About Dr. Suranad Kunjan Pillai

Prof. Dr. Suranad Kunjan Pillai (1911-1995)

Dr. Suranad P.N. Kunjan Pillai was an eminent lexicographer, historian, researcher, scholar, prose writer, poet, critic, orator, grammarian, educationist and socio-cultural leader. He was one of the most celebrated scholar-writers of his period and was awarded national honors like Padmasree, eminent positions of various organizations like Kendra Sahitya Academy, Indian Historical Commission, Samastha Kerala Sahitya Parishad, Bharatheeya Vidya Bhavan etc. He was considered as the last word in Malayalam language and Kerala History during his lifetime. He was born on 26th November 1911 in Suranad, Karunagappalli, Kollam District as the son of Sri. Neelakanta Pillai and Smt. Karthiyayini Amma.

His love for the Malayalam language was unparalleled and he strived constantly to highlight the eminence of the Malayalam language and Malayalam writers, while also enriching it with his own contributions. It will not be an exaggeration to say that this beloved son of Kerala “lived and breathed’ words – so much was his preoccupation with and dedication to language and literature.

The Lexicographer Par Excellence

SuranadKunjan Pillai’s Magnum Opus is undoubtedly the Malayalam Lexicon on which he painstakingly worked during the period 1953-1971. Hailed as the greatest example in Indian Lexicography, it features a new model of lexicography that is based on historical and philological principles. It has adapted the best features of several great lexicons including OELD (Oxford English Language Dictionary). Indeed, Indian Lexicography is now broadly divided into “Pre-Suranad” and “Post-Suranad” eras. A Malayalam – Malayalam – English dictionary intended to serve the needs of all classes of students of Malayalam and outsiders who know English, the immensity and magnitude of this work cannot be easily described. The draft of the entire Lexicon, which ran into thousands of bundles of cards and more than 2 lakhs of sheets, was prepared during the early stages of the work, i.e. during 1953 – 1959. The printing was quite complex because it required special diacritical scripts.

The first volume of the Malayalam Lexicon comprises more than 1200 pages and contains only words beginning with the first Malayalam letter “അ”.

It was published in the year 1965. This volume was universally acclaimed as unique, and Dr. R.E. Asher of Edinburgh University stated in his review that it is one of the world’s great dictionaries. He extols the Malayalam Lexicon as “clearly the work of a perfectionist,” and goes on to say that in this work we can see the results of careful and sensible planning and of thoughtful and painstaking execution. Malayalee scholars have also bestowed warm praise for this monumental endeavor. The 1400-page Volume II of the Lexicon was published in 1970 and it contains words beginning with all the other Malayalam vowels (ആ to ഔ).

Suranad Kunjan Pillai retired after the publication of the second volume, leaving the draft of over 2 lakhs of pages of the whole lexicon to be published by his successors. A phenomenal contribution to the Malayalam language, there is no doubt that other languages will strive to copy this model.

Essayist, Poet, Novelist, Editor, Critic

One of the most notable essayists in Malayalam, Suranad Kunjan Pillai has to his credit prose works recognized for their immense value – Sahityabooshanam (സാഹിത്യഭൂഷണം), Thirumulkazhcha (തിരുമുൽക്കാഴ്ച), Pushpanjali (പുഷ്പാഞ്ജലി), Mathrupooja (മാതൃപൂജ), Kairalisamaksham (കൈരളീസമക്ഷം), etc. There are hundreds of his essays and articles that still remain uncollected. He started his literary career as a poet -- his first long poem Smashanadeepam(ശ്മശാനദീപം) which was written when he was hardly 13, was published when he was hardly 18 (in 1929). Though scholarly literature took away most of his time, he continued to write poems off and on, some of which were compiled later on -- Hrdayarppanam (ഹൃദയാര്‍പ്പണം, 1971), Bharatapooja (ഭാരതപൂജ, 1983). He had contributed to other forms of creative writing also when he was young. He has published novels and stories also. His first novel Ambadevi (അംബാദേവി) was published in 1929 and second novel Kalyanasaudham (കല്യാണസൗധം) in 1936. These creative literary attempts were greatly applauded and അംബാദേവ‌ി was prescribed as a textbook for school students. It was in a way sad that he could not get adequate time for his creative literature.    

Suranad Kunjan Pillai was a meticulous editor and his edited works include UnnuneeliSandesam (ഉണ്ണുനീലിസന്ദേശം), Leelathilakom (ലീലാതിലകം), Kuchelevrutham Vanchipattu (കുചേലവൃത്തംവഞ്ചിപ്പാട്ട്),KalakeyaVadhom (കാലകേയവധം) etc. His critical studies of these old Malayalam works are considered landmark publications in literary criticism in Malayalam.

He has written detailed studies, introductions and forewords to more than 500 books. Some of these studies are considered as great literary masterpieces in Malayalam.

An Astute Historian and Grammarian

Regarded as the most authoritative historian of Kerala, Suranad Kunjan Pillai’s works in this direction include the chapters in the Travancore State Manual, PrachinaKeralam (പ്രാചീനകേരളം), Thiruvithamkoorile Mahanmar (തിരുവിതാംകൂറിലെ മഹാന്മാർ), Swathi Thirunal (സ്വാതി തിരുനാൾ), VeeraraghavaSasanam (വീരരാഘവശാസനം) and many other historical records. His contributions towards Malayalam grammar and the science of language are Sahitya Pravesika (സാഹിത്യപ്രവേശിക) (considered the best treatise in Malayalam Criticism- published initially in 1937 and was in its 12th print in 1997). His Malayalam grammar textbook Sree Chitra Vyakarana Manjari (ശ്രീ ചിത്രവ്യാകരണമഞ്ജരി) was the standard textbook for the high schools for nearly three to four generations of Keralites.

His fame as a historian began in his early twenties when he started his work along with Mahavakavi Sri. Ulloor S Parameswara Iyyer and Sadasyathilakan Sri. T.K. Velu Pillai. He was the first person to study reels and reels of Mathilakam (മതിലകം) records, which gave him great insight into Kerala History. The authoritative studies he made were surprising evento great historians of that period. It is difficult to imagine a highbrow pundit like Sri. Ulloor praising him when he was hardly twenty-five! ‘It is difficult to discern a peak when the tableland is so elevated, but even then, a peak of more than normal height must be easily susceptible of perception and that I am glad to state is the position of Mr. Kunjan Pillai’ (1936). Sri. T K Velu Pillai gave the entire credit of the historical section of Travancore State Manual to Suranad Kunjan Pillai (1940). Some of his publications were related to this period (Malabar in the Eyes of Travelers (1940) and Swathi Thirunal (1950).  

As the convener of the Text Book Committee for Schools during 1945- 1950, he had to bring out textbooks for the Travancore schools. As there was none to write many of the subjects chosen, he had to write himself dozens of lessons, poems, dramas, etc. to these books. All young Malayalee students of that period had studied his writings.

Other Editions

• He published 25 old Sanskrit works and about the same number of Malayalam works from the Manuscripts Library when he was the Honorary Director there. It was during this period he collected thousands of Thaliyola (താളിയോല) Manuscripts from all over Kerala, a task which was most challenging. It was only because hewas widely known to the erudite people in Keralaas a great historian and bibliophile that he could gain access to these precious documents. These manuscripts were handed over to the Manuscripts library.
• He edited and published several old books for the Kerala Sahitya Academy and for private publishers.
• One of his great contributions which gained national repute was his compilation of an anthology of Malayalam poems published by the Central Sahitya Academy, Malayala Kavya Ratnakaram (മലയാള കാവ്യരത്നാകരം, 1962)

Text Books

Most of his works are textbooks for schools and colleges. Even after his demise, many of his books are still prescribed as textbooks for graduate and post-graduate courses. Further, he has contributed to numerous souvenirs, periodicals, annual publications and newspapers on historical and cultural subjects. These contributions remain to be collected.

A True Teacher

Anyone who has spent some time with Dr. Suranad Kunjan Pillai will have experienced the passion he had to educate others. Always the dedicated educationist, he was patient and attentive to those who sought his instruction and advice. Not a day must have passed by in his life without someone approaching him for some clarification or other. The doors of his house were always open for students and knowledge seekers. He is recognized as a great teacher, and adorns a precious space in the hearts of each person he has inspired.

Honors and Titles

The contributions Suranad P.N. Kunjan Pillai made to Malayalam language and literature are priceless. He was given the title ‘SahithyaNipunan’ by the Maharaja of Kochi in 1952.

The central government honored him with the Padmasree Award in 1984. He received the Vallathol Award from the Vallathol Sahitya Samithi in 1992, and was the first recipient of the distinguished Ezhuthachan award for the year 1993 (awarded on 24th June 1994) from the Government of Kerala. Meerut University and the University of Kerala conferred D. Litt on him.

He was a member of the Central Sahitya Academy for over 12 years right from its inception under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and a member of the Indian Historical Records Commission, Govt. of India for several years from the year 1942 onwards. He was responsible for organizing the Kerala Sahitya Academy and was a member of the General Body and Executive committee of the Kerala Sahitya Academy.

He was the President for Samastha Kerala Sahitya Parishad.

Family

He initially married Smt. C. Parukutty Amma of Panniyarthala House, Jagathy, Trivandrum in 1935 and after her demise he married her younger sister Smt. C Bhagavathy Amma in 1939. He has four children -- Smt. P Syamala Devi, Smt. P Santa Devi, Dr. K Rajasekharan Nair and Smt. B. Annapurna Devi. 

Dr. SuranadP.N.Kunjan Pillai passed away on March 8, 1995, leaving behind a rich legacy of literary achievements for posterity. He will be remembered as a man of true value, and, to borrow the words of Bessie Anderson Stanley, will live on in our minds as one whose “life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.”

It was surprising to see tens of thousands of people from all walks of life coming to pay their respect to this great scholar during his funeral. All the Malayalam newspapers carried write-ups and editorials about him for weeks which was till then unheard of for a person whose life was dedicated mainly to scholarly literature. The great help he rendered to everyone seeking his advice was amply returned by them by their love and affection.   

Sri. K. Sankaran Namboothiri (1983), SuranadRajasekharan (2008, 2011), J Padmakumary (2005) and Dr. P. Sethunathan (2013) have written his biography. The University of Kerala has brought out his bibliography (2001).

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Biodata

Date of birth: 24.6.1911
Date of death: 8.3.1995
Parents: Sri Neelakanta Pillai and Smt.Karthiyayini Amma.
Place of birth: Suranad, Karunagapalli

Education

Primary School: Malayalam Primary School, Thevalakkara.
High School: Boy’s High School, Chavara (Passed ESLC 1927)
College Education: Intermediate, BA, and MA: Arts College, Trivandrum.
Qualifications:      MA (English Language and Literature) 1933, Madras University
                             MA (Sanskrit Language and literature) 1934, Madras University
                             MA (Malayalam language and literature) 1935 Madras University
                             (All with distinction)

Service

1. Headmaster, Sanskrit School. Trivandrum. 1935
2. Lecturer in Sanskrit and Malayalam, Arts College. Trivandrum. 1935-’36.
3. Asst Special Officer to Sri. T. K. Velu Pillai for the preparation of Travancore State Manual which was published in 4 Volumes. He was solely responsible for Vol.2- History of Travancore.
4. Superintendent, Govt Secretariat, Trivandrum, Central Records Section 1937. With the assistance of the special staff, he studied thousands of old historical records for the State Manual. The more important records were published in book form.
5. Secretary for publication of Text Books for the Travancore Education Department. Prepared more than 150 books.
6. Was promoted Assistant Secretary to Government Education Department 1949-1953. Besides schools and colleges, he was also in charge of the University of Travancore, (which then did not enjoy autonomy), Medical, Engineering, and Ayurveda Colleges. Besides routine work, he had also chalked out important projects such as integration of service personnel of Travancore and Cochin States, reorganization of the Sanskrit College, etc.
7. He was specially selected by the Government and the University for the preparation and publication of the Malayalam Lexicon under the University. His lien was however retained in the Government Secretariat.
8. Editor, Malayalam Lexicon: 1953-1971.
9. As Editor of Malayalam Lexicon, he was also the Honorary Director of the Kerala University Manuscripts Library for five years.
10. After retirement as Editor, Malayalam Lexicon, he served the Kerala University as Visiting Professor of Malayalam, in the Malayalam Dept (1978).

Retirement

He retired at the age of 55 years from the Government but continued without break of service as Editor of Malayalam Lexicon in the University of Kerala (As Editor he had the status and scale of pay of a University Professor). He retired from the University of Kerala on completion of 60 years on   24. 6. 1971.

Special Appointments in the Committees

1. He was a member of the Indian Historical Records Commission, Govt of India, for several years from the year 1942 onwards
2. He was the chief examiner or Chairman of the Board of examinations for ESLC, Sastry, Intermediate, BA, MA, Ph.D. examinations on several occasions.
3. He was a member of the several University bodies like Board of studies etc.
4. He was a member of the Central Sahitya Academy for over 12 years right from its inception under Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
5. He was responsible for organizing the Kerala Sahitya Academy and was a member of the General body and Executive committee of Kerala Sahitya Academy.
6. First President of the Trivandrum Branch of Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan.
7. Was a member of the Kerala History Association.
8. Was the President of the Samastha Kerala Sahitya Parishad for 2 years.
9. Life President of KANFED, Trivandrum which undertook for the first time Universal literary Scheme.
10. Was the President of Grandhasala Committee, and it was on the recommendation of that committee the Library Movement was organized in the erstwhile Travancore State.
11. He was the President of the ThunchanSmarakaSamithi Trivandrum right from its inception till his death.
12. He was a member of the Malayalam Encyclopedia publication committee and has made numerous contributions for its publication. 
13. Reformed the present Malayalam script on the recommendation of the Government of Kerala.