Kumbalathu Sanku Pillai

Kumbalathu Sanku Pillai (1898-1969) was a social reformer, politician and freedom fighter from Kollam in erstwhile Travancore. He worked for upliftment of lower Caste, spreading modern education and democratization of Travancore.[1] He was the president of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee from 1949-1951 and one of the leaders of Vimochana Samaram.[2] He was also the founder and first president of Panmana Ashramam made in commemoration of Chattampi Swamikal.[3]

Kumbalathu Sanku Pillai
President, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee
In office
1949–1951
Preceded byK. T. Kunhiraman Nambiar
Succeeded byR. Sankar
Personal details
Born15 February 1898
Prakkulam, Kingdom of Travancore, British India
(present day Kollam, Kerala, India)
Died16 April 1969 (aged 71)
Panmana, Kerala, India
Political partyIndian National Congress

Life

Sanku Pillai was born at Prakkulam, Kollam in a landlord family named Thottuvayalil Bungalow on 15 February 1898 and after his childhood he moved to Panmana. He undertook various social reform activities like organizing inter-caste-dining and facilitating temple entry for back ward castes at two temples near Panmana even before the Temple Entry Proclamation of 1936.[4] He was a disciple of Chattampi Swamikal and invited the saint to Panmana in his late years of life. After Chattampi Swamikal passed away, by 1938 Pillai established the Panmana Ashramam to propagate teachings of Swamikal.[3]

The relationship with Barrister A.K. Pillai brought Sanku Pillai into politics. He participated in struggles for responsible government in Travancore. In the end of 1940's he was in forefront of protests against Pattom Thanu Pillai by Indian National Congress members.[5] In this period he rose up in ranks to the president of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee. Sanku Pillai was also part of the Vimochana Samaram.

He was also the founder of Devaswom board College, Sasthamkotta.[6]

The autobiography of Sanku Pillai is Ente Kazhinjakaala Smaranakal.[7][8]

See also

References
  1. Staff Reporter (15 February 2010). "Sanku Pillai always remained with progressive forces: Achuthanandan". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  2. Devika, J. (2005). Her-self: Early Writings on Gender by Malayalee Women, 1898-1938. Popular Prakashan. ISBN 978-81-85604-74-9.
  3. "Chattambi Swamikal Mahasamadhi observance". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  4. "CPM is hijacking renaissance struggles: Congress | Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 11 November 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  5. Varghese, Mary Theresa N. (1970). "Kerala, 1947-1957 : a study of some significant factors leading to the Communist victory in 1957". doi:10.25911/5d74e4b400de5. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. "K S Anilkumar is new KU registrar | Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 24 February 2021. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  7. "'Make Sankupillai's autobiography a textbook'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 9 May 2021.
  8. P, Jinimon (2007). "Autobiographies as Source of History: A Study on the National Movement in Kerala". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 68: 772–779. ISSN 2249-1937. JSTOR 44147886.
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