‘Ezhuthalan’, a Manifestation of Humanism from Dr Arun Kumar S

Haripad (Kerala) [India], October 3: Poetry becomes a medium for confronting social realities in Ezhuthalan, the latest collection by Kerala-based educator, lawyer, writer and social activist Dr. Arun Kumar S Haripad, who writes under the pen name Ezhuthalan.

Published by Bodhi Books through its Pacha Books imprint, the anthology brings together 40 poems addressing themes of humanity, compassion, injustice and the experiences of communities and individuals whose voices often remain unheard. The book is available through major digital and eBook platforms.

A Multifaceted Career

Born on May 30, 1980, Dr. Arun Kumar works as an English teacher with the Government of Kerala’s Vocational Higher Secondary Education (VHSE) Department at Haripad Government Vocational Higher Secondary School.

His professional and creative interests extend beyond education. He has been associated with law, public speaking, lyric writing, literature and social advocacy, while producing work in both Malayalam and English.

His engagement with social themes has also extended into public-awareness initiatives. In 2026, he wrote and released the official campaign song associated with the Kerala state government’s “Toofan” anti-narcotics initiative, bringing his literary and songwriting abilities into a civic-awareness campaign.

Forty Poems Focused on the Unheard

At the heart of Ezhuthalan are 40 poems that examine the lives, struggles and emotions of people facing marginalization and injustice.

The collection presents poetry as more than an artistic exercise. Its introductory ideas portray the poet’s words, observations and sensitivity as instruments for confronting cruelty and social indifference.

Several of the poems engage with difficult realities involving vulnerable people, including children, while emphasizing compassion, dignity and the value of human life.

The collection also reflects the influence of Mahatma Gandhi and Gandhian ideals. Gandhi’s philosophy of truth, non-violence, peace and human dignity forms an important reference point in the book’s underlying worldview.

Poetry as Social Expression

Rather than separating literature from society, Ezhuthalan approaches poetry as a form of social expression.

The poems move between anger, empathy, grief and hope, creating a literary voice that responds to both injustice and human suffering. The collection’s central perspective is rooted in the belief that writers can engage with uncomfortable realities and contribute to conversations about compassion, equality and social responsibility.

Dr. Arun Kumar’s bilingual literary practice further allows these ideas to reach readers across Malayalam and English-speaking audiences.

A Humanist Literary Perspective

The defining thread running through Ezhuthalan is its emphasis on humanism.

The anthology presents the poet as an observer who refuses to remain detached from the suffering around him. Its verses examine the relationship between individual conscience and wider social responsibility, using poetry to question violence, indifference and injustice.

With its combination of literary expression and social commentary, Ezhuthalan positions Dr. Arun Kumar S Haripad’s poetry within a broader tradition of writing that seeks to connect art with humanity.