Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

A bard of revolution, hope

Thiruvananthapuram: O.N.V. Kurup, the recipient of Jnanpith award for 2007, is one of the few poets in Malayalam to emerge from the turbulent times of the freedom struggle and revolutionary fervour of the 1940s and keep pace with the changing times, constantly rediscovering his poetic voice with the changing sensibilities. This he did without compromising his allegiance to the progressive romantic world view and always attempting a fruitful fusion of tradition and modernity.

Born in 1931 at Chavara, a coastal village in south Kerala, ONV burst into the Malayalam literary scene during what is often called the ‘pink decade' (1946-'56).

His poems of this period are marked by revolutionary fervour. But with the onset of the sixties, his poetry began to echo resonances of tragedy and disillusionment, but he still remained the spokesperson for the toiling millions. Soon, he moved on to much larger concerns about the very survival of the human species in the face of marauding human greed and the clamour for freedom everywhere. His later poetry have retained all these elements, but with the sweep of vision and stoic rhythm that comes with long experiences with different facets of life. Regardless of the phases through which it has travelled, ONV's has been poetry of hope and humanity, even if it is about the shade that a green shoot would offer in some far corner of the earth some day in the distant future.

A prolific writer and one of the finest lyricists in Malayalam, ONV's major works include ‘Daahikkunna Paanapaathram' (The Thirsty Chalice – 1956), ‘Mayilpeeli (Peacock Feather – 1964), ‘Agnishalabhangal' (Fire Moths – 1971), ‘Aksharam' (Alphabet – 1974), ‘Karutha Pakshiyude Paattu' (Song of a Black Bird – 1977), ‘Uppu' (Salt - 1980), ‘Bhoomikk Oru Charama Geetham' (A Dirge for the Earth – 1984) and ‘Ujjayini' (Ujjain – 1994).

He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1998, Kerala Sahithya Akademi Award for ‘Agnishalabhangal' in 1971, Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award for ‘Aksharam' in 1975 and the Vayalar Rama Varma Award for ‘Uppu' in 1982. As lyricist, he had won the National Award for Best Lyricist in 1989 and the State Award for the Best Lyricist over a dozen times.

Culture Minister M. A. Baby has described the Jnanpith Award for ONV as a recognition for Malayalam and Kerala and his fellow Jnanpith winner and celebrated Malayalam novelist M. T. Vasudevan Nair has described it a long-awaited recognition for the poetic genius of ONV.

‘A matter of pride'

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan has congratulated O.N.V. Kurup on winning the Jnanpith Award. Mr. Achuthanandan said the stature of Malayalam literature had been recognised once again. Mr. Kurup's achievement was a matter of pride for every Malayali.

He said Mr. Kurup was dear to Keralites not only as a poet but also as a person who had made significant contributions to the growth of progressive movements in the State.

Through his works, he touched the hearts of the common man.

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