A Poet, A dramatist,
A social Reformer
Kandathiparambil Paapu Karuppan fought against
social evils and untouchability. He earned the name Lincoln of Kerala for his
fight against social injustices. He was the first activist from the Cochin
state.
Early life
Pandit Karuppan belonged to fishermen
community called Dheevara. He was born to Paapu and Kochepennu in Cheranelloor, a village near
Ernakulam on 24th May 1885. He was a great Sanskrit scholar and also
an Ayurvedic specialist. People called him Atho Poojari for his Ayurvedic
works.
As Karuppan was from a lower caste
community, he was restricted to formal education from schools. The Pandit
hence, began his learning from his relative Azheekkal Velu Vaidyan. As he was very
much interested towards learning, he started reading puranas and ithihas all by
himself. He was quite a scholar for his age of 12, when wrote two poems called Sthothramardaaram
and Lankamardaaram that surprised the teachers of his community.
Story behind his name
Once, a Tamil scholar visited Karuppan’s
parents. He named him “Karpan” (means ‘learnt person’) that in due course
became Karuppan.
Education
Pandit Karuppan, Shankaran, was a great
Sanskrit scholar. It all began in his hometown. He studied under Annamananda
Rama Pothuval, for a year. He faced a tough resistance from the upper caste
students during his study. He was forced to sit in a corner during the class
hours. Shankaran’s interest towards learning made him bore the ill –
treatments.
Later he joined Kovilakan in
Kodungallor, with a huge support from Kunhikkuttan, though it was inaccessible
to the lower castes. It was during this period, he wrote his first book (at the
age of 19) in Malayalam called “Jaathikummi”. The book criticized un - touch
ability and the caste system.
Later,
Kunhikkuttan introduced Shankaran to the Maharaja of Cochin, Ramavarma Raja.
The king was impressed with Shankaran’s talents and made arrangements for his
advanced study under Rama Pisharody, the then royal Guru.
Almost immediately, he was appointed as
a Sanskrit teacher at St Theresa Girls School in Ernakulam. The school was a
special place for the upper caste girls. And so as expected, there were huge
protests against the posting. But the Maharaja overruled the objections.
Social Reforms
Pandit Karuppan was nominated as member
of Legislative Council in 1925. As an MLC, Karuppan helped the lower caste
people in numerous ways.
·
He
convinced the government to provide scholarships and concessions in fees for
the lower castes.
·
He
wrote “Aacharabhooshanam”, that focussed on creating awareness against
superstitions. The book was printed by the government and was distributed to
the public on his request.
·
He
started schools for fishermen.
The following
are the famous works of Pandit Karuppan
Roles of Pandit Karuppan
·
He
served as a secretary to the Elemetary Education Committee and the
Bhashaparishkarana Committee.
·
He
also served as a Superintendent of Vernacular Education in Cochin for 4 years.
·
He
had also served as a Chairman of the Board of Examination of Madras University.
As a dramatist
On
the occasion of Shashtipoorthi, the Maharaja of Cochin organised a drama script
competition in 1919. Pandit Karuppan scripted a drama titled “Baalakalesam” and
was adjudged the best. The drama discussed the achievements of the Maharaja
during his 16 year rule and also criticized the caste system. Maharaja was
overwhelmed watching the drama and entitled him as “Kavithilakan”
When the drama was staged in other parts
of Kerala, it received huge appreciation from the public. Maharaja of
Travancore, Sree Moolam Thirunal, presented Pandit Karuppan with a Navaratna
ring for his work. The legend denied the gift rather requested the king to sanction
half – fee concession to the students of the lower caste community as a
present.
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