A retired teacher from Vengara Boys Higher Secondary School, Malappuram, is on a mission to complete his first epic poem, Nabicharitham Kilippaattu based on the life of Prophet Mohammed.
Sukumar Kakkad, who has authored 35 novels and seven anthologies of poems, has completed the first segment of the work.
As one who has not learnt Arabic, things were not very easy for the author, but he overcame all shortcomings by reading the Quran written in Malayalam. “A non-Muslim writing about the Prophet is likely to raise many an eyebrow. I haven’t met with any unpleasant incident so far, but I fear outbursts from both Hindus and Muslims,” he says.
Sukumar had written a poem on communal harmony earlier, titled Krishnanum Nabiyum.
A retired teacher, who also actively takes part in current social issues, (Sukumar is the chairman of the Literary Mission Printing and Publication Committee, a member of the Sangeeta Nataka Akademi and advisory board member of Central Library, Thiruvananthapuram.
He is the winner of the Mamman Mappila Novel Award for his work Maranachutt, published in 1983.
Sukumar thought of taking up this project, understanding that the Prophet’s words have much significance in current society.
“Swargathil ninnum hrudayathilekkoru/ Swarna noolpalam paninja pravachakka...” goes the lyrics, translated as Prophet, you built a golden bridge from heaven to heart.
“Society is gripped by inequality. The Prophet’s words will be an encouragement for those fighting for equality and humanity,” Sukumar said.
Coming from a place surrounded by people following a particular faith, his love for the Prophet and his ideas are not surprising. His Maruppookkal, written in 2001 and published by Capital International Books is a collection of the Prophet’s poems.
Velichathinte Nombarangal is his experience as a teacher and Kalapam Kanal Vithacha Mannu is a historical novel. His Lyrics of Luminous India won the Samskruthi Jeddah Award in 2012. Sukumar’s Pranaya Haritham, a collection of poems published in various magazines, will come out in January.
