Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan

Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan

M. R. Ramakrishna Panickar (22 March 1935 – 31 March 2008), popularly known as Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan or Kadammanitta, was a poet.

He was born in Kadammanitta province of Pathanamthitta district, Kerala. His childhood experiences, especially the Patayani songs, imparted strong influence in his literary work. With his powerful and mind provoking poems he became one of the rebellious voices in modern Malayalam literature. More than anything, it was his style of reciting his own poems in a powerful and efficient manner that made him darling of many progressives. He was awarded the Kerala Sahithya Academy award in 1982.

Ramakrishnan was born to Meletharayil Raman Nair and Kuttiyamma. He completed schooling at his home village of Kadammanitta and at the nearby town of Pathanamthitta. He was influenced by the traditional religious art form of Patayani even from his childhood. After his degree studies, he went to Kolkata, and then reached Chennai. He was employed with the Postal Audits and Accounts department in 1959. He worked in Thiruvananthapuram from 1967 till his retirement in 1992.

Ramakrishnan's poem Njan was published in 1965. His first book was published by Kerala Kavitha Granthavari in 1976. There are more than 75 books to his credit.

A profound influence in contemporary Malayalam literature, Kadammanitta had played a vital role in reviving interest in poetry by holding thousands of recital sessions in every nook and corner of Kerala in the 1970s and 80s. His work has been widely appreciated for its force, energy and folk touch and gave a mass appeal and popularity making poetry enjoyable even to commonman. Ramakrishnan’s close association with literary and cultural luminaries, which included M. Govindan, Ayyappa Panicker, M. V. Devan, P. K. Balakrishnan, O. N. V. Kurup, Kavalam Narayana Panicker and K. V. Thampi, helped him in the endeavour to give a popular image to Malayalam poetry recital. He had recited his fiery works at thousands of venues all over the state, besides editing a poetry journal Kerala Kavitha that attempted to take the essence of poetry from the academic cloisters to the realms of everyday life.

A Communist sympathiser, he was involved with the student federation as well as communist party during his college days. In 1992 he became the vice president of  Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham (Progressive Association for Art and Letters), and in 2002 its president. In 1996, he was elected to Kerala state legislative assembly from Aranmula constituency in Pathanamthitta district.

Ramakrishnan died on 31 March 2008. He was survived by his wife, Santha, daughter, Dr. Geetha Devi, and son, Geetha Krishnan.

Major Works:

• Kurathi
• Kadinjool Pottan
• Misrathalam
• Mazha Peyyunnu Maddhalam Kottunnu
• Kadammanittayude Kavithakal
• Vellivelicham
• Sooryasila
• Shantha
• Kuppayilundoru Maanikyam
• Ee Poochayaanente Dukham
• Kunje Mulappaal Kudikkaruth

Awards

• Kadammanittayude Kavithakal- Asan Prize 1982, Kerala Sahithya Academy Award 1982
• Abudhabi Malayalam Samajam Award
• New York Malayalam International Foundation Award
• Muscat Kerala Samskarika Kendram Award
• Mahakavi Pandalam Keralavarma Poetry Award(2006)

RED SALUTE.

C.Sunish.