Brahmin reformers of kerela

Modern Kerala History

1. The second half of the 19th century witnessed various social reform movements in Kerala. From 1812 until almost the close of the century subversive forces were forming and developing in Kerala society. The Kerala society was awakened by the activities of various social reformers and the society started showing the symptoms of a social renaissance. A number of socio-religious reform movements took shape in Kerala. They were also the earliest democratic mass movements in Kerala . People came out of their caste and raised their voice against the inhuman practices . Among Brahmins the movement was carried out by the following :

2. Swami Agamananda was born in Chavara, Kollam district in a conservative Brahmin family. He was a great scholar and a disciple of Swami Brahmananda. He worked for 25 years and took up various socio-religious activities. Inspired by his personality the local citizens of kalady offered him a piece of land and an old building and invited him to kalady to begin an ashrama. Thus in 1936 Sri Ramakrishna Advaita Ashrama was started. In 1941 it was affiliated to Sri Ramakrishna Math in Belur. Swami Agamanandan

3. The spiritual talks in temple festivals were started with his advice. He started a Sanskrit school in 1937 with 3 students in the name of swami Brahmananda, later become a full-fledged high school by 1940. He fought against casteism which was so thick , which prompted Swami Vivekananda to call kerala as a ‘ lunatic asylum ‘. Swami Agamanandan conducted temple entry proclamation with lower classes. He started various charitable activities for schedule castes and schedule tribes. Thus Sri Ramkrishna Gurukulam was started in 1936 and later developed into a tribal hostel. A college in the name of Sankaracharya was an ambition of Swamiji. Thus he established Sree Sankaracharya Sanskrit University in 1993.

4. The ashrama had a important role in the development of kalady. New roads , layouts, electrification and water supply facilities came up under the active involvement of ashrama. He also started an Ayurvedic dispensary in 1951. While president Rajendra Prasad visited kalady ashrama, Swamiji brought to his notice the need of a bridge across river Periyar to connect the either side. Thus the Sree Sankaracharya Bridge was constructed in 1965. Swamiji played an important role in the upliftment of downtrodden people. In 1971 a building was constructed for the backward communities for their congregational prayers and for recreational activities. Swami Agamanandan had an important role in the development of present day kalady. Some of his important works are Vivekanandasandesam, Sreesankara Bhagavat Geetha Niroopanam, Vishnupuranam .

5. Swami Ananda Theerthan Swami Ananda Theerthan was born in a Brahmin family of Tellichery was the last disciple of Sree Narayana Guru. Swami Ananda Theerthan occupies a high place in the history of the social reforms of modern kerala. He tried his best to make the Harijans of kerala particularly in north Malabar to realize the esteem values of non-violence, truth, fraternity and liberty. He spearheaded struggles against untouchability, exploitation and oppression of slavery, injustice and inequality

6. Ananda Theerthan was attracted by the social reform activities of the Sabari Asram and reached there and started his Harijan upliftment programme in 1926. He joined the agitation of the Arya Samajists for opening the Kalpathi road to all people irrespective of caste. The caste Hindus mercilessly attacked him but the road was opened to the Avarnas. The Kalpathi struggle was the beginning of his life long struggle for the eradication of untouchability. Ananda Theerthan led a small group of lower caste people to the Kallekulanga temple in Palakkad in 1927. But the caste Hindus ruthlessly beat the Harijan children and Ananda Theerthan.

7. Ananda Theerthan participated in the Guruvayur satyagraha and raised the banner of revolt against caste system and marched with a group of Nayadis though the Brahmin street in Payannur to realize them the right of movement in 1930. He also actively engaged in the salt satyagraha. On 21 st November 1931 , he started Sree Narayana guru School in Payannur to educate the children of the untouchable communities .

8. He opened Sree Narayana guru hostels for Harijan children in places like Pazhayangadi, Tellicherry, Kannuur etc. He also organised struggles for the entry of Harijans in schools, temples and other places. He was brutally attacked by caste Hindus for his activities. He directly experienced the harshness of caste system and untouchability at the temple city of Guruvayur. When he went to take bath in temple pond a person was asked him to reveal his caste. But he declined to reveal his caste and was severely beaten up by the caste Hindus and taken to the Devaswam office. The officer recognized him and thus he was saved. Narayana Guru’s slogans “One Caste, One Religion and One God for Man” and “Don’t ask, tell or think Caste” made a deep influence on him.

9. Ananda Theerthan was openly assaulted at some temples and schools by caste Hindus for conducting propaganda among the Harijans. He was particularly determined to get the temples of Gowda Saraswathi Brahmins opened to all irrespective of caste. He gave savarna names such as Thampuran, Embrandiri, Sharma, Marar, Nambiar, Shenoy, George and Muhammed to Harijan students. He entered temples with Harijans and bathed in public ponds to protest against casteism. He promoted inter caste-marriage through the Jathinashini Sabha, founded in 1933.He breathed his last on 21 November 1987.

10. M.R. Bhattathiripad Mullamangalath Raman Bhattathiripad, commonly known as MRB, was a social reformer, cultural leader and Malayalam writer. He was born into a Namboothiri family of Kerala. MRB joined in yogakshema sabha and worked with V.T. Bhattathiripad. He was also an active member of Purogamana Sahithya Prasthanam. When widow marriage was considered as a taboo, he married a widow, Uma Antharjanam. This was the first known widow marriage in the Kerala namboothiri community

11. MRB’s younger brother M.P. Bhattathiripad, known as Premji later followed his brother by marrying a 27- year old widow named Arya Antharjanam. Some of the famous works of MRB are Ente omana, Marakudakkullile Maha Narakam, Mazhavillu etc.

12. V.T. Bhattathiripad Vellithuruthi Thazhathillathu Raman Bhattathiripad was a social critic, well-known dramatist and a social reformer in the Namboothiri community of Kerala. He started his vedic education at the age of five. After his studies, he worked as a priest at Mundamuka sastha temple. It was here, a 10 year old girl taught him Malayalam alphabets and mathematics. Through the magazines like Keralapathrika and Yogakshemam he learned about the sufferings in his community.

13. Later he joined the Edakkuni Namboothiri school for learning English. During this time he started a magazine called ‘Vidyarthi’. The freedom struggle happening in North India inspired him to attend the 1921 congress meet held at Allahabad and this event made him an outcaste from his community. But it inspired him to start his fight against casteism. Bhattathiripad was mainly concentrated in the emancipation of Namboothiri women. As a part of this he encouraged widow remarriage and tried to reform the conservative practices which was a taboo during those times. In 1931 he conducted a march from Thrissur to Chandragiri river for raising funds for the campaign, which came to be known as Yachana Yathra. Along with MR Bhattathiripad, he campaigned for widow remarriage and he gave his sister-in-law, a widow in marriage to MRB which was the first widow remarriage among Namboothiris in kerala. Another widow remarriage followed soon with the marriage of MP. Bhattathiripad to Arya Antharjanam.

14. Later both these couples were excommunicated by the community leaders. Bhattathiripad used his writing skills as a tool for social reforms and his writings contributed in the reformation of casteism and conservatism that existed in the Namboothiri community. One if his most important play ‘ Adukalayil Ninnum Aragatheku’ had a very powerful role in the reformist movement led by Namboothiri Yogakshema sabha. The play was featured by Premji (MPB), as one of the actors in 1929, at Edakkunni inThrissur was an important event in the social reform calender of Kerala. The play highlightened the discriminatory rituals and practices prevalent in the Namboothiri community especially the plight of Namboothiri women. The drama also marked a deviation in Malayalam theatre from historical play to social dramas.

15. He is credited with starting the progressive theatre movement of Kerala at a time when stage perfomances were in the hands of social reformers and political activists. Some of his noted Works are Rajani Rangam, Kaneerum Kinaavum, Karmavipakam, Sathyam Ennathu Ivide Manushyanakunnu etc. The legendary social reformer and writer died on 12 February 1982 .

16. ARYA PALLOM & PARVATHY NENMENIMANGALAM

17. The storm of social reform which was started in the 19th century soon spread to all communities especially among the Namboodiri community. By 1930’s many women had begun to emerge in the public domain as active and able participants and the reform movements saw the emergence of personalities like Muthukulam Parvathi Amma, Arya Pallam, Parvathi Nenminimangalam, Devaki Narikkattiri and many writers, political figures etc.. Arya Pallam and Parvathi Neminimangalam were in the fore front of the newly emerged Namboothiri women or antarjanam to find out a place in the public sphere. Along with the revolutionary activities of ‘Yogakshema Sabha, the antarjanams also came out of their traditional veils or ghoshas and began to participate in social activities. In 1932 a Namboothiri women’s organization was formed with the name Antarjana Samajam under the leadership of Arya Pallam and Parvathi Neminimangalam.

18. The new organization worked as the female counterpart of the Yogakshema Sabha. The Antarjana Samajam was started at and it had several local committees also. Both Arya Pallam and Parvathi Neminimangalam were active organizers of the Samajam. They took initiative to stage the play ‘ Marakkudakkullile Mahanakaram by M R Bhattathirippad. The Antarjana Samajam established libraries and conducted many number of meetings. It stressed the need for women to chance their attitude. Women should take a lead in smashing the old structures and build a new one. They took part in the national movement.

19. Their significant contribution to public life was their active participation in the Paliyam Satyagraha of 1947 December. Even after independence, the lower caste people were not permitted to walk through the Paliyam road, close to the Paliyam Kovilakam in Kochi. The Namboothiri women under the leadership of Arya Pallam actively participated in the Sathyagraha. This was the first time that the Antarjanams of Kerala participated in a public struggle. The Satyagraha was successful and the Paliayam road was opened for all irrespective of their castes.

20. PARVATHY NENMENIMANGALAM ‘’MANGALA SUTHRATHIL KETTIYIDAN ANGANAMAR ADIMAYALLA’’ This was her famous slogan which means(Anganas are not slaves to be bound in the Mangala sutra). Parvathi Nenminimangalam was one of the most important social reformers among the Namboothiri community who left her ghosha and came out of the orthodoxy of the community. She was born in 1911 at Nadavarambu near Irinjalakkuda as the daughter of Nallurillath Vishnu Namboothiri and Saraswathi Antharjanam. She acquired the education of just read and write.

21. The waves of freedom struggle and reform movements made some changes in the mentalities of Parvathy also. She was married to Chettupuzha Neminimangalam Vasudevan Namboothiri at the age of 14 which changed her life. Her in-laws were having progressive mentalities which influenced her much to come forward and to work for her community. It helped her come out of orthoxity. As per the decisions of the Yogakshema Sabha meeting held at Guruvayur in 1931, Antharjana Samajam was formed at Chettupuzha in 1932 , under the leadership of Parvathy Nenminimangalam. Its first meeting was held at Nenminimangalam itself. This meeting decided to organize various progressive programs.

22. Antarjananam participated in the Yachanayathra under the leadership of V.T Bhatathiripad which encouraged the Brahmin women to boycott Cadjan umbrellas (Marakkuda) which was considered as a symbol of chastity among Brahman women and conducted a procession without cadjan umbrella along with Arya Pallom Under the influence of Parvathy many Namboothiri women left their palm leave umbrellas which have to be with them whenever they were coming out of their Illam and many of them began to wear blows and wear earrings and gold bangles.

23. She presided over the Namboothiri Yuvajana Sangham conference held at Thaliparambu on 1931. Her action of doing public speech without ghosha created some reactions in the society. In this meeting he raised a question towards the Namboothiri youth “Who is ready to marry a widow”? Then there come a reply from the audience that “I am ready’’. It was Mullamangalath Raman Bhattathirippad (MRB). This question and answer paved way for the first widow remarriage among the Namboothiri's and this marriage was in between the widow Umadevi Antharjanam and MRB on 1934 September 13 at the Rasikasadanam of V T Bhattathirippad .

24. When debate on Namboothiri bill came in the Cochin Legislative Assembly in 1933, Parvathi Nenminimangalam was the women representative who was nominated to give response to the subject. She died on 1947 at the age of 36.

25. ARYA PALLOM Arya Pallom was a leader, communist, feminist from Kerala who fought against oppression of upper class (Brahman) women. She was born on 1908 at Valluvanad ,as the daughter of Alapparambil Madhavasseri Manakkal Parameswaran Namboothiri and Arya Antharjanam. From childhood onwards she was disturbed with the rituals and prohibitions existed in the community. She became aware of Yogakshema Sabha and national movement after her marriage with Pulamanthol Pallathu Manakkal Krishanan Namboothiri at the age of 13.

26. Afterwards she could enter into the social reform activities. She was greatly influenced by the activities of Yogakshema Sabha and the drama Adukkalayilninnum Aranagathekku. Antarjananam participated in the Yachanayathra under the leadership of V.T Bhatathiripad which encouraged the Brahmin women to boycott Cadjan umbrellas (Marakkuda) which was considered as a symbol of chastity among Brahman women and conducted a procession without cadjan umbrella along with Parvathy Nenmenimangalam. And worked with activities against ban on widow remarriage, intercaste marriage, ban on entering into temples etc.

27. At Pazhoor session of Yogakshema Sabha, presided by K.N.Kuttan Namboothiri,Arya introduced a resolution called ‘Anthapura Mardahananeesanam’, which literally stands to stopping of oppression inside the house. When anti untouchability jadhas and programmes were conducted under the leadership of K. Kelappan, and Thottupurath Kunhunni Menon, Arya and her friends worked among the Cherumis (Cherumi women) to improve their condition. They inspired them to leave their Kalla and Mala (stone garlands) and to wear blouse She organized people in Pilasseri, Koppam etc. against untouchability and ban on entry into temples and actively participated in the Guruvayur Sathyagraha.

28. In association with the anti untouchability procession led by Kelappan, there conducted an inter caste dining at Pallath which caused for imposing ban on Pallathu Mana by the orthodox Brahmins. But Arya or her husband were not bothered about all these and go ahead with their activities. She participated in the first widow remarriage. She was not ready to bow her head before injustice. She inaugurated the annual meeting of Yuvajana movement at Thaliparambu in 1932. When socialist ideas spread throughout Kerala, Arya was become a follower of it and one of its main working center was Pallam Mana in Kerala. She led a great role in the development of Mahila movement and under it banner gave employment training.

29. She was the one of the earliest activists of Kerela Mahila Sangam of 1942 in Malabar. Paliyam Sathyagraha was conducted when she was the president of Antharjana Samajam. Under her leadership jadha of women was organized towards the Paliyam Sathyagraha Panthal on 1948 March 3rd and faced brutal police beating. Then also she inspired more women to participate in the struggle. She was also the leader of Kathumuri movement. She contested in the elections of 1947,later was arrested along with his son when the communist party was banned. She was also nominated to Cochin legislative assembly to advise about the Namboothiri bill. She died on February 8th, 1988

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