Kerala Renaissance Leaders / Renaissance of Kerala / Kerala PSC Notes / Study materials

Kerala Renaissance Leaders / Renaissance of Kerala / Kerala PSC Notes / Study materials

Thycaud Ayya (1814-1909)

Ayya Vaikundar (1809-1851)

Brahmananda Swami Shivayogi (1852-1929)

Chattambi Swamikal (1853-1924)

Nair reformist
Born in Kannammola, Trivandrum
Real name was Kunjan Pillai
Literary Works : Advaita Chintha Paddhathi, Vedadikara Nirupanam, Pracheena Malayalam, Vedaantha Saaram etc...
Quotation : The whole universe is one mind. Between mind and mind there is no vacuum
Swamikal died at Panmana, Kollam. Chattambi Swami memorial is also at Panmana

Sree Narayana Guru (1856-1928)

Father of Kerala Renaissance
Born in Chempazhanthy in an Ezhava family (Vayalvarathu veedu)
The parents of sree Narayana Guru were Madanasan and Kuttiyamma
He met Chattampi Swamikal at Aniyur temple near Chempazhanthy
Erected a temple to Shiva at Aruvippuram in 1888. Last temple consecrated by Guru is at Kalavancode, Alappuzha
SNDP Yogam was founded in 1903 and Guru became the life time President and Kumaranasan as Secretary
Major Literary Works : Atmopadesh Satakam, Nirvriti Panchakam, Darsanamala, Jatimeemamsa, Ardhanareeswara Sthothram, Daiva Dasakam, Gajendra Moksham Vanchippattu
Tagore met Guru at his ashram in Sivagiri in November 1922. Kumaranasan was the translator of their conversation
Gandhiji visited Guru at Sivagiri in 1925
Consecrated a mirror, with the message Om Shanti, in a temple in Kalavankode
His famous saying was "One Caste, One Religion, One God for man" (gave at Advaitasrama)
Died in Sivagiri, Varkala
Only Keralite whose birthday and death anniversary are observed as holidays

Dr.Palpu (1863-1950)

Ayyathan Gopalan (1863-1949)

Barrister G.P Pillai (1864-1903)

Govindan Paramaswaran Pillai, commonly known as Barrister G.P Pillai, was born in Pallippuram, Thiruvananthapuram, India, in an aristocratic Nair family
He played a major role in the formation of Malayali Memorial in 1891
He established the first English language newspaper in South India, the Madras Standard. He wrote many articles against the oppressive rule of Travancore Diwan CP Ramaswami Iyer.

Ayyankali (1863-1941)

Pulaya reformer
Born in Venganoor, Thiruvananthapuram
Advocated for the right for Pulayas to walk along the public roads in Travancore
In 1907 he founded the Sadhu Jana Paripalana Yogam, which later became Pulaya Maha Sabha
Gandhiji visited Ayyankali in 1934 and called him 'Pulayaraja'
He was nominated to Srimulam Prajasabha in 1910 and remained in office for 25 years
He was the first person from depressed classes to be nominated to Travancore Legislative Assembly
Leader of first strike of Agriculture labourers in Travancore

C Krishnan / Mithavadi Krishnan (1867-)

Started a newspaper called Mithavaadi (Reformist) which got name as the 'Bible' of the socially depressed
Active leader of SNDP
He was the main organiser of the Thali Road Strike against various social prejudices
After converting to Buddhism, he campaigned to convert the Ezhavas to Buddhism. As part of it, he started Mahabodhi Buddha Mission in Kozhikode. He conducted Maha Buddha Conference in 1925 at Kozhikode. A Buddha temple was also built by him.
He was against the Indian National Congress and Mahatma Gandhi. He wanted the freedom of the oppressed classes to be attained before the nation achieved freedom.

Kerala Renaissance Leaders / Renaissance of Kerala / Kerala PSC Notes / Study materials

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