Visakha Prashar
August 24, 2023 04:23
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Get comprehensive insights into the UPSC Malayalam Literature Optional Syllabus for Mains 2024, including detailed analysis, book recommendations, preparation tips, previous year questions, and toppers' answer sheets.
Malayalam is a Dravidian language, which is spoken in Kerala and Mahe, apart from certain parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Lakshadweep. Malayalam literature as an optional subject can be a fulfilling choice for those with a passion for regional languages, cultural studies, and literary exploration. Malayalam literature is one of the optional subject under literature optional subject category is listed as one of the subjects in the UPSC mains exam.
This article provides a comprehensive syllabus and other information for the UPSC Malayalam optional subject, helping a candidate score good marks in their examination.
UPSC Malayalam literature optional syllabus is not exhaustive and can be prepared well with a little bit of planning and guidance. Candidates fluent in Malayalam and knowing the basic grammatical features of this language can score amazing marks in UPSC Mains.
The UPSC Malayalam literature syllabus for the IAS Exam tests the candidate’s knowledge of Malayalam literature and its history. The papers have to be answered in Malayalam script and language.
The Malayalam optional subject in the UPSC Mains examination consists of two papers, Paper 1 and Paper 2, of 250 marks each. The paper consists of eight questions divided equally into two sections of four questions each. A candidate has to attempt any five questions, with question 1 and 5 being compulsory. Out of the remaining six, they have to attend any three questions, choosing at least one from each section.
The Malayalam Literature Optional UPSC Syllabus is divided into two papers. Each paper addresses a different aspect of the subject. The complete syllabus of Malayalam optional can be found below:
The Syllabus includes the early phase of the Malayalam language, linguistic characteristics, standardisation of Malayalam and ancient and medieval Malayalam literature. Poetry and prose from modern literature will also be covered.
| Section A | |
| 1. Early phase of Malayalam Language | 1.1 Various theories: Origin from proto-Dravidian, Tamil, Sanskrit.
1.2 Relation between Tamil and Malayalam: Six nayas of A. R. Rajarajavarma. 1.3 Pattu School—Definition, Ramacharitam, later pattu works—Niranam works and Krishnagatha. |
| 2. Linguistic features of | 2.1 Manipravalam—definition. Language of early manipravala works—Champu, Sandesakavya, Chandrotsava, minor works. Later manipravala works—medieval Champu and Attakkatha.
2.2 Folklore—Southern and Northern ballads, Mappila songs. 2.3 Early Malayalam Prose—Bhashakautaliyam, Brahmandapuranam, Attaprakaram, Kramadipika and Nambiantamil. |
| 3. Standardisation of Malayalam | 3.1 Peculiarities of the language of Pana, Kilippattu and Tullal.
3.2 Contributions of indigenous and European missionaries to Malayalam. 3.3 Characteristics of contemporary Malayalam; Malayalam as administrative language. Language of scientific and technical literature—media language. |
| Section B: Literary History | |
| 4. Ancient and Medieval Literature | 4.1 Pattu—Ramacharitam, Niranam Works and Krishnagatha.
4.2 Manipravalam—early and medieval manipravala works including attakkatha and champu. 4.3 Folk Literature. 4.4 Kilippattu, Tullal and Mahakavya. |
| 5. Modern Literature—Poetry | 5.1 Venmani poets and contemporaries.
5.2 The advent of Romanticism—Poetry of Kavitraya i.e., Asan, Ulloor and Vallathol. 5.3 Poetry after Kavitraya. 5.4 Modernism in Malayalam Poetry. |
| 6. Modern Literature—Prose | 6.1 Drama.
6.2 Novel. 6.3 Short story. 6.4 Biography, travelogue, essay and criticism. |
UPSC Malayalam Literature Paper 2 will test the candidates’ critical thinking skills and knowledge regarding the selected collection of Malayalam literature. Candidates will have to read all the assigned Malayalam literature texts properly to score good marks in the examination.
| Section A | |
| Unit 1 | 1.1 Ramacharitam—Patalam Kannassaramayanam—Balakandam first 25 stanzas.
1.2 Unnunilisandesam—Purvabhagam 25 slokas including Prastavana. 1.3 Mahabharatham Kilippattu—Bhishmaparvam. |
| Unit 2 | 2.1 Kumaran Asan—Chintavisthayaya Sita.
2.2 Vailoppilli—Kutiyozhikkal. 2.3 G. Sankara Kurup—Perunthachan. 2.4 N. V. Krishna Variar—Tivandiyile pattu. |
| Unit 3 | 3.1 O. N. V.—Bhumikkoru Charamagitam.
3.2 Ayyappa Panicker—Kurukshetram. 3.3 Akkittam—Pandatha Messanthi. 3.4 Attur Ravivarma—Megharupan. |
| Section B | |
| Unit 4 | 4.1 O. Chanthu Menon—Indulekha.
4.2 Thakazhy—Chemmin. 4.3 O. V. Vijayan—Khasakkinte Ithihasam. |
| Unit 5 | 5.1 M. T. Vasudevan Nair—Vanaprastham (Collection).
5.2 N. S. Madhavan—Higvitta (Collection). 5.3 C. J. Thomas—1128-il Crime 27. |
| Unit 6 | 6.1 Kuttikrishna Marar—Bharataparyatanam.
6.2 M. K. Sanu—Nakshatrangalute Snehabhajanam. 6.3 V. T. Bhatttathirippad—Kannirum Kinavum. |
Reading and understanding the literary works mentioned in the UPSC Malayalam Literature optional syllabus is also important. To gain deeper insights into the subject, refer to literary criticism books and anthologies of Malayalam literature. The complete list of books needed to prepare for Malayalam literature optional is given below:
| Paper 1 | Paper 2 |
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Candidates who want to take up Malayalam literature as optional for UPSC will have to make changes to their strategy as literature subjects are not straight-forward. It requires extensive reading and analysing literature texts, along with mastery over the language. Here are some of the tips that candidates can adopt while preparing for Malayalam literature optional:
Analysing previous year question papers will give candidates hints about the types of questions asked in the exam and also the amount of preparation a candidate requires to score well in the exam. Candidates are advised to download the previous year question papers from this link and analyse, before starting your preparation:
| Year | Question Paper |
| 2023 Malayalam Literature | Paper 1: Malayalam Literature |
| Paper 2: Malayalam Literature | |
| 2022 Malayalam Literature | Paper 1: Malayalam Literature |
| Paper 2: Malayalam Literature | |
| 2021 Malayalam Literature | Paper 1: Malayalam Literature |
| Paper 2: Malayalam Literature | |
| 2020 Malayalam Literature | Paper 1: Malayalam Literature |
| Paper 2: Malayalam Literature | |
| 2019 Malayalam Literature | Paper 1: Malayalam Literature |
| Paper 2: Malayalam Literature |
UPSC demands certain writing method and structure of answers from candidates preparing for Malayalam literature optional. In order to develop this peculiar style, candidates need to refer to the answer structure of previously successful candidates. For that purpose, candidates are advised to refer to the answer copies of toppers so that they can streamline their preparation according to the demand of UPSC.
Apart from reading the answer sheet of toppers, candidates can read blogs and watch videos that contain suggestions from successful candidates regarding preparing for Malayalam optional for UPSC.
Malayalam Literature Optional for UPSC is not like other optional subjects, which just requires reading and attempting test series. This subject requires candidates to read, analyse, develop an analytical mind while approaching questions and regularly practice answer writing.
Candidates who follow these techniques and suggestions are bound to be successful in clearing UPSC mains by opting Malayalam literature.
| Must Read | |
| NCERT Notes For UPSC | UPSC Daily Current Affairs |
| UPSC Blogs | UPSC Daily Editorials |
| Daily Current Affairs Quiz | Daily Main Answer Writing |
| UPSC Mains Previous Year Papers | UPSC Test Series 2024 |
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