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{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| pre-nominals =
| name = Azhakathu Padmanabha Kurup
| post-nominals =
| image = Azhakathu.jpg
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| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1869|02|15}}
| birth_place = [[Chavara]], [[Travancore]], [[British India]]
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| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1931|11|06|1869|02|15}}
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| notable_works = ''Ramachandravilasam, Gandharvavijayam, Prabhushakti''
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| spouse = Bhaageeradhi Kunjamma
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| parents = Kochukunju Kunjamma, Narayanan Embraadhiri
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'''Azhakathu Padmanabha Kurup''' (15 February 1869 – 6 November 1931), was a renowned scholar in [[Sanskrit]] and [[Malayalam]], who composed the first Malayalam epic poem ''Ramachandravilasam''.

==Biography==
He was born in Azhakathu family as the son of Narayanan Embraadhiri and Kochukunju Kunjamma and was named as ''Azhakathu Palliyaadi Eashwaren Padmanabhan''.<ref name=Bio>{{cite web | url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/AzhakathPKurup/Html/AzhakathPKurupPage.htm | title=Azhakathu Padmanabha Kurup | publisher=[[Kerala Sahitya Akademi]] | accessdate=19 December 2018}}</ref>

He was also trained in [[Hindi language]] from his father. ''Azhakathu Padmanabhan Kurup'' became great devotee of [[Rama]] after reading Ramacharitamanasa of Tulasidas . His devotion influenced him to compose the epic '' Ramachandravilasam''.<ref name =Bio/>

''Ramachandravilasam'' is the first epic in [[Malayalam]] that strictly adheres to all the rules of composition, which has 21 sargas, 1832 slokas and 'chitrasargam'. The theme of the poem is based on [[Ramayana]], except the part called 'utharakandam', which has been omitted in the epic poetry.

''Ramachandravilasam'' became a milestone in Malayalam literature, especially in [[Mahakavya]], for this author has made a maiden attempt. Till then [[Mahakavya]] were written in [[Sanskrit]] on the belief that Malayalam doesn't have the essence for epic composition. Azhakathu started this work in 1894 but took few years to complete it.<ref name=Bio/>

During the composition, in order to understand the opinion of readers on an entirely new piece of work, he published his initial draft of ''Ramachandravilasam'', which had 8 sargas, anonymously on a famous newspaper 'Malayalee' of that time. Disappointingly, he didn't receive any response from the readers. So Azhakathu send a letter to [[Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran]] seeking his opinion and also informed that ''Ramachandravilasam'' that was published on the newspaper is composed by him. [[Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran]] responded by appreciating his work and also encouraged Azhakathu to complete his remaining work as it would be a turning point in [[Malayalam]] literature.

In 1905, Azhakathu completed the composition of ''Ramchandravilasam'' and published it on 'Malayalee' newspaper. He then approached his well-wisher [[A. R. Raja Raja Varma]] to review his work and provide suggestions. After including the suggestions from [[A. R. Raja Raja Varma]], the final draft of ''Ramachandravilasam'' was published in 'Avatharika' in 1907.

<ref name =Bio/> ''Ramachandravilasam'' has all the features of a neo-classical epic. In the preface to the poem, the poet has declared Bhojachambu as his model. He has also stated that the ideas of many [[Sanskrit]] scholars have been adapted by him. Nevertheless, ''Ramchandravilasam'' has its own place in the history of [[Malayalam]] literature.

Azhakathu Padmanabha Kurup has also made notable contributions in [[Aattakatha (performance)|Aattakatha]], [[drama]], [[Kilippattu]], [[Khandakavyam]] and Balasahityam. Some of his best known works were 'Gandharvavijayam' ([[Aattakatha (performance)|Aattakatha]]), 'Meenakethana Charitham' ([[Drama]]), 'Prabhushakthi' ([[Khandakavyam]]), kuvalayaasweeyam' ([[Kilippattu]]). He has also made translations of Sanskrit classics into Malayalam.<ref name =Bio/> In 1894 Azhakathu married 'Pallickal Puthiyaveethil Bhaageeradhi Kunjamma' and the couple had 8 children. He was a [[Sanskrit]] teacher in Chavara Govt. High School, [[Kollam]] and later retired as 'Munshi' from service.<ref name =Bio/>

Even though his work was notable in [[Malayalam]] literature unfortunately there aren't much details recorded in history about the life of this poet.

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*[http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/AzhakathPKurup/Html/AzhakathPKurupPage.htm Biographical sketch, Portrait, Handwriting and Books of Azhakathu Padmanabha Kurup- Kerala Sahitya Akademi]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vkrw4o88fps]

{{authority control}}

[[Category:1869 births]]
[[Category:1931 deaths]]
[[Category:Scholars from Kerala]]
[[Category:19th-century Indian poets]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian poets]]
[[Category:19th-century Indian translators]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian translators]]
[[Category:Poets from Kerala]]
[[Category:Indian Sanskrit scholars]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language writers]]
[[Category:People of the Kingdom of Travancore]]
[[Category:People from Kollam district]]

Azhakathu Padmanabha Kurup - Revision history

>WikiCleanerBot at 16:02, 14 November 2020