Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon

Nanikuttiyamma (Mother) Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon (11 May 1911 – 22 December 1985) (also written as Vailoppilli) was an Indian poet of Malayalam literature. Known for his works such as Kudiyozhikkal, Kannikkoythu and Mambazham, Menon was the founder president of the Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham, an organisation of Kerala-based artists, writers and art and literature enthusiasts. He was a recipient of several honours including Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Poetry, Vayalar Award and Odakkuzhal Award. Vyloppilli Sreedhara Menon was born on May 11, 1911, in Kaloor in Ernakulam to Cheranellore Kochukuttan Kartha and Nanikutty Amma. Starting his early education with a local Asan (teacher), Menon did his formal education initially at the Government Primary School, Kaloor and later at St. Albert's High School, Ernakulam from where he completed the high school education in 1927. Subsequently, he graduated in Science from Maharaja's College, Ernakulam. He continued his education to pass BT degree from Saidapet Training College, Madras and started his career as a teacher in government service in 1931 at Kandassamkadavu Government High School. His teaching career took him to 20 different schools in Kerala until his retirement from service in 1966 as the head master of Ollur High School, the present day Vailoppilli Sreedhara Menon Memorial Government Vocational Higher Secondary School. He was involved with literary organisations such as Kerala Sahitya Akademi and Sahithya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society; he was a member of the organising committee of the former and the board of directors of the latter. He also served as the editor of the official magazine of the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad. When Purogamana Kala Sahitya Sangham, a forum of progressive writers led by leftist intellectuals and artists, was formed in 1981, he was selected as its founder president and he held the position until 1985. He represented Kerala thrice at the national poets' meetings of 1951 (Delhi), 1959 (Delhi) and 1965 (Bangalore) and toured the Soviet Union in 1970.