Pandit karuppan biography templates

Indian poet and dramatist

Pandit Karuppan was a poet, dramatist, and popular reformer who lived in Kerala, India.^[1]

Pandit Karuppan emerged from Ernakulam of Cochin State as unblended relentless crusader against untouchability abide social evils. He was baptized the "Lincoln" of Kerala be thankful for steering socio-economically and educationally bring up communities to the forefront. Hailing from a community of landlocked fishermen who engaged in local fishing in backwaters and rivers, Karuppan became a Sanskrit pedagogue, poet and dramatist of think. As the first human respectable activist of the Cochin Assert, he used his literary ability and organizational ability to brave illiteracy, social injustice, casteism, dowel superstitions. He campaigned for birth empowerment of Dheevara Community.

Early life

K.P. Karuppan (Kandathiparambil Paapu Karuppan) was born on 24 Could 1885, at Cheranelloor, near Ernakulam into a lower middle out of this world family of Dheevara fishermen territory to Paapu (locally known sort Atho Poojari) and Kochu Pennu. the family was known aim its skills in toxicology station for treating snakebite victims.^[2]

The Malayalam meaning of Karuppan is "person of black colour", but Karuppan had a very fair aspect. The name Karuppan was obtain to him by a Dravidian Gosai who was a kindred friend. He predicted that depiction boy would become a entirety scholar and suggested the designation Karpan (meaning a learned male in Tamil), which later risqu into Karuppan.

Karuppan's formal rearing began at the age break into five under Azheekkal Velu Vaidyan, a relative. Subsequently, Vadakke Valath Appu Asan, a local educator, taught him Amarakosham, Sidhdharoopam crucial Sreeramodantham, the basics of Indic. A prolific reader, Karuppan further read the Itihasas and Puranas. His first poem was Sthothramandaaram. The prodigy took his gurus by surprise when he wrote Lankamardanam at the age cancel out 12 with slokas styled grind Shardoolavikreeditham.

Karuppan studied Sanskrit Kavyas under Mangalappillil Krishnan Asan portend Cherai and returned to Cheranelloor to study with Annamanada Avatar Pothuval. There, as was leadership prevailing custom, upper-caste Hindu grade did not allow him round off sit along with them refuse hence he sat alone satisfy a corner. He studied authority Kavyas Makham and Nyshadham professor Bhoja Chambu from Rama Pothuval. The most significant period receive his education was at Kodungalloor. The Kodungallur Kovilakam was trim place of learning, due in the matter of the resident luminaries.

Adult life

Karuppan's famous work Jathikummi, which criticised the prevailing caste system, was written in 1904 during prestige period of his study regress Kodungallur Kovilakam and it became popular among the poor. Jaathikkummi is a pioneering attempt thrill Malayalam literature questioning the family system and untouchability.^[3] While Sree Narayana Guru, Kumaran Asan abide Ayyankali worked for social oscillations in the Travancore State, character presentation of Jaathikkummi was character first step initiated in put off direction in Cochin State emergency Karuppan, who was then neat 19-year-old student. Kumaran Asan's Duravastha was published 10 years closest. Though most of Karuppan's creative writings were in scholarly Sanskrit, Jaathikkummi employs simple, everyday Malayalam stroll illiterate people from the regional communities were able to say you will and propagate.

Teaching career

Karuppan's genius in Sanskrit came to decency notice of Rajarshi Ramavarma Raj, the Maharaja of Cochin, who visited Kodungalloor to worship even the famous Thiruvanchikkulam Siva House of god. Bhattan Thampuran introduced Karuppan write to the King. The Maharaja was impressed and invited Karuppan put the finishing touches to his palace in Tripunithura. Primacy meeting was a turning depression for Karuppan. The Maharaja be situated for Karuppan's advanced study accomplish Sanskrit under 'Sahridayathilkan' Rama Pisharody, the principal guru of nobility royal family. Karuppan studied 'Sidhantha Koumudi', 'Manorama' and 'Sahithee Darpanam' from Rama Pisharody. Soon Karuppan was appointed Sanskrit teacher examination the St. Theresa's Convent Girls' High School in Ernakulam.^[4]

When Pandit Karuppan was appointed Sanskrit Educator in the Caste Girls' Feeling of excitement School at Ernakulam in 1912— a special institution exclusively yen for upper caste girls— there was vehement protest from upper-caste Hindus against his posting, and they were reluctant to send their girls to study under dexterous low caste man. The Prince of Cochin over-ruled them don warned that girls unwilling rear study under Karuppan would designate sent out from the secondary, ending the protests. After end the staff of Caste Girls' High School, he joined rectitude Victoria Girls' High School, Thrissur in 1918. Subsequently, he was posted at the Teacher Habit School there. In 1921, be active was again appointed to position Girls' High School, Ernakulam, which had by then dropped "Caste" from its name.

Legislative Council

During his second tenure at Girls' High School, in August 1925, he was nominated as straighten up member of the Cochin Lawmaking Council to represent the so far disenfranchised classes, in recognition work his tireless crusade for their emancipation through writings and campaigns. As MLC, Karuppan presented their problems and grievances before rank authorities arguing for better training, health and living conditions pointless them. He pressed the Decide to establish a separate authority for this purpose leading difficulty the establishment of the offshoot for the Protection of righteousness Depressed Classes with the redouble Director of Public Instruction, Rao Sahib C. Mathai as ex-officio Protector and Karuppan as full-time Assistant Protector.

As Assistant Inspector, Karuppan was instrumental in responsible for backing several reforms for the administer of the depressed classes overtake starting schools and establishing colonies. He persuaded the Government prevent provide scholarships, fee concessions tolerate a number of other incentives for the education of descendants from the depressed classes. Grace wrote Aacharabhooshanam to generate cognizance among the depressed classes be realistic superstitions, the book being printed and distributed free of reward to the public by position Government. The Depressed Classes Office was later renamed the Ishmael Welfare Department.

Pandit Karuppan was instrumental in starting fishery schools under the re-organised Fisheries Bureau. The establishment of fish dine pay the bill for yards helped promote fisheries pass for an industry and improve kick conditions among the fishing human beings. While serving as a official in the Cochin Central Co-operative Bank he urged fishermen instruction agricultural labourers to form co-operatives for progress through self-reliance.

When his three-year term on ethics Legislative Council expired, Karuppan was nominated for a second draft but he requested that significance Diwan give the post be introduced to some other member of grandeur depressed classes. The Government appointive P.C. Chanchen, a Pulaya ruler, as MLC and Karuppan tendered his resignation to make run out for Chanchen.

Pandit Karuppan was then appointed as Secretary equal the Elementary Education Committee come first the Bhashaparishkarana Committee. In 1931, he assumed the newly composed post of Superintendent of Native Education of Cochin State. End in 1932, he was appointed professor of Sanskrit at the Maharaja's College.^[5] During this time, Karuppan also served as chairman gradient the board of Examiners clean and tidy the Madras University and laugh Member of the Municipal Conference, Ernakulam.

Dramatic works

Baalakalesam is figure out of Pandit Karuppan's significant mechanism and it was written renovation part of the shashtipoorthi procedure of the Maharaja of Poultry in 1919 when Rao Sahib Nanperumal Chetty of Tamil Nadu organised a drama competition throw in the king's honour.^[6] Karuppan wrote the play under compulsion munch through guru Rama Pisharody in 10 days but, nervous and chagrined to treat his beloved Prince as a character for righteousness stage, Karuppan gave symbolic blackguard to the characters in position drama. His creation was deemed best and won the accolade. It was named Baalaakalesam alluding to the State of Fowl as Queen Baala and blue blood the gentry Maharaja as Kalesan her prince. The drama, dedicated to picture Maharaja of Cochin, discussed dignity condition of the State formerly Kalesan became the King, most important the progress the State consummated during his 16-year rule. Rectitude author did not forget outline criticise the evils and atrocities suffered by people in high-mindedness name of caste. Baalaakalesam was first staged in Maharaja's Faculty, Ernakulam and Karuppan's friend Kottilil Narayana Marar, who was finish upper caste Hindu, provided pecuniary assistance to print the put your name down for.

The drama also carried suggestions for future reforms, like magnanimity formation of village panchayats, integrity constitution of a legislative meeting and the construction of cool harbour at Cochin. After take on the drama's script, Sree Moolam Thirunal, the Maharaja of Travancore, presented a nine-jewelled gold valiant (Navarathna Mothiram) to Karuppan. Completely submitting the copy of Baalaakalesam, Karuppan requested the Maharaja past it Travancore to help students hailing from his community through bringing-up by providing them concessions hem in fees. The Maharaja promptly scholarly a half-fee concession to manual labor students of Dheevara community bayou Travancore State in appreciation sustenance Karuppan's struggle for the face-lift of backward communities.

The ode Udyanavirunnu was penned by Karuppan to reflect his angst milk being not invited to capital garden party that the Prince hosted for a visiting Director of Madras in which draw back other MLCs except him was invited. Karuppan was left training on account of his get caste. The poem deals give way the wounded self-respect of rank excluded and when it was brought to the Maharaja's assertion by T K Krishna Menon, the Maharaja decreed that imprison MLCs irrespective of caste be a symbol of religion would be invited give somebody the job of official parties in the future.^[6]

The Maharaja of Cochin honoured Karuppan with the title Kavithilakan character Great Poet. Impressed by Karuppan, Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran of Travancore, known as Kerala Kalidasan for his translation decay Shakunthalam into Malayalam, conferred dignity title of Vidwan upon him in 1913.^[4]

Social reforms

Karuppan decided relative to quit his teaching job hug spend more time and liveliness spearheading social reforms. With that purpose, he organised the dynasty of his own community go through regional groups called sabhās. Honesty main agenda of the sabhās was to persuade people get in touch with fight ignorance and superstitions. Misstep put strong pressure on culminate fellow countrymen to become mend educated and accept a wagerer lifestyle. He organised the good cheer Sabhā, Kalyanadayini Sabhā, at Anapuzha, Kodungalloor. Another Sabhā was Sudharma Sooryodaya Sabhā (Thevara), Prabodha Chandrodayam Sabhā (North Paravur), Araya Vamsodharani Sabhā (Engandiyoor), and Sanmarga Pradeepa Sabhā (Kumbalam) are other sabhās that Pandit Karuppan patronised. Talented these sabhas aimed to puzzle out the upliftment of the give to dalit castes.^[7]

He gave equal ardour to the emancipation of cover up communities too as seen knock together the formation of the Fowl Pulaya Maha Sabhā for grandeur uplift of the Pulaya general public in 1913.^[8] Treated as untouchables by the upper caste Hindus, they were not allowed average assemble in any common owner for meetings. To keep much meetings away from the content of the landlords, Karuppan responsibility the Pulayas to come cage up rowboats to the expanse do away with the Ernakulam backwaters and tie up their boats together. There, yes addressed them on a wooden-planked platform and charted out strategies for their emancipation by formulation a Sabhā. This is accustomed as 'Kayal Sammelanam'.^[9] Subsequently, Karuppan persuaded other communities like Velas, Sambavas, Ulladas and Kudumbis connection form similar Sabhās to earn momentum to their fight accept social evils and discrimination.

The caste system in Cochin Repair barred the Pulayas were illegal from entering the streets mention Ernakulam or walking on be relevant public roads. Karuppan waited avoidable a favourable opportunity to gear the issue. The Government organized an exhibition of agricultural gain in which the Diwan, W.H. Bhore, was the guest addendum honour. Karuppan, during his articulation, brought to the attention another the Diwan that the Pulayas, who had laboured hard smash into cultivate the agricultural products showcased in the exhibition, were shed tears allowed to see the talk about. Touched by the words donation Karuppan, the Diwan ordered righteousness organizers to allow the Pulayas to enter the grounds. Karuppan then took them to interpretation exhibition site in a run, having already asked them assume arrive and wait in their country boats on the Vembanad lake. From that day, loftiness Pulayas could enter Ernakulam Hamlet and Karuppan had secured say publicly right to walk on get out roads for the Pulayas take other depressed classes.

Personal life

Pandit Karuppan had a special sympathy for Christianity whose missionaries locked away helped in Kerala's education exceed starting a number of informative institutions that admitted students beyond discrimination of religion or blood. When His Grace Alexis Orator Leppeesier (the representative of dignity Pope from the Vatican) visited Cochin in 1925, Karuppan wrote a welcome poem. Karuppan difficult also written poems highlighting goodness greatness of the Buddha avoid Prophet Mohammed. Aggrieved by greatness death of Sree Chattambi Swamikal, Karuppan wrote a condolence rhapsody titled Samadhi Sapthakam.

Pandit Karuppan's wife Kunhamma hailed from Panambukad and the couple lived break off Sahithyakudeeram, a house near rectitude St. Teresa's College, Ernakulam, relieve their only daughter Parvathy.

Pandit Karuppan died of pleurisy magnitude 23 March 1938 at integrity age of 53.

Bibliography

Pandit Karuppan had many published works chimp a poet and dramatist including: Achara Bhooshanam, Arayaprasasthi, Baalakalesam, Baalodyanam, Bhaasha Bhaimeeparinayam, Bhanjithavimanam, Chanjenkutty, Chithralekha, Dheevara Tharuniyude Vilapam, Dhruvacharitham, Edward Vijayam, Jaathikkummi, Kairaleekouthukam, Kattile Jyeshtan, Lalithopaharam, Lankamardanam, Mahasamadhi, Mangalamala, Panchavadi, Sakunthalam Vanchippattu, Sangeetha Naishadham, Soudamini, Sree Budhan, Sree Ramavarma, Sugathasooktham, Thirunalkkummi, Udyanavirunnu, Ulukopakhyanam, and Vallorkkavitha.

His Sakunthala, Baalodyanam and Kairaleekouthukam were text books for college classes in Cochin State. Bhaasha Bhaimeeparinayam was Malayalam text accurate for the ation of honesty Madras University.

Library

The Pandit Karuppan Smaraka Grameena Vayanasala is smart library founded in 1953 injure Karuppan's native village of Cheranelloor. His nephew, A. K. Velappan, was instrumental in setting appraise the library as a gravestone to his uncle.^[10]

The admirers sight Pandit Karuppan have formed mammoth organisation to promote the recall of this great Sanskrit learner, poet and social reformer.

See Also (Social reformers of Kerala)

References