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]
Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly | |
| In office 1996–2001 | |
| Preceded by | R. Ramachandran Nair |
| Succeeded by | Malethu Sarala Devi |
| Constituency | Aranmula |
| President, Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham | |
| In office 2002–2008 | |
| Preceded by | N. V. P. Unithiri |
| Succeeded by | U. A. Khader |
| Personal details | |
| Born | M. R. Ramakrishna Panikkar 22 March 1935 Kadammanitta, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, India |
| Died | 31 March 2008 (aged 73) |
| Spouse | Santha |
| Occupation | Poet |
| Awards |
|
Early life
editRamakrishnan was born on 22 March 1935 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
editRamakrishnan'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 his work 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
editA 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] He was still continuing as the President of Purogamana Kala Sahithya Sangham when he died.
Death
editRamakrishnan died at 9 o'clock in the morning of 31 March 2008 at M.G.M. Memorial Medical Centre in Pathanamthitta, nine days after celebrating his 73rd birthday. He had been 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 which he was called more.
Major works
editAwards
edit- Kerala Sahithya Akademi Award 1982 (Kadammanittayude Kavithakal)[15]
- Asan Prize 1995 (Kadammanittayude Kavithakal)[16]
- Abu Dhabi Malayalam Samajam Award[14]
- New York Malayalam International Foundation Award[17]
- Muscat Kerala Samskarika Kendram Award[14]
- Basheer Puraskaram (2004)[17]
- Mahakavi Pandalam Keralavarma Poetry Award(2006)[14]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "പടയണിശീലും കടമ്മനിട്ട കവിതയും നഗരം ശ്രവിച്ചപ്പോള്" Archived 19 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Mathrubhumi. 3 September 2013. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan dead". The Hindu. 1 April 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ a b "Kadammanitta passes away". Gulf Today. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- ^ Indian Literature, Volume 50. Sahitya Akademi. 2006. pp. 14–15. ISBN 9788126017928.
- ^ "State Presidents/General Secretaries". PuKaSa. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- ^ "Aranmula Assembly Constituency". Election Commission of India. Retrieved 18 April 2014.
- ^ "Poet Kadammanitta passes away" Archived 18 April 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Hindustan Times. 1 April 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Gayathri Productions (22 January 2019). "Kurathi - Kadamanitta Kavithakal". Retrieved 22 January 2019 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b c "Poetry in a new (arc-)light". The Hindu. 5 July 2003. Retrieved 22 January 2019.[dead link]
- ^ Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan. Misrathalam. Lipi Publications. ISBN 978-81-88801-21-3.
- ^ "Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu". indulekha.com. 22 January 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- ^ "Kadammanittayude Kavithakal". goodreads.com. 22 January 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- ^ Vellivelicham. D C Books. ISBN 978-81-240-1222-2.
- ^ a b c d e f "Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan profile". veethi.com. 22 January 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- ^ "Awards for Poetry". Kerala Sahitya Akademi. 22 January 2019. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- ^ "ASAN MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION". asaneducation.com. 22 January 2019. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2019.
- ^ a b "Recipients Since 1995". pravasidoha.org. 22 January 2019. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 22 January 2019.