M. R. Bhattathiripad

Mullamangalath Raman Bhattathiripad (1908–2001), commonly known as M. R. Bhattathiripad or MRB, was a social reformer, cultural leader and a Malayalam writer.^[1]

Biography[]

He was born in 1908 into a Nambudiri family of Kerala with limited resources due to which he got only nominal education. He joined Yogakshema Sabha and worked with V. T. Bhattathiripad and his brother Premji, who was famous in his own way. He was also an active member of Purogamana Sahitya Prasthanam. When widow marriage was considered a taboo in Nambuthiri community, he married Uma Antharjanam, younger sister of VT's wife Sreedevi Antharjanam, on 13 September 1934.^[2] This was the first known widow marriage in the Kerala Nambuthiri community.^[3][4] The ceremony, though boycotted by orthodox Nambudiris, was attended by notable social reformers like Arya Pallam and M. C. Joseph. MRB's younger brother Premji later followed his brother in 1943 by marrying a 27-year old widow named Arya Antharjanam.

When Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi started its flagship publication, Keli in 1963, MRB was the first editor.

He died on 8 October 2001, aged 93. He is survived by his three daughters. His wife predeceased him in 1996. His brother Premji also predeceased him.

Works[]

MRB wrote 14 books.^[3]

• Ente Omana – Play – 1927
• Marakkudakkullile Maha Narakam – Play – 1927
• Mazhavillu – Short stories – 1931
• Valkannadi – Novel – 1931
• Mukhachayakal – Travalogue – 1954
• Mula pottiya vithukal – Travalogue – 1956
• Kinavil oru yathra – Travalogue – 1962
• Kavisaparya – Travalogue – 1962
• Thamarayithalukal – Travalogue – 1967
• Ilakal Poovukal – Travalogue – 1969
• Valapottukal – Poetic memoirs – 1968
• Suvarnachaayakal

Awards and recognitions[]

He was a recipient of the Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy Award,^[5] the Kerala Sahithya Academy Award (1992),^[6] the Basheer Puraskaram,^[7] and the Deviprasadam Puraskaram.

See also[]

• V. T. Bhattathiripad
• E. M. S. Namboodiripad

References[]

External links[]

• Profile

Further reading[]

• Amaresh Datta (1987). Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature: A-Devo. Sahitya Akademi. ISBN 978-81-260-1803-1.

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