Mannathu Padmanabham:
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He was an Indian social reformer and freedom fighter from the south-western state of Kerala.
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Sardar K M Panicker called him ‘Madan Mohan Malaviya of Kerala.
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He began his career as a teacher in 1893 in a Government primary school.
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In 1905 he changed his profession and started practicing law, in the Magistrates Courts.
Political and Social Contribution:
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He took part in the Vaikom (1924) and Guruvayoor (1931) temple-entry Satyagrahas and the anti-untouchability agitations.
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Vaikom Satyagraha was a movement in Travancore (modern-day Kerala) for temple entry of the depressed classes. It took place near the Shiva Temple at Vaikom, Kottayam district, Kerala during 1924-25. Vaikom was at that time a part of the princely state of Travancore.
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Guruvayur Satyagraha was a Satyagraha (non-violent protest) to allow entry for untouchables into the Guruvayur Temple in present Thrissur district, which was then part of Ponnani Taluk of Malabar district, now part of Kerala.
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He is regarded as the reformer and moral guide of the members of Nair community. He inspired the Nair community community members to end practicing bad and orthodox customs.
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He led the Nairs to demand temple entry for all castes and to put an end to untouchability.
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In 1914 he established the Nair Service Society.
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He became a member of the Indian National Congress in 1946 and took part in the agitation against Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer’s administration in Travancore.
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He was arrested for the Indian Freedom Movement on 14 June 1947.
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In 1949, Padmanabhan became a member of the Travancore Legislative Assembly.
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In 1964 he was instrumental in the formation of Kerala Congress, the first regional party in India.
Awards & Recognition:
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He received Padma Bhushan in 1966.
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He was honoured with the title Bharata Kesari by the President of India.