Kerala Renaissance Leaders

Renaissance leaders in Kerala

Sree Narayana Guru

A great monk who upheld the message of humanity through the verse "Matham ethayalum manushyan nannayal mathi." A social reformer who is described as the "Father of the Kerala Renaissance." The famous phrase "One caste, one religion, one God for man" belongs to Sree Narayana Guru.

Born in Chembazhanthi village in Thiruvananthapuram district , Gurudevan was known as Nanu. Although he had to get married at a young age, he later renounced everything and became a monk. Gurudevan, who spent some time meditating on Marutva Hill, installed a Shivalinga at Aruvippuram in 1888. In 1903, he established the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam.

He traveled throughout Kerala, which was a breeding ground for social inequalities and evil practices such as casteism and caste discrimination. As a monk, he made people aware of the right to social equality. He established many temples that were accessible to everyone regardless of caste and religion. The Varkala and Sivagiri idols held in 1912 and the All-Religious Conference held in Aluva in 1923 were important events in the life of Sree Narayana Guru.

Chattampi Swamikal

One of the foremost thinkers of the Kerala Renaissance. Known as 'Vidyadhiraja'. Famous as a historian, Shaiva Yogi, and Vedanta. Born on August 25, 1853, in Kannammoola, Thiruvananthapuram. He was known by the names Ayyappan and Kunjan Pillai. Due to his excellence in studies and purity of character, he earned the title of Chattampi (Leader) in the Gurukul of the Asan. Later, he took up sannyasa under the name of "Shanmugadasan". Since he was a mine of knowledge, he was also called Vidyadhiraja. This ascetic was able to awaken the conscience of the community against the atrocities committed in the name of caste.

He challenged orthodoxy by opposing the untouchability tradition practiced by his guru during his childhood. The upper caste community opposed the Swami because he ate at the homes of friends from other communities. Chattampi Swami brought about a practical revolution in charity and the eradication of untouchability. The 'Patti Sadya' he conducted against corruption in the feudal system is famous in history. For some time, he worked as a clerk and an accountant in the secretariat.

The Swami have raised their voices against the blasphemy of Hinduism and the domination of foreign religions. The first work of the Chattampi Swami is 'Sarvamatasamasya', which argues that the essence of all religions is one. The Chattampi Swami argued that everyone, including women, can study the Vedas, citing the Vedas themselves. The historical relevance of the Swami's philosophy is that they demolished the supremacy of the priestly class with their own intellectual power.

The work 'Jeevakarunya Niroopanam' is a philosophical form of loving-kindness. In an informal lecture delivered at Sasthamkotta in 1903, the Swami declared that 'the time has come to throw untouchability into the Arabian Sea'. It is said that Chattampi Swami, who had been wandering in obscurity for a long time, received secret mantra advice from a Siddha named Anandakumaravelu. The meetings held with Chattampi Swami by Narayana Guru, Neelakanta Theerthapada Swamikal and Theerthapada Paramahamsa gave a new enlightenment to history. Chattampi Swami, who had lived a complete vegetarian life since childhood, put the concept of non-violence into practice. When Swami Vivekananda came to Kerala in 1892, he met Chattampi Swami and received advice on 'Chinmudra'. Chattampi Swami attained Samadhi on 5 May 1924 at Panmana. The Bala bhattaraka Temple, built by his disciples, is located at his Samadhi site.

Ayyankali

Born in Venganur, Thiruvananthapuram district, he gave strong leadership to the rights struggles of the Avarnas. He is known as the founder of the Pulaya Mahajana Sabha in Kerala. He led the freedom movement for the Harijans to move freely on public roads. The freedom of movement of the Avarnas began when Ayyankali's 'Pulaya Vandi' (bow cart movement) traveled to many parts of South Travancore, despite the opposition of the upper castes. The "Sadhujana Paripalana Sangha" founded by Ayyankali in 1907 had branches in many parts of the state. He led the first agricultural labor movement in Kerala. Ayyankali declared the movement by raising demands such as allowing school admission for the children of the lower castes and allowing freedom of movement on public roads. Subsequently, in 1914, he won the right to education for the Harijans. As a leader of the untouchables, he became a member of the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha in 1911. He was a member of the Praja Sabha for 28 years. During this period, he tried to address the grievances of the Harijans. Ayyankali was influential in the legislative process that led to the Temple Entry Proclamation in 1936. In a grand gathering held in Venganur in 1937, Mahatma Gandhi described Ayyankali as the 'Pulaya Raja'. Gandhiji's Harijan Upliftment Movement was a guiding light for Ayyankali. He died on 18 June 1941 .

Sahodharan Ayyappan

Born on August 21, 1889 in Cherai, Vypin Island, Ernakulam. He studied in college in Thiruvananthapuram and graduated. Ayyappan, who had close ties with Sree Narayana Guru, fought against the superstitions and immoralities formed the "Vidyaposhini Sabha". In 1917, he founded the Misrabhojana movement and thus Ayyappan got the nickname 'Pulayan Ayyappan'. The Samastha Kerala Sahodhara Sangham also started the magazine 'Sahodharan'. With this, he came to be known as "Sahodharan Ayyappan". New words and styles were used to propagate his ideas. Avanavanism and Jathikushumbu are examples.

In 1938, he became the president of the SNDP Yogam. He amended the famous motto of Sree Narayana Guru, "Do not ask, do not say, do not think about caste", and made it the slogan "No caste, no religion, no God" and spread rationalism in Kerala. Although he did not fully agree with Gandhiji's ideals of truth and non-violence, Ayyappan admired the man Gandhi.

He served as a minister twice in Kochi. He was also a member of the first Thirukochi cabinet. Ayyappan laid the foundation for the labor movement in Kerala. Ayyappan was also a writer who wrote many poems and articles. Ayyappan composed the Onam song that begins "Maveli naduvanidum kaalam manusharellarumonnu pole". "Velakkaran" is a magazine published by his brother Ayyappan, modeled on the British publication "Daily Work". 'Sahodaran' ceased publication in 1956. Died on March 6, 1968.

K. Kelappan

Sarvodaya leader known by the alias 'Kerala Gandhi'. This eminent leader who participated in the Vaikom Satyagraha served as the editor of Mathrubhumi newspaper. He is a prominent social reformer of Kerala. He also fought for the important issues of the Theendal caste in Malabar, such as school admission and freedom to travel on public roads. He led the Salt Satyagraha from Kozhikode to Payyannur in 1930. He conducted the Guruvayur Satyagraha. He participated in the Quit India movement and was prisoned. This great man who embodied Gandhian ideals in his life, refused the Padma Shri award.

A.K. Gopalan (A.K.G.)

A.K.G., popularly known as A.K.G., was born in Chirakkal taluk of Kannur. He was an undisputed leader of the Indian working class and a parliamentarian. A.K.G., who worked as a teacher for seven years, became an active member of the Indian National Congress in 1927. Later, he resigned from his job and participated in the Salt Satyagraha of 1930, where he was arrested for violating the law. He was an active participant in the famous Guruvayur Satyagraha. A.K.G., who was working in the Congress Socialist Party, joined the Communist Party when it was formed. A.K.G. led the historic hunger march from Malabar to Madras. When the Communist Party split, he became a top leader of the CPM. He also served as a member of the Politburo. A.K.G. spent 16 years in prison at various stages. He escaped from prison in Vellore in 1942 and had to spend 5 years in hiding. A.K.G. was a member of Parliament from 1952 until his death in 1977. A.K.G.'s autobiography, 'Ente Jeevitha Katha' (My Life Story), is very famous.

Vagbhatanandan

He was described as the 'Narayana Guru of Malabar'. A spiritual revolutionary. He gained fame through his Jnan Samvads. He was born on April 29, 1884, in the village of Patiam in Kannur. His name was 'Kunjikannan Gurukkal'. He reached Calicut in 1906 and started a Sanskrit school called 'Tatwa Prakasika Ashram'. He took the initiative in popularizing the Sanskrit language in Malabar. In 1910, his acquaintance with Brahmananda Shivayogi was a turning point. In 1911, he established the 'Rajayogananda Kaumudi Yogsala' in Kallai. It was Shivayogi who gave the title 'Vagbhatananda' to the gurus who displayed extraordinary linguistic prowess in debates.

In March 1914, the magazine 'Shivayogi Vilasam' was started. In 1920, the 'Atma Vidya Sangham' was established in Travancore and Malabar. The main objective was religious reform. A bank named 'Aikya Nanaya Sangham' was also formed under the leadership of Vagbhatananda. In 1921, the Atma Vidya Sangham started its mouthpiece 'Abhinava Keralam'. He tried till the end to dispel superstitions using the means of reason. By quoting ancient scriptures, he convinced the people of the relevance of Madhyavarjana. He passed away on October 29, 1939.

Ayya ​​Vaikunda Swamikal

Social revolutionary. Also known as 'Ayya Vaikunda'. He strongly opposed Hindu orthodoxy and foreign religious conversion efforts. He was born in Sastamkoilvilla near Nagercoil. He sharply criticized the administrative system that exploited the weaker communities. Vaikunda Swamikal theorized that there was no meaning in rituals like idol worship and animal sacrifice. He led the Melmundu wearing movement. In 1836, he founded the 'Samatva Samajam' organization in Suchindram. He gave strength to the idea that all humans are equal. Vaikunda Swamikal had the equanimity that God is reflected in each and every one of them. On this basis, Vaikuntha Swamikal performed the Kannadi Pratishtha (in 1851). He instructed the working class that 'do not work unless you are paid'. He also advised them to wear turbans, which were the right of only the upper castes.

The Travancore government sentenced Vaikunda Swamikal, who constantly fought against the monarchy and the British rule, to one hundred and ten days in prison. The attempt to free the faith system from priests by selecting priests from various castes also created a great revolution at that time. Vaikunda Swamikal founded the 'Dhuvaiyal Bandhi' movement, declaring that anyone belonging to any caste could accept sannyasa. Vaikunda promoted 'Ayyavazhi' based on the concept of one God. His disciples Shanmuga Vadivelu and Thycaud Ayya propagated Ayya Vaikunda's philosophies.

Mannath Padmanabhan

Founding leader of NSS. Social revolutionary. One of the best orators Kerala has ever seen. Born on January 2, 1878 in Perunna. The 'Nair Bhritya Jana Sangham', founded on 31 October 1914 with thirteen people, became the 'Nair Service Society' in 1917. Mannam led a cleansing revolution by mobilizing young people against the immoralities prevailing in the Nair community. He established schools with the aim of social reform. The 'Savarna Jatha' led by Mannam in the Guruvayur Satyagraha in 1929 is famous. In 1947, he was imprisoned for protesting against the Travancore Diwan. In 1949, he became a member of the Travancore Legislative Assembly. On 10 February 1950, he abandoned his caste name 'Pillai' and became Mannath Padmanabhan. In 1959, he played an important role in organizing the 'Liberation Struggle' against the Communist Ministerial Council. He was awarded the 'Bharat Kesari' in 1959 and the 'Padma Bhushan' in 1966. He passed away on 25 February 1970.

Pandit Karuppan

Poet and social reformer. Leader of the Dheevara community. Born on 24 May 1885 in Ernakulam. He started writing poetry at the age of fourteen. Encouraged by the King of Cochin, he studied Sanskrit at the Kodungallur Kovilakam. Karuppan engaged in literary writing and community work to eliminate caste inequalities. He depicted the brutality of caste rule through works like Jathikummi, Balakalesham, and Udyana Virunnu.

In 1912, the 'Kalyanadayini Sabha' was formed with Anappuzha as its center, the 'Valaseva Samiti' in Vaikom and the 'Samudayasevini' in Paravur under the leadership of Karuppan. He made efforts to expand the activities of the 'Araya Samajam' formed in 1907. He was elected to the Cochin Legislative Assembly in 1924. The Maharaja of Cochin honored Karuppan with the degree of 'Kavithilakan' and the title of 'Vidwan' by Kerala Varma Valiya Koithampuran. The 'Kochi Pulaya Mahajana Sabha' was formed on 21 April 1913 at the Kayal Meeting held under the leadership of K.P. Karuppan. He passed away on 23 March 1938.

V.T. Bhattathiripad

Vellithuruthi Thazhathu (V.T.) Raman Bhattathiripad was born in 1896 in Ponnani taluk. He worked as the leader of the Ulpathishnu section of the 'Yogakshema Sabha', an organization of Namboothiris established in 1908. The motto of the Yogakshema Sabha was "Make Namboothiri a human being". The mouthpiece of the Yogakshema Sabha is 'Mangalodayam' and the magazine of the Yogakshema Sabha is 'Unninamboothiri'. Sankaran Namboothiripad was the first president of the Yogakshema Sabha. In 1919, an organization called 'Yuvajana Sangham' was formed under the leadership of V.T. The magazine 'Unninamboothiri' was also started as its mouthpiece. He led community reforms such as kudumurikkal, costume reform of inter-caste people, and widow marriage. His famous play is "Adukkalayil Ninnu Arangathekku". This play was released in 1929. V.T. Bhattathiripad formed the Antharjana Samajam in 1929. (Parvathy Nenminimangalam was the leader of the Antharjana Samajam). In 1931, V.T. Bhattathiripad undertook a begging journey. The aim of this seven-day walking campaign from Thrissur to Kasaragod Chandragiripuzha was to create conditions for poor students to study. V.T. participated in the Guruvayur temple entry campaign. An article titled "Now we can set fire to the temples " was published in the magazine "Unninamboothiri". In 1934 , he officiated at the first widow marriage in the Namboothiri community. As a widow, he married his sister-in-law Uma Antharjanam to M.R.B. He was the one who organized a social reform march from Kanhangad (Kasargod) to Chembazhanthi (Thiruvananthapuram) in 1968 to spread awareness about mixed marriages. He wrote two-part autobiography 'Kanneerum Kinavum' and Dakshinayanam. Rajani rangam is V.T.'s first collection of stories. He was the editor of the biweekly Vidyarthi. He was the editor of Pasupatham and Udbuddha Keralam. He died on 12 February 1982. 

Brahmananda Sivayogi

Born in Kollankode, Palakkad. His old name was 'Karatt Govinda Menon'. Govindan, who became a rationalist during his studies, questioned superstitions. He established a Siddha Ashram at Vanur in Alathur. He worked against immorality. A staunch critic of Advaita thought and idol worship, Sivayogi gave importance to Shakthism. He advised to reject arguments that were against reason. He authentically argued that animal sacrifice and untouchability were not suitable for a civilized society. He accepted non-violence as the supreme religion. The lecture he gave in Kozhikode in 1910 made people like Vagbhatananda his disciples. Sivayogi's poem 'Sthri Vidya Poshini', which advocated for women's education, became a topic of discussion at that time. The ideas he propagated became the basic principles of 'Anandamatham' (Religion of  Bliss). In 1918, Brahmananda Sivayogi founded the 'Ananda Mahasabha'. Sivayogi, who advocated for transcendental spirituality, opposed all religious movements. Brahmananda Sivayogi passed away on September 9, 1929. His ideas are known as Anandajati and his doctrines as Ananda-Rama. He jokingly called the monks as 'Udhara Nimittam'.

Doctor Padmanabhan Palpu

He is described as the 'political leader of the Ezhavas'. Born on 2 November 1863 in Pettah, Thiruvananthapuram. The advice he received from Swami Vivekananda at the Mysore Palace led to the establishment of the SNDP Yogam in 1903. Palpu was an active participant in the 'Malayali Memorial' of 1891 and the 'Ezhava Memorial' of 1896. Palpu formed an organization called 'Malabar Economic Union' for the economic development of Malabar. Dr. Palpu passed away on 25 January 1950.

Chavara Kuriakose Elias

His full name is Kuriakose Elias Chavara. Born on February 10, 1805 in Kainakary, Alappuzha, Chavara was ordained as a priest at the Arthungal Church. He aspired to bring about a change in the basic society through his priesthood. It was Chavara who popularized the idea of ​​starting schools in collaboration with all churches. He was the one who initiated prayer methods like the rosary, way of the cross, eucharistic adoration and the 40- minute prayer. The beginning of the Sannyasini Sabha called CAC was also according to Chavara's decision. Chavara wrote one of the first stanzas in Malayalam Spiritual writings, 'Anastasiayude Rakthasakshyam' (The martyrdom of Anastacia). On May 11, 1831, he started the CMI Church. He also started projects to educate Dalit children free of charge. The CMI Church founded by Chavara established the third Achukudam (printing press) in Kerala. The newspaper 'Nasrani Deepika' was started in this printing house. Chavara, who made numerous contributions to the religious and social fields, passed away on January 3, 1871.

On April 7, 1984, Pope John Paul II elevated Chavara to the rank of 'Servant of God'. He was beatified by the Church in 1986. Chavara was declared a saint on November 23, 2014. In recognition of his services, India issued a postage stamp in his name on December 20, 1987. Today, more than 400 educational institutions belong to the CMI Church that he started. Amala Medical College in Thrissur and Rajagiri Engineering College in Kalamassery are prominent among them.

T.K. Madhavan

Born on 2 September 1885 in a wealthy Ezhava family at Kannamangalam, Mavelikkara. As a result of his efforts, who had good intelligence, organizational skills and political ambition from a young age, the Ezhava community came on the path of renaissance. As a result of his efforts, the Ezhava Association was established in 1902. In 1914, he came to know Sree Narayana Guru. Then, Madhavan was the main propagandist and speaker in the journey to collect money to establish a Sanskrit school in Aluva. It was during this time that he began to feel that a newspaper was essential for his community. Then, in 1915, he founded the Deshabhimani newspaper (the 'Deshabhimani', which was established in 1942 and is currently in circulation, has no connection with the newspaper founded by T.K. Madhavan). In 1917 and 1918, he was elected as an Ezhava representative in the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha. In the assembly, he promoted the temple entry argument to eradicate the evil practices of casteism and untouchability from Hinduism, which were a hindrance to civil equality. Due to this, he could not continue in the assembly for more than two years. In 1921, Mahatma Gandhi and T.K. Madhavan met in Tirunelveli. Then they had a conversation regarding temple entry in Kerala. He participated in the Kakinada Congress session in 1923 and presented a resolution against untouchability. He led the Vaikom Satyagraha that lasted for 603 days from 30 March 1924. Following the Vaikom Satyagraha, in 1928, the Travancore government opened the roads around the temples for all the castes. He has earned a memorable place in the history of Kerala as the father of the temple entry movement. In 1927, he became the Secretary of the SNDP Yogam. He died on April 27, 1930. "Kshetra Praveshnam" is a work he wrote in 1916 to clarify the purpose of the temple entry argument. 

C. Kesavan

C. Kesavan was a famous leader in leading Travancore towards democracy. C. Kesavan was born in 1891. His father's name was Kunchan. He was educated in Kollam, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. He also went to Burma and studied law. In 1933, he became the secretary of the SNDP Yogam. C. Kesavan was one of the founding leaders of the Travancore State Congress. In 1948, he was a member of the Pattom Thanupillai cabinet. He then became the president of the State Congress. He became the Chief Minister. He founded a newspaper called Kaumudi. K. Balakrishnan was his son. 'Jeevitasamaram' is his autobiography.

Vakkom Abdul Khader Moulavi

He was born in Vakkom, Chirayinkeezhu taluk. He is known as the father of the Kerala Muslim Renaissance. He entered the field of journalism as the founder of the Swadeshabhimani newspaper, which was started in 1903 under the editorship of C.P. Govinda Pillai. Swadeshabhimani newspaper was started from Anchuthengu on 19 January 1905. It was shifted to Vakkom in 1906. Al Islam (1918), Muslim (1906) and Deepika (1931) were his publications. Al Islam was a magazine in Arabic Malayalam. Daussabah and Islam Matha Sidantha Samgraham are his books. The first person to translate the Quran into Malayalam was Vakkom Abdul Khader Moulavi. He formed the United Muslim Sangh, Islam Dharma Paripalana Sangham, All Travancore Muslim Mahajanasabha and the Dharma Bhoshini Sabha.

Poikayil Yohannan

Born in Eraviperoor near Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta. His real name was Yohannan. He belonged to the Paraya community. He is known as the savior of Dalit Christians. In 1909, he formed the Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha (PRDS - God's Church of Visible Salvation) with his headquarters in Eraviperoor. Kumara Gurudevan was the spiritual name given to Poikayil Yohannan as the head of the Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha. The struggles he waged for the liberation of the underprivileged are known as Adi lahala. He was called 'Poikayil Appachan', his childhood name was Komaran. He was also known as Pulayan Mathai. He was elected to the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha in 1921 and 1931. (A social reformer who was elected to the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha twice). He established the first English school for the untouchables in Travancore. It was at Neyyattinkara that Yohannan met Gandhiji.

He converted to Christianity as a child. He learned to read and write and became a preacher with the help of missionaries. He left the Mar Thoma Church on the grounds of caste discrimination and became the savior of Dalit Christians. The preacher aimed at the upliftment of the backward sections of Christianity. He also reminded the weaker sections that the untouchables of today are the descendants of the primitive Dravidians. Poikayil Appachan was the one who solved the Kozhukkumchira Lahala that broke out in 1913 over the seizure of agricultural land of the downtrodden.

Appachan advised his congregation to marry regardless of caste. Yohannan died on July 2, 1939. He was later known as 'Kumara Gurudevan'. Believers of the Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha specifically add 'Kumar' to their name.

Hermann Gundert

Dr. Hermann Gundert, a German linguist who made great contributions to the Malayalam language, was born in Stuttgart, Germany. He joined the University of Tubingen for higher studies. Later, he went to Switzerland and obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree. After that, he joined the Basel Mission and returned to India to preach.

He reached Mangalore in 1936. He travelled to many parts of Kerala. He came to Thiruvananthapuram and met Swathi Thirunal. He established his work in Thalassery. He settled in a place called Illikunnu and started religious work and language studies. On 12 April 1939, Gundert and his wife started living there. At that time, printing in Malayalam had not started. It was Gundert who started the printing in Stone Mold. In June 1847, the first Malayalam newspaper called Rajyasamacharam was published under the leadership of Gundert. In October of the same year, he also started the newspaper Paschimodayam. Its content was the history and geography of Europe.

He is also one of the foremost writers of prose in our language. Gundert wrote books on many subjects including religion, history, society, language and grammar. Those books were very helpful to those who worked on those subjects later. Kerala pazhama, Keralolpathi, Paathamala, Pazhancholmala, Malayala Bhasha Viyakaranam and Malayalarajyam are famous works by Gundert. His best work is the Malayalam-English Dictionary. His health deteriorated amid constant exertion and he returned home in 1859. Gundert passed away in 1893.

Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai

K. Ramakrishna Pillai was born in Neyyattinkara in 1878. Abdul Khader Moulavi, known as Vakkom Moulavi, started the Swadeshabhimani newspaper in Anchuthengu near Thiruvananthapuram in 1905. In January 1906, Ramakrishna Pillai took over as the editor of the newspaper (the first editor was Chirayinkeezhu C.P. Govinda Pillai). Later, he questioned the royal authority and advocated for civil rights, criticizing government corruption and administrative shortcomings in the pages of 'Swadeshabhimani'. Following his constant criticism of P. Rajagopalachari, the Diwan of Travancore, in 1910, it was decided to confiscate the newspaper and deport Ramakrishna Pillai. He was then deported to Tirunelveli. The newspaper was banned and the press and equipment were confiscated. He was exiled from Travancore and after travelling to Madras and Palakkad with his wife, he settled in Kannur. The work he wrote during this period is 'Ente Nadukadathal'.

The first Malayalam work related to journalism, 'Vrithantha Pathra Pravarthanam', was written by Ramakrishna Pillai. Ramakrishna Pillai was the first to translate the biography of Karl Marx into any language in India (in Malayalam) (in 1912). He died in Kannur in 1916. He is buried at Payyambalam beach. Vyazhavatta Smaranakal is a biography written about him by his wife Kalyani Kuttyamma.

Agamananda Swami

Spiritual revolutionary and orator. His name was 'Krishnan Nambiathiri'. Born on April 17, 1896 in Panmana. During his high school studies in Mavelikkara (1915), he formed the 'Sanathana Vidyarthi Sangam' . He established the 'Madhya Travancore Malayalam Brahmin Samajam' for the revival of the Brahmin community. The Swami had insisted that the Brahmins should not only indulge in religious studies but also pay attention to industrial matters. In 1924, a Malayalam translation of the Rigveda was published in the form of a magazine to make it available to the public. In 1931, he established an ashram in Thrissur.

Agamananda Swami was the one who started the Hindu religious sermon series in Kerala. He led the religious education centered on temple platforms. The Swami's goal was to eradicate superstitions. He established an ashram in Kalady in 1937. He also worked as the editor of the Sri Ramakrishna Mission's 'Prabuddha Keralam' magazine. He was very active in spreading the Sanskrit language throughout his life. He passed away on April 17, 1961. Agamananda Swami's sermons have been published in four parts under the title 'Veeravani'.

Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker

His real name was Kallisseril Velayudha Panikkar. Velayudha Panikkar was a brave man who gave the strength to wear the 'Achipudava' worn by upper caste women to Avarna womens. He is considered one of the leaders of the first civil rights movement in Kerala. He was assassinated at Kayamkulam Lake in February 1874. Some historical texts indicate that it was Arattupuzha Velayudha panikkar who taught Avarna women temple worship and built the first temple for them.

Swami Ananda Theerthan

A monk who led a movement against untouchability. His name was 'Ananda Shenoy'. He was born on January 2, 1905 in Thalassery. It can be said that no other person had to face so much persecution in the struggle against untouchability. He was also given the title of 'Swami who fought only for the Harijans'. He gave new names to the children of the downtrodden and carried out a 'naming revolution'. Swami is considered to be a monk who fought alone without the support of organizations. He died on November 21, 1987. Anand's motto was 'Service to the poor is service to God'.

Thycaud Ayya Guru

Hatha Yogi. Influenced Chattampi Swamikal and Narayana Guru. Born in Nakalapuram, Tamil Nadu. He had the nicknames Subbarayar and Subramaniam. Ayya Guru, who was proficient in Hatha Yoga, was also skilled in Rasavadha. Ayya Guru criticized caste discrimination. The Panthibhojan organized by him, which included people from all castes, angered the upper castes. The rulers of Travancore honored Ayya Guru's work. He spread Renaissance values ​​through the Jnanaprajagaram Sabha in Thiruvananthapuram. He proved that women could become ascetics by accepting the nuns Yogini Amma and Kollathamma as his disciples. Ayya Guru passed away in Thycaud in 1909. The slogan of the Ayya Guru is famous: "There is only one caste, one religion, one customs, one religion in the Indian subcontinent."

Kurumban Daivathan

Dalit revolutionary leader. Propagator of 'Pulaya Geetam'. Born in Aranmula, Pathanamthitta. His childhood name was 'Naduvathamman'. He started his revolution against feudalism through wall writings. It is said that Daivathan was the first person in Kerala to call for social revolution through wall writings. He worked as the main assistant of Ayyankali. In 1917, Deivathan founded the 'Hindu Pulaya Samajam'. In 1915, he became a member of the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha. Deivathan, who was a member of the Sabha for about ten years, introduced and implemented ideas such as Dalit Colony. Deivathan passed away on 15 April 1927.

Mohammed Abdur Rahiman Sahib

Mohammed Abdur Rahiman Sahib was a patriot who united all sections of Malabar in the freedom struggle. He was born on May 15, 1898 in Kodungallur. A patriot, Mohammed Abdur Rahiman formed the Cochin Muslim Education Society during his junior intermediate studies. Abdur Rahiman attended the Congress session in Nagpur in 1921. He led the Khilafat movement in Kerala and was imprisoned in Bellary Jail by the government. He also protested there for the needs of the prisoners.

In 1923, the newspaper 'Al Ameen' was published in Kozhikode. Abdurahiman was behind this. He participated in the Salt Satyagraha in 1930 and became the president of KPCC in 1938. Abdur rahiman was in Vellore Jail from 1940 to 1945. He was the one who established the JDT Islam Orphanage in Kozhikode. He passed away in 1945. In 1998, a stamp was issued in the memory of Muhammad Abdurahiman Sahib.

Sardar K. M. Panicker

Sardar K.M. Panicker was a prominent writer, diplomat, educationist, journalist and historian. He was born on June 3, 1895 in Kavalam, Kuttanad. He served as a minister in old Patiala and as a minister and prime minister in Bikaner from 1933 to 1948. Kavalam Madhav Panicker alias K.M. Panicker was the first Malayali to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha. He was the Vice-Chancellor of Jammu and Kashmir University. He was the Ambassador to China, France and Egypt from 1948 to 1959. He was the first President of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi and wrote several books in English and Malayalam. He died on December 10, 1963, while serving as the Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University.

Panampilly Govinda Menon

Panampilly Govinda Menon was the Chief Minister of Cochin. Born in the Panampilly family of Mukundapuram taluk in the old Cochin kingdom, Govinda Menon entered politics while still a student. He passed the M.A. and B.L. examinations from the University of Madras and worked as a lawyer in Irinjalakuda. Later, Menon started practicing in the High Court in Ernakulam and made a name for himself as a great trade union leader, speaker and political leader. In 1942, he was jailed for participating in the Quit India movement. In 1945, he became the leader of the Prajamandalam party in the Cochin Legislative Assembly. The following year, he became a member of the coalition cabinet. When the Diwan rule ended, Govinda Menon became the Prime Minister of Cochin. When independence was achieved, he became a member of the Constituent Assembly. He was a member of the Ikanda Warrier cabinet and the Thirukochi cabinet. He became the Chief Minister of Thirukochi. Later, he became a member of the Lok Sabha. Then a Union Minister of State and later a Cabinet Minister. He passed away while serving as a Union Minister.

Barrister G.P. Pillai

A revolutionary who wrote with fire instead of ink in his pen. That was Barrister G.P. Pillai, also known as G.Parameswaran Pillai. It was the time when Visakham Thirunal was ruling Travancore. A series of articles against the Diwan's actions appeared in the English newspaper "Western Star". The investigation into who was behind it all came down to a moustacheless boy named G.P. Pillai.

G.P. Pillai was born in Thiruvananthapuram on 26 February 1864. Journalism was a public profession for him. Pillai's editorials in the "Madras Standard" and the "Madras Mail" became storms. He sharply criticized the shortcomings of the Travancore administration. He wrote articles in all the leading newspapers under Pillai's pamphlet titled "The Administration of Travancore for the Travancore People" led to a major change. Travancore had a system of excluding natives from high office. Pillai took the initiative to submit a huge Memorial petition with 10,037 signatures against this. G.P. Pillai, who wrote books like 'Representative Indians' and 'Indian Congress Men' died in 1903 at the age of 39. When he died, a newspaper wrote: "A golden star has faded in the dark atmosphere."

In his autobiography, Gandhiji recalls that G.P. Pillai's articles about the hardships of life in South Africa helped him. Pillai, who had passed the barrister's examination and returned home, was offered the highest position in Travancore, but he refused it and accepted the job of a lawyer.

Sri Subhananda Gurudevan

Subhananda Gurudevan was a social reformer who dedicated his life to eradicating immorality and superstition. Subhananda Gurudevan was born in 1882 in Chengannur. He created a spiritual path for social reform. Shubhananda Guru also accepted the message of Sree Narayana Guru that there should be one caste, one religion and one God for all mankind. In 1926, he founded the Atma Bodhodaya Sangham. It was under his leadership that Gandhiji was received at Thattarambalam near Mavelikkara in January 1934. Shubhananda Gurudevan passed away in 1950.

Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan

The incident took place in the 19th century. It was a time when the caste system was rampant in Kerala. A young man named Gopalan, born into the upper caste community, went to attend a wedding reception at the house of a friend belonging to the Araya community. When Gopalan returned, he was scolded by the Karanavans. The brave Gopalan did not think of anything else. He cut off the kudu, which was the symbol and pride of his caste. The young man who spoke out against the caste system later became famous as Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan.

Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan was one of the prominent figures who established the Brahmo Samaj in Kerala, founded by Ram Mohan Roy. He was born on March 3, 1861 in Thalassery. He had expressed strong disagreement with the caste system and superstitions from a young age and attended feasts and other events regardless of caste differences. He was thrown out of the house after his kinship was severed. Later, Dr. Ayyathan entered the government service as a doctor and established a branch of the Brahmo Samaj in Kozhikode on January 14, 1898. Through this, he led the movement for mixed marriages and mixed meals. Dr. Ayyathan, who worked tirelessly against idol worship and the caste system, passed away on May 2, 1948.

Pampady John Joseph

Pampady John Joseph was a person who made great contributions to the Dalit renaissance in Kerala. He was born in Pampady in Kottayam district in 1887. He spoke out against the discrimination faced by those who converted to Christianity. In 1921, he formed an organization called ' Travancore Cheramar Mahasabha' . The word Cheramar means the people of Kerala. Along with those who faced discrimination among Christians, those who faced caste discrimination in the Hindu community were also given membership in this organization.

His book 'Savarna Christians and Avarna Christians' created a great stir. After working as a teacher and a soldier, John Joseph set out to reform his community. In 1931, he was elected to the Sri Chitthira State Council. Pampady John Joseph passed away in July 1940. The magazine 'Sadhujanadoothan' started by Pampady John Joseph in 1919 later became the mouthpiece of the Cheramar Mahasabha. He wrote many powerful articles in it. This magazine continued to be published until 1924 .

Mithavadi C Krishnan

C. Krishnan, a moderate, was a man who made significant contributions to social reform in Kerala, working in many fields including editor, lawyer, and rationalist. He was born on June 11, 1867. Although born into a wealthy family, he had to face many caste-based discriminations. Krishnan, who excelled as a lawyer, was also active in social work. He was a member of the Madras Legislative Assembly and a leading activist of the SNDP Yogam.

In 1913, the 'Mithavadi' magazine was started. He pointed that the British rule was better for the people to get equal justice without the caste system. He led the Thali Road agitation for the right to walk and the tenant agitation against the caste system. The Thali Road agitation was against the order that low caste people should not walk on the roads around the Thali temple in Kozhikode. C. Krishnan, who said that the order was illegal, traveled on the road in a horse-drawn carriage and wrote a letter to the collector. He converted to Buddhism in his later years and died on November 29, 1938 .

P Krishna Pillai

Not only the communist leaders but also the common people including the workers knew that when they said 'comrade', it was about P. Krishna Pillai. He is called 'the first communist in Kerala'. P. Krishna Pillai was born in 1906 in the Paravur Tharavat in Vaikom, Kottayam district. He lost his parents in his childhood. His studies were interrupted. At a very young age, he worked as a coir factory worker, a bicycle shop employee and a tea seller. Krishna Pillai, who traveled all over India, later became a Hindi pracharak. When he returned to Kerala, he joined the Congress and started working. He did not shy away from challenges.

Ignoring the beatings of the Zamorin's soldiers, P. Krishna Pillai showed his mettle by ringing the bell of the Guruvayur temple. He was the first non-Brahmin to ring that bell. He also participated in the Salt Satyagraha March from Kozhikode to Payyannur. Krishna Pillai started out as a Gandhian. The Kerala Socialist Party was founded in Kozhikode in 1934. The Congress Socialist Conference held in Pinarayi, Kannur in 1939 became the founding conference of the Communist Party in Kerala. Krishna Pillai was the Kerala Secretary of the party.

Krishna Pillai did a very courageous job of bringing thousands of people to the Communist Party. He did this by organizing meetings among workers and farmers and organizing struggles against landlordism. Along with A.K.G., P. Krishna Pillai also actively participated in the Pappinissery Iron Mill strike in 1946. The then Madras government ordered Krishna Pillai to be deported from Malabar. While in hiding during the ban on the Communist Party, he died of a snakebite on August 19, 1948.

K. P. Kesava Menon

K.P. Kesava Menon was born on 1 September 1886 in Tharoor village in Palakkad district. Father -  Naduviledathil Bheemanachan. Mother - Meenakshi Amma. He was a freedom fighter, writer and journalist, the grandson of the Maharaja of Palakkad. He completed his Bar at Law studies in London. He headed the Malabar Home Rule League based in Kozhikode. Mathrubhumi was founded in 1923. As part of strengthening the national movement in Kerala, K.P. Kesava Menon, who was the secretary of the K.P.C.C., started the newspaper 'Mathrubhumi' from Kozhikode as a tri-weekly. Initially, it was published on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Mathrubhumi became a daily newspaper on 6 April 1930. From 1927 to 1948, he worked as a lawyer. He was the Indian High Commissioner to Ceylon in 1951 and was awarded the Padma Bhushan and an honorary doctorate from the University of Calicut. His travelogue Bilathi Visesham and autobiography Kazhinya Kaalam have made a special presence in Malayalam literature. He died on 9 November 1978.

Dr. V.V. Velukutty Arayan

Velukutty Arayan was born on 11 March 1894 in the coastal village of Alappad near Karunagappally in Kollam district. Dr. V.V. Velukutty Arayan was a multifaceted genius who achieved fame as a renaissance hero, poet, writer, doctor, critic, scientist, historian and newspaper editor. Dharma Poshini Weekly, Samadhanam Magazine, Theeradesam Weekly, Kalakeralam Magazine, Chiri (Monthly) etc. are other publications started under the leadership of Dr. Velukutty Arayan. Rasalakshna Samuchayam, Vasavadatta Nirvanam (short story), Kurukkan Kathakal (children's literature) etc. are the major works of Velukutty Arayan. Trivikraman, Vajrasoochi, Alappadan, Chakshusravanan, Alappattu Balan, Kouthukan etc. are his pen names. The organizations founded by Velukutty Arayan are Araya Vamsa Paripalana Yogam, Araya Service Society, Travancore Rashtriya Mahasabha, Samastha Keraleeya Araya Mahajanayogam, Akhila Thiruvithamcore Navika Thozhilali Sangham, and Thiruvithamcore Mineral Workers Union. 

C.V. Kunhiraman

C.V. Kunjuraman, a friend of Dr. Palpu and a disciple of Sree Narayana Guru, was a distinguished journalist, writer, social thinker and community reformer. He was the founding editor of 'Kerala Kaumudi'. C.V. was born in Mayyanad, Kollam taluk in 1871. He worked for the upliftment of his community and contributed to the Vaikom Satyagraha. He also served as the General Secretary of the SNDP Yogam. C.V., who wrote many essays and literary works, passed away in 1949.

Sayyid Sanaullah Makti Thangal

Sayyid Sanaullah Makti Thangal was born in 1847 at Veliyamcode in Ponnani taluk. He is known as the forerunner of the Kerala Muslim Renaissance. He was a Muslim social reformer in the Malabar region of British India and an advocate of Western education among the backward communities of Mappila. He was also the first Muslim scholar to understand that proper education was necessary for the reformation of the Muslim community. He died in 1912.

K.P. Vallon

Leader of the revolutionary struggles in Kochi. Born on January 2, 1894 in Kochi. Vallon was a revolutionary who organized a renaissance against the caste oppression experienced by the Pulaya community. Vallon tried to use modern education for communal development. When conservatives blocked the speech programs organized for the Harijans, Vallon went to the middle of the backwaters and preach from a boat. He served as the president of the Kochi Pulayar Mahasabha. He was a member of the Kochi Legislative Assembly during 1931-40. He converted to Buddhism in 1935. In 1936, he started a magazine called 'Adhakritan' from Ernakulam. In the same year, another magazine called 'Harijan' was also started. In 1938, he established a hostel for Dalit students. K.P. Vallon died of smallpox on April 14, 1940, while serving those affected by smallpox .

Kumbalathu Sanku Pillai

Social revolutionary. Leader of the State Congress movement. Founder of Panmana Asram. Born in February 1898. His acquaintance with Chattampi Swami was a major turning point in his life. He started his work by accepting the visits of the Swami. In 1925, Sanku Pillai's 'Kuli Viplavam', involving the underprivileged, gave impetus to the eradication of untouchability. He opened the public ponds in Panmana for the untouchables. In 1926, the admission of Dalits to the Kannankulangara temple angered the upper castes. C.V. Kunhiraman has declared that it was the first temple entry revolution in Travancore. Sanku Pillai, who was described as the 'Kingmaker of Travancore politics', was imprisoned several times in connection with the freedom struggle. When Chattampi Swamikal passed away in Panmana in 1924, the asram and the memorial were built by Kumbalathu Sanku Pillai. It was Sanku Pillai who raised the Harijan Fund for Gandhiji, who arrived at the Panmana asram in 1934. Kumbalam Sanku Pillai passed away on April 16, 1969. 'Ente Kazhinjakala Smaranakal' is Kumbalam Sanku Pillai's autobiography .

Kuttipuzha Krishna Pillai

Born on 1 August 1900 in Kuttipuzha near Paravur in Ernakulam district. Father - Sankaran Namboothiri. Mother - Devakiamma. He was a teacher at Aluva Christian College. He was a rationalist, social reformer, thinker, literary critic, author and teacher and was a friend of Sree Narayana Guru. Kuttipuzha, who worked with the Kerala Rationalist Sangh and the Progressive Literary Society, led the translation of Das Kapital (Das Kapital) in 1968. He won the Sovietland Nehru Award in 1969. He died in 1971.

Kurur Neelakandan Namboodiripad

Kurur Neelakandan Namboothiripad was an Indian freedom fighter and Gandhian. He was born on 1 January 1896 in Adat village in Thrissur district. Father - Ashtamurthy Namboothiripad. Mother - Uma Antharjanam. In 1920, Kurur met Gandhiji in Kozhikode. Impressed by Mahatma Gandhi, Kurur joined the Indian national movement by participating in the Non-Cooperation Movement. Kurur, who had a personal relationship with Bal Gangadhar Tilak, started the newspaper 'Lokamanayan' from Thrissur in 1920. He was imprisoned for seditious articles in the newspaper. He gave publicity to Gandhiji's Khadi movement in Kerala. He participated in the Vaikom Satyagraha, Guruvayur Satyagraha, Salt Satyagraha and Quit India Movement. He contested the Kerala Legislative Assembly elections from Manalur constituency in 1960 and defeated Joseph Mundassery. He died on 31 August 1981.

M.C. Joseph

Mookencheril Cherian Joseph was one of the pioneers of the Rationalist (Yukthivadi) movement in Kerala. He was born in Tripunithura in 1887. Father - Kuncheria. Mother - Maria. M.C. Joseph was a renaissance hero who was ready to defy religious rules and challenge divine miracles. He was a member of the editorial board of the Yukthivadi magazine and worked in the Sahodaran magazine. He died in 1981 .

Nataraja Guru

Nataraja Guru was born in Bangalore in 1895 as the second son of Dr. Palpu, a prominent renaissance leader and one of the founding leaders of the SNDP and P.K. Bhagavathyamma. He was a disciple of Sree Narayana Guru and the second in the guru line. He spread the philosophy and ideas of Sree Narayana Guru in the Western world. He was the founder of the Narayana Gurukulam. He died in 1973.

T.R. Krishnaswamy Iyer

T.R. Krishnaswamy Iyer was a social reformer who was praised by Mahatma Gandhi at a reception held in Thiruvananthapuram after the temple entry proclamation. T.R. Krishnaswamy Iyer was born on April 30, 1890, in Chelakkara (Palakkad) to P.K. Ramaswamy Iyer and Arundhati Ammal. In 1923, he led the mixed banquet with K. Kelappan under the auspices of the KPCC. He was a renaissance leader who participated in all of Gandhiji's programs such as Harijan Upliftment, Hindi Propaganda, Khadi Propaganda and Ayithochadanam. The Sabari Ashram he started in Malabar for the Harijans is famous. He participated in the Vaikom Satyagraha and the Guruvayur Satyagraha. He led the Salt Satyagraha Jatha from Palakkad to Payyannur. He died in 1935 .

P.K.Chathan Master

P.K.Chathan, known as 'Master', is famous as a social reformer, minister and organizational leader. P.K.Chathan was born in 1920 to Kavalan and Chakki in Madaikonam, Thrissur district. He led the Kuttamkulam agitation against the denial of freedom of movement to the Avarnas on the road around the Koodalmanikyam temple in Thrissur. He handled the departments of Local Self-Government and Scheduled Caste Welfare in the first Kerala cabinet. He formed an organization called Samasta Kochi Pulaya Mahasabha by mobilizing Dalit agricultural workers. He founded the Kerala Pulaya Mahasabha in 1970 with the aim of unifying the Pulayas of Kerala and social reform. He died in 1988.

P.N. Panicker

Puthuvayil Narayana Panicker was a great man who worked for libraries. P.N. Panicker was born on March 1, 1909, in the village of Neelamperoor in present-day Alappuzha district. His father was Govind Pillai and his mother was Janaky amma. P.N. Panicker, who passed the school final examination in 1925, became a teacher in Neelamperoor in 1926. In 1938, he established a library in Ambalappuzha in the name of Sahitya Panchanan P.K. Narayana Pillai. The Library Society was registered on May 27, 1947. He traveled from village to village and built libraries. In 1958 ,it was named Kerala Library Society. Today, more than six thousand libraries are functioning under it in Kerala. Mr. P.N. Panicker remained its secretary until 1977. When the society was taken over by the government in 1977, Panicker's full-time work was in literacy work. For this purpose, he founded 'KANFED' in 1977. He passed away in 1995.

Bodheswaran

Bodheswaran was an Indian freedom fighter, poet and social reformer. Kesavan was born in 1901 in Neyyattinkara to Kunjan Pillai and Janaki Pillai. He was attracted to the principles of the Arya Samaj and began his ascetic life at a young age. After visiting the Kashi Vishwanath temple, he adopted the name Bodheswarananda. Later, he abandoned his spiritual life and actively participated in the freedom struggle and social reforms. As an activist of the INC, he participated in the Vaikom Satyagraha and the temple entry agitations. He became famous for his patriotic songs. The prominent Malayalam poetess Sugathakumari and writer Hridayakumari are his daughters. His main works are Adarsharamam, Matha Prabandhangal, Hrudhayanguram and Swathanthra Keralam.

Paravur T.K. Narayana Pillai

Paravoor T.K. Narayana Pillai was the second Prime Minister of Travancore and the first Chief Minister of Thiru-Cochin. Narayana Pillai was born in North Paravur, the eldest son of Cheranalloor Krishnan Kartha and Madhavi Amma. He received his primary education in Paravur. He entered politics through student movements. Narayana Pillai, who made a name for himself as a lawyer, became a leader of the State Congress. When the first ministry of Pattom Thanu Pillai collapsed in 1948, T.K. became the Prime Minister of Travancore. The merger of Travancore and Cochin took place during this period. It was during this period that it was decided to establish the capital in Thiruvananthapuram and the High Court in Cochin. With the completion of the merger of Thiru-Cochin, T.K. assumed power as the first Chief Minister. However, that ministry resigned on 24 February 1951. Later, he became a member of the ministry of C. Kesavan. After losing the 1952 elections, TK left active politics. But he still proved his talent as a lawyer. He died in 1971 .

A.J. John

A.J. John was the Chief Minister of Thirukochi. He was born in July 1893 to Joseph and Mary in Thalayolaparambu, near Vaikom . He entered politics after coming to Thiruvananthapuram as a lawyer. John was one of the founding leaders of the Travancore State Congress. He became a member of the Travancore Legislative Assembly in 1948. He later became the first elected Speaker of the Travancore Legislative Assembly. He resigned from that position in 1949 and became the Finance Minister in the T.K. Narayana Pillai cabinet. He was also a minister in the C. Kesavan cabinet. He became the Chief Minister of Thirukochi in March 1952. In 1955, he became the Home Minister in the Panampilly Govinda Menon cabinet. He resigned from his ministerial post in 1956 and retired from active politics. He was appointed Governor of Madras in December 1956. He died in 1957 while serving as Governor.

E. Ikkanda Warrier

E. Ikkanda Warrier was born in Thrissur in 1890. Ikkanda Warrier was a freedom fighter who served as the Prime Minister of Kochi. In 1948, Ikkanda Warrier, a leader of the Prajamandalam, became the Prime Minister of Kochi by winning the first election held under adult suffrage. After becoming a lawyer, he became active in politics. He became a leading figure in the movement for responsible governance. Warrier remained as the Prime Minister until the merger of Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. He died in 1977 .

Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai

Sundaram Pillai is famous as a historian, philosopher, poet and playwright. Sundaram Pillai was born in 1855. He graduated from Maharaja's College, Thiruvananthapuram with a bachelor's and master's degree in philosophy. He was the first to receive a master's degree in Travancore. After writing the Tamil play Manonmaniam, he became Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai. He is known as the 'Tamil Shakespeare'. In 1885, Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai and Thycadu Ayya founded the Saivaprakasha Sabha at Chala in Thiruvananthapuram. He died in 1897 at the age of forty-two. Manonmaniam Sundaranar University is a university established in Tirunelveli in memory of Sundaram Pillai.

Abraham Malpan

Abraham Malpan is a social reformer known as the 'Martin Luther of the Malankara Church'. He is also called the 'Martin Luther of the East'. He was the first to perform the Divine Liturgy (Holy Communion) in Malayalam in 1837. He suggested that confession and prayers after death should be stopped in churches.

Moorkoth Kumaran

Moorkoth Kumaran is famous as a writer, social reformer, teacher and cultural leader. Moorkoth Kumaran was born in Thalassery in 1874. He was educated in Thalassery and Madras. When T. Sivashankar founded the Mithavadi newspaper in Thalassery in 1907, Moorkoth Kumaran became the founding editor. In 1913, Moorkoth Kumaran bought Moorkoth Kumaran's Mithavadi newspaper and started publishing it from Kozhikode. In 1919, Moorkoth Kumaran became the second general secretary of the SNDP Yogam. He worked with dedication in spreading the messages of Sree Narayana Guru in the Malabar region. Moorkoth Kumaran was the first to write a biography of Sree Narayana Guru. He died in 1941.

Chembakaraman Pillai

Chembakaraman Pillai, born in Thiruvananthapuram, is one of the freedom fighters who has not received enough consideration or space in Indian history. With the aim of ousting the British rule from India, Chembakaraman Pillai organized his like-minded Indians in Berlin and formed the 'Indian Independence Committee'. When Britain's attention was diverted from India during the First World War, they decided to make India independent by staging an armed rebellion in India. During the First World War, he had the opportunity to serve as a second captain in the German Navy. Under the influence of Chembakaraman Pillai, the German submarine 'Emden' arrived near the Madras port to destroy the British seaports. Its cannons also fired on the city. Following this incident, the word 'Emden' also appeared in South Indian languages.

K.C. Krishnadi Ashan

K.C. Krishnadi Ashan is famous as a social reformer, Sanskrit teacher and organizational leader. Krishnadi Ashan was born in 1877 in Mulavukad in Ernakulam district. After not receiving school education, he studied Sanskrit and music on his own. He tried to teach Sanskrit to his own caste and became Krishnadi Ashan. With the aim of unifying the Pulayars of Kochi and social reforming them, Krishnadi Ashan and Pandit Karuppan founded the Kochi Pulaya Mahasabha. In April 1913, they formed the Pulaya Mahasabha by tying boats together and making a raft in the Kochi Lake and meeting on it. Krishnadi Ashan served as the first president of the Kochi Pulaya Mahasabha. Despite being Hindus, the denial of freedom of worship to Dalits made Krishnadi Ashan an anti-religious figure. After converting to Christianity, he took the name C.K. John. He converted many people to Christianity. However, he was disappointed that Christianity also considered Dalits as Dalits. He died in 1937.

T. Subrahmanian Thirumump

T. Subrahmanian Thirumump is famous as a freedom fighter, poet and communist activist. He was born in 1906 in Cheruvathur, Kasaragod district, in a Brahmin Naduvazhi family. He was attracted by the activities of the Indian National Congress and joined the national movement. He actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha and Guruvayur Satyagraha. He wrote a song for the procession that went to Payyannur for the Salt Satyagraha led by K. Kelappan. He was imprisoned for participating in the civil disobedience movement. After going to prison, his relatives expelled him from the community. He led the peasant struggles led by the Communist Party in North Malabar. Karthiyani Amma, who led the Tholvirak struggle in 1946, is Subrahmanian Thirumump's wife. He withdrew from politics after independence. Subrahmanian Thirumump has been described as the singing sword of Kerala. He passed away in 1984. 

C. Krishna Pillai

C. Krishna Pillai was a social reformer and teacher in Travancore. He was born in 1851 in Pattam, Thiruvananthapuram. He campaigned against the immoralities of the Nair community and became known as a community energizer. Although he was a contemporary of Chattampi Swami, he was not his disciple. However, he implemented the Swami's thoughts and advice among the Nair communities. The magazine Samudaya Parishkarini that he started strongly reacted against the immoralities of the community. In 1884, he founded a community reform organization called Malayali Sabha. The Travancore Nair Samajam, which he founded by merging village organizations, was later transformed into the Keraleeya Nair Samajam in 1905. He died in 1915.

Vadapuram P.K.Bava

Vadapuram P.K. Bava, a native of Kompady in Alappuzha, is known as the father of the labor movement in Kerala. He formed the first labor organization in Kerala in 1922. The organization's initial name was Alappuzha Coir Factory Workers' Union. The name of the labor union was later changed to 'Travancore Labor Association'. The Travancore Labor Association was formed in Alappuzha.

At the age of 18, he joined the Darragh Smail & Company, a coir factory owned by Irishman James Darragh. He lost his job after P.K. Bava spoke out against the labor abuses that took place in the factory. Later, he worked in some other companies and became a foreman and yard superintendent at the Empire Coir Works. With the help of the company's owner, Abba Seth, he founded an organization called the Labor Union. About 300 workers met under the leadership of P.K. Bava in Vadappuram under the Labor Union against the exploitation of white capitalists. The factory manager, Saip, was stopped by the Labor Union and a form of protest called "Gherao" was initiated. P.K. Bava also initiated the practice of paying wages in advance to workers on the occasion of Onam, called "Onam Advance". Bava and his associates supported the Indian National Movement and the Renaissance Movement that was going on at that time. Workers of the Labor Union participated in the Vaikom Satyagraha under the leadership of Bava.

The first newspaper for the workers was Tahsildar in 1925-26. Its founder and editor-in-chief was Bava. An admirer of Sree Narayana Guru and T.K. Madhavan, Bava also worked for the middle class. He taught the workers who were leaving the mill to make ladders. In 1938, when trade unionists were arrested in connection with a coir strike in Alappuzha, he demonstrated to get them released. Bava was martyred in the police beating that followed.

K. Devayani

K. Devayani was an early communist leader and freedom fighter in Kerala. She was born in Punnapra in 1922. She was an active worker of the Atmavidya Sangham in the early days. She was the secretary of the Ambalapuzha Taluk Kairupiri Workers' Union, the first workers' organization for women in Kerala, established in 1936. Her political guru was P. Krishna Pillai. She led the agricultural strike held in the Kalarkode fields and the Punnapra Vayalar strike. She passed away on October 7, 1999.

Kaumudi Teacher

Kaumudi Teacher is famous as an Indian freedom fighter and teacher. She was born in Vadakara, Kozhikode in 1917. On 7 January 1934, at Gandhiji's reception held at the Basel Mission School, Vadakara, she donated all the gold ornaments she was wearing at the age of 16 to the Harijan Welfare Fund. Gandhiji honored this donation by giving Kaumudi an autograph saying, "Your sacrifice is your greatest ornament." Gandhiji wrote an article titled "Kaumudi ki Tyag" in the newspaper Harijan. In the article, Gandhiji described Kaumudi as a 'girl who walked with the times'. Later, she participated in the freedom struggle in Malabar. She participated in the mixed meal organized in Koyilandy under the leadership of Kasturba Gandhi. From 1938, she worked as a Hindi teacher in various schools in Malabar. She also worked in Acharya Vinoba Bhave's Bhoodhan movement. She passed away on 4 August 2009 .

Mary Poonen Lukose

The first woman to become a member of the Legislative Assembly in India was a Malayali; Dr. Mary Poonen Lukose, a native of Kottayam. She became a member of the Travancore Legislative Council in 1922. Mary also holds the records of being the first woman Surgeon General in India, the first woman to study at Maharaja's College (now University College) in Thiruvananthapuram, the first woman graduate from Travancore, and the first Malayali woman to study medicine abroad. Dr. Mary Poonen Lukose, the first Malayali woman surgeon, performed the first caesarean section in Kerala. It was at the Thycaud Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram in March 1920. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 1975 .

Rosamma Punnoose

Rosamma Punnoose is a woman who holds the distinction of being the first person to take oath as a member of the Kerala Legislative Assembly, the first person to sign as an MLA, the first pro tem speaker, and the first person to contest a by-election in Kerala. A native of Kanjirappally, Rosamma entered politics by leading a march of lakhs of volunteers to the Travancore Royal Palace in 1938 along with her sister Akkamma Cherian. Rosamma, who was the Devikulam MLA from 1957-1959, also won the 1958 by-election. Her husband P.T. Punnoose was a Member of Parliament from 1957-1962.

Annie Mascarene

Annie Mascarene was an Indian freedom fighter and a Lok Sabha member from Thiruvananthapuram. Annie Mascarene is a Malayali woman who holds many records including being the first woman elected to the Lok Sabha from Kerala, the first woman minister from Kerala, the first woman member of Parliament from the cabinet in South. Before being elected to the Lok Sabha, Annie Mascarene was a member of the Thiru-Kochi Legislative Assembly.  

Akkamma Cherian

Known as the 'Jhansi Rani' of Travancore. Born in 1909 in Kanjirapally, Kottayam.   Father - Thomman Cherian, mother - Annamma. A brave woman who made a place in history by leading the Congress in the historic struggle against the Diwan C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer regime. She held the post of acting president of the Travancore State Congress. During the Responsible Governance agitation, she led the Rajdhani March from Thampanoor to Kowdiar under the leadership of Akkamma Cherian. Rosamma Punnoose, a member of the first Kerala Legislative Assembly, is the sister of Akkamma Cherian.

Anna Chandy

Anna Chandy is the first woman Munsif in India and a Malayali. Anna earned this rare honor when she was appointed as Munsif in Nagercoil in 1937. Anna is also the first woman to hold this position in a Commonwealth country (a country that was once a British colony). Anna Chandy also holds the titles of the first woman Sessions Judge in India, the first woman High Court Judge in India, and the first woman lawyer in Travancore.

A.V.Kuttimalu Amma

Born on 23 April 1905 at home in Anakkara, Ponnani taluk, Malabar Province. Father - Perumbilavil Govinda Menon. Mother - Madhaviyamma. A.V. Kuttimalu Amma was one of the rare women from Kerala who participated in the Indian freedom struggle. Kuttimalu Amma started social work in 1930. She worked from the forefront in carrying out non-cooperation and lawbreaking against the British rule. Kuttimalu Amma led the start of the Swadeshi movement. Kuttimalu Amma spent about five years in jail for participating in the freedom struggle. In the 1936 Madras elections, Kuttimalu Amma and her husband Madhava Menon were elected on a Congress ticket from the urban seat in Malabar. As an active worker of the Indian National Congress, Kuttimalu Amma was one of those appointed by Gandhiji for Individual satyagraha in 1940. He participated in the Quit India Movement in 1942 and was imprisoned in the Presidency Jail in Amaravati for two years. He took the initiative to establish an orphanage and a children's home in Kozhikode. He died in 1985.

Arya Pallam

Arya Pallam was a famous renaissance heroine in Kerala. Born in Valluvanad in 1908. She was an activist of Yogakshema Sabha. During the Indian independence movement, she was at the forefront of organizing widow intermarriage and Panthibhojanam. She was a colleague of prominent figures such as V.T. Bhattathiripad and EMS. Following the advise of V.T. Bhattathiripad, she led the Namboothiri women's veil boycott march along with Parvathy Nenminimangalam. She passed away in 1989.

Parvathy Nenminimangalam

Parvathy Nenminimangalam was one of the famous Namboothiri renaissance heroines of Kerala. Born in 1911 in Irinjalakuda. Father - Vishnu Namboothiri. Mother - Saraswathi Antharjanam. She was an activist of Yogakshema Sabha. Nenminimangalam led the women's veil boycott movement. She contributed a major role in forming Antharjana Samajam. Died in 1947.

Lakshmi N Menon

Lakshmi N. Menon was a prominent woman in Indian politics for over fifty years. Lakshmi Nandan Menon was born in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. Lakshmi's father, M. Ramavarma Thampan was a writer and teacher. She completed her primary education at Maharaja's High School in Thiruvananthapuram and later obtained a bachelor's and master's degree in economics. She initially worked as a school teacher, but later served as a college teacher.

Lakshmi, a member of the UN General Assembly in 1948, 50, 53 and 54, was elected as the President of the All India Women's Conference from 1955 to 59. A member of the Rajya Sabha, she was the Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister from 1952 to 57. She worked for the social and political upliftment of women and was also a woman who inspired women to enter the mainstream of society. Lakshmi, who opposed child marriage, got married at the age of 30. She was married to V.K. Nandan Menon, the first Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kerala. Lakshmi N. Menon, who served as the Minister of External Affairs from 1957 to 1966 in the Jawaharlal Nehru cabinet, was the first woman Foreign Minister of India. She died on 30 November 1994.

K.R. Gouri Amma

K.R. Gouri Amma holds the records of being the longest serving member of the Legislative Assembly in Kerala, the longest serving woman minister, and the oldest minister. Being a member of the most number of Legislative Assemblies, winning the most Assembly elections and contesting the most Assembly elections - these are also rare honors that she holds. Gowri Amma contested all the elections held in Tirukochi and Kerala since the 1948 elections to the Travancore Legislative Assembly : a total of sixteen times , winning thirteen ; she was defeated in 1948, 1977, and 2006.