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.