He was known for his romantic poems which detailed the natural beauty of his home state of Kerala in South India as well as the realities of his life and times.

Subsequently, he moved to Tanjavur to continue his Sanskrit and Vedanta studies when his family arranged his marriage with Puravankara Janaki Amma, his cousin and bride-designate as per local customs.

[5] P., as he was popularly known, was a habitual nomad and was reported to have led a bohemian lifestyle, wandering across Kerala, living in several places, meeting their people and making them part of his life and literature.

[7] While during the initial stages of his literary career, Nair wrote spiritual poems, Nirapara published in 1944, started a new phase which showed his leaning towards nature and symbolism.

The upper floor of the building has since been converted into a museum and all the books and articles written by the poet, the chair and dresses used by him, as well as a gold chain presented by the Guruvayur Devaswomm on his 60th birthday are in display there.

[15][16] Ivan Megharoopan, a 2012 Malayalam biopic, written and directed by P. Balachandran with Prakash Bare in the lead role, is based on the life of poet as detailed in his autobiography, Kaviyude Kalpadukal.