KINGRON at 05:32, 28 February 2026

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{{Short description|Indian writer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2019}}
{{Infobox writer
| name = Kuttikrishna Marar
| image = Kuttikrishnamarar.jpg
| imagesize =
| alt =
| caption =
| pseudonym =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1900|6|15}}
| birth_place = [[Triprangode]], British India
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1973|4|6|1900|6|15}}
| death_place = [[Kozhikode]], [[Kerala]], [[India]]
| occupation = Writer, Literary Critic
| nationality = Indian
| alma_mater =
| period =
| genre =
| subject =
| movement =
| notableworks = Bharatha Paryaadanam, Kala Jeevitam thanne, Malayala Saili
| spouse = Narayanikutty Marasyar
| partner =
| children =
| relatives = {{ubl|Karikkatt Marathu Krishna Marar (father)|Lakshmikutty Marasyar (mother)}}
| influences =
| influenced =
| awards = {{ubl|1966 [[Sahitya Akademi Award]]|1966 [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award]]}}
}}
'''Kizhakke Marathu Kuttikrishna Marar''' (15 June 1900 – 6 April 1973) was an Indian essayist and literary critic of [[Malayalam literature]]. He was known for ''Bharathaparyaadanam'', a critical study of the [[Mahabharata]], which is counted by many among the most influential books in Malayalam and was a recipient of the [[Sahitya Akademi Award]] and [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award]].

== Biography ==
Kuttikrishna Marar was born on 15 June 1900 in [[Triprangode]], in [[Malappuram district]] of the south Indian state of [[Kerala]] to Karikkatt Marathu Krishna Marar and kizhakke Marattu Lakshmikutty Marasyar.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/KuttikrishnaMarar/Html/Marargraphy.htm |title=Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal |date=2019-02-08 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref> He learnt percussion, which was the family profession, along with drawing as early education but his life took a turn when he joined [[Sree Neelakanta Government Sanskrit College Pattambi]] where he had the opportunity to study under two known teachers, Punnassery Nambi and Shambu Sharma. Subsequently, he passed the Sahityashiromani examination and started his career as Sahithyacharya at the [[Kerala Kalamandalam]] where he worked alongside [[Vallathol Narayana Menon]] for 15 years, during which period, he published many of his writings.<ref name="Kuttikrishna Marar - Veethi profile">{{Cite web |url=https://www.veethi.com/india-people/kuttikrishna_marar-profile-2252-25.htm |title=Kuttikrishna Marar - Veethi profile |date=2019-02-08 |website=veethi.com |access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref> He was able to find himself a mentor under [[Nalapat Narayana Menon]]. From 1938 to 1961 he was the proofreader of the Malayalam daily newspaper, ''[[Mathrubhumi]]''.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" />

Marar married Kizhakkemarath Narayanikutty Marasyar in 1924 and they had seven children in that four sons and three daughters.<ref name="വിമർശകന്റെ ജീവിതപര്യടനം">{{Cite web |url=https://malayalam.indianexpress.com/news/features/kuttikrishna-marar-bharatha-paryatanam-sujatha/ |title=വിമർശകന്റെ ജീവിതപര്യടനം |date=2018-06-14 |website=Indian Express Malayalam |language=ml |access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref> Towards the later part of his life, he was more inclined to spiritual pursuits. He died on 6 April 1973, at the age of 72.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" />

== Literary career ==
Kuttikrishna Marar was a harsh critic of literary indiscretions. His work, ''Bharathaparyadanam'', a critical study of the [[Mahabharata]] is considered by many as a seminal work and is a part of the [[Central Board of Secondary Education]] syllabus. Another of his important works is ''Kala Jeevitham Thanne'' (Art is Life itself), which won him [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award]], [[Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award]] and M. P. Paul Prize. ''Malayala Shaili'', another of his notable works, is one of the most authentic treatises on proper [[Malayalam]] usage. ''Sahithyasallapam'', ''Danthagopuram'' and ''Kaivilakku'' (collections of literary criticism) are some of his other works on literary criticism.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /> Besides, he has also published over 19 collections of essays on literary criticism.<ref name="Sanskrit Critics from Kerala">{{Cite web |url=http://www.universityofcalicut.info/SDE/SM_VI_sem_BA_Sanskrit_General_Essay.pdf |title=Sanskrit Critics from Kerala |last=Jayageetha K. N. |date=2019-02-08 |website=University of Calicut |access-date=2019-02-08 |archive-date=13 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413210956/http://www.universityofcalicut.info/SDE/SM_VI_sem_BA_Sanskrit_General_Essay.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Awards and honours ==
In 1967, Marar received ''Sahithya Ratnam'' award from Pattambi Sree Neelakanda Sanskrit College and ''Sahithya Nipunan'' award from [[Government Sanskrit College, Tripunithura]]. Sahitya Akademi awarded him their [[Sahitya Akademi Award|annual award]] in 1966, for his work, ''Kala Jeevitham Thanne''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sahitya-akademi.gov.in/old_version/awa10311.htm |title=Sahitya Akademi Awards 1955-2007 |publisher=sahitya-akademi.gov.in |access-date=2009-10-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828042835/http://www.sahitya-akademi.gov.in/old_version/awa10311.htm |archive-date=28 August 2009 }}</ref> He received another award for the same work the same year, the inaugural [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Literary Criticism]].<ref name="Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Literary Criticism">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/ksa/Awards/Criticism_Studies.htm |title=Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Literary Criticism |date=2019-02-08 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref> He received the M. P. Paul Prize also in 1966.<ref name="Sanskrit Critics from Kerala" /> His life and work has been documented by many writers and ''Marar Lavanyabhavathinte Yukthi Shilpam'', one such work written by M. Thomas Mathew was selected for [[Vayalar Award]] in 2009.<ref name="Vayalar award for work on Kuttikrishna Marar">{{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/Vayalar-award-for-work-on-Kuttikrishna-Marar/article16492951.ece |title=Vayalar award for work on Kuttikrishna Marar |date=2009-10-11 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-02-08}}</ref><ref name="‘Marar, a great inspiration for me’">{{Cite news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2009/oct/11/marar-a-great-inspiration-for-me-91723.html |title='Marar, a great inspiration for me' | date=11 October 2009 |newspaper=The New Indian Express |access-date=17 February 2019 }}</ref>

== Bibliography ==
=== Literary criticism ===
{{Div col|colwidth=40em}}
* {{Cite book |url=https://www.amazon.in/Bharathaparyatanam-Kuttikrishna-Marar/dp/B007E4VNAG |title=Bharathaparyatanam |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |date=2011-05-25 |publisher=Marar Sahithya Prakasham |language=ml |asin=B007E4VNAG}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/bhashavruthangal-grammar-kuttikrishna-marar?author_id= |title=Bhashavruthangal |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/vruthasilpam-malayalam-grammar-kuttikrishna-marar?author_id= |title=Vruthasilpam |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam }}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/vruthasilpam-malayalam-grammar-kuttikrishna-marar?author_id= |title=Hasya Sahithyam |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam |archive-date=22 August 2016 |access-date=9 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822122949/http://www.indulekha.com/vruthasilpam-malayalam-grammar-kuttikrishna-marar?author_id= |url-status=dead }}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/product&author_id=&product_id=3671&page=2 |title=Dhanthagopuram |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/product&author_id=&product_id=3671&page=2 |title=Sahithya Paryatanam |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=3 |title=Sahithya Sallapam |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=3 |title=Kaivilakku |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=3 |title=Poojya Pooja |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=4 |title=Sahithya Veekshanam |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=4 |title=Bhashaparichayam |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=4 |title=Sahithyavidya |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=5 |title=Saranagathi |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahithya Prakasham |year=2012 |quote=3 volumes}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=5 |title=Rishiprasadham |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=5 |title=Rajanganam |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=6 |title=Malayalashaili |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=6 |title=Nalacharithathiloode |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=6 |title=Kala Jeevitham Thanne |last=Kuttikrishn -Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=7 |title=Sahithya Bhooshanam |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=7 |title=Charchayogam |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=7 |title=Inguninnangolam |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=8 |title=Sahithyasesham |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=8 |title=Palarum Palathum |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=9 |title=Geethaparikramanam |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=9 |title=Pathinanchu Upanyasam |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam}}
{{div col end}}

=== Poems and plays ===
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/jeevichirunnal-play-kuttikrishna-marar?author_id=&page=8 |title=Jeevichirunnal |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam |year=1994 |quote=Play - with introduction by George Irumpayam |edition=Old |archive-date=9 February 2019 |access-date=9 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209125620/http://www.indulekha.com/jeevichirunnal-play-kuttikrishna-marar?author_id=&page=8 |url-status=dead }}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/product&author_id=&product_id=1497&page=8 |title=Nizhalattam |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam |year=1985 |quote=a collection of plays and poems|edition=Old }}

=== Children's literature ===
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=3 |title=Vishwamithran |last=Kuttikrishna-Marar |publisher=Marar Sahityaprakasam|quote=story retold by Marar}}

=== Translations by Marar ===
{{Div col|colwidth=40em}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/kumarasambhavam-poetry-kalidasan-marar?author_id= |title=Kumarasambhavam |last=Kalidasan |publisher=Marar Sahithya Prakasham |year=2000 |translator-last=Kuttikrishna Marar |quote=commentary by Marar |archive-date=26 August 2016 |access-date=9 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826202311/http://www.indulekha.com/kumarasambhavam-poetry-kalidasan-marar?author_id= |url-status=dead }}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/product&author_id=&product_id=3671&page=2 |title=Bhaja Govindam |last=Adi Shankara |publisher=Marar Sahithya Prakasham |year=1995 |translator-last=Kuttikrishna Marar }}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=4 |title=Abhijnana Sakunthalam |last=Kalidasan |publisher=Marar Sahithya Prakasham |year=2012 |translator-last=Kuttikrishna Marar |quote=commentary by Marar}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/product&author_id=&product_id=2176&page=7 |title=Meghasandesam |last=Kalidasan |publisher=Marar Sahithya Prakasham |year=2014 |translator-last=Kuttikrishna Marar |quote=commentary by Marar}}
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/author/info&author_id=942&page=6 |title=Raghuvamsham |last=Kalidasan |publisher=Marar Sahithya Prakasham |year=2018 |translator-last=Kuttikrishna Marar |quote=commentary by Marar}}
{{div col end}}

=== Memoirs ===
* {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/index.php?route=product/product&author_id=&product_id=3671&page=2 |title=Mararude Kathukal |last=Kuttikrishna Marar |publisher=Marar Sahithya Prakasham |year=1995}}

=== Translations into English ===
* {{cite book|author=Kuttikrishna Marar|title=Rishiprasadam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9ishAAAAMAAJ|year=1968}}
* {{cite book|author=Kuttikrishna Marar|title=Journey Through Mahabharata|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kHQpAAAAYAAJ|year=1989|publisher=Kerala Sahitya Akademi}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/KuttikrishnaMarar/Html/Kuttikrishnamararpage.htm |title=Portrait on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal |date=2019-02-09 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-02-09}}

{{Sahitya Akademi Award For Malayalam}}
{{Malayalam Literature |state=collapsed}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Marar, Kuttikrishna}}
[[Category:1900 births]]
[[Category:1973 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian male essayists]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language writers]]
[[Category:Indian Sanskrit scholars]]
[[Category:Translators of Kalidasa]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Sahitya Akademi Award in Malayalam]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian translators]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian essayists]]
[[Category:Writers from Palakkad district]]
[[Category:Writers from Kerala]]
[[Category:Malayalam literary critics]]
[[Category:Indian literary critics]]

Kuttikrishna Marar - Revision history

KINGRON at 05:32, 28 February 2026