Manaveda

Manaveda(Malayalam മാനവേദന്‍ (1585–1658 AD), the Zamorin Raja of Calicut in northern Kerala is renowned as author of Krishnanattam.It is a dance drama and presents the story of Krishna in a series of eight plays.

The second Manaveda (Ruling period 1658-1662 A.D) Asvati Tirunal Manaveda is the one who destroyed the power of the Portuguese with the help of Dutch. He reinstated the Mutta Tavali Prince on the throne of Cochin.

As he was a patron of letters, Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri was quite probably a friend of him..

He was born to the royal family of the Zamorin Rajas of Calicut in 1585. Though much is not non about parents and childhood, it is said he had education from Anayath Krishna pisharody and Desamangalath varrier. He grew up into a poetic genius and a farsighted ruler.

Only two of his books are available now - Krishnanattam (text is also called Krishnageethi) and Purva bharatha chambu, both written in Sanskrit. The later was completed in A.D 1643, 10 years before Krishnanattam. His other books are believed to be destroyed in the fire which gutted Zamorin palace when Hyderali of Mysore attacked in 1766.

The Sanskrit text based on which Krishnanattam was created was written on A.D 1653, aged 68..Consists of eight plays-Avataram, Kaliyamardanam, Rasakrida, Kamsavadham, Swayamvaram, Banayuddham, Vividavadham and Swargarohanam.It is based on 10th and 11th skandhas of Bhagavata Purana dealing solely the story of Krishna.It has also gained inspirations from Gita Govinda of Jayadeva, Sree krishna vilaasam mahakavya and Narayaniyam of Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri.

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