Muloor S.Padmanabha Panicker
Encyclopedia
Mooloor S. Padmanābha Panicker (a.k.a. Mooloor Asān or Sarasa Kavi, meaning "humour poet") was a poet and a prominent social reform activist from the Travancore
region of present-day Kerala
.
Kumbhom 27, 1044). His father was Mooloor Sankaran Vaidyar
and mother was Veluthakunj Amma. Both his parents were from well educated, prosperous and respected Ezhava
families. Kaavil was a family of traditional ayurvedic physicians, and the Mooloor family was well known for its Kalari
(martial art), natural treatments, Sanskrit
, philosophy
, and spirituality. Mooloor's poetic masterpiece, Kirathom, was what brought him accolades from different quarters in his teens. His literary masterpiece, Kavi-Ramayanam, which he wrote at the age of 25, is deemed to be the motivational force behind the 1936 Temple Entry Proclamation
, which abolished the ban on low-caste people entering Hindu temple
s in the state of Travancore
.
, Ayurveda
, kalari
etc. from his father Mooloor Sankaran Vaidyar. He started writing poems right from his childhood. He is a man of letters who dedicated his life not only for the literary work but also for his community (Ezhava
) and the state (Kerala
) as a whole. He was a member in the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha from 1914 onwards. He was an excellent orator as well. His major works include: "Nalacharitham", "Krishnarjuna Vijayam", "Kiratham" ("Ammanappattukal"), "Asannamarana Chintha Sathakom" (a poem that won a Bhashaposhini
award), "Krishanrjuna Vijayam", "Kuchelavrutham" (Katha Kali literature), "Kokila Sandesam", "Avasarokthimala", "Theendal Gadha", "Moonnu Tharattukal", "Kavithaniroopanam", "Balabodhanam", "Neethisara Samuchyam", "Pooppadappattu", "Kalahamsam" (poems), "Sanmarga Chandrika", "Dharmapadam" (translations), and "Subhadraharanam" (drama).
Kingdom.
daily and founder of the 78-year-old Padmanabhodayam English
School in the small hamlet of Mezhuveli
. The late Kerala Varma Valiyakoyi Thampuran conferred the Sarasakavi title on Mooloor in 1913. The Government of Travancore
nominated him as a member of the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha, the precursor of today's Legislative Assembly. Mooloor was elected vice-president of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam in the 25th year of its formation. He died on 1931 (Malayalam Year 1106, Meenam 9).
Eight lower primary schools in the following places:
Elavumthitta
Public Market, which now has several shopping complexes, was a great contribution of this poet, during his period as a Praja Saba member. 'Sree Moola Rajagopala Vilasam' Market he named, now recollects the rule of the Maharajas and Diwans of Travancore.
Mooloor named his residence Kerala Varma Soudham as a mark of respect for Kerala Varma Valiyakoyi Thampuran, who was his close friend. It was later converted into the Sarasakavi Mooloor Memorial by the State Government in 1989. His home in Elavumthitta
is preserved as a monument by the Department of Culture, government of Kerala
. The objective of the Mooloor Memorial is to familiarise the present generation with the rich social as well as literary contributions of the poet and to keep his memory alive. This is now famous for "Ezhuthiniruthu" (The starting of writing and reading of children).
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
region of present-day Kerala
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....
.
Early years
Padmanābhan was born in his mother's ancestral home named Kaavil near Panayannaarkavu, close to the town of Mannar in Central Travancore in 1869 (Malayalam yearMalayalam calendar
Malayalam calendar is a solar and sidereal Hindu calendar used in Kerala, India. The origin of the calendar has been dated as 825 CE....
Kumbhom 27, 1044). His father was Mooloor Sankaran Vaidyar
Vaidyar
Vaidyar or Vaidyan in Malayalam means physician, who used ayurvedic medicines. They are mostly ayurvedic physicians by profession which was also hereditary...
and mother was Veluthakunj Amma. Both his parents were from well educated, prosperous and respected Ezhava
Ezhava
The Ezhavas are a community with origins in the region presently known as Kerala. They are also known as Ilhava, Irava, Izhava and Erava in the south of the region; as Chovas, Chokons and Chogons in Central Travancore; and as Tiyyas, Thiyas and Theeyas in Malabar...
families. Kaavil was a family of traditional ayurvedic physicians, and the Mooloor family was well known for its Kalari
Kalari
The word Kalari means battle ground in Tamil and translates as "threshing floor" or "battlefield" in Malayalam. Training for Kalarippayattu, a martial art of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is traditionally done inside the Kalari....
(martial art), natural treatments, 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...
, philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, and spirituality. Mooloor's poetic masterpiece, Kirathom, was what brought him accolades from different quarters in his teens. His literary masterpiece, Kavi-Ramayanam, which he wrote at the age of 25, is deemed to be the motivational force behind the 1936 Temple Entry Proclamation
Temple Entry Proclamation
The Temple Entry Proclamation issued by Maharaja Shri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma and his Dewan Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer in 1936 abolished the ban on low-caste people or avarnas from entering Hindu Temples in the state of Travancore .The edict is as follows:Today, the Temple Entry...
, which abolished the ban on low-caste people entering Hindu temple
Hindu temple
A Mandir, Devalayam, Devasthanam, or a Hindu temple is a place of worship for followers of Hinduism...
s in the state of Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
.
Early poetic days and major works
Padmanābhan initially studied SanskritSanskrit
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...
, Ayurveda
Ayurveda
Ayurveda or ayurvedic medicine is a system of traditional medicine native to India and a form of alternative medicine. In Sanskrit, words , meaning "longevity", and , meaning "knowledge" or "science". The earliest literature on Indian medical practice appeared during the Vedic period in India,...
, kalari
Kalari
The word Kalari means battle ground in Tamil and translates as "threshing floor" or "battlefield" in Malayalam. Training for Kalarippayattu, a martial art of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, is traditionally done inside the Kalari....
etc. from his father Mooloor Sankaran Vaidyar. He started writing poems right from his childhood. He is a man of letters who dedicated his life not only for the literary work but also for his community (Ezhava
Ezhava
The Ezhavas are a community with origins in the region presently known as Kerala. They are also known as Ilhava, Irava, Izhava and Erava in the south of the region; as Chovas, Chokons and Chogons in Central Travancore; and as Tiyyas, Thiyas and Theeyas in Malabar...
) and the state (Kerala
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....
) as a whole. He was a member in the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha from 1914 onwards. He was an excellent orator as well. His major works include: "Nalacharitham", "Krishnarjuna Vijayam", "Kiratham" ("Ammanappattukal"), "Asannamarana Chintha Sathakom" (a poem that won a Bhashaposhini
Bhashaposhini
Bhashaposhini is an Indian monthly magazine. It is one of the oldest Malayalam literary review magazines.Bhashaposhini was first published in 1892. After a long break, this publication has been revived by the Malayala Manorama group of Publications...
award), "Krishanrjuna Vijayam", "Kuchelavrutham" (Katha Kali literature), "Kokila Sandesam", "Avasarokthimala", "Theendal Gadha", "Moonnu Tharattukal", "Kavithaniroopanam", "Balabodhanam", "Neethisara Samuchyam", "Pooppadappattu", "Kalahamsam" (poems), "Sanmarga Chandrika", "Dharmapadam" (translations), and "Subhadraharanam" (drama).
Mezhuveli Anandabhootheshawaram Temple
Mezhuveli Anandabhootheshawara Temple is situated at the heart of Mezhuveli. This temple was built by Mooloor S. Padmanābha Panicker. The prathishta and pooja was performed by Sree Narayana Guru. This century-old temple was built on a place called ‘Tholekavu’, which was surrounded by a small hill called ‘Meenchirakkal Hill’ on the southern side, ‘Ambottimodi’ (also called ‘Kailasam’) on the east, a beautiful stream flowing on the western side near 'Pottanmala’ and on the north side ‘Padmanabhan Kunnu’, a small hill. Tholekavu was a small forest, which is believed to be a part of the PandalamPandalam
Pandalam is one among the fastest growing towns in Kerala, India. Known far and wide for its legendary connection with Lord Ayyappa and Sabarimala, Pandalam is considered to be a holy town...
Kingdom.
Career
He was the first editor of the Kerala KaumudiKerala Kaumudi
Kerala Kaumudi is a popular Malayalam newspaper, founded in 1911 by C. V. Kunhiraman with K. Sukumaran B.A. as the founder editor. Printed from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kannur in Kerala and Bangalore, Kerala Kaumudi is the third most circulated Malayalam daily. The...
daily and founder of the 78-year-old Padmanabhodayam English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
School in the small hamlet of Mezhuveli
Mezhuveli
Mezhuveli is a village situated between the holy rivers of Pamba and Achankovil. It is located 16 km south-west of Pathanamthitta and 13 km east of Chengannur. The Ananda Bhoodeswaram temple in Mezhuveli is dedicated to the Lord Siva...
. The late Kerala Varma Valiyakoyi Thampuran conferred the Sarasakavi title on Mooloor in 1913. The Government of Travancore
Travancore
Kingdom of Travancore was a former Hindu feudal kingdom and Indian Princely State with its capital at Padmanabhapuram or Trivandrum ruled by the Travancore Royal Family. The Kingdom of Travancore comprised most of modern day southern Kerala, Kanyakumari district, and the southernmost parts of...
nominated him as a member of the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha, the precursor of today's Legislative Assembly. Mooloor was elected vice-president of the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam in the 25th year of its formation. He died on 1931 (Malayalam Year 1106, Meenam 9).
Educational institutions established by Mooloor
Following are the main educational institutions founded by the poet:- Mezhuveli Padmanabhodayam Higher Secondary School
- Gangadhara Vydyasala, Mezhuveli
- Keralavarma Vilasom, Lower Primary School, Karakkad
Eight lower primary schools in the following places:
- Thalachira
- Valiyakulam
- Kanjeetlukara
- Thulikulam
- Kumbazha
- Chiramel
Elavumthitta
Elavumthitta
Elavumthitta is a small village in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. The majority of its inhabitants are from Hindu and Christian backgrounds. The primary crops are rubber, coconut, black pepper and plantain. The terrain is hilly with plenty of paddy fields in between...
Public Market, which now has several shopping complexes, was a great contribution of this poet, during his period as a Praja Saba member. 'Sree Moola Rajagopala Vilasam' Market he named, now recollects the rule of the Maharajas and Diwans of Travancore.
Mooloor Smarakom (Mooloor Memorial)
Elavumthitta
Elavumthitta is a small village in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala, India. The majority of its inhabitants are from Hindu and Christian backgrounds. The primary crops are rubber, coconut, black pepper and plantain. The terrain is hilly with plenty of paddy fields in between...
is preserved as a monument by the Department of Culture, government of Kerala
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....
. The objective of the Mooloor Memorial is to familiarise the present generation with the rich social as well as literary contributions of the poet and to keep his memory alive. This is now famous for "Ezhuthiniruthu" (The starting of writing and reading of children).
See also
- Kerala Varma Valiyakoyi Thampuran
- BhashaposhiniBhashaposhiniBhashaposhini is an Indian monthly magazine. It is one of the oldest Malayalam literary review magazines.Bhashaposhini was first published in 1892. After a long break, this publication has been revived by the Malayala Manorama group of Publications...
- a Malayala ManoramaMalayala ManoramaMalayala Manorama is a daily news paper, in Malayalam language, published in the state of Kerala, India. It was first published as a weekly on 14 March 1890, and currently has a readership of over 16 million . The Malayalam word "manorama" roughly translates to "entertainer"...
publication - Kerala KaumudiKerala KaumudiKerala Kaumudi is a popular Malayalam newspaper, founded in 1911 by C. V. Kunhiraman with K. Sukumaran B.A. as the founder editor. Printed from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kannur in Kerala and Bangalore, Kerala Kaumudi is the third most circulated Malayalam daily. The...
- Temple Entry ProclamationTemple Entry ProclamationThe Temple Entry Proclamation issued by Maharaja Shri Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma and his Dewan Sir C. P. Ramaswami Iyer in 1936 abolished the ban on low-caste people or avarnas from entering Hindu Temples in the state of Travancore .The edict is as follows:Today, the Temple Entry...
- Mezhuveli TempleMezhuveli templeMezhuveli Anandabhootheshawara Temple is situated at the heart of Mezhuveli village in Pathanamthitta District. This temple was built by the villagers under the leadership of famous social reformer and poet Sri.Muloor S.Padmanabha Panicker...
- EzhavaEzhavaThe Ezhavas are a community with origins in the region presently known as Kerala. They are also known as Ilhava, Irava, Izhava and Erava in the south of the region; as Chovas, Chokons and Chogons in Central Travancore; and as Tiyyas, Thiyas and Theeyas in Malabar...
- PanickerPanickerPanicker is an Indian title or last name used by members of various communities in the state of Kerala. The Kaniyars community of Kerala, particularly central and northern region, by virtue of their traditional occupation as teachers of a martial art are commonly known as Panicker...