K.S. Ravikumar, critic and Pro-Vice Chancellor of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit in Kalady, on Thursday said Kuttipuzha Krishna Pillai became an atheist after he had learnt Indian philosophical texts in depth.

Speaking on the ‘Life and Times of Kuttipuzha Krishna Pillai’ at a lecture series titled, ‘Writer of the Land’ at U.C. College, Aluva, in the build-up to Krithi Litt and Authors Fest, 2019, Mr. Ravikumar said Kuttipuzha’s work titled Vicharaviplavam had brought a sea-change in the Malayali conscience.

He also tried to introduce various philosophical schools from across the world to Keralites from a materialistic point of view.

“Only when we realise that nobody did so before or after him do we gauge his greatness. Unlike the Ramayana, the epic Mahabharata did not directly imply a Brahminical agenda. But in his detailed reading, Kuttipuzha could also find out the hidden Brahminical ideological implications of the Mahabharata as well.

“Kuttipuzha’s brother’s diary entries say he had seen Kuttipuzha in tears only once when the news of Mahatma Gandhi’s death arrived. But we must remember that he had also criticised some of the views of Gandhiji. He was inclined to be a little worshipful only towards Sree Narayana Guru,” Dr. Ravikumar said.

In the lecture series on August 3, critic M. Leelavathy will speak on why G. Sankarakurup was criticised. The programme is from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Special Correspondent / Kochi – August 03rd, 2018