Ananda Theerthan(1905-1987)

Swami Ananda Theerthan, originally named Ananda Shenoy, was born on 2 January 1905 in an affluent Gowda Saraswatha Brahmin family of Tellicherry. His father Ramachandra Shenoy was a port conservator at Tellicherry. Ramachandra Shenoy was a prominent figure of the Gowda Saraswatha community. He was president of the managing committee of the Narasimha temple in Tellicherry. His renowned and sincere service as a port officer got respect and honour of the government at many times.

He assumed his new name at Sarada temple at Sivagiri in 1928. He was close to Sree Narayana Guru and worked against casteism. He entered temples with Harijans and bathed in public ponds to protest against casteism. He established Sree Narayana School in Payyannur in 1931. He promoted inter caste-marriage through the Jathinashini Sabha, founded in 1933. He died in 1987.

Karumban Daivathan(1880-1927)

• The propagator of Dalit revolutionary leader. He was born in Aranmula The childhood name was Naduvathamman.
• He began to revolution against feudalism through the dioceses. It is said that the social revolution calling for the first time in Kerala is Karumban daivathan.
• He has served as the main ancestor of Ayyankali. In 1917 the Karumban established the Hindu pulaya Samaj
• He joined Sree Moolam Praja Sabha in 1915. For ten years he was member of  Praja Sabha . He introduced and implemented ideas such as the Lumasan grand system and Dalit colony for Dalit students
• Daivathan died on April 15, 1927

Vagbhatananda (1885 -1939)

Vagbhatananda was a social reformer in British India. He was the founder of the Atma Vidya Sangham, which was fundamentally a group of professionals and intellectuals who sought change, and also the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society.

Vagbhatananda was born on 27th April, 1885 in Patyam village that lies between Kuthuparamba and Thalassery, in Kannur District. The village looked rich with inner vibrations of Kerala’s cultural tradition as well as with natural beauty. He was given the name V. K. Gurukkal and was of the Thiyya community. He was educated in the traditional gurukul system, through which he gained a proficiency in scriptures and philosophy. Following this, according to the historian K. K. N. Kurup, he travelled widely to propagate “the teachings of universal non-duality for a better and egalitarian society.” His oratorical abilities led to him being given the name of Vagbhatananda by Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi.

At some time after 1898, Vagbhatananda founded a school teaching Sanskrit in Calicut, where he also took interest in the work of the Brahma Samaj that had been founded there that year by Ayyathan Gopalan.

In 1920, Vagbhatananda founded the Atmavidya Sangham, whose principles he outlined in an Advaita treatise titled Atmavidya. Unlike the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP), which had been established by Narayana Guru and was significant around the same time, the Atmavidya Sangham comprised mostly professional and intellectual people and it had a more secular approach to reform. It was instrumental in advancing the development of class organisation among peasants of the region, spreading Marxist–Leninist ideas as a counter to the overbearing feudal and religiously orthodox establishment. Vagbhatananda himself criticised both economic exploitation and the role of foreign governments in supporting it.

Vagbhatananda, who was married, died in October 1939. The significance of the Atmavidya Sangham declined after his death, being superseded by other secular-oriented reform groups such as the Karshaka Sangham that adopted its agenda. However, it was still active in the 1980s.

Brahmananda Sivayogi(1852 - 1929)

Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi was a seer and a social reformer from the state of Kerala. He was instrumental in the establishment of Ananda Maha Sabha and Anandamatham. Right from the childhood, he was an atheist. Hence, he denounced idol worships and all forms of religions. According to him, the ultimate aim of the activities of all human beings should be to get the Ultimate Bliss or Paramanandam. The movement he spearheaded during the Kerala Renaissance period is considered as the golden period in Kerala history. His original name was Govindan Kutty. 

Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi was born as Govindan Kutty on August 26, 1852. He was born into an aristocratic Nair family. His parents were Nani Amma of Karat Nair family and Kunjikrishna Menon of Vellengi Ravanyaram. His birthplace was Nenmara in the Palaghat district of Kerala. As per the custom that was prevalent in the state, Govindan Kutty was staying with his mother Nani Amma and his father used to make occasional visits to him. In the formative years of his life, he was brought up in the orthodox way. In the early morning, he used to take the bath and visit the worship chamber in the house for prayers. As a child, Govindan Kutty was totally ignorant about the activities undertaken by him at his home. He was merely following the instructions given by the elders in the family.

As a child, Govindan Kutty was watching the customs and rituals with disbelief. Inquisitive mind in him could not comprehend the irrational behavior of the society around him. He asked himself how people get segregated along the lines of caste and color when they are made of the same blood, bone and flesh. This fundamental question was troubling his mind. He started to think about the rationality of these customs. After thinking about this over a period of time, he realized that there was no rationality behind the observance of such customs and rituals. This realization was the starting point of the rationalist in him.

Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi passed away on 10^th September 1929.

Thycaud Ayya(1814 -1909)

  

       The original name of Thycaud Ayya was Subbarayan. He was born in 1814 in Nakalapuram. He was the guru of Chattampi Swamikal, Sri Narayana Guru and Ayyankali. He was a Yogi cum Family man. Ayya Swamikal started inter-dining (Panthibhojanam) in Kerala during 19^th century. He argued that any Yogi could install idols in temples, which inspired Sreenarayana Guru to install idols of Siva.“Oru jathy, oru matham, oru Daivom” (“Intha ulakathile orae oru jathy than, Orae oru matham than, orae oru kadavul than”) is the Malayalam translation of Ayyaswamy’s teaching. Sri Narayana Guru popularized the slogan.  His grandfather Hrishikesan and his father Muthukumaran were great yogis and were migrated to Tamilnadu from Pampumkadu in Malabar during Tipu Sultan’s aggression.  Lord Subramanya was their family deity. At the age of 12, Subbarayan received spiritual initiation from two Tamil Saints, Sachidananda Maharaj and Sri Chitti Paradeshi who used to visit Subbarayans family frequently.When he was 16, the Saints took him with them to Burma, Singapore, Penang and Africa.During this period Subbaraya acquired and practiced yogic techniques of high order. Returning home after 3 years he continued yogic practices, often entering the state of “Nirvikalpa Samadhi”.  Gradually he acquired the Ashtasidhies or divine powers including that of astral travel, but his Gurus strictly warned him not to use them to gain material advantage.  At the age of 27, in accordance with his Guru’s wishes Swamikal visited Kodungalloor Devi temple in Kerala and from there he toured Travancore.The Mother Goddess appeared in her “Poorna swaroopam” before Ayya at Thycaud in Thiruvananthapuram, where he destined to spend the remaining part of his life.Swathy Thirunal, the then Maharaja of Travancore, heard about the spiritual eminence of Ayya, invited him to his palace and became his disciple.Swamikal visited Sri Vaikunda Padar of Nagarcoil (Swami thoppu) and visited the famous Maruthwamalai. When his father left to Kasi, Subbarayan had to look after the family.To obey his Guru, Ayya married Kamalammal from Kollam and the couple had three sons and two daughters.However Ayya continued his spiritual practices while living the married life. Ayya was a great scholar in Tamil and gained good proficiency in English. He used to deliver spiritual discourses at the “Ashtapathana Sabha” in Chennai. Ayya was supplying goods to military camp in Chennai, where he came in contact with the Mess Secretary Mc Gregor who learned Tamil and Yoga from Ayya.  During the reign of Maharaja Ayilyam Thirunal, Mc Gregor became the Resident of Travancore .He appointed Ayya as the Manager of his Residency in Thycaud.  From 1873 up to a week before his Mahasmadhi on 20th July 1909 Ayya continued in the post. People respectfully called him “Superintend Ayya”Swamikal kept strict discipline in work and was extremely punctual. At his residence he spent most of his time in meditation and in initiating and instructing his disciples in spiritual practices. Ayya used to deliver lectures on Bhakthi, Yoga and Vedanta in Jnanaprakasha Sabha at Petta, during which leading literary, social and spiritual personalities in and around Thiruvananthapuram used to meet Ayya Guru.Swamikal with the help of Manonmaneeyam Sundaram Pillai, the first MA holder of Travancore, founded the famous “Saiva Prakasha Sabha” of Chalai, Thiruvananthapuram.

         Thycaud Ayya passed away in 1909.

Chattambi Swamikal(1853 - 1924)

Sri.Vidyadhiraja Chattambi Swami Thiruvadikal was one of the most worshipped spiritual leaders of our country.  Chattambi Swamikal was born on August 25, 1853 in a nair family known as Ulloorcode, near Kollur Mutt in Kannanmool, Thiruvananthapuram.  Vasudeva Sharma (Anandasharma) was his father and Thirunanga mother.  Parents called him by name Ayyappan, but he was known by per name ‘Kunjan’.  He could not join a school for his studies due to the poor condition of his family.  He overheard teaching of the ‘Asan’ from the Kollur Athiyar Mutt and knowing this he was Athiyar Mutt and knowing this he was permitted to sit inside the classroom.  He studied Malayalam, Sanskrit and Tamil languages from this ‘Asan School’. He supervised the class and therefore, he came to be known as ‘Chattambi’, which means ‘monitor’. After his education, he practiced document writing as a job.  He was also served as an Accountant in the Government Secretariat.He learnt the art of ‘Hat yoga’ from Thaikkattu Ayyavu, a Tamil Pandit and hat-yogi. He also learnt Tamil vedic works from Pandit Swaminatha Desika.  He became a disciple of the famous pandit and scholar Subha Jatapathikal.  He traveled thoughout South India and attained knowledge in different languages and religions.  On return, he obtained expert training in the art of yoga from Admananda Swamikal.

Pracheena Malayalam, Vedadhikara Niroopanam, Sree chakkra Poojakalpam, Khristumatha Niroopanam, Jeevakarunya Niroopanam, Adibhasha etc. were the main works of Swamikal.

Pracheena Malayalam is a precious research thesis as far as the Nair community is concerned. Swamikal refutes the fabricated story that Kerala was a gifted land of Brahmins by Parasurama.  He strongly refutes this story through valid and authoritative documents and through realistic vision.  This book is the authoritative history of Kerala and that of the Nair community.  He established that Nairs were the leaders of the people.  Kerala was not a gifted land of Brahmins but Brahmins migrated to Kerala and took possession of the land and property of Nairs and gradually made them their dependents.  The book also reveals that Nairs were the early inhabitants and rulers of Kerala and they excelled themselves in warfare, physical strengthy, weaponry and cleanliness.  The foreign travelers in early times who visited Kerala made made special mention about the lorships and war tactics of Nairs.  The seventh chapter of Pracheena Malayalam contains quotations of this type of versions. 

The Vedadhikara Niroopanam proves that Vedas are not the monopoly of Brahmins, but all Hindus alike can verse it.  He established that even Sudras had the right to learn Vedas as knowledge is essential to all people like food and water and that no body has the right to deny them. 

These two writings contributed for the social progress of Kerala by breaking the supremacy of Brahmins and by doing away with the superstitious beliefs and customs in society. It also contributed much for the social reforms of Sree Narayana Guru.

Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai remarked that Sri.Vidhyadhiraja Chattambi Swamikal was a multi-faced personality.  He was a saint ithout the saffron, a saint who attained divine knowledge without performing Thapass (lonely prayer in jungle), a friend of the world who loved all creations alike, great philosopher who pioneered the social relations without being a part of it, a famous scholar who had no higher education, an expert who built up his knowledge out of his experience, a social reformer who succeeded in establishing cordial relations between different communities and a learned intellectual genius of our times. 

Shankaracharya (AD 788 - 820)

One of the greatest philosophers of India, Adi Shankaracharya founded the Advaita Vedanta, which is one of the sub-schools of Vedanta. Adi Shankaracharya whole-heartedly believed in the concept of the Vedas but at the same time advocated against the rituals and religious practices that were over exaggerated. On a closer introspection of the life history of Sri Sankaracharya, we find that he also started the monastic order known as Dashanami and the Shanmata convention of worship. Given here is Adi Shankaracharya biography, which will give you valuable insight into the life of this great poet and philosopher. 

Born in a simple Brahmin family approximately in the 8th century A.D in Kaladi, Kerala, he was named as Shankara and is considered to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva. It is said that Shankaracharya's mother Aryamba had a vision that Lord himself told her that he would incarnate in the form of her first-born child. Right from childhood he showed a penchant towards spiritual knowledge. He could easily recite the Puranas and the Epics and mastered the Vedas during his early years in Gurukul. Adi Shankara's teachings were thoroughly adopted by his disciples later on. 

Right from childhood, Shankaracharya was interested in Sanyasa and wanted to lead a meaningful life detached from the worldly pleasures. Once, while taking a bath in Purna River, Shankaracharya was attacked by a crocodile. Though his mother wanted to rescue him, she could not and was helpless. Seeing the haplessness of his mother, he asked her permission for letting him renounce the world. She was left with no choice but to agree. As soon as he recited the mantra, the crocodile left him. Shankaracharya began his life as an ascetic from then on. He proceeded towards further down south of India in search of a Guru. 

One fine day on the banks of River Narmada he met a man named Govinda Bhagavatpada. Since Shankaracharya was much learned about the Vedas and the Puranas, Govinda Bhagavatpada agreed to be his Guru for attaining spiritual knowledge. Under his tutelage, Shankaracharya gained expertise in different forms of Yoga that included Hatha, Raja and Jnana yoga. He then received the knowledge of Brahma. Thereafter he was known as Adi Shankaracharya whose sole purpose of life was to spread the teachings of Brahma Sutras all over the world. 

Adi Sankaracharya believed in the philosophy of "non-dualism". He believed in the fact that every individual has a divine existence, which can be identified with the Supreme cosmic power. Though bodies are diverse, the soul is one. The moment someone believes that the concept of life is finite; they are discarding an entirely higher and different dimension of life and knowledge. Self-realization is the key to attain Moksha and connect with God. Though he died young, he left an invaluable treasure of spiritual knowledge for future generations.

Kumaran Asan(1873 - 1924)

N. Kumaran Asan, also known as Mahakavi Kumaran Asan, was one of the triumvirate poets of Kerala, South India. He was also a philosopher, a social reformer and a disciple of Sree Narayana Guru.

Kumaran Asan was one of the makers of modern India. Born in a community condemned for centuries to untouchability, he fought against the inequities of a caste ridden society and passionately sang of individual dignity, social freedom and the brotherhood of man. Kumaran Asan was born on the 12th of April 1873 at Kayikkara, a small coastal village in Kerala. His boyhood was spent in learning Malayalam and Sanskrit, and after his contact with Sri Narayan Guru, the greatest Social Reformer of modern Kerala, he took to an intesive study of Hindu religious philosophy. This was followed by a strenous study of Hindu and Buddist philosophy and Sanskrit Literature, over a period of five years spent in Bangalore, Madras and Calcutta. It was at this time that he was also introduced to English language and literature with ehich he became closely acquainted. After his return to Kerala he plunged into the task of organising the S.N.D.P. Yogam for the allround uplift of the Eazhava community.

He married in his 45th year and settled down at Thonakkal. A boat accident on the 16th of January 1924, tok away his life at its prime. Asan's mature works include the ode, "The Fallen Flower", te elegy "The Lament", the monologue "The Meditations of Seeta", and the narrative poems "Nalini", "Leela", the "Tragic Plight", "The Outcaste Nun" and "Compassion". The Fallen Flower delineats, unde the symbolism of the flower, the vicissitudes of Human Life and the essential tragedy at the core of existence. "The Mediatation of Seeta" is an attemp to probe the whole gamut of the emotions of Seeta as she reviewed her past in the solitude occasioned by the departure of her sons to participate in Sri Rama's Ashwamegha Yaga. 

While "Nalini" and "Leela" deal with the tragedy of young love, the "Outcaste Nun" and "Compassion" have Buddhist legends for there themes. Steeped in the ancient Hindu and Buddhist lore, he explored the essence of Idian thought, and came to his own vision of life, a vision which is essential tragic. Life is transient and darkened by man's cruelty to man; but life at its best is irradiated with love even under the shadow of sorrow and death; in fact love is the primal force that animates the whole universe. This vision he embodied in forms of rare freshness and power. In the face of the imitative stuff of the neo-classical poets, he asserted the primacy of individual imagination and in more ways than one symbolised the conciousness of modern Kerala.

Sree Narayana Guru

Sree Narayana Guru, one of the greatest philosopher-poet-saints and social reformers of Kerala, was born on 28th August 1855, in Chempazhanti, near Trivandrum, Kerala.

He had his primary and higher education during 1860 to 1880. His great teacher was ‘Karthikapalli Kummanpalli Raman Pillai Asaan’. He was initiated to the ordinary life in 1882 with a formal marriage, but dissociated from it and took to Sanyas – renunciation – immediately. He studied Yoga techniques under Thaikkad Ayya Swami (1884) and developed a personal bondage with another great reformer of the times, Chattampi Swamikal around this period.

Sree Narayana Guru was a tireless crusader for socials equality and fought against all sorts of discrimination prevalent against the down-trodden and the oppressed, in his times. One of the greatest social evils of the period was discrimination based on caste/creed – the untouchability. The Guru traveled far and wide with his missionary message to awaken the masses and guide them in the proper direction.

‘Aruvippuram’ is a small village near the river ‘Neyyar’ in Trivandrum. He was worshipping Siva during the days of his meditation. In 1888, he himself installed a Siva’s idol – Siva Linga’ in the temple premises there. This was a path-breaking event because, so far, only select Brahmin priests had the authority by convention to install idols of divinities. There were criticisms about this unconventional step; but he answered them by saying that ‘I installed only an Ezhava Siva’. He opted for the path of conciliation rather than confrontation. 

The Guru, then went on installing deities in different places in Kerala. In some places, he
installed a ‘mirror’ instead of the image or idol of any deity to convey the message that ‘You
are yourself  God!’ The Mirror as idol are at :Kalavankod, Cherthalai and Ullala near Vaikom – Omkareswara Temple.

In 1895, he took a young boy to Bangalore and handed over to Dr.Palpu, another well-known social reformer of great zeal of his times. This boy later developed into one of the finest philosopher-poets of Kerala – with title of Mahakavi – as “Kumaran Asaan’”.  Sree Narayana Guru himself was a profile writer in propose and verse. Several prayers and hymns were written by him in praise of various gods and goddesses besides other philosophical works. To propagate his mission, an organization was registered in 1903, which grew as ‘Sree Narayan Dharma ParilpalanaYogam’; [S.N.D.P] – registered in 1928 and today, it is known world over as the representatives body propagating the Guru’s teachings.

The Guru met a great visionaries of his times including Sree Ramana Maharshi (1916), Poet Rabindranath Tagore (1922) and Gandhiji (1925) and drew appreciation of and admiration from all these great men about his vision, philosophy and life.

Kuriakose Elias Chavara(1805 - 1871)

Kuriakose  Chavara was born in 1805, of pious and devout Catholic parents of Syro-Malabar Church, at Kainakary, Kerala, India. After his early schooling in the native village and priestly studies under Fr. Thomas Palackal at Pallippuram, he was ordained priest in 1829.

In 1831, co-operating with Fr. Thomas Palackal and Fr. Thomas Porukara, he founded the first indigenous religious congregation for men, now known as the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI). It was after the death of his senior companions in the foundation that Fr. Kuriakose, together with the first members, made the religious profession in 1855. In religion he took the name, Kuriakose Elias of the Holy Family. Starting seven religious houses, including the first one at Mannanam, in different parts of Kerala, the new Congregation made great strides in the spiritual renovation of the Syro-Malabar Church. Seminaries for the education and formation of the clergy, introduction of annual retreats for priests and people, a publishing house for the propagation of Catholic doctrine, a house for the dying and destitute, special attention to catechumens and schools for general education, were a few among the various activities of the Congregation under Fr. Kuriakose Elias' leadership. Fr. Chavara also introduced valuable improvements and reform in the Syro-Malabar liturgy. In 1866, with the co-operation of Fr. Leopold Boccaro OCD, he started the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (CMC) for women. When a schism threatened the Church in 1861, Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, the then Vicar General of the Syro-Malabar Church, took a strong stand and gave effective leadership in thwarting Thomas Roccos' intrusion and saving the Church in Kerala from schism.

Fr. Chavara has also written a number of books in pros as well as in verse with unique spiritual vision. His counsel to the Christian families given in the form of the 'Testament of a Loving Father' is applicable and relevant to this day. Essentially a man of prayer and intense charity, he lived in close communion with the Lord amidst his several religious and social activities. Owing to his deep spirituality that permeated all his actions, he was accepted and referred to as a man of God, from his early years. In 1871, on January 3rd, Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, after a short but painful illness, passed away at Koonammavu preserving his baptismal innocence unto death. He was buried at St. Philominas Church first later his mortal remains were transferred from Koonammavu to Mannanam in 1889 and has been reinterred in St. Joseph's Monastery Church at Mannanam. The diocesan process for his beatification was inaugurated by the Archbishop of Changanassery on 3 January 1958 on the request of the late Fr. Maurus CMI, the then Prior General. The Congregation for the Causes of Saints, after having scrutinised the writings of the Servant of God and other relevant documents, formally introduced the cause on 15 March 1980. On 7 April 1984, Pope John Paul II solemnly recognised the heroic virtues of the Servant of God and elevated him to the status of Venerable. On 8 February 1986, during his historic visit to Kottayam, Kerala, Pope John Paul II raised Venerable Kuriakose Elias Chavara to the honours of the altar declaring him 'Blessed'.

On 18 March, 2014 Pope Francis approved the miracle by signing the Decree prepared by the Assembly of plenary of Cardinals. On 12 June, 2014 Pope Francis announced the date of Canonization during the celebration of the Public Consistory at the Vatican on 23 November, 2014. Pope Francis will register Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara in the Book of Saints of the Universal Church on 23 November, 2014

Swadeshabhimani

Swadeshabhimani  was a newspaper published in Travancore, which was banned and confiscated by the Government of Travancore in 1910 due to its criticisms against the government and the Diwan of Travancore, P Rajagopalajari 

Vakkom Muhammed Abdul Khadir Moulavi alias Vakkom Maulavi founded the weekly newspaper on January 19, 1905, to spearhead the fight against corruption and to struggle for the democratic rights of the people in Travancore. He managed to import, directly from England, an automatic flatbed printing press, the latest type then available. The press operated from Anjuthengu (Anglican: Anjengo), a British colony at the time directly ruled by British East India Company.

C P Govinda Pillai was the editor of before Ramakrishna Pillai  took over as the editor in January 1906.Ramakrishna Pillai and his family had to shift to Vakkom in Chirayinkil Taluk where the newspaper office and the printing press were located.

In July 1907, both the newspaper office and the family moved to Thiruvanathapuram. Though Vakkom Moulavi was still the proprietor, Ramakrishna had been given total freedom in the running of the newspaper by Moulavi. Although there were never any legal or financial contracts between the two, Moulavi provided all the financial aid to set up the press.

On 26 September 1910, the newspaper and the printing press were sealed and confiscated by the British Police. Ramakrishna Pillai was arrested and banished from Travancore to thirunalveli in Madras  Province  of British Raj.

In 1957, after the Independence of India, the Government of Kerala returned the press to Moulavi's family and son Abdul Kadar. On 26 January 1968, the then Chief Minister of Kerala,E M S NamboothiriPad, presented it to the legal heirs of Maulavi Abdul Qadir at a public meeting, 36 years after his death.

Pandit K P Karuppan(1885 -1938)

Pandit Karuppan was a poet, dramatist, and social reformer who lived in Kerala, India.  Pandit Karuppan emerged from Ernakulam of Cochin State as a relentless crusader against untouchability and social evils. He was called the “Lincoln” of Kerala for steering socio-economically and educationally backward communities to the forefront. Hailing from a community of inland fishermen who engaged in localised fishing in backwaters and rivers, Karuppan became a Sanskrit scholar, poet and dramatist of repute. As the first human rights activist of the Cochin State, he used his literary skill and organizational ability to combat illiteracy, social injustice, casteism, and superstitions. He campaigned for the rights of lower-caste people, who at that time were not even permitted to enter Ernakulam

He was born on 24 May 1885 in Cheranalloor, Kerala. He was born into a middle class family of Dheevara fishermen community. Though his name was Karuppan which means ‘Black coloured man’ in Malayalam, he was fair and handsome. Actually his birth name was Sankaran and he was rechristened to Karuppan by a Tamil Gosai friend, who predicted that he will became a scholar in future. He learnt the basics of Sanskrit - Amarakosham,Sidhdharoopam and Sreeramodantham from a local guru. He was a great reader, who later started writing at a very young age of 12. Lankamardanam was his first work. He later learnt Sanskrit books under different gurus, and his studies at Kodungallur later played a major role in his life.

Pandit Karuppan was died on March 23, 1938

Sahodharan Ayyappan(1889 -1968)

SahodaranAyyappan was a great social reformer from Kerala who played a significant role in the cultural renovation of Kerala in the first half of 20th century. He was an ardent follower of SreeNarayana Guru. A great radical activist and thinker belonging to the Ezhava community,Ayyappan took initiatives to break the caste discrimination and division that existed in Kerala in the early 20th century. He arranged the historical community feast in Cherai of Kochi in 1917, where people belonging to different castes were allowed to participate. Though he received several opposition for the conservative Ezhava community to which he belonged to, he was warmly welcomed and supported by Narayana Guru.He stood as a rationalist who didn't believe in any religion.No caste, no religion, no god - was his slogan. 

Sahodaran Ayyappan was born on August 21, 1889 into a traditional Ezhava family. His parents were Kumabalathuparambil Kochavu Vaidyar and Unnuli. The birthplace of Ayyappan was Cherai in Vypin Island in Ernakulam district in Kerala state. Since he lost his father earlier in his life, he was brought up and educated by his elder brother Achuthan Vaidyar. After the initial guidance in education by his elder brother, young Ayyappan was enrolled in a local school for his formal education. On successfully completing the formal education, he got himself enrolled in Kozhikode-based Malabar Christian Collage for his pre-degree course.

Later Sahodaran Ayyappan joined a college in Madras to do a degree course. However, he had to discontinue his studies over there due to his persistent illness. After a while, he decided to do a B.A. course in literature after accepting a friendly advice from the Sage Sree Narayana Guru. Accordingly, the young Ayyappan completed his B.A. degree from the Maharajah's College in Ernakulum. Continuing his interest in studies, he also took a B.L. degree from Thiruvananthapuram-based Law College.

Sahodharan Ayyappan died on March,6 1968

Prethyaksha Reksha Daiva sabha And Poykayil Yohannan

Poykayil Yohannan (also called as Poikayil Kumara Guru Devan) (Eraviperoor, 17 February 1878 – 1939), known as Poykayil Appachanalias Poykayil Kumara Guru Devan, was a Dalit activist, poet, Christian preacher and the founder of the socio-religious movement Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha (“God’s Church of Visible Salvation”).

Johannan was born 17 February 1879, to parents Kandan and Lechi of the Paraiyar (“Pariah”) community, at Eraviperoor, Pathanamthitta, India. He was named Komaran at his birth, born as a slave to a Syrian Christian family of the name Sankaramangalam. He was later renamed Kumaran.

In that period, Dalit communities practiced untouchability among themselves. Recognising the commonalities among the Paraiyar, Pulayar (Cheramar) and Kuravar communities, Johannan sought to create a sense of unity among them. Johannan left the Sankaramangalam family, intent on organising the Christian Dalit communities.

After this realization, Yohannan decided to leave the religion of Christianity and form a new organization for the liberation of Dalit community members. With this conviction in his mind, he formed a new organization by the name Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha (PRDS). From this point in time, he was referred to as Poikayil Appachan or Kumara Gurudevan. After the formation of a neo-reformist organization, Poikayil Appachan met people from different communities personally and educated them about the need for living in a dignified way. For this purpose, he exhorted his followers to liberate themselves from the clutches of caste equation through the twin powers of education and enlightenment.

Poykayil Yohannan was also a member of another Dalit advocacy group by the name Sadhujana Paripalana Sangham, which was floated by Saint Ayyankali to further the cause of the group. He was nominated to the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha for two times. It is the Legislative Council of the Princely state of Travancore.

Poikayil Yohannan was a Dalit leader, a poet and a social reformer from the Pathanamthitta district of Kerala. He was also a Christian preacher who was highly concerned about the welfare of the depressed classes in the state. In the initial days of struggle against the caste discrimination, Johannan believed that the members of the Christian communities would lend their helping hand to his caste members. Some years later, he learned in a hard way the existing caste discrimination in those Christian Communities. Hence, he decided to form an organization to support the cause of his fellow caste members. This organization was christened as Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha. Johannan encouraged both Christian converts and Hindu Dalits to take membership of the organization. By pooling the resources donated by the members of the organization, a land bank was made. This land bank was used to construct numerous institutions for the benefit of its members. Because of the dedication and good work shown by him, Yohannan was twice nominated to the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha. At the Praja Sabha, he made a forceful presentation on the plight of Dalits in the state and suggested some measures to improve their living conditions

Samathwa samajam(1836)

•  Ayya Vaikundar (Vaikunda swamikal) founded Samathwa samajam for reform of nadar community.
• Community Is fount on 1836
• He organized SAMA PANTHI BHOJANA in each and every place of worship in the name of ANNA DHANAM.
• Samathwa samajam is the first community in kerala.

Ayyankali(1863–1941)

Ayyankali was a leader of the India lower caste Dalits known as the Untouchables.He pioneered many Reforms to improve  the lives of the Dalits .In 1937 was praised by Mahatma Gandhi  when he visited Venganoor, Ayyankali’s home town. In November 1980, Indira Gandhi unveiled sculptor Ezra David’s commorative statue of Ayyankali at Kawdiyar square, in Trivandrum.  

Ayyankali was born in Venganoor, 25 kms away from the main city, Thiruvananthapuram in the year 1863. He belonged to Pulaya community who were regarded as dalits. Till middle twentieth century, was a place filled with strange customs and discrimination based on caste and creed. Dalits were not allowed to pass through public places nor could their women cover their breasts in front of high caste people. Ayyankali himself was an illiterate person similar to other dalits. He decided to fight against such social customs and injustice similar to Manu script and fought against these discriminations. He was inspired a lot by Ayyavu’s teachings

.  He passed through the public roads of Venganoor on a bullock cart which was not allowed for the Dalits. He led the movement in front, asked his followers to boycott work in fields of high caste and even demanded education for dalit students. He started a school to teach Dalit children at Venganoor.  Other demands were rest time for workers and payment of cash as wage. Such a movement for labour was for the first time in Kerala.

Ayyankali died on June 18, 1941

Ayya Vaikundar (1809 -1851)

      Ayya Vaikundar  is also known as Incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was a 19th-century social reformer.Vaikundar was born in 1809 to Ponnu Madan and Veyilal Amma at Poovandanthope in the Kanyakumari District (part of Travancore

        Vaikunda Swami, the pioneer of Indian Renaissance was born in an ordinary Channar family at Samithopu, a village five miles north – west of Kanniyakumari in south Travancore on 12 March 1809. He was the second son of Ponnumadam and Veyilalamma, a traditional Shannar (Nadar) palm climbing family. With great expectations, they named the child ‘Mudichudum Perummal.’ But in those days the lower caste people were not permitted to use the names of ruling class or the suffix ‘Perumal.’ So the caste Hindus objected to change the name and reported the matter to the government officials. The officials issued an immediate order accordingly. Thus, his parents relented to presume of the caste Hindus by changing the name of Mudichudum Perumal to Muthukutty. Later he himself changed his name as Vaikunda Swamigal. The arrogant and dictatorial policy of the government and the caste Hindus wounded the feelings of young Muthukutty leaving a deep scar in him.

Vaikundar died on 3 June 1851.