K. C. Kesava Pillai

K. C. Kesava Pillai (1868–1914) was a composer of Carnatic music, Poet Laureate of Travancore and made contributions to Malayalam literature

Contents

Life and Education

K. C. Kesava Pillai was born in Paravur in Kollam (Quilon) District of Kerala in India in 1868. He had a school education up to the 5th grade and gained a proficiency in music. He watched Kathakali learnt the basics of Kathakali literature, costumes and mudras. Aged 15, he wrote his first attakadha, but was encouraged to learn Sanskrit so that he could correct his work himself and was subsequently taught it by Paravoor V. Kesavan Asan. and grammar by his brother Ennakkattu Rajaraja Varma. Later in his life, in 1896, he had become a teacher in Kollam Malayalam school; within a few years was promoted to the position of Sanskrit Munshi, or the A close associate of Kerala Varma and Rajaraja Varma, K. C. Kesava Pillai died in 1914, aged 46 years. On account of his musical and poetical achievements, he was awarded the title of Sarasa Gayaka Kavimani by Sangeethasahityakovda Kerala Varma Valiya Koyi Thampuran.

Work

Attakadha (Gesture Stories)

Poetry

Plays

Prayers

Pillai composed over 100 keerthanas, prayers in praise of God.

Music

K.C. Kesava Pillai was a composer of songs, whose standard is comparable to that of Swati Tirunal and Irayimman Thampi, both Kerala musicians.

References

1.http://www.kerala.gov.in/music/music7.pdf Kerala Government website 2."K.C.Kritikal",Department of Cultural Publications, Government of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram,Kerala.