Deciphering the Mahabharata: Thunchathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan and his Conceptualisation of Lord Krishna

Abstract

Culture, spirituality and tradition, can undoubtedly be traced back to times unknown, or to times of civilisation and settlement. The morality of a race was for sure put into importance as the influence of divinity is quite evident in anything that is related to culture and tradition, ie; literature, sculpture, painting, murals, music and performances. The rise of Bhakti Movement from southern parts of India, did have its fair share of popularity in the northern parts as well when devotion of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna increased subsequently.

Thunchatch Ramanujan Ezhuthachan, the literary genius from Kerala can be considered as a personification of revival by reaching out with spiritual perfection. The deep rootedness towards culture and unshattered devotion of Ezhuthachan urged people of Kerala to revisit their spiritual expedition that might have been put to question due to the political tensions that were relevant during those days. With his simple words and peaceful representation, he unified, simplified and universaliscd the concept of God as a supreme existence that resides irrespective of the subject or form.

This paper, is therefore, an humble attempt to revisit the legacy left behind by notable writers who gave importance to spirituality, god, mythological text and the human connection possible for an moral uprising of society as whole.