Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai

Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai Biography

Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai was a Mahakavi (Great poet) of Malayalam literature. His magnum opus is the epic poem Shreeyeshu Vijayam composed over a span of 15 years.  This Mahakavyam was finished in the year 1926, which helped him to earn the title of Mahakavi. He was the Editor of Vijnaana Rathnaakaram, one of the earliest magazines of Malayalam started in the year 1913. He was also a successful businessman who co-founded Meenachil Rubber Company, one of the earliest rubber trading companies in Kerala. He belonged to Palai of Kottayam, belonging to Kingdom of Travancore that time. He has received Gold Medal from Pope Pius XI (1931) and All Kerala Catholic Congress. He was a true believer of Christianity. After paremekkal thoma kathanar, he was one of the earliest writers from Christian community in Kerala.

His early poems were published in a journal called Satyananda Kahalam. He has written a few plays based on Christian stories as well. Plays on the temptation of Christ on the story of Oliver, Charlemagne and St. Thomas, the Apostle belong to this category.  Among all, Yesu Vijayam (Triumph of Jesus) is regarded as classic. His popular plays are Yoodajeeveshwari – 1890, Villalvettam – 1894, Olivervijayam – 1897, Saaraavivaaham – 1902 and Kalaavathi – 1903.

His published poems are - Shreeyaeshu vijayam - 1911-1926, Mar Thoma Charitham – 1908, Vanithaamani- 1915, Susannah – 1928, Matthoo Tharakan- 1924, Thiranjedukkappetta paathram – 1926, Juse bhakthan – 1880 and Alexander Reni -1886. Shreeyaeshu vijayam is perhaps the first Mahakavyam in Malayalam based on the story of Jesus Christ. He started writing this epic in the year 1911 and took long 15 years to complete it in 1926. It narrates the complete Bible from the Genesis to the New Testament, and the history of early Christianity up to the reign of the Emperor Constantine the Great.  His other works are Aasannamarana chinthaa shathakam, Matthoo Tharakan and Vanithamani.

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Updated: October 25, 2013