BaileyMetzler at 22:41, 5 February 2026

2026-02-05T22:41:05Z

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{{Short description|Indian writer and poet (1944–2024)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix =
| name = Gopakumar, Ambalapuzha
| image = ambalapuzhagopakumar.jpg
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1944|6|27}}
| birth_place = [[Ambalapuzha]], [[Travancore]], [[British Raj|India]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2024|7|21|1944|6|27}}
| death_place = Ambalapuzha, [[Kerala]], India
| citizenship = India
| education = [[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D.]]
| alma_mater = *Sanathana Dharma College, [[Alappuzha]]
* [[NSS Hindu College, Changanassery]]
| occupation = Poet, Historian, Professor
| title = *
| notable_works = ''Rappadi, Shyamakrishnan, Idayante Pattu, History of Ambalapuzha Temple, Kunchan Nambiar, ''
| spouse =
| parents =
| children =
}}

'''Thathamathu Nanupilla Gopakumaran Nair''' (27 June 1944 – 21 July 2024) was an Indian [[Malayalam]] poet, historian, orator and writer from [[Kerala]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mintonsunday.livemint.com/news/ambalapuzhas-payasam/2.3.2289558410.html|title=Ambalapuzha's payasam|website=mintonsunday.livemint.com/|access-date=25 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150725/nation-current-affairs/article/ramayana-vignettes-ramayana-emphasises-thought-over-desire|title=Ramayana vignettes: Ramayana emphasises thought over desire|website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]|date=25 July 2015 |access-date=25 March 2016}}</ref> He was the recipient of the Kerala State Institute of Children's Literature Award, in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ksicl.org/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67&Itemid=55|title=Award|last=Administrator|website=www.ksicl.org|access-date=25 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033519/http://www.ksicl.org/eng/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67&Itemid=55|archive-date=4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Gopakumar was also the author of 'History of Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple' which describes the origin and history of [[Ambalappuzha|Amabalapuzha]] and the famous Sreekrishna Temple.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.janmabhumidaily.com/news198402|title=യുദ്ധാനന്തരം നാട്ടു ചരിത്രത്തില്‍ ഇങ്ങനെ ചിലതു സംഭവിച്ചു|last=ജന്മഭൂമി|website=ജന്മഭൂമി|date=10 May 2014 |language=en-US|access-date=25 March 2016}}</ref> He was widely regarded as an authority on the history of Chemapakassery, the erstwhile name of Ambalapuzha.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.godsowncountry.info/keralatourism/celebrations|title=Celebrations {{!}} godsowncountry.info|website=www.godsowncountry.info|access-date=25 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320002537/http://www.godsowncountry.info/keralatourism/celebrations|archive-date=20 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Gopakumar was the director of the Vaikom Kshetra Kalapeedom.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/alappuzha/malayalam-news/ampalappuzha-1.1245642|title=ഡോ. അമ്പലപ്പുഴ ഗോപകുമാര്‍ വൈക്കം ക്ഷേത്രകലാപീഠം ഡയറക്ടര്‍|access-date=14 August 2016|archive-date=21 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921044809/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/alappuzha/malayalam-news/ampalappuzha-1.1245642|url-status=dead}}</ref> In August 2016, he was given the 'Janmashtami' award for literature.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.keralakaumudi.com/beta/news.php?NewsId=TkVLTTAxNDI5NTk=&xP=RExZ&xDT=MjAxNi0wOC0xMyAwMDozNTowMA==&xD=MQ==&cID=Mw==|title=ജന്മാഷ്ടമി പുരസ്‌കാരം ഡോ. അമ്പലപ്പുഴ ഗോപകുമാറിന്|language=en-US|access-date=14 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160814224248/http://news.keralakaumudi.com/beta/news.php?NewsId=TkVLTTAxNDI5NTk=&xP=RExZ&xDT=MjAxNi0wOC0xMyAwMDozNTowMA==&xD=MQ==&cID=Mw==|archive-date=14 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was also the recipient of [[Amrita Keerti Puraskar]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.amritapuri.org/activity/cultural/amritakeerti|title=Amrita Keerti Puraskar - Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi|newspaper=Amma, Mata Amritanandamayi Devi|language=en-US|access-date=4 November 2016}}</ref> in 2016, in recognition of his contributions to spiritual, philosophical, and cultural literature.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/amritakeerti-puraskar/article9134293.ece|title=Amritakeerti Puraskar|date=22 September 2016|newspaper=The Hindu|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X|access-date=4 November 2016}}</ref>

==Biography==
Ambalapuzha Gopakumar was born to Thathamathu C K Nanupilla and K. M. Rajamma, on 27 June 1944 at [[Ambalapuzha]], [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]] 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'.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.puzha.com/malayalam/bookstore/cgi-bin/author-detail.cgi?code=388|title=books.puzha.com - Author Details|website=www.puzha.com|access-date=25 March 2016|archive-date=22 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422142454/http://www.puzha.com/malayalam/bookstore/cgi-bin/author-detail.cgi?code=388|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Gopakumar was a professor at [[SD College, Alappuzha|Sanatana Dharma College]] and retired as the Head of the Malayalam Department in 1999. He was a member of the advisory board of the Human Rights Protection Mission<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hrpmindia.org/html/who_we_are.html|title=HRPM|website=www.hrpmindia.org|access-date=25 March 2016|archive-date=5 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005045613/http://www.hrpmindia.org/html/who_we_are.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and a director board member of Samastha Kerala Sahitya Parishath.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/Malayalam-week-celebrations-from-November-1/2013/11/01/article1866871.ece?|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406124153/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/Malayalam-week-celebrations-from-November-1/2013/11/01/article1866871.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 April 2016|title=Malayalam week celebrations from November 1|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=25 March 2016}}</ref> He died on 21 July 2024, at the age of 80.<ref>[https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/poet-cum-historian-dr-ambalapuzha-gopakumar-passes-away-1.9745077 Poet-cum-historian Dr. Ambalapuzha Gopakumar passes away]</ref>

==Writings==
{{unreferenced section|date=July 2024}}
Gopakumar's first published work was ''Udayathinu Munmpu'', which the National Book Stall published. His poems have appeared in all leading literary magazines in Malayalam. His published works also include essays, biographies, and a 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==
{{unreferenced section|date=July 2024}}
* 2011 – Prof. Kozhisseril Balaraman Award for Literature
* 2012 – Kerala State Institute of Children's Literature award
* 2012 – Narayaneeyam Puraskaram for contributions to 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==
{{unreferenced section|date=July 2024}}
* 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==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20160406101328/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/article228962.ece?service=print Indian Express]
* [http://asianetindia.com/kavalam-narayana-panicker-bags-award/ Asianet] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408014155/http://asianetindia.com/kavalam-narayana-panicker-bags-award/ |date=8 April 2016 }}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbbDbeO-Giw Akashavani Interview]

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gopakumar, Ambalapuzha}}
[[Category:1944 births]]
[[Category:2024 deaths]]
[[Category:Writers from Alappuzha district]]
[[Category:Writers from Kerala]]
[[Category:Malayalam poets]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language lyricists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian historians]]
[[Category:Scientists from Kerala]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian poets]]
[[Category:Deaths from falls]]

Ambalapuzha Gopakumar - Revision history

BaileyMetzler at 22:41, 5 February 2026