Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-66 Rev. Prof. Ommen Ayyaneth

Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church-66
Rev. Prof. Ommen Ayyaneth
Rev. Prof. Ommen Ayyaneth, an influential spiritual leader, has made a significant mark in various fields such as poetry, music, literary criticism, oratory, and linguistics. Born on February 27, 1927, in Kadalur, Vallikkode, in the Pathanamthitta district, he is the son of Koshy and Mariamma Ayyaneth. He received his school education locally and began his priestly studies at St. Aloysius Minor Seminary in 1947 after completing high school. He then studied philosophy for three years and theology for four years at Aluva Major Seminary. He was ordained in 1956, with his first appointment as a priest in June 1956 at Anchal.
Over the years, he served in various parishes and initiated a new mission at the church in Olappur. He studied at the Pathanamthitta Catholic College, earning an M.A. degree. When St. John’s College was established in Anchal by Mar Theophilus, he played a key role in its construction and also worked as a Malayalam teacher there. In 1969, he transferred to Mar Ivanios College and retired in March 1982 as a professor. He has served as a priest in about thirty-three parishes, with a significant portion of his ministry dedicated to Dalit communities.
After retiring from Mar Ivanios College, he taught for several years at Carmel Philosophy College in Cotton Hill and St. Vincent’s Seminary in the Latin Archdiocese of Trivandrum.
An article in “Sandeshalom” from February 2006 notes: “Fr. Ayyaneth has been an active member of the C.P. Raman Pillai Foundation, the Discussion Forum, Saharidaya Forum, and the Vanchinad Art Forum. He has been a presenter on All India Radio and Doordarshan, a member of the Kerala Government’s Cultural Department, and a member of the Academic Council at Kalady Shankaracharya Sanskrit University. He has published around twenty books covering various genres, including plays, essays, poetry, criticism, and songs. Currently, he is a prominent member of the Liturgical Reforms Committee. Despite his busy schedule, he frequently participates in poetry forums and cultural events.”
His research work titled “Prophets in the Bible” is regarded as a valuable contribution to Malayalam literature. A trained Carnatic musician, he is also an accomplished singer. His recent cassette “Nathante Raajyam” has been well-received for its originality. In his role as an administrator at the Chitralekha Film Society, he mentions, “I had a role in the first film ‘Swayamvaram’ by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, which won various national and international awards. After a voice test, I was invited for dubbing and singing in the film, which compelled me to engage with the film industry. However, seeing the conflict between priestly duties and cinema, I withdrew with a heavy heart. I have presented programs on All India Radio and Doordarshan.”
The article continues: “Ayyaneth believes that spirituality has not hindered his artistic endeavors, although there have been limitations. Therefore, it is challenging to consider Christian literature as a distinct genre, a sentiment echoed by many Christian writers. A Christian writer is not entirely free in terms of creativity and word usage. While he does not dismiss Christian literature outright, he acknowledges certain thought-provoking issues within it. He contrasts this with Vallathol, who, though not Christian, produced Christian literature, noting that the then-governor did not permit him to profit from such works. The term ‘Christ the God’ was a contentious point in earlier discussions, and Ayyaneth recalls an incident where a devotional song was rejected due to its perceived secular nature.”
Ayyaneth is regarded as a versatile talent in both Malayalam literature and spirituality, with no doubt about his significance in these fields. He composed a poetic biography for the 50th memorial anniversary of Mar Ivanios, the founder of the Malankara Catholic Church, which received notable acclaim.
Some of his other works include: “Bhikshu” (a play), “Njanu Varunnu” (a play), “Porvil” (a critique on Marxism), “Marxism in Russia,” “Communism and Religion,” “Songs Fluctuating,” “Andrew the Beloved” (a biography), “Thullunna Kairali” (poetry), “Apare Kavya Samsara” (literary critique), “Mar Ivanios” (children’s literature), “Panchara Ratna Bhalay,” and “The Prophet Speaks” (two parts).
The 60th birthday celebration of Fr. Ayyaneth was held on a grand scale at the V.G.T. Hall in Thiruvananthapuram, with esteemed figures including Government Secretary R. Ramachandran Nair (IAS), Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios, and Malayalam Manorama Chief Editor K.M. Mathew attending as dignitaries. Despite nearing 60, Fr. Ayyaneth remains active in literary contributions.
Address: Fr. O. Ayyaneth, Clergy House, Keshavadasapuram, Thiruvananthapuram.