Kunjunni passes away

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Kunjunni Master passes away

Pioneer News Service / Thrissur

 

 

 

 

Malayalam poet Kunjunni, creator of own ground in modern Malayalam literature by

terse but forceful verses, died at his residence at Valappad near here on

Sunday, family sources said.

 

Kunjunni (79) had been keeping indifferent health for quite some time. He

was a bachelor. Cremation took place in Valappad on Sunday evening with full

State honours.

 

Kunjunni Master, as he as known to all those who loved him, had written

hundreds of pithy and epigrammatic verses exposing the cultural and spiritual

crisis of contemporary Kerala society.

 

His poems were humourous and metaphysical, through which he attacked the

follies of the society which had distanced itself from its traditional space.

 

A teacher by profession, he had written a large number of poems for children

which he himself used to recite during his visits to schools.

 

He had won several honours including the Kerala Sahitya Akademi award for

his collection Aksharathettu.

 

He had for long taught at the Sri Ramakrishna Mission High School in

Kozhikode.

 

Governor RL Bhatia and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy expressed profound grief

at the death of Kunjunni.

 

" I am profoundly sad at the demise of Kunjunni Master, eminent children's

poet. Cute and crisp, his pieces were spiced with rare insights into our life

and times, " Mr Bhatia said in a message from Thiruvananthapuram.

 

" Most popular among children, his poems appealed to the young and old alike.

He will long be remembered for his unique poetic stature, " the Governor said

conveying his condolence to scores of Kunjunni's admirers.

 

Kunjunni was an outstanding poet who won the admiration of Malayalees

through his short, powerful and thought-provoking pieces, the Chief Minister

said.

 

 

 

Kunjunni passes away

 

 

 

Master of words Thrissur: Kunjunni, Malayalam poet, died in his

ancestral house at Valapad, near here, on Sunday. He was 79. The end came

around 1 p.m. A bachelor, Kunjunni was living with his nephew. Kunjunni did to

Malayalam poetry what VKN did to short-story writing. They created their own

styles, combining form, content, language and rhythm in a unique, compact

fashion. Kunjunni mostly wrote brief verse noted for its aural impact,

simplicity, intensity and directness of expression. His poems comprise simple

words, but they evoke complex thoughts. In this sense, each poem of his

invokes the philosophy of the haiku: focus on a brief moment in time, use of

colourful imagery, quality of being read in a single breath and a sense of

sudden enlightenment. His major works include Oonu Thotturakkam Vare,

Pazhamozhi Pathayam, Kunjunniyude Kavithal, Kadankathal, Vithum Muthum, Kutti

Pencil, Namboodiri Phalithangal, Raashthriyam, Kuttikal Padunnu, Undanum

Undiyum,

Kutti Kavithakal, Kalikoppu, Pazhanchollukal, Pathinanchum Pathinanchum,

Aksharathettu, Nonsense Kavithakal, Muthumani, Chakkarappava, Kadalippazham,

Kalikkalam and Kunjunni Ramayanam. His autobiography, Enniloode, is noted for

its candour, humour and simplicity. His major contribution was in the field

of children's literature. He handled the column for children in the Mathrubhoomi

weekly under the pseudonym, Kuttettan, for long. He initiated three or four

generations of aspiring writers into the world of words. He taught them correct

language and introduced them to the magical realms of literature.

Athiyarathu House at Valappad is a familiar address to children across the

State. They had been sending Kunjunni their literary works, scribbled on

postcards, and used to get prompt replies. A poem or a short story corrected by

Kunjunni has been highly prized by children. Son of Njayapilly Illathu

Neelakantan Moosath and Athiyarathu Narayani Amma, Kunjunni started his

career as a teacher at the Chelari school. He joined Sree Ramakrishna Ashram

High School in Kozhikode in 1953. He retired from service in 1982. He returned

to his native village, Valapad, in 1987 and was involved in socio-cultural

activities in and around Thrissur. He was a recipient of the Kerala Sahitya

Akademi award (1974, 1984), State Institute of Children's Literature Award

(1982), Vazhakunnuam Award (2002) and the V.A. Kesavan Nair Award (2003). The

Kerala Sahitya Akademi and the State Institute of Children's Literature

conferred lifetime achievement awards on him in 1988 and 2002, respectively.

Kunjunni has appeared in Bhoomigeetham, a film directed by Kamal. Like his

life, Kunjunni's art too was austere and positive. On reading each poem of his,

one will say: life is beautiful. He wrote: Oru valappottunden kayyil, Oru

mayil peeli undullil, Virasa nimishangal sarasamakkaniva dharalamanenikkennum (I

have a peacock feather in my heart/ I have a broken bangle

piece in my hand/To make my dull moments lighter these are enough). Teased

about being short, the poet wrote: Pokkamillayma'yaa'nente pokkam. Categorising

Kunjunni's art is a tall order. The reason: he is unique. Death condoled

Governor R.L. Bhatia and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy have condoled the death of

poet Kunhunni Master. " I am profoundly sad at the demise of Kunhunni Master,

eminent children's poet. Cute and crisp, his pieces were spiced with rare

insight into our life and times, " the Governor said. The Chief Minister said

Kunhunni Master's contributions to Malayalam language and literature would be

remembered. Assembly Speaker Therambil Ramakrishnan, Public Works Minister

M.K. Muneer, Minister for Local Self-Government Kutty Ahmed Kutty, Minister for

Culture A.P. Anil Kumar and BJP State president P.S. Sreedharan Pillai condoled

the death.

 

 

 

 

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