Vallathol

Vallathol Narayana Menon (Malayalam: വള്ളത്തോൾ നാരായണ മേനോൻ) (October 16, 1878 – August 13, 1958), popularly known as Vallathol, was a renowned Malayalam poet and one of the most celebrated poets of Kerala, India. He was a key figure in the modern Malayalam poetry movement and a major force in shaping modern Kerala culture.

Vallathol played a significant role in reviving Kerala Kalamandalam, a premier institute for Kathakali and other classical art forms of Kerala. He dedicated his life to promoting and preserving these arts.

His literary works are marked by a blend of traditional and modern sensibilities. He wrote extensively on Indian epics, myths, and contemporary social issues. His famous works include Sahitya Manjari (a collection of poems), Chithrayogam, Oru Kathakali Padam, and numerous translations of Sanskrit works into Malayalam. His poems often reflected nationalist sentiments and a deep love for his homeland. Vallathol was also a freedom fighter and actively participated in India's independence movement. He was deaf from a young age, which further contributed to his unique perspective and sensitivity towards the world around him.