K. Ayyappa Panicker
Encyclopedia
Dr. K. Ayyappa Paniker, sometimes spelt "Ayyappa Panicker" (September 12, 1930 – August 23, 2006) was an influential Malayalam poet, literary critic, and an academic and a scholar in modern and post-modern literary theories as well as ancient Indian aesthetics
and literary traditions. He was one of the pioneers of modernism in Malayalam poetry
, where his seminal works like Kurukshethram (1960), considered a turning point in Malayalam poetry , Ayyappapanikkarude Krithikal and Chintha and several essays were an important influence on the playwrights of his generation.
In an academic career which ran in consonance with his literary one, and spanned four decades, he taught in various colleges and universities before retiring as the Director, Institute of English, University of Kerala. He published over 25 works, translated several important work to Malayama, including Guru Granth Sahib
and a book in French; as a scholarly editor he produced numerous anthologies on Indian literature
, he was the chief editor of the Sahitya Akademi
’s Indian Literary Encyclopaedia . Another important work by him Indian Narratology, published by IGNCA, was the first of its kind to study various forms of the art of narration, in Indian literature
, starting with Vedic and oral literature to Buddhist and contemporary literature .
near Alappuzha
to E. Naryanan Namboodiri, a Namboodiri Brahmin
of Periyamana Illam, and M. Meenakshiamma. Fourth of the eight children, six of them girls, he grew up without any paternal affection, while his mother died when he was 12 years old, this early anguish and solitude deeply reflected in his poetry, which he started writing when he was in high school.
The Kavalam village, was also home to people like, K. M. Panikkar, historian and administrator, and playwright and poet, Kavalam Narayana Panicker
, his cousin . He published his first poem at the age of 16, published in the Mathrubhoomi Weekly. He did his Intermediate at Malabar Christian College
, Kozhikode
, and B.A.
Honours in English Literature from the University College
, Thiruvananthapuram
in 1951, thereafter he received his Master's degree from the University of Kerala.
Paniker took his doctorate from Indiana University
with a doctoral dissertation on the poetry of Robert Lowell
, supervised by Prof. Robert E. Gross, subsequently he did post-doctoral research in Yale
and Harvard University
(1981–82) .
as a lecturer of English in 1951, after working there for a year, he joined the Mahatma Gandhi College
, Thiruvananthapuram
. He started teaching at the University College
, in Thiruvananthapuram in 1952, and did so till 1965. At this point, he became a Professor at the Institute of English and Head of the department in University of Kerala (1965–74). In 1974, he became Reader in English, at the Institute of English under University of Kerala, a post he held till 1980, when became Dean of Faculty of Arts in the University of Kerala, he retired in 1990.
Through his long career he lectured in many national and international universities, including around 25 universities in US, where came across poets James Dickey
, John Hollander
, Czeslaw Milosz
and Allen Ginsberg
.
, Kerala Sahitya Akademi award for poetry and criticism, Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award
for poetry, 2005 Saraswati Samman
for his collection of writings Ayyappa Panikerude Krithikal, Distinguished Teacher award, Mahakavi Ulloor award for poetry, Kabir Samman, International man of the year (IBC, Cambridge, UK), Indira Gandhi memorial fellowship with lead to the book, Indian Narratology published by IGNCA, Gangadhar Meher National award for poetry, Asan prize and Jana Sanskriti award (Abu Dhabi), Vayalar award, and Vallathol award.
(Trivandrum) on 23 August 2006 at the age of 76, and was survived by his wife and two children , he was cremated the following day in his native village, Kavalam
in a plot he had set apart twelve years ago for the purpose, on the western side of his traditional family house, Olickal tharavad, which finds reference in several of his works, especially in his poem ‘Kavalam’ in the anthology Pathumanippookkal .
delivered the 'Ayyappa Paniker commemorative speech 2009 at Thiruvananthapuram .
Aesthetics
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of beauty, art, and taste, and with the creation and appreciation of beauty. It is more scientifically defined as the study of sensory or sensori-emotional values, sometimes called judgments of sentiment and taste...
and literary traditions. He was one of the pioneers of modernism in Malayalam poetry
Malayalam poetry
There are two types of meters used in Malayalam poetry, the classical Sanskrit based and Tamil based ones.- Sanskrit Meters :Sanskrit meters are primarily based on trisyllabic feet. The short sound is called a laghu, a long sound is called a guru. A guru is twice as long as a laghu...
, where his seminal works like Kurukshethram (1960), considered a turning point in Malayalam poetry , Ayyappapanikkarude Krithikal and Chintha and several essays were an important influence on the playwrights of his generation.
In an academic career which ran in consonance with his literary one, and spanned four decades, he taught in various colleges and universities before retiring as the Director, Institute of English, University of Kerala. He published over 25 works, translated several important work to Malayama, including Guru Granth Sahib
Guru Granth Sahib
Sri Guru Granth Sahib , or Adi Granth, is the religious text of Sikhism. It is the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It is a voluminous text of 1430 angs, compiled and composed during the period of Sikh gurus, from 1469 to 1708...
and a book in French; as a scholarly editor he produced numerous anthologies on Indian literature
Indian literature
Indian literature refers to the literature produced on the Indian subcontinent until 1947 and in the Republic of India thereafter. The Republic of India has 22 officially recognized languages....
, he was the chief editor of the Sahitya Akademi
Sahitya Akademi
The Sahitya Akademi ', India's National Academy of Letters, is an organisation dedicated to the promotion of literature in the languages of India...
’s Indian Literary Encyclopaedia . Another important work by him Indian Narratology, published by IGNCA, was the first of its kind to study various forms of the art of narration, in Indian literature
Indian literature
Indian literature refers to the literature produced on the Indian subcontinent until 1947 and in the Republic of India thereafter. The Republic of India has 22 officially recognized languages....
, starting with Vedic and oral literature to Buddhist and contemporary literature .
Early life and education
Paniker (his preferred spelling) was born in KavalamKavalam
Kavalam is a village in Kuttanad. This backwater village in Kerala state, India, is situated on the borders of Alapuzha and Kottayam Districts, on the banks of Vembanad Lake. The Pampa river flows through the village to merge into the famed Vembanad Lake. Its natural scenic beauty is legendary and...
near Alappuzha
Alappuzha
Alappuzha , also known as Alleppey, is a town in Alappuzha District of Kerala state of southern India. As per 2001 census Alleppey is the sixth largest city in Kerala with an urban population of 177,029. Alleppey is situated to the south of Kochi and north of Trivandrum...
to E. Naryanan Namboodiri, a Namboodiri Brahmin
Brahmin
Brahmin Brahman, Brahma and Brahmin.Brahman, Brahmin and Brahma have different meanings. Brahman refers to the Supreme Self...
of Periyamana Illam, and M. Meenakshiamma. Fourth of the eight children, six of them girls, he grew up without any paternal affection, while his mother died when he was 12 years old, this early anguish and solitude deeply reflected in his poetry, which he started writing when he was in high school.
The Kavalam village, was also home to people like, K. M. Panikkar, historian and administrator, and playwright and poet, Kavalam Narayana Panicker
Kavalam Narayana Panicker
Kavalam Narayana Panicker is an Indian dramatist, theatre director and poet. He has written over 26 Malayalam plays, many adapted from classical Sanskrit drama and Shakespeare, notably Madhyamavyayogam...
, his cousin . He published his first poem at the age of 16, published in the Mathrubhoomi Weekly. He did his Intermediate at Malabar Christian College
Malabar Christian College
The Malabar Christian College or MCC, Calicut is one of the oldest and renowned co-ed institutions in Calicut, Kerala, India. It was established in the year 1909 by Protestant Christian missionaries from Basel, Switzerland with the aim to impart education to the youth in Malabar region without...
, Kozhikode
Kozhikode
Kozhikode During Classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Kozhikkode was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom of the same name and later of the erstwhile Malabar District...
, and B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
Honours in English Literature from the University College
University College Trivandrum
His Highness Maharaja's University College, Trivandrum is a constituent college of the University of Kerala, based primarily in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the Indian state of Kerala.-Geography and Location:...
, Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
in 1951, thereafter he received his Master's degree from the University of Kerala.
Paniker took his doctorate from Indiana University
Indiana University
Indiana University is a multi-campus public university system in the state of Indiana, United States. Indiana University has a combined student body of more than 100,000 students, including approximately 42,000 students enrolled at the Indiana University Bloomington campus and approximately 37,000...
with a doctoral dissertation on the poetry of Robert Lowell
Robert Lowell
Robert Traill Spence Lowell IV was an American poet, considered the founder of the confessional poetry movement. He was appointed the sixth Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress where he served from 1947 until 1948...
, supervised by Prof. Robert E. Gross, subsequently he did post-doctoral research in Yale
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
and Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
(1981–82) .
Career
Paniker joined CMS College, KottayamKottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
as a lecturer of English in 1951, after working there for a year, he joined the Mahatma Gandhi College
Mahatma Gandhi College
Mahatma Gandhi College is situated in Thiruvananthapuram city in the state of Kerala, India. It owes its origin to Mannathu Padmanabhan, the founder of Nair Service Society...
, Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
. He started teaching at the University College
University College Trivandrum
His Highness Maharaja's University College, Trivandrum is a constituent college of the University of Kerala, based primarily in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of the Indian state of Kerala.-Geography and Location:...
, in Thiruvananthapuram in 1952, and did so till 1965. At this point, he became a Professor at the Institute of English and Head of the department in University of Kerala (1965–74). In 1974, he became Reader in English, at the Institute of English under University of Kerala, a post he held till 1980, when became Dean of Faculty of Arts in the University of Kerala, he retired in 1990.
Through his long career he lectured in many national and international universities, including around 25 universities in US, where came across poets James Dickey
James Dickey
James Lafayette Dickey was an American poet and novelist. He was appointed the eighteenth Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress in 1966.-Early years:...
, John Hollander
John Hollander
John Hollander is a Jewish-American poet and literary critic. As of 2007, he is Sterling Professor Emeritus of English at Yale University...
, Czeslaw Milosz
Czeslaw Milosz
Czesław Miłosz was a Polish poet, prose writer and translator of Lithuanian origin and subsequent American citizenship. His World War II-era sequence The World is a collection of 20 "naive" poems. He defected to the West in 1951, and his nonfiction book The Captive Mind is a classic of...
and Allen Ginsberg
Allen Ginsberg
Irwin Allen Ginsberg was an American poet and one of the leading figures of the Beat Generation in the 1950s. He vigorously opposed militarism, materialism and sexual repression...
.
Awards and recognition
Paniker was a recipient of a number of honours including the Padma ShriPadma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
, Kerala Sahitya Akademi award for poetry and criticism, Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award
Sahitya Akademi Award
Sahitya Akademi Award is a literary honor in India which Sahitya Akademi, India's National Academy of Letters, annually confers on writers of outstanding works in one of the following twenty-four major Indian languagesAssamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri,...
for poetry, 2005 Saraswati Samman
Saraswati Samman
The Saraswati Samman is an annual award for outstanding prose or poetry literary works in any Indian language listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution of India. It is named after an Indian goddess of learning and is considered to be among the highest literary awards in India.The award consists...
for his collection of writings Ayyappa Panikerude Krithikal, Distinguished Teacher award, Mahakavi Ulloor award for poetry, Kabir Samman, International man of the year (IBC, Cambridge, UK), Indira Gandhi memorial fellowship with lead to the book, Indian Narratology published by IGNCA, Gangadhar Meher National award for poetry, Asan prize and Jana Sanskriti award (Abu Dhabi), Vayalar award, and Vallathol award.
Personal life
He died in ThiruvananthapuramThiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
(Trivandrum) on 23 August 2006 at the age of 76, and was survived by his wife and two children , he was cremated the following day in his native village, Kavalam
Kavalam
Kavalam is a village in Kuttanad. This backwater village in Kerala state, India, is situated on the borders of Alapuzha and Kottayam Districts, on the banks of Vembanad Lake. The Pampa river flows through the village to merge into the famed Vembanad Lake. Its natural scenic beauty is legendary and...
in a plot he had set apart twelve years ago for the purpose, on the western side of his traditional family house, Olickal tharavad, which finds reference in several of his works, especially in his poem ‘Kavalam’ in the anthology Pathumanippookkal .
Legacy
Ayyapa Foundation was formed in 2006 in Thiruvananthapuram, to promote his work and Malayalam poetry. The January 2007 issue of journal Samyukta, was dedicated entirely to him, it contained 10 critical essays on him and his work, besides three collections of his verse in English translation, one of which, Poetry at Midnight published for the first time. It also contained a 36-page bibliography of his oeuvre . In September, 2009, Dr Sitakant MahapatraSitakant Mahapatra
Sitakant Mahapatra is a notable Indian poet and literary critic in Oriya as well as English. He has also been in the Indian Administrative Service since 1961 until retiring in 1995, and has since held ex-officio posts such as the Chairman of National Book Trust, New Delhi.He is the first Oriya to...
delivered the 'Ayyappa Paniker commemorative speech 2009 at Thiruvananthapuram .
Edited Anthologies
- Malayalam Short Stories: Anthology. Vikas Publishing. 1982. ISBN 0706912977.
- Modern Indian Poetry in English. Sahitya Akademi. 1989. ISBN 8172011237.
- Indian English literature since independence. Indian Association for English Studies, 1991. ISBN 8185218331.
- Narrating Colonialism by D. Maya. Prestige Books. 1997. ISBN 8175510293.
- Medieval Indian literature: An Anthology, Volume 1. Sahitya Akademi. 1997. ISBN 8126003650.
- Indian English Literature Since Independence. Stosius Inc/Advent Books Division. 1997. ISBN 8185218331.
- Medieval Indian Literature: An Anthology, Selections (Maithili-Punjabi) Volume 3. Sahitya Akademi, 1999. ISBN 8126007885.
Further reading
- Passage to America by Ayyappa Paniker
- Modern Malayalam Literature: Introduction by Ayyappa Paniker Modern Indian literature, an Anthology, Volume 2. Sahitya Akademi. 1992. ISBN 8172013248. p. 231.
- Commonwealth literature, themes and techniques: essays in honour of Prof. K. Ayyappa Paniker, ed. P. K. Ranjan. Ajanta Publications, 1993. ISBN 8120203836.