Thunchathu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan

Thunchathu Ezhuthachan was one of the greatest writers in Malayalam .His translation of Adhyathma Ramayanam Kili Pattu and Maha baratham are revered treasures in almost all houses in Kerala even today. He was supposed to have lived in the 14th century. His name, his caste and even the number of other books he wrote are subject of lot of controversy. But universally it is agreed upon that he wrote the book called “Hari Nama Keerthanam.”(Song of the name of Hari).Either Narayanaya Mama (salutations to Lord Narayana) or Hari Narayanaya Nama (Salutations to Narayana who is Hari) has been added to the 66 verses of this book. These are added to philosophical thoughts of Ezhuthachan. The stanzas of the book start with the alphabets in the great initial invocation “Hari Sri Ganapathaye Nama.” And then the 51 alphabets of the Malayalam of those days. It was a time when the alphabet reform was going on in Malayalam. Previous to this work, the common people used 30 alphabets of Vattezhthu, which was phonetically inadequate, and the people who wanted to write Sanskrit used Grandhaksharam which was a mixture of Tamil and Sanskrit alphabets. Thunchathu Ezhuthachan was possibly an active member of the alphabet reform process and this great book is his signal contribution to this movement.
From the book, it is clear that Thunchathu Ezhuthachan was a Vaishnavite who was fondly in love with the Advaitha philosophy. He mentions that his Guru was one Neelakanta Somayaji in one of the verses. Researchers think that he learned these aspects of religion from Tamil Nadu.
AS in my other translations, I have tried my best to reflect the meaning intended by Ezhuthachan. This was difficult because, in this case he was not addressing the common man but the student of philosophy and religion. I crave your pardon, if I have erred.)