K. M. George (writer): Difference between revisions

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<!-- This article is being updated on behalf of Valsa Mathew, the daughter of the late Dr. K.M. George. This article is a work in progress and content will be updated and clean-up done on an ongoing basis till end of 2013. -->
&lt;!-- This article is being updated on behalf of Valsa Mathew, the daughter of the late Dr. K.M. George. This article is a work in progress and content will be updated and clean-up done on an ongoing basis till end of 2013. --&gt;
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name        = K. M. George
| name        = K. M. George
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| caption    =  
| caption    =  
| birth_date  =  {{birth date|df=yes|1914|04|20}}
| birth_date  =  {{birth date|df=yes|1914|04|20}}
| birth_place =  Edayaranmula, [[Kerala]]
| birth_place =  Edayaranmula, [[Travancore]]
| death_date  =  {{Death date and age|df=yes|2002|11|19|1914|04|20}}
| death_date  =  {{Death date and age|df=yes|2002|11|19|1914|04|20}}
| death_place = [[Thiruvananthapuram]]
| death_place = [[Thiruvananthapuram]]
| nationality = Indian
| awards        = {{ubl|2001&amp;nbsp;[[Padma Bhushan]]|1998&amp;nbsp;[[Vallathol Award]]|1997&amp;nbsp;Suranad Kunjan Pillai Award|1987&amp;nbsp;Soviet Land Nehru Award|1996&amp;nbsp;[[Ezhuthachan Puraskaram]]|1989&amp;nbsp;[[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship]]|1988&amp;nbsp;[[Padma Sri]]}}
| awards        = {{ubl|2001&nbsp;[[Padma Bhushan]]|1998&nbsp;[[Vallathol Award]]|1997&nbsp;Suranad Kunjan Pillai Award|1987&nbsp;Soviet Land Nehru Award|1996&nbsp;[[Ezhuthachan Puraskaram]]|1989&nbsp;[[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship]]|1988&nbsp;[[Padma Sri]]}}
| other_names = Karimpumannil Mathai George
| other_names = Karimpumannil Mathai George
| known_for  = [[Malayalam]] literature, Chief Editor of Malayalam Encyclopaedia
| known_for  = [[Malayalam]] literature, Chief Editor of Malayalam Encyclopaedia
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| alma_mater  =  
| alma_mater  =  
| employer    =  
| employer    =  
| notable works  = {{ubl|''A Survey of Malayalam Literature''|''Western Influence on Malayalam Language & Literature''|''Comparative Indian Literature''|''Masterpieces of Indian Literature''}}
| notable works  = {{ubl|''A Survey of Malayalam Literature''|''Western Influence on Malayalam Language &amp; Literature''|''Comparative Indian Literature''|''Masterpieces of Indian Literature''}}
| occupation  = {{flatlist|
| occupation  = {{flatlist|
* Editor
* Editor
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}}
}}


'''Karimpumannil Mathai George''' (1914–2002), popularly known as '''Dr. K. M. George''', was an eminent [[Malayalam]] writer and educator. An erudite scholar and literary critic with astute organisational capabilities, he is best known as a pioneer of Comparative Indian Studies and Literatures.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?isbn=8126008733 Who's who of Indian Writers, 1999]</ref> He was a recipient of the fourth highest Indian civilian honour, the [[Padma Shri]], the highest literary award of the Government of Kerala, the [[Ezhuthachan Puraskaram]] and the third highest Indian civilian award, the [[Padma Bhushan]], besides other honours.
{{Indian name|George|Karimpumannil Mathai}}'''Karimpumannil Mathai George''' (1914–2002), popularly known as '''Dr. K. M. George''', was an eminent [[Malayalam]] writer and educator. An erudite scholar and literary critic with astute organisational capabilities, he is best known as a pioneer of Comparative Indian Studies and Literatures.&lt;ref&gt;[https://books.google.com/books?isbn=8126008733 Who's who of Indian Writers, 1999]&lt;/ref&gt; He was a recipient of the fourth highest Indian civilian honour, the [[Padma Shri]], the highest literary award of the Government of Kerala, the [[Ezhuthachan Puraskaram]] and the third highest Indian civilian award, the [[Padma Bhushan]], besides other honours.


== Biography ==
== Biography ==
K. M. George was born on 20 April 1914 at Edayaranmula, in the present-day [[Pathanamthitta district]] of the south Indian state of [[Kerala]] to Kurien Mathai and Mariamma.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/KMGeorge/Html/KMGeorgegraphy.htm |title=Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal |date=2019-04-28 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal |access-date=2019-04-28}}</ref> After schooling at Malakkara Primary School, Edayaranmula Marthoma School and St. Thomas School, Kozhenchery, he passed the intermediate course from [[Madras Christian College]] (MCC) before graduating in Mathematics from the [[Union Christian College, Aluva]]. Starting his career as a lecturer at his alma mater, MCC, he continued his studies and secured a master's degree in Malayalam literature from the [[University of Madras]] in 1941.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" />
K. M. George was born on 20 April 1914 at Edayaranmula, Travancore in the present-day [[Pathanamthitta district]] of the south Indian state of [[Kerala]],  to Kurien Mathai and Mariamma.&lt;ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal"&gt;{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/KMGeorge/Html/KMGeorgegraphy.htm |title=Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal |date= |publisher=[[Kerala Sahitya Akademi]] |access-date=2019-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428160148/https://keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/KMGeorge/Html/KMGeorgegraphy.htm |archive-date=2019-04-28}}&lt;/ref&gt; After schooling at Malakkara Primary School, Edayaranmula Marthoma School and St. Thomas School, Kozhenchery, he passed the intermediate course from [[Madras Christian College]] (MCC) before graduating in Mathematics from the [[Union Christian College, Aluva]]. Starting his career as a lecturer at his alma mater, MCC, he continued his studies and secured a master's degree in Malayalam literature from the [[University of Madras]] in 1941.&lt;ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /&gt; He was a visiting professor at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, and at Chicago and California Universities.&lt;ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /&gt; He was also a Senior Specialist at the [[East–West Center]], [[Hawaii]], engaged in research on the impact of the West on Indian writing.&lt;ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /&gt; He was associated with [[Sahitya Akademi]] (Indian Academy of Letters) right from its inception and was the Secretary of its Southern Region. He was also the vice president of [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi]] (Kerala Academy of Letters).&lt;ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /&gt;


George was married to Eliyamma, the marriage taking place in 1944. He died on 19 November 2002, at Thiruvananthapuram. at the age of 88.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" />
George was married to Eliyamma, the marriage taking place in 1944. He died on 19 November 2002, at Thiruvananthapuram. at the age of 88.&lt;ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /&gt;


== Legacy ==
== Writing ==
His writings encompass various aspects in literature. He was a learned writer of articles in the media, father of the encyclopaedia in Kerala, editor of Indian literature, researcher of place names of Southern India, travel writer( having travelled the world over), dramatist, biographer, literary critic and auto biographer. Equally well versed in English and in Malayalam, he had a good knowledge of many Indian languages. He has published more than 50 works, translated some works to Malayalam and edited more than 10 great anthologies.<ref name="List of works">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/KMGeorge/Html/KMGeorgeBooks.htm |title=List of works |date=2019-04-28 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-28}}</ref>
His writings encompass various aspects in literature. He was a learned writer of articles in the media, father of the encyclopaedia in Kerala, editor of Indian literature, researcher of place names of Southern India, travel writer (having travelled the world over), dramatist, biographer, literary critic and auto biographer. Equally well versed in English and in Malayalam, he had a good knowledge of many Indian languages. He has published more than 50 works, translated some works to Malayalam and edited more than 10 great anthologies.&lt;ref name="List of works"&gt;{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/KMGeorge/Html/KMGeorgeBooks.htm |title=List of works |date= |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428155157/http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/KMGeorge/Html/KMGeorgeBooks.htm |archive-date=2019-04-28}}&lt;/ref&gt; He authored some of the authoritative books on the history of Malayalam literature in English such as ''A Survey of Malayalam Literature'' (1968) and ''Western Influence on Malayalam Language and Literature'' (1972).&lt;ref&gt;{{cite journal |last1=K. M. Tharakan |title=Western Influence on Malayalam Language and Literature: by Dr. K. M. George, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi |journal=[[Indian Literature (journal)|Indian Literature]] |date=1977 |volume=20 |issue=5 |pages=129–133 |jstor=24158378 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/24158378.pdf |access-date=6 February 2023|author1-link=K. M. Tharakan }}&lt;/ref&gt; His other works in English include ''Ramacharitam and the Study of Early Malayalam'', which is his doctoral thesis in the field of Dravidian Linguistics, and ''American Lives through Indian Eyes'', an account of the American way of life. He also wrote travelogues about his journeys to the Soviet Union and the United States.&lt;ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /&gt; He was also the chief editor of ''Malayalam Encyclopaedia'' and ''Comparative Indian Literature''.


== Awards and honours ==
== Awards and honours ==
{{colbegin}}
{{colbegin}}
* The Soviet Land Nehru Award in 1987 shared with [[P. N. Haksar]] and [[R. K. Narayan]]
* The Soviet Land Nehru Award in 1987 shared with [[P. N. Haksar]] and [[R. K. Narayan]]
* The [[Padma Sri]] in 1988<ref name="Padma Sri Awards - Interactive Dashboard">{{Cite web |url=http://www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in/?Award=Padma%2520Shri&Year=1988-1988&Field=Literature%2520and%2520Education |title=Padma Sri Awards - Interactive Dashboard |date=2019-04-28 |website=www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in |language=en |access-date=2019-04-28}}</ref>
* The [[Padma Sri]] in 1988&lt;ref name="Padma Sri Awards - Interactive Dashboard"&gt;{{Cite web |url=http://www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in/?Award=Padma%2520Shri&amp;Year=1988-1988&amp;Field=Literature%2520and%2520Education |title=Padma Sri Awards - Interactive Dashboard |date=2019-04-28 |website=www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in |language=en |access-date=2019-04-28 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}&lt;/ref&gt;
* The [[Padma Bhushan]] in 2001<ref name="Padma Bhushan Awards - Interactive Dashboard">{{Cite web |url=http://www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in/?Award=Padma%2520Bhushan&Year=2001-2001&Field=Literature%2520and%2520Education |title=Padma Bhushan Awards - Interactive Dashboard |date=2019-04-28 |website=www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in |language=en |access-date=2019-04-28}}</ref>
* The [[Padma Bhushan]] in 2001&lt;ref name="Padma Bhushan Awards - Interactive Dashboard"&gt;{{Cite web |url=http://www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in/?Award=Padma%2520Bhushan&amp;Year=2001-2001&amp;Field=Literature%2520and%2520Education |title=Padma Bhushan Awards - Interactive Dashboard |date=2019-04-28 |website=www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in |language=en |access-date=2019-04-28 }}{{Dead link|date=February 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}&lt;/ref&gt;
* The [[Ezhuthachan Puraskaram]] in 1996 (the highest literary award given by the Government of Kerala)<ref name="Literary Awards">{{Cite web |url=http://kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3065&Itemid=2379 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618062155/http://kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3065&Itemid=2379 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-06-18 |title=Literary Awards |date=2012-06-18 |access-date=2019-04-28}}</ref>
* The [[Ezhuthachan Puraskaram]] in 1996 (the highest literary award given by the Government of Kerala)&lt;ref name="Literary Awards"&gt;{{Cite web |url=http://kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=3065&amp;Itemid=2379 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618062155/http://kerala.gov.in/index.php?option=com_content&amp;view=article&amp;id=3065&amp;Itemid=2379 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-06-18 |title=Literary Awards |date=2012-06-18 |access-date=2019-04-28}}&lt;/ref&gt;
* The Suranad Kunjan Pillai Award in 1997
* The Suranad Kunjan Pillai Award in 1997
* The [[Vallathol Award]] in 1998<ref name="Winners of Vallathol Literary Awards">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralaculture.org/vallathol-award/574 |title=Winners of Vallathol Literary Awards |date=2019-04-28 |website=www.keralaculture.org |language=en |access-date=2019-04-28}}</ref>
* The [[Vallathol Award]] in 1998&lt;ref name="Winners of Vallathol Literary Awards"&gt;{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralaculture.org/vallathol-award/574 |title=Winners of Vallathol Literary Awards |date=2019-04-28 |website=www.keralaculture.org |language=en |access-date=2019-04-28}}&lt;/ref&gt;
* The [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship]] in 1989<ref name="Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Fellows/Html/HonoraryList.htm |title=Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship |date=2019-04-28 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331092627/http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Fellows/Html/HonoraryList.htm |archive-date=31 March 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* The [[Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship]] in 1989&lt;ref name="Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship"&gt;{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Fellows/Html/HonoraryList.htm |title=Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship |date=2019-04-28 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331092627/http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/Fellows/Html/HonoraryList.htm |archive-date=31 March 2019 |url-status=dead }}&lt;/ref&gt;
* Emeritus Fellowship from the Central Government
* Emeritus Fellowship from the Central Government
* Sahitya Ratna Puraskaram&nbsp;– the highest award given by the Mar Thoma Church
* Sahitya Ratna Puraskaram&amp;nbsp;– the highest award given by the Mar Thoma Church
{{colend}}
{{colend}}


The Government of Kerala has established a research centre in his honour, the ''Dr. K. M. George Study and Research Centre'', for facilitating research on literature and other educational matters.<ref name="Dr K M George study and research centre to be set up">{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Dr-K-M-George-study-and-research-centre-to-be-set-up/articleshow/40883504.cms |title=Dr K M George study and research centre to be set up |agency=PTI |date=20 March 2003 |newspaper=The Times of India |language=en |access-date=1 August 2020}}</ref>
The Government of Kerala has established a research centre in his honour, the ''Dr. K. M. George Study and Research Centre'', for facilitating research on literature and other educational matters.&lt;ref name="Dr K M George study and research centre to be set up"&gt;{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/Dr-K-M-George-study-and-research-centre-to-be-set-up/articleshow/40883504.cms |title=Dr K M George study and research centre to be set up |agency=PTI |date=20 March 2003 |newspaper=The Times of India |language=en |access-date=1 August 2020}}&lt;/ref&gt;


== Bibliography ==
== Bibliography ==
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* Sardar Patel (1950)
* Sardar Patel (1950)
* Vicharakowthukam (1952)
* Vicharakowthukam (1952)
* America&nbsp;– ChilaVasthuthakal (1953)
* America&amp;nbsp;– ChilaVasthuthakal (1953)
* Edward Jenner (1954) (Translation)
* Edward Jenner (1954) (Translation)
* Janangalude Bharanam (1954)
* Janangalude Bharanam (1954)
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* Tamizh Sahityam (1977)
* Tamizh Sahityam (1977)
* A.R.Raja Raja Varma (1979)
* A.R.Raja Raja Varma (1979)
* Bharathathile Bhashakal (1979)&nbsp;– Children’s literature
* Bharathathile Bhashakal (1979)&amp;nbsp;– Children’s literature
* Anveshanangal Padanangal (1980)
* Anveshanangal Padanangal (1980)
* Amercayile Anubhavangal (1980-Abridged edition)
* Amercayile Anubhavangal (1980-Abridged edition)
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* A Many Branched Tree (1991)
* A Many Branched Tree (1991)
* Renaissance in Indian Literature and its Social Implications (1991)
* Renaissance in Indian Literature and its Social Implications (1991)
* Mookanarthakan (Translation of play by Asif Currimbhoy&nbsp;– 1991)
* Mookanarthakan (Translation of play by Asif Currimbhoy&amp;nbsp;– 1991)
* Facets of Indian Literature (1994)
* Facets of Indian Literature (1994)
* Bharathiya Sahitya Sameeksha (1994)
* Bharathiya Sahitya Sameeksha (1994)
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=== Edited works ===
=== Edited works ===
{{colbegin}}
{{colbegin}}
* Sahityacharithram Prasthanangalilude
* {{cite book|title=Sahitya Charitram Prasthanangalilude|year=1958|publisher=[[Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society|S.P.C.S.]]}}
* Sarvavignanakosham volumes 1&2
* {{cite book|title=Adhunika Sahitya Charitram Prasthanangalilude|year=1998|publisher=[[DC Books]]}}&lt;ref&gt;[https://www.dcbooks.com/adhunika-malayala-sahithaya-charithram-by-dr-george-k-m-22.html "‘ആധുനിക മലയാളസാഹിത്യചരിത്രം പ്രസ്ഥാനങ്ങളിലൂടെ’"]. [[DC Books]]. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 15 February 2023.&lt;/ref&gt;
* Sarvavignanakosham volumes 1&amp;2
* Mahakavi Ulloor
* Mahakavi Ulloor
* Bharathiya Sahitya Charithram 2vols.
* Bharathiya Sahitya Charithram 2vols.
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* {{cite book|title=Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Fiction|year=1992|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=978-81-7201-324-0}}
* {{cite book|title=Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Fiction|year=1992|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=978-81-7201-324-0}}
* {{cite book|title=Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Surveys and poems|year=1992|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=978-81-7201-324-0}}
* {{cite book|title=Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Surveys and poems|year=1992|publisher=Sahitya Akademi|isbn=978-81-7201-324-0}}
* Masterpieces of Indian Literature&nbsp;– 3 vols.
* Masterpieces of Indian Literature&amp;nbsp;– 3 vols.
* Aadhunika Malayala Sahitya Charitram Prasthanangalilude
* Aadhunika Malayala Sahitya Charitram Prasthanangalilude
* Commonwealth Literature&nbsp;– Themes & Techniques
* Commonwealth Literature&amp;nbsp;– Themes &amp; Techniques
* The best of Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
* The best of Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
{{colend}}
{{colend}}


<!--
&lt;!--
==Selected books==
==Selected books==
*''[http://books.google.co.in/books?id=m1R2Pa3f7r0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22K.+M.+George%22&num=100 Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Surveys and poems]'', Sāhitya Akādemī (1992) {{ISBN|978-81-7201-324-0}}
*''[https://books.google.com/books?id=m1R2Pa3f7r0C&amp;q=%22K.+M.+George%22 Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Surveys and poems]'', Sāhitya Akādemī (1992) {{ISBN|978-81-7201-324-0}}
*''[http://books.google.co.in/books?id=MZqqyxVkufQC&printsec=frontcover&dq=%22K.+M.+George%22&num=100 Western Influence on Malayalam Language and Literature]'', Sahitya Akademi (1972) {{ISBN|978-81-260-0413-3}}
*''[https://books.google.com/books?id=MZqqyxVkufQC&amp;q=%22K.+M.+George%22 Western Influence on Malayalam Language and Literature]'', Sahitya Akademi (1972) {{ISBN|978-81-260-0413-3}}
*''Comparative Indian Literature'', Kēraḷa Sāhitya Akkādami, (1984)
*''Comparative Indian Literature'', Kēraḷa Sāhitya Akkādami, (1984)
*''[http://books.google.co.in/books?id=1VMZAAAAIAAJ&q=%22K.+M.+George%22&dq=%22K.+M.+George%22&num=100&pgis=1 A survey of Malayalam literature]'', Asia Pub. House (1968)
*''[https://books.google.com/books?id=1VMZAAAAIAAJ&amp;q=%22K.+M.+George%22 A survey of Malayalam literature]'', Asia Pub. House (1968)
*''[http://books.google.co.in/books?id=Mu8QAAAAMAAJ&q=%22K.+M.+George%22&dq=%22K.+M.+George%22&num=100&pgis=1 A. R. Rajaraja Varma ]'', Sahitya Akademi (1979)
*''[https://books.google.com/books?id=Mu8QAAAAMAAJ&amp;q=%22K.+M.+George%22 A. R. Rajaraja Varma ]'', Sahitya Akademi (1979)


-->
--&gt;


== See also ==
== See also ==
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* [[List of Malayalam-language authors]]
* [[List of Malayalam-language authors]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}
 
{{Portal|India|Literature}}


== References ==
== References ==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/KMGeorge/Html/KMGeorge.htm |title=Portrait commissioned by Kerala Sahitya Akademi |date=2019-04-23 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-23}}
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/KMGeorge/Html/KMGeorge.htm |title=Portrait commissioned by Kerala Sahitya Akademi |date=2019-04-23 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506180856/http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/KMGeorge/Html/KMGeorge.htm |archive-date=2016-05-06}}
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/KMGeorge/Html/KMGeorgescript.htm |title=Handwriting |date=2019-04-23 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-23}}
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/KMGeorge/Html/KMGeorgescript.htm |title=Handwriting |date=2019-04-23 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428164115/http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/PROFILES/KMGeorge/Html/KMGeorgescript.htm |archive-date=2019-04-28}}


{{Ezhuthachan Puraskaram}}
{{Ezhuthachan Puraskaram}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:George, K. M.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:George, K. M.}}
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in literature & education]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in literature &amp; education]]
[[Category:Malayali people]]
[[Category:Malayali people]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language writers]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language writers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in literature & education]]
[[Category:Indian literary critics]]
[[Category:Indian literary critics]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ezhuthachan Award]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Ezhuthachan Award]]

Revision as of 02:12, 15 March 2026


<!-- This article is being updated on behalf of Valsa Mathew, the daughter of the late Dr. K.M. George. This article is a work in progress and content will be updated and clean-up done on an ongoing basis till end of 2013. -->

K. M. George
Born(1914-04-20)20 April 1914
Edayaranmula, Travancore
Died19 November 2002(2002-11-19) (aged 88)
Thiruvananthapuram
Other namesKarimpumannil Mathai George
Occupation
Known forMalayalam literature, Chief Editor of Malayalam Encyclopaedia
Notable work
  • A Survey of Malayalam Literature
  • Western Influence on Malayalam Language & Literature
  • Comparative Indian Literature
  • Masterpieces of Indian Literature
Awards
In this Indian name, the name Karimpumannil Mathai is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, George.

Karimpumannil Mathai George (1914–2002), popularly known as Dr. K. M. George, was an eminent Malayalam writer and educator. An erudite scholar and literary critic with astute organisational capabilities, he is best known as a pioneer of Comparative Indian Studies and Literatures.<ref>Who's who of Indian Writers, 1999</ref> He was a recipient of the fourth highest Indian civilian honour, the Padma Shri, the highest literary award of the Government of Kerala, the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram and the third highest Indian civilian award, the Padma Bhushan, besides other honours.

Biography

K. M. George was born on 20 April 1914 at Edayaranmula, Travancore in the present-day Pathanamthitta district of the south Indian state of Kerala, to Kurien Mathai and Mariamma.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal">"Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal". Kerala Sahitya Akademi. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.</ref> After schooling at Malakkara Primary School, Edayaranmula Marthoma School and St. Thomas School, Kozhenchery, he passed the intermediate course from Madras Christian College (MCC) before graduating in Mathematics from the Union Christian College, Aluva. Starting his career as a lecturer at his alma mater, MCC, he continued his studies and secured a master's degree in Malayalam literature from the University of Madras in 1941.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /> He was a visiting professor at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla, and at Chicago and California Universities.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /> He was also a Senior Specialist at the East–West Center, Hawaii, engaged in research on the impact of the West on Indian writing.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /> He was associated with Sahitya Akademi (Indian Academy of Letters) right from its inception and was the Secretary of its Southern Region. He was also the vice president of Kerala Sahitya Akademi (Kerala Academy of Letters).<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" />

George was married to Eliyamma, the marriage taking place in 1944. He died on 19 November 2002, at Thiruvananthapuram. at the age of 88.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" />

Writing

His writings encompass various aspects in literature. He was a learned writer of articles in the media, father of the encyclopaedia in Kerala, editor of Indian literature, researcher of place names of Southern India, travel writer (having travelled the world over), dramatist, biographer, literary critic and auto biographer. Equally well versed in English and in Malayalam, he had a good knowledge of many Indian languages. He has published more than 50 works, translated some works to Malayalam and edited more than 10 great anthologies.<ref name="List of works">"List of works". Kerala Sahitya Akademi. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.</ref> He authored some of the authoritative books on the history of Malayalam literature in English such as A Survey of Malayalam Literature (1968) and Western Influence on Malayalam Language and Literature (1972).<ref>K. M. Tharakan (1977). "Western Influence on Malayalam Language and Literature: by Dr. K. M. George, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi" (PDF). Indian Literature. 20 (5): 129–133. JSTOR 24158378. Retrieved 6 February 2023.</ref> His other works in English include Ramacharitam and the Study of Early Malayalam, which is his doctoral thesis in the field of Dravidian Linguistics, and American Lives through Indian Eyes, an account of the American way of life. He also wrote travelogues about his journeys to the Soviet Union and the United States.<ref name="Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal" /> He was also the chief editor of Malayalam Encyclopaedia and Comparative Indian Literature.

Awards and honours

The Government of Kerala has established a research centre in his honour, the Dr. K. M. George Study and Research Centre, for facilitating research on literature and other educational matters.<ref name="Dr K M George study and research centre to be set up">"Dr K M George study and research centre to be set up". The Times of India. PTI. 20 March 2003. Retrieved 1 August 2020.</ref>

Bibliography

Authored works

  • Vedapusthakamahathmyam (1935)
  • Saadhu Kochunju (1947)
  • Ekaanka Mandalam (1947)
  • Radio natakankal (1947)
  • Prabandhachandrika (1953)
  • Munthirichaaru (1950)
  • Sardar Patel (1950)
  • Vicharakowthukam (1952)
  • America&nbsp;– ChilaVasthuthakal (1953)
  • Edward Jenner (1954) (Translation)
  • Janangalude Bharanam (1954)
  • Valarunna Kairali (1954)
  • Nirikshana Nilayam (1955)
  • Thathvavignanathil Punarnirmaanam (1955)
  • Snehathinte Shiksha (1955) (Translation of Tagore’s "The Wreck")
  • Ramacaritham and the study of early Malayalam (1956)
  • 9 Radio Natakankal (1957)
  • Samskara Sarani (1957)
  • Thoreau (1962) (Translation)
  • Tagore (1962) (Translation)
  • Indiacharithrathile Bhoomishastrakadakangal (1962)
  • Jeevacharithra Sahityam (1964)
  • Soviet Naattil 3 Aazhcha (1964)
  • Americayil Poyakatha (1967)
  • American Life Through Indian Eyes (1967)
  • A survey of Malayalam literature. Bombay: Asia Pub. House. 1968. ISBN 0210227354. OCLC 32189.
  • Malayalam Grammar and Reader (1971)
  • Western influence on Malayalam language and literature. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. 1972. ISBN 8126004134. OCLC 1084351.
  • Kumaran Asan (1972)
  • Avalokanangal (1978)
  • Tamizh Sahityam (1977)
  • A.R.Raja Raja Varma (1979)
  • Bharathathile Bhashakal (1979)&nbsp;– Children’s literature
  • Anveshanangal Padanangal (1980)
  • Amercayile Anubhavangal (1980-Abridged edition)
  • Sahitya Vignanavum Vignanasahityavum (1983)
  • Aartha Maanavu Thalamurakalilude (1985-tr. of Maxim Gorky)
  • Enneaakarshicha Prathibhashalikal (1985)
  • Bharathiya Sahitya Pattanam (1985)
  • Place Names of Southern India (1986)
  • Kavikal Nirupanarangathu (1986)
  • Kesari Balakrishna Pillai (1989)
  • K M Georginte Prabhandangal (1989)
  • Soviet NaattilVeendum (1989)
  • Arivukal Avalokanangal (1991)
  • Veekshanangal Vichinthanangal (1991)
  • A Many Branched Tree (1991)
  • Renaissance in Indian Literature and its Social Implications (1991)
  • Mookanarthakan (Translation of play by Asif Currimbhoy&nbsp;– 1991)
  • Facets of Indian Literature (1994)
  • Bharathiya Sahitya Sameeksha (1994)
  • Enne Njan Kaanumbol (1999)
  • The Role of Sanskrit in the development of Dravidian Literature (2000)

Edited works

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Selected books

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See also

References

External links

Template:Ezhuthachan Puraskaram

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