Top 25+ Interesting Facts About Balamani Amma You Should Know

Balamani Amma who lived between 19 July 1909 – 29 September 2004 was an Indian poet. She wrote primarily in the Malayalam language. Today Google doodle paid tribute to the acclaimed poet Balamani Amma on her 113th birth anniversary.

In this fact sheet let’s see the life story and work of Balamani Amma.

Here are, Interesting Facts About Balamani Amma:

Let’s get started.

1. Introduction

1. Her name is Nalpat Balamani Amma.
2. She was born on 19 July 1909 in Nalappat, Malabar District, British India.
3. She was an Indian poet who wrote in the Malayalam language primarily.
4. In 1987, she received India’s third highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan.
5. Amma passed away on September 29, 2004 after five years of Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Personal Life

1. At the age of 19, Balamani Amma got married to V.M. Nair.
2. After marriage she moved to Kolkata to live with her husband.
3. Amma’s husband V.M. Nair died in 1977.
4. Amma was the mother of writer Kamala Suraiya also known as Kamala Das.

3. Education

1. She had no formal education.
2. Her maternal uncle and his collection of books helped her become a poet. She was influenced by Nalpat Narayan Menon and poet Vallathol Narayan Menon.

4. Work History

1. Balamani Amma published more than 20 collections of poetry, several prose compositions and translations in her lifetime.
2. Amma’s first poem was published in 1930.
3. Amma first gained recognition when she received the Sahitya Nippun Award from Parikshit Thampuran, the former ruler of Cochin State.
4. Show published a collection of poems named Naivedyam between 1959 and 1986. Lokantharangalil is an elegy on the death of poet Nalpat Narayan Menon.

5. Notable Work

1. Amma (Mother), Muthasi (Grandmother), and Mazuvinte Katha (The Ax Story) were some of his famous works.
2. Contribution to poetry earned her Amma and Muthassi titles. Amma means mother and Muthasi means grandmother.

6. Awards & Recognition

1. She was the recipient of many awards and honors including Padma Bhushan, Saraswati Samman, Sahitya Akademi Award and Ezhuthachan Award.
2. Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award for Muthassi (1963)
3. Central Sahitya Akademi Award for Muthassi (1965)
4. Asana Award (1989)
5. Vallathol Award (1993)
6. Lalithambika Antharjanam Award (1993)
7. Ezhuthachan Award (1995)
8. NV Krishna Warrior Award (1997).