P. Kunhiraman Nair
Encyclopedia
P. Kunhiraman Nair 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.
is dedicated in the memory of the poet P. Kunhiraman Nair. An upcoming film, titled Ivan Megharoopan
,Directed by P.Balanchandran is based on the life of P. Kunhiraman Nair.
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
in southern India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and juxtaposed it with the hard realities of his life and times.
Born in Bellikoth
Bellikoth
Bellikoth or ' is a small village in Ajanur Panchayat,near Kanhangad, in Kasargod district of Kerala state, India.-Personalities:Bellikoth has been the birthplace famous poet Maha Kavi P. Kunhiraman Nair and famous freedom fighter and author Vidwan P. Kelu Nair...
near Kanhangad
Kanhangad
Kanhangad is a town and a municipality in Kasaragod district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is 28 km from the district headquarters of Kasaragod. Bekal Fort is a 300-year old fort, one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala and lies 10 km north of Kanhangad. The fort is...
of North Malabar
North Malabar
North Malabar , is a historic as well as geographic distinction in India used to refer the area covering; present Kasaragod and Kannur Districts, Mananthavady taluk of Wayanad District and Koyilandy & Vatakara taluks of Kozhikode District in modern Kerala and the entire Mahé sub-Division of...
, P., as he is known (simply by his initial), led a Bohemian
Bohemian
A Bohemian is a resident of the former Kingdom of Bohemia, either in a narrow sense as the region of Bohemia proper or in a wider meaning as the whole country, now known as the Czech Republic. The word "Bohemian" was used to denote the Czech people as well as the Czech language before the word...
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
Koodali
Koodali is the centre of Koodali Panchayath and of the village of Koodali. It is in Kannur in the Indian state of Kerala.- Educational institutions :...
near Kannur
Kannur
Kannur , also known as Cannanore, is a city in Kannur district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of the District of Kannur and 518km north of state capital Trivandrum. During British rule in India, Kannur was known by its old name Cannanore, which is still in...
and Kollengode
Kollengode
Kollengode is a small town in Palakkad district of Kerala state, south India.Kollengode, 19 km from Palakkad town, has endless green paddy fields, an ancient Vishnu temple and the Kollengode Palace, built in the traditional Kerala architectural style....
in Palakkad
Palakkad
Palakkad , formerly known as Palghat, is a municipality and a town in the state of Kerala in southern India, spread over an area of 26.60 km2.The city is situated about north of state capital Thiruvananthapuram. It is the administrative headquarters of Palakkad District...
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
Kathakali
Kathakali is a highly stylized classical Indian dance-drama noted for the attractive make-up of characters, elaborate costumes, detailed gestures and well-defined body movements presented in tune with the anchor playback music and complementary percussion...
, 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
Sahitya Akademi Award
Sahitya Akademi Award is a literary honor in India which Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, annually confers on writers of outstanding works in one of the following twenty-four major Indian languagesAssamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri,...
.
Also proficient in Sanskrit
Sanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
, Kunhiraman Nair initially worked at a printing press in Thrissur
Thrissur
This article is about the city in India. For the district, see Thrissur district. For the urban agglomeration area of Thrissur see Thrissur Metropolitan Area...
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)
Plays
- Rangamandapam (Stage Canopy, 1956)
- Upaasana (Worship, 1958)
- Swapnasanchari
- Poonilaavu
- Chandramandalam
Autobiography
- Kaviyude kalpadukal(Footprints of poet)
- Ennethirayunna njan(I searching myself)
Memorial
P. Smaraka (memorial) building in KanhangadKanhangad
Kanhangad is a town and a municipality in Kasaragod district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is 28 km from the district headquarters of Kasaragod. Bekal Fort is a 300-year old fort, one of the largest and best preserved forts in Kerala and lies 10 km north of Kanhangad. The fort is...
is dedicated in the memory of the poet P. Kunhiraman Nair. An upcoming film, titled Ivan Megharoopan
Ivan Megharoopan
Ivan Megharoopan is an upcoming Malayalam biopic film written and directed by P. Balachandran. The film is based on the life of Malayalam poet P. Kunhiraman Nair and is particularly based on his autobiography, Kaviyude Kalpadukal. Prakash Bare, who is the producer of the film, also plays the...
,Directed by P.Balanchandran is based on the life of P. Kunhiraman Nair.