Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon

Kerala poet and Indian poet

Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon (11 May 1911 – 22 December 1985) (also written as Vailoppilli) was an Indian poet of Malayalam literature. Known for his works such as ''Kudiyozhikkal'', ''Kannikkoythu'' and '' Mambazham'', Menon was the founder president of the Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham, an organization of Kerala-based artists, writers and art and literature enthusiasts. He was a recipient of several honors including Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry, Vayalar Award and Odakkuzhal Award.

Life and career

Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon was born on May 11, 1911 in Kaloor in ernakulam to Cheranellore Kochukuttan Kartha and Nanikutty Amma. Starting his early education was with a local ''Asan'' (teacher), Menon did his formal education initially at the Government Primary School, Kaloor and later at St. Albert's High School, Ernakulam from where he completed the high school education in 1927. Subsequently, he graduated in Science from Maharaja's College, Ernakulam. He continued his education to pass BT degree from Seythapet Training College, Madras and started his career as a teacher in government service in 1931 at Kandassamkadavu Government High School. His teaching career took him to 20 different schools in Kerala until his retirement from service in 1966 as the head master of Ollur High School, the present day Vailoppilli Sreedhara Menon Memorial Government Vocational Higher Secondary School. He was involved with literary organizations such as Kerala Sahitya Akademi and Sahitya Pravartaka Sahakarana Sanghom; he was a member of the organizing committee of the former and the board of directors of the latter. He also served as the editor of the official magazine of the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad. When Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham, a forum of progressive writers led by leftist intellectuals and artists, was formed in 1981, he was selected as its founder president and he held the position until 1985. He represented Kerala thrice at the national poets' meetings of 1951 (Delhi), 1959 (Delhi) and 1965 (Bengaluru) and toured the Soviet Union in 1970.

Menon married Bhanumathi Amma, a school teacher, in 1955. They had two sons, Sreekumar, an ayurvedic physician and Vijayakumar, a homeopathic doctor. However, the couple had differences between themselves and were staying separately when he died on December 22, 1985, succumbing to brain hemorrhage. Bhanumathi Amma survived him and died on June 26, 2018.

Legacy

Menon started writing under the pen name ''Sree'' and his first poetry anthology, ''Kannikkoythu'' (The Maiden Harvest) was published in 1947; Kuttikrishna Marar opined that the poems signify a strong sprouting of Malayalam poetry that deviated from the romantic tradition prevalent during those times. He is considered by literary historians as one of the major voices in Malayalam poetry who marked the transition from the Romantic to the modern era. A scientific insight into the historical roots of social evolution and a deeper understanding of the psychological undercurrents of the human mind characterise his poetry. His mastery of the medium is evident in all his poems both lyrical and narrative.

Menon published around 20 books, composed of poems, plays and biographies. Many critics consider the long poem ''Kudiyozhikkal'' (Eviction of the tenant) as his magnum opus. M. Leelavathy wrote that ''the poem is a ruthless self-examination of a middle class land owner who realizes that the future belongs not to himself but to his poor tenant whom he despises at heart''. The poem has been translated into English by P. K. N. Panicker and is included in the book, ''Selected Poems of Valoppilli Sreedhara Menon''. ''Vida'', ''Kannikkoythu'', ''Makarakoythu'' and ''Kaipavallari'' are among his other major works, all of which have won awards. ''Kanneerpadam'', a poem he wrote soon after his separation from his wife, is reported to be autobiographical. ''Sahyante Makan'', a Malayalam film released in 1982, is based on a poem of the same name written by Menon.982