V. T. Bhattathiripad

V. T. Bhattathiripad, ( _ml. വി.ടി. ഭട്ടതിരിപ്പാട) (1896-1982) was an Indian social critic, well-known dramatist and a prominent freedom fighter. [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=ObFCT5_taSgC&pg=PA479&lpg=PA479&dq=%22vt+bhattathiripad%22&source=web&ots=mTI1-wFQA9&sig=C9ggxAiGNflDdC0p73LkIcjzdqY Bhattathiripad, V.T.] "Encyclopaedia of Indian literature" vol. 1, p. 479]

Bhattathiripad was born in Kidangoor, a village in Ernakulam dist., Kerala state. He encouraged widow marriage in the Brahmin society and tried to reform the conservative practices of the "Namboodiri community in particular and the society at large." [G.S. Paul, [http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2006/10/06/stories/2006100600550300.htm A pioneer's life] , The Hindu, June 10, 2006] . He conducted the first mixed-race marriage in the Brahmin society. He is credited with starting the progressive theater movement of Kerala during which "the stage and performance became a highly conscious social activity in the hands of social reformers and political activists".V.M Ramachandran, [http://www.keralahistory.ac.in/modernmal.htm "The Modern Malayalam Theatre"] ] His drama "Adukkalayilninnum arangathekku" was a turning point in this context:

The year 1929 is most significant in the sense that V.T. Bhattathiripad wrote his play "Adukkalayil Ninnu Arangathekku". It was the first play in Malayalam to have a definite and concrete social objective and which was produced in 1929 itself as part of a very powerful social reformist movement led by Namboodiri Yogakshema Sabha. The degenerate Brahmanical ideology and its social structure had its first powerful assault from within for the first time and the most fervent slogan of the period was for the transformation of "Brahmans into human beings".

The V.T. Bhattathiripad College in Sreekrishnapuram, Palakkad District, is named after him.

ee also

* E. M. S. Namboodiripad

References

External links

* [http://www.sreesankaratrust.org/vtb.htm V.T. Bhattathiripad College]

Persondata
NAME=Bhattathiripad, V. T.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES= _ml. വി.ടി. ഭട്ടതിരിപ്പാട
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Indian social critic and dramatist
DATE OF BIRTH=1896
PLACE OF BIRTH=kidangoor, ernakulam dist, Kerala, India
DATE OF DEATH=1982
PLACE OF DEATH=Kerala, India