Art, Culture And Literature in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram has produced great poets and men of letters from very ancient times. One of the ancient poets was Ayyipillai Asan (15th or 16th Century A.D) of Avaaduthura near Kovalam. He wrote his famous work Ramakadhapattu, which represents a stage in the evolution of the southern dialect of Malayalam.

Two most outstanding poets patronized by the royal family of Tranvancore were Unnayi Warrier and Kunchan Nambiar. The reign of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal (1813-1846), the royal composer, saw the golden age of Carnatic music in Kerala. The contribution of Swathi Thirunal in the realm of music has enriched even the cultural heritage of India.

Irayimman Thampi (1782-1856), a contemporary of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal, was another composer of great originality and deep learning. Vidwan Koi Thampuran was also a scholar and poet who belonged to this period.

Twentieth century witnessed a cultural renaissance. Kerala Varma Valiakoi Thampuran (1845-1914), who spent a good part of his life in Thiruvananthapuram, translated Kalidasa