Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church -130
Prof. Mathai Ulakamthara
Prof. Mathai Ulakamthara, who earned lasting acclaim in both Malayalam literary history and the chronicles of the Christian Church with his single magnum opus Kristugatha, was a unique talent equally adept in both prose and poetry. A prolific author with over forty works across literary criticism, biography, children’s literature, verse drama, translation, theology, and contemporary issues, he has also received numerous accolades. Ulakamthara was a distinguished teacher of language and a compelling speaker. He held key positions such as Vice President and Secretary of the Kerala Literary Association, Chief Editor of Parishma Sika, member of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, President of the Kerala Sahitya Kala Samiti, Chief Editor of Deepika Weekly, and Associate Editor of Thalenth Magazine, leaving a significant mark on Kerala’s literary and cultural spheres.
He served for 32 years (1954–1986) as Malayalam Lecturer and Head of Department at Sacred Heart College, Thevara, and continued his academic contributions as an Honorary Professor at the Sree Sankaracharya Sanskrit University, Kalady. He also taught literature at institutions such as the De Paul (Vincentian) Seminary in Bangalore, St. Stanislaus Minor Seminary in Kottayam, and S.H. Seminary in Ernakulam. As Principal of the Kavya Mandalam (Poetry Workshop) at St. Ephrem’s Ecumenical Institute, Kottayam, he broadened the horizons of literary education. His distinctive voice has long echoed across Kerala’s radio networks.
Born on June 6, 1931, in East Vaikom near Arattukulam, he was the son of Varkey and Anna Ulakamthara. He completed his formal education at Ayyarkulangara Government Middle School, Vaikom Government High School, St. Thomas College, Palai, and Maharaja’s College, Ernakulam. In 1954, he graduated with a double first class in Malayalam from the University of Kerala. In 1959, he earned his M.A. in Malayalam with first rank as a private candidate from the University of Madras. At Sacred Heart College, Thevara, he served as tutor, lecturer, and professor, and he held significant roles such as Chief Examiner, Exam Board Chairman, Textbook Committee Member, Oriental Faculty Member, and Board of Studies Chairman at the Universities of Kerala and Mahatma Gandhi. His critical works are prescribed textbooks at various Kerala universities.
While a student at Palai College in 1952, he won the Kattakkayam Gold Medal for poetry from the All Kerala Catholic Congress. He also received the AKCC Literary Award in 1978 and the Cyriac Kandathil Award in 1994. He co-authored Thaniniram, a textbook series published by AKCC in 1959, along with M.O. Joseph Nedungatt.
On May 9, 1960, he married Thresiamma (B.A., B.Ed.), the second daughter of Augusthy and Anna Puthenthott from Vechoochira.
On June 5, 1991, Kerala’s Catholic bishops collectively honored him at POC, recognizing his literary contributions to the Church on his 60th birthday. In 1992, he completed Kristugatha, and its first copy was handed over by K.M. Mathew, editor of Malayala Manorama, to the poet Mahakavi Pala Narayanan Nair at its release in Kottayam. Kristugatha received the KCBC Award in 1993, followed by a string of accolades: Kerala Sabha Tharam, Mar Thoma Award, Mahakavi K.V. Simon Award, Sahitya Darshana Award, Mar Athanasius Award, Alberione Award, Vanissery Award, and notably, the Ulloor Mahakavi Award in 1996.
His 70th birthday was grandly celebrated on June 4–5, 2001, at Kottayam’s CERI Auditorium, led by prominent figures such as Prof. Sukumar Azhikode, Vice-Chancellor Cyriac Thomas, Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil, poet Balachandran Chullikkad, and music director Jerry Amaldev. The event was organized by Pala K.M. Mathew, MP, then Director of the Institute of Children’s Literature, and included the release of a commemorative volume titled Ulakamthara: Poet and Critic.
Prof. Mathai Ulakamthara has long been regarded as one of Malayalam’s finest prose stylists. His 1956 work Sahityam Engotte (Whither Literature?) initiated serious discussions within Malayalam literature for decades. C.P. Sreedharan described him as the intellectual heir to Kuttikrishna Marar, emphasizing moral values in literature. Mahakavi M.P. Appan praised his prose style for its courage to convey uncomfortable truths blended with wit, without resorting to harshness. Appan highlighted Ulakamthara’s logical rigor, emotional intensity, and commitment to theological principles. Prof. S. Guptan Nair lauded his narrative elegance and clarity, especially in the biography I.C. Chacko published by the Kerala Government’s Department of Culture.
Dr. Kalpatta Balakrishnan, writing about the poetic style of Kristugatha, noted: “Though known for his sharp prose, Ulakamthara successfully carried that edge into his poetry, transitioning the ‘manjari’ metre from the soft elegance of Cherusseri to the majestic style of Ezhuthachan.” He asserted that Kristugatha reintroduces the classic poetic diction of Ezhuthachan.
Kristugatha is a grand epic in simple language that artistically condenses all four Gospels without omissions or repetition. It narrates Jesus Christ’s entire life up to the Ascension. Archbishop Mar Joseph Powathil praised its inner qualities—contemplative depth, theological wisdom, emotional intensity, and Catholic perspective. Religious leaders commended its doctrinal soundness, while literary critics appreciated its linguistic purity, imaginative beauty, emotional richness, Kerala flavor, and poetic grace.
Dr. Leelavathi found in Kristugatha nature descriptions reminiscent of Kalidasa. Padmashri Sooranad Kunjan Pillai called it a blessing to the Malayalam language. Mahakavi M.P. Appan placed it among the greatest South Indian epic poems on Christ. Fr. Vadakkan regarded Kristugatha as an invaluable gift to both the Malayalam language and the Christian Church. In a congratulatory note, Sooranadan addressed Ulakamthara as “Mahakavi,” suggesting that if Kristugatha were interpreted in the storytelling style, it could enrich both language and spiritual culture. He considered it sacred enough to be kept as a devotional object on his study table.
Ulakamthara’s book Vimarshikkappetunna Vishwasam (The Criticized Faith) exemplifies his continuing intellectual defense of faith. He credits his reasoned theological style and firm faith to early influences from figures like Msgr. Jacob Neduvathusseril, author of From Reason to Faith, during his youth in Thottakam parish.
Other notable works include Vimarsha Sopanam, Aalochanaamrutham, Sahitya Peethika, Apoorva Rasmikal, Bheerukkalude Swargam, Kaippum Madhuravum, Aatmabhashithangal, Kristu Bimbangal Malayalathil, Hindavam Christavam, Kathaasubhashithangal, and translations such as Indira Gandhi, Arnos Pathiri, I.C. Chacko, Aadyathe Maranam, Velichathinte Makal, Vishwaprakasham, and a modern version of Varthamanapusthakam. He also translated The Confessions of St. Augustine (V. Amma Thresya Kumpasaram) and wrote children’s books like Kuyilum Koottukarum, Veerabala Kathakal, and Kochu Thalavan.
Ulakamthara has penned forewords to works by renowned authors like Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, Pala Narayanan Nair, T.K.C. Vaduthala, and Sister Mary Benigna—reflecting not only the esteem he commands in the literary world but also his sensitivity and interpretative depth.
Msgr. Dr. Ferdinand Kayeavil, in his biography Bishop Jerome: A Man of Action, wrote about Ulakamthara’s extensive and scholarly introductory essay, affirming:
“Prof. Mathai Ulakamthara is a towering figure in Malayalam literary circles—an educator, orator, critic, theologian, and editor. Among Kerala’s Christian intellectuals, he stands out as a prominent voice. It is rare to find someone who so authoritatively links Christian faith and the Malayalam language. A staunch believer and a deep thinker, Ulakamthara is a source of pride for the Kerala Church. He critiques Church practices with honesty, encourages progressive thought, and upholds theological foundations with intellectual strength. This rare balance is what makes him one of Kerala’s most respected Christian thinkers.”
