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Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon

ヴァイロッピッリ・スリーダラ・メノン

Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon

Pen Names: Vyloppilli（Pen name used for publication of poems）, Sree（Short pen name used in early literary career）

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1911-05-11 （Kaloor, Kingdom of Cochin）
Died
1985-12-22 age 74
Nationality
Indian
Languages
Malayalam
Residence History
Kaloor (birthplace) → Ernakulam / Kochi → Ollur (worked and retired) → Thiruvananthapuram (site of cultural complex named after him)

Career

Occupations
poet, writer, teacher, headmaster
Active Years
1931-1985
Affiliations
Kerala Sahitya Akademi, Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society, Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad, Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham
Memberships
Kerala Sahitya Akademi (organising committee member), Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society (board member), Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad (editorial role), Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham (founding president)

Education

Government Primary School, Kaloor
Period: 初等教育（年不明）
Country: India
Received early education locally with a traditional teacher (Asan) and at the primary school
St. Albert's High School, Ernakulam
Period: 〜1927
Year of Graduation: 1927
Country: India
Completed high school education
Maharaja's College, Ernakulam
Science faculty
Degree: B.Sc.（理学士）
Country: India
Reportedly graduated in Science; exact year unknown
Saidapet Training College (Madras)
Degree: BT（教員資格）
Country: India
Completed teacher training (BT) to enter government service

Awards

Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry
1964
Work: Kaipavallari
Organization: Kerala Sahitya Akademi
Result: 受賞
Soviet Land Nehru Award
1964
Organization: Soviet Land
Result: 受賞
Odakkuzhal Award
1971
Work: Vida
Organization: Odakkuzhal Award
Result: 受賞
Sahitya Akademi Award
1971
Work: Vida
Organization: Sahitya Akademi
Result: 受賞
Vayalar Award
1981
Work: Makarakoythu
Organization: Vayalar Award
Result: 受賞
Madras State Government Award
Organization: Madras State Government
Result: 受賞
Kalyani Krishna Menon Prize
Result: 受賞
M. P. Paul Prize
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Kannikkoythu

1947 Poetry

Early poetry collection signaling a break from the prevailing romantic tradition and marking the emergence of a new poetic voice.

coming of agenaturerural life

Kudiyozhikkal

1952 Long poem / Epic poem

A long poem exploring the psychological and social dynamics between a middle-class landowner and his tenant; often regarded as his masterpiece.

classself-examinationsocial change
Translations
  • English translation included in Selected Poems of Valoppilli Sreedhara Menon (translated by P. K. N. Panicker)

Mambazham

Poem

One of his notable poems, known for themes of motherhood and nostalgia for what is lost.

nostalgiafamilyloss

Kaipavallari

Poetry

A poetry collection that includes pieces for which he received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1964.

social observationpersonal conflict

Vida

Poetry

A poetry collection that won the Odakkuzhal Award and the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1971.

existencehumanity

Makarakoythu

Poetry

A poetry collection that was awarded the Vayalar Award in 1981.

seasonspassage of time

Kanneerpadam

Poem

A poem reported to be autobiographical, written after his separation from his wife.

losspersonal anguish

Bibliography

  • Kannikkoythu
  • Kudiyozhikkal
  • Mambazham
  • Makarakoythu
  • Kaipavallari
  • Vida
  • Kanneerpadam
  • Sreerekha
  • Onappatukar
  • Kuruvikal
  • Minnaminni
  • Pachakkuthira
  • Mukulamala
  • Krishnamrigangal
  • Yugaparivarthanam
  • Kavyaloka Smaranakal (autobiography / memoir)

Adaptations

  • Sahyante Makan (film based on his poem 'Sahyante Makan')
  • Krishnashtami: the book of dry leaves (film based on the poem 'Krishnashtami')
  • Vajram (song based on 'Madathakkili' used in the film)

Translations of Works

  • Selected Poems of Valoppilli Sreedhara Menon (English translations including work by P. K. N. Panicker)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
lyrical yet analyticalpsychologically insightfulscientific outlook on social and historical contexts
Recurring Motifs
relations between landowners and tenantsseasons and naturenostalgia and familysocial change and class consciousness

Health

  • brain haemorrhage
    1985-12
    Died in December 1985 due to a brain haemorrhage

Legacy

Considered one of the major voices marking the transition to modern Malayalam poetry. His works such as Kudiyozhikkal display psychological and social insight; he received multiple major awards. A memorial poetry award and a cultural complex (Vailoppilly Samskrithi Bhavan) preserve his legacy.

Museums

  • Vailoppilly Samskrithi Bhavan Nanthancode, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
  • Vailoppilli Sreedhara Menon Memorial Government Vocational Higher Secondary School Ollur, near Thrissur, Kerala, India

Academic Societies

  • Kerala Sahitya Akademi
  • Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad

Archives

  • Vailoppilly Samskrithi Bhavan (holds personal belongings and exhibits)
  • Holdings of the Vailoppilli Memorial Committee

In Popular Culture

  • 1982 film 'Sahyante Makan' based on his poem 'Sahyante Makan'
  • 'Madathakkili' used as a song in the film 'Vajram' (2004)
  • Film adaptation of the poem 'Krishnashtami' (production reported in the 2020s)

Quotes

  • The poem is a ruthless self-examination of a middle class land owner who realises that the future belongs not to himself but to his poor tenant whom he despises at heart.
    Source: M. Leelavathy (criticism)

Trivia

  • Pen names included 'Vyloppilli' and early-career 'Sree'.
  • Worked as a teacher in over 20 schools across Kerala and retired in 1966 as headmaster.
  • Major works include Kudiyozhikkal, Kannikkoythu and Mambazham.
  • The Vyloppilli Poetry Award was instituted in his honour.
  • Personal belongings are held at the museum block of Vailoppilly Samskrithi Bhavan.
  • His wife Bhanumathi Amma died on 26 June 2018.
  • He had two sons: Sreekumar (an Ayurvedic physician) and Vijayakumar (a homoeopathic doctor).