Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by Yamaguchi先生
Last edited February 6, 2026
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
->Redbeasticon
→Vengayil family: Grammatical error fixed.
adjusted formatting after review and cleaned formatting
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Indian writer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
| name = Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar
| name             = Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar
| birth_name =
| birth_name       =  
| image =
| image           = Vengayil Kunjiraman Nayanar.jpg
| imagesize=120px
| imagesize       =  
| caption = V.K. Nayanar
| caption         = Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar
| birth_date = {{birth-date|1861}}
| birth_date       = {{birth-date|1860}}
| birth_place = [[Malabar district]], British India
| birth_place     = [[Malabar district]], British India
| death_date = {{death-date and age|14 November 1914|1861}}
| death_date       = {{death-date and age|14 November 1914|1860}}
| death_place = Malabar district, British India
| death_place     = Malabar district, British India
| occupation = Writer
| occupation       = Writer
| nationality = [[British India|Indian]]
| nationality     = [[British India|Indian]]
| influences = <!-- per talk page discussion, do not use this field - see the article instead -->
| influences       = <!-- per talk page discussion, do not use this field - see the article instead -->
| influenced = <!-- per talk page discussion, do not use this field - see the article instead -->
| influenced       = <!-- per talk page discussion, do not use this field - see the article instead -->
| genre = Short Story, Essay, Criticism
| genre           = Short Story, Essay, Criticism
| notableworks = ''[[Vasanavikriti]]''
| notableworks     = ''[[Vasanavikriti]]''
| signature = }}
| signature       =  
}}


'''Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar''' (1861 – 14 November 1914) was a [[Malayali]] essayist and short story writer, and a prominent landlord of [[Malabar district]]. He is also known as the Grand Old Man Of Kerala Journalism.
{{Given name hatnote|Kunhiraman Nayanar|Vengayil|lang=Malayali}}'''Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar''' (1860 – 14 November 1914) was a [[Malayali]] essayist and short story writer<ref>{{Cite book |last=C |first=Ashokan Nambiar |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=z911EQAAQBAJ&pg=PA154&dq=vengayil+kunjiraman+nayanar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjjwJfPmsOSAxWPxzgGHcuJIGQQ6AF6BAgJEAM |title=Print and the Novel in 19th Century Kerala: Reconsidering Colonial Modernity |date=2024-11-30 |publisher=Bloomsbury Publishing |isbn=978-93-5640-902-6 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Datta |first=Amaresh |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=zB4n3MVozbUC&pg=PA1226&dq=vengayil+kunjiraman+nayanar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjjwJfPmsOSAxWPxzgGHcuJIGQQ6AF6BAgNEAM |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Devraj to Jyoti |date=1988 |publisher=Sahitya Akademi |isbn=978-81-260-1194-0 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Tarakan |first=Ke Eṃ |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=3nhkAAAAMAAJ&q=vengayil+kunjiraman+nayanar&dq=vengayil+kunjiraman+nayanar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjjwJfPmsOSAxWPxzgGHcuJIGQQ6AF6BAgQEAM |title=A Brief Survey of Malayalam Literature: History of Literature |date=1990 |publisher=K.M. Tharakan |language=en}}</ref>, and a prominent [[Jenmi]] of [[Malabar district]].


==Vengayil family==
==Vengayil family==
Nayanar was born in an aristocratic [[Nair]] family known as "Vengayil" in Chirackal Thaluk, Northern part of Malabar district in British India. The Vengayil Nayanar [[tharavad]] were a significant land-owning family of Malabar district in the 1800s in British India. They, at the time, owned more than 200,000 acres (810 km square) of land including vast forest lands. The land directly under ownership of the Vengayil family was comparable to the size of the 13-gun salute princely state of Kapurthala State (352 square miles (910 km2)), and 11-gun salute Morvi State (242 square miles (630 km2)).
Nayanar was born in an aristocratic [[Nair]] family known as [[Jenmi|Vengayil]] in Chirakal Taluk, Northern part of [[Malabar District|Malabar district]] in British India. The Vengayil Nayanar [[tharavad]] were a significant land-owning family of Malabar district in the 1800s in British India. They, at the time, owned more than 200,000 acres (810 km square) of land including vast forest lands.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Congress |first=South Indian History |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=sg5uAAAAMAAJ&q=Vengayil+nayanar&dq=Vengayil+nayanar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwisk-3VjcOSAxWqUGcHHcalLXw4ChDoAXoECAYQAw |title=Proceedings of the ... Annual Conference ... |date=1994 |publisher=The Congress |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Education |first=Kerala (India) Department of |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=PDJuAAAAMAAJ&q=Vengayil+nayanar&dq=Vengayil+nayanar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi2kv6PkMOSAxWtT2wGHUsCAsM4PBDoAXoECAgQAw |title=Kerala District Gazetteers: Cannanore |last2=Menon |first2=A. Sreedhara |date=1962 |publisher=Superintendent of Government Presses |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Narayanan |first=M. T. |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=kHtbkuXruzwC&pg=PA44&dq=Vengayil+nayanar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi9tPugjcOSAxXes1YBHXd5F78Q6AF6BAgOEAM |title=Agrarian Relations in Late Medieval Malabar |date=2003 |publisher=Northern Book Centre |isbn=978-81-7211-135-9 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Wigram |first=Herbert |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=_KMDAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA195&dq=Vengayil+nayanar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi9tPugjcOSAxXes1YBHXd5F78Q6AF6BAgJEAM |title=A Commentary on Malabar Law and Custom |date=1882 |publisher=Cookson and Company |language=en}}</ref> .The land directly under the ownership of the Vengayil family was comparable to the size of the 13-gun salute princely state of Kapurthala State (352 square miles (910 km2)), and 11-gun salute Morvi State (242 square miles (630 km2))<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kurup |first=K. K. N. |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=JdxwAAAAMAAJ&q=Vengayil+nayanar&dq=Vengayil+nayanar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjm8ZbKj8OSAxXMS2cHHZj9EiQ4FBDoAXoECAUQAw |title=Agrarian Struggles in Kerala |date=1989 |publisher=CBH Publications |isbn=978-81-85381-01-5 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" />


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Kunhiraman Nayanar was born to Vengayil Kunhakkam Amma and Puliyappadappu Haridasan Somayajipad, a [[Nambudiri]] Brahmin from Perinchellor Graamam, [[Taliparamba]]. His early education was in [[Sanskrit]], and later joined the [[English language|English]] school at Taliparamba, followed by the Saidampetta Agricultural College in [[Calicut]]. In 1904 he became a member of the [[Malabar District|Malabar District Board]], and in 1917 was elected to the [[Madras Legislative Assembly]].
Kunhiraman Nayanar was born to Vengayil Kunhakkam Amma and Puliyappadappu Haridasan Somayajipad, from Perinchellor Graamam, [[Taliparamba]]. His early education was in [[Sanskrit]], and later joined the [[English language|English]] school at Taliparamba, followed by the Saidampetta Agricultural College in [[Calicut]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kerala (India) |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=ZF0bAAAAIAAJ&q=Vengayil+nayanar+life&dq=Vengayil+nayanar+life&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwizzeivl8OSAxWQcGwGHWZEA-M4HhDoAXoECAoQAw |title=Kerala District Gazetteers: Kozhikode (supplement) |date=1962 |publisher=Superintendent of Government Presses |language=en}}</ref> In 1904 he became a member of the [[Malabar District|Malabar District Board]], and in 1907 was elected to the [[Madras Legislative Assembly]]. He died while serving as a member there on 14 November 1914, aged 54<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sinhā |first=Madhubālā |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=8qQpAQAAIAAJ&q=Vengayil+nayanar+life&dq=Vengayil+nayanar+life&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiayMH0lsOSAxW8UGcHHbbZM7EQ6AF6BAgKEAM |title=Encyclopaedia of South Indian Literature |date=2009 |publisher=Anmol Publications |isbn=978-81-261-3740-4 |language=en}}</ref>.


==Literature==
==Literature==
Nayanar came to the literary world through ''Kerala Pathrika'' (started in 1884 by C. Kunhiraman Menon (1854–1936) and [[Appu Nedungadi]]
Nayanar came to the literary world through ''Kerala Pathrika'' (started in 1884 by [[Chengalathu Kunhirama Menon|C. Kunhiraman Menon]] (1854–1936) and [[Appu Nedungadi]] (1860–1934) at [[Calicut]]). He was also closely associated with periodicals like ''[[Vidya Vinodini]]'' (started in 1889 at [[Trichur]] under the editorship of C. P. Achutha Menon), ''Kerala Chandrika'' (started in 1879 at [[Trivandrum]]), ''[[Kerala Sanchari]]'' (after 1898 under the editorship of Murkoth Kumaran), ''Kerala Pathrika'' and the English Journal ''Malabar Spectator''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chapter IV Genesis and Exodus of early newspapers (1847-1906) |url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/13232/10/10_chapter%204.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230426103436/https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/13232/10/10_chapter%204.pdf |archive-date=26 April 2023}}</ref> He wrote the first Malayalam short story, ''[[Vasanavikriti]]''. Under the pen names "Kesari", "Vajrasoochi","Vajrabahu", Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar's works obtained wide appreciation from all over South India. Kesari was a sharp critic of social reality, criticising social inequalities. He was also a close friend of [[Hermann Gundert|Dr. Hermann Gundert]] and [[William Logan (Malabar Manual)|William Logan]] who did a lot of research on the history, language, and culture of Kerala.
(1860–1934) at [[Kozhikode]]). He was also closely associated with periodicals like ''Kerala Chandrika'' (started in 1879 at [[Thiruvananthapuram]]), ''Kerala Sanchari'' (after 1898 under the editorship of Murkoth Kumaran) and the English Journal ''Malabar Spectator''.<ref>[http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/13232/10/10_chapter%204.pdf http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/13232/10/10_chapter%204.pdf]</ref> He wrote the first Malayalam short story, ''[[Vasanavikriti]]''. Under the pen names "Kesari", "Vajrasoochi","Vajrabahu", Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar's works obtained wide appreciation from all over South India. Kesari was a sharp critic of social reality, criticising social inequalities. He was also a close friend of [[Hermann Gundert|Dr. Hermann Gundert]] and [[William Logan (Malabar Manual)|William Logan]] who did a lot of research on the history, language, culture of Kerala.


==Family==
==Family==
Vengayil Nayanar's grandson was [[K. P. Candeth]], a [[Lieutenant General]] in the [[Indian Army]] and first [[Governor of Goa]]. His son was [[A. C. N. Nambiar]], an Indian Nationalist and involved with the [[Indian Legion]] during the [[Second World War]].
Vengayil Nayanar's grandson was [[K. P. Candeth]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Faleiro |first=Valmiki |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=GYLyEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA1909&dq=kp+candeth&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi60s2WmcOSAxXwzzgGHWvPBfsQ6AF6BAgOEAM |title=Goa, 1961: The Complete Story of Nationalism and Integration |date=2023-07-24 |publisher=Penguin Random House India Private Limited |isbn=978-93-5708-175-7 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sandhu |first=A. J. S. |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=ZBSSEQAAQBAJ&pg=PA106&dq=kp+candeth&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi60s2WmcOSAxXwzzgGHWvPBfsQ6AF6BAgLEAM |title=Battleground Chhamb: The Indo-Pakistan War of 1971 |date=2025-10-27 |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-75309-9 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=Vk4jAQAAMAAJ&q=kp+candeth&dq=kp+candeth&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjMhoqQmsOSAxWzSGwGHZtZKIo4ChDoAXoECA0QAw |title=Indian Information |date=1965 |publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India |language=en}}</ref>, a [[Lieutenant General]] in the [[Indian Army]] and first [[Governor of Goa]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Diu (India) |first=Goa, Daman and |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=uWf-IC8JVqAC&q=kp+candeth&dq=kp+candeth&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi60s2WmcOSAxXwzzgGHWvPBfsQ6AF6BAgMEAM |title=Government Gazette. Boletim Oficial |date=1962 |language=pt-BR}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=L2bfAAAAMAAJ&q=kp+candeth&dq=kp+candeth&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjMhoqQmsOSAxWzSGwGHZtZKIo4ChDoAXoECAwQAw |title=Indian Armed Forces Yearbook |date=1962 |publisher=Indian youth. |language=en}}</ref>. His son was [[A. C. N. Nambiar]]<ref>{{Cite book |last=Israel |first=Milton |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=dkI_RHPPGKMC&pg=PA260&dq=acn+nambiar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjf4duimMOSAxXTyzgGHaDWKSgQ6AF6BAgLEAM |title=Communications and Power: Propaganda and the Press in the Indian National Struggle, 1920-1947 |date=1994-04-14 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-46763-6 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=plkgX7n_ASMC&q=acn+nambiar&dq=acn+nambiar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjf4duimMOSAxXTyzgGHaDWKSgQ6AF6BAgJEAM |title=The Indian Trade Journal |date=1956 |publisher=Department of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics. |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Assembly |first=India Legislature Legislative |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=uT5utHV5uZsC&q=acn+nambiar&dq=acn+nambiar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjf4duimMOSAxXTyzgGHaDWKSgQ6AF6BAgMEAM |title=The Legislative Assembly Debates: (Official Report) |date=1933 |publisher=Government of India Press |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Mukherjee |first=Tapan K. |url=https://books.google.co.in/books?id=ATxuAAAAMAAJ&q=acn+nambiar&dq=acn+nambiar&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&source=gb_mobile_search&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjf4duimMOSAxXTyzgGHaDWKSgQ6AF6BAgQEAM |title=Taraknath Das: Life and Letters of a Revolutionary in Exile |date=1998 |publisher=National Council of Education, Bengal, Jadavpur University |isbn=978-81-86954-00-3 |language=en}}</ref>, an Indian Nationalist and involved with the [[Indian Legion]] during the [[Second World War]].
 
==Works==
Some of Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar's works are lost. Most of his works were published in periodicals such as ''[[Vidya Vinodini]]'', ''Saraswathi'' and ''Kerala Pathrika''. Some of his works are compiled by Prof. K. Gopalakrishnan and published by ''[[Mathrubhumi]]'' under the title ''Kesari Nayanarude Krithikal''.
; Stories
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=[[Vidya Vinodini]]|title=[[Vasanavikriti]]|year=1891|volume=2|issue=5}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Menokkiye Konnatharanu|year=1893|volume=4|issue=7}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Dwaraka|year=1893|volume=4|issue=9}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Ente Anubhavam|year=1900}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Saraswathi|title=Madirashi Pithalattam|date=n.d.}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Saraswathi|title=Oru Pottabhagyam|date=n.d.}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=|title=Paramartham|date=n.d.}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Mithavadi|title=Kathayonnumalla|year=1908}}
 
; Essays on literature
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Akhyayika Allenkil Novel|year=1891|volume=2|issue=4}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Natakam|year=1891|volume=2|issue=9}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Swabhasha|year=1892|volume=3|issue=8}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Bhramam|year=1892|volume=3|issue=8}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Mahakavikalude Jeevakalam|year=1892|volume=3|issue=9}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Mahakavyam|year=1893|volume=3|issue=12}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Gadyakavyam|year=1893|volume=4|issue=1}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Pouranikakalathe Parishkarasthithi|year=1893|volume=4|issue=2}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Novel|date=n.d.|volume=|issue=}}
 
; Essays on culture
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Nammude Chila Pracheena Acharopacharangalum Sthanamanangalum Mattum Mattum|year=1898|volume=9|issue=11}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Achara Parishkaram|date=n.d.|volume=|issue=}}
 
; Essays on agriculture
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Krishi Parishkaram I|year=1894|volume=6|issue=1}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Krishi Parishkaram I|year=1894|volume=6|issue=2}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Krishisambandhamaya Chila Aithihyangal|year=1898|volume=9|issue=11}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=[[Bhashaposhini]]|title=Kerala Janmisabha|year=1913|volume=17|issue=9–10}}
 
; Miscellaneous
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Vaidyam|year=1893|volume=4|issue=6}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Marichalathe Sukham|year=1893|volume=4|issue=7}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Kerala Pathrika|title=Kapadavedanthikal|year=1893|volume=|issue=}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Vidya Vinodini|title=Sheettukali|year=1894|volume=5|issue=1}}
* {{Cite magazine|author=Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar|magazine=Bhashaposhini|title=Vidyarthikalum Mathrubhashayum|year=1914|volume=|issue=|url=https://books.sayahna.org/ml/pdf//kvnr-01.pdf}}
* Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1909). Introduction. In: [[Kottarathil Sankunni]]. ''[[Aithihyamala]]'' Part 1.
* Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1914). Introduction. In: [[Kottarathil Sankunni]]. ''[[Aithihyamala]]'' Part 2.


==See also==
==See also==
Line 44: Line 87:
*[http://www.payyanur.com/literature.htm Payyanur.com], "History"
*[http://www.payyanur.com/literature.htm Payyanur.com], "History"
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080925134038/http://www.ksd.kerala.gov.in/hist.htm KSD.kerala.gov.in], "History of Kasaragod"
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080925134038/http://www.ksd.kerala.gov.in/hist.htm KSD.kerala.gov.in], "History of Kasaragod"
*[http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/prd2/mala/lit30.htm PRD.kerala.gov.in], "The Essay"
*[http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/prd2/mala/lit30.htm PRD.kerala.gov.in] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060130115708/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/prd2/mala/lit30.htm |date=30 January 2006 }}, "The Essay"
*[http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/prd2/med/history.htm  PRD.kerala.gov.in], "History of Press in India"
*[http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/prd2/med/history.htm  PRD.kerala.gov.in] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060127003412/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/prd2/med/history.htm |date=27 January 2006 }}, "History of Press in India"
*[http://members.rediff.com/drkansanpillai/nayanar.htm Rediff.com], "Nayanars of Kerala"
*[http://members.rediff.com/drkansanpillai/nayanar.htm Rediff.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051104015537/http://members.rediff.com/drkansanpillai/nayanar.htm |date=4 November 2005 }}, "Nayanars of Kerala"


{{Malayalam Literature |state=collapsed}}
{{Malayalam Literature |state=collapsed}}
Line 55: Line 98:
[[Category:Malayalam-language writers]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language writers]]
[[Category:Malayalam short story writers]]
[[Category:Malayalam short story writers]]
[[Category:1861 births]]
[[Category:1860 births]]
[[Category:1914 deaths]]
[[Category:1914 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian short story writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian short story writers]]
Line 67: Line 110:
[[Category:19th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:19th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:Writers from British India]]

Latest revision as of 02:12, 6 February 2026


Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar
Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar
Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar
Born1860 (1860)
Malabar district, British India
Died14 November 1914 (1914-11-15) (aged 54)
Malabar district, British India
OccupationWriter
NationalityIndian
GenreShort Story, Essay, Criticism
Notable worksVasanavikriti

Template:Given name hatnoteVengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1860 – 14 November 1914) was a Malayali essayist and short story writer[1][2][3], and a prominent Jenmi of Malabar district.

Vengayil family[edit | edit source]

Nayanar was born in an aristocratic Nair family known as Vengayil in Chirakal Taluk, Northern part of Malabar district in British India. The Vengayil Nayanar tharavad were a significant land-owning family of Malabar district in the 1800s in British India. They, at the time, owned more than 200,000 acres (810 km square) of land including vast forest lands.[4][5][6][7] .The land directly under the ownership of the Vengayil family was comparable to the size of the 13-gun salute princely state of Kapurthala State (352 square miles (910 km2)), and 11-gun salute Morvi State (242 square miles (630 km2))[8][6]

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Kunhiraman Nayanar was born to Vengayil Kunhakkam Amma and Puliyappadappu Haridasan Somayajipad, from Perinchellor Graamam, Taliparamba. His early education was in Sanskrit, and later joined the English school at Taliparamba, followed by the Saidampetta Agricultural College in Calicut.[9] In 1904 he became a member of the Malabar District Board, and in 1907 was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly. He died while serving as a member there on 14 November 1914, aged 54[10].

Literature[edit | edit source]

Nayanar came to the literary world through Kerala Pathrika (started in 1884 by C. Kunhiraman Menon (1854–1936) and Appu Nedungadi (1860–1934) at Calicut). He was also closely associated with periodicals like Vidya Vinodini (started in 1889 at Trichur under the editorship of C. P. Achutha Menon), Kerala Chandrika (started in 1879 at Trivandrum), Kerala Sanchari (after 1898 under the editorship of Murkoth Kumaran), Kerala Pathrika and the English Journal Malabar Spectator.[11] He wrote the first Malayalam short story, Vasanavikriti. Under the pen names "Kesari", "Vajrasoochi","Vajrabahu", Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar's works obtained wide appreciation from all over South India. Kesari was a sharp critic of social reality, criticising social inequalities. He was also a close friend of Dr. Hermann Gundert and William Logan who did a lot of research on the history, language, and culture of Kerala.

Family[edit | edit source]

Vengayil Nayanar's grandson was K. P. Candeth[12][13][14], a Lieutenant General in the Indian Army and first Governor of Goa[15][16]. His son was A. C. N. Nambiar[17][18][19][20], an Indian Nationalist and involved with the Indian Legion during the Second World War.

Works[edit | edit source]

Some of Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar's works are lost. Most of his works were published in periodicals such as Vidya Vinodini, Saraswathi and Kerala Pathrika. Some of his works are compiled by Prof. K. Gopalakrishnan and published by Mathrubhumi under the title Kesari Nayanarude Krithikal.

Stories
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1891). "Vasanavikriti". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 2, no. 5.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1893). "Menokkiye Konnatharanu". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 4, no. 7.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1893). "Dwaraka". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 4, no. 9.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1900). "Ente Anubhavam". Vidya Vinodini.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (n.d.). "Madirashi Pithalattam". Saraswathi.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (n.d.). "Oru Pottabhagyam". Saraswathi.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (n.d.). "Paramartham". {{cite magazine}}: Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1908). "Kathayonnumalla". Mithavadi.
Essays on literature
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1891). "Akhyayika Allenkil Novel". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 2, no. 4.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1891). "Natakam". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 2, no. 9.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1892). "Swabhasha". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 3, no. 8.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1892). "Bhramam". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 3, no. 8.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1892). "Mahakavikalude Jeevakalam". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 3, no. 9.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1893). "Mahakavyam". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 3, no. 12.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1893). "Gadyakavyam". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 4, no. 1.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1893). "Pouranikakalathe Parishkarasthithi". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 4, no. 2.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (n.d.). "Novel". Vidya Vinodini.
Essays on culture
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1898). "Nammude Chila Pracheena Acharopacharangalum Sthanamanangalum Mattum Mattum". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 9, no. 11.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (n.d.). "Achara Parishkaram". Vidya Vinodini.
Essays on agriculture
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1894). "Krishi Parishkaram I". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 6, no. 1.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1894). "Krishi Parishkaram I". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 6, no. 2.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1898). "Krishisambandhamaya Chila Aithihyangal". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 9, no. 11.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1913). "Kerala Janmisabha". Bhashaposhini. Vol. 17, no. 9–10.
Miscellaneous
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1893). "Vaidyam". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 4, no. 6.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1893). "Marichalathe Sukham". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 4, no. 7.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1893). "Kapadavedanthikal". Kerala Pathrika.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1894). "Sheettukali". Vidya Vinodini. Vol. 5, no. 1.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1914). "Vidyarthikalum Mathrubhashayum" (PDF). Bhashaposhini.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1909). Introduction. In: Kottarathil Sankunni. Aithihyamala Part 1.
  • Vengayil Kunhiraman Nayanar (1914). Introduction. In: Kottarathil Sankunni. Aithihyamala Part 2.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ C, Ashokan Nambiar (30 November 2024). Print and the Novel in 19th Century Kerala: Reconsidering Colonial Modernity. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-93-5640-902-6.
  2. ↑ Datta, Amaresh (1988). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: Devraj to Jyoti. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-1194-0.
  3. ↑ Tarakan, Ke Eṃ (1990). A Brief Survey of Malayalam Literature: History of Literature. K.M. Tharakan.
  4. ↑ Congress, South Indian History (1994). Proceedings of the ... Annual Conference ... The Congress.
  5. ↑ Education, Kerala (India) Department of; Menon, A. Sreedhara (1962). Kerala District Gazetteers: Cannanore. Superintendent of Government Presses.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Narayanan, M. T. (2003). Agrarian Relations in Late Medieval Malabar. Northern Book Centre. ISBN 978-81-7211-135-9.
  7. ↑ Wigram, Herbert (1882). A Commentary on Malabar Law and Custom. Cookson and Company.
  8. ↑ Kurup, K. K. N. (1989). Agrarian Struggles in Kerala. CBH Publications. ISBN 978-81-85381-01-5.
  9. ↑ Kerala (India) (1962). Kerala District Gazetteers: Kozhikode (supplement). Superintendent of Government Presses.
  10. ↑ Sinhā, Madhubālā (2009). Encyclopaedia of South Indian Literature. Anmol Publications. ISBN 978-81-261-3740-4.
  11. ↑ "Chapter IV Genesis and Exodus of early newspapers (1847-1906)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 April 2023.
  12. ↑ Faleiro, Valmiki (24 July 2023). Goa, 1961: The Complete Story of Nationalism and Integration. Penguin Random House India Private Limited. ISBN 978-93-5708-175-7.
  13. ↑ Sandhu, A. J. S. (27 October 2025). Battleground Chhamb: The Indo-Pakistan War of 1971. BRILL. ISBN 978-90-04-75309-9.
  14. ↑ Indian Information. Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. 1965.
  15. ↑ Diu (India), Goa, Daman and (1962). Government Gazette. Boletim Oficial (in português do Brasil).{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  16. ↑ Indian Armed Forces Yearbook. Indian youth. 1962.
  17. ↑ Israel, Milton (14 April 1994). Communications and Power: Propaganda and the Press in the Indian National Struggle, 1920-1947. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-46763-6.
  18. ↑ The Indian Trade Journal. Department of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics. 1956.
  19. ↑ Assembly, India Legislature Legislative (1933). The Legislative Assembly Debates: (Official Report). Government of India Press.
  20. ↑ Mukherjee, Tapan K. (1998). Taraknath Das: Life and Letters of a Revolutionary in Exile. National Council of Education, Bengal, Jadavpur University. ISBN 978-81-86954-00-3.

External links[edit | edit source]

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vengayil_Kunhiraman_Nayanar&oldid=455775"
Discover more