Vallathol Narayana Menon is one of the greatest poets of Kerala, who was also a nationalist and patriot. He participated in India’s freedom struggle, and reawakened our pride in our national heritage and identity.
A follower of Gandhiji, he was a participant of many national movements. Vallathol, as he was lovingly called, attended the All India Conferences of the Indian Congress in 1922 and 1927. His beautiful verses urged the masses to hold aloft the torch of freedom.
Vallathol’s songs in praise of his country also depicted her suffering under the British rule, and awakened millions of Indians to the glory of their motherland.
He also wrote against caste restriction, tyrannies and orthodoxies.
Through him, Kerala’s voice could be heard loud and clear during the protests against the British.