'Myth and Literature' is a speech delivered by M. T Vasudevan Nair, one of great comtemporay writers of India. In this speech, he discusses the ways in which Malayalam literature influenced by myth, folktales and legends. He compares the relationship between myth and literature.
Birth of Kerala always connected with the myth of Parasuraman.it is believed that Kerala was formed by the hurling of axe by Parasuraman from Mount Gokarna. This myth was a raw material for many writers and poets of Malayalam literature. Balamaniamma used 'hurling of axe' by Parasuraman as an epitome of 'sacrifice'. Vyollopalli Sreedharamenon used the axe as tool for representating early migrant Societies of Kerala.
Thakazhi used the myth of Kadalamma in his celebrated novel, Chemeen. Kadalamma or Godess of Sea take cares the men who were out in the sea for fishing. Then the wives of the fishermen should be lead a taint less life at home. Otherwise their husbands may get an accident at sea.
Thunchath Ezhuthachan is believed to be an incarnation of Gandharvan. As a non Brahmin, Thunchath Ezhuthachan didnt get any wild acclaime during his early part of the life. Though he was well versed in Vedas and Upanishads and wrote magnificent poetries. But the gandharva myth solved this problem. Everyone accept him because of his relation with the legend, Gandharva.
Other modernist writers like O. V Vijayan, Kovilan used folktales in their fiction. KP Ramanunni and TV Kochuvava tried to recreate folktales for contemporary times. Modern science considers myth and legends are the fantacies of an ancient pagan Societies.
To be conclude that M. T Vasudevan Nair clearly mentioned the influence of myth and folktales in the Malayalam literature and how the writers used it as a raw material for their works.
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