Malayalam Literature
Art & Culture › Language & Literature · Topic 9.9
Malayalam literature is the writing in Malayalam, a Dravidian language of Kerala and Lakshadweep, recognised as a classical language in 2013. Its early works include the Ramacharitam and the Pattu songs, followed by the Manipravalam poems mixing Malayalam and Sanskrit. Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, called the father of the Malayalam language, wrote the Adhyatma Ramayanam Kilippattu. Modern landmarks are Chandu Menon's Indulekha (1889), the poets Kumaran Asan, Vallathol and Ulloor, and Jnanpith winners such as G. Sankara Kurup, Thakazhi and M. T. Vasudevan Nair.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Art & Culture · Language & Literature
At a Glance
- Also called Malayalam, Malayala bhasha
- Language family Dravidian
- Classical status 2013
- Father of the language Ezhuthachan
- First novel Indulekha, 1889, Chandu Menon
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Art and Culture: Language & Literature
Where Does It Fit?
This topic follows Telugu. Malayalam is the third Dravidian classical language in the sequence and was recognised in 2013, after Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. Previous topic: Telugu Literature. Next topic: Kannada Literature.
How Did Malayalam Literature Develop in Stages?
| Stage | Features and key works |
|---|---|
| Pattu tradition | Early folk-style songs in Dravidian metre, such as Ramacharitam of Cheeraman (12th or 13th century) |
| Manipravalam | Mixed Malayalam and Sanskrit; Leelatilakam (14th century) is its grammar; Unnuneeli Sandesam and Champus belong here |
| Niranam poets | Kannassa Ramayanam and works of the Kannassa poets, 14th and 15th century |
| Bhakti period | Ezhuthachan (16th century) with the Kilippattu form; Poonthanam wrote Jnanappana; Cherusseri wrote Krishnagatha |
| Sanskrit and temple arts | Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri wrote the Narayaneeyam on Guruvayurappan; Kathakali plays by Kottarakkara Thampuran and Unnayi Warrier |
| Folk satire | Kunchan Nambiar created Ottamthullal, a satirical performance (18th century) |
| Modern period | Prose, novel, short story and free verse from the late 19th century |
Who Are the Major Modern Writers and Jnanpith Winners?
| Writer | Work or role | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Chandu Menon | Indulekha (1889) | First major Malayalam novel |
| Kumaran Asan | Veena Poovu, Nalini, Leela, Karuna, Chandala Bhikshuki | Poet and social reformer; follower of Sree Narayana Guru |
| Vallathol Narayana Menon | Chitrayogam, Magdalana Mariyam | Founded Kerala Kalamandalam in 1930 |
| Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer | Umakeralam | With Asan and Vallathol, the Kavitraya of modern Malayalam |
| G. Sankara Kurup | Odakkuzhal | First Jnanpith award winner in India, 1965 |
| Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai | Chemmeen, Randidangazhi | Jnanpith 1984 |
| S. K. Pottekkatt | Oru Desathinte Katha | Jnanpith 1980 |
| M. T. Vasudevan Nair | Naalukettu, Randamoozham | Jnanpith 1995 |
| O. N. V. Kurup | Poet and lyricist | Jnanpith 2007 |
| Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri | Poet | Jnanpith 2019 |
| Vaikom Muhammad Basheer | Balyakalasakhi, Pathummayude Aadu | Short stories in everyday speech |
What Else Should You Remember?
- Alternate names: Malayalam is also written Malayala or Malayalam bhasha, and the earliest stage is called Old Malayalam
- Script: Malayalam script derives from the Vattezhuthu and Grantha scripts, and Ezhuthachan is credited with giving the alphabet its modern order
- First Jnanpith: G. Sankara Kurup won the first Jnanpith award in 1965 for Odakkuzhal, the bamboo flute
- Jnanpith count: Malayalam has six Jnanpith winners: Kurup, Pottekkatt, Thakazhi, Vasudevan Nair, Kurup (O. N. V.) and Akkitham, as of the latest verified list
- Ezhuthachan: He wrote the Adhyatma Ramayanam and Mahabharatam in the kilippattu style, in which a parrot narrates the story
- Narayaneeyam: Narayana Bhattathiri composed it in 1586 at Guruvayur, with about 1,036 verses in Sanskrit
- Kathakali: Attakatha libretti, such as Nalacharitham by Unnayi Warrier, link Malayalam literature with the performing arts
- Social reform: Sree Narayana Guru, Chattampi Swamikal and Kumaran Asan connected literature with the reform movements of Kerala
- Print and press: The printing of Malayalam began in the early 19th century, and missionary Benjamin Bailey cast Malayalam types at Kottayam
- Dictionary: Hermann Gundert compiled the first Malayalam dictionary in 1872 and also a grammar
- Literacy: Kerala has very high literacy, and public libraries began with the Library Movement led by P. N. Panicker
- English link: Arundhati Roy of Kerala took the 1997 Booker Prize for The God of Small Things, written in English
- Cherusseri: His Krishnagatha, a long narrative on Krishna in pure Malayalam, belongs to the 15th century court of Kolathunadu in north Kerala
- Unnayi Warrier: He wrote Nalacharitham attakatha, which is a standard Kathakali play, and its poetry is admired for its sound and rhythm
- Classical status: Malayalam was recognised in 2013, and the Malayalam Language Department and universities carry out studies
- Heritage links: Old texts in National Mission on Manuscripts
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Poet and work: Ezhuthachan, Cherusseri, Kunchan Nambiar, Asan
- Firsts: First novel Indulekha, first Jnanpith Sankara Kurup
- Forms: Pattu, Manipravalam, Kilippattu
- Winners: Thakazhi, Vasudevan Nair and others
- Common errors: confusing Vallathol, Asan and Ulloor or placing Narayaneeyam in Malayalam
As an analytical point, Malayalam literature shows the unusual closeness of literature, reform movements and performing arts in Kerala. Its high literacy has given writers a wide readership, and the classical status adds support for old manuscripts and research.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Factual Poets and winners
- Reform link Asan and Narayana Guru
- Arts link Kathakali and Kutiyattam
What Came Next?
Next comes Kannada, which was recognised with Telugu in 2008. Next topic: Kannada Literature.
Key People and Terms
- Pattu Song tradition
- Manipravalam Mixed language style
- Kilippattu Parrot song form
- Attakatha Kathakali libretto
- Ottamthullal Satirical performance
- Kavitraya Trinity of poets
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Father of Malayalam: Ezhuthachan.
- First novel: Indulekha, 1889.
- First Jnanpith: G. Sankara Kurup, 1965.
- Modern trinity: Asan, Vallathol, Ulloor.
- Classical status: 2013.
Do Not Confuse With
- Ezhuthachan and Cherusseri Ramayanam poet versus Krishnagatha poet
- Narayaneeyam and Adhyatma Ramayanam Sanskrit hymn work versus Malayalam retelling
- Asan and Vallathol Reformist poet versus Kalamandalam founder
Memory Hook
Ezhuthachan began, Asan reformed, Basheer told it plainly.
Mains Angle
Questions link literature with reform and arts. These points give a frame.
- Social reform Writers and Kerala awakening
- Performing arts Libretti and Kathakali
- Language policy Classical status and schools
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the role of Malayalam literature in the social reform movements of Kerala.”
How to Answer
- Context Caste and reform.
- Writers Asan, Narayana Guru circle.
- Impact Education and awareness.
- Way Preserve and use widely.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Malayalam literature?
Malayalam literature is the writing in the Dravidian language Malayalam, from early Pattu songs and Manipravalam poems to the Bhakti works of Ezhuthachan and modern novels and poetry. It is known for its links with Kerala reform movements and for six Jnanpith award winners.
Who is called the father of the Malayalam language?
Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, a 16th century poet, is called the father of the Malayalam language. His Adhyatma Ramayanam and Mahabharatam in the Kilippattu style made Malayalam a literary language of devotion, and he is credited with arranging the modern alphabet.
Which language family does Malayalam belong to?
Malayalam belongs to the Dravidian language family, in the southern group closely related to Tamil, from which it separated over many centuries. It is the main language of Kerala and Lakshadweep, and it has absorbed many Sanskrit words, especially through the Manipravalam style.
What is the classical language status of Malayalam?
Malayalam was declared a classical language by the Government of India in 2013, after Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu and Kannada. Benefits include international awards, a Centre of Excellence and university chairs. The total stands at eleven classical languages as of November 2026.
Why is Malayalam literature important for UPSC?
Prelims asks about Ezhuthachan, Indulekha, Kumaran Asan, the Jnanpith winners and the Kerala arts that draw on literature, such as Kathakali. Mains uses it for social reform, regional identity, and policies for classical language support, so it fits culture and society topics.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 Indulekha, an early Malayalam novel, was written by Chandu Menon.
Published in 1889.
2 G. Sankara Kurup won the first Jnanpith award.
In 1965.
3 Ezhuthachan wrote in the Manipravalam style entirely.
He used Kilippattu.
4 Malayalam was recognised as a classical language in 2008.
It was 2013.
Related Topics
Browse the full Art & Culture index