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| {{short description|Indian physician, writer, social reformer, Renaissance leader of Kerala (1863-1948)}}
| | #REDIRECT [[Ayathan Gopalan]] |
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| {{Infobox person
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| | honorific_prefix = Rao Sahib
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| | name = Ayathan Gopalan
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| | image = Ayathanalok.jpg
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| | caption =
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| | other_names = Darsarji, Darsar Sahib
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| | birth_name = Ayathan Gopalan
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| | birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1863|03|05}}
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| | birth_place = [[Thalassery, Kerala]], India
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| | death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|1948|05|02|1863|05|03}}
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| | death_place = Calicut Shanthi Ashram
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| | resting_place = Santhi Gardens (Ayathan family cemetery, Calicut)
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| | movement = Sugunavardhini movement, Brahmo Samaj
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| | spouse = {{marriage |Kallat Kausallya Ammal|1878|1930}}
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| | children = 5 | |
| | alma_mater = [[Madras Medical College]]
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| | occupation = {{hlist|Doctor|professor|social reformer}}
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| | known_for =
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| | notable_works = Bhramodarma malayalam (Bible of bhramosamaj)<br>Saranjiniparinayam and Susheeladukham (Musical dramas)
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| | mother =
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| | father =
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| | relatives = Dr.[[Ayyathan Janaki Ammal]]
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| | family =
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| | awards = [[Rao Sahib]]
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| }} | | }} |
| {{Reformation in Kerala}}
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| '''Rao Sahib Ayathan Gopalan''' (5 March 1863 - 2 May 1948), popularly known as "'''Darsarji"'''and "'''Darsar Sahib'''" ("doctor"), was an Indian physician, writer, philanthropist, social reformer, and Renaissance leader of Kerala. He is the founder of the Sugunavardhini movement and a leader and propagandist of [[Brahmo Samaj]] in [[Kerala]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bose, Ram Chandra.|title=Brahmoism; or, History of reformed Hinduism from its origin in 1830,.|date=1884|publisher=[[Funk & Wagnalls]]|oclc=1032604831}}</ref> He denounced idol worship and fought to end those social practices in Kerala that he thought were unethical. Among his followers were [[Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi]],<ref>{{Cite book|title=Biography of Brahmananda swami Sivayogy by A K Nair}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi by Pavanan}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Biography of Brahmanada Sivayogi written by K Bheeman Nair "Asathyathil ninnu sathyathilekku"(അസത്യത്തിൽ നിന്ന് സത്യത്തിലേക്ക്)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi and His Selected Works by P.V. Gopalakrishnan}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://sreyas.in/brahmananda-sivayogi|title=sivayogi|date=29 April 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Kerala Navothanam - Oru Marxist Veekshanam - P. Govindappilla (Chintha Publishers, Thiruvananthapuram-695001)}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi and his selected works|last=Gopalakrishnan, P. V.|date=2002|publisher=Kalpaz Publications|isbn=8178351013|oclc=52726748}}</ref> [[Vagbhatananda|Vaghbatananda]],<ref>{{Cite book|title=Kurup, K. K. N. (1988), Modern Kerala: Studies in Social and Agrarian Relations |publisher=Mittal Publications|year=1988|isbn=9788170990949}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Shepherds' Chalet, Shepherds' Chalet, Shepherdschalet.com, retrieved 19 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title=Kurup, K. K. N. (September 1988). "Peasantry and the Anti-Imperialist Struggles in Kerala". |journal=Social Scientist|volume=16|issue=9|pages=35–45|year=1988|doi=10.2307/3517171|jstor=3517171|last1=Kurup|first1=K. K. N.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://vagbhatananda-admavidya.com/|title=Vagbhatananda}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Maharṣi Vāgbaṭānanda Gurudēvar.|last=Brahmavrathan, Swami.|date=1971|oclc=978079481}}</ref> and Brahmavadhi P. Kunhiraman. Gopalan titled P. Kunhiraman as "Brahmavadhi" and Sivayogi as "[[Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi|Brahmananda Swami]]".
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| He was awarded and honored by the [[British Raj|British government]] with the highest civilian award and title, the "[[Rai Sahib|Rao Sahib]]",<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> for his services. The formation of the Sugunavardhini movement and [[Brahmo Samaj|Brahmosamaj]] played a significant role in the [[Kerala reformation movement]].
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| ==Life==
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| Gopalan was born at Anjarakkandi [[Thalassery, Kerala]], as the first son of Ayyathan Chandhan and Kallat Chirutha Ammal. His youngest sister, [[Ayyathan Janaki Ammal]]<ref>{{Cite book|title=Modern Kerala, Studies in social and agrarian relations (1988). Modern Kerala:Studies in social and agrarian relations|publisher=by K.K.N.Kurup. mittal publications 1988: K.K.N.Kurup.|year=1988|page=86}}</ref> was the first female doctor in Kerala (Malabar), which was an administrative district of [[Madras Presidency]] during [[British Raj|British rule in India]].
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| He opposed superstitions and caste believes at an early age. Gopalan was the Renaissance leader who had his hair cut as part of a protest during his high school years, contrary to the traditional way in which members of the ruling aristocratic community were forced to grow their hair and make a tuft of hair and keep it in a traditional way.
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| Reluctant to observe caste differences or customs. He was against all caste evils and lived as a true "Brahmo" until his death. He did not act or oppose any other reform movements or any caste movements, but instead worked as a free man to revive society from all social evils.
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| He never preserved the name of the caste in which he was born, nor spoke for their upliftment. Instead he criticized the superstitions and superstitious practices inside his own caste. Although he was from the Thiyya community, he never followed their customs and did not live as a Thiyya, thus being excommunicated from the thiyyar caste at an early age.
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| He studied at [[Anjarakkandy]] elementary school, [[Government Brennen College, Thalassery|Brennen School]], [[Mission school|Mission High School]] and later joined [[Madras Medical College]]<ref>{{Cite book|title=Annual Report of the Madras Medical College. Session 1855-56( -1876-77).|last=Madras Medical College.|date=1856–77|oclc=562478204}}</ref> on 19 September 1884. He read about the [[Ram Mohan Roy|Raja Ram Mohan Roy's]] Brahmo Samaj.,<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Nazir|first=Parwez|date=2011|title=Raja Ram Mohan Roy: Social Reform and Empowerment of Women|journal=Journal of Exclusion Studies|volume=1|issue=2|pages=1|doi=10.5958/j.2231-4547.1.2.013|issn=2231-4547}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Sati, a writeup of Raja Ram Mohan Roy about burning of widows alive|last=Rammohun Roy, Raja, 1772?-1833.|date=1996|publisher=B.R. Pub. Corp|isbn=8170188989|oclc=38110572}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Hatcher|first=Brian A.|title=Debendranath Tagore and the Tattvabodhinī Sabhā|date=1 January 2008|work=Bourgeouis Hinduism, or Faith of the Modern Vedantists|pages=33–48|publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]|isbn=9780195326086|doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195326086.003.0003}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Men I have seen; personal reminiscences of seven great Bengalis.|last=Śāstrī, Śibanātha, 1847-1919.|date=1948|publisher=Sadharan Brahmo Samaj|oclc=11057931}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Killingley|first=Dermot|chapter=Rammohun Roy and the Bengal Renaissance|date=27 June 2019|pages=36–53|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780198790839|doi=10.1093/oso/9780198790839.003.0003|title=The Oxford History of Hinduism: Modern Hinduism}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Reflections on the Bengal renaissance : [papers read at a seminar, "Perspectives of the Bengal Renaissance"]|last=Seminar on Perspectives of the Bengal Renaissance (1976 : Rajshahi University)|date=1977|publisher=Institute of Bangladesh Studies, Rajshahi University|oclc=557887410}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|chapter=Rabindranath Tagore: His Life and Thought|date=24 February 2016|pages=1–17|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781315554709|doi=10.4324/9781315554709-1|title=The Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=Brahmoism; or, History of reformed Hinduism from its origin in 1830,.|last=Bose, Ram Chandra.|date=1884|publisher=Funk & Wagnalls|oclc=1032604831}}</ref> Joined Brahmo Samaj and engaged in its social reform activities and became an active executive member of the General Committee of Calcutta Brahmo Samaj. He participated in the committee's annual conferences at various locations across India, along with Brahmo leaders such as [[Keshub Chandra Sen|Kesub Chandra Sen]], [[Debendranath Tagore]], Sivanath Sastri, [[Rabindranath Tagore]], and [[R. G. Bhandarkar]]. In 1888, he obtained a medical degree with honors and entered into [[Public service|government service]]. He worked as a [[medic]] in several hospitals across South India and as a medical lecturer.
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| Gopalan married Kallat Kausallyaammal on 30 December 1894. [[R. G. Bhandarkar|Ramakrishna Gobal Bhandhakar]], a Brahmo leader and social reformer at that time, conducted the wedding at the Madras Brahmo Samaj. Several Brahmo leaders presided over the wedding. This was the first Brahmo wedding to be conducted at Madras Brahmosamaj, and also the first Brahmo wedding of South India. Kausallyaammal was a strong supporter of Gopalan and assisted his social reform activities.
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| == Social reform activities ==
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| === Establishment of Brahmosamaj branches in Kerala ===
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| Gopalan worked as a doctor, chief surgeon, and [[Chief physician|superintendent]] at several hospitals in [[South India]]. He returned to Kerala in 1897 and joined the [[Kuthiravattam Mental Hospital|Calicut Lunatic asylum]] (now the [[Kuthiravattam Mental Hospital|Kuthiravattom Mental Hospital]]) as its first Indian superintendent. Meanwhile, [[caste]] and [[racial discrimination]], malicious practices, and social injustices were prevalent in Kerala, and atrocities against women and children were at their peak. He instituted Brahmosamaj in Kerala for the first time in 1893.
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| Gopalan extended his reform ideologies and propagated his reform activities by establishing the first branch of Brahmo Samaj<ref>{{Cite book|last=Bose, Ram Chandra.|title=Brahmoism; or, History of reformed Hinduism from its origin in 1830|date=1884|publisher=Funk & Wagnalls|oclc=1032604831}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=brahmosamaj|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Brahmo-Samaj}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=brahmosamajnet|url=https://www.thebrahmosamaj.net}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=brahmosamaj|url=https://www.thebrahmosamaj.net/history/history.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=brahmosamaj|url=http://adaniel.tripod.com/brahmosamaj.htm}}</ref> on 17 January 1898 at [[Kozhikode|Calicut]]. To conduct Samaj's meetings and prayers, a separate {{Lang|hi|brahmomandir}} (lit. "hall"){{Em dash}}now [[Ayathan School|Ayathan Gopalan Memorial School]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ayathan school runs under the patronage of Brahmosamaj|url=http://ayathanschool.com/history.php}}</ref>{{Em dash}}was opened to the public on 1 October 1900. The {{Lang|hi|brahmomandir}} was inaugurated by [[Zamorin of Calicut|Mana Vikraman Ettan Thampuran]], the Zamorin King of Calicut.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Krishna Ayyar, K. V., 1894-|title=The zamorins of Calicut: from the earliest times down to A.D. 1806|date=1999|publisher=Publication Division, University of Calicut|oclc=607834506}}</ref>
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| The second branch of Brahmo Samaj was established at [[Alappuzha]] in 1924.Later, Intercaste marriages were inspired in South Kerala. Under the leadership of Gopalan, social reforms were able to make great strides.
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| [[Brahmo Samaj|Brahmosamaj]] branches were also set up at [[Alathur]], [[Thalassery|Telicherry]], and at different parts of Kerala .
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| === Sugunavardhini Movement ===
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| In the year 1900, Gopalan and Kausallyaammal initiated the Sugunavardhini Movement and extended his social reform activities. Through this movement, he worked to foster human values in children, attract children to his social activities, protect the rights of women, and provide free education to girls and marginalised sections of society, especially the [[Harijan]] (Dalit) communities in Kerala, that were poorly treated by the higher castes, He established the Chandhawarkar Elementary School with the intention to educate girls and the underprivileged sections of society.
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| In addition to supporting and educating women and the underprivileged, their movement led reforms to oppose [[idolatry]]; promote and conduct {{Lang|hi|Misra Vivaham}} (inter-caste marriages) and {{Lang|hi|Misra Bhojanam}} (inter-dining); spread women's education; maintain gender equality; eradicate untouchability, caste and racial discrimination; and conduct mass prayers and communion debates. Gopalan also participated in the Thali Road strike (Samaram at Calicut).
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| === Impact of Sugunavardhini and Brahmosamaj at Malabar ===
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| The hymns for prayers sung at Brahmo Samaj were composed by Gopalan and are compiled in his book ''Keerthanaratnamala.'' He conducted several inter-caste marriages at Brahmo Samaj and worked to promote non-idol worship. "[[Brahmo Dharma|Brahmodharma]]", better known as the Brahmosamaj Bible, was written in [[Bengali language|Bengali]] by [[Debendranath Tagore|Maharshi Debendranath Tagore]] and was translated by him into Malayalam. He promoted his reformist ideologies by conducting dramas, public awareness campaign, and writings.
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| The [[Sugunavardhini Movement]] and Brahmo Samaj were composed mostly of professionals and intellectuals, including [[Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi|Brahmananda Swamisivayogi]], [[Vagbhatananda|Vagbhatananda Guru]], and Brahmavadi P. Kunhiraman, all with a more secular approach to reform.
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| He raised his children, grandchildren, and all his followers as a good man, without raising them to live under a particular race, religion, or creed. It is for this reason that their name has been retained as "Brahmo" without a caste name.
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| All of his children are intermarried (Intercaste marriage). All of them were married according to Brahmasamaj rituals. Even today, his children, grandchildren, family and followers remain casteless without caste names.
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| Rabindranath Tagore described Dr. Ayathan Gopalan as the "Raja Ram Mohan Roy of Kerala" during the annual general meeting of the Brahmo Samaj.
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| On 4 June 1917, Gopalan was honored by the [[British Raj|British Government]] with the highest civilian award and title, [[Rai Sahib|Rao Sahib]],<ref name=":0">"British India: INDIAN TITLE BADGE (MYB # 327), RAO BAHADUR & RAO SAHIB MEDALS". worldofcoins.eu. Retrieved 18 October 2014.</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.omsa.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=65&size=big&cat=|title=rai sahib}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.omsa.org/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=65&size=big&cat=|title=medal}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldofcoins.eu/forum/index.php?topic=21524.0|title=rao sahib}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite book|title=Introduction to the Constitution of India By Sharma, Sharma B.k.. 2007. p. 83.}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite book|title=Kaur, Madanjit (2008). Maharaja Ranjit Singh. |publisher=Unistar Books |year=2008|isbn=9788189899547}}</ref> for his social and humanitarian services.
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| He died at the age of 85 on 2 May 1948.
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| ==Works==
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| Gopalan translated the Bible of Brahmo Samaj, [[Brahmo Dharma|Brahmodharma]],<ref>{{Cite book|title=The offering. [Reprinted on the occasion of the centenary celebration of Maharshideva's initiation into the Brahma Dharma].|last=Ṭhākura, Debendranātha, 1817-1905.|date=c. 1943|oclc=910095}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|last=Hatcher|first=Brian A.|title=Debendranath Tagore and the Tattvabodhinī Sabhā|date=1 January 2008|work=Bourgeouis Hinduism, or Faith of the Modern Vedantists|pages=33–48|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780195326086|doi=10.1093/acprof:oso/9780195326086.003.0003}}</ref> which was initially written in [[Bengali language|Bengali]] by [[Debendranath Tagore|Maharshi Debendranath Tagore]], to Malayalam in 1904. He also wrote songs and [[Kirtan|keerthanams]] to be sung during Brahmo Samaj prayer meetings. He propagated his reform ideologies through drama, public awareness, and his writings. ''Saranjiniparinayam''(1901)(musical drama), ''Susheeladukham''(1903) (musical drama), and ''Plaguefarse''(drama) were among his famous dramas performed throughout by PSV Natya sangam in Kerala for many years. His other literary contributions are listed below:
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| * ''Raagamaalika''(1894) first book
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| * ''Brahmadharmam''
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| * ''Saranjiniparinayam'' (musical drama)
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| * ''Susheeladukham'' (musical drama)
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| * ''Plague Farse'' (drama)
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| * ''Gaanamaalika''
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| * ''Grihadharma Geethamrutham''
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| * ''Keerthanaratnamala''
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| * ''Brahmamatham''
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| * ''Rammohunroy (Harikatha)''
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| * ''Madhaaikyam''
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| * ''Madhavum Guruvum''
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| * ''Madhavan''
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| * ''Aaradhanayude Randu Padikal''
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| * ''Brahma Madhavum Ithara Madhangalum''
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| * ''Jaathi''
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| * ''Vivaahageethangal''
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| * ''Jai Britannia''
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| * ''Yeshu Daivamayirunnuvo!''
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| * ''British Bharana Mahathmyam''
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| * ''Ente Amma'' (memoir of mother Kallat Chiruthammal)
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| ==Books about Ayathan Gopalan==
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| * First authoritative biography book of Ayathan Gopalan "Appan, oru ormapusthakam" in Malayalam written by Ayathan Alok.
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| * First authenticative biography book of Rao Sahib Dr. Ayathan Gopalan, "Darsar, The untold story of an unsung hero" in English (author Ayathan Alok).
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| == See also ==
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| * [[Ayyathan Janaki Ammal]]
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| * [[Vagbhatananda]]
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| * [[Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi]]
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| * [[Mithavaadi Krishnan]]
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| * [[Moorkoth Kumaran]]
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| == References==
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| {{reflist}}
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| ==Bibliography==
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| * Appan ''oru ormapusthakam'' First authoritative biography book and memoir of Ayathan Gopalan written by Ayathan Alok (2021).
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| * Darsar,"The Untold story of an Unsung hero", first biography of Rao Sahib Dr. Ayathan Gopalan written in English by Ayathan Alok.
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| * Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan ''Malayalam Memoir'' (2013) edited by V.R.Govindhanunni published by Mathrubhumi books, Kozhikode
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| * Maharshi Vaghbhatananda Gurudevar, by Swami Brahmavrithan
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| * ''A Survey of Kerala History'' Prof. Sreedharan Menon .A. (1967). Kottayam: Sahitya Pravarthaka Co-operative Society [Sales Dept.]; National Book Stall.
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| * Prof.Sreedharamenon .A. (1987) ''Kerala History and its Makers'', Kottayam; National bookstall
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| * [[K. K. N. Kurup|Kurup, K. K. N.]] (1988), ''Modern Kerala: Studies in Social and Agrarian Relations'', Mittal Publications, {{ISBN|9788170990949}}
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| * [[Vagbhatananda#CITEREFKurup1988|Kurup (1988)]], p. 94
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| * [[K. K. N. Kurup|Kurup, K. K. N.]] (September 1988). "Peasantry and the Anti-Imperialist Struggles in Kerala". ''Social Scientist''. '''16''' (9): 35–45. {{doi|10.2307/3517171}}. {{JSTOR|3517171}}.
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| * Biography of Brahmanada Sivayogi written by K Bheeman Nair ''Asathyathil ninnu sathyathilekku''(അസത്യത്തിൽ നിന്ന് സത്യത്തിലേക്ക്)
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| * ''Biography of Brahmananda Swami Sivayogy'' by A K Nair
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| * ''Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi'' by Pavana
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| *''Journal of Indian history'', University of Kerela Press, 2001 p270
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