प्ररोदनम्- Prarodanam

Foreword We are very proud in bringing out this Sanskrit rendering of Prarodanam, the famous elegy penned by Kumaran Asan, one of the greatest poets of Malayalam as the 46 volume of the Calicut University Sanskrit Series. The rendering has been done by Sri K. Vasudeva Ganakan, an erudite Sanskrit Scholar. Writing in chaste and elegant Sanskrit, Sri Ganakan has done full justice to the original work of Kumaran Asan, which has become celebrated in Malayalam literature due to its elegance, depth of thought and philosophical height. Retaining the original complex Sardulavikriditam meter in Sanskrit rendering, the translator has succeeded to preserve the stateliness and rhythmic grandeur of the original.

Kumaran Asan, who is justly regarded as the path breaker in the convention ridden neo-classic poetry of 20th century through his Vine Puvu (Fallen flower), is one of the most complex and colorful personalities of Malayalam literature. Hailing from an under privileged caste, he stole the lime light by sheer brilliance of poetic imagination to become the most outstanding poet of twentieth century through his writings which defined the contours of modernity and renaissance in Malayalam poetry.

Inspired by the ideals of Sri Narayana Guru, the greatest reformist and spiritual leader of Kerala, he combined in himself a sense of spirituality and zeal for reform. Far ahead of his times, he voiced concern for the downtrodden and the marginalized in the caste ridden and patriarchal orthodox society through his epoch making works like Nalini, Cintavistayaya Sita, Lila, and Candalabhiksuki.

**Contents and Sample Pages**