Culture:
Kollam, the capital of the erstwhile Venad, was a great centre of learning and culture. It attracted distinguished scholars from all parts of South India. Leelathilakam and Unnuneelisandesam, two outstanding literary works of historical importance, are contributions of 14th Century Kollam. The dance form of Kathakali in its new version of Ramanattam was the creation of Kottarakkara Thampuran, who also improved Krishnattam by substituting Malayalam for Sanskrit.
Paravoor K.C.Kesava Pillai, a gifted poet, prose writer, dramatist and scholar, originated the musical play in Malayalam through his work Sadarma. His Kesaveeyam, a Mahakavyam, is of outstanding literary importance. In the history of Malayalam music, he has a prominent place as a gifted composer of songs. Paravoor Kesavan Asan, the founder editor of Sujanandini, another prominent literary figure, was a journalist and a prose writer of eloquence. His Saratchandrika is a contribution to the study of Ayurvedic system of medicine. E.V.Krishna Pillai, another literary celebrity has etched his name in the field of humour and satire. C.V.Kunjuraman, editor of Kerala Kaumudi and Malayalarajyam was a poet, literary critic, prose writer and a journalist of outstanding distinction.