Mali Madhavan Nair facts for kids

V. Madhavan Nair (1915–1994), often called Mali, was a very talented Indian writer and a pioneer in many fields. He was a lawyer, a journalist, and even a sportsman. He also wrote plays for Kathakali, a traditional dance-drama, and helped start radio broadcasting in India.

Mali held many important jobs. He worked for newspapers like the Free Press Journal in Mumbai. He was also an editor for the National Book Trust, which publishes books. He even became a station director for All India Radio, helping to bring radio to more people. Later, he worked to promote culture for the Travancore Devaswom Board and was a chief editor for Kerala Nirmithi Kendram. As a journalist, he wrote about art, literature, Indian buildings, and sports. His articles appeared in English newspapers like The Hindu and The Statesman, and Malayalam magazines like Mathrubhumi.

Mali is most famous for the wonderful children's books he wrote using his pen name, "Mali."

Mali's Early Life

Mali was born on December 6, 1914, in Thiruvananthapuram, a city in India. His father was Sadasyatilakan T.K. Veluppillai, and his mother was Bhagavathiyamma. When he was young, Mali was a good tennis player.

Mali as a Kathakali Playwright

Mali wrote a very successful Kathakali play called Karnashapatham. Kathakali is a special type of dance-drama from Kerala, India, known for its colorful costumes and detailed makeup.

Karnashapatham is considered one of the best Kathakali plays written in the 20th century. It was performed more than 5,000 times during Mali's lifetime! This play is shorter than most Kathakali shows, lasting about three and a half hours. Traditional Kathakali plays can go on all night, from dusk until dawn.

Mali made his play popular by using simple Malayalam words in the songs, called padams. He also used special musical tunes, known as ragas, like Reethigowla and Hindolam. Some of these tunes were used for the first time in Kathakali. Mali wrote and set the music for all the songs himself. The famous singer Vaikom Thankappan Pillai first sang Karnashapatham on stage.

Mali: A Beloved Children's Author

Mali wrote about fifty novels and short stories especially for children. He was also the editor of Malika, a magazine made just for kids.

He became a household name in Kerala because of his simple and engaging retellings of the great Indian epics, the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, for young readers. His novels Circus and Porattam were even part of the standard reading list for 7th-grade students in Kerala schools.

Major Works by Mali

Here are some of Mali's important books:

• Unnikale Katha Parayam (1954) – This means "Children, Let's Tell Stories."
• Unnikalkku Janthukathakal (1957) – "Animal Stories for Children."
• Unnikkathakal (1967) – "Children's Stories."
• Mali Ramayanam (1962) – Mali's version of the epic Ramayana.
• Mali Bhagavatham (1968) – Mali's retelling of the Bhagavatham.
• Karnashapatham Attakkatha( 1969) – The Kathakali play he wrote.
• Jeevanulla Prathima (1979) – "Living Statue."
• Mali Bharatham (1979) – Mali's version of the epic Mahabharata.
• Mandakkazhutha (1979) – "The Foolish Donkey."
• Circus (1979) – A popular children's novel.
• Sarvajithum Kallakkadathum (1979) – "Sarvajith and Smuggling."
• Thenali Raman (1981) – Stories about the clever jester Tenali Raman.
• Vikramaditya Kathakal (1981) – Stories of King Vikramaditya.
• Purana Katha Malika (1981-12 volumes) – A garland of ancient stories.
• Aitihya Lokam (1986) – "World of Legends."
• Kishkindha – Named after a kingdom in the Ramayana.
• Anchu Minute Kathakal – "Five-Minute Stories."

Mali's Passing

Mali passed away on July 2, 1994, at the age of 79, in Thiruvananthapuram. He had been ill for some time. His body was cremated with full state honors, showing the respect he had earned.