10 Great Critics belonging to Malayalam literature

Let’s get to know 10 renowned figures in the field of literary criticism. Their contributions to the world of literature are truly unparalleled. Even after generations have passed, all of them will continue to shine brightly as stars in the literary sky.

Kuttikrishna Marar – The Man Who Made Art His Life

Kuttikrishna Marar’s style was sharp and vibrant with creativity. His unique talent lay in presenting subjects concisely and systematically. He worked as a literature teacher at Kerala Kalamandalam and also as a proofreader at Mathrubhumi. His critical work Kala Jeevitham Thanne (“Art Itself is Life”) won both the Kerala and Central Sahitya Akademi Awards. Firmly rooted in the core values of Indian literature, Marar expressed his brilliance in literary criticism.

He contributed numerous works such as Bharata Paryadanam (based on the Vyasa Bharatham), Sahitya Sallapam, Sahitya Vidya, Malayala Shailee, among others, and also translated works of Kalidasa. Born on June 14, 1900, in Thrippangott, near Tirur in Malappuram, Marar passed away on April 6, 1976.

A. Balakrishna Pillai – The Genius of Kesari

A. Balakrishna Pillai was a writer who played a major role in introducing European literary movements to Malayalam. He became known as Kesari Balakrishna Pillai through his work with the newspaper Kesari. Due to his criticisms of the Travancore government through Kesari and other newspapers, he was convicted and punished for sedition. He was born on April 13, 1889, in Thiruvananthapuram. He was also well-known as a historian, editor, and translator.

His important works include Navalokam, Novel Prasthanangal (“Novel Movements”), Roopamanjari, Sankethika Granthanirupanangal (“Reviews of Technical Works”), Rajarajiyam, and the Sahitya Gaveshana Mala (“Series on Literary Research”). He translated short stories by Guy de Maupassant and plays by Henrik Ibsen into Malayalam.

His celebrated prefaces to works such as Edappally’s Mani Muzhakkam, Changampuzha’s Spandhikkunna Asthimadam, and G.’s Nimisham are considered highly valuable for literary study. Kesari also had deep knowledge in fields like astrology, painting, graphology, and psychology. After leaving his teaching profession, he did not continue in law either. His contributions have been compiled and published by the Sahitya Akademi under the title Kesariyude Vimarsanangal (“The Criticisms of Kesari”). He passed away in 1960.

M. P. Paul – An Aesthetic Critic

Born on May 1, 1904, in Varapuzha, Kochi, M. P. Paul was an English teacher. He was the first president of the Sahitya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society and a founding member and permanent chairman of the Progressive Literary Movement. It was he who wrote the elegant preface to Vaikom Muhammad Basheer’s Balyakalasakhi, adding literary charm to it.

Paul wrote deeply analytical works on the novel, literature, and the short story movement, focusing his critiques on these literary contributions. He upheld a social perspective in his approach to literature and maintained a close connection with Western literary movements, often drawing from their models. The concept of aesthetic beauty in writing was central to his criticism. This idea is clearly explained in his book Soundarya Nireekshanam (“Aesthetic Observation”). He passed away on July 12, 1952.

Joseph Mundassery – The Political Thinker

Joseph Mundassery, who served as Kerala’s prominent Minister for Education, was a professor of Malayalam. He was born on July 17, 1903, in Kandassankadavu, Thrissur. He showcased his brilliance in various fields such as journalism, public speaking, education, political thought, and writing. He was also the first Vice-Chancellor of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT). Mundassery worked as the editor of publications like Navajeevan, Keralam, and Mangalamodayam.

He fearlessly expressed his independent views through his criticism, without bowing to influence. The foreword to his first poetry collection Chintha Madhuri was written by Vallathol. He authored over 50 works including Kavyapeedhika, Prayaanam, Prabandha Deepika, Anthareeksham, Kaalathinte Kannadi, and Rajarajanente Maatholi. His autobiography is titled Kozhinja Ilakal (“Fallen Leaves”). Mundassery also critiqued the works of Vallathol, Asan, and Ulloor. He was drawn to literature that reflected the essence of life and promoted a people-centered literary outlook. He passed away on October 25, 1977.

S. Guptan Nair – The Language of Gentleness

S. Guptan Nair, a renowned critic and teacher, was born on August 22, 1919, in Kayamkulam. He served as the president of the Kerala Sahitya Samiti, the Sahithya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society, and the Kerala Sahitya Akademi. His first work was Aadhunika Sahityam (“Modern Literature”). His major works include Kavya Swaroopam, Issangalkkappuram, Srushtiyum Srushtavum, Punaralocana, Kesariyude Vimarsanam, Navamalika, Thirayum Chuzhiyum, and Malayala Niroopanam Innale.

His autobiography is titled Manasa Smarami. Guptan Nair was a critic who approached literary creations with a receptive and appreciative mind. Even when expressing strong opinions, he conveyed them with simplicity and gentleness. He wrote the preface for Odaakkuzhal by G. Sankara Kurup. He is often described as a “gentle critic.” He was also an actor and a singer. He passed away in 2006.

M. Leelavathi – A Renowned Critic

The renowned critic M. Leelavathi was born on September 16, 1929, at Kottappadi near Guruvayur. She served as a college lecturer and remains an active presence in the field of literary criticism even today. She has also written biographies of Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, and Indira Gandhi. She has received both the Central and Kerala Sahitya Akademi awards. Some of her major works include Varnnaraji, Kavithayum Shastravum, Jiyude Kavyajeevitham, and Kannirum Mazhavillum.

Leelavathi’s approach is characterized by a detailed evaluation of facts. Her critique often incorporates elements of psychology and philosophy, making her style distinctive. She has conducted studies on almost all major Malayalam poets. Although she has a strong affinity for poetry, she has not distanced herself from other genres. Her early critiques displayed a closeness to imagination, and she has embraced modernism as well. Malayala Kavitha Sahitya Charithram (The Literary History of Malayalam Poetry) is one of her most significant works.

Sukumar Azhikode – The Roaring Voice

Sukumar Azhikode was a renowned teacher, orator, and scholar who earned wide popularity. He made numerous impactful interventions in the cultural arena and was frequently in the limelight. He was born on May 12, 1926, in Azhikode near Kannur. He held positions such as Pro Vice-Chancellor of a university and Chairman of the National Book Trust. He was also actively involved in journalism.

His notable work Tathwamasi is based on the Upanishads. In his book Shankarakuruppu Vimarsikkappedunnu (“Shankarakuruppu is being Criticized”), Azhikode argued that many of G.’s (G. Sankara Kurup’s) contributions were imitative, a claim that sparked wide debate. His Malayala Sahitya Vimarsanam is regarded as a historical study of literary criticism in the Malayalam language.

He always maintained a close affinity with Gandhian ideals. His major works include Ramanum Malayala Kavithayum (“Ramana and Malayalam Poetry”), Mahatmavinte Margam (“The Path of the Mahatma”), Kalikalathil Ninnum, Purogama Sahithyavum Mattum (Progressive Literature and Others), Malayala Sahitya Padanangal (“Studies in Malayalam Literature”), and Vishva Sahitya Padanangal (“Studies in World Literature”). Azhikode’s collections of speeches are also widely appreciated. His study on Indian heritage, Bharatheeyatha, and his many prefaces are also noteworthy. He passed away on January 24, 2012.

M. P. Shankunni Nair – The Solitary Critic

M. P. Shankunni Nair was always a solitary figure among literary critics. He was born on March 4, 1917, in Merattur, near Thrithala. He served as a Malayalam teacher at Pachaiyappa’s College in Madras. His book Chathravum Chaamaravum, a study on the contributions of Kalidasa, is regarded as one of the most in-depth works written in Malayalam on the subject. He received both the Kerala and Central Sahitya Akademi Awards.

Shankunni Nair’s linguistic precision and intensity gave his writings a commanding tone. His erudition and critical rigor deeply influenced his analyses. Naadu Mandalam, Kaththunna Chakram, Naatakeeya Anubhavathinte Rasam, and Kalidasa Nataka Vimarsanam are among his other notable works. Kaavyavyulpathi, a critical study that includes analyses of well-known poems like Edasseri’s Puthappaattu and P.’s Kaliyachan, is another key contribution. A Sanskrit scholar with a deep awareness of Indian culture, Shankunni Nair’s approach to criticism was marked by thorough research and a distinctive perspective that set him apart from other critics. He passed away in 2006.

M. Krishnan Nair – The Creator of Sahitya Varaphalam

Born on March 3, 1923, in Thiruvananthapuram, M. Krishnan Nair rose to fame through his weekly column Sahitya Varaphalam (Literary Weekly Horoscope). He was a college teacher by profession. As an avid reader, he critiqued numerous literary works through his column. No one else in Malayalam is believed to have written as many literary reviews as he did. Rather than native works, Krishnan Nair mostly evaluated Western literature, which made his writings quite contemporary and relevant. He introduced these foreign literary creations to the Malayalam audience by analyzing their modern literary trends. His inclination was more towards such works than to native Malayalam writings.

His weekly column Sahitya Varaphalam ran in various weeklies for nearly thirty years. He authored about 25 works, including Aadhunika Malayala Kavitha, Kalasankalpangal, M. Krishnan Nairude Prabandhangal, Soundaryathinte Sannidhanathil, and Muththukal. Sahitya Varaphalam has also been published as a book. He was also a noted speaker. M. Krishnan Nair passed away on February 23, 2006.

K. P. Appan – The Voice of Modernity

Among the foremost modern Malayalam literary critics, K. P. Appan was born on August 25, 1936, in Alappuzha. His full name was Karthikeyil Padmanabhan Appan. A college lecturer by profession, he entered the field of criticism through his notable work Kshobhikkunnavarude Suvishesham (The Gospel of the Disturbed). Some of his major works include Thiraskaram, Maarunna Malayala Novel, Vivadam Vilayiruthal, and Penayude Samaramukhangal. His critical evaluations primarily focused on the genres of story and novel.

Appan spent much of his career analyzing the influence of modernity on Malayalam literature. His work Kshobhikkunnavarude Suvishesham is a study of such modern literary writers. He also examined the views of leading critics like Joseph Mundassery and Kuttikrishna Marar through his work Kalahavum Vishwasavum (Conflict and Faith).

He viewed criticism as a process enriched with creativity and aesthetic beauty. Appan’s assessments were not based on popular opinions but were rooted in his unique perspectives. Even when solitary, he strongly asserted the value and independence of individual voices. He passed away in 2008.