Renaissance Movements in Kerala

The Kerala Renaissance was the social and religious reform movement during the 19th and early 20th centuries, led by leaders like Sree Narayana Guru, Ayyankali and Chattampi Swamikal. It aimed to destroy rigid caste rules, stop unfair treatment of lower castes, and spread education for everyone. Some of the movements started in association with Renaissance are as follows.

Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP)

During his visit to Mysore, Swami Vivekananda met Dr. Palpu. The Swami understood Palpu's determination to fight against the upper caste system. The doctor sought Swami's advice on how to fight against the caste system. Vivekananda advised that the movement needed the leadership of a yogi who had extraordinary influence among the people. Thus, Palpu approached Sree Narayana Guru and founded Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam (SNDP).

The SNDP was founded in 1903. The Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam was registered on May 15 with the aim of uplifting the Ezhava community. Sree Narayana Guru was elected as the life president of the SNDP and Kumaranasan as the secretary (till 1919 ). In 1904 , ' Vivekodayam ' was started as a bi-monthly from Thiruvananthapuram as the mouthpiece of the SNDP meeting with Kumaranasan as the editor. Many backward community upliftment organizations were also established under the inspiration of this organization.

Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangam

With the aim of uplifting the socio-economic and educational status of the downtrodden, the ' Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangam ' was formed under the leadership of Ayyankali in Venganur near Thiruvananthapuram. The main objectives of the ' Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangam ' formed by Ayyankali in 1907 were to allow all lower castes to travel freely on public roads and to allow them to enter schools.

Yogakshema Sabha 

The Yogakshema Sabha was formed in Aluva on January 31, 1908, with the aim of reforming the Namboothiri community. The Yogakshema Sabha was an organization formed on the day of Shivaratri in 1908 with the aim of humanizing the Namboothiri without compromising priestly and feudalism. The Yogakshema Sabha was formed at a meeting held at the residence of the Cherumukku priest in Aluva under the chairmanship of Shankaran Namboothiripad in Deshamangalam. Kurur Unni Namboothiripad led the organization in the early years. Prominent people from other communities also participated in the early annual general meetings. Women's conferences were also held with the participation of prominent Brahmin women. Although the early activities were to learn English, educate men, and run a bank and estate, the Yogakshema Sabha later emerged as a corrective force against the immoral practices in Namboothiri homes.

Samatva Samajam

Vaikunda Swamikal was a social reformer who fought against the rights of the castes and the shortcomings of the monarchy. He founded the 'Samatva Samajam', which is considered to be the first social organization in Kerala, in Suchindram in 1836. He gave strength to the idea that all humans are equal. Vaikunda Swamikal had the idea that God is reflected in everyone. On this basis, Vaikunda Swamikal performed the Kannadi Pratishtha in 1851. He instructed the working class to 'do not work if you are not paid'. He also advised them to wear turbans, which was the right of only the upper castes.

Atmavidya Sangham

Vagbhatananda was a great personality who sowed the seeds of social reform in the minds of his listeners with the magic of his speech. In 1917, Vagbhatananda established the 'Atmavidya Sangham' in Travancore and Malabar. The main objective of the organization was religious reform. In 1921, the Atmavidya Sangham started its mouthpiece 'Abhinava Keralam'. He tried to dispel superstitions using the means of reason until the end. He strongly opposed idol worship and the caste system and paid special attention to social reform. He convinced the people of the relevance of Madhyavarjana by quoting ancient scriptures. Prominent figures like Kunnoth Kunjekku Gurukkal, Karappayil Kanaran Master, Dharmadheeran, Kayyala Chekku, and Paleri Chanthamman took the initiative to establish the Atmavidya Sangham. K. Devayani, P. Bhargaviamma, and M. Lakshmikkuttyamma are the main leaders of the women's wing.

Travancore Cheramar Mahasabha

In 1921, Pampady John Joseph formed an organization called 'Travancore Cheramar Mahasabha'. He spoke out against the discrimination faced by those who converted to Christianity. The magazine Sadhujanadoothan, started under his leadership in 1919, later became the mouthpiece of the organization. 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. The freedom of movement demonstration held in Kottayam under the leadership of John for the freedom of movement of Dalits was an event that raised the self-esteem of Dalits.

Sahodara Sangam

Sahodaran Ayyappan was a social reformer who was an uncompromising rationalist and a casteist. He started the Samastha Kerala Sahodara Sangam in 1917 with the aim of eliminating untouchability. He also started a magazine called 'Sahodaran' under the leadership of the 'Vidyaposhini' cultural organization to propagate the ideology. Through 'Sahodaran', Ayyappan spread the egalitarian ideas of Marx, Lenin and others among the public. The movement raised its voice against caste-related customs. The ultimate goal of the Sahodara Sangam was the destruction of caste through mixed marriages and mixed food. The Jati Rakshasa Dahanam was a movement led by the Sahodara Sangam against the caste system in 1917.

Nair Service Society (NSS)

Mannathu Padmanabhan is a great man who started the reformation by fighting against the superstitions and immoralities that existed in the Nair community. Under the leadership of Mannathu Padmanabhan, the first form of the Nair Service Society, 'Nair Brithya Jana Sangham', was formed on October 31, 1914, at Mannathu Bhavan in Perunna, Changanassery. Mannathu Padmanabhan formed the NSS based on the 'Servants of India Society' formed by Gopalakrishna Gokhale in 1905. K. Kelappan served as the founding president of the Nair Brithya Jana Sangham and Mannathu Padmanabhan as the first secretary. On July 11, 1915, the Nair Brithya Jana Sangham adopted the name Nair Service Society. Other prominent figures who worked for the upliftment of the Nair community include Changanassery Parameswaran Pillai, Ambalappat Damodaranasaan, and Kalathil Velayudhan Nair.

Ananda Mahasabha

Brahmananda Shivayogi was a social reformer who was famous as the founder of Ananda religion and a rationalist. His former name was Govinda Menon. Govinda, who became a rationalist during his studies, questioned superstitions. He began to react against immoral practices by establishing a Siddha ashram at Vanur in Alathur. In 1918, Brahmananda Shivayogi founded the Ananda Mahasabha. He advocated for transcendental spirituality and opposed all religious movements. Shivayogi, who was a strong critic of Advaita thought and idol worship, gave importance to Shaktism. He advised to reject arguments that were against reason. He authentically argued that animal sacrifice and untouchability were not suitable for a civilized society.

Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha

Poikayil Yohannan, also known as Kumaragurudevan, was a philanthropist who dedicated his life to the liberation of the oppressed Dalit people. He learned to read and write and became a teacher with the help of missionaries. He converted to Christianity after being influenced by the caste system of Hinduism, but there he faced only neglect and humiliation. He left the Marthoma Church in the name of caste discrimination and became the savior of Dalit Christians. The teacher aimed at the upliftment of the marginalized sections of Christianity. He also urged the weaker communities that the untouchables of today are the descendants of the primitive Dravidians. In 1909, he established the 'Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha' with its headquarters in Iraviperoor, Pathanamthitta for the lower castes. He formed the organization by incorporating the essence of Hindu and Christian religions. It was Poikayil Yohannan who solved the Kozhukuchira riots of 1913 over the seizure of agricultural land by the downtrodden. Yohannan advised his congregation to marry regardless of caste. He also advised believers in the Church of the Manifest Savior of the World to add the suffix 'Kumar' to their names.

Atma Bodhodaya Sangham

Subhananda Gurudevan was a social reformer who dedicated his life to eradicating immorality and superstition. Born in 1882 in Budhanoor, near Chengannur, into the Sambhava community, Subhananda Gurudevan formed the Atma Bodhodaya Sangham. The Sangham was established in 1926 for the purpose of social change based on spirituality. Subhananda Guru also embraced the message of Sree Narayana Guru that there should be one caste, one religion, and one God for humanity. In 1932, he registered the Atma Bodhodaya Sangh in Mavelikkara to propagate the idea.

Islam Dharma Paripalana Sangham

Vakkom Abdul Khader Moulavi was a great figure who fought against the degeneration of the Muslim community by destroying the conservative forces that stood against social change and rationalism among the Muslims of Kerala. The organization he started on the model of the SNDP is the Islam Dharma Paripalana Sangham. The organization was established in 1918 at Nilakkamukku in Vakkom Panchayat. Vakkom Moulavi, who had close ties with Sahodharan Ayyappan and Sree Narayana Guru, was also close to the national movement. The movements he started for the renewal and unity of the Muslim community were the All Travancore Muslim Mahajana Sabha, Kerala Muslim Aikya Sangham, Muslim Samajam (Chirayinkeezhu), Dharmaposhini Sabha, etc.

Kerala Muslim Aikya Sangham

During 1922-23, with the advise of Vakkom Abdul Khader Maulavi, the Kerala Muslim Aikya Sangham came into being with its headquarters at Kodungalur. Its prominent leaders were Sheikh Hamadani Thangal, Manappat Kunju Muhammed, Seethi Muhammed, K.M. Maulavi, K.M. Seethisahib and M.C.C. Abdur Rahman. Vakkom Maulavi presided over the first session of the Sangham. The Aikya Sangham continued its activities by criticizing the immoral practices of the Muslim community, starting educational institutions and publishing pamphlets.

Kochi Pulaya Mahasabha

The Kochi Pulaya Mahasabha was established with the aim of unifying the Pulayas of Kochi and bringing about social reform. The Pulaya Mahasabha was established in Kochi for the underprivileged people as a continuation of the Sadhujana Paripalana Sangam established by Ayyankali in Travancore in 1907. The Kochi Pulaya Mahasabha was led by social reformers Krishnadi asan and Pandit Karuppan, who worked for the upliftment of the Pulayas. In April 1913, they assembled in the Kochi Lake by tying together boats and making a raft and forming the Pulaya Mahasabha. K.C. Krishnadi asan became the first president and P.C. Chanchan became the first secretary. After K.C. Krishnadi asan, K.P. Vallon served as the president of the Kochi Pulaya Mahasabha.

Kerala Pulayar Mahasabha

The Kerala Pulaya Mahasabha (KPMS) was established in 1970 with the aim of unifying the Pulayas in Kerala and promoting social reform. The Kerala Pulaya Mahasabha was formed under the leadership of P.K.Chathan Master, who was the Minister of Local Self-Government and Scheduled Caste Welfare in the first cabinet of Kerala. Under the leadership of P.K.Chathan Master, the Pulaya organizations in the Kochi and Travancore regions were coordinated and formed into a single organization in 1970.

Carmelite of Mary Immaculate

Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara is a great man who made unforgettable contributions to the education and printing sectors of Kerala. The congregation he started in 1831 later became the Carmelite Order of Mary Immaculate (CMI). CMI is known as the first Christian monastic congregation in India. Palakkal Thoma Malpan and Porukara Thomas are the other founding leaders. He also founded the Congregation of the Mothers of Carmel (CMC), a nun congregation. The work done by Christian missionaries to spread Western education and free thought has influenced the social renaissance of Kerala.

Kerala Antya Janodharana Sangham

The Kerala Antya Janodharana Sangham was formed when Gandhiji visited Kerala for the third time in 1927 as part of his South Indian tour. The Kerala Antya Janodharana Sangham was formed at the Harijan Sammelan held under the chairmanship of Gandhiji at Paran Square, Kozhikode, with C. Krishnan as the president and Kelappan as the secretary. Later, this group worked under the name Adhi Keralaodharana Sangham.

Sanatana Dharma Vidyarthi Sangam

Swami Aagamanandan is famous as a spiritual revolutionary and orator. His real name was 'Krishnan Nambiathiri'. Born into the Namboodiri community, he was always troubled by the caste system and injustices in Hinduism. During his high school studies in Mavelikkara (1915), he formed the 'Sanatana Vidyarthi Sangam'. Chattambi Swami and his disciple Neelakanta Tirthapada were his guides in life. After taking up sannyas in 1928, he became known as Swami Aagamanandan. In 1936, he established the Sri Ramakrishna Ashram in Kalady. Later, he also started the Brahmanandodayam Sanskrit Vidyalaya. In 1950, he established a college in Kalady. Swami, who wrote books like Vivekananda Sandesham and Sri Shankara Bhagavad Gita Antharyam, started magazines like Prabuddha Keralam and Amritavani. Swami Aagamanandan passed away in 1961.

Ezhava Mahasabha

In 1884, Dr Palpu took admission to study medicine but was rejected on the grounds of his caste. Later, after completing his medical degree from Madras, he applied for a job in Travancore, but that too was rejected. The Ezhavas were denied jobs in government service and were denied admission to schools, and in 1896, the Ezhava Mahasabha (Greater Ezhava Association) was formed for the Ezhavas under the leadership of Dr. Palpu. The Ezhava Mahasabha took the initiative and submitted a huge petition signed by 13,176 people to the Travancore government demanding that Ezhavas be allowed to enter public schools and that educated Ezhava youths be given jobs in government service so that they would not have to go outside Travancore to find jobs. This is known as the 'Ezhava Memorial' of 1896.

Brahma Prathyaksha Sadhujana Paripalana Sangham (BPSJPS)

Kavarikulam Kandan Kumaran was a socialist and social reformer in the Travancore Sreemulam Praja Sabha for a long period of ten and a half years. For the upliftment of the Paraya community in Travancore, Kumaran, along with his peers and like-minded people, founded the Brahma Prathyaksha Sadhujana Paripalana Sangham on August 29, 1911 in Changanassery. The Brahma Prathyaksha Sadhujana Paripalana Sangham played an important role in the education and social advancement of the lower classes.

Himayathul Islam Sabha

The first Muslim revival movement in Kerala is known as the Himayathul Islam Sabha, founded in Kozhikode in 1889. The Himayathul Islam Sabha was also an organization that worked in the Malabar region for the advancement of education among the Muslim community.

Hidayathul Muslimeen Sabha

Hidayathul Muslimeen Sabha is an organization that was started in Eranad as part of the Muslim renaissance. Hidayathul Muslimeen Sabha was established in Manjeri in 1897.

Lajanathul Muhammadiya Sangam

Lajanathul Muhammadiya Sangam is an organization that worked towards the social and cultural upliftment of the Muslim community in Travancore. Lajanathul Muhammadiya Sangam is an organization founded by N.H. Muhammadkutty at the instigation of Abdul Khader Maulavi. Lajanathul Muhammadiya Sangam was founded in 1915, centered in Alappuzha.

Maunathul Islam Sabha

Maunathul Islam Sabha is an organization that was established in 1900 with the main objective of spreading the Muslim religion in Kerala. Maunathul Islam Sabha was established with its headquarters in Ponnani. Maliyakkal Pookoya Thangal served as the first president of Maunathul Islam Sabha and Puthiyakath Kunjibawa Musaliyar as the first general secretary.

Araya Vamsa Paripalana Yogam

Dr. Velukutty Arayan was a multi-faceted genius who excelled in science, literature, organization, politics, journalism and art. In 1916, the Cheriazheekkal Araya Vamsa Paripalana Yogam was formed under the leadership of Velukutty Arayan. This organization later grew into the Keraliya Araya Mahajana Yogam. Other organizations founded by Velukutty Arayan include the Araya Service Society, Akhila Thiruvithamkoor Navika Thozhilali Sangam, Travancore Mineral Workers' Union and Travancore Rashtriya Mahasabha.

Araya Samaj

The great scholar K.P. Karuppan is famous as a poet, leader of the Dheevara community, and a social reformer among the Arayas. The first social reformer in the Cochin princely state, Karuppan founded the 'Araya Samajam' in 1907 to protect the rights of the communities. He later worked to spread the activities of the Araya Samajam. His works 'Jatikummi', 'Udyanavirunu', and 'Balakesham' were successful in raising public sentiment against caste-based injustices. 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 'Vidhwan' by Kerala Varma Valiyakoyithampuran.

Social Reform Movements and Founders

1. Sree Narayana Dharma Paripala Yogam (SNDP) - Sree Narayana Guru

2. Nair Service Society (NSS) - Mannath Padmanabhan

3. Yogakshema Sabha - V.T. Bhattathiripad

4. Namboothiri Yuva Jana Sangham - V.T. Bhattathiripad

5. Atma Bodhodaya Sangham - Subhananda Guru

6. Atmabodhini Sangham - Subhananda Guru

7. Ezhava Mahasabha - Dr. Palpu

8. Malabar Economic Union - Dr. Palpu

9. Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha - Poikayil Yohannan (Kumaraguru)

10. Muslim Aikya Sangham - Vakkom Abdul Khader Maulavi

11. All Travancore Muslim Mahajana Sabha - Vakkom Abdul Khader Maulavi

12. Sadhujana Paripalana Sangam - Ayyankali

13. Kalyanadayini Sabha (Anapuzha, Kodungallur), Prabodha Chandrodaya Sabha (North Paravur), Jnanodayam Sabha (Edakochi), Sudharma Suryodaya Sabha (Thevara), Araya Vamsho Dharini Sabha (Engandiyoor), Sanmarga Pradeepa Sabha (Kumbalam), Araya Samajam, Akhila Kerala Araya Mahasabha, Vala Samudaya Parirakshana Sabha (Thevara), Kochi Pulaya Mahasabha (1913), Vala Seva Samiti (Vaikom) - Pandit KP Karuppan

14. Araya Vamsa Paripalana Yogam, Samastha Kerala Araya Mahajana Yogam, Travancore Rashtriya Mahasabha, Akhila Thiruvithamkoor Navika Thozhilali Sangam - Dr. Velukutty Aryan

15. Dharma Bhada Sangam - Swami Bodhananda

16. Ezhava Association - TK Madhavan

17. Kerala Sahadora Sangham - Sahodaran Ayyappan

18. Jathi Nashini Sabha - Ananda Tirthan 

19. Samathva Samajam - Vaikunda Swamikal

20. Ayyavazhi - Vaikunda Swamikal

21. Atmavidya Sangham - Vagbhatananda

22. Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society - Vagbhatananda

23. Anandamata (Religion of Bliss) - Brahmananda Shivayogi

24. Ananda Mahasabha - Brahmananda Shivayogi

25. Hindu Pulaya Samajam - Kurumban Daivathan

26. Kerala Pulaya Mahasabha - PK Chathan Master

27. Bhashaposhini Sabha - Kandhathil Varghese Mappila

28. Malayali Sabha - C. Krishna Pillai

29. Muhammadiya Sabha - Makti Thangal

30. Travancore Cheramar Mahasabha - Pampady John Joseph