Kerala has achieved greater feats in the realm of education. Many valorised the astounding contributions of Kerala. Surprisingly, foreigners are charmed by the picturesque beauty of the region, comforted by the warmth of their hospitality, and revered by their system of cultural assimilation. Let me pose a question why is Kerala perceived as a literate state? Could they have achieved in a matter of minutes? or as espoused by ancient astronaut theorists: were they descended from heaven? There are lots of questions that buzz you but you have to understand what Kerala was centuries ago. Let's chime into the historicity of Kerala.
The status -quo of being a literate state is the culmination of sweeping cultural exchanges and transformations which has taken place right from the First century CE. Kerala in the first century was a small principality in Tamilakam; a vast geographical region covering the southern portion of the Indian peninsula. Perhaps it is known for its revering, grandiose and compelling poems of Sangam poets. The age in which they flourished is termed as "THE SANGAM AGE"We get to know glimpses of the socio-cultural and polity of Tamil Kingdoms. Kerala at that time comes under the sphere of influence of "THE CHERAS"One of the" MUVANDARS".It is pertinent to note that the Chera dynasty patronised bards and budding poets of the day. In the Sangam age, Kerala came to the fore for being adept in the realm of epistemology. Learning centres thrived in Kerala, especially in the southern fringe. Mathilakam which is situated by the ancient port city Muziris is held as an important centre of learning. Furthermore, scores of literateurs thrived in Mathilakam. Illango Adigal, the author of CILAPADHIKARAM, one of the canons of the Sangam literature was purported to be the resident of Mathilakam. Let's move on to the social scene in the Sangam age. Society was not stratified nor Brahminism was predominant. Vedar, Pannar and Parayar were predominant social classes in the ancient Tamil kingdom. They were well versed and intellectual as well. For instance, Pannar, who are Bards won acclaim for their captivating poems, They were venerated by the king. They would valorise the king and their military exploits. Pathetipattu informs us that Narmudicheran, the Chera King, granted the bard who goes by the name Kappiyannar granted him gold. This implies the privileges enjoyed by Pannars during the Sangam age. They had strengthened the edifice of Knowledge. It is worth noting that poets like Avayyar held high esteem in society.
During the sixth century CE, Buddhism and Jainism flourished across Kerala. They were indeed the progenitors of modern schooling. They were the first who started schools by their viharas or shrines. They disseminated the knowledge of Ayurveda across Kerala. Consequently, treatises on Ayurveda viz; Charakasamhita and Ashtangahridaya were popularized. It is surprising to know that Ezhavas, relatively low caste served as Ayurvedic Practitioners.
In Eight-Hundred CE, Chera Empire bifurcated into two. A branch of the Chera Dynasty settled in a place called "Mahodayapuram" which is near to Kottayam, one of the districts in Kerala. They herald the new age of learning. In due course of time, Mahodayapuram became an acclaimed learning centre. Acclaimed literateurs including the King had their moorings in the realm of intellect and wisdom.Kulashekara Alwar, the ruler of Mahodayapuram penned "Mukundamala". Temples thrived and became the abode of learning. It is pertinent to note that Mahodayapuram was fortunate to have an observatory. It is perhaps one of the earliest observatories in South India. Intellectuals in Kerala developed a flair for Astronomy. Shankaranarayanan, an erudite scholar and exponential astronomer penned a treatise entitled "Shankaranarayaneeyam" which is modelled on Bhaskara's "Lakhubhaskareeyam"
On the arrival of Brahmins, Vedic studies nurtured and Sanskrit became the apex language to be studied. But education during the age could be perceived as ''stratified'' for education is the exclusive right of the Brahmins. A new kind of schooling system has emerged during this period. The shalas are meant to teach Vedic chants, grammar and theories. Pupils were advised to observe rules. Any violation may cause a penalty sometimes inmates are denied to consume meals. Education at Salas was carried with such rigour. Pannars and vedars, unlike their previous status, were denied schooling. Prominent sales were located in the southern part of Kerala, are viz; Kanthaloor, Parthivashekarapuram, Thiruvalla and Moozhikulam. Similarly, Sri Shankaracharya Of Kaladi, who espoused the notion of "ADWAITHA", set up Mutts or Abbeys, for learning theological matters. Under his aegis, Four Mutts were established in Kerala. They are Vadakku Madam(which lies in the North), Thekku Madam( Which lies in the south ), Naduvi Madam( which lies in the centre) and Eda Madam(The abbey which lies in between other Abbeys ) The prior of these Abbeys were his disciples. Besides these, there are scores of Abbeys in Thrissur district of Kerala viz; Chovanur and the Abbey in Thirunavaya. The Abbey at Kadavur had the repute of conducting entrance tests. The test is termed " MUKHYAM KADAKKAL" where every scholar are expected to take them. If they prove successful, they had the chance to study at the Abbey.
In the regnal years of Ravivarmakulashekharan(1299-1314), Kollam, located in the southern part of Kerala, had the repute of being an ace learning centre. Meanwhile, there are developments in the northern part of Kerala in the realm of literature. The Zamorins of Malabar and the AY Dynasty of the south patronised Luminaries and Scholars. The Zamorins of Malabar lends support to litterateurs to augment their literary production. Revathypattathanam is a kind of scholastic convention held under the auspicious of Zamorins. Eminent scholars across Kerala went in for the convention. On such occasion, series of hermeneutical debates were exchanged making the convention the medium of gleaning knowledge. On the concluding day of the convention, the King would confer the title "BHATTA" to the victor of the debate. Such practices enhance the intellectual capacity indeed. In this period, treatises on various subjects pop in. For instance, Shilparatna penned by Srikumaran Namboothiri is an example of the pensive treatise on sculptures.
Let's chime into the developments in education in the modern period which starts from the fifteenth century. In this period, the Portuguese became a formidable force. The age witnessed the rise of European hegemony over the Indian sub-continent. It is pertinent to note that the Portuguese began the discipline of Orientalism. Orientalism is a branch of knowledge that focuses on Asian works, particularly Indian works, literature, scripts, culture, Indian religion, diet and geography probably, the Portuguese Christian missionaries are keen to learn Indian scripts with an intent to evangelize. They somehow codified the haphazard hermeneutical system of Kerala. The Jesuits(A congregation of Christian Monks, determined to restore Roman catholicism across the world) under the aegis of Portuguese monarchs worked assiduously to glean the Indian knowledge system. Johanne Gonsalves, a Spanish Jesuit introduced printing technology in India. They have established a printing press in Mattancherry and a college in Quilon(Present-day Kollam). St.Francis Xavier, a Jesuit priest translated the Holy Bible into Malayalam. Moreover, the works of Portuguese Scholar like Duarte Barbarossa need an honourable mention.
The Dutch had a Lukewarm response to the development of education in Kerala but the works of Dutch luminaries like Newhoff and Baladais needs to be appreciated. The Dutch fostered oriental studies. Van Reed published a treatise on medicinal herbs in Kerala entitled Hortus Malabaricus circa 1678 in Amsterdam. It is pertinent to add Indian credits to the work as well. Konkani Brahmin Brothers Ranga Bhatt, Vinayaka Bhatt and Appu Bhatt along with Itty Achuthan, an Ayurvedic Practitioner assisted Reed. During this period several books were translated to vernacular language. At the turn of the Eighteenth Century, Christian missionaries were able to publish books on Malayalam grammar and Dictionary, For instance, A German Jesuit known by the mane of Arnos Pathiri(Johann Ernst Hanxleden) published a Malayalam dictionary and book on Malayalam grammar. He authored Puthen pana, a poem that illustrates the life of Jesus Christ. Sampshikthavedartham is the first complete Malayalam text to be published. Another priest Paramakkal Thoma Kathanar penned Varthamanapusthakam, which is considered to be the first travelogue published in Malayalam.
The magnitude of actions by English and Prussians are commendable. Their endeavours are triumphant indeed. In the 1820s CMS a congregation of protestant missionaries established a printing press in Kottayam. Benjamin Bailey, a pious rather selfless missionary came to the fore in this period. He strived to eradicate the social mores of society. His contribution deserves a penny or more than that. In 1846, he published Malayalam- English Dictionary. While Herman Gundert made his mark on reviving academia. Consequently, native scholars produced their literary works thereby enlarging the branch of orientalism. The works of Christian missionaries prompted the Travancore as well as the Cochin Kingdoms to set up a special committee for formulating textbooks. They happily provided monetary support to the schools and other sorts of learning centres. It is pertinent to note that English and European missionaries endeavoured to provide free education to the vulnerable segments of the society. The daring among such missionaries were Ringeltaube, a Prussian protestant missionary, who founded schools in the Nagercoil-Trivandrum region free of cost.
Another venerated missionary was an English missionary who goes by the name of Dr Charles Meed presented vocational education for the first time. Under the aegis of the king of Cochin, Rev. J. Dassen established the first school in Mattancherry way back in 1818 whereas there is considerable improvement in education.Schools were established in Kallai(In the Kozhikode district of Kerala), Thalassery(In Kannur district of Kerala) in 1848 and 1856 respectively. These are the resultant of activities of Bassel missionaries. At the instance of Colonel Munro, an English resident in the Kingdom of Travancore, Rani Parvathibhai set up Malayalam medium schools across the kingdom. This was way back in 1817. The first English school in Travancore was founded during the regime of HH Swathi Thirunal. In 1845, the first English school was founded in Ernakulam(The Kingdom of Cochin). Under the patronage of Mr Brennan, the Bassel mission has to stare Brennen school in 1862. Gradually the government adopted the school and elevated it to the status of the college. Now it is known by the name of Government Brennan College, which stands majestically on the coast of Malabar. In the latter half of the nineteenth century until the second half of the Twentieth century, Kerala witnessed a surge of Educational establishments. Technical and research institutes had been instituted. The law college located in Trivandrum was established in 1874 followed by Sanskrit college in 1889, Ayurvedic college in 1889, Medical college in 19551 agricultural and veterinary colleges in 1955. The Nineteenth and twentieth-century Kerala witnessed the growth of cultural and research institutes. The oriental institute was instituted by the government to preserve ancient manuscripts as well as the cache of antique documents. Sreechithira institute of the art gallery was set up in the regnal years of HH Sreechithira Thirunal way back in 1935. The period witnessed the advent of Gazettes and Manuals. They were largely popularized in the 1880s. William Logan published his eponymous Malabar manual. Followed by this is the Malabar district gazetteer published in 1908. several Governmental departments had released gazettes. During the nineteenth century, libraries were set up by the government. The Kingdom of Travancore had established its first library in 1829.The trend was followed in Kottayam and the Kingdom of Cochin. Moreover, people put up the need for a literary society where scholars and enthusiasts can hold debates, public heir finding and honing their magnificent artistic skill. The first to initiate such literary society is attributed to Kandathil Mammen Mapilla who started BHASHAPOSHINI under the patronization of Kerala Varma Valiya Kozhi Thampuran way back in 1892. Other literateurs on similar lines established literary societies viz; SASTRASAHITYA PARISHAD, SAHITYA PRAVARTHAKA SAMITHI, KERALIYA EITHIHASIKA SAMITHI was now known by the name of Kerala Historical Society and so on. To augment scientific temperament, the government initiated Kerala sastra Sahitya Samithi(Kerala science and Literary Society). Countless books were published under the tutelage of Kerala Sastra Sahitya Samithi.
The advent of newspapers essentially required honourable mention in the annals of history. Herman Gundert Publish the first newspapers in Kerala viz; Rajyasamacharam and Paschimodayam which were published in1847.By the 1860s scores of newspapers had been published viz; Paschim Tharika(1865),Keralam(1866),Kerala Pathaka(1870)and Kerala Mithra(1881). Kerala Mithram was published by a Gujarathi was known by the name of Devji Bhimji. Kerala Pathrika(1884), Nasrani Deepika(1887), Malayala Manorama(1888),Mathrubhumi(1924), Kerala Kaumudi (1940) and Desabhimani were prominent newspapers in Kerala.
In conclusion, Kerala has been an abode of knowledge since ancient ages. Its historicity, hermeneutical transitions and physiognomy made the place exquisite.
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