Pandalam Kerala Varma

Kerala Varma (January 1879 – June 1919), most commonly known as Mahakavi Pandalam Kerala Varma, was an Indian poet, scholar, and publisher. He was born in Pandalam, and belonged to the Pandalam Royal Family. He wrote two mahakavyas, more than a hundred narrative poems, translations, and children's poetry. Makayiramnal Kerala Varma Thampuran was the author of Bhoothanatholbhavam thullal and Aardra Maholsavam Sanskrit champu. It is believed that he had predicted that Pandalam Kerala Varma would become famous one day. His last journey with Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer was to Kochi to receive the "Kavi Thilakan" honour.

Literary career

Earlier works Kerala Varma's initial works were Sreekrishna Sthothram, an astakam on Dharmasastha, Kesadipada Sathakam, and Rasavilasambhanam. He never wanted to monetise his poems.

Mahakavyas Kerala Varma authored 16 major works, including two mahakavyas Rukmamgadacharitham and Vijayodayam. Of these, Rukmamgadacharitham is considered his masterpiece. According to N. Krishna Pillai, Kerala Varma's mahakavyas would astonish everybody with their word control and effortless beauty. Kumaran Asan reviewed Rukmamgadacharitham in Vivekodayam magazine and described it as a great work, although his review contained praises and criticism alike. Vijayodayam is Kerala Varma's second mahakavya. It is a relatively smaller work as it contained only eight chapters which is the minimum requirement for a mahakavya. some others, most notably M. Leelavathy, T. P. Balakrishnan Nair, and T. G. Madhavan Kutty rate it as a mahakavya. It is believed that Bharavi's Kirātārjunīya was Kerala Varma's inspiration to write Vijayodayam.

Narrative poems Kerala Varma's narrative poems were based on either history, mythology, or pure imagination. Some of his other poetry for children include Kalikkutty, Maasangal, Neram Veluthu, Thathammayum Penkuttiyum, Aana, Ponnu Thampuran, Nakshathrangal, Nazhikamani, Sundara Viddi, Ammepaksham, Kanduvo Nee, Kadannalum Theneechayum, Arivu, Manthan Chanthayil Poyathu, Jalam, Oru Tharkkam, Chinthikkaran, Payyeppayye, Kallane Killan Pidikkum, Vaayu, Oru Vanchippattu, Kallanaya Eli, Dinacharya, Kakkayum Kurukkanum, Pasu, Palliyunarthal, Prarthana, Vallamkali, and Ambili Ammavan. According to Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer, the translations were excellent and were comparable to Kodungallur Kunjikkuttan Thampuran's translation of Ascharya Choodamani. He further added that it required remarkable skills to translate the works of Bhatta Narayana at the same quality.

Hymns and essays Although his ancestral deity is Lord Ayyappa, Kerala Varma wrote majority of hymns in praise of Devi. Vallathol described him as "Padam kondu panthaadunna Pandalam" (One who juggles with words). Kerala Varma was severely criticised by Kumaran Asan in the literary periodical Vivekodayam. Joseph Mundassery also criticised Kerala Varma for his poetic style. P. V. Krishna Warrier criticised Kerala Varma in a special issue of Kavana Kaumudi.

Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer called Kerala Varma "Prithveesan" for his uncanny ability to write poems in Prithvi metre. He also remarked that Kerala Varma had absolute control over all words in Malayalam and Sanskrit.

Publishing career Kerala Varma used to publish a fortnightly periodical Kavana Kaumudi, which contained poetry and contemporary issues. The periodical was published from Pandalam. which was 1 Vrischikam 1080 as per the Malayalam calendar. All contents in the periodical including advertisements were in poetic form. Following the death of Kerala Varma, Warrier became the Chief Editor of the periodical. Even Kumaran Asan who was reluctant to publish his poems through the periodical, wrote that it would not be a mistake to consider Kavana Kaumudi as a standard for understanding the prosperity of poetic skills in Malayalam. In the souvenir published during the birth centenary of Kerala Varma, poet Cherukunnam Purushothaman observed that none of the obstacles such as the complexity of the topic, demand for fast completion, or lack of time for revision or correction marred Kerala Varma's priceless editorials. Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi has published a Monograph of Pandalam Kerala Varma ( by P. Ravi Varma) in 2013

Other notable works Katha Kaumudi Sookthimaala Sabarimalayathra Shumbha Nishumbha Vadham Bhujamga Sandesham

Pandalam Kerala Varma Award The Pandalam Kerala Varma Smaraka Samithi is an association set up in remembrance of the poet. The Samithi, with the support of Pandalathu Kottaram Nirvahaka Sanghom (Pandalam Palace Managing Committee) offers two awards; a literary award to honour excellence in poetry and a media award to honour excellence in editorial. The award is known by the name Mahakavi Pandalam Kerala Varma Award. The award for poetry consists of a cash prize of INR 15,001, plaque, and citation, and that for media consists of INR 10,001, plaque, and citation. Media Awards were given to Editorials of Malayalam Newspapers and Periodicals from 2003 to 2012. From 2013 onwards the Media Award is given to the columns published/telecasted by journalists.