Renowned poet and Keral Sahitya Academi Award and Payyannur Kunhiraman Master Feliciting P. Janaki at the opening of her collection of poetry in Kannura. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
In the quiet tribal village of Toppilai in Chengala Gram Panchayat, 61 -year -old P. Janaki is a living testimony of the power of other chances. Once she was called to home for special work, she is now invited to phases and celebrations as a poet. Its recently published collection Malayalam Poetry, Nonpulariyil, published by Kairali, is a convincing symbol of personal triumph and transformation forces of education.
“I never thought my name would ever be printed on a book, let alone be called a poet,” said Janaki, her eyes increased as she organized a copy of her debut collection with 44 poems. Mrs. Janaki, who was born in a tribal family of deep poverty, grew far from the idea of education.
“We didn’t have the right clothes. My mother was tearing for me and my five siblings pieces from jute bags to cover,” she recalled. Without schools or libraries in the vicinity and a small government presence in the colony, learning remained a distant dream.
The early life of Mrs. Janaki was defined by the fight. Education remained buried under duties and poverty. “But somewhere in the corner of my heart, the wish to learn to stay alive,” she said. He wishes to revive in 2014, when Rajini, her girlfriend and mentor Kudumbashree, offered to teach her as part of the Kerala State Gramocys mission. With Rajini’s encouragement, Janaki entered the fourth standard class of equivalence.
“She was determined from the beginning. She read every line as if it were prayer,” Rajini recalled.
Mrs. Janaki passed the fourth, seventh and finally the tenth standard equivalent tests with honors. However, the turnover point came when Rajini introduced it to poetry during the class session. “At first I didn’t understand much. But the sound of rhyming words fascinated me. I decided to try,” said Janaki with a smile.
Her poems encouraged classmates and teachers slowly began to form. “Most of my poems are born of pain. I write what I see – the injustice around me, the suffering of women like me, the lives that remained behind, although the country claims to move forward,” she explained.
Her collection of Nonpulariyil includes deeply reflective poems such as Samuha Aninithikal, Karutha Kai, Mahatmavinte Jeevitham, Ramante Vazhi, Muthumani and Corona. It is remarkable that Janaki has created all its verses without access to any literature beyond the basic textbooks provided during its equivalent studies. “There is still no library in our colony. This is my greatest regret. If I had access to books, I could have learned much more about the world,” she said.
Yet her determination remains unshamed to. “Maybe I will not be able to travel the world, but I will let my poems and writing transfer my world to others,” she added.
Kannur District Panchayat President KK Rathhnakumari, who launched her book, described Janaki as “a bright example of what literacy could achieve”. She noted that if Janaki got a chance earlier in her life, she could have been one of the most famous poets of the state.
The Keral Sahitya award and the renowned poet Payanur Kunhiraman also appreciated her work. “Her verses are rooted, honest and strong – a lively reflection of how the education can awaken the sleeping talent,” he said.
Published – 13 July 2025 17:26
