Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan (15th-16th century) is often hailed as the "father of modern Malayalam literature." He is credited with:
* Standardizing the language: He established the use of a standardized vocabulary and grammar, making Malayalam more accessible to the common people.
* Popularizing the language: He wrote extensively in Malayalam, including the epic poem "Adhyatma Ramayana Malayalam", which helped to make the language more popular and widely accepted.
Other important figures:
* Cheraman Perumal: This legendary king is believed to have introduced the Brahmi script to Kerala, laying the groundwork for the development of the Malayalam alphabet.
* Ezhuthachan's contemporaries: Many other writers contributed to the development of Malayalam in the 16th century, including Kunchan Nambiar, Pappu Kuruppu, and Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri.
It's crucial to remember:
* Evolution over time: Malayalam language developed over many centuries through the contributions of countless individuals and influenced by various factors, including Sanskrit, Tamil, and local dialects.
* No single "father": While Ezhuthachan is widely recognized for his significant contributions, attributing the creation of Malayalam to a single individual wouldn't be accurate.
It's more accurate to say that Malayalam evolved through the collective efforts of various individuals and communities over an extended period.