''Vanchippattu'' is a poetic form in
Malayalam
Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of ...
composed entirely in the Dravidian metre ''Nathonnata''. It is originated from
Kerala
Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...
, a state in
India
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
.
History
This poetic form was created by
Ramapurathu Warrier, a poet in Malayalam lived in
Travancore
The kingdom of Travancore (), also known as the kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor () or later as Travancore State, was a kingdom that lasted from until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvanan ...
(later became a part of Kerala) during the reign of the king
Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma
Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma (Malayalam: ; 1706 – 7 July 1758) was the founding monarch of the southern Indian Kingdom of Travancore (previously Venadu) from 1729 until his death in 1758. He was succeeded by Rama Varma ("Dharma Raja") ...
. It is believed that it was created during a boat travel of Ramapurathu Warrier along with the King Marthanda Varma. Warrier recited his poem to the king. This poem later became the famous poetic collection ''
Kuchelavritham Vanchippattu.''
Etymology
The word Vanchippattu is a combination of two words ''vanchi'' means
Boat
A boat is a watercraft of a large range of types and sizes, but generally smaller than a ship, which is distinguished by its larger size or capacity, its shape, or its ability to carry boats.
Small boats are typically used on inland waterways s ...
and ''pattu'' means song. This poetic form has a rhythm similar to that of rowing the boat. Hence it got this name, according to historians.
List of some famous Vanchippattu
*
Kuchelavritham
* Lakshmanopadesham
* Parthasarathi Varnana
* Bheeshmaparvam
* Santhanagopalam
* Banayudham
Famous Vanchippattu poets
* Vaaladisseri Sankaranarayanan Achari
* Champakulam Puthenpurayil Joseph
*
I. C. Chacko
* Chirayinkeezhu Govindan Pillai
* Nedumprayar Gopalapilla Vaidyan
See also
*
Ramapurathu Warrier
References
Malayalam-language literature
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