K. M. George
Born(1914-04-20)20 April 1914
Edayaranmula, Kerala
Died19 November 2002(2002-11-19) (aged 88)
Thiruvananthapuram
NationalityIndian
Other namesKarimpumannil Mathai George
Occupation
Known forMalayalam literature, Chief Editor of Malayalam Encyclopaedia
Notable work
  • A Survey of Malayalam Literature
  • Western Influence on Malayalam Language & Literature
  • Comparative Indian Literature
  • Masterpieces of Indian Literature
Awards

Karimpumannil Mathai George (1914–2002), popularly known as Dr. K. M. George, was an eminent Malayalam writer and educator. An erudite scholar and literary critic with astute organisational capabilities, he is best known as a pioneer of Comparative Indian Studies and Literatures.[1] He was a recipient of the fourth highest Indian civilian honour, the Padma Shri, the highest literary award of the Government of Kerala, the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram and the third highest Indian civilian award, the Padma Bhushan, besides other honours.

Biography

K. M. George was born on 20 April 1914 at Edayaranmula, in the present-day Pathanamthitta district of the south Indian state of Kerala to Kurien Mathai and Mariamma.[2] After schooling at Malakkara Primary School, Edayaranmula Marthoma School and St. Thomas School, Kozhenchery, he passed the intermediate course from Madras Christian College (MCC) before graduating in Mathematics from the Union Christian College, Aluva. Starting his career as a lecturer at his alma mater, MCC, he continued his studies and secured a master's degree in Malayalam literature from the University of Madras in 1941.[2]

George was married to Eliyamma, the marriage taking place in 1944. He died on 19 November 2002, at Thiruvananthapuram. at the age of 88.[2]

Legacy

His writings encompass various aspects in literature. He was a learned writer of articles in the media, father of the encyclopaedia in Kerala, editor of Indian literature, researcher of place names of Southern India, travel writer( having travelled the world over), dramatist, biographer, literary critic and auto biographer. Equally well versed in English and in Malayalam, he had a good knowledge of many Indian languages. He has published more than 50 works, translated some works to Malayalam and edited more than 10 great anthologies.[3]

Awards and honours

The Government of Kerala has established a research centre in his honour, the Dr. K. M. George Study and Research Centre, for facilitating research on literature and other educational matters.[9]

Bibliography

Authored works

  • Vedapusthakamahathmyam (1935)
  • Saadhu Kochunju (1947)
  • Ekaanka Mandalam (1947)
  • Radio natakankal (1947)
  • Prabandhachandrika (1953)
  • Munthirichaaru (1950)
  • Sardar Patel (1950)
  • Vicharakowthukam (1952)
  • America – ChilaVasthuthakal (1953)
  • Edward Jenner (1954) (Translation)
  • Janangalude Bharanam (1954)
  • Valarunna Kairali (1954)
  • Nirikshana Nilayam (1955)
  • Thathvavignanathil Punarnirmaanam (1955)
  • Snehathinte Shiksha (1955) (Translation of Tagore’s "The Wreck")
  • Ramacaritham and the study of early Malayalam (1956)
  • 9 Radio Natakankal (1957)
  • Samskara Sarani (1957)
  • Thoreau (1962) (Translation)
  • Tagore (1962) (Translation)
  • Indiacharithrathile Bhoomishastrakadakangal (1962)
  • Jeevacharithra Sahityam (1964)
  • Soviet Naattil 3 Aazhcha (1964)
  • Americayil Poyakatha (1967)
  • American Life Through Indian Eyes (1967)
  • A survey of Malayalam literature. Bombay: Asia Pub. House. 1968. ISBN 0210227354. OCLC 32189.
  • Malayalam Grammar and Reader (1971)
  • Western influence on Malayalam language and literature. New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi. 1972. ISBN 8126004134. OCLC 1084351.
  • Kumaran Asan (1972)
  • Avalokanangal (1978)
  • Tamizh Sahityam (1977)
  • A.R.Raja Raja Varma (1979)
  • Bharathathile Bhashakal (1979) – Children’s literature
  • Anveshanangal Padanangal (1980)
  • Amercayile Anubhavangal (1980-Abridged edition)
  • Sahitya Vignanavum Vignanasahityavum (1983)
  • Aartha Maanavu Thalamurakalilude (1985-tr. of Maxim Gorky)
  • Enneaakarshicha Prathibhashalikal (1985)
  • Bharathiya Sahitya Pattanam (1985)
  • Place Names of Southern India (1986)
  • Kavikal Nirupanarangathu (1986)
  • Kesari Balakrishna Pillai (1989)
  • K M Georginte Prabhandangal (1989)
  • Soviet NaattilVeendum (1989)
  • Arivukal Avalokanangal (1991)
  • Veekshanangal Vichinthanangal (1991)
  • A Many Branched Tree (1991)
  • Renaissance in Indian Literature and its Social Implications (1991)
  • Mookanarthakan (Translation of play by Asif Currimbhoy – 1991)
  • Facets of Indian Literature (1994)
  • Bharathiya Sahitya Sameeksha (1994)
  • Enne Njan Kaanumbol (1999)
  • The Role of Sanskrit in the development of Dravidian Literature (2000)

Edited works

  • Sahityacharithram Prasthanangalilude
  • Sarvavignanakosham volumes 1&2
  • Mahakavi Ulloor
  • Bharathiya Sahitya Charithram 2vols.
  • Comparative Indian Literature 2vols.(1984)
  • Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Surveys and poems. Sahitya Akademi. 1992. ISBN 978-81-7201-324-0.
  • Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Fiction. Sahitya Akademi. 1992. ISBN 978-81-7201-324-0.
  • Modern Indian Literature, an Anthology: Surveys and poems. Sahitya Akademi. 1992. ISBN 978-81-7201-324-0.
  • Masterpieces of Indian Literature – 3 vols.
  • Aadhunika Malayala Sahitya Charitram Prasthanangalilude
  • Commonwealth Literature – Themes & Techniques
  • The best of Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai


See also

References

  1. ^ Who's who of Indian Writers, 1999
  2. ^ a b c "Biography on Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal". Kerala Sahitya Akademi portal. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  3. ^ "List of works". Kerala Sahitya Akademi. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  4. ^ "Padma Sri Awards - Interactive Dashboard". www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  5. ^ "Padma Bhushan Awards - Interactive Dashboard". www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  6. ^ "Literary Awards". 18 June 2012. Archived from the original on 18 June 2012. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  7. ^ "Winners of Vallathol Literary Awards". www.keralaculture.org. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  8. ^ "Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship". Kerala Sahitya Akademi. 28 April 2019. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 28 April 2019.
  9. ^ "Dr K M George study and research centre to be set up". The Times of India. PTI. 20 March 2003. Retrieved 1 August 2020.

External links

Recipients of Ezhuthachan Puraskaram
Padma Bhushan award recipients (2000–2009)
Padma Award winners of Kerala
Kerala Sahitya Akademi Fellowship
Malayalam literature
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