Sri Swami Chinmayananda
Swami Chinmayananda Saraswati (born Balakrishna Menon; 8 May 1916 – 3 August 1993) was a Hindu spiritual leader and teacher who inspired the formation of Chinmaya Mission, a worldwide nonprofit organisation, to spread the knowledge of Advaita Vedanta, the nondual system of thought found in the Upanishads, which epitomise the philosophical teachings of the Vedas.
Chinmayananda is known for teaching Bhagavad gita, the Upanishads, and other ancient Hindu scriptures. From 1951 onward, he spearheaded a global Hindu spiritual and cultural renaissance that popularised the religion's esoteric scriptural texts, teaching them in English all across India and abroad.
Chinmayananda inspired the formation of Chinmaya Mission in 1953. Founded by his disciples and led by him, it is a spiritual, educational, and charitable nonprofit organisation that encompasses more than 300 centres in India and internationally. He authored 95 publications, including commentaries on the major Upanishads and Bhagavad gita. He was a visiting professor of Indian philosophy at several American and Asian universities and he conducted university lecture tours in many countries.
Through his Vedantic teachings, publications, centres, ashrams, temples, and social service projects around the globe, his work continues to provide cultural and spiritual instruction to members of the Hindu diaspora. He died on 3 August 1993. Source
Tag :
Spiritual leaders,
N. Sreekantan Nair - Freedom Fighter, Trade Unionist
N. Sreekantan Nair was a longtime Member of Parliament of Kollam, freedom fighter, trade unionist and writer.
He was born on 15 July 1915 as the only son of N. Neelakanta Pillai M.A. (Eng), (Mal), (Sanskrit). Pillai was a Principal of Government Sanskrit College, Trivandrum and authored several books in the three languages and JanakiAmma. He married activist Maheshwari Amma, daughter of freedom fighter K. K. Kunju Pillai. They have a daughter, Naja.
Education
Nair passed his S.S.L.C. from M.G.M High School, Thiruvalla in 1932. He joined the Changanassery St.Berkman College where he completed his Intermediate in 1934. He passed his M.A. degree in English with first class from Maharajas College (now University College, Trivandrum) in 1937.
Political life
He was a member of the State Congress in the erstwhile state of Travancore, and a founder of the Kerala Socialist Party which later merged into the Revolutionary Socialist Party. He was elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time in the General Elections of 1952 from Quilon cum Mavelikara constituency, but lost the 1957 elections to V. P. Nair. He won the next four elections (1962, 1967, 1971, 1977) representing Kollam Parliament Constituency. He devoted his political life to the trade union sector in Kerala.
Sreekantan Nair was the President of Quilon Textile Workers Union ,Travancore Tile workers union,Travancore Titanium Workers Union ,Factory Workers Union,Kundara Ceramics,Rubber Plantion Workers Union, Kerala University Teachers, ISRO Mechanical Staff Association, HMT Wrorkers Union Kalamassery, Travancore Dewasom employees union, All Kerala Cashewnut Factory Workers Union, Rubber Plantation Workers Union etc. He was the National President of UTUC from 1955. Vice president of Akhila Kerala Navika Thozhilali Sangam. He held presidentship of somany Trade Unions in the State.As a Trade Union Leader he has visited China,Malaya, Singapore and Russia during 1953 again visited Russia in 1957.
He was a Member of Kerala University Senate and Syndicate, Kerala Agricultural University, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation,Board of Directors of Kerala Premo Pipe Factory Chavara.His valuable contribution as a member of Atomic Energy, Space and Electronics Consultative Committee is worth mentioning.
He held the position of ‘’Patron ‘’ of kerala sahithya Academy and worked as a Member of Editorial Board of Academy Publication Sahithya Lokam.
Writer
He translated the book 'Kayar'(Coir) of Jnanpith winner Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai to English. He was a board member of the Sahithya Pravarthaka Saharkarna Sanghom and member of Kerala Sahitya Akademi.
Major works
Ithuthanne MarxismAikya KeralamVanchikkapetta VenadEnte AmmaMy Mother (Translation of Ente Amma to English)Maotse Tung VansaiKazhinjakala Chithrangal (3 volumes)Sahithya Salakangal
Translations
Coir (English) (Translation of Kayar by Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai)
Chalo Delhi (Malayalam)(Translation of Road to Delhi by M.Sivaram)
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Freedom Fighters,
APPU NEDUNGADI
Appu Nedungadi is the name of Rao Bahadur T.M. (Thalakodi Madathil) Appu Nedungadi, author of Kundalatha, which was published in 1887, making it one of the earliest novels in Malayalam language, spoken in Kerala state, South India.. Appu Nedungadi, who was born at Kothakurissi,Ottappalam taluk in palakkad district.He is the author of the first Malayalam novel ‘Kundalatha' (1887). He was the founder of literary publications Kerala Pathrika, Kerala Sanchari and Vidya Vinodini.
In 1899, he established Nedungadi Bank, the oldest private sector commercial bank in Kozhikode, Kerala. The bank was incorporated in 1913; In 2003 it was taken over by Punjab National Bank.
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writer,
SANJAYAN - MANIKOTH RAMUNNI NAIR
Sanjayan, the penname of Professor Mannikoth Ramunni Nair or M.R. Nair (1903 – 1944), was a Malayalam satirist famous for his humorous anecdotes.
Sanjayan's contribution to the Malayalam literature were mainly satirical essays criticizing the contemporary social state. He was closely related with a journal called "Kerala Patrika".
He was the editor-in-chief of Viswaroopam, a satirical magazine in the Malayalam language.
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writer,
MAHAKAVI G.SANKARA KURUP
G. Sankara Kurup, ( Malayalam: ജി.ശങ്കരകുറുപ്പ്, born June 3, 1901, Nayathode, Kingdom of Cochin (now in Ernakulam district,Kerala) - February 2, 1978, Vappalassery, Angamaly, Ernakulam district, Kerala), better known as Mahakavi G (The Great Poet G), was the first winner of the Jnanpith Award, India's highest literary award.[1][2] He won the prize in 1965 for his collection of poems inMalayalam Odakkuzhal (The bamboo flute, 1950). With part of the prize money he established the literary award Odakkuzhal in 1968. He was also the recipient of the Soviet Land Nehru Award, in 1967, and the Padma Bhushan in 1968. His poetry collectionViswadarshanam won the Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award in 1961 and Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award in 1963.
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writer,
O. N. V. KURUP
ate of birth: 27 May 1931
Place of birth: Chavara
Father: O. N. Krishna Kurup
Mother: K. Lakshmikutty Amma
Spouse: Sarojini
Children: 2
Education: Post graduation
Occupation: Poet, Lyricist, Professor
School studied: Government School, Chavara
College studied: S. N. College, Kollam, Kerala University, Trivandrum
Lecturer: Maharajas College, Ernakulam, University College, Trivandrum, Arts & Science College, Kozhikode, Brennen College, Thalassery.
Head of the Malayalam department: Government Women's College, Trivandrum
Visiting professor: Calicut University
Retired: 1986
Ottaplakkal Nambiyadikkal Velu Kurup (Malayalam: ഒറ്റപ്ലാക്കൽ നീലകണ്ഠൻ വേലു കുറുപ്പ്; born 27 May 1931),[1]popularly known as O. N. V. Kurup (Malayalam: ഒ.എൻ.വി. കുറുപ്പ്) or simply O. N. V. (Malayalam: ഒ.എൻ.വി.), is a renowned Malayalam poet and lyricist from Kerala, India, who won Jnanpith Award, the highest literary award in India for the year 2007. O. N. V. Kurup is also a lyricist in Malayalam cinema. He has penned a lot of lyrics for dramas and TV serials also. He received the awards Padma Shri in 1998 and Padma Vibhushan in 2011, the fourth and second highest civilian honours from the Government of India. In 2007 he was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate by University of Kerala, Trivandrum. O. N. V. is known for his leftist leaning.[2] He was the Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate in the Thiruvananthapuram constituency for the Lok Sabha elections in 1989.[3]
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writer,
C.V. RAMAN PILLAI
C.V. Raman Pillai, popularly known as C.V., is classed with the greats in Indian literature like Bankim Chandra Chatterjee in Bengali and Hari Narayan Apte in Marathi. In the grand epic sweep of his great classics, Marthandavarma, Dharmaraja and Ramarajabahadur, he is in the class of the greatVyasa. In world literature, he ranks with Dostoevsky and Shakespeare.
Modern Malayalam drama traces its origins to C.V.'s works. His very first attempt at literary creation, was the first original play in Malayalam. Candramukheevilasam was written in 1884 and was staged for four days successively in 1887 at His Highness Maharaja's College, Trivandrum. This was also the first staging of a play in Malayalam by educated amateur actors. In fact, original Malayalam drama in prose began with his eleven farces, nine of which were published. They set the tone and paved the way for the Kerala theatre that it is now.
Kerala's folklore and Kathakali became an integral part of his literary metier. He drew out myriad forgotten episodes from his country's history and the genius in him wove them into unforgettable epics. Marthandavarma, his first novel, called by him a "historical romance, which was also the first historical novel in Malayalam, was written by him in 1885 but could not be published owing to lack of finance. It was published by Addison & Co., in Madras in 1891 only after "Indulekha" by Chandu Menon was brought out in 1889 and became the first-ever original novel in Malayalam. Marthanda Varma, however, was an instant hit and editorially hailed by The Hindu of Madras, on 21 December 1891. It continues to be a popular classic even today and has gone through more than 125 editions.
For nearly twenty years from 1891, C.V. did not produce any major literary work. 1909 saw the production of his major comedy, Kurupillakalari. It was in 1913, a year after he resigned from the post of Superintendent of the Government Press, in protest against the State Government's anti-people policies that he wrote his second novel, Dharmaraja, the first of a trilogy, that he conceived on an epic scale. The novel marked him out as a master craftsman in fiction. In 1915 he wrote a social novel,Premamritam which is the first satirical fiction in Malayalam. C.V.'s masterpiece, however, is Ramarajabahadur, published in 1918 and hailed by outstanding critics as the greatest novel in Malayalam.
Tag :
writer,
THUNCHATHU RAMANUJAN EZHUTHACHAN
It is believed that Ezhuthachan was born at Thunchan Veetil near Trikaniyur temple of Vettathunad in the year 670 (ME) (AD 1495). Kerala Sahithya Charithram firmly ascertain that the life period of Ezhuthachan was between 670 and 750 (ME).The males o the Thunchan family taught reading and writing to the children and thus they got the name Ezhuthachan.
After preliminary education in Sanskrit and Malayalam, Ezhuthachan went to Tamil Nadu for higher studies. On return he chose the job of educating children. In his leisurely times he wrote Adhyatma Ramayanam in Malayalam. It was composed in the style of cuckoo song (Kilippattu). When Zamorin attacked Vettathunad, Ezhuthachan started his pilgrimage with the completed copy of Adhyatma Ramayana. The Chambath Mannadiyar of Chitoor persuaded him to stay there and Ezhuthachan lived there by establishing an Ashrama.
Ezhuthachan wrote Uttararamacharitham, Mahabharatham, Mahabhagavatham, Devi Mahathmyam, Brahmandapuranam etc. He made a revolution through his Kilippattu. It was he who gave an attractive form and shape to Malayalam language and made it suitable to handle any subject. He reformed the vocabulary and shaped separate Malayalam letters. He contributed the Manipravalam style to Malayalam language by bringing together Malayalam and Sanskrit in a unique form. He placed the whole society in the path of spiritual progress.
The Bhakthi cult of Ezhuthachan exercised a deep influence in leading the nair families, which was suppressed under the Brahmin supremacy during 5th to 17th centuries, to the path of progress. The Brahmin rule that restricted Sudras from learning letters and education was questioned during this period. The Nair community, which was longing for progress for a very long period under the Brahmin supremacy, emerged strongly during the period.
The Malayalam literature also had full-fledged growth during that period. Ezhuthachan gave the leadership for unification and renewal of two branches of literature, which was moving in diverse directions up to the 15th century. The lyrics he composed in kilippattu (cuckko song) brought Malayalam literature to modern path. It was the Nairs who came forward for education in ‘Gurumutts’ (schools) established by Ezhuthachan and his followers. Only the Nair community had the maturity and sense to understand the views of Ezhuthachan. As a result, Nair community had a leap to the higher fields of Kerala life. It was Ezhuthachan who protected the people, especially the Nairs, from the verge of cultural degeneration. Nairs were indeed fortunate enough to get the leadership of Ezhuthachan to rose to the heights and glory.
After preliminary education in Sanskrit and Malayalam, Ezhuthachan went to Tamil Nadu for higher studies. On return he chose the job of educating children. In his leisurely times he wrote Adhyatma Ramayanam in Malayalam. It was composed in the style of cuckoo song (Kilippattu). When Zamorin attacked Vettathunad, Ezhuthachan started his pilgrimage with the completed copy of Adhyatma Ramayana. The Chambath Mannadiyar of Chitoor persuaded him to stay there and Ezhuthachan lived there by establishing an Ashrama.
Ezhuthachan wrote Uttararamacharitham, Mahabharatham, Mahabhagavatham, Devi Mahathmyam, Brahmandapuranam etc. He made a revolution through his Kilippattu. It was he who gave an attractive form and shape to Malayalam language and made it suitable to handle any subject. He reformed the vocabulary and shaped separate Malayalam letters. He contributed the Manipravalam style to Malayalam language by bringing together Malayalam and Sanskrit in a unique form. He placed the whole society in the path of spiritual progress.
The Bhakthi cult of Ezhuthachan exercised a deep influence in leading the nair families, which was suppressed under the Brahmin supremacy during 5th to 17th centuries, to the path of progress. The Brahmin rule that restricted Sudras from learning letters and education was questioned during this period. The Nair community, which was longing for progress for a very long period under the Brahmin supremacy, emerged strongly during the period.
The Malayalam literature also had full-fledged growth during that period. Ezhuthachan gave the leadership for unification and renewal of two branches of literature, which was moving in diverse directions up to the 15th century. The lyrics he composed in kilippattu (cuckko song) brought Malayalam literature to modern path. It was the Nairs who came forward for education in ‘Gurumutts’ (schools) established by Ezhuthachan and his followers. Only the Nair community had the maturity and sense to understand the views of Ezhuthachan. As a result, Nair community had a leap to the higher fields of Kerala life. It was Ezhuthachan who protected the people, especially the Nairs, from the verge of cultural degeneration. Nairs were indeed fortunate enough to get the leadership of Ezhuthachan to rose to the heights and glory.
Tag :
writer,
RAMACHANDRAN M.G
Marudhur Gopalan Ramachandran ( 17 January 1917 - 24 December 1987), popularly known by his initials MGR, was an Indian Tamil film actor who worked primarily in Tamil films as an actor, director, producer, and politician who also served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu successively for three terms.[2]
In his youth, MGR and his elder brother, M. G. Chakrapani, became members of a drama troupe to support their family. Influenced by Gandhian ideals, MGR joined the Indian National Congress. After a few years of acting in plays, he made his film debut in the 1936 film Sathi Leelavathi in a supporting role. In the late 1940s he graduated to leading roles and for the next three decades dominated the Tamil film industry.[3] He became a member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and rose rapidly through its ranks. He successfully used his popularity as a film hero to build a large political base. In 1972, he left the DMK to form his own party the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK). In 1977 he became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu – the first film actor in India to become the chief minister of a state. He remained as chief minister till his death in 1987.
MGR was born in Nawalapitiya near Kandy, Sri Lanka,[4] to Melakkath Gopala Menon and Maruthur Satyabhama.[5] Melakkath Gopala Menon was staying in Vadavannur, in Palakkad District, Kerala before he was excommunicated in 1903, regarding an allegation that dealt with an illicit relationship with a widowed namboothri woman;[6] he left his family and married Maruthur Satyabhama.[7]
In his early days, MGR was a devout Hindu and a devotee of Murugan, and his mother's favorite god guruvayoorappan.[8] Later, when he joined the DMK, a pro-rationalist party, he followed the rationalist ideology, though not appearing very aggressively atheistic. In later days after he founded his own party following his expulsion from the DMK, he seems to have shown some leaning towards religious faith. He had asked his followers to pray for the success of his AIADMK party.[9]
His followers prayed for him when it was determined that he had a kidney illness.[10] After his demise, his wife opened up a temple in his name.
After his father's death, he joined a drama company called "Madurai Original Boys company". Later, he entered the world of cinema, becoming an actor, director, producer, and editor. MGR married chitarikulam Bargavi also known as Thangamani who died early due to illness. He later married Sathanandavathhi who died soon due to tuberculosis.[11] M.G.R. married V. N. Janaki a former Tamil film actress.[12] Janaki divorced her husband, Ganapati Bhatt, to marry MGR.
OYYARATHU CHANDU MENON
Oyyarathu Chandu Menon (O. Chandu Menon)
Rao Bahadur Oyyarathu Chandu Menon (also known as O. Chandu Menon) (1847–99) was a Malayalam language novelist from Kerala state, India.
Chandu Menon was born on 9 January 1847 in Kelaloor near Pinarayi in the present day Kannur District.Chandu Menon got his first lessons from Koran Gurukkal, one of his neighbors. He learnt Sanskrit poetry, drama and grammar from Pandit Kunjanbu Nambiar. About the same time, he received English lessons from a local school and later from K. Kunjan Menon. He had higher school education in the Basel Mission Parsi Memorial School in Thalassery. While studying there he is reported to have qualified for the uncovenanted Civil Service by securing a high rank in the test for that Service. In 1864 his mother died when he was in the matriculation class and he was forced to abandon studies.[1] Chandu Menon got married to Lakshmikutty Amma in 1872. The couple had six children.
Rao Bahadur Oyyarathu Chandu Menon (also known as O. Chandu Menon) (1847–99) was a Malayalam language novelist from Kerala state, India.
Chandu Menon was born on 9 January 1847 in Kelaloor near Pinarayi in the present day Kannur District.Chandu Menon got his first lessons from Koran Gurukkal, one of his neighbors. He learnt Sanskrit poetry, drama and grammar from Pandit Kunjanbu Nambiar. About the same time, he received English lessons from a local school and later from K. Kunjan Menon. He had higher school education in the Basel Mission Parsi Memorial School in Thalassery. While studying there he is reported to have qualified for the uncovenanted Civil Service by securing a high rank in the test for that Service. In 1864 his mother died when he was in the matriculation class and he was forced to abandon studies.[1] Chandu Menon got married to Lakshmikutty Amma in 1872. The couple had six children.
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writer,
KUNCHAN NAMBIAR
KUNCHAN NAMBIAR
Kunchan Nambiar was a great Malayalam poet-satirist in the court of Marthanda Varma.
Kunchan Nambiar is the founder of Ottan Thullal art form. He was born at Killikkurrisimangalam in Malabar. Later, he went to Ambalapuzha and became court poet of Ambalapuzha Raja. It is believed that Kunchan Nambiar wrote his first Thullal katha while he was here. The Thullal songs, written in simple Malayalam with full of humour and wit became very popular. When Marthanda Varma of Travancore conquored Ambalapuzha, Nambiar became the court poet of Travancore palace. Kunchan Nambiar who wrote Thullal poems and presented it in the stage. He wrote about 60 Thullal poems. All stories composed by Kunchan Nambiar are stuffed with humour, and social criticism.
Thullal has three divisions Seethankan, Ottan and Parayan. It is a solo performance.
His birthday (Fifth of May) is celebrated as “Kunchan dinam”
Kunchan Nambiar was a great Malayalam poet-satirist in the court of Marthanda Varma.
K.P.KESAVA MENON
K.P.KESAVA MENON
Born on 1 Septemner 1886.
Father: Bheeman Achan.
Mother: Meenakshy Nethyar of Palakkad Swaroopam.
K.P.Kesava Menon was one of the famous leaders that Kerala has ever seen. He was an idealist who was true to his words and deeds. Persons like him were very rare in the country. He started practice as an advocate in Kozhikode after his studies in England. He actively participated in National Movement. He led Vaikom Sathyagraha and Guruvayoor Sathyagraha against untouchable and for temple entry to lower caste. He was appointed as the High Commissioner in Ceylone (now Sri Lanka) but resigned due to differences of opinion on certain policy matters with the Prime Minister Nehru. He is the founder and was the Chief Editor of Mathrubhumi, the national daily in Malayalam. He wrote a dozen of books. His collections of essays titled Naam Munnoottu and his autobiography Kazhinja Kaalam are prominent among them.
He died in 1978.
Born on 1 Septemner 1886.
Father: Bheeman Achan.
Mother: Meenakshy Nethyar of Palakkad Swaroopam.
K.P.Kesava Menon was one of the famous leaders that Kerala has ever seen. He was an idealist who was true to his words and deeds. Persons like him were very rare in the country. He started practice as an advocate in Kozhikode after his studies in England. He actively participated in National Movement. He led Vaikom Sathyagraha and Guruvayoor Sathyagraha against untouchable and for temple entry to lower caste. He was appointed as the High Commissioner in Ceylone (now Sri Lanka) but resigned due to differences of opinion on certain policy matters with the Prime Minister Nehru. He is the founder and was the Chief Editor of Mathrubhumi, the national daily in Malayalam. He wrote a dozen of books. His collections of essays titled Naam Munnoottu and his autobiography Kazhinja Kaalam are prominent among them.
He died in 1978.
Tag :
leaders,
THAKAZHI SIVASANKARA PILLAI
Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai (Malayalam: തകഴി ശിവശങ്കര പിള്ള) (17 April 1912 – 10 April 1999) was a novelist and short story writer of Malayalam language. He is popularly known as Thakazhi, after his place of birth. He focused on the oppressed classes as the subject of his works, which are known for their attention to historic detail. He wrote several novels and over 600 short stories. His most famous works are Kayar (Coir, 1978) and Chemmeen (Prawns, 1956). He was awarded India's highest literary award, the Jnanpith in 1984 for the epic novel Kayar.
Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai (Malayalam: തകഴി ശിവശങ്കര പിള്ള) (17 April 1912 – 10 April 1999) was a novelist and short story writer of Malayalam language. He is popularly known as Thakazhi, after his place of birth. He focused on the oppressed classes as the subject of his works, which are known for their attention to historic detail. He wrote several novels and over 600 short stories. His most famous works are Kayar (Coir, 1978) and Chemmeen (Prawns, 1956). He was awarded India's highest literary award, the Jnanpith in 1984 for the epic novel Kayar.
Tag :
writer,
A. K. GOPALAN AYILLYATH KUTTIARI GOPALAN
A. K. Gopalan
He was born on 1 October 1904 in Peralasseri, Kannur District of Northern Kerala and educated in Tellichery. By the time he became a teacher, India's independence movement was becoming energized by Mahatma Gandhi. Gopalan took part in the Khilafat Movement[1] which prompted a marked change in his outlook, transforming him into a dedicated full-time social and political worker.
PADMANABHAN NAIR
Padmanabhan Nair, Ph.D., Founder and President of the company, has over 45 years of research experience in the biomedical field. He has held several key positions in academia and in the US government. He was a Fulbright scholar to the Johns Hopkins University at the McCollum-Pratt Institute, elected Fellow of the AAAS and is a member of several prestigious professional societies. For 21 years he was Director of Medical Research at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore. For over a decade he was associated with the USDA's Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center. He is currently Adjunct Professor of International Health at the Johns Hopkins University .
V.K KRISHNA MENON
Was the defense minister of India; One of the most intellectual politicians India had ever witnessed; He held Masters degree in Psychology and Political Science from University College of London and London School of Economics. While in England was a member of Labour Party and was secretary of India League in England from 1929 to 1947. He was elected as MP in Indian parliament from Mumbai, Midnapore and Thiruvananthapuram