gives a basic understanding regarding the evolution of Malayalam literature from its early stage to the present stage along with some icons in the Malayalam literature
2. Prose
• Prose (9th century)
• shasanangal
• Bhaashaakoudaleeyam (transalation of Arthasasthra)
• 14th to 17th century – medevial period
• Nambiayam tamil prose
• Brahmanda puraanam
• Doothavakyam
• Ambareeshopakyanam
• nalopkyanam
3. • 18th and 19th century
• Language get more standardise
• Travelogues
• Modern age
• Indhulekha
• Saaradha
• Maarthanda varma
• Raamaraja bhadhoor
• Dharma raja
• Humanised and modernised prose begins to appear
• Translation of novel forms
O. Chandu Menon
CV Raman Pillai
4. Oyyarathu Chandu Menon
(popularly known as O. Chandu
Menon) (1847–1899) was a
Malayalam novelist. He is the
author of Indulekha, the first
major novel in Malayalam
published in 1889.
Channankara Velayudhan Pillai Raman Pillai (19
May 1858 – 21 March 1922), also known as C.V.,
was one of the major Indian novelists and
playwrights and a pioneering playwright and
novelist of Malayalam literature. He was known
for his historical novels such as Marthandavarma
(1891), Dharmaraja and Ramaraja Bahadur; the
last mentioned considered by many as one of the
greatest novels written in Malayalam.
5. In the twentieth century the novels and stories comes with more originality
and the language get much simpler
• standardised and modernised form of Malayalam prose literature appear
6. Progressive outlook 1930s’ to 1940s’
• Social commitments get importance
• Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
• P. Kesavadev
• Ponkunnam varky
• Uroob
• Vaikom Muhammad Basheer
• Karoor Neelakanta Pillai
7. Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, popularly known asThakazhi after his place of birth, was an Indian
novelist and short story writer of Malayalam literature. He wrote over 30 novels and novellas and over
600 short stories focusing on the lives of the oppressed classes. Chemmeen, Enippadikal are
important works byThakazhi
P. Kesava Pillai, better known by his pen-name P. Kesavadev, was a novelist and
social reformer of Kerala, India. He is remembered for his speeches,
autobiographies, novels, dramas, short stories, and films. Ayalkkār, Odayil Ninnu,
Kannadi (2nd edition), Kēśavadēvint̲e kathakaḷ
PonkunnamVarkey was a writer and activist from Kerala, India. He authored more than 120
short stories and 16 plays and is widely acclaimed as a writer who had always upheld social
relevance in his works.Varkey combated against many evils that existed in the society during
his days. His stories heightened the values of freedom and democracy. His name was
synonymous with protest and he used his literary prowess to launch an uncompromising
struggle against social injustice.Varkey was one of the pioneers of the progressive writers'
forum and literary writers' co-operative in Kerala.
8. Parutholli Chalappurathu Kuttikrishnan, popularly known by his pen name Uroob was an Indian writer
of Malayalam literature. Along with Basheer,Thakazhi, Kesavadev, and Pottekkatt, Uroob was counted
among the progressive writers in Malayalam during the twentieth century. He was known for his novels
such as Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum and Ummachu, short stories like Rachiyamma and the
screenplays of a number of Malayalam films including Neelakuyil, the first Malayalam feature film to
receive the National FilmAward.
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer (21 January 1908 – 5 July 1995), fondly known as
Beypore Sultan, was an Indian independence activist and writer of Malayalam
literature . He was a writer, humanist, freedom fighter, novelist and short story
writer, noted for his path-breaking, down-to-earth style of writing that made
him equally popular among literary critics as well as the common man. His
notable works include Balyakalasakhi, Shabdangal, Pathummayude Aadu,
Mathilukal, Ntuppuppakkoranendarnnu, Janmadinam and Anargha Nimisham
and the translations of his works into other languages have earned him
worldwide acclaim.
Karoor Neelakanta Pillai was a writer of Malayalam literature and one of the
founders of Sahithya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sangham (Writers' Co-operative
Society). Some of his works such as Poovan Pazham and Marappavakal are
counted by many among the best short stories in Malayalam.
9. Modern era after 1950s’
• Personal experiences and inner thoughts of mankind the comes in the
literature
• MTVasudevan Nair
• T Padmanabhan
• Madhavikutty
10. Thinakkal Padmanabhan popularly known asT. Padmanabhan, is an Indian
short story writer of Malayalam literature. Considered by many as one of the
greatest short fiction writers in Malayalam language, Padmanabhan is
credited with bringing modern Malayalam literature nearer to the subjective
intensity of the lyric. Notable works include Prakasam Parathunna Oru
Penkutty, Gowri, Kadal,Thiranjedutha Kathakal
MadathThekkepaattuVasudevan Nair popularly known as MT, is an Indian author, screenplay
writer and film director. He is a prolific and versatile writer in modern Malayalam literature,
and is one of the masters of post-Independence Indian literature. His debut novel Naalukettu
translated to English asThe Legacy . Other novels include Manju (Mist), Kaalam (Time),
Asuravithu (The Prodigal Son - translated to English asThe Demon Seed) and
Randamoozham (The SecondTurn).The deep emotional experiences of his early days have
gone into the making of MT's novels. Most of his works are oriented towards the basic
Malayalam family structure and culture and many of them were path-breaking in the history
of Malayalam literature. His three seminal novels on life in the matriarchal family in Kerala
are Naalukettu, Asuravithu, and Kaalam. Randamoozham, which retells the story of the
Mahabharatha from the point of view of Bhimasena, is widely credited as his masterpiece.
11. Kamala Surayya popularly known by her one-time pen name Madhavikutty and married name
Kamala Das, was an Indian English poet as well as a leading Malayalam author from Kerala, India.
Her popularity in Kerala is based chiefly on her short stories and autobiography, while her oeuvre in
English, written under the name Kamala Das, is noted for the poems and explicit autobiography.
She was also a widely read columnist and wrote on diverse topics including women's issues, child
care, politics among others. Her open and honest treatment of female sexuality, free from any sense
of guilt, infused her writing with power and she got hope after freedom, but also marked her as an
iconoclast in her generation.
12. Modernism - 1960s’
• Language, theme and presentation style everything adopted some
innovative methods
• O.V.Vijayan
• Kakkanadan
• Anand
• Sethu
• M. Mukundan
13. OttupulackalVelukkutyVijayan commonly known as O.V.Vijayan, was an Indian author
and cartoonist, who was an important figure in modern Malayalam language literature.
Best known for his first novel Khasakkinte Itihasam (1969),Vijayan was the author of six
novels, nine short-story collections, and nine collections of essays, memoirs and
reflections.Vijayan authored many volumes of short stories, which range from the comic
to the philosophical and show a diversity of situations, tones and styles.Vijayan translated
most of his own works from Malayalam to English. He was also an editorial cartoonist and
political observer and worked for news publications includingThe Statesman andThe
Hindu.
GeorgeVarghese Kakkanadan commonly known as Kakkanadan, was an Indian short story
writer and novelist in the Malayalam language. His works made break from the neo-realism
that dominated Malayalam literature through the 1950s and 1960s. He is often credited with
laying the foundation of modernism in Malayalam literature. Kakkanadan's major novels are
Sakshi (1967), Ezham Mudra (1968),Vasoori (1968), Ushnamekhala (1969), Kozhi (1971),
Parankimala (1971), Ajnathayude Thaazhvara (1972), Innaleyude Nizhal (1974), Adiyaravu
(1975), Orotha (1982), Ee Naaykkalute Lokam (1983) and Barsaathi (1986). His most noted
short story collections areYuddhaavasaanam (1969), PurathekkullaVazhi (1970),
Aswathamaavinte Chiri (1979), Sreechakram (1981), AlwarThirunagarile Pannikal (1989),
Uchayillaatha Oru Divasam (1989) and Jaappaana Pukayila (2005).
14. P. Sachidanandan (born 1936), who uses the pseudonymAnand, is an Indian writer,
writing primarily in Malayalam. He is one of the known living intellectuals in India. His
works are noted for their philosophical flavor, historical context and their humanism.
Aalkkoottam (1970) Jaivamanushyan (1991), Marubhoomikal Undakunnathu (1992),
GovardhandeYathrakal (1995)
A. Sethumadhavan popularly known as Sethu, is a Malayalam fiction writer. He has
published more than 35 books.[1] He won the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in 2007
for the work Adayalangal. He received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards in 1982
and 1978 for his works Pandavapuram and Pediswapnangal; andVayalar Award for
Adyalangal in 2005. He also won Odakkuzhal award for his novel Marupiravi. Sethu's
other literary works includeVelutha Koodarangal,Thaliyola, Kiratham, Niyogam,
Sethuvinte Kathakal and Kaimudrakal.
Maniyambath Mukundan commonly known as M. Mukundan, is an Indian writer
of Malayalam literature. Many of his early works are set in Mayyazhi which has
earned him the moniker, Mayyazhiyude Kathakaaran. He is known to be one of
the pioneers of modernity in Malayalam literature and Mayyazhippuzhayude
Theerangalil, Daivathinte Vikrithikal, KesavanteVilapangal and Pravasam are
some of his notable works.
15. Post modern age 1985 onwards
• Literature in the post modern era responded towards the modern phenomenon
like globalization, new economic order etc.
• It show sensitiveness to delit issues, environmental issues, women and women
issues
• T.V. Kochubava
• K. R. Meera
• Francis Noronha
• Santhosh Echikkanam
• Subhash Chandran
• U. K. Kumaran
• VinoyThomas
16. T.V. Kochubava (1955–1999) was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature,
known for his novels and short stories.Vridhasadanam, Jalamalika,
Perumkaliyattam, Soochikkuzhayil OruYacob ,Upajanmam are some of the
important works.
K. R. Meera is an Indian author, who writes in Malayalam. She was born in
Sasthamkotta, Kollam district in Kerala. She worked as a journalist in Malayala
Manorama but later resigned to concentrate more on writing. She started writing
fiction in 2001 and her first short story collection Ormayude Njarambu was published in
2002. Since then she has published five collections of short stories, two novellas, five
novels and two children's books. She won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 2009
for her short-story,Ave Maria. Her novel Aarachaar (2012) is widely regarded as one of
the best literary works produced in Malayalam language.
18. Manipravalam
• The literature of the elite was composed in the curious mixture of Sanskrit
and Malayalam which is referred to as Manipravalam
• It is fairly typical of the works that appealed to the upper class reading
public of those days
• Most of the early manipravala poems were descriptions of courtesans
20. Paattu
• The poems that come under the category ‘pattu’ are written in theTamil
script
• Ramacharitham
• Thirunizhalmala
• It says that in pattu, Dramida Sanghatakashara Nibaddham (only Dravidian
letters are to be used), as distinct from Manipravalam which uses Sanskrit
and Malayalam
21. • The Bhakti school of literature and reasserted the seriousness of the poetic
vocation in the place of the excessive sensuality and eroticism of the
Manipravalam poets
• The trend towards purism in Malayalam literature
• Kannassa Bhagavatam
• Kannassa Ramayanam
• Kannassa Bharatam
• Sivarathri Mahatmyam
• Ramakatha Pattu
• Bharatham Pattu
22. • The 15th century A.D. saw two paralleled movements in Malayalam literature: one
spearheaded by the Manipravala works especially the Champoos, mixing verse and
prose, and continuing the trend of the earlier Champoos at least in part, and the
other emanating from the pattu school and adumbrated in Cherusseri's magnum
opus, the Krishnagatha (Song of Krishna). As the elitist Manipravala Champoo
school is going to disappear later in the next century, it may be discussed first.The
language of the later Champoos reads more like modern Malayalam than that of
the earlier Champoos and Sandesakavyas. Perhaps, it can also be said that there is
an improvement in poetic quality and craftsmanship too.The greatest Manipravala
Champoos of the 15th century is Punam Nambudiri's Ramayanam
23. • Another prominent work in the ‘pattu’ movement is Krishna Gadha, written
in the 15th century by Cherusseri Namboothiri.
24. 16th and 17th century - Bhakti movement in
Malayalam
• Devotional hymns
• Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri, the author of Narayaneeyam
• Poonthanam Nambudiri’s (1547–1640) Jnanappana (The Song of Divine
Wisdom), Bhasha Karnamritam and Kumaraharanam or Santanagopalam
Pana.
25. • Thunchathu Ezhuthachan, the greatest Malayalam poet of all time, wrote his
two great epics Adhyatma Ramayanam, Srimahabharatam Kilippattu and
Harinama Kirtanam
• Ezhuthachan refined the style of Malayalam language and it was during his
period that Malayalam literature attained its individuality and Malayalam
became a fully fledged independent language.
• Thereby he is rightly regarded as the maker of modern Malayalam and the
father of Malayalam poetry.
• Thus from 16th century onwards Malayalam literature deals with philosophical
ideas too.
26. • The main development in the cultural field in Kerala in the 17th century was
the growth of a new form of visual art called Kathakali, which brought into
being a new genre of poetry called Attakkatha consisting of the libretto
used for a Kathakali performance.
• Ramanattam composed by KottarakkaraTampuran
• UnnayiVariyar’s NalacharithamAattakatha
• Kunchan Nambiar (1705–1770), the founder ofThullal and its rich literature, is often
considered as the master of Malayalam satirist poetry.
27. 19th century -Venmani sahithyam
• The third quarter of the nineteenth century bore witness to the rise of a new
school of poets devoted to the observation of life around them and the use
of pure Malayalam known as venmani school of thought.
28. 19th century -The Modern Age
• Nineteenth century was not a very creative period for Malayalam literature
(except towards the end) from the point of view of imaginative writing. But the
foundations for the great renaissance that began at the end of the century
were laid during this period.The establishment of colleges for imparting
English education, the translation of the Bible and other religious works, the
compilation of dictionaries and grammars, the formation of the text book
committee, the growth of printing presses, the starting of newspapers and
periodicals, the introduction of science and technology, the beginning of
industrialization and the awakening of social and political consciousness: these
constitute the giant strides towards modernization.
29. 20th century – romanticism
• N. KumaranAsan (1873-1924)The poet who most clearly symbolizes the
poetic revolution in the first quarter of the 20th century is Kumaran
Asan.Veena Poovu (A fallen flower, 1907) combines the lyrical and the
elegiac with the romanticism. Chandalabhikshuki and Karuna
(Compassion) are other important works.
• Ulloor Parameswara Iyer (1877 - 1949) the second of the grand poetic
trinity of the 20th century renaissance in Malayalam. Umakeralam, his
mahakavya, is a work of great devotion: devotion to the land, to the
language, to a poetic tradition and to high moral values. He wrote, like
Asan andVallathol, a number of short narratives or khandakavyas, of
which the most famous are Karnabhooshanam and Pingala.
30. • Vallathol Narayana Menon (1878-1958)his training was in classicism but his
native genius was romantic.The spirit of a renaissance was in the air and
Vallathol breathed it in sumptuously. He took part in all the neoclassical
games of poetry and even wrote a mahakavya, but his reputation today is
firmly based on his middle length narratives like Bandhanasthanaya
Anirudhan (Anirudhan in Prison: 1914), Sishyanum Makanum (Disciple and
Son: 1918), Magdalanamariam (Mary Magdalene: 1921) and shorter lyrics
contained in the early volumes of Sahityamanjari
31. • Ancient trio(Prachina Kavithrayam) were Cherusseri,
Thunchathezhuthachan and Kunjan Nambiar. Cherusseri famous for
Krishnagaatha the stories of Krishna. Ezhuthachan forAdhyatma
Ramayanam and Sri Mahabharatham - Malayalam language was made into
modern shape by the writing and improvements made by Ezhuthachan.
Kunjan Nambiar - foudner of OttamThullal the traditional dance art form at
temples and was renowned for satire based purana, epic retelling.
• The modern trio (Aadhunika Kavithrayam) were KumaranAsan,Vallathol
Narayana Menon, Ulloor S Parameswara Iyer. Asan was associated with Sri
Narayana Guru and was himself a social reformer.Vallathol is associated
with freedom movement and Kalamandalam which revived Kathakali and
arts in Kerala. Ulloor is famous for Pingala, Kerala Sahitya Charitram (History
of Kerala literature and language) Uma Keralam.
32. Late 1930s’ – high romanticism
• Changanpuzha (1914-48) and Idappally (1909-36) are two younger late Romantic
poets of equal importance who stand out in the field of Malayalam literature.
• Changampuzha's most popular work is a pastoral play in verse called Ramanan. It
is a dramatization of the life and death of Raghavan Pillai presented in idealized
terms. Its romantic melodies have captured the loveliness of the landscape of
Kerala with its evergreen trees and its numerous rivers.
• Romantic poetry weakened with the death of Changanpuzha, whomVallathol
outlived by a whole decade. Romanticism in Malayalam contributed greatly
toward developing a native poetic voice that is modern and at the same time
does not imitate the Western models and styles. Post Romantic and late
Romantic poets, in general, sought to strike a truly Malayalam note in their
poetry
33. Transition period
• A period in between romanticism and modernaism
• Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon was an Indian poet of Malayalam literature. Known for his
works such as Kudiyozhikkal, Kannikkoythu and Mambazham. 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.
• Edasseri Govindan Nair was among those poets who changed the romantic traits of
Malayalam poetry to realism. His narrative style, as shown in his poems such as
Poothapattu, Panimudakkam, Kalyana Pudava, Karutha Chettichikal and Kavile Pattu,
was reported to reflect strong humanism.
• Panayanthitta Kunhiraman Nair also known as Mahakavi P, was known for his romantic
poems which detailed the natural beauty of Kerala as well as the realities of his life and
times. Nirapara published in 1944, started a new phase which showed his leaning
towards nature and symbolism.Thamarathoni, Kaliyachan',Vayalkarayil, Ratholsavam
and Pookkalam are a few of his known poems.
34. • N.V. KrishnaWarrier was the author of Gandhiyum Godseyum, a poem
where he positioned Mohandas Gandhi and Nathuram Godse in various
situations in the post-independent India for commenting on the socio-
political state of affairs. Besides other poetry anthologies like
Kochuthomman and Kalidasante Simhasanam. KrishnaWarrier was the first
editor of AkhilaVijnana Kosam, an encyclopaedia in Malayalam. He was
considered as one of the best literary editors of his times. He is also credited
with efforts on modernisation of Malayalam language.
35. Modernism – 1960s’ onwards
• The authors tries to convey the complexities of the modern world thus it
influence the structure and content of the literature.
• the publication of ‘Kuruksetram by K. Ayyappa Paniker marked modernaism in poetry
that marked a decisive departure in poetry by freely mixing meters, breaking linear
structure, and expressing in fresh, sometimes surreal, images the dilemma of
contemporary life.
• M. N. Paloor is the author of some of the finest Malayalam poems of the latter half of
the 20th century. His major collections are Kalikalam, Pedithondan,Theerthayathra,
BhangiyumAbhangiyum, Sangamasangeetham, Pachamanga and Sarga Dhara.
Paloor's poems traced the sufferings of mankind involving all the complexities of a
highly urbanised system. He is one of those poets who were part of a major turning
point in the history of 20th-century Malayalam poetry.
36. • Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan or Kadammanitta, was an Indian poet. He was born in
Kadammanitta province of Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. His childhood experiences,
especially the Patayani songs, had a strong influence on his literary work. He played a
role in reviving interest in poetry by holding thousands of recital sessions in every
nook and corner of Kerala in the 1970s and 80s. His work has been widely appreciated
for its force, energy and folk touch and gave a mass appeal and popularity making
poetry enjoyable even to common man.
• K. Sachidanandan is a noted Indian poet and critic, writing in Malayalam and English.
A pioneer of modern poetry in Malayalam, a bilingual literary critic, playwright, editor,
columnist and translator. He is also social advocate for secular anti-caste views,
supporting causes like environment, human rights and a well known speaker on issues
concerning contemporary Indian literature. One of the most widely anthologised and
translated of modern poets in India, he has 32 books of poems in 18 languages
• Attoor RaviVarma, A. Ayyappan, Balachandran Chullikkad, N. N. Kakkad, K. G.
Sankara Pillai,
37. Post modernism
• Post-modernism in Malayalam literature did the immense work of bringing
Malayalam literature onto the world stage.Works that were initially regionalized now
got propelled into wider regions thus earning it a bigger audience and greater
acceptability.
• P. P. Ramachandran - His poems are collected in two books, Kanekkane and Rantay
Murichathu (Cut intoTwo)
• P. N. Gopikrishnan - important works include Madiyarude Manifesto, Idikkaloori Panampattadi
(poetry collection), Daivathe Maattiyezhuthumpol (essay collection).
• Anwar Ali also known Anvar Ali (born 1 July 1966) is an Indian poet, lyricist, translator, and
documentary filmmaker. He has been contributing poems and poetic studies in leading
literary journals and periodicals of Kerala since 1984; Mazhakkalam (The Rainy Season), 1999,
his first collection of poems established him as one of the prominent voices in contemporary
Malayalam poetry; his poems have been translated into various Indian and foreign languages
and are included in several anthologies of Malayalam as well as Indian poetry of the post-
modern phase. His other important works include Atiyaati Alanja Marangale (YeTrees,
Swaying Ramblers), collection of poems, 2009, Eternal Sculptures, Poetry Collection in English
and, I Rappai .
