Sanskrit sources of Kerala history
by Suma Parappattoli | 2010 | 88,327 words
This study deals with the history of Kerala based on ancient Sanskrit sources, such as the Keralamahatmyam. The modern state known as Keralam or Kerala is situated on the Malabar Coast of India. The first chapter of this study discusses the historical details from the inscriptions. The second chapter deals with the historical points from the Mahatm...
This book contains Sanskrit text which you should never take for granted as transcription mistakes are always possible. Always confer with the final source and/or manuscript.
1. Attur Krsna-Pisaroti’s Three Dramas (Introduction)
Krishna-chandra is the pen-name of Attur Krsna Pisaroti [Krisna Pisaroti](1875-1964 AD). The reputed scholar teacher, poet, dramatist, essayist, researcher and musicologist who enriched both Sanskrit and Malayalam literature over half a century. In Kerala he is better known for his significant contribution to Kerala History, literature and music even though his services to the other fields have also won due recognition. He was awarded the prestigious title Panditaraja by the king of Cochin and a contemporary scholar remarked that he is truly a king among scholars richly deserving the title.
Krishnachandra [Krishna Chandra] was born on Wednesday the 14th of Kanni in the Malabar Era 1051, the star of the day being Uttram. This is equivalent to 29th September 1875.
In his own diary he was noted the date of birth after careful verification as follows.
kṛṣṇo namya iti pramāṇagaṇite kolambavarṣe śubhe
kanyāmāsi caturdaśe'hni budhavāre darśayukte dine |
prāhnehyuktaraphalgunī prathamapāde jūkarāśyādimadrekkāṇe
kṛtapūrvakarmaphalabhogāya prasūto'smyaham ||
The words kṛṣṇo namya in the stanza denotes the Malabar era 1051 according to the Katapayadi system of notation. He was born as the fifth issue of Pappikkutti pisharasyar of Attart Pisharam which is located in the Attur village of Talappalli Taluk of the former Cochin state. His Father was Narayana Namputiri of Vatakketattu house of Vellattannur.
Krsnacandra composed three plays in Sanskrit viz, Raksapurusakam, Samanvayam, Yogavilasitam[1]. For his theme he chose some well known anecdotes from the pages of ancient Kerala History, these anecdotes have already been collected by him in some of his Malayalam books. His three full-fledged dramas in Sanskrit embracing the realm of ancient Kerala History.