IMPORTANT PERSONALITIES

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PADMANABHA MENON.K.P.

Born in October 1857. Father: Diwan Peshkar Sankunny Menon. Mother: Parvathy Amma. K.P. Padmanabha Menon was the son of Diwan Peshkar Sankunni Menon who for the first time attempted to write the history of Travancore. Through his work Kerala Charithram (History of Kerala), Padmanabha Menon surpassed the talents of his father. Padmanabha Menon was an eminent Advocate, Judge and Historian. He also wrote Kochi Rajya Charithram (History of Cochin). He was also the Advocate General of Madras Government and member of Marumakkathayam Committee. He died on 1 May 1919.

PADMANABHA PILLAI, SREEKANTESWARAM.

Born on November 27, 1864 at Thiruvananthapuram. Father: Narayana Pillai Mother Aanantha Pillai Lekshmy Pillai. Sreekanteswaram Padmanabha Pillai is the author of Sabdatharavali, the first authoritative dictionary in Malayalam. An authentic Shabdakosham was not available in Malayalam till the preparation of the elaborate dictionary named Sabdatharavali.The contribution of Sreekanteswaram will be remembered forever.

PADMANABHAN. T.

Born in 1931. T.Padmanabhan is an accomplished author and short story writer. He has written a number of short stories, which have a special beauty and attractiveness. He was the Estate Manager of the FACT, Cochin. His important works are Prakaasam parathunna penkutti, Oru kathakrithu kurisil, Makhan Singhinte Maranam, T. Padmanabhante Theranjetutha kathakal, Saakshi, Harison Sayvinte Naaya, Veetu Nashtappetta Kutti Gouri etc.

PADMARAJAN. P.

Born on 23 May 1945. Father: Anantha Padmnabha Pillai. Mother: Devaki Amma. P.Padmarajan was a Novelist, Malayalam Film Director and Script Writer. He started his career as a programme announcer in the A.I.R.and remained there till1986. He retired voluntarily when he began writing scripts to the films. His stories deal with violence, romance, mystery, passion and jealousy, anarchism. All stories written by him are the best ones in Malayalam literature. His very first novel NakshathrangalaeyKaaval won the Kerala Sahithya Academy award. Apart from writing film scripts for other film directors, he started to direct films based on his own screenplays. His first film is Peruvazhiyambalam. Many of his films kept a balance between intellectual and commercial applications. He introduced many new actors in Malayalam screen like Ashokan, Rahman, Jayaram, etc. He died on 24 January 1991.

PADMINI

Father: Thankappan Pillai. Mother: Saraswathy Amma. Padmini is a blessed dancer and actress. She excelled herself in many different styles of dance from Bharatnatyam to Western. She has acted and danced in more than 250 films. She was a top star not only in Bollywood but also in four other Indian regional language films - Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu. She was trained classical dance under Guru Gopinath. She made her film debut when she was at her age of 17, in Uday Shankar's "Kalpana". She had a film career that spanned over 40 years. She died on November 2006

PANDIT KARUPPAN

Born on May 24, 1885 at Cheranallur in Ernakulam District. Father: Sri. Ayyan. Mother: Smt.Kochupennu. Pandit K.P.Karuppan was a distinguished poet and social reformer who fought against the untouchability, racial discrimination and for the uplift of oppressed class of the society. After primary education, he underwent higher studies at the Kodungallur Kovilakom (royal mansion). The Prince of Cochin gave encouragement to him and with his aid Karuppan could study Sanskrit. He started writing poems at his age of 14 years. He was a teacher in Ernakulam Maharajas College. He was elected to the Cochin Legislative Council in the year 1924. Kerala Varma Valiya Koi Thampuran conferred him the title Vidwan (scholar) and the Prince of Cochin awarded him the title Kavithilakan (great poet). Lankamardanam, Nyshadham (dramas), Bhymeeparinayam, Urvasi (translations), Sakunthalam Vanchippattu, Kavyapedakam (poems), Kairalee Kouthukam, Jalodyanam, Chithralankaram, Rajarajaparvam, Vilapageetham are his works. Jathikummi, a poem written by him describes the suffering and agony of the oppressed people who faced racial discrimination at his times. He passed on March 23, 1938.

PANICKER. K.C.S.

Born in 1911. Father: Madhava Menon. Mother:Narayani Amma. K.C.S. Panicker was a veteran visual artist. He had inborn abilities in the field of drawing and each of his work were always different and quite modern. He had done his first work at the age of 12 years. He was the Principal, Fine Arts School, Chennai and he established “Kalakendra” at Chennai. He was a Member Lalithakala Academy and won several national level awards. He died in January 1977.

PANICKER. K.M., SARDAR

Born on 3 June 1895. Sardar K.M.Panicker was a distinguished diplomat, author and historian. He published more than 50 works. He was Indian Ambassador to China, France and Egypt. He was also the Vice-Chancellor of Mysore University He was the Member of the State Re-organization Committee immediately after independence. He founded the daily, ‘Hindustan Times’ in 1925. He died on 10 December 1963.

PANIKER. P.N.

Born on 3 March 1909. Father: Govinda Pillai. Mother: Janaky Amma. Sri.P.N.Panicker was the life and soul of the father of literacy movement in Kerala. The Grandhasala programme, which developed and spread throughout Kerala with the active involvement of people, was an outcome of the relentless efforts of Sri.P.N.Panicker.

PARAMESWARAN.P

Born at Cherthala village in Alappuzha district in the year 1927, Parameswaran completed his education in SB College Changanassery and University College Thiruvananthapuram. He came into contact with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh during his student days, was also a favorite disciple of Agamananda Swamiji. Parameswaran became RSS Pracharak in 1950. He took over as organizing secretary of Jan Sangh in 1957. He was jailed during the Emergency. Parameswaran worked as director of Deendayal Research Institute in New Delhi after coming out of prison. He also keeps his close association with Sri Ramakrishna Mutt and Advaita Ashram, Kalady.Parameswaran has won many awards and recognitions. In 2004,the Indian President conferred 'Padma Sri' upon him as recognition of his valuable contributions to the society. He has authored many books in Malayalam and English. "Beyond all isms to Humanism" is one of the famous works. His books on Maharishi Aurobindo ,Marx and Vicekananda ,Chatrapathi Shivaji and Swami Vivekananda's teachings are well acclaimed.He is a renowned thinker in Kerala.. He is the director of Bharatiya Vichara Kendra and the president of Vivekanada Kendra,Kanyakumari. He is also known as Parameswarji

PAUL. M.P.

Born on May 1, 1904 at Vaappuzha. Father: Menochery Poulose. Mother: Rosamma.M.P.Paul was an eminent critic. He was a teacher in St.Thomas College, Thrissur, S.B.College, Chanaganassery and Mar Ivanious College, Thiruvananthapuram. He also established tutorical centres at Thrissur, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Thiruvananthapuram, which were the centres of knowledge. He was he founder President of Sahithya Pravarthaka Sahakarana Sanghom. Cherukathaprasthanam, Novel Sahithyam and Soundary Nireekshnam are some of his famous works on literary criticism.

PAZHASSI KERALAVARMA RAJA

Actual date of birth of Pazhassi Raja is not known. It is believed that he was born in 1775. Pazhassi Raja belonged to Kottayam dynasty of North Malabar. When Tippu Sultan invaded Malabar many royal families migrated to Travancore. But Pazhassi Raja did no migrate. He established hiscapital at Pazhassi and defended Tippu Sultan. Since his capital was at Pazhassi, he was known after his capital. He was a great patriot who fought against British supremacy over the native states. He was a master in guerilla warfare. Though he fought courageously against the British, he was defeated in the year 1805. He swallowed his diamond ring and committed suicide before being caught by the British soldiers

PILLAI.G.P. BARISTER

Born on February 2, 1863. Even before forming the idea of national feeling among he rulers of India, Barister G.P.Pillai shook the British Empire through his powerful writings. His career for 39 years was eventful and lasting for many years. He did many great deeds during his short life span. He was an eminent Journalist and Advocate. He fought against the autocratic rule of Diwan of Travancore and thus became a sour to the eyes of authorities. He wrote innumerable articles mainly criticizing the authorities. “Represent India” is his famous work. He also wrote a book entitled “Indian National Congress Men”.He died on October 21, 1903.

POONTHANAM

PRAKASH KARAT

Born in 1958. Prakash Karat is the General Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He was the State Secretary of CPM Delhi and member of party’s Polit Bureau. He is a member of famous Karat family at Palaghat belonging to Karat Achutha Menon who wrote “Viruthan Sanku”, a famous Malayalam Novel.

PREM NAZIR

Born in 1929 March at Chirayinkil near Thiruvananthapuram. Prem Nazir was the super star and evergreen hero of Malayalam cinema having many records. He found a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for having acted in largest number of films. Hero of more than 700 films, hero of largest number of films in which he paired with same heroine, release of 39 films in a year are some of his other records. His genuine name is Abdul Khader. He graduated from the S.B.College, Changanassery. He made his first appearance in the silver screen in the year 1952 through the film Marumakal. He was awarded Padma Bhushan by the Government of India. Enne Thediyethiya Kathapathrangal is his autobiography. He died on January 16, 1989.