VYLOPPILLI SREEDHARA MENON

Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon

`Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon` (1911 - 1985) was a prominent Malayalam poet. He was also a school teacher. His poems depict real life and internal conflicts of human  He was  a renowned  Indian poet .He was born on 11 May 1911 in Kaloor in the Ernakulam district. After taking his bachelor’s degree in science he took B.T. and joined as teacher in government service in 1931. After taking his bachelors degree in science he took B.T. and joined as teacher in government service in 1931. He started writing under the pen name 'Sree' and his very first collection 'Kannikkoythu' (Maiden Harvest), which came out in 1947, attracted the attention of critics by its innovative style free from the clutches of the Romantic tradition. He was associated with Samastha Kerala Sahithya Parishath the biggest forum for Malayalam writers at that time, for more than 10 years. He represented Kerala in the national poets' meetings held at Delhi (1951 and 1969) and Bangalore (1965). In 1970 he toured the Soviet union. He was the first President of Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham, a forum of progressive writers led by leftist intellectuals and artists

  He started writing under the pen name 'Sree' and his very first collection 'Kannikkoythu' (Maiden Harvest), which came out in 1947, attracted the attention of critics by its innovative style free from the clutches of the Romantic tradition. He was associated with Samastha Kerala Sahithya Parishath the biggest forum for Malayalam writers at that time, for more than 10 years. He represented Kerala in the national poets' meetings held at Delhi (1951 and 1969) and  Bangalore (1965). In 1970 he toured the Soviet Union. He was the first President of Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangam a forum of progressive writers led by leftist intellectuals and artists.^]

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 characterize his poetry. His mastery of the medium is evident in all his poems both lyrical and narrative.

Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon (1911-1985) started publishing collections in the late forties and fifties when he wrote some of his very best poems. His most popular poem is "Mampazham" is an early work illustrating the Wordsworthian view that children are prophets. Among his more mature works are "Sahyante Makan", "Kudiyozhikkal" and "Oonjalinmel". He always exercised severe control over his manners and seldom tolerated sentimentality of melodramaAwards and: Madras Government Award,M.P Paul prize, Kerala Sahithya Academy Award for Kaipavallari(1965),Kendra Sahithya Academy Award for Vida, Vayalar Award for Makarakoythu(1981), Soviet Nehru Award (1964), Odakkuzhal Award.

Selected works:--Kannikoythu, Sreerekha, Onappatukar, Makarakoythu,Vithum Kaikkottum,Vida,Kaipavallari,kadalkkakkakal,Kuruvikal,Kudiyozhikkal,Minnaminni,Pachakkuthira,Mukulamala,Krishnamrigangal,Charithrathile Charudrisyam,Anthi Chayunnu,Kunnimanikal,Risyasringanum Alexandarum (Play),Kavyalokasmaranakal (Autobiography),Mambazham

                                                                                   Prof. John Kurakar