Mahakavi K. V. Simon - by Varghese Mathai (Paperback)

About the Book

"The first English study of poet K. V. Simon (1883-1944), with sample translations, including of his 12,000-line epic Vedaviharam, and a critical biography"--

Book Synopsis

The first English study of poet K. V. Simon (1883-1944), with sample translations, including of his 12,000-line epic Vedaviharam, and a critical biography.

Opening with the story of South Indian poet laureate (or mahakavi) K. V. Simon's heroic life, this book escorts its global reader through the legendary Malabar Coast, transiting into the densely rich Simon verse in translation, and closing with a comparative reading of a rewarding range of texts from Simon and Milton.

When Simon's epic Vedaviharam, a verse rendition of The Book of Genesis, appeared in the Malayalam language in 1931, The Guardian hailed the multifaceted Simon as "India's veritable Milton." Like Milton, Simon was a polymath, poet, hymnodist, composer, religious reformer and an educator. Like Milton, he was a man of immense learning, writing prose and verse with equal brilliance. As a result of his writings - in which he exhorted the Church of his era to seek scriptural literacy rather than uphold uncritical traditions - Simon was catapulted into public life as a reformer, apologist, and a nationally known prophetic figure. In Mahakavi K. V. Simon: The Milton of the East, translations of Simon's works cover a range, from purpose-driven topic studies to interpretive Bible commentaries, poems, and hymns.

Scholarship has so far placed Simon's poetical work on par with the bhakti classics of Ezhuthachen, the Father of modern Malayalam, and of Poonthanam, a Hindu metaphysical poet, both household names in India. But in this study, Varghese Mathai shows how Simon distinguishes himself by his contributions to numerous knowledge fields that bridge him to world literature, modern history, colonial studies, religion, apologetics, rhetorical studies, and more.

Review Quotes

"Makes up, at one stroke, for the incomprehensible neglect of Mahakavi Simon's work for over nearly a century. Mathai's is a work of impressive erudition, as well as of immense importance for the history of world literature." --Prabhu Guptara, Professor Emeritus, William Carey University, India

"Mathai's book offers a profound study in the life and work of K. V. Simon, an extraordinary poet hitherto little known outside Kerala, though still of Miltonic profile in the realms of faith and letters. This is a 'go to' book for any explorer, scholar, or lay person, entering the colorful Malabar Coast of India, its ancient Christianity, the Malayalam language, and world literature." --Heike Oberlin, Professor of Indology, University of Tübingen, Germany

"Translations build bridges. Through this careful examination of the life and work of K.V. Simon, Varghese Mathai has championed the task of showcasing an Indian poet of Miltonic caliber to an audience of nations. Mathai's elegant verse translations of Simon's magnum opus, Vedaviharam and the numerous selections from Sangeetha Ratnavali represent a weighty service to world literature." --Donald R. Davis Jr., Professor of Asian Studies, University of Texas at Austin, USA

"Rich in history, thorough in translation of the vast hymnody, and insightful in the analysis of the person and his times, Mathai's work is invaluable in understanding Christianity in Kerala in the 20th century through the life of K. V. Simon." --Stanley John Valayil, Assistant Professor of Intercultural Studies, Alliance University, New York

"This is trailblazing work, unveiling Mahakavi Simon to the delight of his audience worldwide. Varghese Mathai transmits the substance and spirit of Simon's writings through the first ever English biography of the poet and the extensive English translation of his elite verse." --James Kurichi, Lecturer in Malayalam, University of Pennsylvania, USA

Makes up, at one stroke, for the incomprehensible neglect of Mahakavi Simon's work for over nearly a century. Mathai's is a work of impressive erudition, as well as of immense importance for the history of world literature.
Prabhu Guptara, Professor Emeritus, William Carey University, India

Mathai's book offers a profound study in the life and work of K. V. Simon, an extraordinary poet hitherto little known outside Kerala, though still of Miltonic profile in the realms of faith and letters. This is a 'go to' book for any explorer, scholar, or lay person, entering the colorful Malabar Coast of India, its ancient Christianity, the Malayalam language, and world literature.
Heike Oberlin, Professor of Indology, University of Tübingen, Germany

Translations build bridges. Through this careful examination of the life and work of K.V. Simon, Varghese Mathai has championed the task of showcasing an Indian poet of Miltonic caliber to an audience of nations. Mathai's elegant verse translations of Simon's magnum opus, Vedaviharam and the numerous selections from Sangeetha Ratnavali represent a weighty service to world literature.
Donald R. Davis Jr., Professor of Asian Studies, University of Texas at Austin, USA

About the Author

Varghese Mathai is Benjamin P. Browne Professor of English at Judson University, USA and a Fulbright scholar. He lectures internationally on classics and literature of translation. His recent publications include The Malabar Mandate (2013) and The Village Maestro and 100 Other Stories (2022).