C. V. Raman Pillai was very famous Malayalam novelist and dramatist. Born in 1858 he wrote historical fiction unparalleled in its vast canvas, grand execution, and perfect architectonics. His nine dramatic works reflect his lighter side, introducing mirth, comedy, and entertainment to Malayalam theatre, in a style at the opposite extreme of the classical grandiloquence in his novels. Chandramukhi vilasam or `Chandramukhi`s Vilasam in 1884, Mattavilasam i.e. `Drunken Vilasam` in 1885, Thenthanamkode Harishchandran, Kaimalachante katassikai i.e. `Kaimalachan`s Last Resort` in 1915, Doctorku kittiya micham i.e. `Balance with the Doctor` in 1916, Chemthen Columbus in 1917, Pandatte Pachchan in 1918, Kuruppinte thiruppu i.e. `Kurup`s Trick` in 1920 are all farces in prose. This was on amusing situations of contemporary life. The realistic, down-to-earth dialogues create interesting juxtaposition of characters.
Remarkable dramatic exposition and character delineation, and artistically conceived denouement, expose with keen observation the social maladies prevalent in the middle class. Contrived respectability, snobbery, silliness, and assumed professional infallibility find their disastrous end. Incongruity prejudices, and predilections get amended through experience. These are the general themes. A benevolent king against shortsighted and self-seeking courtiers, a free and daring youngster against conservatism and a false sense of prestige in the household, are some of the conflicts the master craftsman presents. C. V. Raman Pillai died in 1922.
