(1909 – 2004)
K. P. Narayana Pisharody was a revered Sanskrit scholar and a prolific author whose contributions left an indelible mark on Indian classical literature, particularly in Sanskrit and Malayalam. His scholarly works and deep insights into classical texts earned him numerous prestigious accolades and wide recognition across literary and academic circles.
Early Life and Education
Born on 23rd August 1909, K. P. Narayana Pisharody hailed from a culturally rich lineage. He was the son of Kodikkunnath Pisharath Narayanikkutti Pisharasiar and Pudusseri Manackal Pasupathi Namboothiri. He received his early education in the traditional Gurukula system under the guidance of his uncle, Andala Sekhara Pisharody.
Later, he pursued higher studies at Sarasvathodini Sanskrit Mahapathasala, earning the Sahithyasiromani and Malayalam Vidwan degrees from Madras University.
Academic and Professional Career
Pisharody began his career as a teacher and served in several esteemed institutions including:
- Madura American College
- Thrissur Kerala Varma College
- Kozhikode Adarsa Samskritha Vidyapeetham
- Chinmaya Mission College, Thrissur
He also served as the editor of the literary magazines Thulaseedalam and Bhakthapriya, promoting classical and devotional literature.
Notable Works
He authored and interpreted a wide array of classical Sanskrit texts and Koodiyattam dramas. Some of his prominent works include:
- Bharata Muni’s Natyasastram
- Srikrishnavilasam Kavyam Paribhasha
- Manideepam
- Kumarasambhavam Vivarthanam
- Subhadradhananjayam Koodiyattam
- Kalyanasougandhikam Vyayogaparibhasha
- Kalalokam
- Ashokavanikankam Kootiyattam
- Thoranayudham Kootiyattam
- Ascharyachoodamani Vivarthanam
- Kramadeepikayum Aattaprakaravum
- Attoor (Biography)
- Sruthimandalam
- Svapnavasavadatha Paribhasha
- Kesaveeyam – Sanskrit Paribhasha
- Mahathyagi
- Thunchath Acharyan (Biography)
- Sreekrishnacharitham Manipravalam Vyakhyanam
- Narayaneeyam Vanamala Vyakhyanam
Awards and Honors
Pisharody’s immense contributions earned him a multitude of awards, including:
- Ezhuthachan Puraskaram (2000) – the highest literary honor by the Kerala Government
- Sahitya Akademi Award (1995)
- President’s Award for Sanskrit Scholar (1993)
- Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award (1995)
- Lal Bahadur Sastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha’s Mahamahopadhyaya (2000)
- Honorary Doctorate – Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady (2001)
Other notable honors include:
- Sathithyanipunan (1967)
- Panthithathilankan (1969)
- Sahithyaratnam & Panditharatnam (1983)
- C. B. Kumar Award (1989)
- Vidyavichakshanan & Ramasram Award (1991)
- Adikavi Puraskaram (1992)
- Narayneeya Kulapathi (1993)
- Pandithakulapathi, Deviprasadam Award (1993)
- Swadeshi Shasthrapuraskaram (1994)
- Mukundarajasmrithi Puraskaram (1995)
- Panditahasiromani (1997)
- Vachaspathi (1999)
- M. K. K. Nair Award (1999)
- Srisankara Puraskaram (1995)
Personal Life
He was married to Late Arangott Pisharath Pappikkutti Pisharasiar, who supported his literary pursuits and life of scholarship.
Demise
K. P. Narayana Pisharody passed away on 21st March 2004 at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy of scholarship, devotion to classical arts, and commitment to the preservation and promotion of Indian knowledge systems.
