The diary in which O.N.V. Krishna Kurup, father of celebrated poet O.N.V. Kurup, recorded his son’s birth, and ONV’s first signature in English on a collection of Tagore’s stories that he read in college were among the documents handed over by the poet’s wife Sarojini to Ministers C. Ravindranath and Kadannappally Ramachandran here on Wednesday.
Papers and other records that helped revisit the poet’s contributions and important events in his life were handed over at Indeevaram, the poet’s residence at Vazhuthacaud, as part of a survey by the State Archives Department in association with the Kerala State Literacy Mission to trace, catalogue, restore, and preserve rare documents.
The diary
In the diary, the poet’s father records May 27, 1931, when ONV was born as a ‘good day.’ A reception was accorded under his leardership to the former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru that day. The handwritten copy of ‘Karuthapakshiyude pattu,’ which ONV wrote in 1974 was also among the documents handed over.
The survey, which kicked off at the poet’s residence, will see over 70,000 learners attending the mission’s Class 10 and higher secondary equivalency courses scout the State for rare and important records in possession of individuals and institutions.
Mr. Ravindranath said there were innumerable historical records, known and unknown, scattered around the State. The literacy mission’s survey was aimed at finding them and handing them over to the Archives Department for preservation. The records will be studied and attempt made to link them with the present to benefit society, he said. Mr. Ramachandran said old records were a part of history and the survey was a bid to transfer these to the new generation.
Rural areas
The survey, which will cover rural areas too, will conclude on May 27. The findings will be codified at the learning centres from June 3.
The final survey report will be handed over to the Archives Department on June 13. The survey has been taken up as part of the mission’s social literacy programme.
