Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai

Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai (1859–1936) was a Malayalam poet. His magnum opus is the epic poem Shreeyeshu Vijayam composed over a span of 15 years, and finished in the year 1926, which earned him the title of Mahakavi. He was the Editor of Vijnaana Rathnaakaram, one of the early literary magazines (started in 1913) in the Malayalam language. He also co-founded one of the earliest rubber trading companies in Kerala, called Meenachil Rubber Company.

He hailed from the Kattakayam family of Palai in Kottayam, Kingdom of Travancore.

Noted works

Poems

1. Shreeyaeshu vijayam - 1911-1926
2. Mar Thoma Charitham - 1908
3. Vanithaamani- 1915
4. Susannah - 1928
5. Matthoo Tharakan- 1924
6. Thiranjedukkappetta paathram - 1926
7. Aasannamarana chinthaa shathakam - 1895
8. Juse bhakthan - 1880

Plays

1. Yoodajeeveshwari - 1890
2. Villalvettam - 1894
3. Olivervijayam - 1897
4. Saaraavivaaham - 1902
5. Kalaavathi - 1903

Awards

1. Gold Medal from Pope Pius XI (1931)
2. Gold Medal of the All Kerala Catholic Congress

References

• Mar Augustine Kandathil: Statement on the Poem Shreeyeshu vijayam
• Kattakayam Cherian Mappillai
• Weblokam Article on Mahakavi
• Deepika News paper dated 24 February 2009 (Birth centenary)