Kodungallur Kovilakam

Kodungallur Kovilakam refers to palace of Royal Family of Kodungallur. Kodungallur was an autonomous principality subordinate to the Raja of Cochin until Indian Independence in 1947. Kodungallur Kovilakam has two branches namely Chirakkal Kovilakam and Puthen Kovilakam. The Chirakkal Kovilakom^[1] has two Nalukettu structures, one larger than the other. The main residential building and two more old buildings, a water tank (which is known as Padakulam), the family temple (Thalathil Bhagavathy) and Sarpakavu are all within the Kovilakom Complex.

The Kodungallur Kovilakam was renowned as a Gurukulam, centre of learning^[2] during this period. Scholars from all over Kerala came to live in the palaces and study Sanskrit and Vedic science. Eminent scholars^[3] from this Kovilakam has contributed to Malayalam and Sanskrit literature ^[4] According to Kodungallur Kovilakam Venmani Achan Namboodiribad, Kerala's 'Guru Kulams' or the famed centres of learning were for many decades centred around the Kodungalloor Kovilakam.^[5] All those who were born there contributed immensely to Malayalam literature.

The leading light among them was Venmani Achan Namboodiripad, born in 1816 at Venmani Illam in Vellarapilli, Alwaye, as an only son. Achan married in 1838 Sreedevei Antharjanam and had one son, Venmani Mahan Namboodiripad. Later, he married Kunjikutti Thamburatti, of the Kodungalloor Kovilakam. He had two children from this relationship - Kunjikutan Thamburan and Kunjunni Thamburan. Achan died at the age of 74. Venmani Mahan Namboodiripad also lived for several years in Ernakulam, Thripunithura, Kodungaloor and Kottayam. It was at the Kodungalloor Palace that Mahan found his calling as a poet. Kathollil Achuta Menon: After his primary education at home, he was sent to the Kodungalloor Palace to study Sanskrit under Vidwan Kunjiramavarma Thamburan - and at the age of 16 started writing poetry - composing some 20 slokas in an hour during in-house competitions.</ref>

Key members^[6] of this Gurukulam were:

1. Veena specialist Valia Thampuran (Kunjiramavarma Thampuran). First guru of Kodungallur Gurukulam
2. Vidwan Elaya Thampuran (Godavarma Thampuran), Contemporary of Swathi Thirunal Rama Varma
3. Sakran Godavarma Thampuran
4. Vidwan Kunjiramavarma Thampuran
5. Valia Kunjunni Thampuran
6. Valia Kochunni Thampuran
7. Kunjan Thampuran
8. Cheria Kochunni Thampuran (Kavi Sarvabhouman)
9. [Bhattan Godavarma Thampuran]^[7][8]
10. Bhagavathar Kunjunni Thampuran
11. Kochikavu Thampuratti
12. Kodungallur Kunjikuttan Thampuran

Most popular among these scholars is Kodungallur Kunjikuttan Thampuran ^[9]

References

1. ^ http://www.keralatourism.org/muziris/circuit-tours.php
2. ^ http://www.advaitin.net/Ananda/KnowledgeBeforePrinting&After.pdf
3. ^ http://www.keralahistory.ac.in/literaryadition.htm
4. ^ http://www.mahabharata-resources.org/kkkt.html
5. ^ http://menon.ca/yesterday%27spoets2.htm
6. ^ http://kshathrajalakam.org/Kshathrasandasam-Jan-March09.pdf pages 15-17
7. ^ http://www.reachinformation.com/define/Mani_Madhava_Chakyar.aspx Mani Madhava Chakyar getting first major recognition came from His Highness Bhattan Thampuran of Kodungallur Kovilakam
8. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mani_Madhava_Chakyar#Awards.2C_titles_and_honours
9. ^ http://www.mahabharata-resources.org/arrrv1.html

External links

• Official website
• Information about Kodungallur Kovilakam in official web site of Information and Public Relation department http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/thevenmanischool.htm of Government of Kerala Government of Kerala
• Information about Kodungallur Kovilakam (Chapter 3 of http://www.scholarswithoutborders.in/KnowledgeBeforePrinting&After.pdf)
• http://madathikkavutemple.com/Default.aspx?usrcontrol=uctlHistory
• http://malayalam.webdunia.com/miscellaneous/literature/remembrance/0801/22/1080122047_1.htm
• http://www.namboothiri.com/articles/gurukulams.htm
• http://www.keralahistory.ac.in/literaryadition.htm
• http://malayalam.webdunia.com/miscellaneous/literature/remembrance/0801/22/1080122047_1.htm
• http://www.reachinformation.com/define/Mani_Madhava_Chakyar.aspx
• http://www.mahabharata-resources.org/arrrv1.html