Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by StephenPaa
Last edited September 4, 2025
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
CleanupBot (talk | contribs)
Bots
17,809 edits
m clean up
mNo edit summary
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Indian historian, linguist and academic}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}


{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name       = Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai
| name               = Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai
| image       =Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai (south Indian historian) (cropped).jpg
| image             = Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai (south Indian historian) (cropped).jpg
| caption     = A portrait of Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai
| caption           = A portrait of Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai
| birth_name = P. N. Kunjan Pillai
| birth_name         = P. N. Kunjan Pillai
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1904|11|8}}
| birth_date         = {{birth date|df=yes|1904|11|8}}
| birth_place = [[Quilon]], [[Travancore]] ([[British India]])
| birth_place       = Elamkulam, [[Travancore]]
| occupation = Historian<br>Academic
| occupation         = Historian<br>Academic
| father            =  
| father            =  
| parents            =
| mother            =  
| mother            =  
| known_for   =  
| known_for         =  
| notable_works =
| notable_works     =  
| residence          =  
| death_date         = {{death date and age|df=yes|1973|3|4|1904|11|8}}
| death_date   = {{death date and age|df=yes|1973|3|4|1904|11|8}}
| death_place       = [[Trivandrum]], [[Kerala]]
| death_place = [[Trivandrum]], [[Kerala]]  
| alma_mater        = Annamalai University (Undergraduate Degree)
| alma_mater        = Annamalai University (Undergraduate Degree)
}}
}}
Line 22: Line 23:
'''Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai''' (8 November 1904 – 4 March 1973), known as '''Elamkulam''', was an Indian historian, linguist and academic from southern [[Kerala]], India.<ref>[http://www.kerala.gov.in/knowkerala/klm.htm Official Website of Kerala Government - Kollam] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426104247/http://kerala.gov.in/knowkerala/klm.htm|date=2009-04-26}}</ref> He was a pioneering scholar of southern Indian history, [[Kerala]] history, in particular. Although only holding academic degrees in [[Sanskrit]] and [[Malayalam]], and having no formal training as a historian, Elamkulam is considered one of the pioneers of modern Kerala historiography.<ref name=":02"/><ref name="thehindu.com2"/>
'''Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai''' (8 November 1904 – 4 March 1973), known as '''Elamkulam''', was an Indian historian, linguist and academic from southern [[Kerala]], India.<ref>[http://www.kerala.gov.in/knowkerala/klm.htm Official Website of Kerala Government - Kollam] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090426104247/http://kerala.gov.in/knowkerala/klm.htm|date=2009-04-26}}</ref> He was a pioneering scholar of southern Indian history, [[Kerala]] history, in particular. Although only holding academic degrees in [[Sanskrit]] and [[Malayalam]], and having no formal training as a historian, Elamkulam is considered one of the pioneers of modern Kerala historiography.<ref name=":02"/><ref name="thehindu.com2"/>


He was one of the major proponents of the unitary/imperial state model in medieval Kerala history.<ref name=":15" /> The Elamkulam model of a highly centralised "empire" (unitary/Imperial state model) in medieval Kerala is now considered not acceptable by south Indian historians. Majority of Elamkulam's works are written in Malayalam, with a few in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and English.<ref name=":15" />
He was one of the major proponents of the unitary/imperial state model in medieval Kerala history.<ref name=":15" /> The Elamkulam model of a highly centralised "empire" (unitary/Imperial state model) in medieval Kerala is now considered unacceptable by south Indian historians. Majority of Elamkulam's works are written in Malayalam, with a few in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and English.<ref name=":15" />


He was well versed in [[Kannada]], [[Tulu language|Tulu]] (largest nonliterary South Dravidian language) and [[Pali]] (language of the Theravada Buddhist canon) also.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralahistory.ac.in/ke_ga2.htm |title=Kerala State Gazetteer |access-date=27 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820010726/http://www.keralahistory.ac.in/ke_ga2.htm |archive-date=20 August 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was also considered as one of the top authorities in Vattezhuthu script and Old/Early Malayalam language.<ref name="thehindu.com2"/>
He was well versed in [[Kannada]], [[Tulu language|Tulu]] and [[Pali]] (language of the Theravada Buddhist canon) also.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralahistory.ac.in/ke_ga2.htm |title=Kerala State Gazetteer |access-date=27 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820010726/http://www.keralahistory.ac.in/ke_ga2.htm |archive-date=20 August 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> He was also considered one of the top authorities in Vattezhuthu script and Old/Early Malayalam language.<ref name="thehindu.com2"/>


Elamkulam associated himself for some time with [[Mortimer Wheeler]] in the excavation works at [[Harappa]], Chandravally, and [[Brahmagiri archaeological site|Brahmagiri]].<ref name=":02"/> He is also known for informally guiding [[M. G. S. Narayanan]], a research scholar in [[University of Kerala]] in early 1970s.<ref name="thehindu.com2">''A masterpiece in reprint''. [http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/a-masterpiece-in-reprint/article4916385.ece]. ''The Hindu'' 15 July 2013</ref><ref name="universityofcalicut.info">[http://www.universityofcalicut.info/frontier/backs/27profile.htm MGS Narayanan (Profile) University of Calicut] [https://web.archive.org/web/20181103062514/http://www.universityofcalicut.info/frontier/backs/27profile.htm]</ref>  
Elamkulam associated himself for some time with [[Mortimer Wheeler]] in the excavation works at [[Harappa]], Chandravally, and [[Brahmagiri archaeological site|Brahmagiri]].<ref name=":02"/> He is also known for informally guiding [[M. G. S. Narayanan]], a research scholar in [[University of Kerala]] in early 1970s.<ref name="universityofcalicut.info">[http://www.universityofcalicut.info/frontier/backs/27profile.htm MGS Narayanan (Profile) University of Calicut] [https://web.archive.org/web/20181103062514/http://www.universityofcalicut.info/frontier/backs/27profile.htm]</ref><ref name="thehindu.com2">''A masterpiece in reprint''. [http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/a-masterpiece-in-reprint/article4916385.ece]. ''The Hindu'' 15 July 2013</ref>


==Life and career==
==Life and career==
Born in Elamkulam village near [[Kalluvathukkal]] in [[Travancore]], Kunjan Pillai had his school education at [[Thiruvananthapuram|Trivandrum]] and [[Kollam|Quilon]]. After taking his honours degree in [[Sanskrit]] language from [[Annamalai University]], he started his career as a school teacher and later became lecturer in [[Malayalam]] at Government Arts College, Trivandrum. Elamkulam retired as the Head of the Department of Malayalam, [[University College, Trivandrum]].{{fact|date=November 2018}}
Born in Elamkulam village in [[Travancore]] to Krishna Kurup and Purackal Nanukutty  Amma on 8 November 1904.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kerala Council for Historical Research : Pages - Memorial-Lectures |url=https://www.kchr.ac.in/pages/15/Memorial-Lectures.html |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=www.kchr.ac.in}}</ref> His family is from present-day [[Thiruvananthapuram|Trivandrum]] and [[Kollam]] districts. Kunjan Pillai had his school education at [[Thiruvananthapuram|Trivandrum]] and [[Kollam|Quilon]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kerala Council for Historical Research : Pages - Memorial-Lectures |url=https://www.kchr.ac.in/pages/15/Memorial-Lectures.html |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=www.kchr.ac.in}}</ref>


Elamkulam published most his research findings only in his later years.<ref name=":02"/> He published more than 20 books, in Malayalam, including one in Tamil and two in English. Some of his theories regarding early Kerala history have been challenged by later researchers in the light of new evidence.<ref>{{cite book |last=Menon |first= A. Sreedhara|title=Elamkulam Pillai|year=2001|publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]]|isbn=81-260-1080-0 |id={{ISBN|9788126010806}}}}</ref><ref>''Elamkulavum Kerala Charithravum'', T.H.P. Chentharassery, Prabhath Book House, Trivandrum</ref><ref>''Elamkulam Smaranika'' (2003), Elamkulam Pillai Smaraka Trust, Kalluvathukkal</ref><ref>''Grandhalokam'' Monthly (February 2005), Kerala State Library Council, Trivandrum</ref>
After taking his honours degree in [[Sanskrit]] language from [[Annamalai University]], [[Madras]]. His studies at Madras had a great influence on his life. His views on Kerala's history changed after he returned back from Tamil Nadu.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kerala Council for Historical Research : Pages - Memorial-Lectures |url=https://www.kchr.ac.in/pages/15/Memorial-Lectures.html |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=www.kchr.ac.in}}</ref>  


Pillai died on 4 March 1973. Kanjiracode Valiaveettil Bhargavi Amma was his wife. The couple had five children.{{fact|date=November 2018}}
He started his career as a school teacher and later became lecturer in [[Malayalam]] at Government Arts College, Trivandrum. Elamkulam retired as the Head of the Department of Malayalam, [[University College, Trivandrum]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kerala Council for Historical Research : Pages - Memorial-Lectures |url=https://www.kchr.ac.in/pages/15/Memorial-Lectures.html |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=www.kchr.ac.in}}</ref>
 
Elamkulam published most his research findings only in his later years.<ref name=":02"/> He published more than 20 books, in Malayalam, including one in Tamil and two in English. Some of his theories regarding early Kerala history have been challenged by later researchers in the light of new evidence.<ref>{{cite book |last=Menon |first= A. Sreedhara|title=Elamkulam Pillai|year=2001|publisher=[[Sahitya Akademi]]|isbn=81-260-1080-0 }}</ref><ref>''Elamkulavum Kerala Charithravum'', T.H.P. Chentharassery, Prabhath Book House, Trivandrum</ref><ref>''Elamkulam Smaranika'' (2003), Elamkulam Pillai Smaraka Trust, Kalluvathukkal</ref><ref>''Grandhalokam'' Monthly (February 2005), Kerala State Library Council, Trivandrum</ref>
 
Pillai died on 4 March 1973. Kanjiracode Valiaveettil Bhargavi Amma was his wife. The couple had five children.{{citation needed|date=November 2018}}


== Unitary/Imperial state model ==
== Unitary/Imperial state model ==
Elamkulam had studied comprehensively Old/Early Malayalam - Vatteluttu inscriptions from the ninth century CE, and with the help of literary texts, claimed they belonged to a single line of kings ("the Kulasekharas") that ruled Kerala from [[Kodungalloor|Kodungallur]]. He had challenged the very foundations of the then existing [[William Logan (author)|William Logan]]-K. P. Padmanabha Menon construction of Kerala history.<ref name="thehindu.com2"/> He proposed a unitary or imperial state model, emphasising centralised administration, for the Kulasekhara kingdom.<ref name=":2">Noburu Karashmia (ed.), ''A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations.'' New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2014</ref>  
Elamkulam had studied comprehensively Old/Early Malayalam - Vatteluttu inscriptions from the ninth century CE, and with the help of literary texts, claimed they belonged to a single line of kings ("the Kulasekharas") that ruled Kerala from [[Kodungalloor|Kodungallur]]. He had challenged the very foundations of the then existing [[William Logan (author)|William Logan]]-K. P. Padmanabha Menon construction of Kerala history.<ref name="thehindu.com2"/> He proposed a unitary or imperial state model, emphasising centralised administration, for the Kulasekhara kingdom.<ref name=":2">Noburu Karashmia (ed.), ''A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations.'' New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2014</ref>


The Elamkulam version of historiography had believed that this "Second Chera Empire", or "Kulasekhara Empire" was a highly centralised kingdom. However, critical research in the late 1960s and early 1970s by offered a major corrective to this. Recently (2002), suggestions pointing to the other extreme, that the king at Kodungallur had only a "ritual sovereignty" and the actual political power rested with "a bold and visible Brahmin oligarchy" has emerged.<ref name=":15" />
The Elamkulam version of historiography had believed that this "Second Chera Empire", or "Kulasekhara Empire" was a highly centralised kingdom. However, critical research in the late 1960s and early 1970s by offered a major corrective to this. Recently (2002), suggestions pointing to the other extreme, that the king at Kodungallur had only a "ritual sovereignty" and the actual political power rested with "a bold and visible Brahmin oligarchy" has emerged.<ref name=":15" />
Line 83: Line 88:
[[Category:Malayalam-language writers]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language writers]]
[[Category:Writers from Kollam]]
[[Category:Writers from Kollam]]
[[Category:University College Thiruvananthapuram faculty]]
[[Category:Academic staff of the University College Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Annamalai University alumni]]
[[Category:Annamalai University alumni]]
[[Category:Historians of India]]
[[Category:Historians of India]]
Line 90: Line 95:
[[Category:20th-century Indian essayists]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian essayists]]
[[Category:Historians of Kerala]]
[[Category:Historians of Kerala]]
[[Category:Harappa]]

Latest revision as of 00:33, 4 September 2025


Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai
A portrait of Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai
Born
P. N. Kunjan Pillai

(1904-11-08)8 November 1904
Elamkulam, Travancore
Died4 March 1973(1973-03-04) (aged 68)
Trivandrum, Kerala
Alma materAnnamalai University (Undergraduate Degree)
OccupationHistorian
Academic

Elamkulam P. N. Kunjan Pillai (8 November 1904 – 4 March 1973), known as Elamkulam, was an Indian historian, linguist and academic from southern Kerala, India.[1] He was a pioneering scholar of southern Indian history, Kerala history, in particular. Although only holding academic degrees in Sanskrit and Malayalam, and having no formal training as a historian, Elamkulam is considered one of the pioneers of modern Kerala historiography.[2][3]

He was one of the major proponents of the unitary/imperial state model in medieval Kerala history.[4] The Elamkulam model of a highly centralised "empire" (unitary/Imperial state model) in medieval Kerala is now considered unacceptable by south Indian historians. Majority of Elamkulam's works are written in Malayalam, with a few in Tamil and English.[4]

He was well versed in Kannada, Tulu and Pali (language of the Theravada Buddhist canon) also.[2] He was also considered one of the top authorities in Vattezhuthu script and Old/Early Malayalam language.[3]

Elamkulam associated himself for some time with Mortimer Wheeler in the excavation works at Harappa, Chandravally, and Brahmagiri.[2] He is also known for informally guiding M. G. S. Narayanan, a research scholar in University of Kerala in early 1970s.[5][3]

Life and career[edit | edit source]

Born in Elamkulam village in Travancore to Krishna Kurup and Purackal Nanukutty  Amma on 8 November 1904.[6] His family is from present-day Trivandrum and Kollam districts. Kunjan Pillai had his school education at Trivandrum and Quilon.[7]

After taking his honours degree in Sanskrit language from Annamalai University, Madras. His studies at Madras had a great influence on his life. His views on Kerala's history changed after he returned back from Tamil Nadu.[8]

He started his career as a school teacher and later became lecturer in Malayalam at Government Arts College, Trivandrum. Elamkulam retired as the Head of the Department of Malayalam, University College, Trivandrum.[9]

Elamkulam published most his research findings only in his later years.[2] He published more than 20 books, in Malayalam, including one in Tamil and two in English. Some of his theories regarding early Kerala history have been challenged by later researchers in the light of new evidence.[10][11][12][13]

Pillai died on 4 March 1973. Kanjiracode Valiaveettil Bhargavi Amma was his wife. The couple had five children.[citation needed]

Unitary/Imperial state model[edit | edit source]

Elamkulam had studied comprehensively Old/Early Malayalam - Vatteluttu inscriptions from the ninth century CE, and with the help of literary texts, claimed they belonged to a single line of kings ("the Kulasekharas") that ruled Kerala from Kodungallur. He had challenged the very foundations of the then existing William Logan-K. P. Padmanabha Menon construction of Kerala history.[3] He proposed a unitary or imperial state model, emphasising centralised administration, for the Kulasekhara kingdom.[14]

The Elamkulam version of historiography had believed that this "Second Chera Empire", or "Kulasekhara Empire" was a highly centralised kingdom. However, critical research in the late 1960s and early 1970s by offered a major corrective to this. Recently (2002), suggestions pointing to the other extreme, that the king at Kodungallur had only a "ritual sovereignty" and the actual political power rested with "a bold and visible Brahmin oligarchy" has emerged.[4]

The nature of the Kodungallur Chera/Kulasekhara state is an ongoing academic debate. While the Elamkulam model of a highly centralised "empire" is considered not acceptable by south Indian historians, the third model (2002) is yet to be endorsed by them.[4]

Selected works[edit | edit source]

In Malayalam[edit | edit source]

  • Unnuneeli Sandesam
  • Koka Sandesam
  • Leelathlakam
  • Chandrolsavam
  • Unnuneeli Sandesam Charithradrishtiyilkoodi
  • Nalachritham Attakkatha
  • Gandhidevan
  • Keralabhashayude Vikasaparinamangal
  • Bhashayum Sahityavum Noottandukalil
  • Sahityamalika
  • 108 Shivalaya Sothram
  • Sahityacharithrasamgraham
  • Keralacharithrathile Iruldanja Edukal
  • Annathe Keralam
  • Chila Kerala Charithra Prasnangal (Part I, II, & III)
  • Janmi samprdayam Keralathil
  • Keralam Anchum Arum Noottandukalil
  • Cherasamrajyam Ompathum Pathum Noottandukalil
  • Samskarathinte Nazhikakkallukal

In English[edit | edit source]

  • Studies in Kerala History
  • Some Problems in Kerala History

In Tamil[edit | edit source]

  • Pandai Keralam

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Official Website of Kerala Government - Kollam Archived 2009-04-26 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Kerala State Gazetteer". Archived from the original on 20 August 2007. Retrieved 27 April 2009.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 A masterpiece in reprint. [1]. The Hindu 15 July 2013
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Veluthat, Kesavan (1 June 2018). "History and historiography in constituting a region: The case of Kerala". Studies in People's History. 5 (1): 13–31. doi:10.1177/2348448918759852. ISSN 2348-4489.
  5. ↑ MGS Narayanan (Profile) University of Calicut [2]
  6. ↑ "Kerala Council for Historical Research : Pages - Memorial-Lectures". www.kchr.ac.in. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  7. ↑ "Kerala Council for Historical Research : Pages - Memorial-Lectures". www.kchr.ac.in. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  8. ↑ "Kerala Council for Historical Research : Pages - Memorial-Lectures". www.kchr.ac.in. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  9. ↑ "Kerala Council for Historical Research : Pages - Memorial-Lectures". www.kchr.ac.in. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  10. ↑ Menon, A. Sreedhara (2001). Elamkulam Pillai. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 81-260-1080-0.
  11. ↑ Elamkulavum Kerala Charithravum, T.H.P. Chentharassery, Prabhath Book House, Trivandrum
  12. ↑ Elamkulam Smaranika (2003), Elamkulam Pillai Smaraka Trust, Kalluvathukkal
  13. ↑ Grandhalokam Monthly (February 2005), Kerala State Library Council, Trivandrum
  14. ↑ Noburu Karashmia (ed.), A Concise History of South India: Issues and Interpretations. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2014
Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elamkulam_Kunjan_Pillai&oldid=462583"
Discover more