Kunchan Nambiar

Kunchan Nambiar

5 May, Kunchan Dinam

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:

"Deepasthambham mahascharyam namukkum kittanam panam"

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.