UPSC Malayalam Optional Syllabus: Overview

The UPSC Malayalam optional syllabus is crucial for UPSC aspirants who choose Malayalam Literature as their optional subject for the IAS mains exam. It covers ancient and contemporary works, literary figures, genres, and movements. Aspirants delve into the cultural and historical aspects of Malayalam literature, analyze texts, and showcase a comprehensive understanding. Mastering the UPSC Malayalam optional syllabus is essential to demonstrate proficiency and enhance success chances in the IAS mains exam.

In this article, we will look at the detailed UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus for the upcoming IAS Mains exam.

Check out the detailed UPSC Mains Syllabus here!

UPSC Malayalam Optional Syllabus For Paper 1

Below is the UPSC Malayalam Optional Syllabus for Paper-I, which an aspirant should focus on (Note that all answers must be written in Malayalam):

Section A

• Early phase of Malayalam Language
  • Various theories : Origin from proto Dravidian, Tamil, Sanskrit.
  • Relation between Tamil and Malayalam : Six nayas of A. R. Rajarajavarma.
  • Pattu School—Definition, Ramacharitam, later pattu works—Niranam works and Krishnagatha.
• Linguistic features of
  • Manipravalam—definition. Language of early manipravala works—Champu, Sandesakavya, Chandrotsava, minor works. Later manipravala works—medieval Champu and Attakkatha.
  • Folklore—Southern and Northern ballads, Mappila songs.
  • Early Malayalam Prose—Bhashakautaliyam, Brahmandapuranam, Attaprakaram, Kramadipika and
    Nambiantamil.
• Standardisation of Malayalam
  • Peculiarities of the language of Pana, Kilippattu and Tullal.
  • Contributions of indigenous and European missionaries to Malayalam.
  • Characteristics of contemporary Malayalam; Malayalam as administrative language. Language of scientific and technical literature—media language.

Section B: Literary History

• Ancient and Medieval Literature
  • Pattu - Ramacharitam, Niranam Works and Krishnagatha
  • Manipravalam - early and medieval manipravala works including attakkatha and champu
  • Folk Literature
  • Kilippattu, Tullal and Mahakavya
• Modern Literature - Poetry
  • Venmani poets and contemporaries
  • The advent of Romanticism—Poetry of Kavitraya i.e., Asan, Ulloor and Vallathol
  • Poetry after Kavitraya
  • Modernism in Malayalam Poetry
• Modern Literature - Prose
  • Drama
  • Novel
  • Short story
  • Biography, travelogue, essay and criticism

UPSC Malayalam Optional Syllabus For Paper 2

The table below gives the focus areas in Malayalam Literature Optional Paper-II, which an aspirant should focus on. This paper will require first-hand reading of the texts prescribed and is designed to test the candidate’s critical ability.

Section A

• Unit 1
  • Ramacharitam - Patalam 1
  • Kannassaramayanam - Balakandam first 25 stanzas
  • Unnunilisandesam - Purvabhagam 25 slokas including Prastavana
  • Mahabharatham Kilippattu - Bhishmaparvam
• Unit 2
  • Kumaran Asan - Chintavisthayaya Sita
  • Vailoppilli - Kutiyozhikkal
  • G. Sankara Kurup - Perunthachan
  • N. V. Krishna Variar - Tivandiyile Pattu
• Unit 3
  • O. N. V. - Bhumikkoru Charamagitam
  • Ayyappa Panicker - Kurukshetram
  • Akkittam - Pandatha Messanthi
  • Attur Ravivarma - Megharupan

Section B

• Unit 4
  • O. Chanthu Menon - Indulekha
  • Thakazhy - Chemmin
  • O. V. Vijayan - Khasakkinte Ithihasam
• Unit 5
  • M. T. Vasudevan Nair—Vanaprastham (Collection)
  • N. S. Madhavan - Higvitta (Collection)
  • C. J. Thomas - 1128-il Crime 27
• Unit 6
  • Kuttikrishna Marar - Bharataparyatanam.
  • M. K. Sanu - Nakshatrangalute Snehabhajanam
  • V. T. Bhatttathirippad - Kannirum Kinavum

UPSC Malayalam Optional Syllabus PDF

The UPSC Malayalam Syllabus PDF covers the complete syllabus for the Malayalam Literature optional in a clear and concise format. It provides an overview of the topics that must be covered for the exam and helps you understand the exam pattern and marking scheme. With the help of this PDF, you will be able to prepare for the exam in a systematic and efficient manner, saving you time and effort. Candidates can download the UPSC Malayalam Optional Syllabus PDF from the below-given link.

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UPSC Malayalam Literature Exam Pattern

• There will be two papers for Malayalam Literature or any other Optional Subjects in UPSC Mains Examination.
• Both the papers of the Malayalam Literature Optional Subject will be 250 marks each, which totals up to 500 marks.
• Both papers are subjective and marks will be counted in the final merit.
• There is no negative marking.
• Both the Malayalam Literature Optional Subject Papers are to be written in Malayalam only.

Check out the complete UPSC Exam Pattern here.

How To Prepare For UPSC Malayalam Optional Syllabus?

Malayalam Literature is considered to be one of the most scoring subjects out of all Optional Subjects because of its relatively small syllabus as well as its specificity of the language which prevents a great amount of competition. The poems and prose must have been completed during the school years if the candidates had the Malayalam Language in the course.

With this, let us discuss some pointers about preparation tips so that you can feature in the UPSC Civil Services Exam Merit List. It will hopefully help the candidates to organise and plan their preparation for UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus well. The tips that may help candidates while preparing for the exam are:

• Candidates cannot avoid at least one reading of the prescribed texts in the syllabus. UPSC is looking for unique and personal interpretations, criticisms and analyses of the given texts rather than popular ones.
• Take help from reference books and other critics to form your opinions as well as get to know alternative views about the texts.
• Try to find contemporary significance and references of the prescribed texts.
• Place them in the literary movements and socio-political contexts of the times they were written in.
• Also, wherever relevant, try to identify the author’s social location, life, experiences and motivations that might reflect through their literary works.
• Plan your study in the long-term and keep track of the completed and remaining topics with the help of the UPSC Malayalam Literature Syllabus PDF provided in the link above.
• Practice answer writing to write your thoughts down in a concise and precise manner.
• Check out the UPSC Malayalam Optional Question Papers and solve them.

Practice UPSC Previous Year Papers for other subjects here!

Malayalam Optional Syllabus - Recommended Books

We understand the importance of using good study material and reliable books for optimal preparation for the Malayalam Literature Optional Subject in the UPSC IAS Exam. Take a look at book list below:

• Civil Service exam Malayalam Optional paper I – Jobin S Kottaram
• Civil Service exam Malayalam Optional paper II – Jobin S Kottaram, Renu Raj, Aswathy
• Kairaliyude Kadha – M. Krishna Pillai
• Malayala Sahithya Charithram – Kalaghattangalilude – Erumeli
• All the novels, short stories, poems, and biographies prescribed in the syllabus
• Bhashaposhini Malayalam Magazine

We hope this article on UPSC Malayalam Optional Syllabus helped you in understanding the detailed topics & sub-topics. You can also download the Testbook App and access free mock tests, live classes, study materials, and more.