Kulasekhara of Kerala

Summary

“Kulasekhara of Kerala” examines the contributions of Kerala to Sanskrit literature and theatre by focusing on the enigmatic figure of Kulasekhara. Kerala produced numerous Sanskrit dramas that preserve the ancient stagecraft and indigenous acting styles. The so‑called Bhāsa theory, which posits that the plays attributed to Bhāsa were written in Kerala, stimulated interest in Kerala’s literary heritage. The author notes that Kerala’s dramatic tradition, including the preservation of Bhāsa’s dramas, is tied to a unique script and performance practice distinct from those of other regions. Kulasekhara, a devout Vaishnava and skilled poet, is credited with the devotional lyric “Mukundamālā” and with plays that exhibit elegant Sanskrit as well as vernacular influences. However, multiple historical figures share the name Kulasekhara: there were at least six kings named Kulasekhara in Kerala’s Chera dynasty, and traditions often conflate them with the saint Kulasekhara Āḻvār and with the dramatist. The article distinguishes between these figures by examining literary evidence and traditional accounts. It suggests that the dramatist and the patron of the Mukundamālā may have been distinct individuals but belonged to the same royal lineage. The author also discusses other Kulasekharas, such as Sthānū Ravi Kulasekhara, noted for preserving the Bhāsa plays, and Kulasekhara Varman, connected to Vaishnava hymns. The 8th century is identified as a fertile period for Sanskrit literature in Kerala; devout kings patronised poets and revived Hindu religion. The article concludes by emphasising that the term “Kulasekhara” should be understood as a dynastic title rather than a single person’s name and that a clearer distinction between the dramatist and lyric poet will enhance our understanding of Kerala’s contribution to Indian literature.