MAHAKAVI KUMARAN ASAN

Mahakavi Kumaran Asan

    N. Kumaran Asan(കുമാരനാശാന്) (1873–1924) also known as Mahakavi Kumaran Asan, (the Mahakavi awarded by Madras University in the year 1922 means "great poet". He was also a philosopher and a social reformer. More than that he was one of honoureddisciple of Sree  Narayana Guru.

Thonnackal

Kumaran Asan initiated a revolution in Malayalam poetry in the first quarter of the 20th century, transforming it from the metaphysical to the lyrical. Deep moral and spiritual commitment is evident in Asan's poetry. His works are an eloquent testimony of poetic concentration and dramatic contextualization. Asan was born in a merchant family belonging to the Ezhava community in April 1873 in Kayikkara village, Chirayinkeezhu taluk, north of  Trivandrumdistrict of  Kerala. Named Kumaru He was the second son in a family of nine children. His father, Narayanan Perungudi was well versed in  Malayalam and Tamil.His mother, Kaali.Asan inherited his taste fo Kathakali and Classical music Kumaru trained in  mathematics and Sanskrit  for which he had a passion. Even though through his father's efforts, he got a job as a primary school teacher was not before and an accountant to a wholesaler at the age of 14, he quit the job two years later to pursue higher studies in Sanskrit. He undertook a studentship in poetry under Manamboor Govindan Asan. He wished to learn  Yoga and Tantra and worked as an apprentice in a  Muruga  temple at Vakkom. It is said that the Muse of Poetry blessed him during this time. He composed a few devotional songs for the benefit of regular worshippers at this temple.

In 1917 Asan married Bhanumathiamma daughter of Thachakudy Kumaran - younger brother of  Dr P. Palpu’s father Asan had two sons, Prabhakaran and Sudhakaran. Bhanumathiamma, who was an active social worker, later remarried after Asan's untimely death. Bhanumathiamma died in 1975 Kumaran was dogged by ill-health all through his early life. When he was eighteen, Sree Narayana Guru  visited his house at the request of his father. Kumaran was bedridden at that time. The great saint suggested that Kumaran should stay with him and become his disciple. The little boy found the invitation irresistible. Thus began a new phase of life for the young lad Kumaran’s meeting with Sree Narayana Guru can be compared to  the meeting of Naren with Sri Ramakrishna. While Naren became a fully fledged Swami, Kumaran continued as a lay disciple of Narayana Guru and made substantial contributions in the fields of poetry, literature and social renaissance.  Swamy took the fledgling devotee under his care and in 1895 Kumaran was sent to  Bangalore for 3 years for higher studies in Sanskrit, at the Sree Chamarajendra Sanskrit College. He specialized in Tarka sastra

  \Kumaranasan’s death happened quite unexpectedly, On January 16^th 1924 while he was traveling in a motor boat from to Kollam to Kottayam to attend a meeting to be held there the boat was sunk when it was afloat the Pallana river thus putting an abrupt end to a prolific life. Kumaranasan was fifty one at the time of death.

Some of his major works are as follows. Veena poovu. 1907 (fallen flower),Nalini.(allengil oru sneham). 1911 Leela 1914,Chinthavishtayaya Seetha. 1919 (Sita immersed in thought)Chandala bhikshuki. 1922. (beggar maid –low caste) Dhuravastha 1922. (bad patch) Karuna. 1923. (compassion)

                                                                          Prof. John Kurakar