Re: Cherussery Krishnagatha In Malayalam Pdf 47
Phillipp Schneeberger
Cherussery Krishnagatha: A Malayalam Epic Poem
Cherussery Krishnagatha is a Malayalam epic poem written by Cherussery Namboothiri, a 15th-century poet and scholar. It narrates the life story of Lord Krishna, from his birth to his ascension to heaven, based on the Bhagavata Purana. It is considered one of the most important works of Malayalam literature, and a masterpiece of bhakti poetry.
Background and Authorship
Cherussery Krishnagatha belongs to the genre of sandesa kavya, or message poems, which were popular in medieval Kerala. These poems were written as messages from a lover to his beloved, who was separated by distance or circumstances. The poet would use various metaphors and imagery to convey his feelings and longing, as well as describe the beauty and culture of the places he visited. Cherussery Krishnagatha is unique in that it uses the message poem format to narrate the divine love story of Krishna and Radha, as well as the other exploits and miracles of Krishna.
The author of Cherussery Krishnagatha is widely believed to be Cherussery Namboothiri, a Brahmin scholar and poet who lived in the 15th century CE. He was born in Cherussery Illam, a village near Vadakara in present-day Kozhikode district. He was well-versed in Sanskrit and Malayalam, and wrote several works on grammar, logic, philosophy, and poetry. He was also a patron of arts and culture, and supported many poets and artists. He is said to have composed Cherussery Krishnagatha at the request of Udaya Varma, the king of Kolathunadu, who was a devotee of Krishna.
Structure and Style
Cherussery Krishnagatha consists of 47 cantos, each containing 30 to 40 verses. The verses are composed in a meter called kili kkaappu, which has four lines of seven syllables each, with a rhyme scheme of abab. The language used is simple and elegant, with minimal use of Sanskrit words. The poem is rich in imagery, similes, metaphors, and allusions, and uses various figures of speech such as upama (comparison), rupaka (metaphor), utpreksha (hyperbole), vakrokti (irony), etc. The poem also employs various poetic devices such as prasa (alliteration), anuprasa (consonance), yamaka (homonym), etc.
The poem follows the chronological order of Krishna's life, starting with his birth in Mathura, his childhood in Gokula and Vrindavan, his youth in Dwaraka, his role in the Mahabharata war, and his departure to heaven. The poem also describes the various aspects of Krishna's personality, such as his playful nature, his romantic charm, his heroic valor, his divine power, and his compassionate grace. The poem also highlights the devotion and love of Radha, the gopis, the Pandavas, Arjuna, Draupadi, Kuchela, and other devotees of Krishna.
Themes and Significance
The main theme of Cherussery Krishnagatha is bhakti or devotion to Krishna. The poem portrays Krishna as the supreme lord and the source of all bliss. It also shows how Krishna reciprocates the love and devotion of his devotees, by protecting them from dangers, fulfilling their desires, granting them salvation, and revealing his true form to them. The poem also illustrates the concept of madhura bhava or erotic love as a way of expressing devotion to Krishna. The poem depicts the intense love and longing between Krishna and Radha, as well as the gopis, who represent the individual souls seeking union with the divine.
Cherussery Krishnagatha is regarded as one of the finest examples of Malayalam literature, and a landmark in the development of Malayalam language and poetry. It is one of the earliest works to use Malayalam as a medium of expression for religious and philosophical themes. It also influenced many later poets and writers who followed Cherussery's style and vision. Cherussery Krishnagatha is widely read and recited by Malayalis, especially during festivals and occasions related to Krishna. It is also a source of inspiration and guidance for many devotees of Krishna.
References
- [1] Cherussery Krishnagatha. (n.d.). In Wikipedia. Retrieved April 6, 2023, from
- [2] Krishnagadha - വക്കപഡയ. (n.d.). Retrieved April 6, 2023, from
- [3] Cherussery-Krishnagadha (ചറുശ്ശര-കൃഷ്ണഗഥ). (n.d.). Retrieved April 6, 2023, from