Sanskrit Plays of Krishnachandra

Description

Sanskrit Plays of Krishnachandra Krishnachandra is the pen name of Attür Krishna Pishā-roți (1875-1964) the reputed scholar, teacher, poet, dramatist, essayist. researcher and musicologist who enriched both Sanskrit and Malayalam literatures for over half a century. His contributions are noteworthy both in their quality and quantity. A gifted man with a wide range of cultural interest he could command the respect of the contemporaries in an abundant measure. As a man he was the humblest among the humble, always ready to oblige any one who approached him for help.

In Kerala he is better known for his significant contributions to Kerala history, literature and music even though his services to the other fields have also won due recognition. His steady rise from the position of a school teacher upto the coveted privilege of being the tutor of the Maharaja of Travancore speaks of the measure of recognition and respect earned by him during his life time. He was awarded the prestigious title “Panditarāja” by the king of Cochin and a contemporary scholar remarked that he is truly a king among scholars, richly deserving the title.

Krishnachandra was born on Wednesday the 14th of Kanni in the Malabar Era 1051, the star of the day being Uttram. This is equivalent to 29th September 1875. In his own diary he has noted the date of birth after careful verification as follows:

‘कृष्णो नम्य’ इति प्रमाणगणिते कोलम्बवर्षे शुभे
कन्यामासि चतुर्दशेऽह्नि बुधवारे दर्शयुक्ते दिने ।
प्राह्न ह्य त्तरफल्गुनी प्रथमपादे जूकरश्यादिम-
ट्रेक्काणे कृतपूर्व कर्मफलभोगाय प्रसूतोऽस्म्यहम् ।।

The words ‘kışņo namya’ in the stanza denotes the Malabar Era 1051 according to the Kajapayādi system of notation. He was born as the fifth issue of Påppikkuțți Pishārasyär of Aştürt Pisharam which is located in the Attür village of Talappalli Taluk of the former Cochin state. His father was Nārāyavan Nampütiri of Vajakkejattu house of Vellättanäür.