IAS Main Examination Syllabus - Subject : Malayalam

Paper-I (Answers must be written in Malayalam.)

Section-A

1. Early phase of Malayalam Language
   • Various theories: origin from proto Dravidian, Tamil, Sanskrit.
   • Relation between Tamil and Malyalam: Six nayas of A.R. Rajarajavarma.
   • Pattu school-definition, Ramacharitam, later pattu works-Niranam works and Krishnagatha.
2. Linguistic features of
   • Manipravalam-definition. Language of early manipravala works-Champu, Sandesakavya, Chandrotsava, minor works. Later Manipravala works-medieval Champu and Attakkatha.
   • Folklore-Southern and Northern ballads, Mappila songs.
   • Early Malayalam prose-Bhashakautaliyam, Brahmandapuranam, Attaprakaram, Kramadipika and Nambiantamil.
3. Satandardisation of Malayalam
   • Peculairities of the language of Pana, Kilippattu and Tullai.
   • Contributions of indigenous and European missionaries to Malayalam.
   • Characteristics of contemporary Malayalam : Malayalam as administravie language. Language of scientific and technical literature-media language.

   Section-B (Literary History)

4. Ancient and Medieval Literature:
   • Pattu-Ramacharitam, Niranam works and Krishnagatha.
   • Manipravalam-early and medieval manipravala works including attakkatha and champu.
   • Folk literature.
   • Kilippattu, Tullal and Mahakavya.
5. Modern Literature-Poerty
   • Venmani poets and contemporaries.
   • The advent of Romanticism-Poerty of Kavitraya i.e., Asan, Ulloor and Vallathol
   • Poetry after Kavitraya.
   • Modernism in Malayalam poetry.
6. Modern Literature-Prose
   • Drama
   • Novel
   • Short story
   • Biography, travelogue, essay and criticism.

Paper-II (Answers must be written in Malayalam.)

This paper will requre first hand reading of the texts prescribed and is designed to test the candidate's critical ability.

Section-A

Unit 1

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

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

1. ONV -Bhumikkoru Charamagitam
2. Ayyappa Panicker-Kurukshetram.
3. Akkittam-Pandathe Messanthi
4. Attur Ravivarma-Megharupan.

Section-B

Unit 4

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

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

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