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== Beginnings of Sociopolitical Involvement == | == Beginnings of Sociopolitical Involvement == | ||
K. Kumar became a member of the Indian National Congress in 1912.<ref name="list of freedom fighters">List of Freedom Fighters, The Regional Records Survey Committee, Government of Kerala</ref> INC had only limited members in those days. Inspired by Gandhiji, he later left higher studies<ref>K.C Pillai - K.Kumarji Smaraka Grandham - 1974</ref> at [[Presidency College, Chennai|Presidency College]] and served the Congress from Trivandrum as one of its very few full-time workers of Kerala.<ref>Sarva Vijnana Kosam (Malayalam Encyclopedia), Government of Kerala</ref><ref>Thirinju Nokkumbol - Autobiography of K. A. Damodara Menon, former Minister of Kerala</ref><ref name="inm 1974">K. Kumar and the Indian National Movement : Puthenkavu Mathen Tarakan 1974</ref> He lived in Trivandrum in those days.<ref>G. Ramachandran - Memories of Kumarji</ref><ref>Sarva Vijnana Kosam, Encyclopedia in Malayalam, Government of Kerala</ref> V. Achutha Menon, was another veteran who also was into full-time Congress work. (Like Kumarji, Achutha Menon also has been forgotten by people and historians). Kumarji's 'speeches made waves among both the intelligentsia and the laymen of the State'<ref>Evoor S. Gopalan Nair 1974</ref><ref name="inm 1974" /><ref>Kumarji, the Immortal: Veloor Krishnan Kuty (1974) - Kumarji Smaraka Grantham</ref><ref>K.C. Pillai - K. Kumarji Smaraka Grandham - 1974</ref><ref>G. Ramachandran</ref> Dr. [[G. Ramachandran (social reformer)|G. Ramachandran]][https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/ramachandran-g][http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/558/7/10_chapter1.pdf], former Chairman of [http://www.kvic.org.in/kvicres/index.html][[Khadi and Village Industries Commission|Khadi Commission]] and Founder Vice-Chancellor of [[Gandhigram Rural Institute|Gandhigram Rural University]] says: "In this area of agitation for political freedom, there hardly was another voice more eloquent and moving than that of Kumarji. I looked upon him as an elder brother in politics and constructive work." Former Minister K.A. Damodara Menon [http://archive.keralamediaacademy.org/content/damodara-menon-ka-1906-1980][http://www.stateofkerala.in/niyamasabha/k_a_damodara_menon.php] speaks of his trans-formative, early days when he used to go to the "Trivandrum Beach" to listen to the speeches of K.Kumar and Paliath Kunjunni Achan.<ref>K.A Damodara Menon - Thirinju Nokkumbol (First Edition- 1981; Page 23 etc.)</ref><ref>History of Indian Literature: 1911-1956, Struggle for Freedom : triumph and ... Sisir Kumar Das - Page 305 etc</ref> "There hardly was a political meeting in Trivandrum" in those days "without Kumarji being the star speaker".<ref>Memories of Kumarji- G. Ramachandran</ref><ref>Evoor S. Gopalan Nair, Editor, 'Service' Weelky Newspaper</ref> | K. Kumar became a member of the Indian National Congress in 1912.<ref name="list of freedom fighters">List of Freedom Fighters, The Regional Records Survey Committee, Government of Kerala</ref> INC had only limited members in those days. Inspired by Gandhiji, he later left higher studies<ref>K.C Pillai - K.Kumarji Smaraka Grandham - 1974</ref> at [[Presidency College, Chennai|Presidency College]] and served the Congress from Trivandrum as one of its very few full-time workers of Kerala.<ref>Sarva Vijnana Kosam (Malayalam Encyclopedia), Government of Kerala</ref><ref>Thirinju Nokkumbol - Autobiography of K. A. Damodara Menon, former Minister of Kerala</ref><ref name="inm 1974">K. Kumar and the Indian National Movement : Puthenkavu Mathen Tarakan 1974</ref> He lived in Trivandrum in those days.<ref>G. Ramachandran - Memories of Kumarji</ref><ref>Sarva Vijnana Kosam, Encyclopedia in Malayalam, Government of Kerala</ref> V. Achutha Menon, was another veteran who also was into full-time Congress work. (Like Kumarji, Achutha Menon also has been forgotten by people and historians). Kumarji's 'speeches made waves among both the intelligentsia and the laymen of the State'<ref>Evoor S. Gopalan Nair 1974</ref><ref name="inm 1974" /><ref>Kumarji, the Immortal: Veloor Krishnan Kuty (1974) - Kumarji Smaraka Grantham</ref><ref>K.C. Pillai - K. Kumarji Smaraka Grandham - 1974</ref><ref>G. Ramachandran</ref> Dr. [[G. Ramachandran (social reformer)|G. Ramachandran]][https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/ramachandran-g][http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/558/7/10_chapter1.pdf], former Chairman of [http://www.kvic.org.in/kvicres/index.html][[Khadi and Village Industries Commission|Khadi Commission]] and Founder Vice-Chancellor of [[Gandhigram Rural Institute|Gandhigram Rural University]] says: "In this area of agitation for political freedom, there hardly was another voice more eloquent and moving than that of Kumarji. I looked upon him as an elder brother in politics and constructive work." Former Minister K.A. Damodara Menon [http://archive.keralamediaacademy.org/content/damodara-menon-ka-1906-1980] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225175351/https://archive.keralamediaacademy.org/content/damodara-menon-ka-1906-1980 |date=25 December 2019 }}[http://www.stateofkerala.in/niyamasabha/k_a_damodara_menon.php] speaks of his trans-formative, early days when he used to go to the "Trivandrum Beach" to listen to the speeches of K.Kumar and Paliath Kunjunni Achan.<ref>K.A Damodara Menon - Thirinju Nokkumbol (First Edition- 1981; Page 23 etc.)</ref><ref>History of Indian Literature: 1911-1956, Struggle for Freedom : triumph and ... Sisir Kumar Das - Page 305 etc</ref> "There hardly was a political meeting in Trivandrum" in those days "without Kumarji being the star speaker".<ref>Memories of Kumarji- G. Ramachandran</ref><ref>Evoor S. Gopalan Nair, Editor, 'Service' Weelky Newspaper</ref> | ||
During the twenties, Kumarji revived the ‘[[Swadeshabhimani (newspaper)|Swadeshabhimani]]’<ref>K.C Pillai on K. Kumar - 1974</ref><ref>The History of Freedom Movement in Travancore, C. Narayana Pillai, Page 401</ref><ref name="gov of kerala" />) (the news-paper founded by [[Vakkom Moulavi]] and run/ edited until 1910 by the deported Swadeshabhimani [[Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai|Ramakrishna Pillai]]), as part of his effort to invigorate the political scene and set the tone for the national movement in Kerala. He also became the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the paper after Ramakrishna Pillai.<ref>K.C. Pillai<sup>°(See Note 1)</sup> and others - 1974- K. Kumarji Smaraka Grandham (Elanthoor)</ref> This was a daring move which nearly froze the government. However, the government wisely chose not to react or retaliate immediately. K. Narayana Kurukkal (author of the novels "Parappuram" and "Udayabhanu") and Barrister A.K. Pillai helped Kumar in his efforts. Kurukkal was a colleague and friend of Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai. Besides Narayana Kurukkal, R. Narayana Panikker, renowned political critic Raman Menon, Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai's wife B. Kalyani Amma [http://www.thehindu.com/books/swadeshabhimani-k-ramakrishna-pillais-wife-b-kalyani-amma-was-a-writer-and-social-reformer-in-her-own-right/article7582805.ece] and other prominent writers, contributed articles to the paper on a regular basis. Kumar also used to write editorials and articles. K. Narayana Kurukkal and Barrister A.K. Pillai <sup>°(See Note 2)</sup> assisted Kumar<ref>K.C Pillai on K. Kumar</ref> to edit the paper which was headquartered at the present DPI Office (Office of the Director of Public Instruction, Government of Kerala) in Thycaud, Trivandrum. Writer and Rabindranath Tagore's disciple K.C. Pillai, who was a student at that time <sup>°(See Note 1)</sup>, used to go the newspaper-office to help Kumarji with back-end office-duties. The paper was run on the lines of "[[Modern Review (Calcutta)|Modern Review]]" published from Calcutta by [[Ramananda Chatterjee]] and used to carry weighty articles besides regular editorials written by Kumar himself. K.C Pillai<sup>°(See Note 1)</sup> and Evoor S. Gopalan Nair opine that "Swadeshabhimani" remained a publication of the highest standards so long as it was under the leadership of Kumar.<ref>K.C Pillai's article in K. Kumarji Smaraka Grandham published from Elanthoor in 1974</ref><ref name="epitome">K. Kumar, the Epitome of Service and Sacrifice : Evoor S. Gopalan nair - Article 1974</ref> It appears that the editorship of ‘Swadeshabhimani’ got passed on to A.K. Pillai<ref>Cogressum Keralavum - AK Pillai</ref> by 1932. K.Kumar had an important role in at least two other influential nationalist papers of the era – the ‘Swarat’ run by A.K. Pillai<sup>°(See Note 2)</sup> himself and the ‘Mahatma’ run by the Amsi brothers.<ref>Dr G. Ramachandran -1974</ref><ref>KC Pillai - 1974</ref> Swadeshabhimani Ramkrishna Pillai's work had a serious impact on Kumarji. He thus chose Cannanore as one of his chief venues for breaking the Salt Law<ref>The History of Freedom Movement in Kerala (1885 - 1938) ORIGINAl from THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN – Government of Kerala (Government Press 1972) -P.K.K Menon – Page 197</ref><ref>Athmakatha (Malayalam)- Moyyarathu Sankaran - Page 164</ref> and became instrumental in erecting the statue of Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai in the capital city of Trivandrum and organising an annual commemoration of the deportation for a long time to come<ref>Kumarji Smaraka Grandham - K.C Pillai and others - Elanthoor (1974)</ref><ref name="gov of kerala" /> | During the twenties, Kumarji revived the ‘[[Swadeshabhimani (newspaper)|Swadeshabhimani]]’<ref>K.C Pillai on K. Kumar - 1974</ref><ref>The History of Freedom Movement in Travancore, C. Narayana Pillai, Page 401</ref><ref name="gov of kerala" />) (the news-paper founded by [[Vakkom Moulavi]] and run/ edited until 1910 by the deported Swadeshabhimani [[Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai|Ramakrishna Pillai]]), as part of his effort to invigorate the political scene and set the tone for the national movement in Kerala. He also became the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the paper after Ramakrishna Pillai.<ref>K.C. Pillai<sup>°(See Note 1)</sup> and others - 1974- K. Kumarji Smaraka Grandham (Elanthoor)</ref> This was a daring move which nearly froze the government. However, the government wisely chose not to react or retaliate immediately. K. Narayana Kurukkal (author of the novels "Parappuram" and "Udayabhanu") and Barrister A.K. Pillai helped Kumar in his efforts. Kurukkal was a colleague and friend of Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai. Besides Narayana Kurukkal, R. Narayana Panikker, renowned political critic Raman Menon, Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai's wife B. Kalyani Amma [http://www.thehindu.com/books/swadeshabhimani-k-ramakrishna-pillais-wife-b-kalyani-amma-was-a-writer-and-social-reformer-in-her-own-right/article7582805.ece] and other prominent writers, contributed articles to the paper on a regular basis. Kumar also used to write editorials and articles. K. Narayana Kurukkal and Barrister A.K. Pillai <sup>°(See Note 2)</sup> assisted Kumar<ref>K.C Pillai on K. Kumar</ref> to edit the paper which was headquartered at the present DPI Office (Office of the Director of Public Instruction, Government of Kerala) in Thycaud, Trivandrum. Writer and Rabindranath Tagore's disciple K.C. Pillai, who was a student at that time <sup>°(See Note 1)</sup>, used to go the newspaper-office to help Kumarji with back-end office-duties. The paper was run on the lines of "[[Modern Review (Calcutta)|Modern Review]]" published from Calcutta by [[Ramananda Chatterjee]] and used to carry weighty articles besides regular editorials written by Kumar himself. K.C Pillai<sup>°(See Note 1)</sup> and Evoor S. Gopalan Nair opine that "Swadeshabhimani" remained a publication of the highest standards so long as it was under the leadership of Kumar.<ref>K.C Pillai's article in K. Kumarji Smaraka Grandham published from Elanthoor in 1974</ref><ref name="epitome">K. Kumar, the Epitome of Service and Sacrifice : Evoor S. Gopalan nair - Article 1974</ref> It appears that the editorship of ‘Swadeshabhimani’ got passed on to A.K. Pillai<ref>Cogressum Keralavum - AK Pillai</ref> by 1932. K.Kumar had an important role in at least two other influential nationalist papers of the era – the ‘Swarat’ run by A.K. Pillai<sup>°(See Note 2)</sup> himself and the ‘Mahatma’ run by the Amsi brothers.<ref>Dr G. Ramachandran -1974</ref><ref>KC Pillai - 1974</ref> Swadeshabhimani Ramkrishna Pillai's work had a serious impact on Kumarji. He thus chose Cannanore as one of his chief venues for breaking the Salt Law<ref>The History of Freedom Movement in Kerala (1885 - 1938) ORIGINAl from THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN – Government of Kerala (Government Press 1972) -P.K.K Menon – Page 197</ref><ref>Athmakatha (Malayalam)- Moyyarathu Sankaran - Page 164</ref> and became instrumental in erecting the statue of Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai in the capital city of Trivandrum and organising an annual commemoration of the deportation for a long time to come<ref>Kumarji Smaraka Grandham - K.C Pillai and others - Elanthoor (1974)</ref><ref name="gov of kerala" /> | ||
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== Fading Into Oblivion == | == Fading Into Oblivion == | ||
Though measures taken in the late twenties did not prove useful enough to unite all communities as he had dreamed,<ref>A Social History of India : S.N. Sadasivan -2000- page 535</ref> K. Kumar renewed his efforts for communal harmony. With [[K. Kelappan]], K. Kumar had already become the first to remove the suffix to his name that suggested caste status.<ref>Evoor S Gopalan Nair (?) - 1974 - K. Kumarji Smaraka Grantham</ref> In course of time, Kumar became "a potent anti-communal force trusted by every community".<ref>Dr G. Ramachandran : Memories of Kumarji (Page 19)</ref><ref>The Epic of Travancore, Mahadeva Desai, Navjeevan Karyalaya, Ahmedabad (1937) - Original from the University of Michigan – page 37 of First Indian Edition</ref> However, political bigotry and manipulative tactics (during elections in Travancore after independence) dealt a ruthless blow to the secular sentiments of Travancore, painstakingly built up over the years and rendered Kumarji a victim of his ideological steadfastness. He contested the historic election against [[T.M. Varghese]]<ref>Politicisation of Caste Relations in a Princely State, A Shaji, Zorba Books</ref> as an independent candidate wedded to ideology and lost by a narrow margin in an election that played the communal card powered with big money. However, it is said that Pattom Thanu Pillai did his best, supported by T.M Varghese, to induct him<ref>K. Raman Nair : Kumarji Smaraka Grantham</ref> into the [[Pattom Thanu Pillai]] Ministry as Home Minister. Kumarji refused the offer on ideological grounds. Independent India failed to recognize him and utilize his exceptional qualities, but he continued to guide and mold a good number of public men and political leaders. Besides, he became active in local development work on a massive scale. He was also able to exert a transforming influence on the people through movements like "Community Feasts", "Thoppippala Agitataion", the Akhila Thiruvithamkoor Parayar Mahasabha and Kuravar Maha Sabha<ref>http://kuravarmahasabha.com/about_us.php</ref><ref>http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/15828/12/12_chapter%204.pdf</ref><ref>Major Dalit Movements in Pre Independence Era - Pages 138and 139 (pdf copy at : http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/15828/12/12_chapter%204.pdf)</ref> that he took initiative in founding.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} | Though measures taken in the late twenties did not prove useful enough to unite all communities as he had dreamed,<ref>A Social History of India : S.N. Sadasivan -2000- page 535</ref> K. Kumar renewed his efforts for communal harmony. With [[K. Kelappan]], K. Kumar had already become the first to remove the suffix to his name that suggested caste status.<ref>Evoor S Gopalan Nair (?) - 1974 - K. Kumarji Smaraka Grantham</ref> In course of time, Kumar became "a potent anti-communal force trusted by every community".<ref>Dr G. Ramachandran : Memories of Kumarji (Page 19)</ref><ref>The Epic of Travancore, Mahadeva Desai, Navjeevan Karyalaya, Ahmedabad (1937) - Original from the University of Michigan – page 37 of First Indian Edition</ref> However, political bigotry and manipulative tactics (during elections in Travancore after independence) dealt a ruthless blow to the secular sentiments of Travancore, painstakingly built up over the years and rendered Kumarji a victim of his ideological steadfastness. He contested the historic election against [[T.M. Varghese]]<ref>Politicisation of Caste Relations in a Princely State, A Shaji, Zorba Books</ref> as an independent candidate wedded to ideology and lost by a narrow margin in an election that played the communal card powered with big money. However, it is said that Pattom Thanu Pillai did his best, supported by T.M Varghese, to induct him<ref>K. Raman Nair : Kumarji Smaraka Grantham</ref> into the [[Pattom Thanu Pillai]] Ministry as Home Minister. Kumarji refused the offer on ideological grounds. Independent India failed to recognize him and utilize his exceptional qualities, but he continued to guide and mold a good number of public men and political leaders. Besides, he became active in local development work on a massive scale. He was also able to exert a transforming influence on the people through movements like "Community Feasts", "Thoppippala Agitataion", the Akhila Thiruvithamkoor Parayar Mahasabha and Kuravar Maha Sabha<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://kuravarmahasabha.com/about_us.php |title=Archived copy |access-date=13 June 2016 |archive-date=30 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630213554/http://kuravarmahasabha.com/about_us.php |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/15828/12/12_chapter%204.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref><ref>Major Dalit Movements in Pre Independence Era - Pages 138and 139 (pdf copy at : http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/15828/12/12_chapter%204.pdf)</ref> that he took initiative in founding.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}} | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
1. K.C. Pillai: Disciple of Rabindranath Tagore, writer and translator (transliterator) of Tagore's works into Malayalam. He was also owner of The Trivandrum Hotel (founded in 1934) in Statue (Trivandrum) which hosted several significant political and social gatherings during the freedom movement. Several of KC Pillai's books were published by DC Books. They may also be available at:<ref>http://www.sbcollege.org/library/authcat.php?idauth=K%20C%20Pillai</ref> | 1. K.C. Pillai: Disciple of Rabindranath Tagore, writer and translator (transliterator) of Tagore's works into Malayalam. He was also owner of The Trivandrum Hotel (founded in 1934) in Statue (Trivandrum) which hosted several significant political and social gatherings during the freedom movement. Several of KC Pillai's books were published by DC Books. They may also be available at:<ref>http://www.sbcollege.org/library/authcat.php?idauth=K%20C%20Pillai</ref> | ||
2. A.K Pillai: Barrister AK Pillai, left his higher studies at Oxford University around 1920 and joined the Indian National Movement. Besides involving in social and political work on a massive scale, he helped K. Kumar to sub-edit the revived "Swadeshabhimani" and himself started the "Swarat" (Swarad) newspaper with the support of K. Kumar to promote the spirit of the national movement. (Ref: Articles of G. Ramachandran and K.C. Pillai in Kumarji Smaraka Grantham; Other sources including :<ref>http://www.kamat.com/database/biographies/a_k_pillai.</ref> | 2. A.K Pillai: Barrister AK Pillai, left his higher studies at Oxford University around 1920 and joined the Indian National Movement. Besides involving in social and political work on a massive scale, he helped K. Kumar to sub-edit the revived "Swadeshabhimani" and himself started the "Swarat" (Swarad) newspaper with the support of K. Kumar to promote the spirit of the national movement. (Ref: Articles of G. Ramachandran and K.C. Pillai in Kumarji Smaraka Grantham; Other sources including :<ref>http://www.kamat.com/database/biographies/a_k_pillai. {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> | ||
3. The empathy for the underprivileged must have driven K. Kumar to dedicate much of his time for Harijan service, Harijan Education, development of Harijan organizations and the establishment of a unique Harijan Rehabilitation Colony in Elanthoor. The colony's life was built around programs for social refinement and economic self-sustainability. It had proximity to a very special school which he founded to educate kids during the day and the laboring classes after sun-down. This unique concept in schooling had a running water system energized by rural technology. It also ran centres of production for goods of regular consumption like match-boxes, soap and candle. These products could bring in supplementary income to the needy learners. It added a thoughtful dimension to the need for "vocationalising" education***. A special parliamentary delegation is understood to have visited Elanthoor to study these developmental experiments. The delegation published a paper or a report titled "Look at Elanthoor", praising and recommending the work as highly worth replication. The remains of the said school are still visible in Elanthoor close to the Harijan Colony. This most noted colony of the past began deteriorating into an absolutely unenviable state even towards the last days of Kumarji. (***Secondary Note: In the late sixties and early seventies, this school-building housed a part of the century-old Government High School nearby. After the government school shifted, seemingly in the early seventies, local people started usurping the remaining land and the property) | 3. The empathy for the underprivileged must have driven K. Kumar to dedicate much of his time for Harijan service, Harijan Education, development of Harijan organizations and the establishment of a unique Harijan Rehabilitation Colony in Elanthoor. The colony's life was built around programs for social refinement and economic self-sustainability. It had proximity to a very special school which he founded to educate kids during the day and the laboring classes after sun-down. This unique concept in schooling had a running water system energized by rural technology. It also ran centres of production for goods of regular consumption like match-boxes, soap and candle. These products could bring in supplementary income to the needy learners. It added a thoughtful dimension to the need for "vocationalising" education***. A special parliamentary delegation is understood to have visited Elanthoor to study these developmental experiments. The delegation published a paper or a report titled "Look at Elanthoor", praising and recommending the work as highly worth replication. The remains of the said school are still visible in Elanthoor close to the Harijan Colony. This most noted colony of the past began deteriorating into an absolutely unenviable state even towards the last days of Kumarji. (***Secondary Note: In the late sixties and early seventies, this school-building housed a part of the century-old Government High School nearby. After the government school shifted, seemingly in the early seventies, local people started usurping the remaining land and the property) | ||
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[[Category:Journalists from Kerala]] | [[Category:Journalists from Kerala]] | ||
[[Category:Malayali politicians]] | [[Category:Malayali politicians]] | ||
[[Category:Malayalam-language journalists]] | [[Category:Malayalam-language journalists]] | ||
[[Category:Indian revolutionaries]] | [[Category:Indian revolutionaries]] | ||