Kunjunni Mash – Kavithakal, Biography

Kunjunni, also known as Kunjunni Mash (Mash is the Malayalam word for teacher), was an Indian writer of Malayalam literature. He lived from 10 May 1927 until 26 March 2006. He was well-known for writing brief poems with a philosophical undertone, and both youngsters and adults enjoyed his writings. He garnered several accolades, including three prizes from the Kerala Sahitya Akademi: the award for poetry, the award for children’s literature, and the award for overall contributions.

He was well recognized and appreciated for leading a simple life with few comforts or luxuries.

He was well renowned for penning little poems that had an innocent appearance but had meaningful content. Under the alias “Kuttettan,” Kunjunni was in charge of the Mathrubhumi weekly’s children’s column. He introduced writing to three or four generations of ambitious authors. In 1987, Kunjunni went back to his hometown and started taking part in local social and cultural events. He had an appearance in Kamal’s 1993 film Bhoomi Geetham. His autobiography, Enniloode, is praised for its simplicity, candour, and humour. Sippy Pallippuram wrote a biography of the poet titled ‘Oridathu Oridathu Oru Kunjunni Mash’.

For his book Aksharathettu, Kunjunni was chosen by Kerala Sahitya Akademi to receive their yearly prize for children’s literature in 1977. Following the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry in 1987, he was given the State Institute of Children’s Literature Award in 1982. He received the Award for Overall Contributions in 2001 from the academy once more. In 2002, the same year he won the Vazhakunnuam Award, he also got the State Institute of Children’s Literature’s lifetime achievement award. He received the V. A. Kesavan Nair Award a year later (2003). Additionally, he received the Tomyas Award.

Kunjunni mash taught in a number of schools after receiving his secondary school teaching certification. He began working as a teacher at Ramakrishna Mission School in Kozhikode in 1953. He passed the “Vidwan” test when he was employed at this school. He kept on instructing there till 1982. Under the alias “Kuttettan,” Kunjunni mash also managed the Blapankthi during this time for Mathrubhoomi Weekly. The Malayalam phrase “Kunhunnimashum Kuttyolum” (Kunhunnimaster and children) got its meaning from the master. 1982 saw the master’s retirement. The poet has been residing and working on his writing at his Valappad house since 1987. The Kunhunni mash passed away 2006 March 26.

In the annals of Malayalam poetry writing, Kunhunnimaster holds a unique place in history. He is the poet-teacher who, by his own experiences, was able to gauge children’s brains and interests. The master’s works stand out for their national consciousness, patriotic sentiments, humanism, love of the mother tongue, etc. These characteristics form the foundation of his poetry, which even small children could easily comprehend.

Kunjunni Kavithakal കുഞ്ഞുണ്ണി മാഷിന്റെ കവിതകൾ

The phrase “Kunhunnimashum Kuttyolum” has been imprinted in the thoughts of Keralites. In Kerala, it’s still impossible for a poet to communicate with kids in this way. This is exclusive to Malayalam and represents its good fortune. Therefore, a detailed investigation of the educational principles found in the works of the great poet would be pertinent.

Children are typically thought of as being little, stupid, and irritable because they keep asking the same questions. individuals who downplay issues that grownups always find serious and those whose ambiguities are never cleared up. As a result of our seriousness, busyness, and time constraints, we constantly keep them at a distance. However, Kunhunni said that he was also “little” and had always wished to be a “kid” like them in his writings for these small, silly, and ignorant youngsters.

He was excellent at comprehending children’s issues, concerns, and complaints and could offer simple solutions.

He would respond appropriately to the doubts, queries, and scribbles of young children. These texts also have answers to these kinds of problems. He would offer guidance, reassurance, directions, and encouragement to kids in his own special way. His responses were meant to satisfy everyone’s interest, not just the curiosity of one particular youngster.

When a problem is taken seriously and a flawless solution is given, we become aware of how serious it is.

Did Kunhunni have any advice for children?   Is there a more effective method to describe the value of reading.

He is the teacher who showed to the “Malayali” how the world and experiences may be wrapped up in a single phrase. In every way, Kunhunni is the ideal teacher who has dedicated his entire life to the welfare of children. He mostly authored poems for kids. However, even adults liked them. The poet was able to demonstrate that even adults had a kid within of them, and his own life was proof of this.

When speaking with the kids, Kunhunni Mash was always willing to adapt any linguistic style. He never mentioned how important it was to use the standard terminology for this. He had youngsters in mind while he wrote proverbs and riddles. He gave the kids access via them to a wealth of information. These, which were previously the power of one mother language, are quickly disappearing. He was adamant that doing things would aid the kids’ mental growth.

He has produced a number of poems that might aid language learners in improving their pronounciation and acquiring linguistic purity.

‘Apliplaya
Liplaplaya
Leplaplavum’!

It is said that reading and reciting poetry of this kind regularly improves speech and pronunciation. He has included in his poem all the things that spark children’s interest.

The poet never missed an opportunity to share with the kids his love and respect for the native speech. The poet is proud of his Malayalam and firmly believes that Keralites may easily learn other languages because of their distinct sound. He never agreed with parents who enrolled their kids in English-medium schools. According to him, youngsters should attend Malayalam schools with their friends in order to learn about the culture and history of the nation.

Through his writings, the poet Kunjunni Mash helps adults learn the psychology of children, yet he never purposefully created poems for kids. But more frequently than not, his poetry have turned into children’s poems. Thus, the unbreakable tie between children and the poet is readily persuaded. Children do not have firsthand awareness of ignorance. And the poet unwittingly learns about these kids’ impressionable minds. According to the poet, kids who grow up hearing stories have a tendency to be strong readers.

Children’s language becomes more beautiful and powerful when proverbs and sayings are taught to them. Additionally, they pick up the cultural traits that benefit them in their daily lives. In addition to being their poet, he spoke opinions regarding children’s academic issues.

‘Chittayillathavan Chetta
Chittayullavan Sreshtan’

These are the two lines the poet must use to teach the kids the importance of being on time. The phrase “Manam nokki nadakkarutharum, manam nokki nadakkanamevarum” is also used. Given all these details, it is even more crucial to examine the educational ideas of Kunhunnimaster’s works. Those ideas that emerge from the investigation will undoubtedly provide the educational ideals a complete image.

• Team Malayalam Kavithakal

Link to read more poems of Kunjunni Mash

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