IMPORTANT PERSONALITIES

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RADHAKRISHNAN.C.

Born on February 15, 1939. Father: Madhavan Nair.PM. Mother: Janaky Amma.C. C.Radhakrishnan is an illustrious novelist, well-known scientist, eminent journalist and a publisher. He completed his education from the Guruvayoorappan College at Kozhikode and Victoria College at Palakkad. After obtaining M.Sc. in Physics, he joined as a Scientific Assistant in the Meteorological Observatory at Kodaikkanal. Later he became the Director of Seismology Centre at Pune. He was the editor of Science Today, Assistant Editor of Link and Patriot, editor of Bhashaposhini. He served as a member in the Film Award Committee constituted by the Government of Kerala and in the Director Board of Kerala State Film Development Corporation. Radhakrishnan has written 38 novels, 9 collections of short stories, 4 dramas and 2 collections of poems, so far. He established a publishing company also. Agni, Amritham, Brihatharanyakam, Ellam Maykkuna Kadal, Iniyoru Nirakanchiri, Ivide Ellavarkum Sukham, Kaivazhikal, Kalikalavasthakal, Kalippattangal, Kanalthullikal, Kangalikal, Karal Pilarum Kalam, Kurekkoodi, Madangivarathavar, Maranashiksha, Marichika, Munpe Parakkuna Pakshikal, Nizhalppadukal, Oodum Pavum, Ottayadippathakal, Pin Nilavu, Poojyam, Pullippulikalum Vellinakshathrangalum, Puzha Muthal Puzha Vare, Spandhamapinikale Nandi, Theekadal Kadanhu Thirumadhuram, Ullil Ullathu, Ulppirivukal, Verpadukalude Viralpadugal, Verukal Padarunna Vazhikal, Veshangal, Yudham are some of his novels.Aakashathil Oru Vidavu, Avilpothi, Kudiyozhikkal, Ghoshayathra, Karadi,Thachanar Therenjedutha Cherukathakal, Unarum Vare, are his collection of short stories.Dweepu, Ithikkannikal, Nayattu, Valiya Lokangal are his dramas. Otayan Alarunnu, Sdarshanam are his poems.

RAGHAVAN PILLAI, IDAPPALLI.

Born in 1908. Idappalli Raghavan Pillai was a great poet who created one and only form of verse in simple and beautiful Dravidian style. His poems rise strong criticism against the injustice and hypocrisy that prevailing in the society. He transformed his painful experiences agony as his poems. Wonderful expression of romanticism can be found in his poems. Edapalli belonged to a poor family. He was unlucky in love. He committed suicide on account of the failure of his love at the age of 27 years. His important works are Thushaarahaaram, Navasaurabham, Hridayasmitham, Maninaadam, Idappalli Raghavan Pillayude Kritikal.

RAJ. K.N. (Dr.)

Born on May 13, 1924. Dr.K.N.Raj is an internationally renowned Economist. He became the Member of the Economics Wing of the First Planning Commission of India at his age of 26 years. He was the Professor of Delhi University. The School of Economics established by him in the Delhi University is a world famous one. He was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the Delhi University in 1969. He is the founder Director of the Center for Development Studies of Thiruvananthapurm.

RAJA KESAVADAS

Raja Kesavadas (Kesava Pillai) was born in 919 (ME). Kesava Pillai and his mother were put to a very poor situation to the non-returning of his father who went on pilgrimage. Knowing his abilities in mathematics, Puthukkada Chettiyar, a wealthy merchant, appointed Kesava Pillai as his accountant. Later he was appointed as the accountant of Pokku Moosa, a leading merchant and exporter. The Maharaja of Travancore came to understand the abilities of Kesava Pillai and appointed him in the palace. Kesava Pillai was given promotion as Rayasam Pillai and then to Sambrathy. When Tippu Sultan of Mysore attached Travancore, Kesava Pillai was the commandant of the state army. Travancore army fought against the Mysore force under the leadership of Kesava Pillai and Tippu forced to retreat. Recognising his victory over the Mysore, the Karthika Thirunal Maharaja of Travancore appointed Kesava Pillai as Diwan of Travancore. Then he was known as Raja Kesavadas. Raja Kesavadas was an efficient administrator and an able diplomat. It was he who laid strong foundation to the political ties with the British Government. He introduced several developmental programmes in the field of irrigation, industry, transportation, etc. He developed seaports of Travancore at Kolachal, Vizhinjam and Alappuzha. Sri. Balaramavarma, the successor of Karthika Thirunal Maharaja, sentenced to keep Raja Kesavadas under house arrest succumbed to the inducement of one of his ministers, who was maintaining envy with Kesavadas. Raja Kesavadas was found dead in his prison unexpectedly. It is widely believed that his enemies within the court poisoned him to death..

RAJA RAJA VARMA. A.R.

Born on 1038 Kumbhom 9 (ME) A.R.Raja Raja Varma is known as Kerala Panini. Born in the royal family of Travancore, he underwent his initial studies under the guidance of his uncle Kerala Varma Valiya Koi Thampuran, a great scholar and poet. Raja Raja Varma’s contribution to the Malayalam language is memorable forever. He is the first person who passed B.A. degree from a Travancore royal family. He was appointed as the Inspector of Sanskrit Schools of Travancore. Kerala Panineeyam, Pradhama Vyakaranam, Madhyama Vyakaranam are his major works on Malayalam Grammer. In addition to the grammatical works, he has written a good number of poems in Sanskrit and Malayalam. He passed away on 1093 Midhunam 4 (ME)

RAJA RAVI VARMA

Born on April 29, 1848. Father: Neelakantan Namboothiri. Mother: Umamba Thampuratty. Raja Ravi Varma was the King among the Artists and an Artist among the Kings. Ravi Varma started drawing pictures on the palace walls using charcoal in his early childhood. Understanding his capabilities, Raja Raja Varma, uncle of the child gave him preliminary lessons on painting. At the age of 14, Ravi Varma was sent to Travancore Palace to undergo further training on painting under the guidance of the palace painter Rama Swamy Naidu. After 3 years Theodor Jenson, a British painter, taught him oil painting. Nature and characters of epics are the subjects of his paintings. Scenes from Sakunthalam, Nalacharitham, Rugmangada Charitham are world famous paintings. His paintings are remarkable for their richness of tone. In 1873 he won the First Prize at the Madras Painting Exhibition. After winning in 1873 Vienna Exhibition, he became an Internationally famous Indian painter. His famous paintings are exhibited at the Sree Chitra Art Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram, Museums of Baroda and Mysore. Ravi Varma’s paintings are printed and published by the Ravi Varma Printing Press at Mumbai, once owned by Raja Ravi Varma and later sold to a German. No artists in India could reach on par with Raja Ravi Varma so far. Ravi Varma died on October 21, 1906.

RAJAGOPAL.O.

Born on September 20, 1929. Father: O.Madhavan Nair. Mother: O.Kunhikavamma. Sri.Rajagopal is a fighter for the cause of Kerala for all times. He is a national leader who evaluated issues beyond narrow limits of politics. He is one of the national leaders of Bharathiya Janatha Party (BJP). Being a staunch supporter of Deen Dayal Upadhya , he joined Jan Sangh party in 1956. Later he was elected as the Secretary and then President of the Jan Sangh. When Jan Sangh party merged with Janatha Party, he became the General Secretary of the state unit. He was the Minister for Railways and later Minister for Urban Development of the Government of India in the Atal Bihary Vajpay’s ministry.

RAJALEKSHMY

Born in 1931. Rajalekshmy was a blessed writer who contributed much to the short story and novel fields. Her stories reflected the miseries and despairs experienced by women of the society. She won award of Sahithya Academy for her very first novel, Oru vazhiyum kure nizhalukalum. Njanenna Bhavam is her another famous novel. Her last days were really painful. She committed suicide on 18 January 1965.

RAMACHANDRAN M.G. (MGR)

Born on 17 January 1917. Father: Menakkath Gopala Menon. Mother: Sathyabhama. M.G.Ramachandran popularly known as MGR was the most popular Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and Cine Artist. He was the hero of people of Tamil Nadu. He was known as Ezhai Thozhan (Friend of Poor). He acted heroic roles in films, especially Tamil films, and donated money derived from acting for charity purpose. He associated with Dravida Munnetta Kazhakom (DMK), a dominant political party but later he was expelled from the party. Then he formed a new political organization viz., Anna Dravida Munnetta Kazhakom (ADMK). He led ADMK as a ruling party in Tamil Nadu and he became the Chief Minister of the State. He proved to be the ablest Chief Minister who ruled the state honestly, sincerely and above all corruption-free. The Government of India awarded him Bharata Ratna. He died on 3 December 1987.

RAMACHANDRAN NAIR, G., PATTOM

Born in 1939. Father: K.M.Govinda Pillai. Mother: J.Pankajakshy Amma. Pattom Ramachandran Nair is a renowned historian and well-known literature, who has been actively engaged in the literary field for the past four decades. He is the author of Nair Samudayathinte Ithihasam (Epic of Nair Community), an authoritative reference book about the Nair community of Kerala. He is the founding President of Nairs Academy of Information Research & Services (N.A.I.R.S.). He is one among the founding Directors of Navadhara Publishing Society. Presently he is a member of the Advisory Committee of the Cultural Publications of the Government of Kerala. He won several awards for his outstanding works including Vallathol Sahithya Samithy award. His important works are Nair Samudayathinte Ithihasam, Thiruvanthapurathinte Ithihasam, Asan-Ulloor-Vallathol, Paul-Marar-Mundassery, Pattom Muthal Nayanar Vare etc.

RAMACHANDRAN. A.

Born in 1935. Father: P.Achuthan Nair. Mother: Bhargavi Amma. Sri.A.Ramachandran is a famous visual artist having inborn abilities in drawing. He is a product of Shanthiniketan. He visualized how traditional Indian art and painting technology can be modernized. He was the Chairman of Lalithakla Academy. The Government of India awarded him Padmabhushan in 2005.

RAMACHANDRAN. G.Dr.

Born on October 7, 1904 at Neyyattinkara, Thiruvananthapuram. Dr.Ramachandran was a thinker, writer and a public leader. He came to the field of independence struggle through the harijan uplift movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi. He completed his education from Viswabharathy University, Kolkatha. He is the founder of Gandhigram Institute and the first Vice-Chancellor of Gandhigram University. He was also served as the Editor of ‘Indian Express’. He was nominated as a Member of Rajya Sabha also. He died on January 17, 1995.

RAMAKRISHNA PILLAI, SWADESHABHIMANI

Born on 1053 Idavam 16 (1878) at Neyyattinkara. Father: Narasimhan Potti Mother: Chakkiamma. Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai was the editor of the journal Swadeshabhimani. He was an eminent and courageous Journalist who used his pen as a sword. His severe criticism against nepotism and corruption through the editorials shook the rulers, which led to confiscation of the journal and press. Consequentially he was exiled from Travancore. He wrote the biography of Karl Marx. Died on 28 March 1916

RAMAKRISHNAN, MALAYATTOOR

Born on May 30, 1927 at Palakkad. Malayattoor Ramakrishnan was a famous Novelist, eminent administrator, cartoonist and painter. He completed his studies from U.C.College, Aluva, University College, Thiruvananthapuram and Government Law Collge, Thiruvananthapuram. He started his career as an advocate and later worked as a Magistrate for a few months. He was selected to IAS in the year 1958 and held various positions in the bureaucratic hierarchy. In the year 1981 he voluntarily retired from service. He was the Chairman of Lalithakala Academy, Chief Editor of Janayugom Weekly, Editor of Prabhath Book House and Chairman of Vayalar Smaraka Trust. He won several awards for his novels including Sahithya Academi Award. Verukal, Dwandayudham, Anchucent, Yakshi, Ponni, Yanthram, Dr.Vezhambal, Nettoor Madam (Novels), IAS Dinangal (service story) are his main works. In addition to the above, he wrote a lot of short stories and satires, which have been compiled and published in 14 vols. He died on December 27, 1997.

RAMAKRISHNAN, THERAMBIL

Born in June 3, 1943. Therambil Ramakrishnan was the Speaker of Kerala Legislative Assembly. He was the Secretary, District Congress Committee, Thrissur and Executive Committee Member of K.P.C.C. He was the General Secretary of National Democratic Party (NDP). He was also served as Secretary of the Public Library, Thrissur and Member of the Kerala Grandhasala Sanghom. He is one of the eminent parliamentarians and a renowned advocate.

RAMAN MENON, PUTHEZHATHU

Born in November 8. 1887 at Manalur, Thrissur. Father: Parameswara Menon, Mother: Pappu Amma. Puthezhath Raman Menon was one among the few great men who contributed much to Malayhalam literature. He had command on almost all fields of Malayalam language. His contributions to the uplift of the society were also remarkable. He was District and High Court Judge. He translated poems of Rabindranatha Tagore in Malayalam. He was the Chairman of Sahithya Academy. He died on 27 January 1973

RAMAN PILLAI.C.V.

Born on 7th Idavam 1053 (1858). Father: Neelakanta Pillai. Mother: Parvathy Pillai. C.V.Raman Pillai is the author of best historical novels ever written in Malayalam. He is considered as the Ivan Hoe of Malayalam. Marthandavarma, Dharmaraja, Ramaraja Bahadur are the three famous historical novels written by him. He also wrote social novels like Premamrutham and some other satirical novels and dramas. C.V.Raman Pillai led his official life under the royal patronage. Yet he was very careful in protecting the interest of the society. Through his writings he tried to uphold the interests of the society. Even the minor incidents of Sivite-Vishnavite enmity, which was a special feature of Hindu culture, found its echo in the writings of C.V. It was through C.V. that Malayalam prose drama found its roots in Kerala. He was the founder Member of Keraleeya Nayar Samajam. He was one of the leaders of Malayali Memorial and other reformation movements in the country. He was the Superintendent of Government Press of Travancore. He died on March 21, 1922.

RAMAVARMA, VAYALAR

Born on March 15, 1928. Vayalar Rama Varma was a modern poet and lyricist. He was a poet of proletariat and having revolutionary ideals. He wrote more than 2000 sweet and melodious lyrics for more than 200 Malayalam films. His poem Sargasangeetham won the Kerala Sahithya Academy award in 1961. He won the President’s gold medal for best lyrics in 1974. The Government of Kerala presented him the award for best lyricist for three times. Sargasangeetham, Mulankaadu, Padamudrakal, Aayisha, Oru Judas Janikkunnu are his important poetical collections. He died on October 27, 1975.

RAMU KARYAT

Ramu Karyat was a distinguished director of film who brought international fame to the Malayalam film. He started his career as an Assistant Director of films. He was the co-director of the famous Malayalam film Neelakkuyil, which won the silver medal of the President of India. He was the director of Malayalam film, Chemmeen, which bagged the first National award for the best film in 1965. He was elected as a Member of Kerala Legislative Assembly in 1965 but the Assembly was not constituted for want of single party majority. He directed 8 films. He was elected as one of juries in the Moscow Film Festival in 1975. Neelakkuyil, Moodupadam, Chemmeen, Abhayam, Maya, Nellu, and Dweep are his famous films.