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Nationalism Reflected in Kerala Sanskrit Literature

Nationalism Reflected in Kerala Sanskrit Literature

Insight: An International Journal for Arts and Humanities Peer Reviewed and Refereed Vol: 1; Issue: 3 ISSN: 2582-8002

Nationalism Reflected in Literature Dr.Pushpadasan Kuniyil Director & Associate Professor in Sanskrit Sahitya , Sree Sankracharya University of Sanskrit, Regional Campus, Koyilandy.

Abstract The contributions of Kerala to are noteworthy. The second half of 19th century and in the first half of 20th century, there occurred many historical books in Sanskrit from Kerala. Visākha Vijayam (Kerala Varma Koyil Tampurān), Angala Samrajya (A.R.Rāja Rāja Varma), the newly written Keralōdaya (K.N.Ezhuthaccan), Navabharata Mahakavya (Mutukuļam Srīdhar) is the most important kavyas in historical kavyas in Kerala. The Navabhārata Mahākāvya is a historical work written against Kerala’s cultural milieu. Composing 18 cantos, it was written by Mutukuļam Srīdhar. Here in this article an attempt is made to analyze the concept of nationalism as revealed in modern Sanskrit Kavyas, Keywords Nationalism, Sanskrit Kavyas, Modern Sanskrit Literature, Visākha Vijayam, Angala Samrajya, Keralōdaya, Navabharata, Bhāratendu, Kerala Prathibha, etc., Aim and Objective of the Study The aim of this study is to introduce some major and minor works in Sanskrit from Kerala describing about British rule, freedom movement, and name of freedom fighters and so on. This study helps in gaining knowledge about the historical past mainly concerning the freedom movement taken place inside and outside Kerala. This also depicts many names of forgotten heroes who contributed their life for the freedom of India. More than this, many episodes that happened in Independent movement is portrayed using Sanskrit poetic language. The contributions of Sanskrit literature to Kerala are well remarkable. The second half of 19th century and in the first half of 20th century, there is made many historical books in Sanskrit from Kerala. Visākha Vijayam (Kerala Varma Koyil Tampurān), Angala Samrajya (A.R.Rāja Rāja Varma), the newly written Keralōdaya (K.N.Ezhuthaccan), Navabharata Mahakavya (Mutukuļam Srīdhar) is the most important kavyas in historical kavyas in Kerala. The Navabhārata Mahākāvya is a historical work written against Kerala’s cultural milieu. Composing 18 cantos, it was written by Mutukuļam Srīdhar. When evaluating the combination of the theme, It is adopted the style of the epic poetry of the ancient periods. Here Srīdhar Mahākavi adopted the contemporary subjects and wrote a unique Mahākāvya as to the love for the nation, making Nehru as the hero suitably. He adopted a relevant theme, as to rebuild a new India. The poet here describes how the writers made their poems as a weapon for attaining

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freedom. It describes how people come forward together to join the struggle. The message of social reformers like Srī Nārāyaņa Guru, Cattampi Swāmikal etc. had also paved the way with their great ideals of social and cultural renaissance. The principles and activity of personalities like Srī Rāmakrișna Paramahamsa, Kaņvar, Gīrdharan, Mādhavan, Rājā Rām Mohan Roy, A.O.Hume, Dadābhāi Navaroji, Surendranātha Bānerji, Dayānanda Sarasvati etc, in different subjects of C.P.Vāsudeva Bhaţţatiri had written more than thirty two books. Bhārathendu Mahākāvya is the greatest Mahākāvya of C.P.Vāsudeva Bhaţţatiri. It has contained 12 sargās and is describing the history of our national father Mahatma Gandhi. The main theme is Gandhi’s life history. The author goes ahead describing Gandhi’s efforts to lead the country with other leaders of good merits. Dr.K.Nārāyaņan Ezhuttaccan is a very famous writer, as a great blessing ever rendered to Kerala. He attained an important status among the literians of Kerala, by his most unique work of a Mahākāvya known as, Keralōdaya. Quite different from Angalasamrajya and Navabharata, that is telling the historical truths of whole India. Keralōdaya is describing the history of Kerala, attractively using finest linguistic talents by the author, Dr.K.N.Ezhuttaccan. Angalasamrajya Mahākāvya is the greatest historical Mahākāvya of A.R.Raja Raja Varma (1863-1918). The domination of British rule in India is the theme of Angalasamrajya . The name of this book actually reveals, and related the main theme, and this historical literature, when the golden jubilee festival occasion of Queen Victoria reached nearer, the poet desired to write an epic poetry appreciating the British rule coming to Kerala’s Sanskrit literary history, there can be found many poets, who penned adopting old Sanskrit texts. From this, it is revealed that there is clear similarity between Sanskrit and Kerala culture and from these poetic works we can comprehend easily the history the pre-historic age and the developments of Kerala. The different peoples of ancient Kerala, the hermits, priests, doctors, astrologers, politicians, logicians, poets and the scholars are the representatives of different classes and their contributions to literature are prize worthy. Navabharata Mahakavya of Muthukulam Sreedhar

The Navabharata Mahakavya was published in 1976 by the aid of Central Human Resource Department. There is pictured the Indian freedom struggle and Indian culture in 18 sargās. . He gave the title of his kavya, Navabharata Mahakavya because India was freed a new India from the British rulers. He has well described the patriots who were concerned with the country, society and freedom struggle, and also the different political leadership. Some books of this type, present the biography of persons, and their contributions. Having deviated from these conventional books of bio-graphics, Kavya is written on the basis of serving the country. It has an outstanding greatness. When consider other books written on this subject. Thus apart from describing biographical events, Navabharata has a unique position, because it is dealing with the actual participation of the Indian patriots. Quite naturally the other poets used to move away to the lonely place to write poem taking much time where as our poets poetic skill needs time to flow fluently. This poetic gem unveils the personalities of Nehru, who sacrificed his life for the

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Insight: An International Journal for Arts and Humanities Peer Reviewed and Refereed Vol: 1; Issue: 3 ISSN: 2582-8002

national freedom in different stages of his life. Through bio-graph of Nehru the leader of the story, reader gets the par excellent rapture of patriotism; Nehru is enthroned as a plebian leader who fights against the injustice and immorality since the poet describes how the hero becomes the leader and of the people. The poet describes what the actual benefits of the poet that is the pure love for nation. Moreover the poet reveals the high morality that can grow similar patriots for the betterment of the society. The poet also tries to depict the poetic benefits quite ironically. At the very end of this epic poetry, the author makes an attempt to explain the three colors of the national flag. The colors are described ironically morality, resource and love respectively, which are the symbols of the attainment of prosperity. MÉÖhÉÉxÉÖ¤ÉrùÉ ºÉÖEÞòiÉÉxiÉÊ®úIÉä ÊjÉ´ÉMɺÉÉè¦ÉÉMªÉ¡ò±ÉÉ ÊjÉ´ÉhÉÉÇ * {ÉÖxɶSÉ ¨ÉÉäIÉÉi{ÉÖ¯û¹ÉÉlÉÇ{ÉÚiªÉÉÇ Ê´É®úÉVÉiÉä ¦ÉÉ®úiÉ´ÉèVɪÉxiÉÒ ** 1 At the beginning of the 8th century, a local Kashmir Brahmin came down from the out skirts of the mountain to the valley seeking mere comforts. At the beginning stage of Nehru family, the head of the family was Raj Koul, who was an extra ordinary scholar. That time the ruler of Delhi was Farūq Siyar, the emperor who was attracted by the knowledge of Raj Koul. Mahatma Gandhi, Annie Besant, Lāla Lajapat Ray and there are portrayed in this Mahākāvya. The Kāvya ends with the nation getting independence and Nehru becomes the first Prime Minister and saluting the flag.

Nehru is a typical hero, a man with deep routed hereditary, good mannered, and also a man of laws. Even in the early stage of childhood, he showed in born qualities. According to the suggestions of his father, Mottilāl Nehru, he studied properly under the teaching of good and well educated teachers and under their observations. He studied many languages such as English and other vernaculars. Ê{ÉiÉÞÊxɪÉÉäMÉ{É®ú¶SÉ {É`özɪÉÆ ¤É½ÖþÊ´ÉSÉIÉhÉ´ÉÒIÉhÉʶÉIÉhÉ& * ºÉ®ú¦ÉºÉÉÊvÉMÉiÉÉÆMɱɦÉÉ®úÊiÉÌxÉVÉMÉÞ½äþ VÉMÉÞ½äþ ¤É½Öþ¦ÉÉ®úiÉҨɠ** 2 During these times the torture of British people was unbearable. Children and ladies were insulted and class discrimination increased. Those who protested against this barbarian justice were put in jail. The mind of Nehru now becomes prepared to protest against these devilish actions of Britis bureaucracy. Neglecting the suggestion for his father and having renounced his better luck, Nehru plunged in to the torrent of Indian freedom struggle, to attain freedom. Ê{ÉiÉÖÌxÉnäù¶ÉÉä%Ê{É ÊiÉ®úºEÞòiÉÉä%¦ÉÚnùxÉäxÉ ªÉnÂù¦ÉÉ®úiɨÉÖÊHò±ÉÉä¦ÉÉiÉ * º´ÉEòҪɺÉÉè¦ÉÉMªÉ®úÊiÉ ¶SÉ Ê´ÉuùÉ º´ÉÉiÉxjªÉÊSÉxiÉÉ¡òʱÉiɺ´É¤ÉÖnÂùvªÉÉ ** 3 Then he took the great oath that he would try to stop the bondage of India and approaches Gandhi to get a membership in National Mahāsabha. Thus here we can see that Nehru comes forward voluntary that Nehru comes forward voluntarily to be a partner in Indian

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freedom struggle. The poet describes all most every incident in Nehru’s life to reach the leadership. But w hen covering NB, the Mahākāvya completely and estimating the historical incidents, the contributions of Gandhi is felt vivid and note worthy. It is clear that Nehru enjoyed full support from Gandhi to become the leader, thus the hero, in this book. Gandhi benevolence, mode of fighting, his lovable manners, pennant life style, are the vigorous factors, end on this ladder Nehru climbed the top. No historic poet can complete his versification without Gandhi. The author of Navabharata tried to make Nehru as the hero in his Mahākāvya welcomes appreciation, because Nehru grew under the shadow of Gandhi, and all citizens of India are fully aware about his sincere and non self motivated service, and in Indian minds Gandhi is placed as god. So Mutukuļam attempt to make Nehru as the hero is welcomed estimating Nehru’s service to Indian people.

Āńgalasāmrājya of A.R.Raja Raja Varma

Āńgalasāmrājya Mahākāvya is the greatest historical Mahākāvya of A.R.Raja Raja Varma (1863-1918). The domination of British rule in India is the theme of Āńgalasāmrājya .The name of this book actually reveals, and related the main theme, and this historical literature. The theme of this book is the history of India from the first advent of British people to India in 16th century after the reign of Queen Elizabeth and up to the enthronement of Queen Victoria as the emperors of Briton. Āńgalasāmrājya is a great epic poem, written in the unique style of Mahākāvya with 1910 stanzas in 23 cantos. AS starts with the stanza ‘asti ‘which reminds us the very famous opening stanza of Kālidāsa in Kumarasambhava. +κiÉ |ɶɺiÉä¹´ÉiɱÉÉÎxiÉEòÉΤvÉÊIÉ{iÉä¹ÉÖ Ê´É¹´ÉEÂò {ÉÖ®ú¨ÉÉÆMɱÉä¹ÉÖ* ËxɺÉÉxÉnùÒÊiÉ®ú´ÉiÉƺɦÉÚiɨÉ ¦ÉÚ¨Éhb÷xÉÆ ±Éhb÷xÉxÉɨÉvÉäªÉ¨É ** 4 The first canto describes the city of London. The responsibility of the country hat Queen Elizabeth shoulders, the rule and regulations of East India Company, the description of marine journey (voyage) in the 4th chapter of Angala Samrajya, Nehru’s journeys to London for higher study, the description of the beauty of London city are contained. In both of these epics the London city is explained. In the second chapter of Angala Samrajya, the advent of Aryans in India, the attack of Alexander to India, the rule of Candragupta Mouriya, Asoka the empire, the Rajaputra Kings, Bābar Humayūn, Akbbar, Jahamgir, Șhājahān, Aurangazīb and their particularity and their diverse interests and their administrative capacity are narrated. Describing the down fall Mughal dynasty, the second canto comes to an end. In the fist there is explained that the Briton destroyed the Mughals. In the 9th chapter there is described the destructive condition of the ‘Hūņas’ the complex and hypothetical series of incidents are only by rupturing appearance of uniqueness. Though it is a Mahākāvya, in Mahākāvya movements, city, Ocean Mountain, seasons are not seen in Āńgalasāmrājya. But almost everything has been described according to the situation demands. Almost every rules of Mahākāvya are included in

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Insight: An International Journal for Arts and Humanities Peer Reviewed and Refereed Vol: 1; Issue: 3 ISSN: 2582-8002

this book City, ocean and other important elements of the Mahākāvya are properly explained. The main theme of his book is the condition of India during the reign of the English. Bhāratendu of C.P.Vāsudeva Bhaţţatiri

C.P. Vāsudeva Baţţatiri’s Bhāratendu is one of the most famous books in Sanskrit literature of the modern period. His father was T.Vāsudevabaţţatiri and mother was Devakidevi. Vāsudeva Baţţatiri was a well known tantri karmi and also was very expert in many languages like Malayalam, Hindi, and English. He was born in 1920. His ancestors reached Mavelikkara from Ōdanādu for tantri karma. He studied Sanskrit and other sacred and traditional ideas concerned with Kşetravidhi.

Works of C.P.Vāsudeva Bhaţţatiri

In different subjects of C.P.Vāsudeva Bhaţţatiri had written more than thirty two books. Bhārathendu Mahākāvya is the greatest Mahākāvya of C.P.Vāsudeva Bhaţţatiri. His other works are Abhijnana Sakuntala (Malayalam translation), Abhinava Malayala vyākaraņa, Anyan, Aucityavicāra (Malayalam), Kavanakala, kirātam, Kuvalayānandam (translation), Kerala paņinīyatilūde, kearla paņinīya patanangal, gadyasilpam, Gītagōvinda (translation), cess, Dvanyālōka (translation), Nalla Malayalam, Narayaņīyam, Niyamam-annum innum, Patanam (translation), Bhakti yōgam Narayaņīyatil, Bhagavatgīta (translation), Bhagavat gīta nitya jīvitattil, Bhāratīya darśanangal, Bhașāsāstram, Malayala vyākaraņam yōgattil, Rāmavicāradhāra, Viśāghavijayam (translation ), Subhașitatrimsati.

It has contained 12 sargās and is describing the history of our national father Mahatma Gandhi. The main theme is Gandhi’s life history. The author goes ahead describing Gandhi’s efforts to lead the country with other leaders of good merits. In the first sarga the author gives a detailed description about the birth of Gandhi, and his childhood days and at the same time describes his father Karmacandra and mother Puttalībhāi. In Navabharata the author describes the birth and the boyhood days and the family background of its hero Jawaharlal Nehru. In the following sarga the author refers Gandhi’s and other leader’s commitment to the country. Then the author comes forward explaining about the hardships that Gandhi witnessed in Africa. He decided to solve their hardship and disaster. Gandhi’s this kind of involvement and effort to put an end, their disaster is explained by the author. To bring a complete freedom of India under the leadership of Gandhi, and holding tightly and sincerely the new mode of struggle Satyāgraha. As some time Gandhi happened to witness the hardship at disasters, that people of India were suffering the under rule of British. Gandhi desired use a harmless weapon satyāgraha put an end the British rule and their functioning in India. By Ahimsa what Gandhi meant a truthful way attain the goal. The British – put Gandhi in prisons and continued the torturing the Indian people. According to Gandhi’s suggestion the people of India begin fasting struggle spread all over the India against the British rule.

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MÉÉÎxvÉ nù¶ÉÇxɺÉÖºÉƺEÞòiÉÉ ´ÉªÉÆ ºÉiªÉ¨ÉÒ·É®úʨÉÊiÉ |ÉEò±{ɪÉxÉ * iªÉHòEò¨ÉÇ¡ò±É ±ÉÉʦÉÊSÉxiÉxÉÉ vɨÉǨÉä´É Eò®ú´ÉÉ¨É iÉiEÞòiɨÉ ** 5 During this time the British Government, employed another clever tatities to split the unity of many the religion. This continued this kind of unfaithful ruling method thought India by which that meant was to establish their permanent kingdom in India. In the last sarga the author describes Gandhi’s assassination and other incidents concerned with the death. He described that the enter world was mourning about his death. The sarga ends his poising Gandhi’s typical philosophy that, do our ‘karma’, without desiring any result. Similar description can be seen in Navabharata of Mutukulam, in which the author describes Nehru’s very kind of contributions to the national rebuilding, and his very sincere the service to India and people. Navabharata is describing the enthronement of Nehru as a first Prime Minister of India. Here in Bhāratendu, Vasudeva Bhaţţatiri narrates the biography of its protagonist Mahatma Gandhi. It gives us a clear vision about the life sketch from birth to death. This Kāvya also combined beautiful with all important meters, figure of speeches and rasās. It was also has all the rules and condition of Mahākāvya, as description of nature, hero etc. Thus the epic poetry Bhāratendu remains one of the most important and unique poesy of Kerala.

Keralōdaya of Dr.K.Nārāyaņan Ezhuttaccan

Dr.K.Nārāyaņan Ezhuttaccan is a very famous writer, as a great blessing ever rendered to Kerala. He attained an important status among the literians of Kerala, by his most unique work of a Mahākāvya known as, Keralōdaya. Quite different from AS and NB, that is telling the historical truths of whole India. Keralōdaya is describing the history of Kerala, attractively using finest linguistic talents by the author, Dr.K.N.Ezhuttaccan. He was born in Cerppulaśśery village in Pālakkāt district of Kerala. His father was Krishnan ezhuttaccan and mother was Lakșmi Amma. He received the former education in Sanskrit from his father. This is written in Sanskrit language on the basic of Kerala’s origin, and in which he starts history of Kerala from Paraśurāma and then slowly comes to the nation of modern Kerala. It has twenty one chapters, and is divided to five divisions known as vapnamanjari, smruti manjari, aitihyamanjari, bōdhamanjari, caritra manjari. In the first manjari the origin of Kerala concerned with Paraśurāma story, is explained. In smriti manjari the poet explained from alienation of Kerala to the history of Zāmorians. The description of Cola dynasty is in aitihya manjari and description of Zāmōrian’s dynasty is in bōdha manjari and the arrival of Pōrtugīs and the formation of modern Kerala are described caritra manjari. Keeping all laws of Mahākāvya, this book is written on the basis of history of nation in 21 cantos, with nearly 2500 verses. It is impossible to site that this work is heroism oriented one. At the beginning the author chants the stanzas about vastu nirdesa.

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{ÉÖ®úÉ{ÉÖ®úÉÊ®ú̶ɹªÉ& {É®úÉÊ®ú¦ÉÞMÉÖ´ÉxnùxÉ&* =´ÉÉºÉ iÉ{ɺÉÉÊ´ÉxvªÉÉiÉ]õ{ÉhÉÇEÖò]õÒ®úEäò ** 6 The author describes the city. This book is very glorified with different kind of figure of speeches different meter the important rasa of this book is gallantry. The heroes of this epic poetry are national leaders, who are alluring profoundly. Kerala history can be considered as the ideas of Indian ancestor. In the poetry the poet explains different villages’ festivals, farmers, merchants, students, drunkards and exorcists and other different typical personal of Kerala. In Keralōdaya, his verses tells us his representation, imaginations etc. Udayavarma carita

Udayavarma carita is dealing with history of Kōlattiri dynasty of South Malabar. It was written by Ravivarma, of Kolathiri dynasty in I5th century. It unveils the historical importance of Udaya varma and in which his triumphant journey, compliments are explained. It is a book of profound descriptions, and factionary tales. The historical scenery of Kolattiri dynasty can be copied from this beautiful Mahākāvya.

Viśakhavijaya of Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Tampuran

Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Tampuran was born on February 1st , 1845, as the second son of Deviyamba Tampuraţţy of Cenganāśśery , Lakșmīpura palace and Śankaradāsan ampūtiri of Talipparamb, Mullappally in pūyam star. He was a great scholar and gifted poet not only in Sanskrit but also in Malayalam. He was brought up in the traditional school and he had his early education in the traditional manner. Rāma Varma was his name that he got from the masters, when he was five years old he began his primary education according to the conventional style. It was Rāma Vāriyar of Tiruvarappu, the court ancestor, who taught him the primary lessons in Sanskrit. ‘Kerala Varma started writing a biography of aharaja Visakham Tirunal and an account of his tour of North India. In 1883 the maharaja sent a copy of his auto biography to Kerala Varma made a tour of North Kerala. When he was 14 years of old, he married Lakșmībhāi, who had been adapted to the palace according to the well of Rāja Rāja Koyil Tampurān. He then continued his education, and became a master in philosophy, logic, grammar and Aștāńgahrudaya. Sanskrit books, Tirunāl prabandha, Nakșatramāla, Kșamāpanasahasra, Yamapraņāma Śataka, Victoria carita samgraha, Guruvāyūr purestava, Śrńgāramanjari Bāna, Citra slokāvali, Kamsavadha campu, Tulābhāra śataka, Pādāravindaśataka are most important works. Bhāșa Śākuntala, in Malayalam language gained them. In 1058, he received the affiliation as a fellow from Madras University. The translation of Śākuntalam gave him the title “Kerala Kālidāsa”

Viśākhavijaya is a Sanskrit epic poetry in 20 cantos with more than 1000 stanza. It is enough revealed the history of Travancore. This was written in praising of Viśākham Tirunāl Rāja. English kāvya ‘Keralavarma’ that Viśākhavijaya are the most unique work on Kerala

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Varma. Thus the Mahākāvya, Viśākhavijaya is very unique in its status and with alluring rasa and full poetic beauty. The first five cantos of Viśākhavijaya explain the story of Kerala Varma himself. The episode likes Kerala Bandhana, the premature death of Mahā Raja. Enthronement of Viśākham Tirunāl Rāja is depicted with heart arresting manner.

The last day of ĀyiliamTirunāl is explained in the 5th cantos. From 6th canto to 20th canto the author explains the enthronement of Viśākham Tirunāl and releasing of Kerala Varma. The author pictures these incidents very beautifully.

Kerala Prathibha of N.Gopala Pillai

N.Gopala Pillai was born on 1901, at Umayannur Villagem Kollam Dt. Kerala. In 1939 he was Pricipal of the Maharaja’s College of Sanskrit, Trivandrum. He was refined from service in March 1957. After retirement he spends the field of various academic projects like writing and publishing. Pillai is the well scholar of Sanskrit he has won wide recognition in the field of thought and culture.

He is a poet and a critic in Sanskrit. Recongniseds several institutions like; National Academy, Lalita Kala academy and the Kerala sahitya Academy etc.,

As a Poet and prose writer in Malayalam Sanskrit and English;. His collection of lyrical poems Prema sushama, Navamukulam and divyadarsana and prose works Sri Buddhadeva, manava samskaram, and lokaranjanam, ands collection of essays cintadeepam and kalpana silpam.

Kerala Pratibha there is three verses composed in ours Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Dr.Radhakrishnan and given respects of such verses.

There are two major works included in Kerala Prathibha. Sitavicaralahari, and premasangitam. It is the master piece of Sri. Pillai. These are translated from the kavyas of Mahakavi Kumaranasan and Mahakavi Ullur S.Parameswara Iyyer .

In the first phase his revealed the love of Nation. His poem begin the ‘ jaya janani’ , its name is quoted ’ jaya janani’. He praised our president Dr.Radhakrishnan.

Conclusion The historical books that are existed in Kerala are very helpful to get a clear vision about the historical picture of Kerala. In Keralōdaya Mahākāvya, Dr.Dharmarāj says thus: “From the ancient period historical literature books were given to Kerala. For the development of our nation, the historical matters must go further quite typically”.

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When evaluating the historical books of Kerala there can be seen that these types of books are very rare. Visākha Vijayam (Kerala Varma Koyil Tampurān), Angala Samrajya (A.R.Rāja Rāja Varma), Keralōdaya (K.N.Ezhuthaccan), Navabharata Mahakavya (Mutukuļam Srīdhar) is certain series of books, through which we can go through to know the history. Different locales, temples, rivers, forests, movements, dynasties, kingdoms, culture, and similar branches of knowledge are unveiled by these historical epic poetry.

The 20th century witnessed the birth of profound Sanskrit literary works. When there spread the whims that, the Sanskrit literature has not produced enough literary works, comparing the works of other literary works of other languages, took birth of many literary forms in Sanskrit literature as Mahākāvyās, laghu Kāvyas, stotra Kāvyās, Cambu kāvyās, plays and many grammar texts.

The historical epic poems dealing with the freedom struggle are actually pronouncing the dump stories of an age, the unknown fables packed with different sacrificial incidents. Authors give due weight to the historical incidents which shaped the present republic of India. Similar Sanskrit works are written in Kerala too. Keralōdayam of K.N.Ezhuthacchan, Āngala Sāmrājya of A.R.Raja Raja Varma, Navabhārata of Mutukulam Srīdhar are not worthy in these series.

These works assume significance on account of the fact that a modern theme, as important as the history of Indian National Independence Movement, is effectively depicted in all its detail, in a classical language like Sanskrit, which had been the intellectual vehicle of ancient India for at least more than five millennia. It has made use of the grandeur and flexibility of the language of Sanskrit to describe the rather well known epochs of the fight against colonialism to attain the countries freedom.

The contribution of several other minor leaders including that of Kerala has also been assessed. The historical importances of the various places of Kerala described in the Kāvyas are also dealt with. The poets describe what the actual benefits of the people, undoubted that are the pure love for nation. Moreover the poet reveals the high morality that is to grow similar patriots for the betterment of the society.

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End notes

1. Navabharatamahakavya, Patakavarnana. Mutukulam Sridhar. 2. ibid, 7.22 3. ibid, 26. 4. Angalasamrajya, A.R.Raja Raja Varma, 1.1. 5. Bharatendu, VasudevaBhattatiri, Canto 12. 6. Keralodaya, Dr.K.N.Ezhuthaccan,1.1

References:

1. India’s Struggle for Independence, Bipin Chandra, Penquin Books, 1988. 2. Historical Mahakavyas in Sanskrit, Chandra Prabha, Sri.Bharati Private Limited, New Delhi, 1976. 3. Keralodaya an epic Kavya on Kerala History, Dr.Dharmaraj Adat, Publication Division, University of Calicut, 2007. 4. Kerala Varma and his works, Dr.Poovattoor Ramakrishna Pillai, Anitha Publication Prasanth nagar Trivandrum, 1985. 5. The Contribution of Kerala to Sanskrit Literature, K.Kunjunni Raja, University of Madras, 1980. 6. ,Alankara deepika.Muthukulam Sreedhar, Sreeramadasa Asramam,Sreeneelakantapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, 1999. 7. Sree Dharmasthaleeyam, Muthukulam Sreedhar, Thulaseevana Sangeetha Parishad, Thiruvananthapuram.1994. 8. Navabharatam, Mutukulam Sreedhar, Published by Auther, Minarva, Harippadu, 1978. 9. Viswabhanu, P.K.Narayana Pilla, Jai Vihar, Thiruvananthapuram, 10. Bharatenduh, Vasudeva Bhattatiri, Sree Books, Kochi, 1990.

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