M. Sheshagiri Prabhu

M. Sheshagiri Prabhu was a scholar in Malayalam and Sanskrit language. He was born in Tellichery, Kerala State. He was extra ordinary bright from childhood and hence was allowed to have secondary school education through English medium, Calicut. He passed matriculation with distinction. Subsequently he passed the F.A. examination with record marks.
Career
After Passing F.A., Sheshagiri took to teaching first Malayalam and then English. While at Brennan College High School in Tellichery he took B.A. degree in History and Sanskrit. He was appointed the Deputy Director of Schools in 1892. Subsequently he got lecturer post in Govt College, Mangalore. In 1903, he took his M.A. degree. He was transferd to Rajmundry as Vice Principal of the Training College. After his retirement in 1914, he did further tenure as the Head Master of the TD School of Kochi. He had also served as a member of the curriculam committee under the Madras University, for Malayalam and Sanskrit Language. He was renowned profound scholar, grammarian and social reformer. His first literary work was Parvathy parinayam published in 1888. His other major works are Naganandam, Vatsaraja Charitam, Vedavyasan, Vyakarana Mitram, Vyakaranamrutam, Vyakarana Darshanam, Bala Vyakaranam, Sisumodakam. He had written a series of articles on the history and language of the Konkanis of Kerala titled ‘Konkani Brahmanar’ in the monthly, Rasika Ranjini and also appeared in Saraswatha Bodhini monthly. He also compiled the collection of Konkani proverbs, a basic grammar and Vocabulary of Konkani Language. He had mastered the vedas and started veda Vedanga Pathashala in Tellichery. He used to give religious discourse at SLN Temple. At the All India GSB Parishad at Mangalore, he spoke about neccessity of simplifying the seven day long marriage rituals. Later he brought out the book Rigveda Vivaha Prayogam. His detailed authoriative and critical review on the Kerala Panineeyam was highly admired and respected by all malayalam Scholars.
Honour
Sheshagiri Prabhu was honoured in recognition of his valuable contribution to Malayalam language and the title ‘Sahitya Kusalan’ was conferred on him along with gold medal by the Maharaja of Kochi.