Here's a breakdown of the key figures and milestones:
* Early Efforts: While no formal dictionaries existed, early Malayalam works like the "Lilatilakam" (14th century) and "Bhasha Kaumudi" (15th century) served as foundational texts for studying the language.
* First Malayalam Dictionary: The earliest known Malayalam dictionary, "Malayalam Dictionary" by Hermann Gundert, was published in 1872. Gundert, a German missionary, is credited with pioneering the modern study of Malayalam.
* Later Contributions: Many individuals, including A.R. Raja Raja Varma, K.M. George, and P.K. Narayana Pillai, contributed significantly to the development of Malayalam lexicography. They authored and edited various dictionaries, expanding vocabulary, improving definitions, and standardizing spellings.
* Modern Dictionaries: Today, we have a wide array of Malayalam dictionaries, both online and in print, thanks to the tireless efforts of linguists, lexicographers, and publishers.
Therefore, it's more accurate to say that Malayalam dictionaries are a result of continuous development and collaboration, rather than a single person's invention.