Mullamangalath Raman Bhattathiripad (1908–2001), also known as M. R. Bhattathiripad, was an Indian 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 received only nominal education.^{[citation needed]}

He joined Yogakshema Sabha and worked with V. T. Bhattathiripad and his brother Premji. 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 Arya Pallam and M. C. Joseph. Bhattathiripad's younger brother Premji later followed his brother in 1943 by marrying a 27-year old widow named Arya Antharjanam.^{[citation needed]}

When Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi started its flagship publication, Keli in 1963, Bhattathiripad was the first editor.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

Works

MRB wrote 14 books.^[3]

• Ente Omana – Play – 1927
• Marakkudakkullile Maha Narakam – Play – 1927
• Mazhavillu – Short stories – 1931
• Valkannadi – Novel – 1931
• Mukhachayakal – Travelogue – 1954
• Mula pottiya vithukal – Travelogue – 1956
• Kinavil oru yathra – Travelogue – 1962
• Kavisaparya – Travelogue – 1962
• Thamarayithalukal – Travelogue – 1967
• Ilakal Poovukal – Travelogue – 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 Trust Award.