award for Story writer (1971) (Ummachu)
* Ashan centinary award (1973) (Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum)

Balachandran Chullikkadu

2008-09-15T07:41:00.001-07:00

Balachandran Chullikkadu is a renowned Malayalam poet from Kerala, India. He was born on July 30, 1957 in Paravur. He completed his graduation in English literature from Maharajas College, Ernakulam. His collection of poems published are "Pathinettu kavithakal", "Amaavaasi", "Ghazal", "Maanasaantharam", "Dracula" etc. A collection of his complete poems, Balachandran Chullikkadinte Kavithakal (The Poems of Balachandran Chullikkad) (2000) was published by DC Books, Kottayam, Kerala, India. They have also published the book of his memmoirs, Chidambarasmarana (2001). He married the Malayalam poetess Vijayalaksmi. He participated in many national literary seminars organised by Central Academy of Letters, India. He was one among the ten members of a cultural delegation of India to Sweden in 1997 invited by Nobel academy and Swedish writers union. He represented Indian poetry in the international bookfair in Gotenborg, Sweden in November 1997.He is also an actor

Changampuzha Krishna Pillai

2008-09-15T07:33:00.001-07:00

Changampuzha Krishna Pillai (1911-1948) was a writer of Malayalam poetry.He is from Kerala,India. He is most famous for his pastoral elegy Ramanan, written in 1936, which sold over 100,000 copies. [1] It is a play writtern in the form of verse.Ramanan, written in the romantic tradition, remains a best seller. It is a long romantic poem based on the life of Changampuzha's friend Edappally Ragahavan Pillai.

Changampuzha attended the Government Upper Primary School at Edappally.

One of his famous Quotes is as follows:

" My biggest failure,

is having a honest heart,

in this faulty world."

Published works : Ramanan (1936) Vaazhakkula (1937) Divyageetham (1945) Devageetha (1945) Bashpanjali Spandikkunna Asthimaadam Kalithozhi Rekthapushpangal Madirolsavam Padunna Pisachu

Poonthanam

2008-09-15T07:31:00.001-07:00

Poonthanam (1547-1640) was an ardent devotee of Guruvayoorappan (Krishna). He was born near Perinthalmanna in the present Malappuram district of Kerala, to a Nambudiri Brahmin family, and was known as a contemporary of Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri, the celebrated author of Narayaneeyam. Poonthanam is renowned for his devotional composition of Jnanappana (Song of Wisdom)

M. Mukundan

2008-09-15T07:25:00.001-07:00

M Mukundan is one of the pioneers of modernity in Malayalam literature. He was born on 10 September 1942 at Mayyazhi in Mahe, a former French territory in Kerala. He is the current President of Kerala Sahitya Akademi.

He is known in Kerala as 'Mayyazhiyude Kadhakaaran'(Story teller of Mayyazhi) - Mayyazhi figures in his early works; 'Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil', 'Daivathinte Vikrithikal', 'Appam Chudunna Kunkiyamma' and 'Lesli Achante Kadangal'.

His first literary work was a short story published in 1961. Mukundan has so far published 12 novels and 10 collections of short stories. 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' one of his most recent works tells the story of a writer Kesavan who writes a novel on a child named Appukkuttan who grows under the influence of E. M. S. Namboodiripad. 'Daivathinte Vikrithikal' bagged the Kendra Sahithya Academy award and NV Prize. 'Ee Lokam Athiloru Manushyan' bagged the Kerala Sahitya Academy award. Daivathinte Vikrithikal has been translated into English and published By Penguin Books India.

In 2008, Mukundan's magnum opus Mayyazhi Puzhayude Theerangalil fetched him the award for the best novel published in the last 25 years. Three of his novels were made into feature films in Malayalam . Mukundan wrote the script and one of them bagged a state film award.

Mukundan's latest novel is "Pravasam" (which literally means Journey) and tells the story of a Malayali whose journeys carry him around the world. The novel was officially released on August 23, 2008 by Mr. Binoy Viswam, a minister in the Kerala Government, during the 6th World Malayali Conference held in Singapore on August 22-24, 2008. Fitting, because this conference brought together Malayalis from all parts of the world for a 3-day business/social networking event.

The French government conferred on him the title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 1998 for his contribution to literature

M. N. Vijayan

2008-09-15T07:03:00.001-07:00

M.N. Vijayan (also known as Vijayan Mash) (8 June 1930 – 3 October 2007) was an Indian writer, orator and academic. Prof. M.N.Vijayan was born in Lokamaleshwaram, Kerala, India. He was educated in Pathinettarayalam L.P. School, Kodungallur Boys High School, Ernakulam Maharajas College, and Ernakulam Law College. He was awarded a Master of Arts in Malayalam Language and Literature from Madras University.

Political and journalism careerVijayan worked as the editor of the cultural weekly Desabhimani owned by the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) on the request of its leaders. He was a long-term President of Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham (Progressive Association for Art and Letters) and Adhinivesha Prathirodha Samithi (Council for Resisting Imperialist Globalisation), a leftist think-tank based in Kerala which collaborated occasionally with the CPI(M). He was removed from the editor post at Deshabhimani when leaders of the provincial Communist Party felt he was not supportive to the party line. He opposed the policy of some state level leaders and other leftist intellectuals to accept foreign funding of political work. He was also for a time the editor of the controversial periodical Padom, notably criticising a Kerala state government program called People's Campaign for Decentralised Planning and its propagator Thomas Isaac .Vijayan and Prof.Sudheesh's articles in Padom against the "people’s plan", a programme aimed at decentralisation of power, became a controversial issue. Later a Kerala court ruled that the allegations of foreign funding of the KSSP had been proven by Sudheesh and Vijayan. Vijayan and Sudheesh had started Padom in 2000, after resigning from the CPI(M). Vijayan's resignation was considered to be the first manifestation of the bitter ideological war to take place within th CPI(M) in later years. This resignation was in disagreement with M. A. Baby, then cultural in-charge of the CPI(M). The cultural programme Manaveeyam of CPI(M)-led LDF government of Kerala was criticised for the extravagance of the programmes and the elitist audience whose sensibilities were ostensibly catered to in these programmes, and also for the fact that the "people’s art and culture" gave way to bourgeois concepts under the influence of neoliberalism. Vijayan also led an ideological debate against social democratic deviations. When the leader of Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishad (a pro-CPI(M) Science forum) M.P.Parameswaran went ahead with his “theory of the fourth world” campaign, it was alleged that a theory that had been opposed by the late ideologue of the party, E. M. S. Namboodiripad, was now being resurrected after his death. Noted CPI(M) intellectual P. Govinda Pillai's controversial critical remarks against A. K. Gopalan, Namboodiripad and others were also resisted by Vijayan and his followers on ideological grounds. Though, initially, CPI(M) leadership was forced to expel Parameswaran and depromote Pillai from the state committee because of the high reputation that Vijayan enjoyed among the party supporters, writers and the literate, later the Social Democrats group got control over the CPI(M) organization.

Vijayan did not attend many public meetings during his last years for health reasons, but continued to write weekly columns in Samakalina Malayalam, an Indian Express group of publications, Janashakthi and Maruvakku. The column was originally published weekly in Desabhimani until he parted ways with the paper. He is also the editor of the monthly Maruvaakku.

Uroob

2008-09-15T06:51:00.000-07:00

Uroob (original name: P C Kuttikrishnan)along with writers like Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, Thakazhi, Kesavadev, Pottekat formed the progressive writers in Malayalam during the twentieth century.

One of the most progressive novels in Malayalam, Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum (The beautiful and the handsome) was authored by Uroob. His other works include Ummachu, Aniyara etc.

Uroob is the pen name of P.C. Kuttikrishnan. He was a prominent member of the literary circle that had formed in the 30s in Ponani. Others in the group are eminent critic Kuttikrishna Marar, E. Narayanan , E. Kumaran, Akkitham, Kadavanad Kuttikrishnan, T. Gopala Kurup, Padmanabhan Master, E.P. Sumithran, Moothedath Narayanan Vaidyar, and T.V. Shoolapani Warriyar.

Kottarathil Sankunni

2008-09-15T06:50:00.001-07:00

Kottarathil Sankunni is a well known author of Malayalam literature, born in 1855 in Kottayam, Kerala, south India. He made huge contributions in both poetry and prose. He died in 1937. He started compiling the legends of Kerala in 1909 and completed the work in eight volumes over a quarter of a century. The “Garland of Legends”, "Aithihya Mala", is a collection of stories of legends prepared by Kottarathil Sankunni. The works on the legends were collected and published by Sankunni in the famous Malayalam literary magazine of the nineteenth century, the Bhashaposhini. Later, they were collected in eight parts and published by the Reddiar Press in Quilon, sometime in the early twentieth century. India’s first writers’ cooperative, the National Bookstall started publishing these articles as collections on behalf of the 'Kottarathil Sankunni Memorial Committee' in 1974 and later this was taken up by another publisher, DC Books, in 1991. Such is their popularity that, from 1991 till 2004 almost 150,000 copies of these stories were distributed.

His contributions in both prose and poetry, including Kathakali literature and Thullal, earned him a place in Malayalam literature.

Famous works include:

Ithihya Mala, a collection of legendary stories including those about Kadamuttathu Kathanar, Kayamkulam Kochunni, etc Aassannamarana chintasathakam Sreerama pattabhishekam (Kathakali) Adhdhyathmaramayanam (Translation)

K. N. Panikkar

2008-09-15T06:48:00.001-07:00

Dr. K.N. Panikkar (born 1936), is an Indian marxist historian . He was appointed Vice Chancellor of Sree Sankaracharya Sanskrit University, Kalady, Kerala, India for a brief period.

Influenced by Marxism, his methods and his expressed positions in public life have evoked harsh criticism from right-wing intelligentia and political parties. Panikkar has been active in criticising the rise of communalist history in India. His books include 'Against Lord and State: Religion and Peasant Uprisings in Malabar'; 'Culture and Consciousness in Modern India'; 'Culture, Ideology and Hegemony – Intellectuals and Social Consciousness in Colonial India' and 'Before the Night Falls'. He has also edited a number of books including 'A Concerned Indian’s Guide to Communalism' and the ICHR volume on 'Towards Freedom, 1940, A Documentary History of the Freedom Struggle' (suppressed and withdrawn from press by the former BJP-led regime, now forthcoming). He is currently engaged in preparing a monograph on the intellectual history of colonial India for which he has been awarded Homi Bhabha Senior Fellowship. He was awarded Padma Bhushan in 2007

Nitya Chaitanya Yati

2008-09-15T06:44:00.000-07:00

Nitya Chaitanya Yati (Nithya Chaithanya Yati) (2 November 1923 - May 14, 1999) was an Indian philosopher.

He was born in vakayar, near Konni, Pathanamthitta (district),Kerala, India, as the first son to Pandalam Raghava Panicker, a poet & Vamakshi Amma. His original name was Jayachandran Panicker. He has one brother late Mr.Balacnhadra Panicker and 3 sisters Mrs.Subhashini Amma, Late Enakshi Amma (passed before completing 1 yr old) and Dr. Sumangala Amma.

After completing matriculation (the equivalent of today's high school education), Yati toured exstensively over what is now India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, befriending and subjecting himself to different religious figures. He met all the great people of the subcontinent including great leaders like Mohandas Gandhi and poets of high repute. He sat at the feet of several spiritual masters, including Sufi fakirs, Jain munis and Buddhist monks, and Hindu teachers such as Ramana Maharshi and Nityananda.

He returned to Kerala in 1947 and joined Union Christian (UC) College, Aluva to study Philosophy and Psychology. He later taught these subjects in different universities.

In 1951, he accepted Nataraja Guru as his spiritual preceptor and after Nataraja Guru died, Yati became the Head of Narayana Gurukula. As Narayana Gurukula is a world community, Yati had to liaison between all members of the Gurukula at an interpersonal level in the teacher-student context and to make the Gurukula work in unison.

Nitya Chaitanya Yati published over 120 books in Malayalam and 80 books in English, as well as a number of articles on philosophy, psychology, social ethics and aesthetics. He was the founder-chairperson of the East-West University of Brahmavidya. He also worked as the Commissioner for World Education and as a sponsor of the World Government of World Citizens. World citizenship is a unique concept that Yati tried to give life to, in his own words:

"The term 'world citizen' can be better understood with a negative definition than with a positive one. If a citizen of a state with political frontiers is expected to pay allegiance to the government of the state to which he or she belongs and is expected to take arms against aliens who might invade the territory of the state, a world citizen recognizes the entire world as one's state and in principle does not recognize any member of one's own species as an alien to the world community to which oneself belongs. Such a person recognizes the earth as one's sustaining mother, the innate inviolable laws of nature as one's protecting father, all sentient beings as one's homes. The world citizen's allegiance is to the foundation of truth, the universality of knowledge and the fundamental ground of all values." In later days, he spent his time in Fernhill 'Ashram' (hermitage) in Ooty, in Tamil Nadu, India.His relative Yogarshi Guru Dileepji hails from a South Indian family (kavil)with a lineage of yogis, ayurvedic vaidyas, kalari (martial arts) experts, and spiritual leaders. He is the head of International Gurukulam, an organization celebrating fifty years of dedication to promoting peace and happiness through yoga, interfaith dialogues, universal family values, alternative healing methods, and caring for the environment. He travels often giving lectures, satsangs, and workshops at international conferences and interfaith programs. He is a life member of the World Yoga Council, IYF delegate to the United Nations, and International Ambassador for World Yoga Community and Parliament

M. T. Vasudevan Nair

2008-09-12T01:17:00.000-07:00

M. T. Vasudevan Nair, popularly known as MT, is a renowned Malayalam author, screenplay writer and film director. He was born on July 15, 1933 in Kudallur, a small village in Palakkad district, in the Indian state of Kerala. He is one of the most prolific and versatile writers in modern Malayalam literature. His novels, short stories and screenplays speak of the pain and anguish of the Kerala society in the post independence India. He has won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay four times.

The essence of his work is self-suffering and its emotional intensity holds the readers captivated. The story of Kudallur village and Bharathapuzha are the most repeated and favourite theme. He explores the silences in life, in the folk tales of forgotten heroes and in the legends of warriors from epics forever retoldMT was awarded the highest literary award in India, the Jnanpith in 1995. He is also the recipient of:

State Sahithya Academy and Sahithya Academy National Award for Best Screenplay (five times) National Award and for Best Film & Actor (1973/Nirmalyam/PJ Anthony) Kerala State Award for Best Film & Screenplay (1978/Bandhanam) Kerala State Award for Best Film (1991/Kadavu) MT's oeuvre consists of novels, short-stories, film scripts and non-fiction works on literary themes. The US Library of Congress has in its collection sixty-two books by MT or on him. His close friendship with the giant of Malayalam literature, Vaikom Muhammed Basheer was well chronicled. MT was severely criticised by artist Devan for his 'alleged hunger for power' and 'haste in getting to the chair in Delhi' when the celebrations of Nalukettu were going on.

NovelsManju (Mist) Kalam (Time) Nalukettu (Ancestral House) Asuravithu (Seed of the Demon) Vilapayathra (The Funeral Procession) Pathiravum Pakalvelichavum (Midnight and Daylight) Arabipponnu (The Gold of Arabia, written with N. P. Muhammed) Randamoozham (Second Turn) Varanasi (BenaresStoriesIruttinte Atmavu (The Soul of the Darkness) Olavum Theeravum (Ripple and Shore) Kuttyedathi Varikkuzhi (The Trap) Pathanam (The Fall) Bandhanam (The Binding) Swargam Thurakkunna Samayam (The Time When Heaven Opens) Ninte (Yours) Vanaprastham Dar-es-salam Raktham Puranda Mantharikal Veyilum Nilavum (The Sunlight and Moonlight) Kaliveedu Vedanayude Pookkal (The Flowers of Sorrow) Sherlock ScreenplaysOlavum Theeravum Murappennu Nagarame Nanni Asuravithu Pakalkkinavu Iruttinte Atmavu Kuttiyedathi Oppol Edavazhiyile Poocha Mindapoocha Evideyo Oru Shatru Ennu Swantham Janakikkuttikku (based on the short story Cheriya cheriya bhookampangal) Vellam Panchagni Nakhakshatangal Amritam Gamaya Aaroodam Allkottathil Thaniye Adiyozhukkukal Uyarangalil Rithubhedam Vaishaali Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha Utharam Perunthachan Sukrutham Parinayam Teerthadanam (based on his story Vanaprastham) Aaranyakam Pazhassi Raja Sadayam Oru cheru punjiri

Leela Devi

2008-09-12T01:13:00.001-07:00

Dr. R. Leela Devi was an Indian writer, translator, and teacher. Her work includes books in English, Malayalam, and Sanskrit languages. She was from the state of Kerala.

Dr. R. Leela Devi has written and translated more than three hundred books along with her husband V. Balakrishnan. The majority of her work involves books written in English or Malayalam, or translations of Sanskrit, English and Malayalam books.

The translation of "Naganadam"( Naganandam by Harshavardhana), the only drama in Sanskrit about Buddhism[citation needed], received great critical acclaim[citation needed]. She also translated the Marthandavarma, Narayaneeyam, and Vidur Gita (Mahabharata), among others. She has contributed the English language section of the book Contribution of Writers to Indian Freedom Movement (see Indian independence movement).

Her drama New Horizon is the first drama[citation needed] on the subject of Panchayatiraj

From Representation to Participation – the first book on Panchayatiraj- Sri Satguru Publications (Delhi) Sarojini Naidu – biography Blue Jasmine – fantasy novel Saffron – a novel about the myths and legends of Kashmir Mannatthu Padmanabhan and the Revival of Nairs in Kerala – the renaissance of the Nairs and their history An Epoch in Kerala History History of Malayalam Literature Kerala History Influence of English on Malayalam Literature Indian National Congress - Hundred Years – history of the Indian National Congress, published for Congress Centenary. A Handbook of English Teaching Ethics(In various Religions of the World)- Sri Satguru Publications (Delhi) Vedic Gods and Some Hymns- Sri Satguru Publications (Delhi) Vidura Gita- Text & English Translation- Sri Satguru Publications (Delhi) Naganandam by Harshavardhana- Sri Satguru Publications (Delhi)

M. V. Devan

2008-09-12T01:10:00.001-07:00

Madathil Vasudevan (M.V. Devan) (born January 15, 1928) is a painter, sculptor, writer, and orator. He was born in Panniyannur village in Thalassery in northern Kerala, south India—. After completing high school in 1946, he left for Madras to study painting. He learned the basics of painting at the Chennai Govt School of Arts and Crafts under the likes of DP Roy Choudhary and KCS Panikker.

These stalwarts influenced his life and painting to a large extent. At this time, he came into to contact with M Govindan, who helped in changing his perspective on life and thinking.

After coming back from Madras, he joined as staff artist at the Mathrubhumi daily. From 1952 to 1961 he worked there. Again, he went back to Madras and soon joined the 'Southern Languages Book Trust' as art consultant. He worked there from 1961 to 1962.

He continued his pursuit of the art with Madras Lalit Kala academy from 1962 to 1968, New Delhi Lalit Kala Academy (66 to 68), FACT (as art consultant from 68 to 72). He was made the Chairman of Kerala Lalit Kala Academy from 74 to 77.

During this time, he established an organization called Perunthachan, which dealt with the consultancy in the housing sector.

He is also the founder member and present Chairman of Kerala Kalapeedom. He is associated with Navashakti, Gopuram, Sameeksha, Kerala Kavita and Gwala. All of them are literary publications.

The Collection of Critical Essays Devaspandanam is his Magnum Opus.

Kamala Das

2008-09-12T01:06:00.001-07:00

Kamala Suraiya (born Kamala Das on March 31, 1934), is a well-known Indian writer who writes in English as well as Malayalam, her native language. She is considered to be one of the outstanding Indian poets writing in English, although her popularity in Kerala is based chiefly on her short stories and autobiography. Much of her writing in Malayalam came under the pen name Madhavikkutty. She was born in Malabar in Kerala, India. She is the daughter of V. M. Nair, a former managing editor of the widely-circulated Malayalam daily Mathrubhumi, and Nalappatt Balamani Amma, a renowned Malayali poetess. Kamala Das is probably the first Hindu woman to openly and honestly talk about sexual desires of Indian woman, which made her an iconoclast of her generationKamala Das spent her childhood between Calcutta, where her father was employed as a senior officer in the Walford Transport Company that sold Bentleys and Rolls Royce, and the Nalappatt ancestral home at Ponnayoorkulam in south Malabar region. Her husband often played a fatherly role for both Kamala and her sons. Because of the great age difference between Kamala and her husband, he often encouraged her to associate with people of her own age.

Like her mother, Kamala Das also excelled in writing. Her love of poetry began at an early age through the influence of her great uncle, Nalappatt Narayana Menon, a prominent writer. However, she did not start writing professionally till she was married and became a mother. When Kamala wished to begin writing, her husband supported her decision to augment the family's income. Being the housewife, she could not use the morning-till-night schedule enjoyed by her great uncle. She would wait until nightfall after her family had gone to sleep and would write until morning: "There was only the kitchen table where I would cut vegetables, and after all the plates and things were cleared, I would sit there and start typing" ("Warrior" interview). This rigorous schedule took its toll upon her health, but she views her illness optimistically. It gave her more time at home, and thus, more time to write.

She is famous for her many Malayalam short stories as well as many poems written in English. This Keralite is recognized as one of the foremost poetesses of India. She is also a syndicated columnist. She has moved away from poetry because she claims that "poetry does not sell in this country (India)", but fortunately her forthright columns do. Her columns sound off on everything from women's issues and child care to politics.

Her eldest son M D Nalapat is married to a princess from the Travancore Royal House. He holds the UNESCO Peace Chair and Professor of geopolitics at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education. He was the former resident editor of Times of India. Her second son Chinem is placed in Bangalore and she presently lives with her youngest son Jayasuriya and his family in Pune

V. Balakrishnan

2008-09-12T00:55:00.000-07:00

V. Balakrishnan (b. in Katappattoor near Pala, 13 February 1932; d. at Pala, 2 August 2004) was a prolific Malayalam writer and translator of texts between Malayalam, Sanskrit and English. He participated in the Indian independence movement, which resulted in his expulsion from college

In 1960, his short story, entitled Neelakoduveli ('നീലക്കൊടുവേലി'), was awarded first place in a competition conducted by the Kerala Dhwani ('കേരള ധ്വനി') newspaper. The children's book, Ithu Nammute Naatanu ('ഇതു നമ്മുടെ നാടാണ്‌'), came first in the competition held by Sahitya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangam ('സാഹിത്യപ്രവര്‍ത്തക സഹകരണ സംഘം'). Later, in 1962, his story about a rouge elephant, Ottayan' ('ഒറ്റയാന്‍'), won first prize in the contest held by Southern Language Book Trust (ദക്ഷിണഭാഷാ ബുക്ക്‌ ട്രസ്റ്റ്‌). It was later translated to all South Indian languages.

After his marriage to Dr. R. Leela Devi, they started their literary career together. As he required more time for his writing endeavours, he resigned his job as a high school teacher. They compiled the first Malayalam Encyclopeadia in 1967. Thereafter he continued his activities together with his wife until her death in 1998.

Together they translated most of the Sanskrit Vedic works; including the Vedas, Puranas, Aranyakas, Upanishads, Dharsanas, Mahabharata, Valmiki Ramayana, Devi and Bhagavatam to Malayalam. He has 11,394 printed pages (D1/8 size) in 67 books in the genre of children's literature alone. Amir Hamsa ('അമീര്‍ ഹംസ'), a book for children, has 1148 pages with 500 illustrations. Together, he and his wife authored sixteen books related to Islam, including an Encyclopedia on the religion, as well as publications related to Hinduism and Christianity. In total, they have eleven publications in the English language.

P. K. Balakrishnan

2008-09-12T00:51:00.001-07:00

P. K. Balakrishnan (1926-1991) Malayalam novelist critic historian.

P K Balakrishnan is one of the greatest intellectuals 20th century Kerala has produced. His multifaceted interests took him through politics, journalism, public speaking and creative writing. He was a great patriot who gave up his studies for the freedom of the country. His uncompromising integrity showed that he was unfit for politics, created a turbulent journalistic career, made him a fiery public speaker and resulted in literary creations that were masterpieces in their respective field.

Balakrishnan was an intense personality. He was truthful to himself. Standing by what he thought was right brought him into confrontation with people and the establishment. While his uncompromising convictions earned him very few friends in the real sense, he was understood and appreciated by a close circle of people whom he valued. Though the man has passed on to the realms of history, his books stand testimony to the great intellectual that he was and the power of his writings.

S. K. Pottekkatt

2008-09-12T00:48:00.001-07:00

Sankaran Kutty Pottekkatt, Popularly known as S. K. Pottekkatt, (March 14, 1913–August 6, 1982) was a famous Malayalam writer. He is the author of several novels and travelogues. Pottekat won the Jnanpith Award in 1980 for the novel Oru Desattinte Katha

S. K. Pottekkat was born in Kozhikode as the son of Kunchiraman Pottekkatt, an English schoolteacher. After graduating from Zamorin’s College, Kozhikode he went on to work as a teacher in a Gujarati local school for a year. At this time he became keenly interested in travelling and began an odyssey that would ultimately take him to many parts of the globe including destinations in Asia, Africa, and Europe.

As a first step he travelled to Bombay in 1939 where he worked for some years punctuated by extensive travels across the country. This Bombay trip (described in his travelogue and memoir Ente Vazhiyambalangal) broadened his horizons and was a turning point in his literary life. While in Bombay, he involved himself in the India’s freedom struggle and worked alongside freedom fighters like Mathai Manjooran.

While in Bombay,Pottekkatt wrote his first novel Naadanpremam (1939) which was followed by Yavanikakku Pinnil (a collection of short stories) in 1940, followed by the second novel Vishakanyaka which received a prize from the Madras government in 1949.

Besides his extensive travels and literary works, Pottekkatt also dabbled in politics. In 1957, he contested the parliamentary election from Tellicherry but lost by 1000 votes. In 1962, he won the parliamentary election from the same constituency with a majority of 66,000 votes against his fellow littérateur Sukumar Azhikode.

Oru Theruvinte Katha won the Kerala Sahithya Academy Award. His biographical novel Oru Desattinte Katha won the Kerala Sahithya Academy in 1972, the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award in 1977, and the Jnanpith Award in 1980.

Thomas Kuzhinapurath

2008-09-12T00:41:00.000-07:00

Kuzhinapurath has published articles in both English and Malayalam. He has served as student-chief editor of the philosophical journal, Mathavum Chinthayum. The University of Kerala has selected one of his articles for the pre-degree syllabus.

Kuzhinapurath served as a contributor of Bhasha Thilakam, an anthology of poems and literary essays consisting of poems by Kumaranasan, Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer, Vallathol Narayana Menon, G. Sankara Kurup, Edasseri Govindan Nair, Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon, Changampuzha Krishna Pillai, Vayalar Ramavarma, O.N.V. Kurup, Sugathakumari, and literary essays by Ullattil Govindhankutti Nair, N.V. Krishna Warrier, M. K. Sanu, Dr. D. Benjamin, Dr. George Onakkur, K.S. Ravikumar, Seeri, Achyuthsankar S. Nair, Kozhikodan, Thomas Kuzhinapurath, Nitya Chaitanya Yati, S. Chandrasekharan Nair (University of Kerala Press, ISBN-81-86397-13-2).

Kuzhinapurath has authored Daivajanam and Salvific Law, each of which has been published in two editions. Daivajanam is a collection of essays in Malyalam on socio-theological issues. His article within the volume argued that the juridical status of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church (which was as a Metropolitan) is incompatible with its jurisdictional history. In 2005, the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church was elevated to the status of a Major Archiepiscopal Church. Daivajanam presents the complex theological works of Karl Rahner, Jürgen Moltmann, Teilhard de Chardin, and Ladislas Orsy in ordinary unstrandable language without losing the depth of their thought. Daivajanam was reviewed in various journals, and on the fifth anniverssary of its publication, Daniel Poovannathil published a collection of five studies on Daivajanam in the volume Daivajanapadhanangal

Lalitambika Antarjanam

2008-09-12T00:30:00.000-07:00

Lalitambika Antarjanam (b. 1909, Kottarakara, Kerala - d.1987), is an author in Malayalam. She was born to a literary family - both her parents were poets - but she herself had little formal education. In 1927, she was married to Narayanan Nambudiri. She became a political activist and a social reformer, participating in the Indian National Congress and later with the Kerala Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M). Her published oeuvre consists of nine volumes of short stories, six collections of poems, two books for children, and a novel, Agnisakshi (1980) whih won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for the best literary work of that year.

Her writing reflects a sensitivity to the women's role in society, and the tension between the woman as a centre for bonding and the woman as an individual. She was concerned particularly the nature of the sexual contract. In her story Revenge Herself (English translation anthologized in The Inner Courtyard, she highlights the moral and sexual choices faced by uppercaste Nambudiri women, who were secluded in the inner house, through the story of the "fallen woman" Tatri. This is especially sensitive in Kerala, where Nayar women are relatively free sexual lives in their matriarchal culture. In her story Mulappalinte Manam she highlights the woman's role as the central cohesive force in society, and she supports artificial birth control, so long as it does not contradict this basic womanly qualities of healing the schisms opened up by individualism