Pandalam Kerala Varma

Kerala Varma (1879–1919), most commonly known as Mahakavi Pandalam Kerala Varma, was a poet and publisher. He was born in Pandalam, and belonged to the Pandalam Royal Family. He started writing Sanskrit poems from age 12, and Malayalam poems from age 19. One of his widely known poems are Daivame Kai Thozham, a prayer song.

He published the fortnightly journal Kavana Kaumudi, which included all materials in poetry. The first issue of Kavana Kaumudi was published in 1904. The editorials of the journal included social, political, and contemporary issues. In 1979, a collection of his writings were reprinted and published as selected works.^[1]

The Pandalam Kerala Varma Smaraka Samithi is an association set up in remembrance of the poet. The Samithi 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. Poets O. N. V. Kurup, K. Ayyappa Panicker, Vishnu Narayanan Namboothiri, Satchidanandan, Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan, Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri, Sugathakumari have been recipients of this prestigious award.^[2]

See also

Poetry portal

• Pandalam

References

1. ^ http://74.125.153.132/search?q=cache:0hc4iQQC1JgJ:www.ayyappa.com/LiteratureAndArt.htm+pandalam+kerala+varma&cd=17&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=in&client=firefox-a
2. ^ http://www.arabnews.com/?page=9&section=0&article=91431&d=28&m=1&y=2007

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Name	Kerala Varma, Pandalam
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Date of death	1919
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