Dr. Ramankutty P.V. is a distinguished Sanskrit scholar who served the Kerala Higher Education
Department for 35 illustrious years. Retiring as Principal of Government College, Elerithattu,
Kasaragod, he dedicated his life to the study, teaching, and propagation of Sanskrit literature
and Vedic knowledge.
Early Life and Education
Born on December 15, 1948, in Paruthur, Palakkad District, Kerala,
Dr. Ramankutty completed his Master's degree in Sanskrit Sahitya with
First Class First Rank from Sree Neelakantha Government
Sanskrit College, Pattambi, in 1972.
His association with Sanskrit began at Sree Neelakantha Government Sanskrit
College, Pattambi, an institution renowned for its rich tradition of
Sanskrit learning and often remembered as the “South Indian
Nalanda.” The college’s vibrant academic atmosphere, rooted in Classical
Sanskrit learning while remaining open to modern branches of knowledge, deeply shaped
his intellectual outlook and inspired his lifelong engagement with Sanskrit scholarship.
He earned his Ph.D. in Sanskrit from the University of Calicut
in 1992, establishing himself as a respected scholar in Vedic
studies, Sanskrit literary criticism, Mahabharata studies, Classical Sanskrit
poetry, aesthetics, and comparative literary thought.
Academic Career and Scholarship
Over the course of more than 30 years of post-graduate teaching
experience, Dr. Ramankutty guided numerous research scholars, with
six scholars awarded Ph.D. degrees under his
supervision. After completing his post-graduation, he also had the privilege of serving
for many years at Sree Neelakantha Government Sanskrit College,
Pattambi, including his association with its Post Graduate and Research
Department of Sanskrit, a recognized centre for Sanskrit research under the University
of Calicut.
His academic journey also includes his service as Syndicate Member and Adjunct
Professor at Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit, Kalady,
Kerala, where he contributed to the academic and institutional development
of Sanskrit scholarship.
Intellectual Vision and Contributions
Dr. Ramankutty’s scholarship is marked by a thoughtful balance between Classical
Sanskrit wisdom and modern critical sensibility. His writings reflect a
free, fair, and analytical approach to Sanskrit tradition, seeking to understand what
remains living, luminous, and progressive in ancient
systems of knowledge, while also examining them through the lens of contemporary
scholarship.
His areas of inquiry span Sanskrit aesthetics, Vedic literature, Mahabharata studies,
Sanskrit poetry, literary criticism, narratology, philosophy, theatre studies,
comparative aesthetics, modern linguistics, Classical visual arts, Buddhist thought,
human rights principles in Sanskrit sources, and the relationship between Sanskrit
tradition and modern intellectual discourse.
His scholarly contributions include studies on eminent figures and texts such as
Abhinavagupta, Anandavardhana, Kalidasa, Bhasa, Kuntaka, Kalhana’s
Rajatarangini, Valmiki’s Ramayana, and major traditions of Sanskrit
poetics and aesthetics. His work also reflects an interest in how Sanskrit knowledge
can engage meaningfully with modern fields of thought, including literature,
philosophy, theatre, history, aesthetics, and cultural studies.
His contributions have earned him recognition from the Kerala Sahitya
Academy and several other prestigious literary and academic institutions.
Life Beyond Formal Academia
Beyond his formal academic career, Dr. Ramankutty continues to lead a meaningful and
intellectually active retired life. He remains deeply
engaged in research, writing, publishing, participating in social and cultural events,
and contributing to ongoing literary and scholarly work. His life continues to reflect
his enduring commitment to learning, teaching, and the preservation and reinterpretation
of Sanskrit wisdom for contemporary times.
He is married to Kallianikutty Kodangattil, a retired Headmistress.
The couple is blessed with two children, Kiran and Vandana, both
accomplished professionals in the field of Information Technology. He also enjoys
spending cherished time with his family and grandchildren.
