| Malayalam is a language spoken by nearly ninety | | | | events of a person's life. The famous Vatakkan |
| percent of people who reside in the state of | | | | Pattukal (ballads of the north) and Thekkan |
| Kerala in India. Closely tied to the Dravidian family | | | | Pattukal (ballads of the south) deal with stories |
| of languages, this thousand year old mother | | | | and themes varying from non-religious folklore to |
| tongue of nearly thirty million Malayalis, has | | | | expressions of grief. Folk poetry compared to the |
| received tremendous influences from abroad | | | | poetry of the elite shows greater energy and |
| leaving its mark on Malayalam literature as well. | | | | dynamism. The rhythm is the main feature of |
| With borrowed elements from Sanskrit, Arabic | | | | Kerala's musical culture. Some folk songs which |
| and English, Malayalam literature can truly be seen | | | | have left a lasting impact on the minds of the |
| as universal in nature. | | | | Malayalee include the Mappila Pattukal (Moplah |
| With historical evidence and accuracy lacking to | | | | songs) and the Idanadan Patt. |
| back up different compositions, legends and | | | | Ramacharitam is a poetic expression of the |
| folklore have taken precedence over chronological | | | | Ramayana written in the 12th century and is |
| facts. Malayalam literary works are often closely | | | | considered to be the oldest literary work in |
| tied to the earth and its surroundings. Occupations | | | | Malayalam. Since Sanskrit left a lasting impact on |
| like agriculture and farming gave birth to literary | | | | Malayalam literature, it resulted in a unique literary |
| wonders which were simple in style and focused | | | | language known as Manipravalm. Compositions |
| on the trials and hardships of everyday lives of | | | | from a 14th century book brought about two |
| farm labourers while others literary works | | | | literary styles, 'Sandesha Kavyas' and 'Champus'. |
| focused on religious rituals. With the invasion of | | | | Ezhuthachan is the strongest and most vibrant |
| the Aryan race, these folk rituals were modified in | | | | personality to emerge from the 16th century with |
| imagery and themes making them appear quite | | | | historical works such as Adhyatma Ramayanam', |
| different from their original appearance. | | | | 'Bharatham' and 'Bhagavatham' to his credit. The |
| Folk songs were often composed and sung based | | | | 'Attakatha' is popularly known as the 'Kathakali'. |
| on a person's vocation, such as the 'Pulayas' who | | | | Another mass appealing Malayalam art form is |
| earned their livelihood by working on the soil | | | | 'Thullal' whose creator is Kunchan Nambiyar. With |
| throughout the year. Like other religions that have | | | | western missionaries arriving in the 19th century |
| religious and social folklore, Malayalam literature | | | | and translating the Bible to Malayalam, this led to |
| also consists of many songs associated for all | | | | more different expressions in writing styles. |