Mahakavi Akkitham
Akkitham Achyuthan Nambudiri, reputed by the family name “ Akkitham”, stands foremost among the living Malayalam poets. The epithet ‘ Mahakavi’ attached to his name is apt in its entire significance, since his sublime genius roams high above the ordinary linguistic norms that write poetry. Emotions, thoughts , view points and vision suggested in his poems in a unique lucid style reveal his sublime personality. His vision of love is so wide as to include the whole universe keeping the ancient Vedic tradition beyond all religions and politics.
His most famous work Irupatham Noottandinte Ithihasom.( Epic of the Twentieth Century), a long poem ( Khandakavya-1952) is really the starting point of Modernism in Malayalam Poetry. It was subjected to deep discussions all over Kerala and is still flaming in the hearts of literary critics. As pointed out P.Narayana Kurup, “The ostensible title of the poem is not unfounded when we consider (1) that even after forty years it survives as the precious life-blood of a noble mind. (2) that it deals with the tribulations experienced by a sensible person engaged in socio-political action and the search by that person into religions, old and new to find a panacea to human misery and (3) that its lucidity and economy which contribute to an epic simplicity.”
It is the first literary piece that proclaimed with far sightedness: “World communism will be ruined, because of impiety,” Works like The God that Failed, Dr. Shivago, and Mid-day Darkness were published in late fifties and early sixties, whereas this Epic was written in 1951, and published in Mathrubhumi Weekly dated 30-08-1952.
Balidarsanam a long poem which bristles with golden glaze of human love and sharp criticism of the contemporary hypocritic style of modern life has exercised deep influences on poets, critics and reader. Won the Kendra Sahitya Academy Award in 1973.
Dharama Sooryan a long poem published in 1998 is the lyrical presentation of Mahatmaji’s life and works with reflection of his own life-moorings. This is the outcome of research conducted during 1978-82 with Senior Fellowship from the Dept. of Education, Govt. of India.
Sreemad Bhagavatam translation from Sanskrit is a voluminous work that comprises 14613 verse running into 2400 printed pages. It is the outcome of the poet’s personality, purity of aesthetic meditation and the most-valued aspiration in his life. Akkitham reflects his own life as well as the worldly beings in this great work of immaculate grandeur.
Akkitham Achyuthan Nambudiri, reputed by the family name “ Akkitham”, stands foremost among the living Malayalam poets. The epithet ‘ Mahakavi’ attached to his name is apt in its entire significance, since his sublime genius roams high above the ordinary linguistic norms that write poetry. Emotions, thoughts , view points and vision suggested in his poems in a unique lucid style reveal his sublime personality. His vision of love is so wide as to include the whole universe keeping the ancient Vedic tradition beyond all religions and politics.
His most famous work Irupatham Noottandinte Ithihasom.( Epic of the Twentieth Century), a long poem ( Khandakavya-1952) is really the starting point of Modernism in Malayalam Poetry. It was subjected to deep discussions all over Kerala and is still flaming in the hearts of literary critics. As pointed out P.Narayana Kurup, “The ostensible title of the poem is not unfounded when we consider (1) that even after forty years it survives as the precious life-blood of a noble mind. (2) that it deals with the tribulations experienced by a sensible person engaged in socio-political action and the search by that person into religions, old and new to find a panacea to human misery and (3) that its lucidity and economy which contribute to an epic simplicity.”
It is the first literary piece that proclaimed with far sightedness: “World communism will be ruined, because of impiety,” Works like The God that Failed, Dr. Shivago, and Mid-day Darkness were published in late fifties and early sixties, whereas this Epic was written in 1951, and published in Mathrubhumi Weekly dated 30-08-1952.
Balidarsanam a long poem which bristles with golden glaze of human love and sharp criticism of the contemporary hypocritic style of modern life has exercised deep influences on poets, critics and reader. Won the Kendra Sahitya Academy Award in 1973.
Dharama Sooryan a long poem published in 1998 is the lyrical presentation of Mahatmaji’s life and works with reflection of his own life-moorings. This is the outcome of research conducted during 1978-82 with Senior Fellowship from the Dept. of Education, Govt. of India.
Sreemad Bhagavatam translation from Sanskrit is a voluminous work that comprises 14613 verse running into 2400 printed pages. It is the outcome of the poet’s personality, purity of aesthetic meditation and the most-valued aspiration in his life. Akkitham reflects his own life as well as the worldly beings in this great work of immaculate grandeur.
The biodata of Akkitham is furnished here under:
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Name
Address Date and Place of birth Parents Education . Family Employment Position held : |
Akkitham Achyuthan Namboothiri
"Devayanam”, Kumaranallur, Palakkad Dt, Kerala State, Pin- 679552, Phone : 0466-2276081 18-03-1926 – Kumaranallur, Palakad Dt, Kerala. Akkitham Vasudevan Namboothiri ( Father ), Chekoor Parvathi Antharjanam ( Mother ) Govt. High School, Kumaranallur, Zamoorin’s college, Kozhikode ( Intermediate), Studied Rigveda, Sanskrit and Jyothisham from traditional scholars Married at the age of 23, in 1949.Wife Sreedevi Antharjanam of Alampilli Mana, Kizhaoor, Pattambi ( Palakkad dt.), two sons and four daughters. 1946 to 49 – Printer and publisher of Unninamboothiri monthly, Sub-Editor of Yogakshemam weekly and Mangalodayam monthly. 1956 to 75 – Script writer, All India Radio, Kozhikode. 1975 to 85- Editor all India Radio, Thrissur. Retired in 1985. Director S.PC.S ( Writers Co-operative Society) Kottayam. 1973 – 76 Member Kerala Sahithya Academy 1984-87 Vice President, Kerala Sahithya Academy, Thrissur, 1985 onwards President, Vallathol Educational Trust, Edapal. 1989 onwards Vice President Changampuzha Smaraka Samithi, Kochi 1986 to 1996 President, Vedic Trust, Panjal, Trichur Dist. ( Centre for the Study of Samaveda) 1995 onwards President Vilvamangalam Memorial Trust, Thavanoor, Estd. 2000 onwards President Kadavalloor Anyonyam Study Centre. |
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Other Activities :
Being a member of “ Yogakshema Sabha ( Thrissur) worked for social reforms among Namboothiri Bhrahmins of Kerala, which was deeply influenced by the National Movement led my Mahatmaji. During 1946-49 served as personal secretary to the top leaders of the Yogakshema Sabha Viz. V.T.Bhattathiripad, E.M.S.Namboodiripad.
Served the Kendra Kalasamithy, Ponnani as secretary for two years (1950-52) and president for one year ( 1953-54). Eminent men of letters like Edassery, V.T.Bhattathiripad, Nalappatt, V.M.Nair, Balamani Amma, N.V.Krishna Warrier, C.J.Thomas, M.Govindan, Chirakkal T. Balakrishnan Nair and S.K.Pottekat were closely related with this cultural association. Ponnani Kendra Kalasamithy’s ground work resulted in the formation of the Malabar Kendra Kalasamithy, which encouraged theatre movement in Kerala.
Worked for the promotion for Vedic studies in association with the famous Vedic study centres at Thirunavaya, Kadavallur and Thrissur. He was a force behind the Vedic rituals performed at Panjal, Thiruvananthapuram. Kundur during 1947 – 88 . He was a real admirer of the grand world-view of Vedic tradtion and with a non-orthodox modern bent of mind ardently argued for popularizing the Vedic knowledge among non-Brahmins too. Finally he succeeded in this venture , the mist of orthodoxy melted away in the brilliant sub-beams of his personality. He was always against the traditional social custom of untouchability which he considered quite in human. It is to be remembered that he has participated in the Paliyam Sathyagraha ( 1947) which was a fight against untouchability.
Akkitham served as the president of Thapasya Kala Sahithya Vedhi, a cultural organization dedicated to celebrating South Indian heritage, from 1985 to 1999.
Foreign Tours
Visited USA, Canada, U.K & France for literary seminars and Kavisammelan.
Books Details
Publications : 45 Nos.
Collection of poems : 32 Nos.
Short Story : 1 No.
Collection of Essays : 1 No.
Translations : 7 Nos.
List of Books : 4 Nos.
Click here for list of books by Akkitham
Click here for list of books about Akkitham
Click here for awards and recognitions received by Akkitham
Being a member of “ Yogakshema Sabha ( Thrissur) worked for social reforms among Namboothiri Bhrahmins of Kerala, which was deeply influenced by the National Movement led my Mahatmaji. During 1946-49 served as personal secretary to the top leaders of the Yogakshema Sabha Viz. V.T.Bhattathiripad, E.M.S.Namboodiripad.
Served the Kendra Kalasamithy, Ponnani as secretary for two years (1950-52) and president for one year ( 1953-54). Eminent men of letters like Edassery, V.T.Bhattathiripad, Nalappatt, V.M.Nair, Balamani Amma, N.V.Krishna Warrier, C.J.Thomas, M.Govindan, Chirakkal T. Balakrishnan Nair and S.K.Pottekat were closely related with this cultural association. Ponnani Kendra Kalasamithy’s ground work resulted in the formation of the Malabar Kendra Kalasamithy, which encouraged theatre movement in Kerala.
Worked for the promotion for Vedic studies in association with the famous Vedic study centres at Thirunavaya, Kadavallur and Thrissur. He was a force behind the Vedic rituals performed at Panjal, Thiruvananthapuram. Kundur during 1947 – 88 . He was a real admirer of the grand world-view of Vedic tradtion and with a non-orthodox modern bent of mind ardently argued for popularizing the Vedic knowledge among non-Brahmins too. Finally he succeeded in this venture , the mist of orthodoxy melted away in the brilliant sub-beams of his personality. He was always against the traditional social custom of untouchability which he considered quite in human. It is to be remembered that he has participated in the Paliyam Sathyagraha ( 1947) which was a fight against untouchability.
Akkitham served as the president of Thapasya Kala Sahithya Vedhi, a cultural organization dedicated to celebrating South Indian heritage, from 1985 to 1999.
Foreign Tours
Visited USA, Canada, U.K & France for literary seminars and Kavisammelan.
Books Details
Publications : 45 Nos.
Collection of poems : 32 Nos.
Short Story : 1 No.
Collection of Essays : 1 No.
Translations : 7 Nos.
List of Books : 4 Nos.
Click here for list of books by Akkitham
Click here for list of books about Akkitham
Click here for awards and recognitions received by Akkitham