7.1. Nakshatramala

[Full title: Other works either in praise of a king or a patron: Nakshatramala]

The Nakshatramala^[1], composed in 1866 by Kerala Varma at the age of twenty one is a short poem consisting of twenty seven verses in the Sardulavikridita metre in honour of Ayilyam Tirunal on the conferment of the title GCSI and necklace of jewels by Queen Victoria in the same year. First stanza in the poem proves to be the best illustration of the poets dexterity in diction. In the verse of dedication the poet recollects his uncle Rajarajavarma koil Tampuran, who was his first teacher and guide and who brought him to Trivandrum from Canganassery at the age of ten.

In the begining of the poem the poet states with humility that he is only a blade of grass that has sprouted in the literary grace of his compassionate uncle and that he composes the Nakshatramala eulogising the merits of the necklace of jewels presented by Queen Victoria.

In the 10th stanza Kerala Varma portrays the Maharaja with the epithet—ripukairavāmbaramaṇe—(One who destroys enemies as the sun destroys water-lilies) As observes by Ullur, one who has seen their friendship in those days, could never imagine that the poet himself would become the water-lily kairava and the Maharaja the sun^[2]. The text of the poem was published along with a full Malayalam rendering by Ullur^[3] For more details^[4]

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

Pub. in Samskara Keralam (with Malayalam commentory) issues 7 -9, July to Sept.1984—There is another work with the same title by Ravi varma Koyi Tampuran of Changanassery See Kerala Sahitya Caritram, Ullur IV -P 553; KSLB -Pp 274 -75—Kerala Sanskrit Literature -P 255

[2]:

Sahityaparishat Traimasikam -VI -Pt 2, 1113 M.E.

[3]:

Ibid

[4]:

See Kerala Varma and his works -Dr. Povattur Ramakrishna Pillai -1985 TVM Pp -69 -75