Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan

M. R. Ramakrishna Panikkar (22 March 1935 – 31 March 2008), popularly known as Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan or Kadammanitta, was an Indian poet. He was born in Kadammanitta province of Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. His childhood experiences, especially the Patayani songs, had a strong influence on his literary work.[1]

Early life

Ramakrishnan was born to Meletharayil Raman Nair and Kuttiyamma. He completed schooling at his home village of Kadammanitta and at the nearby town of Pathanamthitta.[2] He was influenced by the traditional religious art form of Patayani even from his childhood.[1] After his degree studies, he went to Kolkata, and then reached Chennai. He was employed with the Postal Audits and Accounts department in 1959. He worked in Thiruvananthapuram from 1967 until his retirement in 1992.[2]

Literary life

Ramakrishnan's poem Njan was published in 1965 in M. Govindan's Sameeksha magazine.[3]

Kadammanitta played a role in reviving interest in poetry by holding thousands of recital sessions in every nook and corner of Kerala in the 1970s and 80s.[2] His work has been widely appreciated for its force, energy and folk touch and gave a mass appeal and popularity making poetry enjoyable even to commonman.[1] Ramakrishnan’s close association with literary and cultural luminaries, which included M. Govindan, Ayyappa Paniker, M. V. Devan, P. K. Balakrishnan, O. N. V. Kurup, Kavalam Narayana Panicker, D.Vinayachandran and K. V. Thampi, helped him in the endeavour to give a popular image to Malayalam poetry recital.[2] He had recited his fiery works at thousands of venues all over the state, besides editing a poetry journal Kerala Kavitha that attempted to take the essence of poetry from the academic cloisters to the realms of everyday life.[4]

Other activities

A Communist, he was involved with the student federation as well as communist party during his college days.[3] In 1992 he became the vice president of CPI-M's cultural wing, Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham (Progressive Association for Art and Letters), and in 2002 its president.[5] In 1996, he was elected to Kerala state legislative assembly from Aranmula constituency in Pathanamthitta district.[6]

Death

Ramakrishnan died on 31 March 2008 in a private hospital in Pathanamthitta. He was undergoing treatment for myeloid leukaemia for the past three months. He was survived by his wife, Santha, daughter, Geetha Devi, and son, Geetha Krishnan.[2][7] He was cremated with full state honours at the premises of his home in his birth village, after whom he was called more.

Major works

  • Kurathi
  • Kadinjool Pottan
  • Misrathalam
  • Mazha Peyyunnu Maddhalam Kottunnu
  • Kadammanittayude Kavithakal
  • Vellivelicham
  • Sooryasila
  • Shantha
  • Kuppayilundoru Maanikyam
  • Ee Poochayaanente Dukham
  • Kunje Mulappaal Kudikkaruth

Awards

  • Kadammanittayude Kavithakal- Asan Prize 1982, Kerala Sahithya Academy Award 1982
  • Abudhabi Malayalam Samajam Award
  • New York Malayalam International Foundation Award
  • Muscat Kerala Samskarika Kendram Award
  • Mahakavi Pandalam Keralavarma Poetry Award(2006)

References

  1. 1 2 3 "പടയണിശീലും കടമ്മനിട്ട കവിതയും നഗരം ശ്രവിച്ചപ്പോള്" Archived 19 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine.. Mathrubhumi. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan dead". The Hindu. 1 April 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  3. 1 2 "Kadammanitta passes away". Gulf Today. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  4. ↑ Indian Literature, Volume 50. Sahitya Akademi. 2006. pp. 14–15.
  5. ↑ "State Presidents/General Secretaries". PuKaSa. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  6. ↑ "Aranmula Assembly Constituency". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
  7. ↑ "Poet Kadammanitta passes away" Archived 18 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine.. Hindustan Times. 1 April 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2013.

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