Vallathol Narayana Menon (Malayalam: വള്ളത്തോൾ നാരായണ മേനോൻ) (16 October 1878 – 13 March 1958) was a Malayalam poet and one of the triumvirate of modern Malayalam poetry, along with Asan and Ulloor. The honorific Mahākavi (great poet) was applied to him in 1913 after the publication of his MahakavyaChitrayogam.[1] He was a nationalist poet and wrote a series of poems on various aspects of the Indian freedom movement. He also wrote against the caste system, the tyranny of the British and Brahmanas and other social orthodoxies. He founded the Kerala Kalamandalam and is credited with revitalising the traditional Keralite dance form known as Kathakali.
Vallathol was born in Chennara, Mangalam, Tirur, in Malappuram District, Kerala, as the son of Kadungotte Mallisseri Damodaran Elayathu and Kuttipparu Amma.[2] He did not receive any formal education but was trained in Sanskrit language, first under the Sanskrit scholar Variyam Parambil Kunjan Nair and then under his own uncle Ramunni Menon, who introduced him into the world of Sanskrit poetry. Ramunni Menon also taught him Ashtanga Hridayam, a medical treatise, and young Narayana Menon soon began helping his uncle in medical practice and teaching.[2] He also trained for a year under Parakkulam Subrahmanya Sastri and Kaikkulangara Rama Variar in Philosophy and Logic.[2] He married Vanneri Chittazhiveettil Madhavi Amma in November 1901 and shifted to Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala. He worked as manager in the Kalpadrumam Press in Thrissur from 1905 to 1910.[2] During this period, his hearing began to deteriorate. From 1915, he started working in Keralodayam newspaper and later joined Amrit Ritesh, a journal published from Thrissur.[2]
Poetry
He started writing poems from the age of twelve. Kiratha Satakam and Vyasavataram were his earliest published works.[2] He won Bhashaposhini magazine's poetry award in 1894.[2] His poems began appearing in Bhashaposhini, Kerala Sanchari and Vijnana Chintamani magazines.[2] His first major literary ventures was a rendition of Valmiki's Ramayana into Malayalam, the work of which started in 1905 and took two years to complete.[3] Unlike some of his contemporaries, Vallathol did not have any acquaintance with English language.[4] He earned the title Mahakavi after the publication of the MahakavyaChitrayogam in 1913. Chitrayogam conformed to all the principles of a traditional Mahakavya and was divided into 18 Sargas. The story of Chandrasena and Taravali, taken from Kathasaritsagara, was the theme of this poetry work.[5] Vallathol portrayed the protest of Parvati against Siva in the work Gangapati (1913) and of Usha defying her father for the sake of her love in Bandhanasthanaya Anirudhan (1914).[4] In 1917, the first of his eleven-volume work Sahitya Manjari (A Bouquet of Literature) was published. These volumes, published from 1917 to 1970,[4] contain his collected short romantic poems dealing with a variety of themes.[6] Many of these poems earlier appeared in P. V. Krishna Variar's Kavanakaumudi magazine. His khanda kavya on Mary Magdalene titled Magdalana Mariam paved the way for a new tradition in of Christian symbolism in Malayalam.[6] The poet's own struggle with deafness from his early twenties features in the work Badhiravilapam.[3] Other celebrated short poems of Vallathol include Sishyanum Makanum, Virasinkala, Achanum Makalum, Divaswapnam, and Ente Gurukulam.[3]
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.[7] He is also regarded as the greatest nationalist poet of the language.[8] He was one of the triumvirate poets of modern Malayalam, along with Kumaran Asan and Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer. Literary critic K. M. George has noted that, together with Kumaran Asan, Vallathol was "responsible for bringing about a revolutionary change in Malayalam poetry in the [nineteen]-twenties. Asan concentrated on social themes and Vallathol championed the national movement; yet both made very significant contributions to the khandkavya, ie: the short poem of the lyrical type."[9]
The title "Kavisarvabhowman" was conferred upon him by the Maharaja of Cochin.[10] He was awarded Padma Bhushan title, India's third highest civilian award, in 1954.[11]
Kathakali
Vallathol is credited with revitalising Kathakali. He played a prominent role in setting up the Kerala Kalamandalam at Cheruthuruthy, near the banks of Bharathapuzha River. The revival of the art of Kathakali in modern Kerala was mainly due to the efforts of Vallathol and the Kerala Kalamandalam.[3] He stimulated the world's interest in this art during his tours abroad between 1950 and 1953.[12]
Involvement in Nationalist movement
Vallathol was a nationalist poet writing in the Malayalam language.[8] He actively participated in the Nationalist movement. He attended the all India Conferences of the Indian Congress in 1922 and 1927 and rejected a royal honour bestowed upon him by the Prince of Wales during his India visit in 1922.[13][14] Vallathol remained a great admirer of Mahatma Gandhi and wrote the poem "Ente Gurunathan" ("My Great Teacher") in his praise. At the same time, he felt attracted by the Communist ideology and wrote poems praising the achievements of the Soviet Union.[3] He wrote several patriotic poems hailing India's nationalist movement.[7]
^ abcSisir Kumar Das (1 January 1995). History of Indian Literature: 1911–1956, struggle for freedom : triumph and tragedy. Sahitya Akademi. p. 206. ISBN9788172017989.
^Amaresh Datta (1988). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: devraj to jyoti, Volume 2. Sahitya Akademi. p. 1185. ISBN9788126011940.
^ abNalini Natarajan, Emmanuel Sampath Nelson (1996). Handbook of Twentieth-century Literatures of India. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 185–186. ISBN9780313287787.
^ abCir̲pi (1991). A Comparative Study of Bharati and Vallathol. Kolam Veliyeedu.
vallathol, narayana, menon, malayalam, വള, ളത, യണ, october, 1878, march, 1958, malayalam, poet, triumvirate, modern, malayalam, poetry, along, with, asan, ulloor, honorific, mahākavi, great, poet, applied, 1913, after, publication, mahakavya, chitrayogam, nati. Vallathol Narayana Menon Malayalam വള ളത ത ൾ ന ര യണ മ ന ൻ 16 October 1878 13 March 1958 was a Malayalam poet and one of the triumvirate of modern Malayalam poetry along with Asan and Ulloor The honorific Mahakavi great poet was applied to him in 1913 after the publication of his Mahakavya Chitrayogam 1 He was a nationalist poet and wrote a series of poems on various aspects of the Indian freedom movement He also wrote against the caste system the tyranny of the British and Brahmanas and other social orthodoxies He founded the Kerala Kalamandalam and is credited with revitalising the traditional Keralite dance form known as Kathakali MahakaviVallathol Narayana menonBorn 1878 10 16 16 October 1878Mangalam Tirur Malabar District Madras Presidency British India Present day Malappuram district Kerala India Died13 March 1958 1958 03 13 aged 79 NationalityIndianOccupation s Malayalam Poet translatorKnown forPoetry Indian independence activism social reform revival of KathakaliAwardsPadma Bhushan 1954 Contents 1 Early life 2 Poetry 3 Kathakali 4 Involvement in Nationalist movement 5 Works 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksEarly life EditVallathol was born in Chennara Mangalam Tirur in Malappuram District Kerala as the son of Kadungotte Mallisseri Damodaran Elayathu and Kuttipparu Amma 2 He did not receive any formal education but was trained in Sanskrit language first under the Sanskrit scholar Variyam Parambil Kunjan Nair and then under his own uncle Ramunni Menon who introduced him into the world of Sanskrit poetry Ramunni Menon also taught him Ashtanga Hridayam a medical treatise and young Narayana Menon soon began helping his uncle in medical practice and teaching 2 He also trained for a year under Parakkulam Subrahmanya Sastri and Kaikkulangara Rama Variar in Philosophy and Logic 2 He married Vanneri Chittazhiveettil Madhavi Amma in November 1901 and shifted to Thrissur the cultural capital of Kerala He worked as manager in the Kalpadrumam Press in Thrissur from 1905 to 1910 2 During this period his hearing began to deteriorate From 1915 he started working in Keralodayam newspaper and later joined Amrit Ritesh a journal published from Thrissur 2 Poetry EditHe started writing poems from the age of twelve Kiratha Satakam and Vyasavataram were his earliest published works 2 He won Bhashaposhini magazine s poetry award in 1894 2 His poems began appearing in Bhashaposhini Kerala Sanchari and Vijnana Chintamani magazines 2 His first major literary ventures was a rendition of Valmiki s Ramayana into Malayalam the work of which started in 1905 and took two years to complete 3 Unlike some of his contemporaries Vallathol did not have any acquaintance with English language 4 He earned the title Mahakavi after the publication of the Mahakavya Chitrayogam in 1913 Chitrayogam conformed to all the principles of a traditional Mahakavya and was divided into 18 Sargas The story of Chandrasena and Taravali taken from Kathasaritsagara was the theme of this poetry work 5 Vallathol portrayed the protest of Parvati against Siva in the work Gangapati 1913 and of Usha defying her father for the sake of her love in Bandhanasthanaya Anirudhan 1914 4 In 1917 the first of his eleven volume work Sahitya Manjari A Bouquet of Literature was published These volumes published from 1917 to 1970 4 contain his collected short romantic poems dealing with a variety of themes 6 Many of these poems earlier appeared in P V Krishna Variar s Kavanakaumudi magazine His khanda kavya on Mary Magdalene titled Magdalana Mariam paved the way for a new tradition in of Christian symbolism in Malayalam 6 The poet s own struggle with deafness from his early twenties features in the work Badhiravilapam 3 Other celebrated short poems of Vallathol include Sishyanum Makanum Virasinkala Achanum Makalum Divaswapnam and Ente Gurukulam 3 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 7 He is also regarded as the greatest nationalist poet of the language 8 He was one of the triumvirate poets of modern Malayalam along with Kumaran Asan and Ulloor S Parameswara Iyer Literary critic K M George has noted that together with Kumaran Asan Vallathol was responsible for bringing about a revolutionary change in Malayalam poetry in the nineteen twenties Asan concentrated on social themes and Vallathol championed the national movement yet both made very significant contributions to the khandkavya ie the short poem of the lyrical type 9 The title Kavisarvabhowman was conferred upon him by the Maharaja of Cochin 10 He was awarded Padma Bhushan title India s third highest civilian award in 1954 11 Kathakali EditVallathol is credited with revitalising Kathakali He played a prominent role in setting up the Kerala Kalamandalam at Cheruthuruthy near the banks of Bharathapuzha River The revival of the art of Kathakali in modern Kerala was mainly due to the efforts of Vallathol and the Kerala Kalamandalam 3 He stimulated the world s interest in this art during his tours abroad between 1950 and 1953 12 Involvement in Nationalist movement EditVallathol was a nationalist poet writing in the Malayalam language 8 He actively participated in the Nationalist movement He attended the all India Conferences of the Indian Congress in 1922 and 1927 and rejected a royal honour bestowed upon him by the Prince of Wales during his India visit in 1922 13 14 Vallathol remained a great admirer of Mahatma Gandhi and wrote the poem Ente Gurunathan My Great Teacher in his praise At the same time he felt attracted by the Communist ideology and wrote poems praising the achievements of the Soviet Union 3 He wrote several patriotic poems hailing India s nationalist movement 7 Works EditAbhivadyam Achanum Makalum Allah Badhiravilapam Bandhanasthanaya Anirudhan Bapuji Bhaval Sthotramala Chitrayogam Dandakaranyam Divaswapnam Ente Gurunathan Indiayude Karachil Kavya Manjusha Kochu Seetha Magdalana Mariyam 15 Naagila Oru Kunju Athava Rugminiyude Pashchathapam Onapputava Oushadhaharanam Kathakali attakadha Patmadalam Paralokam Randaksharam Rakshasakrithyam Kilippattu Ritu Vilasam Russiayil Saranamayyappa Sishyanum Makanum Sahitya Manjari 11 Volumes Sthree Vallathol Sudha Two Volumes Vallatholinte Khandakavyangal Vallatholinte Padyakrithikal Vilasa Lathika Vishukkani Veera Sringala Arogya Chinthamani Health Garbha Chikitsakramam Health Granthaviharam Study Prasanga Vediyil Speech Vallatholinte Granthaniroopanangalum Prasangalum Study Vallathol Kathukal Letters Vallathol Samagrapatanam Study See also EditVallathol AwardReferences Edit Zarrilli Phillip 2004 Kathakali Dance Drama Where Gods and Demons Come to Play Routledge pp 30 31 ISBN 9780203197660 a b c d e f g h Vallathol Narayana Menon Kerala Sahitya Akademi Retrieved 18 April 2014 a b c d e A Sreedhara Menon 1982 The Legacy of Kerala DC Books p 77 ISBN 9788126437986 a b c Sisir Kumar Das 1 January 1995 History of Indian Literature 1911 1956 struggle for freedom triumph and tragedy Sahitya Akademi p 206 ISBN 9788172017989 Amaresh Datta 1988 Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature devraj to jyoti Volume 2 Sahitya Akademi p 1185 ISBN 9788126011940 a b Nalini Natarajan Emmanuel Sampath Nelson 1996 Handbook of Twentieth century Literatures of India Greenwood Publishing Group pp 185 186 ISBN 9780313287787 a b Cir pi 1991 A Comparative Study of Bharati and Vallathol Kolam Veliyeedu a b Raman Varadara Raman Varadara Staff 1993 Glimpses of Indian Heritage Popular Prakashan p 138 ISBN 9788171547586 George K M 1972 Western Influence On Malayalam Language And Literature Sahitya Akademi p 75 ISBN 9788126004133 Indian Who s Who 1937 38 Padma Awards Directory 1954 2013 PDF Ministry of Home Affairs Retrieved 18 April 2014 Sayed Jafar Mahmud 1994 Pillars of Modern India 1757 1947 APH Publishing p 129 ISBN 9788170245865 Malayalam Literary Survey Volume 13 Kerala Sahitya Akademi 1991 p 26 K M Pr abhakaravariyar 1978 Poetry and National Awakening Mahakavi Vallathol Birth Centenary Celebrations Committee pp 1 58 Magdalana mariyam adhava pasthapam prayaschitham 2006 2011 ISBN 9788126412495 OCLC 9788126412495External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vallathol Narayana Menon Biographical sketch Portrait Handwriting and Books of Vallathol Kerala Sahitya Akademi Ente Gurunathan Poem Lyrics Vallathol Narayana Menon Poems Collection of Poem Lyrics Ente Basha Poem Lyrics Vallathol Narayana Menon Mathruvandanam Poem Lyrics Vallathol Narayana Menon List of Vallathol Narayana Menon Poems Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Vallathol Narayana Menon amp oldid 1133975129, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
