IMPORTANT PERSONALITIES

M

MADHAVA MENON.N.R. Dr

Dr.N.R.Madhava Menon is a pride for Kerala as a whole. He rendered remarkable contributions in the field of legal education in India. He started career as law faculty in J.N.University, Delhi. He was the Principal of Government Law College, Pondichery and the founder Director of Dr.Ambedkar National Law School, Bangalore. He was also appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of National University of Juridical Science (NUJS) University. Presently he is the Director of National Judicial Academy, Bhopal. Government of India awarded him ‘Padmasree’.

MADHAVAN NAIR.G.Dr.

Born on 1943 October 31. G.Madhavan Nair is an internationally acclaimed space scientist. He has profound knowledge in space technology. He is the Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation. He is a leading light in shaping the programmes of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation). He started career as Scientist in TERLS (Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station). He is the colleague of Dr.Vikram Sarabhai and Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam, His Excellency the President of India. He was Director of VSSC and gave leadership in launching prestigious GSLV, PSLV, INSAT-3 and other Indian satellites. Government of India awarded him Padmasree in 1998.

MADHAVAN.T.K.

Born on September 2, 1885 at Karthikappally. Father: Sri. Kesavan Channar. Mother: Smt. Ummini Amma. T.K.Madhavan was a distinguished personality dedicated for social work. He relentlessly worked for the uplift of oppressed communities. He was an outstanding organizer and great orator and his excellent style of presentation attracted many. He was the founder of Temple Entry Movement, which fought for the entry of oppressed and low-caste communities to the temples of Kerala. In 1918 he was elected to the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha, a legislative council of Travancore. He presented a resolution seeking permission of temple entry and right to worship to all people irrespective of caste and community. In 1924, the famous Vaikom Sathyagraha was started under the leadership of Madhavan, Kelappan, K.P.Kesava Menon etc. to get the right of oppressed class of people to travel through the road in front of Vaikom Mahadeva temple. Madhavan and Kesava Menon were arrested and imprisoned. Finally, the Maharaja of Travancore agreed to open the road to all class of people and the Vaikom Sathyagraha was a great success. However, he had to continue his struggle for the temple entry. He died on April 27, 1930.

MALABAR K.DAMODARAN (Keezedath Damodara Menon)

Born in 1912. Malabar K.Damodaran was an orator, historian, and an eminent Marxist philosopher. During the period of Stalin he raised the slogan of nationalizing following Marshal Tito. Communists interpreted this as counter-revolution. But in the East European countries national communism spread during that period. Damodaran was well aware of this development and wrote about the same. Due to this vision, the communists kept a distance from him. Pattabakki, a drama written by him is famous and very popular. His other important works are Indiyuude Atmavu, Bharatheeya Thathwa Chinthaka. He died on 1 July 1976.

MALI

Born on 6 December 1915. Father: T.K.Velu Pillai (Sadasya Thilakan). Mother: Panapillai Bhagavathi Pillai. V.Madhavan Nair who is popularly known as Mali was a lawyer, journalist, musicologist, kathakali playwright, dramatist, editor and a pioneer in the radio broadcasting. But he is more known as a storyteller that attracted both children and adults. His style of story telling is so simple. He wrote thousands of stories from the epics, history, folklores for children of present and future. Mali Ramayanam, Mali Bharatham, Mali Bhagavatham, Puranakathamalika, Bala Sammanam, Padinjaran Balakathal, Bala Katha Malika, Janthusthan, Circus, Unnikale, Katha Parayam, Porattam are some of his wonderful works. The most popular attakkatha (kathakali play) Karnasapatham was authored by Mali. Mali’s Kerala Sangeetham is a reference book for students of carnatic music. Mali was tennis champion and a high jump record holder also. He was serving in the All India Radio for many years and he was the Station Director at the time of his retirement.

MALLOOR GOVINDA PILLAI

Born in 1878. Father: Neelakantan Pillai. Mother: Malloor Kochu Parvathy Amma. Malloor Govinda Pillai was an eminent advocate who specialized in criminal cases Due to his extra ordinary abilities he won recognition and fame. He was elected as a Member of Sreemoolam Praja Sabha. He was also a noble worker who made substantial contribution to the nair community. He died in 1969.

MAMMEN MAPPILA.K.C.

MANMADHAN.M.P.

Born in 1915. Father: Kalleli Veettil Narayana Pillai. Mother: Mangalathu Veedu Saradamma. Sri.Manmadhan toiled hard for the welfare of the society. He was an excellent orator, respected teacher and a talented artist. He was an embodiment of all virtues. He was the Professor and Principal of NSS Colleges. He also served as the Registrar and General Secretary of NSS. He participated in Bhoodan Movement led by Acharya Vinobabhave. He was also the leader of Anti-liquor movement in Kerala. Died on August 14, 1994

MANNATH PADMANABHAN

Sri.Mannathu Padmanabhan born on 2nd January 1878 at Mannathu Bhavanam, Perunna, Changanassery. His father was Sri. Iswaran Namboodiri of Neelavana Illam and mother Smt.Parvathy Amma.He started education at the age of five. He was first admitted to fourth standard after completing the early childhood education. Due to poor financial condition, he was forced to discontinue his studies in the Second Form. He earned some money by writing documents and continued further studies at the age of fifteen. Later he passed teachers training course and became a teacher. He has also passed the Magistrate Examination. He served in many schools as teacher and Head Master. While he was working as a teacher in Changanassery Middle School, he was forced to resign the job due to unnecessary interference of the Head Master. He then enrolled himself as a advocate and started practice in Changanassery courts. In 1901 he got married to Smt.Kallyani Amma who died in 1912. Next year Mannam married Smt.Kuttiamma. She also succumbed to the small pox disease after six years. After long 18 years Mannam again married to the famous writer Smt.Thokkattakad Madhavi Amma in 1931. He was a teacher, an advocate, a writer, orator and stage artist. He was one of the greatest organizers we have ever seen. His abilities, cultural heritage, organizing expertise and artistic talents were dedicated to the welfare of the country as well as the community. Mannam was the life, soul, spirit and the moving force behind the Nair Service Society. The secret behind the wonder and success of NSS was the self less service and relentless efforts of Mannam. Mannam passed away on 25th Januvary 1970 at the age of 93.

MAR GREGORIUS

Born on February 1, 1916 at Thiruvalla. Father: Idikkula. Mother:Annamma. His Grace Mar Gregorius was a great priest who dedicated his life not only for the Christian community but also for the whole mankind. His baptism name was T.E.Varghese. He accepted priesthood in 1948 August. Thereafter he was known as Father Benedict. He was the successor of His Grace Mar Ivanios. He was the Principal of the Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram. In 1955 Father Benedict was ordained as a Bishop. The Episcopal title given to Fr. Benedict was Benedict Mar Gregorius. His Grace Mar Gregorius was the Chairman of Catholic Bishop Council, Kerala Chapter. Later he was elected as the President of Catholic Bishops Council of India. He was a member of World Catholic Council also. He also marked his indelible imprint in the educational, agricultural, housing and health fields. He was very much keen in taking up charity items of work. He was an ardent advocate of communal harmony. He died on October 10, 1994.

MAR IVANIOS GEEVARGHESE

Born on September 8, 1882. Father: Thomas Panicker. Mother: Annamma. His Grace Mar Ivanios was a humble priest having farsighted vision and an intellectual. In the year 1898 he accepted priesthood and became a Professor at Serampore, Calcutta. He was also the Principal of the College. In 1919, he resigned the job of Serampore College, returned to Kerala and founded Bethani Ashrama at Pathanamthitta. Subsequently, Fr. Geevarghese started Balikamadom girl’s school at Thirumoolapuram. On May 1, 1925 Fr. Geevarghese was ordained as a Bishop. The Episcopal title given to Fr. Geevarghese was Geevarghese Mar Ivanios. In 1939, he established St.Mary’s School at Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram. In the year 1948 he established Mar Ivanios College and Mar Theophelus College at Thiruvananthapuram. He died on July 15, 1953.

MELPATHUR NARAYANA BHATTATHIRI

It is believed that Melpathur Narayana Bhattathiri was born about 735 ME at Kururambathwarn near Thirunavaya in Malappuram District. Melpathur studied Sanskrit, Veadas and other sciences from his father and became a scholar by the age of 16. Melputhoor Narayana Bhattathirippad wrote the Narayaneeyam, a devotional Sanskrit poetical hymn consisting of 1034 verses. It is believed that Melpathur affected rheumatic disease and proceeded to the Guruvayoor Temple in the year 761 ME to worship Lord Guruvayurappan. Upon reaching Guruvayur, he started composing one dashaka (10 verses) of Narayaneeyam in the presence of the Lord. He had completed the work in 100 days by one dasaka a day and submitted to the deity to get his chronic disease cured. It is believed that when he finished the last dashakam he was cured. His other works are Prakriya Sarvaswam, Apaneeyapramanyasadhanam, Dathukavyam, Manameyodayam, Thanthravarthikanubandham, Sreepada Sapthadi, Guruvayurpuresa Sthrothram, Panchalee Swayamvaram, Parvathi Swayamvarm etc. It is believed that he died at his age of 106 years. Some historians say that he died at his age of 86 years.

MENON.K.P.S.

Born on 18 October 1898. Father: Kumara Menon. Mother: Janamma. K.P.S. Menon was an eminent administrator and diplomat. He was a Padmabhushan laureate. He secured first rank and selected to Indian Civil Service and started career as Assistant Collector. He was Secretary to Government, External Affairs, Indian Ambassador to China and Soviet Union. He was also a member in UN Commission to Korea. He authored “Delhi-Chunking” and “Russian Panorama”, two great works related to diplomacy. ‘Playing Tokyo’ and ‘Many Worlds’ are his other important works. Moscow University awarded him D.Lit. He died on 21 November 1982

MENON.M.G.K. (Mambillikalathil Govinda Kumara Menon)

Born in1928. Father: Sankara Menon. Mother:Mambillykalathil Narayanikutty Amma. M.G.K.Menon is an outstanding scientist in the field of Atomic Energy. He conducted deep-rooted studies in physics especially in cosmic rays, which won international fame to him. He was the Director of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. He also served as the Director General of Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Secretary of Science & Technology Board of the Government of India, and Advisor to Electronic Commission. He is the President of National Science Academy. Government awarded him Padmabhushan.

MENON.V.P.

Ottappalam is a small town in Kerala that captured national attention as the birthplace of V.P. Menon. A person not even passed the eighth standard steered the integration of native countries to the Republic of India – that is the incredible story of V.P.Menon, who became an eminent administrator and diplomat. He was the right hand of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, who was the Home Minister of India, immediately after independence.

MOHANLAL

Born in 1959. Father: Viswanathan Nair. Mother: Santha Devi. Mohanlal is one of the most gifted and noted cine artists who rose to the level of famous national actors of India. He captured the appreciation of the public through his top performance in various rolls. He won ‘Bharath’ award twice.

MOOLOOR PADMANABHA PANICKER

MRB (Mullamangalathu Raman Bhattathiripad)

Born in 1908.Mullamangalathu Raman Bhattathiripad is known as MRB. He joined the Yogakshema Sabha, an organisation that pioneered social reforms movement, along with V T Bhattathiripad and others. MRB was courageous enough to marry a young widow, at a time when Namboothiri community imposed social prohibition of widow marriage. But there were few to emulate him. He was a writer of attractive literary essays He was working in the Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy for a long period. Marakkudakkullile Mahaanarakam, Ente Omana, Mazhavillu, Vaalkkannaadi are his major works. He died in 2001.

MRNALINI SARABHAI

Born in 1920. Mother: Ammu Swaminathan. Father: Dr.Swaminathan. Mrnalini Sarabhai was a world famous dancer and internationally famous artist. She studied basic lessons of dance from Vishwabharathi. She completed here course in Bharathanatyam classical dance from Kalakshethram of Adayar and Kath Kali dance from Kerala Kala Mandalam. She was the first women dancer who won “Veera Shringala”. She was the wife of Late Dr.Vikram Sarabhai, the famous space scientist.

MUHAMMED KOYA.C.H.

Born on July 15 1927 at Quilandy. Father: P.Ali Musliyar. Mother: Maiyum. C.H. Mohammed Koya was the Chief Minister of Kerala in 1979 and Deputy Chief Minister from 1981 to 1982. C.H.Mohammed Koya was a brilliant administrator, talented organiser, renowned parliamentarian and a celebrated author. While studying in Kozhikode Samoothiri College, he was the leader and one of the founders of Malabar Muslim Students Federation. He served as General Secretary of Kerala State Muslim League and Indian Union Muslim League. In 1957 he was elected as a Member of Legislative Assembly from Thanoor. In 1961 he was the speaker of Kerala Legislative Assembly. In 1962 he was elected as a Member of Parliament from Kozhikode constituency. He was the Minister for Education from 1967-1969, Minister for Education and Home from 1969-1971, Minister for Education from 1971-1973 and Minister for Finance in 1977. When P.K.Vasudevan Nair resigned from the office of Chief Minister of Kerala, C.H.Mohammed Koya became the Chief Minister for a short period from October 12, 1979 to November 30, 1979.

MUKUNDAN .M.

Born on September 10, 1942 at Mayyazhi (Mahe). M.mukundan is a pioneer of modern Malayalam novel movement. The style of his novels and sentiments that created on the readers make Mukundan distinctive from other novel laureates. His first literary work was a short story published in 1961. The Mayyazhi is the main character of almost all his novels and therefor, he is known as the Mayyazhiyude Kadhakaran (Story writer of Mayyazhi). The French government conferred on him the title of Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres in 1998 in recognition to his outstanding literary contributions. He won Kendra Sahithya Academy award, NV Prize, Vayalar Award, and the Kerala Sahitya Academy award. Mayyazhippuzhayude Theerangalil, Daivathinte Vikrithikal, Appam Chudunna Kunkiyamma, Lesli Achante Kadangal, Adithyanum Radhayum Mattu Chilarum, Oru Dalit Yuvathiyude Kadanakatha, Kesavante Vilapangal are his main works.