Mannathu Padmanabhan | 26 Feb 2021

Why in News

Recently, the Prime Minister paid tributes to Mannathu Padmanabhan on his Punya Tithi (Death Anniversary).

Key Points

  • Birth:
    • He was born on 2nd January 1878 in Perunna, Kottayam district of Kerala.
  • About:
    • He was an Indian social reformer and freedom fighter from the south-western state of Kerala.
    • Sardar K M Panicker called him ‘Madan Mohan Malaviya of Kerala.
    • He began his career as a teacher in 1893 in a Government primary school.
    • In 1905 he changed his profession and started practicing law, in the Magistrates Courts.
  • Political and Social Contribution:
    • He took part in the Vaikom (1924) and Guruvayoor (1931) temple-entry Satyagrahas and the anti-untouchability agitations.
      • Vaikom Satyagraha was a movement in Travancore (modern-day Kerala) for temple entry of the depressed classes. It took place near the Shiva Temple at Vaikom, Kottayam district, Kerala during 1924-25. Vaikom was at that time a part of the princely state of Travancore.
      • Guruvayur Satyagraha was a Satyagraha (non-violent protest) to allow entry for untouchables into the Guruvayur Temple in present Thrissur district, which was then part of Ponnani Taluk of Malabar district, now part of Kerala.
    • He is regarded as the reformer and moral guide of the members of Nair community. He inspired the Nair community community members to end practicing bad and orthodox customs.
    • He led the Nairs to demand temple entry for all castes and to put an end to untouchability.
    • In 1914 he established the Nair Service Society.
    • He became a member of the Indian National Congress in 1946 and took part in the agitation against Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer’s administration in Travancore.
    • He was arrested for the Indian Freedom Movement on 14 June 1947.
    • In 1949, Padmanabhan became a member of the Travancore Legislative Assembly.
    • In 1964 he was instrumental in the formation of Kerala Congress, the first regional party in India.
  • Awards & Recognition:
    • He received Padma Bhushan in 1966.
    • He was honoured with the title Bharata Kesari by the President of India.
  • Death:
    • He died on 25th February 1970 at the age of 92.
    • Mannam memorial (or Samādhi) is located at NSS Headquarters Changanacherry which is a municipal town in Kottayam district, Kerala.

Source:PIB