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{{Short description|Indian social reformer (1838–1893)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Mama Parmanand
| image = Mama Parmanand-Konkani Vishwakosh.png
| caption =
| birth_name = Narayan Mahadev Parmanand
| birth_date = 3 July 1838
| birth_place = Maungao, [[Sawantwadi]], [[Konkan]], India
| death_date = 13 September 1893 (aged 55)
| death_place = [[Mumbai]], India
| occupation = Social reformer, journalist, teacher, administrator
| spouse = Jankibai
| education = Elphinstone Institute, [[University of Mumbai]]
| known_for = Founding member of [[Prarthana Samaj]], First editor of ''Native Opinion'', Mentor to [[Kashinath Trimbak Telang]]
| notable_works = ''Pitrubodh'' (1877)
}}

'''Mama Parmanand''' (3 July 1838 – 13 September 1893), born as '''Narayan Mahadev Parmanand''', was an Indian social reformer, journalist, and a founding member of the [[Prarthana Samaj]].<ref name="Vishwakosh1999">{{cite wikisource |editor-first1=Tanaji |editor-last1=Halarnkar |editor-link1=Tanaji Halarnkar |others= |title=Konkani Vishwakosh |trans-title=Konkani Encyclopaedia |wslink=Page:Konkani Viswakosh Vol3.pdf/694 |type= |edition= |series= |pages=694–695 |volume=3 |year=1999 |publisher=[[Goa University]] |location=Goa |language=gom |wslanguage=gom }}</ref> Regarded by [[Mahadev Govind Ranade]] as a "Political Rishi" (''Rajkiya Rishi''), he served as a prominent advisor to several key figures of the Indian independence and reform movements.<ref name="MarathiVishwakosh">{{cite web |title=परमानंद, नारायण महादेव |url=https://vishwakosh.marathi.gov.in/28916/ |website=Marathi Vishwakosh |publisher=Government of Maharashtra |language=mr}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Parmanand was born on 3 July 1838 in the village of Maungao, located near [[Sawantwadi]] in the [[Konkan]] region.<ref name="MarathiVishwakosh" /> His father, Mahadev, died when Parmanand was only a year old. Raised by his mother, Gangabai, he received his primary education in his maternal uncle's village, where his mother supported the family by running a small shop. He later moved to [[Mumbai]] for further studies.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />
He attended the Elphinstone Institute in Mumbai, where he was a distinguished student, earning the "West Scholarship" and the "Claire Scholarship".<ref name="MarathiVishwakosh" /> Parmanand gained a reputation as a scholar and cleared the [[matriculation]] examination following the establishment of the [[University of Mumbai]]. Although he initially enrolled for a B.A. degree, financial difficulties forced him to discontinue his studies and take up a teaching position at Elphinstone High School, where he worked from 1864 to 1868.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /><ref name="MarathiVishwakosh" /> During this time, he mentored students such as the researcher [[Kashinath Trimbak Telang]].<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />

== Career ==
Parmanand's professional life included roles in education, journalism, and government administration. After a brief period working in [[Sindh]], he returned to Mumbai due to health concerns and transitioned from teaching to a career in writing and public service.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />

=== Journalism and writing ===
Parmanand was a prolific journalist and served as the first editor of the newspaper ''Native Opinion'', which launched on 4 January 1864.<ref name="MarathiVishwakosh" /> He was also heavily involved with other influential publications, including ''[[Induprakash]]'', ''Indian Spectator'', and ''Subodh Patrika''.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /> He was a dedicated contributor to ''Subodh Patrika'', the official mouthpiece of the [[Prarthana Samaj]], and continued to write for the journal until his death, even while bedridden.<ref name="MarathiVishwakosh" />

=== Administrative roles ===
Parmanand held several significant administrative positions:
* Naib Diwan: He served as the Naib Diwan (Deputy Collector) of the [[Cutch State|Kutch State]], contributing to various administrative reforms before resigning due to political interference.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /><ref name="MarathiVishwakosh" />
* Registrar: Following his return to Mumbai, he was appointed as a Registrar at the [[Bombay High Court]] by Sir [[William Wedderburn]].<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />
* Government Official: He also served as the Secretary of the Labor Department and as a Superintendent in the Revenue and General Departments. He later held the position of Secretary to the Municipality.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /><ref name="MarathiVishwakosh" />

== Social reform and religious work ==
A core member and promoter of the [[Prarthana Samaj]], which he joined in 1867, Parmanand believed that religious reform was a prerequisite for national progress.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /><ref name="MarathiVishwakosh" /> He founded the "Hindu Social Reform Association" and was a staunch advocate for [[widow remarriage]]. His home often served as a refuge for remarried couples and a gathering place for students and social activists. His reformist outlook was notably influenced by the biography of [[Benjamin Franklin]].<ref name="MarathiVishwakosh" />

== Influence and legacy ==
Parmanand was highly respected as a political thinker. In addition to [[Sayajirao Gaekwad III]], Sir William Wedderburn, and [[Mahadev Govind Ranade]], his counsel was sought by leaders such as [[Badruddin Tyabji]] and [[Pherozeshah Mehta]].<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /><ref name="MarathiVishwakosh" />

His book ''Pitrubodh'', published in 1877 and dedicated to his father, was translated into English, Marathi, and Gujarati.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /><ref name="MarathiVishwakosh" /> He was supported in his social endeavors by his wife, Jankibai.<ref name="MarathiVishwakosh" /> Parmanand died in Mumbai on 13 September 1893.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" />

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mama Parmanand}}
[[Category:1838 births]]
[[Category:1893 deaths]]
[[Category:19th-century Indian journalists]]
[[Category:Indian social reformers]]

Mama Parmanand - Revision history

Tanwarpal Singh: New Basic Details Needs Work