Kumaran Asan

N. Kumaran Asan (1873-1924) also known as Mahakavi Kumaran Asan, (the prefix Mahakavi awarded by Madras University in the year 1922 means "great poet" and the suffix Asan meaning scholar or teacher) was one of the Trimurthi of Kerala. He was also a philosopher and a social reformer. More than that he was one of honoured disciple of Sree Narayana Guru.

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 Trivandrum district of Kerala,India. Named Kumaru He was the second son in a family of nine children. His father, Narayanan was well versed in Malayalam and Tamil. Asan inherited his taste for Kathakali and Classical Music.

Works

• Sthothrakrithikal (1901)

This is a collection of poems. The poems published in this volume are longer than those published in Manimaala.

• Saundaryalahari (1901)

• Veenapoovu (1907)

According to Dr.Adoor Surendran,Veenappovu is only an improved version of "Presoona Charamam",a poem by Kuzhithura C.M.Ayyappan Pillai, published in 15th Karkkidakaom issu of Kana Kaumudi .Dr.Adoor got his PhD from Kerala university for his research in 1988.

• Oru Simhaprasavam (1909)
• Nalini (Subtitle: Allengkil Oru Sneham) (1911)

• Leela (1914)

A deep love story in which Leela leaves madanan, her lover and returns to find him in forest in a pathetic condition. She thus realizes the fundamental fact 'Mamsanibhadamalla ragam' (Love is not an artifact of flesh)

• Sribuddhacharitham (1915)

• Baalaraamaayanam (1916)

• Graamavrikshattile Kuyil (1918)
• Prarodanam (1919)
• Chintaavishtayaaya Sita (1919)
• Pushpavaadi (1922)
• Duravasthha (1922)

• Chandaalabhikshuki (1922)

This poem, divided into four parts and consisting of couplets, describes an untouchable beggar-woman" (also the name of the poem) who approaches Lord Ananda near Sravasti.

• Karuna (1923)

• Manimaala (1924)

This is a collection of short poems.

• Vanamaala (1925)

This is a larger collection of poems of varying length.

Kumaran Asan also wrote many other poems. Some of these poems are listed in the book Asante Padyakrthikal under the name "Mattu Krthikal" (Other Works):

• Sadaachaarasathakam
• Sariyaaya Parishkaranam
• Bhaashaaposhinisabhayodu
• Saamaanyadharmangal
• Subrahmanyapanchakam
• Mrthyanjayam

• Pravaasakaalaththu Naattile Ormakal

This is another collection of poems that come from various letters Kumaran Asan wrote over the course of several years. None of the poems were longer than thirty-two lines.

• Koottu Kavitha

The other poems are lesser known. Only a few of them have names:

• Kavikalkkupadesam
• Mangalam

• Oru Kathth

This is another one of Asan's letter-poems.

• Randu Aasamsaapadyangal