P. Kunhiraman Nair

P. Kunhiraman Nair
Drawing of P Kunhiraman Nair
Born	November 4, 1906(1906-11-04) Bellikoth, Kanhangad, Kerala, India
Died	May 27, 1978(1978-05-27) (aged 71) Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
Occupation	Teacher, Poet
Nationality	Indian
Genres	Poetry

P. Kunhiraman Nair (4 November 1906 – 27 May 1978), also known as Mahakavi P, was a renowned Malayalam poet whose works romanticised the natural beauty of his home state of Kerala in southern India and juxtaposed it with the hard realities of his life and times.

Born in Bellikoth near Kanhangad of North Malabar,^[1] P., as he is known (simply by his initial), led a Bohemian lifestyle, wandering across Kerala, living in several places, meeting their people and making them part of his life and literature. He worked as a school teacher, having taught at Koodali near Kannur and Kollengode in Palakkad district.^[2]

Poetry formed his main genre of work (it isn't exactly known how many poems he penned during his half-a-century career as many are irretrievably lost), though he has also penned stories, articles and a few plays. His autobiography, 'Kaviyude Kaalpaadukal' (The Footmarks of a Poet), is one of the celebrated works in prose in Malayalam.

The central Kerala belt of Valluvanad, known for its scenic charm and cultural vibrancy, worked as a major source of inspiration for the poet, who lived there for long—partly as a family man. His works are also dotted with metaphors from Kathakali, the classical dance-drama of his region.

Kunhiraman Nair was an award winner of both the Kerala Sahithya Akademi and the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award.^[3]

Also proficient in Sanskrit, Kunhiraman Nair initially worked at a printing press in Thrissur for a few years. Later, he published a newspaper from Kannur, before taking to teaching job and gaining name as 'Kavimaash' (poet teacher) among children. He retired from service in 1961. A sudden bout of illness claimed his life on May 27, 1978, when the poet was staying in a rest house in Thiruvananthapuram.^[4]

Selected works

Poetry

• Kaliyachhan (Oriental Dance teacher, 1954)
• Onassadya (Onam Feast, 1960)
• Pookkalam (spring, 1964)
• Thaamarathoni (Lotus Boat, 1966)
• Vasantholsavam (Spring Festival, 1972)
• Chilamboli (Tinkling of the Anklet Bells, 1974)
• Ratholsavam (Chariot Festival - 2 volumes, 1978)
• Thamarathen ( Honey of the Lotus, 1983)

Stories

• Indira
• Chaaithraraksha
• Nirmala
• Ramabai
• Veerapratinha

Plays

• Rangamandapam (Stage Canopy, 1956)
• Upaasana (Worship, 1958)
• Swapnasanchari
• Poonilaavu
• Chandramandalam

Essays

• Vichaaravibhaatam
• Satyaraksha

Autobiography

• Kaviyude kalpadukal(Footprints of poet)
• Ennethirayunna njan(I searching myself)

Memorial

P. Smaraka (memorial) building in Kanhangad is dedicated in the memory of the poet P. Kunhiraman Nair. An upcoming film, titled Ivan Megharoopan,Directed by P.Balanchandran is based on the life of P. Kunhiraman Nair.

References

1. ^ MEN OF LETTERS from Kasaragod
2. ^ "Remembering Mahakavi P.". The Hindu. 10 June 2006. http://www.hindu.com/2006/06/10/stories/2006061001630200.htm. Retrieved 25 July 2009. 
3. ^ Awards & Fellowships-Akademi Awards
4. ^ Life sketch given at the start of the poet's autobiography

Persondata
Name	Nair, P. Kunhiraman
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1906-11-04
Place of birth	Bellikoth, Kanhangad, Kerala, India
Date of death	1978-05-27
Place of death	Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India