Vennikkulam Gopala Kurup

A recipient of the Odakkuzhal Award and Thirukural Award, Kurup received the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry in 1966. Sahitya Akademi honoured him with their annual award in 1974.

• Name — Vennikkulam Gopala Kurup • Born — 10 May 1902 • Birthplace — Vennikulam, Quilon, Travancore (present-day Vennikulam, Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, India) • Died — 29 August 1980 • Place of death — Pathanamthitta, Kerala • Occupation — * Poet • playwright • translator • lexicographer • Parents — Padmanabha Kurup, Lakshmy Kunjamma • Spouse — Madhavi Pillai • Children — Sahity Kurup, Smrita Kurup • Awards — * 1966 Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry • 1969 Odakkuzhal Award • 1974 Sahitya Akademi Award • Thirukural Award

• Illustration — The Oriental Research Institute & Manuscripts Library Gopala Kurup was born on May 10, 1902, at Vennikulam, Quilon, Travancore (present-day Pathanamthitta district, Kerala) to Cherukattumadathil Padmanabha Kurup and Lakshmi Kunjamma. After learning the basics of Sanskrit from his father, he completed his primary education under Kochu Pillai, a local teacher, and joined the local school at Vennikulam, where he had the opportunity to learn under Kaviyoor Vekitachalam Iyer and A. Sahasranama Iyer to pass the 7th standard. Subsequently, he started his career as a teacher in 1917, but continued his studies to pass the vidwan examination after which he joined the English school vennikulam started by Kandathil Varghese Mappillai in 1918. Later, he shifted to Tiruvalla to join M.G.M. High School in 1924 where he stayed for 25 years until joining the Malayalam Lerxicon and State Manuscripts Library, the present-day Oriental Research Institute & Manuscripts Library, as a librarian. During his stint at Tiruvalla, he was also associated with Malayala Manorama, assisting in selecting poems for publishing in the weekly, an assignment he got when K. C. Mammen Mappillai became fascinated with one of the speeches Kurup made at Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam in 1926. He superannuated from official service in 1961. Gopala Kurup was married to Mepral Mangattuveettil Madhavi Pillai, the marriage taking place in 1932. He died on August 29, 1980, at the age of 78. His tomb is at Vennikulam Manimala River Shore.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * • Sarovaram • Manasaputhri • Amruthabhishekam • Keralasree

* * • Thirukkural

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