The department of Malayalam was framed in the year 1964 under the guidance of Prof. K Parameswaran. The department has kept a lively tradition in conducting academic and other cultural activities. At that time i.e. from 1964 to 1970, the department of Malayalam was only able to teach second language for students of other courses. But in 1970, Sree Narayana College started a BA Degree in Malayalam Language and Literature. Sanskrit and Kerala Culture are the subsidiaries for the students which give the students an opportunity to know more about a classical language and its great literature. Kerala culture enables our students to get a deep knowledge in  our ancient  history and folk traditions

The department has had many eminent professors; eminent poets, critics, novelists, dramatists, orators and thinkers were among them. Prof. Parameswaran and Prof. K P Appan were  the pioneers of the department. Both of them were efficient teachers. K P Appan was a notable writer in modern criticism. Other prominent teachers include many poets like Kilimanoor Ramakanthan, Kummil Sukumaran, and Dr. Amrutha Kumary.

Prof. Somanathan was a leading cartoonist at that time. Prof. Kallada Ramachandran was a well known critic. Prof N R Gopinathan Pillai was a well known grammarian. His works Bhashanireekshnam, Bhasha gaveshana mekhala, Ramacharithavum Pracheena Manipravalavum and Nireekshanam are considered as valuable reference books on  language studies.

Prof. T D Vidhyanandhan was a famous dramatist and an actor. His dramas such as Radhachakrangal Nilachappol and Marivanna Manangal have been acted as radio plays. Prof. P O Purushothaman was a dedicated teacher and was an eminent scholar. His specialization was in grammar and comparative literature. He published two books on those topics, Tharathamayasahithyapramanangal and Tharathamyasahithyam. One of his famous books, Buddhante kalppadukal is research work on Buddhism. 

Dr. C. Amruthakumary, a leading poet in our language, retired from service in April 2014. She has six collections in Malayalam poetry: Agnichilampu, Nadikal Rathriyodu Paranjathu, Silanagarathile Sandhya, Janmam Theeruvolam and  Ninnekkuruichorkkumbol.