Manaveda in a broad perspective
Introduction
It is interesting to look at Manaveda and his contributions in a broad
socio-political, historical, and cultural background of both Kerala and India.
Indian Cultural Background
The general cultural background is given by Prof. P.C. Vasudevan Eleyath in
krishnattapravesakam in his malayalam translation of
Krishnagiti
as follows [1]:
In AD 16th and 17th century, as a result of Vaishnava religious renaissance,
many forms of performing arts originated and propagated in different parts
of India. Especially the royal families of Mathura, Nepal, Assam just like
the Samutiris (Zamorins) of Kerala took great care in the patronage of
performing arts related to Vaishnava cult. Many artists created new art
forms, for example, Sanakaradeva in Assam. Among these art forms, a sanskrit
poem named Krishna Lila Tarangini by Sri Narayana Tirtha in Tamil Nadu
deserves special attention. It is said that Krishna Lila Tarangini
used to be performed at Varahur on Krishnashtami Day. Krishna Lila
Tarangini has similarities to Krishnanattam. Both originated around the
same time. Thus Krishnanattam is one among the many art forms which
originated as a result of a strong inner flow of cultural renaissance all
over India.
Landmarks in Early Malayalam Literature
Malayalam begins to develop as an independent literary language (with
written books) around the same time that Kolla varsham, the Malayalam
Era begins (AD 825). Tolan who is thought to belong to 9th century wrote
Attaprakarams for Kutiyattam. These are some of the earliest examples
of Malayalam literature. Between 9th and 12th centuries, Manipravalam, a
mixture of Sanskrit and Malayalam, dominates the scene. Famous
Ramacaritam which deviated from Manipravalam belongs to 12th century.
15th-17th century saw the great works that belong to the Bhakti movement.
This was inaugurated by Niranam poets (15th century). Cherusseri who wrote
Krishnagatha also belongs to this era. Ezhuthacchan belongs to the
later half of 16th century and first half of 17th century. Incidentally
Melputtur who wrote exclusively in sanskrit also belongs to this era.
Puntanam(1547-1640) also lived in these times. Manaveda
completes Krishnagiti in 1654. Kottarakkara Thampuran who
inaugurated the Attakatha sahityam belongs to the later half of 17th
century and first half of 18th century. Kuncan Nambiar belongs to
18th century. Thus it is interesting to note that two great works in Sanskrit,
Narayaneeyam and Krishnagiti were written by poets from Kerala at around the same time that Malayalam Language in the present form was originated.
Manaveda's famous ancestor, King Manavikrama
King Manavikrama ruled as Samutiri in the 15th century from 1466 to 1471[2].
Portuguese have not yet set foot in Kerala. He wrote the commentary
Vikramiya vyakhya for the famous sanskrit poem Anargha Raghavam by Murari.
The famous patinettara kavikal (Eighteen and half poets) adorned his
royal court. Punam Nambutiri who chose to write in Malayalam was the
arakkavi, the half poet! Famous among the eighteen are Uddanda Sastrikal,
Kakkasseri Damodara Bhattatiri, Cennas Narayanan Namputiri and the two
Payyur Bhattatiris (Maharsi and Parameswaran). Kakkasseri Bhattatiri is the
author of the sanskrit play {\it Vasumati-Manavikramam}, whose theme is the
marriage between King Manavikrama and Vasumati, daughter of Mangattaccan.
Cennas wrote the authoritative Tantrasamuccayam.
Manaveda
Manaveda was born in 1585 (ME 760) and passed away in 1658 (ME 833) at the
age of 73. In 1643 he completed a work in sanskrit called Purva Bharata
Campu. He completed the sanskrit work Krishnagiti in 1654. He ruled
as Samutiri from August 25, 1655 to February 15, 1658. He prepared for war
with the Kochi Raja but did not live to lead the attack[3].
From Krishnagiti, we find that Manaveda was the nephew of King (Mana)
Vikrama. Manaveda's successor, another Manaveda, was also a scholar. He
wrote a commentary called Vilasini to Lakshmidasa's
Sukasandesam.
Manaveda's Contemporaries
This information is taken from Ref.[1].
The scholar Narayana Panditar who wrote commentaries on Raghuvamsa,
Kumarasambhava.
The poet Rudra dasa (Uzhutra Varrier) who wrote the poem Manaveda
Sattakam which has the imagined theme of marriage between Manaveda and the
princess of Anga Kingdom. In the preface to this poem there is a (prose) portrayal
of Manaveda.
The poet Divakaran from Chola desam. Wrote Lakshmi-Manavedam natakam. The
theme is the marriage between Manaveda and Rajalakshmi (Kerala),
daughter of the Ocean.
The poet/scholar Melputtur Narayana Bhattatiri(1560-1646) who wrote
Narayaneeyam in 1587 when Manaveda was three years old!
The sage Vilwamangalam who used to reside in Vrindavan and
frequently visit Ambalappuzha and Guruvayur. This sage who figures in many
legends associated with the Krishna temples in Ambalappuzha and Guruvayur,
incidently is different from the famous sage Vilwamangal who wrote
SriKrishna Karnamrtam.
Major Historical Events
Under the rule of Samutiri, Kozhikode becomes a strong political entity in
the 14th century. Vasco da Gama arrives at Kozhikode in 1498. Beginning of
15th century, Samutiri becomes the leading force against the Portuegese
expansion in Kerala. Udayamperur Sunahados in 1599.
On 1604 November 11, Dutch East India Company signs an
agreement with Samutiri. Kunankurisu revolt in 1653. Manaveda
completes Krishnagiti in 1654. Dutch captures Kollam
in 1658. In 1663, Dutch captures Kochi.
[1] P. C. Vasudevan Elayath, Krishnanattam(Krishnagiti),
published by Guruvayur Devaswom, (1985).
[2] A. Sreedhara Menon, Keralacharitram, published by
Sahitya Pravarthaka Cooperative Society Ltd., Kottayam, India (1967).
[3] Martha Bush Ashton-Sikora, Krishnattam, published by
Oxford and IBH Publishing Company Pvt. Ltd. (1993).
compiled by A. H dated 2004
The photographs are that of Manaveda Monument in Guruvayur. Photos taken by
A. Krishnadas on July 21, 2004.