Malayalam Optional Syllabus

The Malayalam Optional for the UPSC Civil Services Exam is a great option for candidates with a strong background in the language and its literature. The syllabus covers the development of Malayalam as a language, its grammar, and a comprehensive study of its classical and modern literary works, including poetry, prose, and drama. It allows candidates to engage with the rich cultural and literary heritage of Kerala. This post provides a detailed breakdown of the syllabus.

Paper I: Malayalam Optional Syllabus

1. Section A:

   1. Early phase of Malayalam Language:

      1. Various theories : Origin from proto Dravidian, Tamil, Sanskrit.
      2. Relation between Tamil and Malayalam : Six nayas of A. R. Rajarajavarma.
      3. Pattu School—Definition, Ramacharitam, later pattu works—Niranam works and Krishnagatha.

   2. Linguistic features of:

      1. Manipravalam—definition. Language of early manipravala works—Champu, Sandesakavya, Chandrotsava, minor works. Later manipravala works—medieval Champu and Attakkatha.
      2. Folklore—Southern and Northern ballads, Mappila songs.
      3. Early Malayalam Prose—Bhashakautaliyam, Brahmandapuranam, Attaprakaram, Kramadipika and Nambiantamil.

   3. Standardisation of Malayalam:

      1. Peculiarities of the language of Pana, Kilippattu and Tullal.
      2. Contributions of indigenous and European missionaries to Malayalam.
      3. Characteristics of contemporary Malayalam; Malayalam as administrative language. Language of scientific and technical literature—media language.

2. Section B:

   1. Ancient and Medieval Literature:

      1. Pattu—Ramacharitam, Niranam Works and Krishnagatha.
      2. Manipravalam—early and medieval manipravala works including attakkatha and champu.
      3. Folk Literature.
      4. Kilippattu, Tullal and Mahakavya.

   2. Modern Literature—Poetry:

      1. Venmani poets and contemporaries.
      2. The advent of Romanticism—Poetry of Kavitraya i.e., Asan, Ulloor and Vallathol.
      3. Poetry after Kavitraya.
      4. Modernism in Malayalam Poetry.

   3. Modern Literature—Prose:

      1. Drama.
      2. Novel.
      3. Short story.
      4. Biography, travelogue, essay and criticism.

Paper II: Malayalam Optional Syllabus

1. Section A:

   1. Unit 1:

      1. Ramacharitam—Patalam 1.
      2. Kannassaramayanam—Balakandam first 25 stanzas.
      3. Unnunilisandesam—Purvabhagam 25 slokas including Prastavana.
      4. Mahabharatham Kilippattu—Bhishmaparvam.

   2. Unit 2:

      1. Kumaran Asan—Chintavisthayaya Sita.
      2. Vailoppilli—Kutiyozhikkal.
      3. G. Sankara Kurup—Perunthachan.
      4. N. V. Krishna Variar—Tivandiyile pattu.

   3. Unit 3:

      1. O. N. V.—Bhumikkoru Charamagitam.
      2. Ayyappa Panicker—Kurukshetram.
      3. Akkittam—Pandatha Messanthi.
      4. Attur Ravivarma—Megharupan.

2. Section B:

   1. Unit 4:

      1. O. Chanthu Menon—Indulekha.
      2. Thakazhy—Chemmin.
      3. O. V. Vijayan—Khasakkinte Ithihasam.

   2. Unit 5:

      1. M. T. Vasudevan Nair—Vanaprastham (Collection).
      2. N. S. Madhavan—Higvitta (Collection).
      3. C. J. Thomas—1128-il Crime 27.

   3. Unit 6:

      1. Kuttikrishna Marar—Bharataparyatanam.
      2. M. K. Sanu—Nakshatrangalute Snehabhajanam.
      3. V. T. Bhatttathirippad—Kannirum Kinavum.