Vijayarajamallika

Last updated
Vijayarajamallika
BornManu J Krishnan
(1985-03-01) 1 March 1985 (age 38)
Muthuvara, Thrissur, Kerala, India
OccupationWriter, activist, teacher
NationalityIndian
Alma mater
Notable works
  • Daivathinte Makal
  • Aan Nadhi
  • Mallikavasantham
  • Aanalla Pennalla
  • A Word to Mother
  • Pennayavalude Kavithakal
SpouseJashim

Vijayarajamallika, known as Daivathinte Makal, is a transgender poet in Malayalam literature, [1] She is a writer, teacher, social worker, inspirational speaker, and activist.

Contents

Early life, family and education

Vijayarajamallika was born in 1985 at Muthuvara, Thrissur district, Kerala, India, to Kaniyamkonatth Veettil Y. Krishnan, a retired superintendent of Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB); and Jaya Krishnan, a teacher. [2]

Her primary education was at Kendriya Vidyalaya, Puranattukara. [2] She completed a bachelor of arts degree in English Literature and History from St. Thomas College, Thrissur with the second rank from the University of Calicut in 2005. [2] In 2009 she completed Master of Social Work (MSW) from Rajagiri College of Social Sciences. [2] [3]

Vijayarajamallika describes herself as being "a woman in my heart…even though I was in the male body". [2] Vijayarajamallika is an intersex person with Klinefelter syndrome or 47 XXY, which she discovered at the age of 32 after doing Karyotyping from Government Medical College, Kozhikode. [4] She says that "knowing that she is an intersex is the proudest moment in her life" [2] [4]

She was married to Jashim, a software engineer. It was a controversial love marriage. The parents and relatives of Jashim were opposed to the marriage which was held in the office of Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad state committee at Thrissur. [5] [6]

Career

Daivathinte Makal (Daughter of God), her first collection of poetry, has been included in the syllabus of a course at the Department of Malayalam at Madras University. [7] [8] The poem, "Maranantharam" from Daivathinte Makal was included in the curriculum of Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, [9] and another poem, "Neelambari" from Daivathinte Makal, was included in the curriculum of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit. [9] "Maranantharam" a notable poem from this book was translated into English by N. P. Ashley and was published in the book The World that Belongs to Us by Harper Collins. [10] [11] [12]

Vijayarajamallika is the founder of Sahaj International, India's first transgender alternative learning center [13] [14] [15] [16] which worked in collaboration with the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) at Kochi. She winded up Sahaj International as Kerala Government incorporated transgender education through the Kerala State Literacy Mission.

Aan Nadhi (Male River), her second poetry collection, was published by Mythri Books Thiruvanathapuram. It describes the life and struggles of LGBTIAQ+ people with special reference to transgender and Intersex communities. [1] Aan Nadhi was significant in contributing ten new words to Malayalam Literature.[ citation needed ]

Vijayarajamallika's autobiography Mallikavasantham is the first transgender autobiography in Malayalam literature. [17] [3] She won the Swami Vivekanadhan Yuva Prathibha Award for literature in 2019 [18] instituted by the Kerala State Youth Welfare Board for this autobiography. [19] It also bagged the first ever Leela Menon literary award in the category of autobiography. [20] [21]

"Aanalla Pennalla Kanmani nee" [22] is a lullaby penned by Vijayarajamallika [23] which is reported to be the first intersex lullaby [24] [25] in the history of World Literature.

Daivathinte Makal won the Yuvakala Sahithi Vayalar Award in 2019. [26] The State of Kerala has honored her for her contributions and achievements [27] in the field of literature from the transgender community during the ‘Varnapakittu 2019 [28] ’, the first-ever transgender arts festival organized by the social justice department.

Ormayil Ragini [29] is an yearly event organized by Vijayarajamallika in memory of actress Ragini. [30]

Bibliography

Awards

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vayalar Ramavarma</span> Indian poet and lyricist (1928–1975)

Vayalar Ramavarma, also known as Vayalar, was an Indian poet and lyricist of Malayalam language. He was known for his poems which include Sargasangeetham, Mulankaadu, Padamudrakal, Aayisha and Oru Judas janikkunnu and for around 1300 songs he penned for 256 Malayalam films. He received the National Film Award for Best Lyrics in 1972 and was the winner of the Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics in its year of inception which he received three more times. He was also a recipient of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry in 1962.  His collaborations with G. Devarajan produced the golden era of Malayalam film music and many songs written and composed by these duo remain the ever green classics in Malayalam. Ramavarma is regarded as one of the most successful and critically acclaimed lyricist in the history of Malayalam cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K. Satchidanandan</span> Indian poet

K. Satchidanandan is an Indian poet and critic, writing in Malayalam and English. A pioneer of modern poetry in Malayalam, a bilingual literary critic, playwright, editor, columnist and translator, he is the former editor of Indian Literature journal and the former secretary of Sahitya Akademi. He is also social advocate for secular anti-caste views, supporting causes like environment, human rights and free software and is a well known speaker on issues concerning contemporary Indian literature. He is the festival director of Kerala Literature Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M. Mukundan</span> Indian author

Maniyambath Mukundan is an Indian author of Malayalam literature and former diplomat. He worked as a cultural attaché at the Embassy of France in Delhi from 1961 to 2004, while concurrently working as an author. Many of his early works are set in Mahé (Mayyazhi), his homeland, which earned him the moniker Mayyazhiyude Kathakaaran. He is known to be one of the pioneers of modernity in Malayalam literature. Some of his best known works include Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil, Daivathinte Vikrithikal, Kesavante Vilapangal, and Pravasam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sukumar Azhikode</span> Indian academic and critic (1926–2012)

Koloth Thattarath Sukumaran, popularly known as Sukumar Azhikode was an Indian academic, orator, critic and writer of Malayalam literature, known for his contributions to Malayalam language and insights on Indian philosophy. He was a scholar in Sanskrit, Malayalam, and English languages and his work, Tatvamasi, published in 1984, is a notable work for its detailed interpretation of Indian philosophy, Vedas and Upanishads. He was a recipient of several honours including Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahithya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award, Vallathol Award and Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, the highest literary award of the Government of Kerala. The Government of India awarded him the fourth highest civilian honour of the Padma Shri in 2007, which he refused citing the award was a discrimination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon</span> Indian writer

Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon was an Indian poet of Malayalam literature. Known for his works such as Kudiyozhikkal, Kannikkoythu and Mambazham, Menon was the founder president of the Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham, an organisation of Kerala-based artists, writers and art and literature enthusiasts. He was a recipient of several honours including Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry, Vayalar Award and Odakkuzhal Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sugathakumari</span> Indian poet and activist (1934–2020)

Sugathakumari was an Indian poet and activist, who was at the forefront of environmental and feminist movements in Kerala, South India. Her parents were the poet and freedom fighter Bodheswaran and V. K. Karthiyayini Amma, a Sanskrit scholar. She was the founder secretary of the Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi, an organisation for the protection of nature, and of Abhaya, a home for destitute women and a day-care centre for the mentally ill. She chaired the Kerala State Women's Commission. She played a prominent role in the Save Silent Valley protest.

B. Sandhya is a retired officer of the Indian Police Service and a former Director General of the Kerala Fire and Rescue Services, Home Guard, and Civil Defence. She is also known for her literary contributions which have won her a number of awards including the Edasseri Award in 2007. She retired from the service with the rank of Director General of Police on May 31, 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">V. M. Girija</span> Indian poet and essayist

V. M. Girija is an Indian poet and essayist, writing in Malayalam language. She has published a number of books, which include Prem - Ek Album, the Hindi translation of her poetry anthology in Malayalam, Pranayam Oralbum. Kerala Sahithya Akademi awarded her their 2018 annual award for poetry and she is a recipient of 'Changmpuzha Award for literature' and the 'Basheer Amma Malayalam Puraskaram'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sreekumaran Thampi</span> Indian film director

Sreekumaran Thampi is an Indian lyricist, music director, director, producer, and screenwriter in Malayalam cinema. He also writes poetry and is a recipient of the Vallathol Award. In 2017, he was awarded the J. C. Daniel Award, Kerala government's highest honour for contributions to Malayalam cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamala Surayya</span> Indian poet and author (1934–2009)

Kamala Das , popularly known by her one-time pen name Madhavikutty, was an Indian poet in English as well as an author in Malayalam from Kerala, India. Her popularity in Kerala is based chiefly on her short stories and autobiography, while her oeuvre in English, written under the name Kamala Das, is noted for the poems and explicit autobiography. She was also a widely read columnist and wrote on diverse topics including women's issues, child care, politics, etc. Her liberal treatment of female sexuality, marked her as an iconoclast in popular culture of her generation. On 31 May 2009, aged 75, she died at Jehangir Hospital in Pune.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri</span> Indian poet (1939–2021)

Vishnunarayanan Namboothiri was an Indian writer and scholar of Malayalam literature. Known primarily for his poems, Namboothiri also contributed to other genres such as essays, translations and children's literature. Swathanthrathe Kurichu Oru Geetham, Bhoomigeethangal, Indiayenna Vikaaram and Charulata count among his notable works. The Government of India honored him with the fourth highest civilian award of the Padma Shri in 2014 and the Government of Kerala awarded him the Ezhuthachan Puraskaram, the highest literary award in Malayalam, the same year. He was also a recipient of Vayalar Award, Vallathol Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Overall Contributions, Asan Prize, Sahitya Akademi Award and Odakkuzhal Award.

P. Kunjanandan Nair, better known by his pseudonym, Thikkodiyan, was an Indian playwright, novelist, lyricist and screenwriter of Malayalam. He was known for his contributions to the genre of radio plays and his autobiography, Arangu Kaanatha Nadan, which detailed the socio-cultural development of Malabar in the post-independent period, fetched him a number of awards including the Kendra Sahithya Academy Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Biography and Autobiography, Vayalar Award and the Odakkuzhal Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thirunalloor Karunakaran</span>

Thirunalloor Karunakaran was a poet, scholar, teacher and leftist intellectual of Kerala, India.

M.S. Banesh is an Indian poet and novelist writing in Malayalam. He is also a documentary filmmaker and journalist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">V. Madhusoodanan Nair</span> Indian Malayalam writer (born 1949)

V. Madhusoodanan Nair is an Indian poet and critic of Malayalam literature, who is credited with contributions in popularizing poetry through recitation. He is best known for Naranathu Bhranthan, the poem with the most editions in Malayalam literature as well as his music albums featuring recitations of his own poems and poems of other major poets. Kerala Sahitya Akademi honoured him with their annual award for poetry in 1993. He is also a recipient many other honours including Sahitya Akademi Award, Asan Smaraka Kavitha Puraskaram, Padmaprabha Literary Award, Kunju Pillai Award, R. G. Mangalom Award, Souparnikatheeram Prathibhapuraskaram and Janmashtami Puraskaram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sarah Joseph (author)</span> Indian novelist and short story writer in Malayalam

Sarah Joseph is an Indian novelist and short story writer in Malayalam. She won the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award and the Vayalar Award for her novel Aalahayude Penmakkal. She is a leader of the feminist movement in Kerala and is the founder of the activist organization Manushi. She joined the Aam Aadmi Party in 2014 and contested the 2014 parliament elections from Thrissur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santha P. Nair</span> Musical artist

Shantha P. Nair was a playback singer in Malayalam cinema. She was based in Thrissur, Kerala.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K. P. Ramanunni</span> Indian novelist

K. P. Ramanunni (Malayalam:കെ.പി.രാമനുണ്ണി) is a novelist and short-story writer from Kerala, India. His first novel Sufi Paranja Katha won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1995 and the novel Daivathinte Pusthakam won the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in 2017. Jeevithathinte Pusthakam won the 2011 Vayalar Award.

Makarakkoythu is one of the famous poetic collection by Malayalam writer Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon. It is collection consists of eighty poems about the culture of Kerala. It was published in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anitha Thampi</span> Indian poet

Anitha Thampi is a Malayalam language poet, essayist and translator from the state of Kerala, India. Critically acclaimed within and outside of India, her works have been widely translated into a number of languages and has appeared in various journals and anthologies worldwide.

References

  1. 1 2 "Kerala's first transwoman poet Vijayarajamallika to tie knot". Mathrubhumi.com. Archived from the original on 2020-11-01. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "MALLIKAVASANTHAM". Readwhere. Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  3. 1 2 3 "വിജയരാജമല്ലിക അഭിമുഖം: ഞാൻ പ്രളയത്തിന്റെ പുത്രിയല്ല; എനിക്ക് ശേഷം പ്രളയമെന്ന് വിശ്വസിക്കുന്നില്ല" [Vijayarajamallika Interview: I am not the daughter of the flood; I don’t believe there will be a flood after that]. TheCue.in (in Malayalam). December 31, 2019.
  4. 1 2 "ഇന്റര്‍ സെക്‌സും ട്രാന്‍സ്ജെന്‍ന്ററും ഒന്നല്ല; രണ്ടാണ്" [Intersex and transgender are not one in the same; Two]. aksharamonline.com (in Malayalam). Archived from the original on 2020-02-23. Retrieved 2020-02-23.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  5. ↑ "Transgender poet Vijayarajamallika gets married". The Hindu. September 7, 2019. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  6. ↑ "മാറ്റത്തിന്റെ മണിമുഴക്കം ! മലയാളത്തിലെ ആദ്യ ട്രാൻസ്ജെൻഡർ കവി വിജയരാജമല്ലിക വിവാഹിതയായി; വരൻ സോഫ്റ്റ്വെയർ എഞ്ചിനീയർ" [The bell of change! Malayalam's first transgender poet Vijayarajamallika gets married; Groom Software Engineer]. Rashtradeepika.com (in Malayalam). 7 September 2019.
  7. 1 2 "മദ്രാസ് സർവ്വകലാശാല പാഠ്യപദ്ധതിയിൽ വിജയരാജമല്ലികയുടെ കവിതാസമാഹാരം" [A collection of poems by Vijayaraja Mallika in the Madras University syllabus]. Azhimukham.com (in Malayalam). 3 August 2019.
  8. ↑ "Transgender poet Vijayaraja Mallika's book included in Madras University syllabus". Mathrubhumi.com. Archived from the original on 2020-05-29. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
  9. 1 2 "Transgender's Poem finds its place in MG University syllabus" . Retrieved 2020-02-21– via YouTube.
  10. ↑ "Opening Up Identity: How A Diverse Anthology Of Queer Poetry Came To Be". HuffPost India. 2020-08-01. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  11. ↑ Rangnekar, Sharif D. (2020-08-08). "'Desire crosses borders of different kinds': Akhil Katyal". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  12. ↑ "How Being Queer Is A Very Personal Experience That Needs Less Of The Labelling". womensweb.in. 2020-09-29. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  13. ↑ "India opens first transgender school". BBC News. 2016-12-30. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
  14. ↑ "Kerala Is Making History Once Again by Starting India's First Transgender School". The Better India. 2016-12-18. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
  15. ↑ "Kerala To Open First Transgender School In The Country" . Retrieved 2020-02-21– via YouTube.
  16. ↑ "Kerala launches India's first transgender school". asianetnews.com. Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Retrieved 2020-02-21.
  17. ↑ "Interview with Transgender poet Vijayaraja Mallika" . Retrieved 2020-02-21– via YouTube.
  18. 1 2 "സ്വാമി വിവേകാനന്ദൻ യുവപ്രതിഭാ പുരസ്കാര വിതരണം" [Swami Vivekananda Youth Talent Award Ceremony]. KSYWB.kerala.gov.in (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2020-10-02.[ permanent dead link ]
  19. ↑ "Malasian text" (PDF) (in Malayalam).
  20. 1 2 "ലീലാ മേനോൻ സാഹിത്യപുരസ്‌കാരങ്ങൾ പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു". 27 January 2021.
  21. ↑ പുഴ (29 January 2021). "പ്രഥമ ലീലമേനോൻ സാഹിത്യ പുരസ്‌കാരങ്ങൾ പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു | പുഴ.കോം - നവസംസ്കൃതിയുടെ ജലസമൃദ്ധി" . Retrieved 2021-02-21.
  22. ↑ Muringatheri, Mini (2020-09-01). "Malayalam lullaby for intersex child takes social media by storm". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  23. ↑ Mohandas, Vandana (September 6, 2020). "'A call for inclusion of intersex kids': Kerala's renowned transwoman poet on her lullaby". OnManorama.com. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  24. ↑ Ramavarman, T. (August 24, 2020). "Neither boy nor girl, it's 'not a sin sweetheart'". Times of India. Retrieved 2020-10-02– via indiatimes.com.
  25. ↑ Ramavarman, T. (September 7, 2020). "Ramanan's Radha returns to sing lullaby in Tamil for intersex baby". Times of India. Retrieved 2020-10-02– via indiatimes.com.
  26. 1 2 "യുവകലാസാഹിതി വയലാർ കവിതാ പുരസ്ക്കാരം വിജയ രാജമല്ലികയ്ക്ക്" [Vijaya Rajamallika wins Vayalar Poetry Award]. aimnews.in (in Malayalam). Aim News. Archived from the original on 2020-01-12. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  27. ↑ "TG KALOLSAVAM-VARNAPAKITTU 2019- SPECTRA-SPECIAL EDITION" (PDF). swd.kerala.gov.in. Social Justice Department, Government of Kerala.
  28. ↑ "Transgender arts festival from today". The Hindu. 2019-11-08. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 2020-02-21.
  29. ↑ "Cancer awareness; remembering Travancore sisters". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  30. ↑ cinematters (2015-12-08). "The 6th edition of "Ormayil Ragini" is on 26 December 2015". oldmalayalamcinema.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  31. 1 2 "പുരുഷന്റെ വിയർപ്പിനും രക്തത്തിനും കൊതിച്ചു, ഉള്ളിൽ നഗ്നയായി അട്ടഹസിച്ചു; എന്റെ ലൈംഗിക കാമനകളെ എങ്ങനെ അടക്കും'?" [Lusting for the man's sweat and blood, laughing naked inside; How can I suppress my sexual urges'?]. Keralakaumudi.com (in Malayalam).
  32. ↑ "'ആണല്ല പെണ്ണല്ല', മിശ്രലിംഗരായ കുഞ്ഞുങ്ങള്‍ക്കൊരു താരാട്ട് പാട്ട്; മോഹിനിയാട്ടത്തിലൂടെ ദൃശ്യാവിഷ്‌കാരം" ['Not a man, not a woman', a ballad for mixed-sex children; Visualization through Mohiniyattam]. TheCue.in (in Malayalam). 30 August 2020. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  33. ↑ ലേഖകൻ, മാധ്യമം (2021-08-26). "വിജയരാജമല്ലികയുടെ ആറാമത് പുസ്തകം 'ലിലിത്തിന് മരണമില്ല' പ്രകാശനം ചെയ്തു | Madhyamam". www.madhyamam.com (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2021-12-29.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.