Study Guides/General Knowledge/K. R. Narayanan & Kunjan Nambiar
Study Guide · General Knowledge

K. R. Narayanan and Kunjan Nambiar

Let's look at the lives of two highly influential personalities from the state of Kerala: One, a brilliant diplomat who became the President of India, and the other, a legendary poet who created a new dance form.

Question (Click to Flip)

Who was Kocheril Raman Narayanan?

Answer

K. R. Narayanan was a distinguished diplomat and politician who served as the 10th President of India. He was the first person from a Dalit community to become the President.

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Key Facts

K. R. Narayanan: 10th President of India (First Dalit President).

Kunjan Nambiar: 18th-century Malayalam poet.

Nambiar's Creation: Ottamthullal (a solo dance and poetic performance).

1. Kocheril Raman Narayanan (K. R. Narayanan)

K. R. Narayanan was an Indian diplomat, academician, and politician who served as the 10th President of India (1997–2002).

  • Significance: He made history by becoming the first person from the Dalit community to hold the highest constitutional office of the President of India.
  • Background: Despite being born into severe poverty in Travancore (Kerala), he brilliantly secured a scholarship to the London School of Economics. Before entering politics, he served as India's ambassador to major countries like the US, UK, and China.
  • Legacy: He is remembered as an independent, assertive, and 'working' President who strictly upheld the Constitution.

2. Kunjan Nambiar

Kunchan Nambiar (or Kunjan Nambiar) was an 18th-century legendary Malayalam poet and satirist from Kerala.

  • His Creation: He is most famous for inventing the performing art form called Ottamthullal (a solo dance combined with reciting poetry).
  • Style: Unlike traditional, serious temple arts that used complex Sanskrit, Nambiar wrote his poems in simple Malayalam using brilliant humor, sarcasm, and social satire to entertain and educate the common people.

Questions and Answers

Who was Kocheril Raman Narayanan?+

K. R. Narayanan was a distinguished diplomat and politician who served as the 10th President of India. He was the first person from a Dalit community to become the President.

Who is Kunjan Nambiar?+

Kunjan Nambiar was a famous 18th-century Malayalam poet from Kerala who invented the popular, humorous dance and poetic art form called Ottamthullal.

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