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University of Calicut,
Edapally - Panvel Hwy, Thenhipalam,
Kerala 673635, India
Moorkoth Kumaran [23 may 1874-25 June 1941] was a social reformer, short story writer and a teacher. He was the founder of Mithavadi, a magazine that propagated social reform and critique of casteism in Indian society. He authored the first biography of Sree Narayana Guru and was an ardent follower of the guru and his teachings. He is considered a literary critic and one of the earliest short story writers in Malayalam.
He was born to Moorkoth Ramunni and Parapurathu Kunchirutha, into a thiyya family in Thalassery in Kannur district of Malabar. Moorkoth Kumaran’s parents died when he was very young and he grew up with his father’s family. He studied in Thalassery and pursued higher education in Madras. He was married to Yashoda.
Social Reformer
He served as the second General Secretary of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam. Due to his professional engagements as a judge, it is believed that he could not continue on that post for long. He took initiative to establish the statue of Sree Narayana Guru inside the Jagannath temple in Thalassery. He was sympathetic to the British administration and believed that it was beneficial to the oppressed communities. In the conferences called by the Madras Presidency between Jenmis (landlords) and Kudiyans (tenants), he was representative of the Kudiyans. In the early 1990s, he especially propagated the rights of women and the need to promote women’s education in Kerala. He was also against conversions of lower castes to Chritianity and Buddhism since he believed that converting to any religion doesn’t root out caste prejudices. He believed that membership to Janondaya Yogam should be open to all members of the lower castes.
Writer
He served as editor to many newspapers including Mitavadi, Pratibha, Samudayika Deepika, Kerala sanchari, Gajakesari etc. Kumaranashan’s veenapoovu was published in Mitavadi during the tenure of his editorship. It is believed that Moorkoth’s writings emerged on the eve of Kerala Renaissance. He was appointed editor to kerala sanchari after the publication of a writing, ‘podivali’. He wrote strong editorials against the caste system, superstitions, and social injustices. He also gave space to others like Kesari (pen name of Vengayil Kunjiraman Nayar) in the newspaper, making it notable at that time. Only 6 of his short stories were published as a book during his lifetime. His first novel was Lokapavadam. His novel Vasumathi was a critique of polygamy and the matrilineal system then prevalent in Malabar.
