Neralattu Rama Poduval
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Neralattu Rama Poduval or Njaralathu Rama Poduval, was an exponent of the ashtapadi / sopanam art form practised in kerala. He hails from Thiruvaazhaamkunnu, near Kottopadam, situated 30 km from Perinthalmanna.
He was a recipient of the Kendra Sahitya Academy award. He died on 14 August 1996.
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Born on 16th February 1916 at a village named Anakkara in Palakkad District of south India in Kerala , Njeralath Ramapothuval is the eldest son of Koodallur Kurinjikaavil Marath Sankunni Maaraar and Janakipothuvalsyar. Most of his childhood stage was spend in his ancestral house of Njeralath beside lord Sree Rama temple . His family consisted of 2 sisters and 2 brothers. He had his schooling till the fifth standard and moved on to practice Idaykka and Chenda became the maestro in this instrument. He inherited the art of playing Idaykka from his uncle Njeralathu Karunakara Pothuval and later on scaled new heights to establish an indelible mark in this field. It was an art which was unique of its kind in the world of music. Sopanasangeetham is the genre he popularized - a genre which is exclusively belongs to the state of Kerala in south India. This genre is also known as Kottipaadiseva or serving the gods and goddesses by singing songs , praising them.
Apart from practicing Idaykka from his uncle, he has inherited from his father the art of playing Chenda. He also practiced instruments like Veena from Parappanaatu Ramakurupu. He practiced Karnatic music from 'Loka Guru' Chembai Vaidhyanaadha Bhaagavathar. He was taught classical music by Kodikunnath Madhavan Nair. His experience in Kerala Kalamandalam helped him in gaining knowledge in Kathakali music. He married Lakshmikutty Amma D/o -Govindan Komaram and
Kolleri Kunjimaluamma, residing at Angadipuram in Malappuram District at the age of 41. at the age of 61 he became the father of 7 children - Janakikutty, Krishna vijayan, Gopalakrishnan, Anjaneyan, Gaayathri, Hari govindan and Aananda sivaraman. After his marriage he was living at Palakkode village near Angadipuram under the patronage of the chief priest of Thirumandhamkunnu temple at Angadipuram, Pandhalakkode Sankaran Namboodiri till his death on 13th August 1996.
Njeralathu Raama Pothuvaal, a renowned artist, who rejuvenated Sopaana Sangeetham -the traditional TEMPLE music of Kerala - enthralled the music lovers of Kerala for a decade. Njeralathu Raama Pothuvaal, a renowned artist, who rejuvenated Sopaana Sangeetham-the traditional temple music of kerala -enthralled the music lovers of kerala for a decade. He brought out this art from the walls of the temple and made this art popular among the people There are six different documentary films based on his life and music. 'Sopaanam' is his biography which also implemented has a study materials for the University students . He received more than 10 different awards and fellowships from both govt. and NGOS within his 80 years of life. In 1996 august 13 Raama Pothuvaal died leaving a great art form in his name1.
WINNERS OF BASHEER PURASKAARAM
KOVILAN (1995)
Kandanissery Vattamparambil Velappan Ayyappan (KOVILAN) is a famous short story writer and novelist in Malayalam language. He started his career as a technician with Indian Navy and Corps of Signals. His well known works include Ezhamidangal, Bharathan, Himalayam, A minus B, Thotangal (Kerala Sahithya Academy Award-1972) and Thattakam. ' Sakunam' won Kerala Sahithya Academy's best short story award in 1977. Recipient of Muttathu Varkey and Padma Prabha literary awards. Kovilan lives at Ariyannur, Thrissur.
2. NJERALATH RAMA PODUVAL (1996)
The late Njeralath Rama Poduval, who hails from Valamboor, Angadippuram in Malappuram District, was an exponent of Sopanasangeetham, Kerala's own traditional music, which is different from Karnatic music. Njeralath, undoubtedly the Kulapathi of Sopanasangeetham, had traveled across Kerala with his 'Edakka' popularizing Sopanasangeetham. He acted in films such as Tahmbu (Dir.Aravindan) and Amma Ariyan (Dir. John Abraham). Recipient of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy Award (1981), Kendra Sahithya Academy Award (1985) and Kerala Kalamandalam Fellowship (1990). Autobiography: SOPANAM Died on August 14, 1996.
3. E M S (1997)
The late E. M. Sankaran Namboodirippad (EMS) was a social reformer, politician, Marxist communist, cultural leader, writer, journalist and thinker par excellence. He was the first chief minister of Kerala.In fact, E M S was the first communist chief minister having voted to power through parliamentary democracy system in the world (1957). He was a voracious reader, writer,political theoritician and critic. Written over 50 books on Marxism, politics, history and literature. Major works: Keralam Malayalikalude Mathrubhumi, Indian Swatantrya Samara Charitram, Athmakatha, Gandhium Gandhisavum, EMSinte Diary, Oru Indian Communistinte Ormakkurippukal, and Mukhya Mantriyude Ormakkurippukal.He was also the Chief Editor of Desabhimani daily and Chinta weekly.
4. Bharath BALAN K NAIR (1998)
The late Balan K Nair was one of the best stage andfilm actors in Kerala. He won the National Best Actor award (Bharath Award) for his brilliant performance in Oppol directed by Sethumadhavan and scripted by M T Vasudevan Nair. Acted in over 600 films, portraying mostly character roles. Balan K Nair's famous films include Nizhalattam, Oru Vatakkan Veera Gadha, Mappusakshi, Atithi, Kadavu, Agni, Tacholi Ambu, Eenadu and Shernaad (Hindi). ChilluVakkatha Chithram, Srishti and Oedipus are some of his best dramas. Won Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academi's best actor award for his performance in Srishti (Dir. K T Mohammed), Kerala state's best actor award for Athithi (Dir. K P Kumaran), Bharath Award for Oppol (1981), Ramasramam Award (1996), Pushpasree Trust Award (1997).
5. M R B (1999)
The late Mullamangalath Raman Bhattathirippad (MRB) was social reformer, cultural leader, thinker, writer and actor. He fought against the anarchies and superstitions deep-rooted in the Namboodiri families. Transform Namboodiri into a human being was his goal. He fought social battles in the company of V T Bhattathirippad against social evils and discriminations in the society. MRB had written 14 books. Including Valkannadi, Marakkudakkullile Maha Narakam (Play), Valappottukal, Mukhachaya, Kinavil Oru Yatra, Kavi Saparya, Mula Pottiya Vithukal. Recipient of Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy award, Kerala Sahithya Academy award and Deviprasadam Puraskaram.
6. K T MOHAMMED (2000)
K T is a playwright, short story writer and director. He revolutionized Kerala stage with his philosophical and thought-provoking social plays such as Srishti, Sthithi and Samharam.Winner of world and Indian short story writing competition. Recipient of Madras Sahithya Academy Award, Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Academy award, Kendra Sangeetha Nataka Academy award, Pushpasree award and P J Foundation award. Ithu Bhoomiyanu, Kafir, Karavatta Pasu, Teekkanal, Sootradharan, Nalkkavala and Jeevaparyantam are some of his famous plays. Written script for famous films such as Kandam Becha Kottu, Kadalppalam, Achanum Bappayum and Thurakkatha Vathil. Mamsapushpangal and Kattu are his well-known novels. K T lives at Kozhikode.
7. ARTIST NAMBOODIRI (2001)
Karuvattu Vasudevan Namboodiri is an artist, illustrator, art director, writer and sculptor-all rolled into one. Famous writer V K N has described him as ' Varayude Parama Sivan.' Product of Chennai School of arts and crafts. Became an illustrator of Mathrubhumi weekly in 1960 and Kerala Kaumudi in 1980. Now being associated with Samakalika Malayalam. He was art director of Aravindan's award-winning film Utharayanam and won an award for best art direction. He was chairman of Kerala Lalitha Kala Academy twice. Fellow of Lalitha Kala Academy. Member of Chola Kalamandalam and Kerala Kala Peedhom. Namboodiri lives at Kozhikode.
8. V K N (2002)
Vadakke Koottale Narayanan Kutty Nair (V K N) is a writer, novelist, satirist par excellence and journalist. Penned over 25 immortal novels and dozens of short stories in VKN's own inimitable style. Some of his literary works have been translated into English and many Indian languages. VKN's famous works include Athikaram, Chathans, Payyan Kathakal, Atham Perunnal, Anantharam, Pithamahan, Chitrakeralam, Kudineer, Naanwar, Penpada, Manchal, General Chanthans, Mananchira Test, VKN Kathakal and Sir Chathuvuinte Ruling. Recipient of Harmony award, Kendra Sahitya Academy Award, Kerala Sahitya Academy Award and M P Paul award. Formerly chairman of Kunchan Nambiar Society and Vice Chairman Kerala Sahitya Academy. He lives at Tiruvilwamala, Thrichur.
9 PADMASREE DR. LAURIE BAKER (2003)
Laurie Baker is a master builder who revolutionized the art of low cost housing for the middle class and the poor. Though born in Britain, Baker, having attracted to Gandhian principles, decided to become an Indian citizen. He lives with his wife Dr. Elizabeth at Thriruvananthapuram. Before settling down in India, Baker had worked in South China and Burma extending a helping hand to lepers. He began his quest for low cost housing in Pithargore village in Uttar Pradesh. Later he conceived, designed and built hundreds of low cost houses, hospitals, schools and other buildings in Kerala by using materials available in each locality. Baker gave a new dimension to building low cost houses through his informative ideas and principles in architecture by blending the nature of the land. He wrote several books on low cost housing: Brick Work, Mud, Rural House, Plans and How to reduce Building Costs. Recipient of many national and international awards, including the Architect of the year Award, Indian National heritage Award and Grand Masters Award. His well known projects include the Literacy Village in Lucknow, Centre for Social Studies, Surat, CDS, Trivandrum, Language Institute, Kerala, Chitalekha Studio and Mitra Nikethan. He set up the Trichur based Costford research center aimed at building low cost homes for the poor.
10 KADAMMANITTA RAMAKRISHNAN (2004)
Kadammanitta Ramakrishnan received the Basheer Puraskaram for his outstanding contributions to Malayalam poetry.
Ramakrishnan, popularly known as Kadammanitta, began his career as an auditor in Chennai. His famous works include Kavita, Kadammanittayude Kavithakal, Kadinjool Pottan, Mishra Thaalam, and Mazha Peyyunnu Madhalam Kottunnu. He represented Aranmula constituency in Kerala legislative Assembly in 1996. Kadammanitta is also president of Kerala Library Council and Kerala Purogamana Sahithya Sangham. He had won Asaan Prize (1982), Kerala Sahithya Academy Award (1982), New York Malayalam International Award (1984).
11. Dr. M Leelavathi (2005)
Dr M Leelavathi is a well known literary critic, writer and teacher. She is very modest and a Gandhian. She was often criticised by her male counter parts for being too soft to young writers. She has written over 40 books. Leelvathi, born in Guruvayoor, lives in Cochin.
12. Nilambur Isha (2006)
Isha is one of the best known female artistes on the stage. Although she hails from an orthodox Muslim family in Malabar, Isha fought for the upliftment of the status of women in society. She had acted in many plays written and directed by K T Mohammed and also had acted in many Malayalam fils.She lives in Nilambur.
13. Saratchandra Marthe
Marathe, though a Gujarati by birth, had been living in Kerala's Kozhikode and had been instrumental in propagating Hindustani music in the south Indian state.
Pravasi considered "Marathe's sincerity and commitment in popularising Hindustani music and his impressive list of disciples" in giving the award to the musician, the association said.
Marathe, who has spread his career across the globe, started his musical journey at the age of six as a disciple of Vinayakrao Patwardan of Gwalior Gharana and Malharji Barua of Kirana Gharana.
His remarkable list of disciples includes such famous personalities as film director G Aravindan, music composer A T Ummer, artist Namboodiri, and Ghazal singer Anil Das.
BASHEER PURASKARAM
AWARD COMMITTEE
M T Vasudevan Nair Prof. M N Vijayan M A Rahman
Babu Mather K K Sudhakaran P Semsudeen S A M Basheer
