The Reformation movement in Kerala refers to a socio-cultural movement that began towards the end of 19th century and led to large scale changes in the social outlook of the southern

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

state State may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Literature * ''State Magazine'', a monthly magazine published by the U.S. Department of State * ''The State'' (newspaper), a daily newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, United States * ''Our S ...

Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...

Background

The foundations of social changes in Kerala go back to the 16th century. The development of the modern form of the

Malayalam language Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 22 scheduled languages of India. Malayalam was des ...

and the creation of the

Bhakti movement The Bhakti movement was a significant religious movement in medieval Hinduism that sought to bring religious reforms to all strata of society by adopting the method of devotion to achieve salvation. Originating in Tamilakam during 6th centur ...

under the influence of authors like

Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan Thunchaththu Ramanujan Ezhuthachan (, ) (Malayalam: തുഞ്ചത്ത് രാമാനുജൻ എഴുത്തച്ഛൻ) (Floruit, ''fl.'' 16th century) was a Malayalam devotional poet, translator and linguist from Kerala, sout ...

helped break the monopoly of the

Brahmin Brahmin (; sa, ब्राह्मण, brāhmaṇa) is a varna as well as a caste within Hindu society. The Brahmins are designated as the priestly class as they serve as priests (purohit, pandit, or pujari) and religious teachers (guru ...

s over literature and knowledge. The arrival of Europeans, beginning with the Portuguese followed by the Dutch and English, became a catalyst for these changes. The arrival of missionaries from European nations lead to a rise in educational institutions in Kerala. The social hierarchy in Kerala was based on caste, unlike the four-fold ''

varna Varna may refer to: Places Europe *Varna, Bulgaria, a city in Bulgaria **Varna Province **Varna Municipality ** Gulf of Varna **Lake Varna **Varna Necropolis *Vahrn, or Varna, a municipality in Italy *Varniai, a city in Lithuania * Varna (Šaba ...

'' division found elsewhere in India. In Kerala, the

Malayali Brahmins The terms Malayali Brahmins (also known as Malayala Brahmanar) and Kerala Brahmins apply to the group of Brahmins from the Indian state of Kerala. These groups include the Nambudiri, Pushpaka Unni, Nambeesan, Nambidi, Moothath (Moosad), Ilayath, Ch ...

formed the top and priestly class, while the

Samantha Kshatriya The Samantha Kshatriya are a community of Nair ruling elites and feudal land owners who have historically lived in the Kingdom of Cochin and Kingdom of Travancore in Kerala, India. They share most of their history, traditions, culture and customs ...

and

Nair The Nair , also known as Nayar, are a group of Indian Hindu castes, described by anthropologist Kathleen Gough as "not a unitary group but a named category of castes". The Nair include several castes and many subdivisions, not all of whom histor ...

s formed the other upper, military, and ruling classes. Beside the

Hindu Hindus (; ) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism.Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pages 35–37 Historically, the term has also been used as a geographical, cultural, and later religious identifier for ...

upper caste Brahmin and Nair communities, there were also

Christians Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

and

Muslims Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abraha ...

, everyone else from

Ezhava The Ezhavas () are a community with origins in the region of India presently known as Kerala, where in the 2010s they constituted about 23% of the population and were reported to be the largest Hindu community. They are also known as ''Ilhava'' ...

s to

Pulaya The Pulayar (also Pulaya, Pulayas, Cherumar, Cheramar, and Cheraman) is a caste group mostly found in the southern part of India, forming one of the main social groups in modern-day Kerala, Karnataka and historically in Tamil Nadu. Tradition ...

s were considered lower castes. These lower castes had to abide

untouchability Untouchability is a form of social institution that legitimises and enforces practices that are discriminatory, humiliating, exclusionary and exploitative against people belonging to certain social groups. Although comparable forms of discrimin ...

and ritualistic pollution norms enforced by the upper castes. The changes in the political order of Kerala with the establishment of centralized monarchies in

Travancore The Kingdom of Travancore ( /ˈtrævənkɔːr/), also known as the Kingdom of Thiruvithamkoor, was an Indian kingdom from c. 1729 until 1949. It was ruled by the Travancore Royal Family from Padmanabhapuram, and later Thiruvananthapuram. At ...

and

Cochin Kochi (), also known as Cochin ( ) ( the official name until 1996) is a major port city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of K ...

, leading to the decline of the old feudal order, were also a crucial factor that set the stage for reformation. The

Mysorean invasion of Kerala The Mysorean invasion of Malabar (1766 –1792) was the military invasion of the Malabar region of Kerala, including the territories of the Zamorin of Calicut, by the then-''de facto'' ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore, Hyder Ali. After the invas ...

(1766–1792) shook the hold of the caste hierarchy in Kerala. Although the Mysoreans tried establishing an

Islamic State An Islamic state is a State (polity), state that has a form of government based on sharia, Islamic law (sharia). As a term, it has been used to describe various historical Polity, polities and theories of governance in the Islamic world. As a t ...

in Malabar, their advances were thwarted by the

Britishers British people or Britons, also known colloquially as Brits, are the citizens of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the British Overseas Territories, and the Crown dependencies.: British nationality law governs mod ...

. In contrast with North India, renaissance in Kerala was driven by lower castes. Major reformist leaders like

Narayana Guru Narayana Guru, , (20 August 1856 – 20 September 1928) was a philosopher, spiritual leader and social reformer in India. He led a reform movement against the injustice in the caste-ridden society of Kerala in order to promote spiritual ...

Ayyankali Ayyankali (28 August 1863 – 18 June 1941) was an Indian politician, prominent social reformer, educator, economist, lawmaker, and a revolutionary leader. He worked for the advancement of the oppressed people in the princely state of Travancor ...

and others belonged to caste groups considered lower in the social settings of 19th century Kerala. Hence, most of them emphasized the need for abolition of the caste system rather than its reformation.

Leaders

Prominent leaders of Kerala reformation include : *

Mannathu Padmanabhan Mannathu Padmanabhan (2 January 1878 – 25 February 1970) was an Indian social reformer and freedom fighter from the south-western state of Kerala. He is recognised as the founder of the Nair Service Society (NSS), which represents the Na ...

Chattampi Swamikal Chattampi Swamikal (25 August 1853 – 5 May 1924) was a Hindu sage and social reformer. His thoughts and work influenced the launching of many social, religious, literary and political organisations and movements in Kerala and for the first ti ...

Sahodaran Ayyappan Kumbalathuparambu Ayyappan (August 21, 1889 – March 6, 1968), better identified as Sahodaran Ayyappan , was a social reformer, thinker, rationalist, journalist, and politician from Kerala, India. A vocal follower of Sree Narayana Guru, he was ...

* Dr. Padmanabhan Palpu *

Kumaran Asan Mahakavi Kumaran Asan (Malayalam: എൻ. കുമാരൻ ആശാൻ) (12 April 1873 – 16 January 1924) was a poet of Malayalam literature, Indian social reformer and a philosopher. He is known to have initiated a revolution in Malayalam ...

* Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan *

Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi Karatt Govinda Menon (26 August 1852 – 10 September 1929), better known as Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi, was an Indian ''sanyasi'' from present-day Kerala who founded the Ananda Maha Sabha in 1918. He proposed Anandadarsam or Anandamadham ...

. * Vaghbhatananda *

Nitya Chaitanya Yati Nitya Chaitanya Yati (2 November 1924 – 14 May 1999) was an Indian philosopher, psychologist, author and poet, best known for his commentaries on Advaita Vedanta as well as his literary criticisms. He was a disciple of Nataraja Guru, the succe ...

Nataraja Guru Nataraja Guru (born P. Natarajan, 18 February 1895 – 19 March 1973) was a disciple of Narayana Guru. Nataraja Guru founded Narayana Gurukula on 1923 for the integral study of various wisdom approaches. Life P. Natarajan was born in Bangalor ...

* VT Bhattathiripad *

Kuriakose Elias Chavara Kuriakose Elias Chavara, C.M.I. (10 February 1805 – 3 January 1871) was an Indian Syro-Malabar Catholic priest, philosopher and social reformer. He is the first canonised Catholic male saint of Indian origin and a member of the Syro- ...

C. V. Kunhiraman C. V. Kunhiraman (6 February 1871 – 10 April 1949) was an Indian social reformer, journalist and the founder of Kerala Kaumudi daily. A follower of Sree Narayana Guru, Kunhiraman was the author of a number of books covering the genres of ...

* Sayyid Sanaullah Makti Tangal *

Vakkom Moulavi Vakkom Mohammed Abdul Khader Moulavi ( – ), popularly known as Vakkom Moulavi was a social reformer, teacher, prolific writer, Muslim scholar, journalist, freedom fighter and newspaper proprietor in Travancore, a princely state of the pres ...

Timeline of revolts and movements

*1813–1859 :

Channar revolt The Channar Lahala or Channar revolt, also called Maru Marakkal Samaram, refers to the fight from 1813 to 1859 of Nadar climber women in Travancore kingdom of India for the right to wear upper-body clothes covering their breasts. Background ...

*1836 : Formation of Samatwa Samajam by

Ayya Vaikundar Ayya Vaikundar (c.1833 –c.1851) ( ta, அய்யா வைகுண்டர், sa, अय्या वैघुण्ढर्) also known as Vaikunda Swami is the first and the foremost Purna avatar of Eka-Paran born to Lord ...

*1846 : First Catholic Sanskrit school founded by

*1864 : "School (pallikkoodam) along with Church" by

*1888 : Aruvippuram consecration by Narayana Guru *1892 :

Swami Vivekananda Swami Vivekananda (; ; 12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902), born Narendranath Datta (), was an Indian Hindu monk, philosopher, author, religious teacher, and the chief disciple of the Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the intro ...

visits Kerala *1893 : Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan instituted Brahmosamaj to Kerala region. *1893 : "Villu vandi" agitation lead by Ayyankali *1896 : Ezhava memorial submitted to Srimoolam Thirunnal *1898 : First Branch of Brahmosamaj established in the Kerala region by Dr. Ayyathan Gopalanat Calicut. *1900 : Sugunavardhini movement founded by Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan. worked to foster human values in children, attract children to his social activities, protect the rights of women, and provide education to girls. *1903 : SNDP formation *1907 : Formation of Sadhujana Paripalana Sangham by

*1909 : Formation of Depressed Classes Mission by Ayyathan Gopalan for the upliftment of Harijan and Dalit communities and provided education. He established Lady Chandawarkar elementary school for Dalit education *1909 : Formation of Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha by Poykayil Johannan *1915 : "Kallu Maala"(Stone chain) agitation led by Ayyankali *1914 : Formation of

Nair Service Society The Nair Service Society (NSS) is an organisation created for the social advancement and welfare of the Nair community that is found primarily in the state of Kerala in Southern part of India. It was established under the leadership of Mannathu ...

*1917 : "Misra Bhojan" (community feast) organised by

*1919 : Formation of Namboothiri yuvajana Sangham under

V. T. Bhattathiripad Vellithuruthi Thazhathu Karutha Patteri Raman Bhattathiripad (1896–1982), also known as V. T. Bhattathiripad, was an Indian social reformer, dramatist and an Indian independence activist. He was best known for his contributions in the reforma ...

*1924 : Branch of Brahmosamaj established at Alappuzha by Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan. *1924 :

Vaikom Satyagraha Vaikom Satyagraha, from 30 March 1924 to 23 November 1925, was a nonviolent agitation for access to the prohibited public environs of the Vaikom Temple in the Kingdom of Travancore. Kingdom of Travancore was known for its rigid and oppressive ca ...

*1928 : Brahmomandir constructed at Poonthoppu, kommady, Alappey. *1929 : Launch of Yukthivadi magazine *1931-1932 :

Guruvayur Satyagraha Guruvayur Satyagraha took place in (1931–32) and was a Satyagraha (non-violent protest) in the present Thrissur district, which was then part of Ponnani Taluk of Malabar district, now part of Kerala, which was an effort to allow entry for unto ...

*1935 : Founding of Yukthivadi Sangham by M.C. Joseph and

Panampilly Govinda Menon Panampilly Govinda Menon (1 October 1906 – 23 May 1970) was an Indian politician, freedom fighter, and lawyer. He was born in a village near Kathikkudam and completed graduation from '' St.Thomas College, Thrissur''. He started his legal pra ...

*1936 :

Temple Entry Proclamation The Temple Entry Proclamation was issued by Maharaja Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma on November 12, 1936. The Proclamation abolished the ban on the so-called 'low caste people' or from entering Hindu temples in the Princely State of Travancor ...

Renaissance leaders & Timeline

(1805–1871) Father of literacy in Kerala, school along with every church system, Pidiyari system *Born in a Syro Malabar Saint Thomas Syrian Christian family from

Kainakary Kainakary is a village in Kuttanad Taluk in Alappuzha District of the Indian state of Kerala. History Kainakary was part of the Chembakassery Dynasty. Geography Five rivers originating from the Western Ghats, including the sacred Pamba River ...

Alappuzha Alappuzha or Alleppey () is the administrative headquarters of Alappuzha district in States and territories of India, state of Kerala, India. The Kerala Backwaters, Backwaters of Alappuzha are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Indi ...

*1831 : Founded CMI, Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, India's first Christian priest committee *1846 : Established the first

printing press A printing press is a mechanical device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a printing, print medium (such as paper or cloth), thereby transferring the ink. It marked a dramatic improvement on earlier printing methods in wh ...

, St. Joseph's Press, without foreign support in Kerala at Mannanam. This was the third in India. First book published was Jnanapeeyusham. *1986 : Declared

beatified Beatification (from Latin ''beatus'', "blessed" and ''facere'', "to make”) is a recognition accorded by the Catholic Church of a deceased person's entrance into Heaven and capacity to intercede on behalf of individuals who pray in their nam ...

*2014 : Declared

canonized Canonization is the declaration of a deceased person as an officially recognized saint, specifically, the official act of a Christianity, Christian communion declaring a person worthy of Cult (religious practice), public veneration and enterin ...

on 23 November *Jeevitham thanne sandesam - visudha chavarayude jeevitham written by M.K. Sanu Vaikunda swamikal / Ayya vaikundar (1809–1851) Mudichoodum perumal *The first social reformer in Kerala *1800s : Famous disciple, Thycaud Ayya *1800s : Sama panthi Bhojanam *1823 : Became leader of the Upper Cloth revolt, which lead to the 1859

*1836 : Founded Samatva Samajam *1838 : Imprisoned in Singarathoppu jail by Swathi Thirunnal for calling him "ananthapuri devil", calling Travancore the "rule of black devils" and the British the "rule of white devils." *"jathi onn, matham onn, kulam onn, daivam onn, lokam onn" Thycaud Ayya / subharayan (1814–1909) '' uru of great Gurus'' Shivaraja yogi, Supperintent ayya, Hadayogopadeshta, pandi parayan, *1800s : Panthi bhojanam *1800s : Saiva prakasha sabha *1800s : Famous disciples;

, chattambi swami,

, kerala varma,

Raja ravi varma Raja Ravi Varma ( ml, രാജാ രവിവർമ്മ; 29 April 1848 – 2 October 1906) was an Indian painter and artist. He is considered among the greatest painters in the history of Indian art. His works are one of the best examples ...

*" intha ulakathile ore oru jathi than, ore oru matham than, ore oru kadavul than" *1984 : Thycaud Ayya Mission was formed at

Trivandrum Thiruvananthapuram (; ), also known by its former name Trivandrum (), is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. It is the most populous city in Kerala with a population of 957,730 as of 2011. The encompassing urban agglomeration populati ...

(1853-1924) *1881 : Met Nanu Asan (Guru) at aniyoor temple *1892 : Met

swami vivekananda Swami Vivekananda (; ; 12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902), born Narendranath Datta (), was an Indian Hindu monk, philosopher, author, religious teacher, and the chief disciple of the Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the intro ...

*main works : ''jeevakarunya niroopanam, kristhumath niroopanam,'' ''kristhumatha chethanam,'' ''vedadhikara niroopanam,'' ''pracheena'' ''malayalam, advaitha chintha padhathi,'' ''aadibhasha.''

Sree Narayana Guru Narayana Guru, , (20 August 1856 – 20 September 1928) was a philosopher, spiritual leader and social reformer in India. He led a reform movement against the injustice in the caste-ridden society of Kerala in order to promote spiritual ...

(1856–1928) Naanu asan, The second Buddha, *1881 : Guru started school at anju thengu *1887 : Built

Aruvippuram Aruvippuram is a village in the southern district of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, India. It is famous for the Siva temple established by Sri Narayana Guru. The Guru consecrated the Siva idol, the first non brahmin to do so in Kerala society, i ...

temple *1888 : Aruvippuram consecration by Narayana Guru *1898 : Vavoottu yogam, which was considered as the predecessor of SNDP Yogam, was formed this year *1903 : Formation of

SNDP The Shan Nationalities Democratic Party ( my, ရှမ်းတိုင်းရင်းသားများ ဒီမိုကရက်တစ် ပါတီ ; Abbreviation, abbreviated SNDP), also known as the White Tiger Party or Kya Ph ...

guru Guru ( sa, गुरु, IAST: ''guru;'' Pali'': garu'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: traditionally, the guru is a reverentia ...

, who later became the first and permanent president. (1st secretary;

Kumaranasan Mahakavi Kumaran Asan (Malayalam: എൻ. കുമാരൻ ആശാൻ) (12 April 1873 – 16 January 1924) was a poet of Malayalam literature, Indian social reformer and a philosopher. He is known to have initiated a revolution in Malayalam ...

, 1st vice president; Dr. Palpu) *1904 : Founded

Sivagiri Mutt Sivagiri is an area in Varkala Municipality of Thiruvananthapuram district in Kerala. It is a pilgrimage centre of Varkala Town where the tomb, or samadhi, of Narayana Guru, Sree Narayana Guru is situated. It is a place where Guru built t ...

*1911 : Declared as the National Saint in the census report of the Travancore *1913 : ''Advaita ashram'' at

aluva Aluva (; also known by its former name Alwaye) is a town in the Ernakulam District in Kerala, India. It is a part of the Kochi metropolitan area and is situated around from the city center on the banks of Periyar River. A major transpor ...

*1916 : Founded ''Sree Narayan seva ashram'' at

kanchipuram Kanchipuram ('; ) also known as ''Conjeevaram,'' is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu in the Tondaimandalam region, from Chennaithe capital of Tamil Nadu. Known as the ''City of Thousand Temples'', Kanchipuram is known for its temple ...

*1916 : Started Sanskrit school at

*1918 : Visited

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්‍රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...

for the first time *1924 : Visited vaikom satygraha *"oru jaathi, oru matham, oru daivam manushyanu" Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan (1861–1948) * Social reformer widely known as "Darsarji" also as "Darsar Sahib". ("''Darsar" (ദർസർ) meaning Doctor)'' * "Raosahib" highest civilian award honour and title given by British. *Social reformer of Kerala, physician (doctor), writer, chief surgeon, medical school professor, superintendent and in charge of hospitals all over South India (during British rule). *Founder of Sugunavardhini Movement (സുഗുണവർധിനി പ്രസ്താനം) and popularized Brahmosamaj in Kerala. **1893 :Instituted Brahmasamaj in Kerala. **1898 :Populated

Brahmo Samaj Brahmo Samaj ( bn, ব্রহ্ম সমাজ, Brahmô Sômaj, ) is the societal component of Brahmoism, which began as a monotheistic reformist movement of the Hindu religion that appeared during the Bengal Renaissance. It was one of th ...

region (first branch at Calicut, now Ayathan School which runs under the patronage of Brahmosamaj at Jail Road, Calicut) **1900 : Founded the Sugunavardhini movement to foster human values in children and ignited reform activities to protect the rights of women, children, and the downtrodden sections of society such as Harijan and Dalits in Kerala while providing them with an education. **1909 :Founded Depressed Classes Mission , for the upliftment of downtrodden masses sucha as Dalit and Harijan community. Established Lady Chandhawarkar Elementary School, educating girls and underprivileged sections of society for free. Conducted MisraBhojanam and MisraVivaham through Sugunavardhini movement and Brahmosamaj. **1900s : Titled his favorite disciple Karat Govinda Menon as " Brahmananda" Sivayogi and P. Kunjiraman as "Brahmavadhi" for involvement in Brahmosamaj activities. Vaghbhatananda was also his favorite disciple who later founded Athma vidya sangam. **1904 : Translated ''

Brahmo Dharma Brahmoism is a religious movement which originated from the mid-19th century Bengali Renaissance, the nascent Indian independence movement. Adherents, known as ''Brahmos'' (singular Brahmo), are mainly of Indian or Bangladeshi origin or natio ...

'' (ബ്രഹ്മധർമ്മ) (known as the Bible of

) into Malayalam, originally written by

Debendranath Tagore Debendranath Tagore (15 May 1817 – 19 January 1905) was an Indian Hindu philosopher and religious reformer, active in the Brahmo Samaj (earlier called Bhramho Sabha) ("Society of Brahma", also translated as ''Society of God''). He joined Brahm ...

**1901 : Published his first musical drama book ''Saranjiniparinayam''.(സാരഞ്ജിനി പരിണയം) **1903 : Published his second musical drama book ''Susheeladukham''.(സുശീലാദുഃഖം) **1917 : Highest civilian award given by British government and given the honor title " RAOSAHIB" for tireless service done for society and mankind. ** Rabindranath Tagore described him as the "RajaRam Mohan Roy of Kerala" during the annual Brahmo conference. **1924 : Opened second branch of Brahmosamaj at

Brahmomandir constructed on 1928 at Poonthoppu. **works : Propagated his reform activities by conducting dramas, public awareness campaigns, and also through his writings. ''Saranjiniparinayam & Susheeladukham'' (musical drama), ''Plaguefarse'' (drama) were his famous dramas which were put on by Kottakkal P.S.Warier nadaka sangam (''P.S.V. Natyasangham)'' throughout Kerala for many years. **Famous disciples: Bhramananda swami Sivayogi, Vaghbhatanandaguru, Brahmavadhi P. Kunjiraman Agamananda Swami (1896–1961) Krishnam Nambyathiri *1935 : First asram founded - Sanadhana Dharma Vidhyarthi Sangam *1936 : Established Kerala unit of Sree Rama Krishnasram *1900s : Active member of

Ramakrishna mission Ramakrishna Mission (RKM) is a Hindu religious and spiritual organisation which forms the core of a worldwide spiritual movement known as the ''Ramakrishna Movement'' or the ''Vedanta Movement''. The mission is named after and inspired by th ...

in Kerala unit *1900s : Started Sanskrit school Brahmanandodayam *1900s : Started the magazine 'Prabudha Keralam' Ananda Theerthan (1905–1987) Anada Shenoy *1900s : Direct disciple of

*1933 : Founder of Jathi Nashini Sabha *1933 : first president of Jathi Nashini sabha was

K. Kelappan Koyapalli Kelappan (24 August 1889 – 7 October 1971) was an Indian politician, independence activist, educationist and journalist. During the Indian independence movement, he was the lead figure of Indian National Congress in Kerala and was p ...

. Brahmananda shiva yogi / Karat Govinda menon (1852–1929) 'Guru of Atheists', purusha simham, Swami of

alathur Alathur is a town, taluk and gram panchayat in Palakkad District, Kerala, India. It is the administrative headquarters of the Alathur Taluk and is situated about 24 km from the district headquarters Palakkad through National Highway 544.Ga ...

*Born at

Palakkad Palakkad (), formerly known as Palghat, historically known as Palakkattussery is a city and municipality in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of the Palakkad District. Palakkad is most densely populated municipal ...

*Started his reform activities through Brahmosamaj founded by Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan. Dr. Gopalan titled Karat Govinda menon as Brahmananda Sivayogi for his tireless service done through Brahmosamaj. Sivayogi was one of the favorite disciples of Dr. Gopalan. *1893 : Founded 'Siddha rasam' at

Alathur Alathur is a town, taluk and gram panchayat in Palakkad District, Kerala, India. It is the administrative headquarters of the Alathur Taluk and is situated about 24 km from the district headquarters Palakkad through National Highway 544.Ga ...

*1899 : ''Stree vidya poshini'' book to spread awareness of women's education *1918 : Formed Ananda Maha Sabha *1900s : Founded "Ananda Matham" religion *1900s : Famous disciple - Vagbatanandan Vagbhatanandan / V.K. Gurukkal (1885–1939) Vyleri kunjikannan, balaguru *Born in Patyam,

Kannur Kannur (), formerly known in English as Cannanore, is a city and a municipal corporation in the state of Kerala, India. It is the administrative headquarters of the Kannur district and situated north of the major port city and commercial hu ...

*Started his reform activities through Brahmosamaj founded by Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan in the year 1898 at Calicut. Vaghbhatananda was the favorite disciple of Dr. Gopalan who wrote the book ''Kausallya Gopalan'' as a tribute to Kausallyammal, wife of Dr. Gopalan, who was the backbone behind his reform activities. *1906 : Tathva prakashika Ashramam

Kozhikode Kozhikode (), also known in English as Calicut, is a city along the Malabar Coast in the state of Kerala in India. It has a corporation limit population of 609,224 and a metropolitan population of more than 2 million, making it the second la ...

*1917 : Founded Athma vidya sangam at

Vatakara Vatakara, also spelled Vadakara (formerly Badagara), , french: Bargaret, is a Municipality in the state of Kerala, India. Vatakara is located between Kannur and Kozhikode. The municipality of Vatakara covers an area of and is bordered by Ma ...

, whose slogan was ''"unaruvin, aghileshane smarippin, kshanamezunnelpin, aneethiyod ethirpin"'' *1921 : Abhinava keralam The journal of Atma vidya sangam *1900s : Became disciple of

his *1900s : founder of ULCCS (uraalunkal Labour Contract Coperative Society) CurrentlyThe Largest Labour contract in India *1927 : Preethi Bhojanam *works : ''Abhinava keralam, adyathma yudham, atma vidya kahalam,'' ''Prarthananjali, kotiyoor ulsava paatu, shivayogi vilasam,'' Arattuppuzha Velayudha Panicker (1825–1874) kallissery Velayudha Chekavar,

panicker Panicker was a title conferred by the king of Travancore to distinguished individuals. Kiriyathil/Illathu Nair panickers should not be confused with Kalari Panicker They were well known as the masters of Kalari tradition, having their ''Nalpath ...

Title was given by

Maharaja of Travancore The Maharaja of Travancore was the principal title of the ruler of the Kingdom of Travancore in the southern part of Kerala, India. The Maharaja of Travancore was the topmost ruler of Travancore until 1949, when Travancore was annexed into Indi ...

, He actually belongs to Ezhava community *1860 : Founded "Kallissery Kadhakali Yogam" art form to break the savarna

monopoly A monopoly (from Greek language, Greek el, μόνος, mónos, single, alone, label=none and el, πωλεῖν, pōleîn, to sell, label=none), as described by Irving Fisher, is a market with the "absence of competition", creating a situati ...

. *1800s : Mukkuthi agitation *1800s : Achipudava agitation at

Kayamkulam Kayamkulam is a town and municipality in the ''Onattukara'' region of Alappuzha district in Kerala. It is the second biggest town in Alappuzha district. It is located on the western coast of India, and was an ancient maritime trading center. O ...

*1874 : Got killed by Upper caste men during a boat travel at

. Kurumban Daivathan (1880–1927) Naduvathamman *1917 : Hindu Pulaya Samajam *1900s : Navodhansthinte surya thejass (Babu Thomas) Pampadi John joseph (1887–1940) *1921 : Founded Travancore cheramar maha sabha *1900s : Magazine Sadhu jana Doothan *1900s : Cheruma Boy book

(1871–1949) *1911 : Kerala Koumudi from

mayyanad Mayyanad is a village in Kollam district in the state of Kerala, India. Mayyanad is located in the south western suburbs of Kollam district, Kollam city about south of the city centre and north of Paravur Town. Mayyanad can be reached by ...

, ideas of

Guru Guru ( sa, गुरु, IAST: ''guru;'' Pali'': garu'') is a Sanskrit term for a "mentor, guide, expert, or master" of certain knowledge or field. In pan-Indian traditions, a guru is more than a teacher: traditionally, the guru is a reverentia ...

published first time in koumudi *1900s : Ezhava koumudi *"openion is not an iron pestle" Mahathma Ayyankali (1863–1941) Ghandiji called him 'pulaya raja' and 'untiring warrior',

Indira Gandhi Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi (; Given name, ''née'' Nehru; 19 November 1917 – 31 October 1984) was an Indian politician and a central figure of the Indian National Congress. She was elected as third prime minister of India in 1966 ...

called him 'Great son of India', 'Aali kathiya theepori', Father of modern Dalit, known as Kerala's

Spartacus Spartacus ( el, Σπάρτακος '; la, Spartacus; c. 103–71 BC) was a Thracian gladiator who, along with Crixus, Gannicus, Castus, and Oenomaus, was one of the escaped slave leaders in the Third Servile War, a major slave uprising ...

. *born at

venganoor Venganoor is an area within the Trivandrum City of Kerala, India, which is situated 13 km south of the city. It is known as the birthplace of Ayyankali, the great Dalit leader of Kerala. Venganoor is located near Vizhinjam where an interna ...

*1893 : Villu vandi samaram (right to use the public roads by the lower cast) *1904 : Started school for pulays at

. *1907 : Sadhujana paripalana sangam *1909 : South India's First organized rebellion (karshaka samaram) *1911 : First

Harijan Dalit (from sa, दलित, dalita meaning "broken/scattered"), also previously known as untouchable, is the lowest stratum of the castes in India. Dalits were excluded from the four-fold varna system of Hinduism and were seen as forming a ...

member to enroll in Sree moolam praja sabha *1915 : Leader of Kallu mala Samaram (perinaatu lahala) (right to use ornaments other than stone-made ornaments by the lower cast) *1915 : Leader of Thonnooramandu samaram (ooruttambalam lahala / pulaya lahala) (right to study along with upper cast children) *1916 : Kandala lahala ( ayyankali fired the school at ooruttambalam, where He tried to get admission for a lower caste girl named Panchami) *1980 :

unveiled Ayyankali Statue at

vellayambalam Vellayambalam is a prominent junction in the city of Thiruvananthapuram in the state of Kerala, India. It is situated on the Rajapatha (Royal Path) that stretches from Kowdiar to East Fort. Overview This junction connects the arterial roads conn ...

, architect Ezra David. Dr. Padmanabhan Palpu (1863–1950) Padmanabhan, 'Political father of Ezhava community' *1800s : First Medical graduate from Ezhava community *1800s : Served as Jail superintent in

Mysore Mysore (), officially Mysuru (), is a city in the southern part of the state of Karnataka, India. Mysore city is geographically located between 12° 18′ 26″ north latitude and 76° 38′ 59″ east longitude. It is located at an altitude of ...

*1882 : Met

Swami vivekananda Swami Vivekananda (; ; 12 January 1863 – 4 July 1902), born Narendranath Datta (), was an Indian Hindu monk, philosopher, author, religious teacher, and the chief disciple of the Indian mystic Ramakrishna. He was a key figure in the intro ...

. *1800s : The book " Treatment of Thiyyas in travancore" *1891 : The third signature in Malayali memorial (Mass petition to Sree moolam maharaja) *1896 : Founded Greater Ezhava association *1896 : Founded 'Travancore Ezhava Sabha' *1896 : Sep 3, Ezhava Memorial was submitted to Moolam thirunnal (signed by 13176 members) *1900 : Second Ezhava Memorial was Submitted to

Lord Curzon George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, (11 January 1859 – 20 March 1925), styled Lord Curzon of Kedleston between 1898 and 1911 and then Earl Curzon of Kedleston between 1911 and 1921, was a British Conservative statesman ...

*1903 : First vice president of

*1900s : Malabar economic Union was founded. *1900s :

, son of Dr. Palpu, founded the Sree Narayana Gurukulam. *1950 : Died on 25 January the day before Republic Day.

(1873–1924) kumaru, sneha gayakan, ashaya gambheeran, leelavathi called him 'divya kokilam',

Joseph mundassery Joseph Mundassery (17 July 1903 – 25 October 1977) was a literary critic and Indian politician from Kerala state. He specialised in the Malayalam language and literature. In Kerala politics, he is remembered as the Education Minister who wa ...

called him Viplavathinte Shukra nakshatram. *Born in Kayikkara *1907 : Veena poov *1909 : First poet to become member of travancore legislative council. *1922 : Only poet to become Mahakavi without writing a Mahakaavyam. *1924 : Last work " Karuna " *1924 : Died in accident of the 'redeemer' boat in

pallana river Pallana is a village on the shore of Arabian Sea. It is also alongside the River Pallana. National Highway 66 runs nearby. It is made famous by the fact that it is the final resting place of the great Malayalam poet Kumaranasan. Asan Me ...

*Works : Duravastha (aboutmalabar kalapam) leela, prarodhanam, chandala bikshuki Sahodaran Ayyappan / K. Ayyappan (1889–1968) *Born in

Cherai Cherai ( ml, ചെറായി) smallest town located in north side of Vypin island. This town connects to kochin, North pravur and Kodungallur. It is a region in Kochi Taluk, a suburb of the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, Indi ...

, vypin, ernakulam. *1917 : Sahodara sangam *1917 : Misra bhojanam under sahodara sangam at

cherai Cherai ( ml, ചെറായി) smallest town located in north side of Vypin island. This town connects to kochin, North pravur and Kodungallur. It is a region in Kochi Taluk, a suburb of the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, Indi ...

*1900s : Became disciple of

*1900s : Formation of Vidya poshini sabha *1938 : Socialist party Established *1964 : Sree Narayana Sevika Samajam in

Aluva Aluva (; also known by its former name Alwaye) is a town in the Ernakulam District in Kerala, India. It is a part of the Kochi metropolitan area and is situated around from the city center on the banks of Periyar River. A major transpor ...

. *Weeklies : Velakkaran, yukthivaadi, sahodaran *Works : Kaasi mahatmyam, sahodari kurathi. *" No caste, No religion, No god for man."

Pandit Karuppan Pandit Karuppan was a poet, dramatist, and reform movement, 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 ...

(1885–1939) shankaran, sahithya kudeeram,

Lincoln Lincoln most commonly refers to: * Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), the sixteenth president of the United States * Lincoln, England, cathedral city and county town of Lincolnshire, England * Lincoln, Nebraska, the capital of Nebraska, U.S. * Lincoln ...

of Kerala, kerala varma called him 'vidwan',

maharaja of cochin The Kingdom of Cochin, named after its capital in the city of Kochi (Cochin), was a kingdom in the central part of present-day Kerala state. It commenced at the early part of the 12th century and continued to rule until 1949, when monarchy wa ...

called him 'Kavi thilakam'. *Born in

cheranalloor Cheranallur or Cheranellore or Cheranelloor is a suburb of Kochi city in the state of Kerala, India and lies on the banks of the Periyar River. According to tradition, the area was named by its earlier inhabitants who found this place very fert ...

, ernakulam *1904 : Wrote "Jathikkummi" first book in kerala to criticise the

caste system Caste is a form of social stratification characterised by endogamy, hereditary transmission of a style of life which often includes an occupation, ritual status in a hierarchy, and customary social interaction and exclusion based on cultura ...

. *1907 : Found Araya samajam *1925 : Nominated as a member of the cochin Legislative council. T.K. Madhavan (1885–1930) "Megha Jyothis" *1902 : Ezhava association was started *1900s : The founder of Temple entry movement *1900s : Undeniable leader of Eradication of untouchability *1915 : Started Deshabhimani News Paper From

Kollam Kollam (), also known by its former name Quilon , is an ancient seaport and city on the Malabar Coast of India bordering the Laccadive Sea, which is a part of the Arabian Sea. It is north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram. The city i ...

*1923 : Only Malayali to attend

INC Inc. or inc may refer to: * Incorporation (business), as a suffix indicating a corporation * ''Inc.'' (magazine), an American business magazine * Inc. No World, a Los Angeles-based band * Indian National Congress, a political party in India * I ...

session at Kakkinada, Presented a resolution on Eradication of untouchability. *1924 : Main leader of Vaikkom Satyagraha. Vakkom Abdul Khadar Moulavi (1873–1932) The father of Muslim renaissance in Kerala *1905 : swadeshabhimani news paper started from Anjutheng, tvm on Jan 19 *1906 : Magazine Muslim *1918 : Magazine Al-Islam *1922 : Formed Kerala Muslim Aikya Sangham at

Kodungallur Kodungallur (; also Cranganore, Portuguese: Cranganor; formerly known as Mahodayapuram, Shingly, Vanchi, Muchiri, Muyirikkode, and Muziris) is a historically significant town situated on the banks of river Periyar on the Malabar Coast in Thr ...

, thrissur *1931 : Formed Islamic Publishing House. *1931 : Magazine Deepika *1900s : Formed Islam Dharma Paripalana Sangham based on SNDP model. *1900s : Formed Dharma Poshini sabha *works : Quran Translation, Islam matha sidhantha Samgraham, dau-u-saheb

Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna pillai K. Ramakrishna Pillai (1878–1916) was an Indian nationalist writer, journalist, editor, and political activist. He edited '' Swadeshabhimani'' (The Patriot), the newspaper which became a potent weapon against the rule of the British and t ...

(1878–1916) Keralan (pen name) *1800s : Became first editor of Magazine Malayali *1906 : Became editor of Swadeshabhimani News paper *1910 : Elected to Sree Moolam praja sabha from

Neyyattinkara Neyyattinkara, is a Municipal Town and a major industrial and commercial hub located at the southern tip of Thiruvananthapuram metropolitan area in Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala State, and also the headquarters of Neyyattinkara Taluk. The ...

*1910 : Deported to Thirunalveli on Sep 26 by Diwan - P Rajagopalachari for criticising News against him and also for writing against government at the Time of Moolam thirunnal. Newspaper was banned *Works : Biography of

Karl marx Karl Heinrich Marx (; 5 May 1818 – 14 March 1883) was a German philosopher, economist, historian, sociologist, political theorist, journalist, critic of political economy, and socialist revolutionary. His best-known titles are the 1848 ...

Gandhiji Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (; ; 2 October 1869 – 30 January 1948), popularly known as Mahatma Gandhi, was an Indian lawyer, anti-colonial nationalist Quote: "... marks Gandhi as a hybrid cosmopolitan figure who transformed ... anti- ...

first time in Malayalam, auto Biography Ente Naadukadathal, vrithantha pathra pravarthanam (considered as the

Bible The Bible (from Koine Greek , , 'the books') is a collection of religious texts or scriptures that are held to be sacred in Christianity, Judaism, Samaritanism, and many other religions. The Bible is an anthologya compilation of texts of a ...

of Kerala

Journalism Journalism is the production and distribution of reports on the interaction of events, facts, ideas, and people that are the "news of the day" and that informs society to at least some degree. The word, a noun, applies to the occupation (profes ...

)

(1889–1971)

A K Gopalan Ayillyath Kuttiari Gopalan (1 October 1904 – 22 March 1977), popularly known as A. K. Gopalan or AKG, was an Indian communist politician. He was one of 16 Communist Party of India members elected to the first Lok Sabha in 1952. Later he bec ...

(1904-1977) AKG * Born in Perelassery *1931 : Volunteer captain of Guruvayoor Satyagraha *1936 : Pattini jatha (kannur to madras) *1937 : Malabar jatha (calicut to Travancore) *1900s : First leader of opposition in Loksabha *1958 : First Indian coffie House started *1960 : Karshaka jatha / peasant march (kazargod to travancore) *1900s : Crusader of downtrodden *1900s : Ente jeevitha kadha, in the cause of the people,(auto biography) manninu vendi, ente poorvakala smaranakal,

References

{{Reflist * R.Ponnu, Sri Vaikunda Swamigal and the struggle for Social Equality in South India, Madurai, 2000. Anti-caste movements Social history of Kerala

Background

Leaders

Timeline of revolts and movements

Renaissance leaders & Timeline

See also

References