The
Department of Malayalam came into existence in
1969 with the starting of B.A. degree course in
Malayalam. It was later elevated to the status
of a Post Graduate and Research department in
1988 and 1989 respectively. Ever since its inception,
there has been a team of eminent teachers working
in the department. They include leading figures
in the world of Malayalam literature like Prof.
Kuttippuzha Krishnapilla, an atheist and philosopher
and Prof. D.P. Unni. These great Acharyas
made remarkable impressions in the realm of higher
education in Kerala and elsewhere. The late Dr.
K. Narayanan Nair, poet and a research guide,
served the department for a long period. Dr. (Fr).
Joseph Cheeran, an expert in Church History and
former teacher still serves as a research supervisor.
The majority of the 152 students in the UG
& PG classes in the Department are girls.
Majority of these students are from socially and
economically backward sections of the society.
In fact, the department of Malayalam has the highest
percentage of economically and socially backward
students in the college. However, the initiatives
taken by members of the faculty and by the department
ensure that there is no discrimination because
of their social/economic backwardness. The Department
steadily maintains the percentage of pass above
90 at both the undergraduate and postgraduate
levels. The number of drop-outs from the classes
is much lower in comparison with that in several
other disciplines. A major share of the drop-
outs is a result of marriage of girl students.
Students of the department have secured several
ranks in University examinations in the last five
years.
Courses Offered
Under
graduate Courses: BA Malayalam
Post
Graduate Courses:
MA Malayalam,
Ph.D
Programme |
Level
of study |
Cut-off
marks at entry level in % |
Student
strength |
| BA
|
UG
|
50% |
50
|
| MA
|
PG
|
55% |
16
|
| Research
|
Ph.D
|
|
|
BA
| Students
list |
I
BA |
|
|
| Syllabus |
I
BA |
II
BA |
III
BA |
| Question
Papers |
I
BA |
II
BA |
III
BA |
| Teacher-in-charge |
I
BA |
II
BA |
III
BA |
MA
| Students
list |
|
|
|
|
| Syllabus |
|
II
MA |
III
MA |
IV
MA |
| Question
Papers |
I
MA |
II
MA |
III
MA |
IV
MA |
| Teacher-in-charge |
I
MA |
II
MA |
III
MA |
IV
MA |
Faculty
Head:
V.P. Markose M.A., B.Ed., M.Phil.
Linkages
The
department maintains close contacts and arranges
collaborative programmes with agencies like
the All India Radio, Kerala Folklore Academy,
Sahitya Academy and ‘Nattarivu Patana Kendram’.
Several cultural events presented by students
have been broadcast by the All India Radio
in the ‘Yuvavaani’ programme. Several
teachers give radio talks. The lecture series
on Kathakalli by one member broadcast
by the All India Radio was widely acknowledged.
Library
The
Library has considerably improved its facilities
in the last five years by acquiring more books,
current periodicals, computer and Internet facilities.
All members of the Department have acquired
computer and Internet skills, and this helps
them enhance their familiarity with world literature.
The department library has a collection of over
11500. Nearly 20 current periodicals and several
newspapers are available in the Department.
There are constant efforts to improve student
involvement in classes and to enhance the liveliness
of the teaching/ learning process through seminar
presentations and discussions by students. Lectures
and interactive sessions involving literary
figures and experts in various fields are arranged
by the Malayalam Association that functions
in the department.
Scholarship
A
large number of students receive scholarships
from the college. Prof. D.P. Unni scholarship
is awarded to five meritorious students every
year. Each of the awardees receives Rs. 10,000.00
annually.
The
department has also taken efforts to modernize
the teaching / learning process with the help
of computers and internet and audio visual-aids
like slide projector and overhead projectors
acquired by the department. Training in the
use of computer and Internet is provided to
the students.
The
teachers in the department maintain close personal
relationships with each student. The Open house
programme conducted twice every year provides
opportunities for assessment along with counseling
for each student in the presence of his/her
parent. Besides, the tutorial system in which
each teacher is assigned charge of a small group
of students helps teachers to interact personally
with students. Teachers give them guidance in
intellectual, psychological and social matters.
All the teachers in the Department other than
guest lecturers have attended two or more refresher
courses in the last five years.
Department Activities
Efforts are made to prepare students for common
entrance examinations like those conducted by
the UGC. Preparation of question banks and literary
quiz programmes are arranged to improve academic
standards of students. The manuscript magazine
competition conducted annually by the Department
provides students training in the fundamentals
of journalism.
Folklore
Centre
The
department conducts folk art festivals
in association with the Folklore Academy.
Students and researchers from several
colleges participate in these. Dr. C.R
Rajagopalan, Director of the ‘Nattarivu’
Patana Kendram, is the Chief consultant
for the regional Folklore Center functioning
under the Department. The Department also
collaborates with the different media
organizations with different faculty members
participating in discussions, interviews
and such other programmes. One member
interviewed eminent eye specialist Dr.
Tony Fernandez for the Trichur Radio Station.
|
Research highlights
Research
activities in the Department have their focus
on women empowerment, tribal studies, Folk art
studies and media studies. Students of the Department
have carried out several project works on tribal
studies.
Alumni
Most
of the students who pass out from the Department
find employment without much difficulty, mostly
in teaching and also in journalism. Several former
students of the Department have gone on to become
eminent writers. Among them are Malayattoor Ramakrishanan,
Chemanam Chacko, Venu V Desam and Valsalan Vathussery.
Research Fellowship
The
Vidwan P.G. Nair Fellowship instituted in the
Department by a former student contributes to
research in considerable measure. The awardees
receive Rs. 6000.00 per month and a contingency
grant of Rs. 10,000.00 per year. Under this scheme,
Prof. S.K.Vasandan has compiled a Cultural Dictionary
of Kerala.(The Book is published in two volumes by Kerala Bhasha Institute.) Another awardee Ms. K.V. Sreeja has
done significant work in the study of Modern Malayalam
Theatre. Prof. Thomas Mathew, who is a well-known
critic in Malayalam has
done research on ‘Western
Criticism’.
Future Plans
The
department has taken the initiative to launch
a quarterly research journal. Another project
is to make available to students course components
like copy editing, journalism and advertising
along with the study of Malayalam language and
literature.
Roll of Honour
1.
Priya P. Nair
Third place in short story writing competition
- 2004 organized by Kerala Madya Varjana
Samithy.
First
prize in state level essay competition
-2004 Organized by the department of archives,kerala.
2. Vandana B.& Divya S.
Third
place in the inter collegiate quiz competition
-2004 held at St. Thomas college, Palai.
3.
Sanitha G.
Third
prize in State level competition on essay writing
and Seminar presentation held at Fathima Matha
college, Kollam.
4.
Divya S.
Changampuzha
smaraka samithi award -2003 (Inter university
cultural competitions)
Dr.
Samuel Chandanapilly Smaraka award
Selected as ‘Kalathilakam’ in the cultural festival
organized by ‘the yogakshema sabha’ -2003; 2004.
First prize in the quiz competition
5. Haseena.M.H -Changampuzha smaraka samithi award
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