The Venmani School of poets were involved in a movement in
Malayalam Literature
Malayalam, the lingua franca of the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puduchery, is one of the six Classical languages of India. Malayalam literature comprises those literary texts written in Malayalam, a S ...
also known as the Venmani Movement. The style of poetry was pioneered by members of the Venmani Illam of
Kodungalloor
Kodungallur (; also Cranganore, Portuguese: Cranganor; formerly known as Mahodayapuram, Shingly, Vanchi, Muchiri, Muyirikkode, and Muziris) is a historically significant town situated on the banks of river Periyar on the Malabar Coast in Th ...
in the 19th century.
Main members
The major poets of the Venmani school were
Venmani Achhan Nambudiripad (1817-1891),
Venmani Mahan Nambudiripad
Venmani Mahan Nambudiripad (1844-1893) (also known as KadambanKadambhan) was a famous Malayalam poet of the Venmani Illam and one of the main literary figures of the Venmani Movement of Malayalam Literature
Malayalam, the lingua franca of ...
(1844-1893),
Poonthottam Achhan Nambudiri (1821-1865),
Poonthottam Mahan Nambudiri (1857-1896) and the members of the
Kodungallur Kovilakam (Royal Family) such as
Kodungallur Kunjikkuttan Thampuran
Kodungallur Kunjikkuttan Thampuran (1864 - 1914) also transliterated as ''Kotungallur Kunhikkuttan Thampuran'', was a Malayalam poet and Sanskrit scholar lived in Kerala, India. His birth-name was Rama Varma. He is famous for his single-hande ...
. The style of these poets became quite popular for a while and influenced even others who were not members of the group like
Velutheri Kesavan Vaidyar (1839-1897) and Perunlli Krishnan Vaidyan (1863-1894).
Style of literature
The Venmani School pioneered a style of poetry that was associated with common day themes, and the use of pure
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 2 ...
rather than
Sanskrit
Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...
. The poetry was therefore easily understood by the common man. The works were known for its humor, wit, and lyrical meter.
See also
*
Akavoor Narayanan, author of ''Venmani Prasthanam'', a study on Venmani School.
*
Malayalam Literature
Malayalam, the lingua franca of the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puduchery, is one of the six Classical languages of India. Malayalam literature comprises those literary texts written in Malayalam, a S ...
*
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 2 ...
*
Sanskrit
Sanskrit (; attributively , ; nominally , , ) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in South Asia after its predecessor languages had diffused there from the northwest in the late ...
References
http://www.namboothiri.com/articles/venmani-school.htm
Malayalam-language literature
Indian literary movements
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