Kottayam occupies a prominent place in the cultural map of Kerala.
Kunchan Nambiar, the father of Thullal, a popular temple art form, is supposed
to have lived at Kidangoor. Unnineeli Sandesam, the exquisite Malayalam poetry
work, is supposed to have been written by one of the Vadakkumkur Rajas.
The Christian Missionaries enriched Malayalam literature by their valuable contributions
in the 18th and 19th Centuries. Varthamana Pusthakam (1778) written by Paremmakkal
Thoma Kathanar, on a travel to Rome, is the first travelogue in Malayalam. The
first autobiography in Malayalam by Vaikom Pachu Moothathu was published from
Kottayam in 1870.
In the concluding decades of the 19th Century and the beginning of the 20th
Century, Kottayam shot into limelight as the nerve centre of all literary and
cultural activities in the erstwhile Travancore State. Late Kottarathil Sankunny,
Kandathil Varghese Mappilai, Kerala Varma Valiyakoi Thampuran, K.C. Mammen Mappilai,
Kattakkayathil Cheriyan Mappilai, Vadakkumkoor Raja Raja Varma, Karoor Neelakanda
Pillai, Vaikom Muhammed Basheer, D.C. Kizhakkemuri and Abhaya Dev are few names,
in the category of outstanding dignitaries and celebrities, worth mentioning,
who had made very valuable, substantial and individual contributions in their
own way to the cultural and social milieu.
Eminent writers Ponkunnam Varkey, Vaikom Chandra Sekharan Nair, distinguished
Poet Mahakavi Pala Narayanan Nair, illustrious Kathakali artist Kudamaloor Karunakaran
Nair, world renowned Booker prize winner Arundhathi Roy, accomplished film actor
Mammootty, and talented film director Jayaraj are some other notable personalities
who all hail from Kottayam district. Renowned music director L. P. R. Varma
(Late ) also hailed from Kottayam.
Kottayam stands first in the field of Education, Mass Communication, Printing
and Book Publication. The significant role played by Malayala Manorama &
Bhashaposhini and Deepika for the cultural and literary development is of immense
importance. There are many printing presses and book publishing companies in
Kottayam. The SPCS, a unique co-operation venture of authors and writers was
started in the year 1945. Prominent publishers D.C. Books started publication
from here in the year 1974. Kottayam is the headquarters of Current Books since
the year 1977. It is estimated that 70% of the State's book publication takes
place in Kottayam.
