Desamangalam Srikantha Variar - A Versatile Scholar

This article is intended to introduce Desamangalam Srikantha Variar (SKV), author of the बालबोधिका (BB)commentary on शिशुपालधम्।). The Desamangalam Variyam, an ancient family of Sanskrit scholars in the village of Desamangalam, was a centre of learning for the teaching and propagation of Sanskrit language and literature. The members of the family were traditionally teachers of the Zamorins of Calicut. The family of Desamangalam Vairyars has produced several renowned scholars and poets. Most of them were called Srikantha or Rudra, two names which were generally used in the family. This family also possessed one of the largest collections of Mss in medieval Kerala.