Ambalapuzha Gopakumar

Thathamathu Nanupilla Gopakumaran Nair (27 June 1944 – 21 July 2024) was an Indian Malayalam poet, historian, orator and writer from Kerala. He was the recipient of the Kerala State Institute of Children's Literature Award, in 2012. Gopakumar was also the author of 'History of Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple' which describes the origin and history of Amabalapuzha and the famous Sreekrishna Temple. He was widely regarded as an authority on the history of Chemapakassery, the erstwhile name of Ambalapuzha.

Gopakumar was the director of the Vaikom Kshetra Kalapeedom. In August 2016, he was given the 'Janmashtami' award for literature. He was also the recipient of Amrita Keerti Puraskar in 2016, in recognition of his contributions to spiritual, philosophical, and cultural literature.

Biography Ambalapuzha Gopakumar was born to Thathamathu C K Nanupilla and K. M. Rajamma, on 27 June 1944 at Ambalapuzha, Alappuzha in Kerala. He lost his father when he was nine. His childhood days were spent in Ambalapuzha where he attended the public 'Government Model High School, Ambalapuzha'.

Gopakumar was a professor at Sanatana Dharma College and retired as the Head of the Malayalam Department in 1999. He was a member of the advisory board of the Human Rights Protection Mission and a director board member of Samastha Kerala Sahitya Parishath. He died on 21 July 2024, at the age of 80.

Writings

Gopakumar's first published work was Udayathinu Munmpu, which the National Book Stall published. His poems have appeared in all leading literary magazines in Malayalam. His published works also include essays, biographies, and a history of ancient art forms of Chempakassery.

Poetic works Udayathinu Mumpu Idayante Patu shyamakrishnan Manyamahajanam Amruthapuriyile Kattu Amruthadarshanam Harimadhavam Gangamayya Poliye Poli Sreekrishnaleela Akuthikuthu Rappadi

Prose list Ambalapuzha Kshethra Charithram Sukrutha Paithrukam Thirakal Maykatha Padamudrakal Ambalapuzha Sahodaranmar Sathyathinte Nanarthangal Velakali Charithra Padhathile Nakshatra Vilakku Ente Ullile Kadal Kairaliyude Varadanagal Ente Ullile Kadal (found and published Thakazhi's unknown work) Leelankanam (found and published changampuzha's unknown work)

Awards

2011 – Prof. Kozhisseril Balaraman Award for Literature 2012 – Kerala State Institute of Children's Literature award 2012 – Narayaneeyam Puraskaram for contributions to the spiritual domain 2014 – Ekatha Award for Literature, Sharja 2015 – Vasudeva Puraskaram from Ambalapuzha Temple 2015 – Venmani Award for Literature 2015 – Karuvatta Chandran Memorial Award for Literature 2016 – Janmashtami Award 2016 – Amritakeerthy Puraskar

Positions held

Prof. and the head of the Dept. of Malayalam, S. D. College Ph.D. Board member, University of Kerala Director board member, Samastha Kerala Sahitya Parishath President, P. K. Memorial Library, Ambalapuzha President, Ambalapuzha Temple Advisory Committee Secretary, Kunchan Nambiar Memorial, Ambalapuzha Chief editor, Sreevatsam Administrator, Jawahar Balabhavan, Alappuzha