{{Short description|Indian poet}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox person | name = Kunjunni | image = Kunhunnimash.jpg | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=y|1927|5|10}} | birth_place = Valapad, Thrissur, Kerala, India | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=y|2006|3|26|1927|5|10}} | death_place = Thrissur, Kerala, India | education = | alma_mater = | occupation = {{hlist|Poet|lyricist}} | title = | awards = {{ubl|1977 Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Children's Literature|1987 Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry|2001 Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Overall Contributions}} | notable_works = | parents = {{ubl|Neelakantan Moosath (father)| Narayani Amma (mother)}} | children = }}
'''Kunjunni''' (10 May 1927 – 26 March 2006), popularly known as '''Kunjunni Mash''' ({{Translation|Kunjunni, The Teacher}}), was an Indian poet of Malayalam literature. Known for his short poems with a philosophical overtone, his works were popular among children as well as adults. He received several honors including three Kerala Sahitya Akademi Awards.
== Early life and career== Kunjunni was born on 10 May 1927 at Valapad, a village in Thrissur district in the south Indian state of Kerala to Njayapilly Illathu ''Neelakantan Moosath'' and ''Athiyarathu Narayani Amma''.<ref name="About Author Kunjunni Mash">{{Cite web |url=https://keralabookstore.com/about-author/kunjunni-mash/2/ |title=About Author Kununni Mash |date=2019-03-25 |website=keralabookstore.com |language=en |access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref> Kunjunni started his career as a teacher at the Chelari school. He joined Ramakrishna Mission Sevashrama High School in Kozhikode in 1953. He was an inmate of the Ashrama and taught, looked after, and interacted with the hostel boys there. He retired from teaching in 1982 but continued to live in the Ashrama, which he had found to be most suitable for his unpretentious life and writings are known for their simplicity, till he retired to his district for health reasons.<ref name="Kunjunni passes away">{{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/kunjunni-passes-away/article3170082.ece |title=Kunjunni passes away |date=2006-03-27 |website=The Hindu |language=en-IN |access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref> Kunjunni died in his ancestral house at Valapad on 26 March 2006.<ref name="Kunjunni passes away" />
He was known and admired for living a humble life with minimal needs, and few comforts or luxuries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/books/story.php?id=731&cat_id=503|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128064935/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/books/story.php?id=731&cat_id=503|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 January 2013|title=Big Big Kunjunni Mash|publisher=Mathrubhumi|access-date=1 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manoramaonline.com/advt/Lifestyle/Poetry10/kunjunni.htm|title=Big Kunjunni Mash|publisher=Manoramaonline|access-date=1 November 2011}}</ref>
== Works == {{quote box|align = right|width=22em| ''In Cross my Belief, In Purse my Relief.........''
{{indent|2}} ''Kaakka Paari Vannu, Paara Melirunnu'' (Flew in a crow, sat on the rocks) {{indent|2}} ''Kaakka Paari Poyi, Paara Baakkiyaayi'' (Flew out the crow, stayed back the rocks)
Excerpts from Kunjunni poems}}
He was known for writing short poems which appeared to be childlike in form but conveyed a message. Kunjunni handled the column for children in the ''Mathrubhumi'' weekly under the pseudonym "Kuttettan". He initiated three or four generations of aspiring writers into writing. Kunjunni returned to his native village in 1987 and became involved in social and cultural activities in the Thrissur area.<ref name="Kunjunni passes away" /> He appeared in ''Bhoomi Geetham'', a 1993 film directed by Kamal.<ref name="Kunjunni passes away" /> His autobiography, ''Enniloode'', is noted for its candour, humour and simplicity.<ref name="Enniloode">{{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=80906&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Enniloode |last=Kunjunni |date=1987 |publisher=P. K. Brothers |location=Calicut}}</ref> ''Oridathu Oridathu Oru Kunjunni Mash'' is a biography of the poet, written by Sippy Pallippuram.<ref name="Biography Of Kunjunni Mash">{{Cite web |url=http://poornna.com/oridathu-oridathu-oru-kunjunni |title=Biography Of Kunjunni Mash |date=2019-03-26 |website=poornna.com |access-date=2019-03-26 |archive-date=26 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326131654/http://poornna.com/oridathu-oridathu-oru-kunjunni |url-status=dead }}</ref>
=== Bibliography === {{Div col|colwidth=30em}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=70629&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Kunjunniyude kavithakal |last=Kunjunni |date=1969 |publisher=Kunjunni}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=48381&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Ezhuthachantae Mozhimuthukal |date=1995 |publisher=Bodhi |editor-last=Kunjunni |location=Calicut |editor-last2=Karthikeyan |editor-first2=K. G.}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=76831&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Kunjunni kavithakal |last=Kunjunni |date=1978 |publisher=National Book Stall |location=Kottayam}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=76241&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Kavitha |last=Kunjunni |date=1977 |publisher=Kerala Kavitha Grandhavali}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=99742&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Valiya kuttikkavithakal |last=Kunjunni |date=2010 |publisher=D C Books |isbn=9788126428236 |location=kottayam}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=98935&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Pazhamozhi pathayam |last=Kunjunni |year=2003 |publisher=D C books |isbn=9788126405954 |location=Kottayam}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=98534&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Kunnolamvalippamulla kunju kathakal |last=Kunjunni |date=2011 |publisher=DC Books |isbn=9788126416110 |location=Kottayam}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=85719&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Katamkathakal |last=Kunjunni |date=2005 |publisher=Kerala Sahitya Academy |isbn=9788176900768 |location=Thrissur}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=83360&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Theranjedutha pazhanchollukal |last=Kunjunni |date=1992 |publisher=P K Brothers |location=Calicut}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=203339&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Oonuthottu Urakkam vare |last=Kunjunni |date=1971 |publisher=Author |location=Author}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=214572&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Amruthakadhakal |last=Kunjunni |publisher=Malayalam Publication, Kozhikode |location=Malayalam Publication, Kozhikode}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=213247&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Namboodiri Phalithangal |last=Kunjunni |date=1984 |publisher=N.B.S |location=Kottayam. Kottayam}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=206886&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Rashtreeyam |last=Kunjunni |date=1989 |publisher=D.C. Book House |location=D.C. Book House}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=202601&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Kunjunnimashum Kuttyolum |last=Kunjunni |date=1986 |publisher=Alhuda Bookstall, Kozhikode |location=Alhuda Bookstall, Kozhikode}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=229559&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Kuttettan |last=Kunjunni |date=2007 |publisher=D C Books |location=Kottayam}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=229558&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Kilukilukkampetti |last=Kunjunni |date=2007 |publisher=D C Books |location=Kottayam}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=228499&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Adiyum Podiyum |last=Kunjunni |date=2003 |publisher=Currand Books |location=Trichur}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=227387&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Nadatham |last=Kunjunni |date=2003 |publisher=Poorna |location=Kozhikode}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=227196&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Kunjunnikkurippukal |last=Kunjunni |date=2001 |publisher=Oliv |location=Kozhikode}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=227033&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Kuttettande Kurippukal |last=Kunjunni |date=204 |publisher=Lipi Publications |location=Kozhikode}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=221261&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Kinginikavithakal |last=Kunjunni |date=1986 |publisher=Sahitya Pravarthaka Co.op. Society Ltd., Kottayam |location=Sahitya Pravarthaka Co.op. Society Ltd., Kottayam}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=216537&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Appooppanthadi |last=Kunjunni |date=1985 |publisher=N.B.S., Kottayam |location=N.B.S., Kottayam}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=285111&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Kuttikavithakalum kathakalum kurippukalum |last=Kunjunni |date=2015 |publisher=Mambazham, DC books |isbn=9788126453696 |location=Kottayam |access-date=26 March 2019 |archive-date=27 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327104247/https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=285111&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |url-status=dead }} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=306399&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Valiyavanavan |last=kunjunni |date=1986 |publisher=P.K.Brothers |location=Calicut}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=306384&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Kuttammanum kottaravum |last=Kunjunni |date=1992 |publisher=P.K.Brothers |location=Calicut}} * {{Cite book |url=https://catalog.uoc.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=306379&query_desc=au%253A%2522Kunjunni%2522 |title=Kuttikalute nighandu |last=Kunjunni |date=2006 |publisher=D.C.Books |isbn=9788126409693 |edition=3rd |location=Kottayam}} * {{Cite book |url=http://mgucat.mgu.ac.in/cgi-bin/koha/opac-detail.pl?biblionumber=118254&query_desc=au%252Cwrdl%253A%2520Kunjunni |title=Nallathupole Padikkanulla Kunhu Sootrangal |last=Kunjunni |publisher=DC Books |location=Kottayam}} * {{Cite book |url=http://keralabookstore.com/book/kunjunni-ramayanam/1510/ |title=Kunjunni Ramayanam |last=Kunjunni |publisher=Poorna Publications |year=2003 |language=en}} * {{Cite book |url=http://keralabookstore.com/book/kaiyezhuthum-thalelezhuthum/8/ |title=Kaiyezhuthum Thalelezhuthum |last=Kunjunni |publisher=H and C Books |year=2003 |language=en}} * {{Cite book |title=Cheriya Kuttikkavithakal |last=Kunjunni |publisher=Mambazham: An Imprint of DC Books |year=2014 |isbn=978-8126427154}} * {{Cite book |url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18005329 |title=Pulivaalu |last=Kunjunni |publisher=DC Books}} * {{Cite book |url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/best_book/25090571-kurum-kavithakal |title=Kurum Kavithakal |last=Kunjunni |publisher=H & C Books |year=2001}} * {{Cite book |url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/best_book/55289412-kunjunni-mashude-lokam |title=Kunjunni Mashude Lokam |last=Kunjunni |publisher=Pulari Books |year=2004}} * {{Cite book |url=http://www.indulekha.com/pathinanchum-pathinanchum-children-porms-kunjunni?author_id= |title=Pathinanchum Pathinanchum |last=Kunjunni |publisher=National Book Stall |year=2015}} *''Vithum Muthum'' *''Kutti Pencil'' *''Kuttikal Padunnu'' *''Undanum Undiyum'' *''Kalikoppu'' *''Pathinanchum Pathinanchum'' *''Aksharathettu'' *''Nonsense Kavithakal'' *''Muthumani'' *''Chakkarappava'' *''Kadalippazham'' *''Kalikkalam'' {{div col end}}
== Awards == Kerala Sahitya Akademi selected Kunjunni for their annual award for children's literature in 1977 for his work, ''Aksharathettu''.<ref name="Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Children's Literature">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/ksa/Awards/Endowments/Award_Balasahityam.htm |title=Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Children's Literature |date=2019-03-25 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref> He received the State Institute of Children's Literature Award in 1982,<ref name="Kunjunni passes away" /> followed by the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry in 1987.<ref name="Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/ksa/Awards/poetry.htm |title=Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry |date=2019-03-25 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-03-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626195512/http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/ksa/Awards/poetry.htm |archive-date=26 June 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The academy honoured him again in 2001 with the Award for Overall Contributions in 2001.<ref name="Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Overall Contributions">{{Cite web |url=http://www.keralasahityaakademi.org/sp/Writers/ksa/Awards/total.htm |title=Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Overall Contributions |date=2019-03-25 |website=Kerala Sahitya Akademi |access-date=2019-03-25}}</ref> He received the lifetime achievement award of the State Institute of Children's Literature in 2002, the same year as he received the Vazhakunnuam Award. A year later, he was awarded the V. A. Kesavan Nair Award (2003).<ref name="Kunjunni passes away" /> He was also a recipient of the Tomyas Award.<ref>{{cite news | title = Kovelan chosen for Tomyas award | date = 2 June 2008 | work = The Hindu }}</ref>
Kunjunni Award is a literary award instituted by Balasahiti Prakashan, the publication wing of Balagokulam, in memory of Kunjunni Mash. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a plaque and a certificate.<ref>{{cite news |title=കുഞ്ഞുണ്ണി പുരസ്കാരം പ്രഖ്യാപിച്ചു |language=ml |newspaper=Kerala Kaumudi |date=28 April 2021 |url=https://keralakaumudi.com/news/news.php?id=537660&u=award |access-date=19 April 2024}}</ref>
==Feature and short films== *2014: '[http://kunjunnikavithakal.com/ Mayilpeeli thundum vala pottukalum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218103928/http://kunjunnikavithakal.com/ |date=18 February 2015 }}': a docufiction, directed by Biju Meya. The character of Kunjunni Mash was portrayed by Krishnan Namboothiri.<ref name="Kunjunni Mash - Mayil Peeli Thundum Vala Pottukalum">{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzXQVda8etA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211218/UzXQVda8etA |archive-date=2021-12-18 |url-status=live|title=Kunjunni Mash - Mayil Peeli Thundum Vala Pottukalum |last=Sorcerer Leo |website=YouTube |date=2015-02-17 |access-date=2019-03-26}}{{cbignore}}</ref> <gallery> File:Kunhunni mash handwriting-post card to Balachandran Kottody.png|Handwriting of Kunjunni Mash, on a post card </gallery>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== Further reading == * {{Cite web |url=https://www.academia.edu/12394812 |title=A Short Biographical Sketch and Works of Kunjunni Master |last=Baiju K Nath |website=Academia |access-date=2019-03-26}}
== External links == * {{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfqSn8vJLGQ |title=Kunjunni Mash |last=Kerala Vision World HD |date=2018-02-05 |website=YouTube |access-date=2019-03-25}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023}} * {{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XHW3Qf80ZA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211218/_XHW3Qf80ZA |archive-date=2021-12-18 |title=kunjunni Mash..malayalam poet |last=First Show |date=2015-03-31 |website=YouTube |access-date=2019-03-25}}{{cbignore}} * {{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gib-oFKXFd8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211218/gib-oFKXFd8 |archive-date=2021-12-18 |title=Ormakalile Irippidangal - Kunjunni Mash - Documentary |last=Kerala Vision Kerala |date=2015-11-15 |website=YouTube |access-date=2019-03-25}}{{cbignore}} * {{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A-kaTbc4X0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211218/4A-kaTbc4X0 |archive-date=2021-12-18 |title=Poet Kunjunni Mash - Documentary |last=DD Malayalam |date=2018-10-10 |website=YouTube |access-date=2019-03-25}}{{cbignore}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Mash, Kunjunni}} Category:1927 births Category:2006 deaths Category:Writers from Thrissur district Category:Poets from Kerala Category:Malayalam poets Category:Ramakrishna Mission schools alumni Category:Recipients of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award Category:20th-century Indian poets Category:Indian male poets Category:20th-century Indian male writers