STORIES by HEARITAGE

Tucked away in the quiet village of Keezhattur near Perinthalmanna lies a home that feels less like a structure of brick and timber and more like a living heartbeat of Malayalam literature. This is Poonthanam Illam, the serene heritage house where the beloved 16th-century poet and ardent devotee of Lord Guruvayoorappan, Poonthanam Namboothiri, lived, wrote, prayed, and found solace. The poet’s real name is lost to history, but the name of his ancestral home, Poonthanam became the signature that immortalized his work. Believed to be around 600 years old, the house still stands gracefully, as though guarding centuries of devotion, sorrow, and divine companionship.

At a time when celebrated poets wrote in Sanskrit, Poonthanam chose Malayalam, a bold choice that turned divine verses into songs the common people could understand and recite. His poetic style, Pana embraced simplicity over ornamentation. His masterpiece, Jnanapana, remains a cherished spiritual classic, echoing with the repeated chant, “Krishna Krishna Mukunda Janardhana.” There is a well-known tale of how Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri, the famed Sanskrit scholar, initially dismissed Poonthanam’s Malayalam composition as he considered malayalam to be of inferior value. But legend says that Lord Guruvayoorappan Himself appeared before both poets, choosing Poonthanam’s heartfelt devotion over scholarly brilliance a divine nod to humility and pure bhakti in place of vibhakti which is literary prowess.

The bond between Poonthanam and Lord Krishna is woven with stories as tender as they are mystical. Being childless he had prayed to the lord for a child but he was heartbreakon of losing his infant son. The grief-stricken poet turned to the Lord for comfort again and, as legends say, Krishna came to him, resting His divine head on Poonthanam’s lap and offering Himself as his child. From that moment, the poet lived immersed in the recitation of the Bhagavatham, singing of the Lord with a devotion that touched thousands. When age and frailty made his long walks to the Guruvayoor temple impossible, the divine bond deepened further. It is believed that Lord Guruvayoorappan instructed him to retrieve an idol of Krishna from an abandoned shrine in the forest and install it near his home giving the poet the unique opportunity to see his lord everyday. This temple became Poonthanam’s sanctuary until his final moments. And in one of the most enchanting legends associated with the poet, it is said that Lord Krishna Himself led Poonthanam to the heavenly abode in his own body.

Today, the Poonthanam Illam is maintained by the Guruvayoor Devaswom, and walking into it feels like stepping gently into history. The two-storeyed structure has an old-world charm from its padipura entrance to the sacred ara that houses Thirumanthakunnu Bhagavathy. The poet’s room upstairs breathes an air of quiet contemplation. A small but fascinating detail stands out: the house has a built-in toilet which is a rarity in Kerala homes of that era, making it remarkably ahead of its time.

Surrounded by lush greenery and open to all visitors regardless of caste or religion, the illam radiates a soothing calmness. Near the poomukham, you’ll find a small sacred spot believed to be where Poonthanam left on his final journey with Lord Krishna and is a place that still feels touched by something divine. If you love heritage, poetry, or spiritual history, this humble illam will tug at your heart. A visit here feels less like sightseeing and more like meeting an old soul whose life was one long, gentle prayer