Mooloor S. Padmanabha Panicker | |
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| Born | 1869 |
| Died | 1931 (aged 61–62) |
| Occupation | Poet, Activist, Historian |
| Nationality | Indian |
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Mooloor S. Padmanābha Panicker (a.k.a.Mooloor Asān orSarasa Kavi, meaning "humour poet") (1869–1931) was a poet and a prominent social reform activist from theTravancore region of present-dayKerala.
Padmanābhan was born in his mother's ancestral home namedKaavil near Panayannaarkavu, close to the town of Mannar in Central Travancore in 1869 (Malayalam year Kumbhom 27, 1044). His father was Mooloor SankaranVaidyar and mother was Veluthakunj Amma. Both his parents were from well educated, prosperous and respectedEzhava families.[1] Kaavil was a family of traditional ayurvedic physicians, and the Mooloor family was well known for itsKalari (martial art), natural treatments,Sanskrit,philosophy, and spirituality. Mooloor's poetic masterpiece,Kirathom, was what brought him accolades from different quarters in his teens. His literary masterpiece,Kavi-Ramayanam, which he wrote at the age of 25, is deemed to be the motivational force behind the 1936Temple Entry Proclamation, which abolished the ban on backward caste people enteringHindu temples in the state ofTravancore.
Padmanābhan initially studiedSanskrit,Ayurveda,kalari etc. from his father Muloor Sankaran Vaidyar. He started writing poems right from his childhood. He is a man of letters who dedicated his life not only for the literary work but also for his community (Ezhava) and the state (Kerala) as a whole. He was a member in theSree Moolam Praja Sabha from 1914 onwards. He was an excellent orator as well. His major works include: "Nalacharitham", "Krishnarjuna Vijayam", "Kiratham" ("Ammanappattukal"), "Asannamarana Chintha Sathakom" (a poem that won aBhashaposhini award), "Krishanrjuna Vijayam", "Kuchelavrutham" (Katha Kali literature), "Kokila Sandesam", "Avasarokthimala", "Theendal Gadha", "Moonnu Tharattukal", "Kavithaniroopanam", "Balabodhanam", "Neethisara Samuchyam", "Pooppadappattu", "Kalahamsam" (poems), "Sanmarga Chandrika", "Dharmapadam" (translations), and "Subhadraharanam" (drama).[2]
Mezhuveli Anandabhootheshawara Temple is situated at the heart of Mezhuveli. This temple was built by Mooloor S. Padmanābha Panicker. The prathishta and pooja was performed bySree Narayana Guru. This century-old temple was built on a place called ‘Tholekavu’, which was surrounded by a small hill called ‘Meenchirakkal Hill’ on the southern side, ‘Ambottimodi’ (also called ‘Kailasam’) on the east, a beautiful stream flowing on the western side near 'Pottanmala’ and on the north side ‘Padmanabhan Kunnu’, a small hill. Tholekavu was a small forest, which is believed to be a part of thePandalam Kingdom.[3]
He was the first editor of theKerala Kaumudi daily and founder of the 78-year-oldPadmanabhodayamEnglish School in the small hamlet ofMezhuveli. The lateKerala Varma Valiyakoyi Thampuran conferred theSarasakavi title on Mooloor in 1913. The Government ofTravancore nominated him as a member of theSree Moolam Praja Sabha, the precursor of today's Legislative Assembly. Mooloor was elected vice-president of theSree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam in the 25th year of its formation.[4] He died on 1931 (Malayalam Year 1106, Meenam 9).[2]
Following are the main educational institutions founded by the poet:
Eight lower primary schools in the following places:
Elavumthitta Public Market, which now has several shopping complexes, was a great contribution of this poet, during his period as a Praja Saba member. 'Sree Moola Rajagopala Vilasam' Market he named, now recollects the rule of the Maharajas and Diwans of Travancore.
Mooloor named his residenceKerala Varma Soudham as a mark of respect forKerala Varma Valiyakoyi Thampuran, who was his close friend. It was later converted into the Sarasakavi Mooloor Memorial by the State Government in 1989. His home inElavumthitta is preserved as a monument by the Department of Culture, government ofKerala. The objective of the Mooloor Memorial is to familiarise the present generation with the rich social as well as literary contributions of the poet and to keep his memory alive.[4] This is now famous for "Ezhuthiniruthu" (The starting of writing and reading of children).[5]
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