Kodungallur Kunhikkuttan Thampuran
Kodungallur Kunhikkuttan Thampuran
Father: Venmani Achan Namboothirippad
Mother: Kunhippilla Thampuratti
Born on: Malayalam era 1040 Kanni 4.
Name: Rama Varma
Teachers: Valappil Unni Asan, Muunnaamkuur Godavarma
Thampuran, Vidwan Kunhirama Varman Thampuran.
Started writing poerty in 1047. At the age of 16, turned
full time to writing poetry. Started in Sanskrit. Turned to writing poetry
in Malayalam under the influence of Venmani Achan and Venmani Mahan.
First book in 1062 (Kavibharatam).
Started two literary movements in Malayalam: Paccha (pure)
Malayalam and Purana Translation.
Died in 1088 Makaram 10th (At the age of 49).
Works: 14 in Sanskrit. In Malayalam: 18 poems, 11 Ruupakams,
16 Gathas, 38 Khanda Kaavya, 3 in health, grammer, 18 translations.
History behind the Mahabharata translation
1068: Under the leadership of C.P. Achuta Menon, effort to
translate Mahabharata as kilippaattu. Advertisement appears in 1068 Kanni
17, Malayala Manorama. Plan to finish the translation in five years. Whatever
portion Kunhikkuttan Thampuran was assigned, he supposedly finished. But
manuscript not found.
After 8-10 years Katatthanaattu Udayavarman Thampuran
started the effort to translate Bharata Manjari by Kshemendra. Kunhikkuttan
Thampuran finished Drona Parva. Effort unfinshed due to the death of Udayavarman
Thampuran. Work finished upto Santi Parva.
Kunhikkuttan Thampuran started translation single handedly
on 1079 Metam 25. Plan to translate 50 slokas a day, during one yaama (till
9 o'clock). Plan to finish in 4-5 years. Speed increased upto 150 slokas
one yaama. Translation completed on 1082 Kanni 12 (874 days). Metre by
Metre translation. He has been truthful to even broken Metres in the original!
First Printing: 1906
Second Printing: 1952 - 1958
Third Printing: 1965 (NBS)
Second Edition: (1981)
Sources: A.D. Harisarma (Introduction to NBS second edition). Mahakavi
Kunhikuttan Thampuran: Jiivitavum kritikaLum by Prof. K. Sivarama Menon,
published by The Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Co. Ltd. Calicut
(1989).