Moorkoth Kumaran

Moorkoth Kumaran (1874–1941) was a social reformer, a teacher and a writer in Malayalam. He hailed from Telicherry. He was a disciple of Narayana Guru and wrote the first biography of Guru. He also published some of the earliest short stories and novels in Malayalam.

Biography Moorkoth Kumaran was born on 23 May 1874 into the Moorkoth family of North Malabar. His father was Moorkoth Ramunni (Sr.), and his mother was Parappurathu Kunchirutha. His mother died when he was aged six and his father when he was eight. Kumaran grew up under the care of his father's sister. Kumaran started his education by joining Basel Mission Parsi High School, Telicherry, in 1884 and passed FA degree from Telicherry Brennen College. He joined Madras Christian College for a BA degree but could not complete the degree. He married his relative Yashoda and was sent by his father-in-law for training at Teachers' College, Saidapet. After completing his training, Kumaran became a teacher at St. Joseph's European Boy's High School in Calicut in 1897. He was the headmaster there from 1898 to 1900. Kumaran was also instrumental in the efforts to admit the Pulayas and other lower castes into the Jagannath Temple. He was the second general secretary of SNDP Yogam.

Kumaran was active in social and literary circles post-retirement. He wrote his last story titled "Aliyante Saree" in Brennen College magazine. He died on 25 June 1941.

Writing Moorkoth Kumaran, Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar, Oduvil Kunhikrishna Menon, C. S. Gopala Panicker, Ambadi Narayana Poduval and Chenkulath Cheriya Kunhirama Menon (M. R. K. C.) are regarded as the pioneers of the short story in Malayalam literature. In 1891, Kumaran wrote his first story Kalikala Vaibhavam when he was still a student. The story was returned by two editors until finally accepted by Kandathil Varghese Mappillai who published it in Malayala Manorama on 22 February 1896. Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar's "Vasanavikriti" is recognised as the first short story in Malayalam, but Kumaran's "Kalikala Vaibhavam" is sometimes acknowledged as the first well-shaped short story in Malayalam. He entered the newspaper industry as the editor of Kerala Sanchari. Kumaran Asan's Veena Poovu was first published in Mithavadi when Kumaran was the editor. Subsequently, Kumaran, edited Kerala Chintamani, Samudaya Deepika, Gajakesari, Satyavadi, Atmaposhini, Dharmam, Kathorakuthaaram and Deepika. He wrote many articles in prominent newspapers of the time under the pen names of Gajakesari, Patanjali, Vajrasuchi and Pouran.