The cultural contribution of the district is very high. There are persons in various fields like dance, drama, literacy works, songs, etc. who engraved their name as a landmark in their respective field. This can be elaborately described in the following manner.
Kollam that is the capital of the former Venad was a great centre of learning and culture. It attracted distinguished scholars from all parts of south India. Leelethilakam and Unnuneeli Sandesam, two outstanding literacy works of historical importance, is contributions of 14th century Kollam. The dance from of Kathakali in its new version of Ramanattam was the creation of Kottarakkara Thampuran, who also improved Krishnanattam by substituting Malayalam for Sanskrit.
Paravoor K.C. Kesava Pillai is a gifted poet, prose writer, dramatist and Scholar, originated the musical play in Malayalam through his work Sadarama. His Kesaveeyam, a Mahakavyam, is of outstanding literary importance. In the history of Malayalam music also he has a prominent place as a gifted composer of songs. Another prominent literacy figure Paravoor Kesavan Asan was the founder editor of Sujananandini and was a journalist and a prose writer of expression and complete fluency. His Saratchadrika is a contribution to the study of Ayurvedic system of medicine. E.V.Krishna Pillai, another literacy celebrity has engraved his name in the field of humor and satire. C.V. Kunjuraman was the editor of Kerala Kaumudi and Malayalarajayam was a poet, literacy critic, prose writer and journalist of outstanding distinction.
Coming to modern times, Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai and Sooranadu Kunjan Pillai, noted literary luminaries hailing from this district. Some of the renowned persons who belong to this district are Kochu Govinda Pillai, the Katha Kali artist, Paris Viswanathan and Jayapala Panicker.
Leaders like T.M.Varghese, C.Kesavan and Kumbalathu Sanku Pillai, were the architects of freedom movement in Kollam. R.Shanker. This person played a prominent role as an educationalist and social reformist. These persons are hail from Kollkam district. The district gave birth to well known freedom fighters like Chandiran Kali ambi popularly known as Kadakkal Manthri and Franco Raghavan Pillai.
