AKAVOOR VASUDEVAN NAMBOODIRIPAD (1878 - 1952)

Vasudevan Namboodiripad of Akavoor Mana, popularly known as "Valiya Thampuraan" was a poet and a scholar in "Jyothisham", "Darsanams" and the "Puranams". He had memorized the entire Mahaabhaaratham. Although he had written a large number of poems, he had only two collections of poems - "Sreekrishna Sthuthi" and "Bhakthi Lahari". "Krishnopahaaram" (1949) is mostly prose, and contains also his own translation of a part of "Naaraayanopanishad".

What is it like to be born into a family with a great lineage? I have pondered on this question many a time and it brings mixed feelings of pride and humility. The rich tradition makes me proud; its greatness makes me humble.

Akavoor Vasudevan Namboodiripad was my grandfather's grandfather..........My grandfather still cherishes the days he spent with his grandfather at "Murajapam" held in the erstwhile Travancore State now Thiruvananthapuram hosted by the Royal family of Travancore.