Here Lived The Father of Malayalam Literature......

Submitted by bhawani on Fri, 2007-01-05 13:50. Culture
Trikandiyoor midway between Shoranur and Calicut, on the banks of the Tirur river is a hallowed site – the home of Thunchath Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, a 16th century sage known as the father of Malayalam Literature. The progenitor of the cultural, spiritual and literary revivalism in Malyalam, he heralded a new era in learning, when lesser mortals were denied the opportunity to learn Sanskrit.

For over three centuries Thunchan Parambu, where the sage spent the better part of his life teaching disciples and composing literature, fell into neglect. It was only at the initiative of Vidwan Manavikraman Ettan Thampuran, Crown Prince Zamorin, that a meeting of eminent writers and social reformers was held in 1906 to initiate steps for the setting up of a memorial park.

Thunchan Parambu has now emerged as one of the premier cultural centres of Kerala. with an extensive library containing priceless manuscripts of writings by eminent writers like Kunchan Nambiar, Cherusseri, Kumaran Asan and Uloor Parameshwara Iyer. The library also contains manuscripts in cadjan (palm leaf) of Kannassa Ramayanam written by Kannassan, who lived even before Ezhuthachan..

The masnuscript of the transcreated Ramayana and Mahabharata, and the original stylus used by the sage who is hailed as the exponent of the Bhakti cult in poetry and provided a platform for the common man to realize his craving to attain mental and spiritual solace, are on display here..
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It also showcases a granite Saraswathi mandapam and an open-air stage for recitals, poetry reading sessions, cultural discourses and performances for Kathakali and other classical dances. Besides this, the park contains cottages built in traditional architectural style, for writers to stay and work.

The imposing bronze statue of the parrot and the manuscript that greets the visitor is a reminder of the style adopted by Ezhuthachan – killipattu, the parrot song, a literary partnership where the relationship between the poet and the bird generally that of the master and disciple. The bird calls it a day when a chapter is over and is called again to recite the next chapter!

The park is also famous for its kanjiram (nux vomica) tree that usually has bitter leaves but here they are not bitter, supposedly due to the influence of the writer and the sweetness of his writing!

The Saraswati Mandapam draws people from distant places on Vijayadashami Day which is considered an auspicious occasion –Vidyarambham - to initiate the child to learning.

The Thunchan festival, held annually (January-February), brings in eminent writers and scholars from all over the country. The festival provides the rare opportunity for a confluence of ideas from in literature across the country, and therefore the appropriate platform for creative artists.

The original iron stylus used by Ezhuthachan is taken out in procession during the festival when the layman and the intellectuals participate as a manner of paying homage Ezhuthachan is taken out in a grand procession during this event.
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Bhagavad gita
Submitted by Guest on Tue, 2007-03-13 06:42.

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