Poonthanam Namboothiri

Poonthanam Namboothiri (c. 1547–c. 1640) was a revered 16th-century Malayalam poet and ardent devotee of Guruvayoorappan, known for his contributions to Bhakti literature in Kerala. His magnum opus, ജ്ഞാനപ്പാന (Jnanappana), often considered the Bhagavad Gita of Malayali Hindus, is a philosophical poem written in simple Malayalam that expresses spiritual truths and reflects his deep devotion. Poonthanam composed the Jnanappana after experiencing the tragic death of his infant son, transforming his personal sorrow into a universal message of devotion and wisdom. The book ജ്ഞാനപ്പാന: സമ്പൂർണ്ണ വ്യാഖ്യാനം (Jnanapana: Complete Commentary) contains his original devotional poem with a comprehensive commentary, making his profound work accessible to a wider audience.