Kunchan Nambiar (1705 - 1770), the satirist is the man who made literary
wit and humour understandable to the common man. His innovative satiric
art form Ottanthullal reflected his deep sense of social responsibility.
The witticism and anecdotes from the life of this genius have become
part of the lores and legends of the state.
One such is related to the occasion when the king of the land installed
an imposing deepasthambham (huge stone/metal lamp with hundreds of
wicks, usually seen at the entrance of temples) and challenged the
poets in his kingdom to recite poems on it. Kunchan Nambiar is said
to have sung the following couplet in no time:
Roughly translated, this oft quoted couplet means 'The deepasthambham
is a real wonder and I should also get my money". Kunchan Dinam
marks the poet's birthday.
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