C. V. Kunhiraman (6 February 1871 – 10 April 1949) was an Indian social reformer, journalist and the founder of Kerala Kaumudi daily. A follower of Sree Narayana Guru, Kunhiraman was the author of a number of books covering the genres of novels, short story, poetry, biographies and essays. He was one of the leaders involved in the Vaikom SatyagrahaofReformation movement in Kerala which led to the Temple Entry Proclamation.[1]
Kunhiraman was born on February 6, 1871, at MayyanadinKollam district of the south Indian state of Kerala to Vasudevan of Njarakkal house, an astrologer and magician, and Kunjichali of Kallumpurathu house.[2] After early education at Mayyanad L. M. S. School, he joined the Government High School, Kollam but had to discontinue studies after 8th standard and started his career at the Forest department in 1893 as a clerk during which time he resumed his studies to pass the teachers' examination to become a teacher in 1894 at Vellamanal School, Mayyanad.[3] He taught at a number of schools at Kollam, Kadakkavoor, Kayikkara and Paravur before returning to Vellamanal school by which time he had passed the lawyers' examination and resigned from the school in 1913 to take up the career of a lawyer by practising at the Magistrate Court at Paravur. In between, he founded Kerala Kaumudi daily in 1911 and later, he shifted his base to Kollam, after quitting his career as a lawyer, resuscitated Kerala Kaumudi daily in 1920 with the assistance of his son, K. Sukumaran.[3] His early journalistic articles were published in Sujananadini, run by Paravoor Kesavan Asan, where he became a sub-editor in due course and wrote poems and articles, mostly on social affairs.[4]
Kunhiraman was married to Kunjikkavu[3] and the couple had two sons, K. Sukumaran and K. Damodaran and a daughter, Vasanthi, who was married to C. Kesavan, former chief minister of Travancore-Cochin.[5] He died on April 10, 1949, at the age of 78.[3]
Kunhiraman's oeuvre comprises 14 books, covering the genres of novel, short story, poetry, biography and other works including the condensed versions of Mahabharata and Ramayana,[9] of which Valmiki Ramayanam, a prose rendering of the epic, was his first work to come out in print, in 1901, followed by Vyasabharatam, Panchavadi and other works. This include four novels, a short story anthropology, a book of poetry and his reminiscences of Kumaran Asan.[9]
C. V. Kunhiraman Foundation, an eponymous organisation which had O. N. V. Kurup as the founder chairman,[16] has instituted an annual award, C. V. Kunhiraman Literary Award,[17] to recognise excellence in Malayalam literature,[18] and M. Sukumaran, the writer,[19] and Sugathakumari, the noted poet, feature among the recipients of the award which carries a purse of ₹ 10,001, a citation and a statuette designed by noted artist B. D. Dathan.[20]
