Alappuzha: In a poignant tribute to literary luminary Kumaran Asan, on the solemn occasion of his 100th death anniversary, a 100-day commemoration programme, which includes mainly a series of lectures based on the works of the great poet, kick-started today at the quaint village of Kumarakodi near Pallana here.
“The 100-day lecture series will be held in cultural institutions, schools, colleges, and libraries in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Alappuzha, districts. Agriculture Minister P Prasad will inaugurate the lecture series,” said Kumaran Asan Smaraka Samithi Chairman, Ramapuram Chandrababu.
K Jayakumar IAS (Rtd) flagged off the ‘Asan Smrithi Yatra’ led by noted writer R Parvathy Devi from Kayikkara in Thiruvananthapuram district, the birthplace of Kumaran Asan, at 8.30 am. It will reach the Asan Smarakom (memorial tomb) at Kumarakodi at 4.30 pm.
A floral tribute will be laid at the Asan Smrithi Mandapam at Kumarakodi at 8.30 am on January 17 (Wednesday). A M Ariff MP will inaugurate the commemoration meeting at 10 am. Dr A M Siddique, Director, Sree Narayana Guru International Study Centre, will speak on the topic Asan Kavithakalude Samakaleena Prasakthi (the relevance of Asan’s works in modern times), and Prof A G Oleena, Director, Kerala Literacy Mission, on ‘Asan Kavithakalile Sthree’ (the focus of woman in Asan’s poems).
Noted poet Kureepuzha Sreekumar will inaugurate the Poets’ Summit on January 17 afternoon and in the evening, the popular KPAC drama ‘Mudiyanaya Putran’ will be staged.
On January 18, the arts competitions of students of the three schools set up in memory of Asan will be held. On January 18 at 3.30 pm, the Kumaran Asan death centenary meeting will be held. Culture Minister Saji Cheriyan will inaugurate the meeting presided over by Ramesh Chennithala MLA.
Kumaran Asan was born on June 12, 1873, in Kayikkara village, near Chirayinkeezhu in Thiruvanathapuram district. He died on January 16, 1924, aged 50 in a tragic boat accident at Pallana. One among the modern Malayalam triumvirate poets along with Vallathol Narayana Menon and Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer, Kumaran Asan played a pivotal role in the Malayalam literary renaissance. His insightful poetry, social critiques, and spiritual explorations continue to resonate with readers even today.
