Malayalam literature was born thousand years ago. The Malayalam language belongs to the Dravidian family of languages. This language has been greatly influenced by Sanskrit. Some words have also been derived from the English language.
Among the fifteen major Indian languages, Malayalam ranks eighth. It has similarity with the Tamil language. Malayalam language is made up of 53 letters including 20 long and short vowels. However, from 1981 onwards, a new style of writing has been in use to substitute the earlier style.
Early Malayalam Literature
'Bhashakautiliyam' is the first prose in Malayalam. This prose, written in 12th century, is based on the commentary on Kautilya's 'Arthasastra'. Though there were many literary works penned by the writers in Tamil and Sanskrit languages, yet Cherusseri's ‘Krishna Gatha’ is considered to be the first classic of this vernacular language.
The three major streams of Malayalam literature were:
- Early Tamil Literature
- Folk Literature
- Manipravalam Literature
Early Tamil Literature: One of the important works of the early Tamil literature is ‘Pathittuppath’. It gives a picture about the rulers of the fourth and fifth centuries AD and the advanced social life of that period. The other notable works of the early Tamil literature are ‘Chilappatikaaram’ by a Chera prince (early 7th century AD) and 'Perumaal Thirumozhi' by Kulasekara (9th century AD).
Folk Literature: Folk songs in Malayalam were based on the day to day activities, agriculture, war and worship. There were folk songs that were unique for a particular occupational group. The northern ballads are very popular among the various types of folk songs. Unniyarcha is a famous northern ballad. The southern ballads glorified the heroes of south Kerala. 'The Ballad of Kanyakulam' is an example of southern ballad.
Manipravalam Literature: ‘Lilathilakam’ is an important work of the Manipravalam literature. It is basically on the rhetoric and grammar of Malayalam. However, the name of the author is unknown. As per history, it is a work of the 14th century AD.
Renaissance in Malayalam Literature
A great revival ushered in the Malayalam literature in the 19th century. Ayilyam Tirunal Rama Varma Maharaja of Travancore wrote prose pieces like ‘Meenaketancharitam’ and ‘Bhasha Sakuntalam’. ‘Meenaketanacharitam’ is based on the Arabian tales. On the other hand, the ‘Bhasha Sakuntalam’ is a translation of ‘Abinjana Sakuntalam’ of Kalidasa.
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Vishakam Tirunal Rama Varma Maharaja translated many English works into Malayalam. Shakespeare’s ‘As you Like It’ was translated into Malayalam by Chidambara Vadhyar.
Western models were introduced into the Malayalam literature by Richar Collins, Benjamin Bailey, George Mathen, and Joseph Peet. ‘Pulleli Kunchu’ of Archdeacon Koshy is one of the greatest works of the 19th century. 'Ramaraja Bahadur' is the one of the greatest novel in Malayalam literature penned by CV Raman Pillai. Some other great works of this century were:
- Keralappazhama
- Pathamala
- Pazhamcholmala
- Kerala Kaumudi
- Alankara Sastram
Modern Malayalam Literature
Thunchath Ezhuthachan is respected as the ‘Father of Malayalam literature’. Notable among his works are Ramayanam, Adhyathmaramayanam, and Bhagavatham. 'Kilippattu' is the style of poetry that was popularized by him. The modern Malayalam literature is of a very high quality, both in class and style, than any other language of India.
Some of the greatest poets of the modern times are Vyiloppilly Sridhara Menon, Changumpuzha Krishnapilla, Vayalar Rama Varma, ONV Kurup, and NV Krishan Warrier. SK Pottakkad, Vaikom Muhammad Bashir, Kesavadev, PC Kuttikrishnan, Thakazhi Sivashankara Pillai, and OV Vijayan are some of the greatest modern authors. The Malayalam literature has been further enriched by critics like MV Paul, Joseph Mundassery, PK Narayana Pillai, and S. Guptan Nair.
Major works of Malayalam literature
Some of the major works of the Malayalam literature are:
- Arangau Kanatha Nadan
- Thathwamasi
- Yanthram
- Govardhanante Yathrakal
- Kalimuttam
- Athmavilekkoru Theerthayathra
- Sreeramante Kadhakal
- Chathravum Chamaravum
- Payyankathakal
- Prathipaathram Bhashana Bhedam
- Ambalamani
- Srishtiyum Srashtavum
- Thirunellur Karunakarante Kavithakal
- Makarakoythu
- Neermathalam Pootha Kalam
- Sapthaswaram
- Sundarikalum Sundaranmarum
- Arangukanaatha Nadan
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