Chronology of Events in the Life of Kumaran Asan

1873

Born April 12, at Kayikkara, a coastal village 40 km north of Trivandrum; there is now a memorial building built by the public of Kerala.

1878 - 1888

Early education in Sanskrit under reputed scholars of the place.

1889

Worked as a school teacher for some time.

1890

Employed as an account’s clerk under a local wholesaler.

1890

The young man of seventeen fell under the spell of Sree Narayana Guru, his life-long spiritual mentor.

1891 – ‘92

At Aruvippuram in the hermitage of the Guru; continued study of Sanskrit, Tamil and Vedic and Saivite philosophy; mastered Yoga and Advaita.

1895

At Bangalore: jointed the Sanskrit College; began learning English.

1898

After two years of study in Bangalore, went to Madras; spent a few months in private study.

1898

Proceeded to Calcutta to continue his Sanskrit studies. During the two year stay there joined the Central Hindu College for a degree in Tharkasastra and also gained mastery in English – came directly into contact with the Indian Renaissance.

1900

Returned to the Guru’s hermitage at Aruvippuram.

1901

Translation of Sree Sankara’s Soundaryalahari.

1902

Published Sivastotramala and other hymns on Siva. Incomplete translation into Malayalam of Meghasandesam.

1902

Vichitravijayam (A Strange Victory) – Malayalam play modelled on Sanskrit drama.

1903

S.N.D.P Yogam was founded. Began translating The Light of Asia under the title. Sree Buddha, Charitham (The story of Sree Buddha)

1903 – 1919

General Secretary of the S.N.D.P Yogam

1904

“Vivekodayam”, the organ of the Yogam was started.

1907

Veenapoovu (Fallen Flower)

1911 – 1915

Translation of Swami Vivekanada’s Rajayogam

1911

Nalini

1913 – 1920

Member of the Legislative body of the Travancore state.

1914

Leela

1914

Begins Chintavishtayaya Sita (Sita Lost in Thought)

1915

Sree Buddhacharitham Cantos 1 and 2

1918

Sree Buddhacharitham Cantos 3 and 4

1918

Marriage – wife Smt. K. Bhanumathi Amma. He had two sons – Sudhakaran and Prabahakaran.

1918

Publication of Gramavrikshathile Kuyil

(The Cuckoo of the Village Tree)

1919

Resigned Secretaryship of the Yogam.

Published Prarodanam (The Lament) and

Chintavishtayaya Sita.

1920

Editor of “Pratibha”, a literary magazine, and Manager of Advaitashram, Alwaye.

1921

Settled down in Trivandrum. Subsequently shifted residence to Thonnakkal, a village 24 km north of Trivandrum; there the Kerala Government has founded the Kumaranasan National Institute of Culture.

1922

Pushpavadi (A garden of Flowers) – a collection of lyrics.

1922

Received from the Prince of Wales the title of Mahakavi.

1922

Duravastha (Evil Plight) and Chandalabhikshuki

(The Outcaste Nun)

1923

Completed Karuna (Compassion) and

Sree Buddhacharitham Canto 5

1924

January, 17. Drowned in a boat accident at Pallana, 24 km. south of Alleppey. The poet was fifty one. The river side grave where his mortal remains lie is a place of pilgrimage, celebrated as ‘Kumara kodi’. A School functions there as the poet’s memorial.