File image of Malayalam writer Vinoy Thomas. Photo: Facebook/@Vinoy Thomas
A casual critical note on Thunchathu Ezhuthachan, a poet, translator and key figure in the Bhakti movement, by Kerala Sahitya Akademi award-winning author Vinoy Thomas, has raised strong arguments both for and against his position. Mr Thomas has since posted an apology on social media.
In a recent lecture on the 140th anniversary of the Deepika newspaper in Kannur, the author tried to give an alternative view of the development of Malayalam. Mr. Thomas also spoke of the important role played by Christian missionaries in this process, along with the intermingling of foreign languages and primitive Malayalam through the influence of traders. Meanwhile, he questioned Ezhuthachan’s role as the “father of the modern Malayalam language”. Mr Thomas said there was no evidence for Ezhuthachan’s existence or his literary works.
Although he also spoke about the significant changes brought about by Malabar migration and the cultivation of rubber and tapioca, notes about Ezhuthachan were collected and discussed on social media and among literary circles.
Published – 22 Apr 2026 20:01 IST
