Thathamathu Nanupilla Gopakumaran Nair (born 27 June 1944), also known as Dr. Ambalapuzha Gopakumar (ഡോ.അമ്പലപ്പുഴ ഗോപകുമാർ) is a

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam was des ...

poet, historian, orator and writer from

Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...

, India. He is the recipient of Kerala State Institute of Children's literature Award, 2012. Gopakumar is also the author of 'History of Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple' which describes the origin and history of Amabalapuzha and the famous Sreekrishna Temple. He is widely regarded as an authority on the history of Chemapakassery, the erstwhile name of Ambalapuzha. Dr. Gopakumar was the former director of Vaikom Kshetra Kalapeedom. In August 2016, he was given the 'Janmashtamy' award for literature. He is also the recipient of Amritakeerti Puraskar 2016, in recognition of his contributions to spiritual, philosophical and cultural literature.

Biography

Ambalapuzha Gopakumar was born to Thathamathu C K Nanupilla and K.M.Rajamma, on 27 June 1944 at

Ambalapuzha Ambalappuzha is a small town in the Alappuzha district of Kerala state, India. It is located south of Alappuzha which is the district headquarters. Ambalappuzha is divided into the two panchayats of Ambalapuzha North and Ambalapuzha South. ...

Alappuzha Alappuzha or Alleppey () is the administrative headquarters of Alappuzha district in States and territories of India, state of Kerala, India. The Kerala Backwaters, Backwaters of Alappuzha are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Indi ...

in Kerala. He lost his father when he was nine. His childhood days were spent in Ambalapuzha where he attended the public 'Government Model High School, Ambalapuzha'. Gopakumar was a professor at

Sanatana Dharma College Sanatana Dharma College or S. D. College is an educational institution in Alappuzha, Kerala, India, affiliated with the University of Kerala. It is one of the oldest affiliated aided colleges under the University of Kerala. The college has been r ...

and retired as the Head of Malayalam Department in 1999. He is a member of the advisory board of Human Right Protection Mission and a director board member of Samastha Kerala Sahitya Parishath.

Writings

Gopakumar's first published work was ''Udayathinu Munmpu'', which was published by National Book Stall. His poems have appeared in all leading literary magazines in Malayalam. His published works also include essays, biographies and history of ancient art forms of Chempakassery.

Poetic works

* Udayathinu Mumpu * Idayante Patu * Shyamakrishnan * Manyamahajanam * Amruthapuriyile Kattu * Amruthadarshanam * Harimadhavam * Gangamayya * Poliye Poli * Sreekrishnaleela * Akuthikuthu * Rappadi

Prose list

* Ambalapuzha Kshethra Charithram * Sukrutha Paithrukam * Thirakal Maykatha Padamudrakal * Ambalapuzha Sahodaranmar * Sathyathinte Nanarthangal * Velakali * Charithra Padhathile Nakshatra Vilakku * Ente Ullile Kadal * Kairaliyude Varadanagal * Ente Ullile Kadal (found and published Thakazhi's unknown work) * Leelankanam (found and published Changampuzha's unknown work)

Awards

* 2011 - Prof. Kozhisseril Balaraman Award for Literature * 2012 – Kerala State Institute of Children's literature Award * 2012 – Narayaneeyam Puraskaram for contributions in the spiritual domain * 2014 – Ekatha Award for Literature, Sharja * 2015 – Vasudeva Puraskaram from Ambalapuzha Temple * 2015 – Venmani Award for Literature * 2015 – Karuvatta Chandran Memorial Award for Literature * 2016 - Janmashtami Award * 2016 - Amritakeerthy Puraskar

Positions held

* Prof and the head of the Dept of Malayalam, S.D.College * Ph D Board member, University of Kerala * Director board member, Samastha Kerala Sahitya Parishath * President, P.K Memorial Library, Ambalapuzha * President, Ambalapuzha Temple Advisory Committee * Secretary, Kunchan Nambiar Memorial, Ambalapuzha * Chief editor, Sreevatsam * Administrator, Jawahar Balabhavan, Alappuzha

References

External links

Indian Express

Asianet

Akashavani Interview
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gopakumar, Ambalapuzha 1944 births Living people People from Alappuzha district Writers from Kerala Malayalam-language writers Malayalam poets Malayalam-language lyricists 20th-century Indian historians Scientists from Kerala 20th-century Indian poets