Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan

Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan Biography

Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan was a popular poet of Malayalam literature. He was born in Kadammanitta province of Pathanamthitta district and hence popularly known as Kadammanitta. M. R. Ramakrishna Panikkar is his real name. There is a deep influence of Patayani songs in his literary works and those ‘Patayani’ experiences have been accumulated from childhood experiences of Kadammanitta. He is one of the well known rebellious voices in modern Malayalam literature and his poetic works are widely appreciated for its force, energy and folk touch. He owns a unique style of reciting poems, placing him along with his contemporary poet, Madhusudanan Nair. He recites his poems at different stage functions held in Kerala.  He has received Kerala Sahithya Academy award in the year 1982.

Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan was born on 22 March 1935 as the son of Meletharayil Raman Nair and Kuttiyamma. He completed his school studies from his home town. After his degree studies, he went to Kolkata, and then reached Chennai. He worked in capital city from 1967 till his retirement in 1992. Ramakrishna’s first poem was published in the year 1965. It was titled, Jnan. His first book was published by ‘Kerala Kavitha Granthavari’ in 1976. After that he published about 75 books. His place among the contemporary poets of 20^th century of Malayalam literature including O. N. V. Kurup, Ayyappan, Kunjunni Master, Kavalam Narayana Panicker and Madhusudanan Nair. He has also worked as the editor of poetry journal ‘Kerala Kavitha’.  He has also worked for Communist party and in 1996 he was elected to KLA from Aranmula constituency.

His popular works are Kurathi, Vellivelicham, Kuppayilundoru Maanikyam, Sooryasila, Kunje Mulappaal Kudikkaruth, Ee Poochayaanente Dukham, Sooryasila, Mazha Peyyunnu Maddhalam Kottunnu, Kadinjool Pottan, Misrathalam and Vellivelicham. In 1982, he received Kerala Sahitya academy award and Asan prize for his collection of poems - Kadammanittayude Kavithakal. He has also received Abudhabi Malayalam Samajam Award, New York Malayalam International Foundation Award and Muscat Kerala Samskarika Kendram Award. Ramakrishnan died on 31 March 2008; he was suffering from Leukemia.

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Updated: October 17, 2013