Who was Balamani Amma? Google dedicates Doodle to celebrate Malayalam poet’s 113th birth anniversary

New Delhi: Google on Tuesday dedicated its doodle to celebrate acclaimed Indian poet Balamani Amma’s 113th birth anniversary. Balamani Amma’ continues to be known as the ‘amma’ and ‘muthassi’ of Malayalam poetry.

All you need to know about amma:

In 1987, Balamani Amma, was honoured with Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian honour, the Sahitya Akademi Award for Muthassi in 1965; the Saraswati Samman for Nivedyam in 1995, and several among others.

Some of her well known works include Amma, Mazhuvinte Katha (The Story of the Axe), and Sandhya.

She had received no formal education, but was greatly influenced by her maternal uncle and his library. She was educated at home by her uncle Nalappat Narayana Menon, who was also a popular Malayali poet.

Balamani Amma, has published more than 20 anthologies of poems and several other works including translations.

When she was 19, she was married to V.M. Nair. He was the managing director and managing editor of the Malayalam newspaper Mathrubhumi.

According to Google Doodle, it is because of her poems that describes her love for children and grandchildren that earned her the titles such as Amma (Mother) and Muthassi (Grandmother) of Malayalam poetry.

She died in 2004 and was cremated with full state honours.