PERSONALITIES

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PROMINENT SAMANTHAN PERSONALITIES OF 19TH AND 20TH CENTURIES


Although the hereditary role of the Samanthan class ceased after the British came to power, they continued to make their presence felt in whatever field they were employed to make a living. In this chapter, the thumb nail sketches of a few persons are mentioned who left a mark by sheer hard work. There have been many, but due to paucity of space, the list has been restricted to a few who rose to the top in their particular departments.


Although not formally educated in schools, he started his career as a tutor and rose to the position of sanskrit professor in Madras presidency college and has authored "Kerala Koumudi" a prominent piece of Malayalam literature. He also practised law and represented the Government at Alwaye and Thiruvananthapuram.
He completed his graduation from Madras and joined the Madras christian college as a tutor where he studied law and banking. He joined the bar at Kozhikode and rose to the position of Government pleader and public prosecutor. He is more famous for his works 'Kundalatha" the first Malayalam novel and his contributions to the success of "keralapathrika" and "keralasancharika". He was the recipient of the title of "RAO BAHADUR" from the British Government. He was also the founding member of the Nedungadi Bank, a prominent banking institution which later merged into Punjab national Bank
He had his primary education at Nellaya, cherpulacherry and went on to complete his law graduation from Presidency college, Madras. He practised law at Kozhikode and held a prominent position there. His daughter is married to M.K. Vellodi, I.A.S
He did his intermediate education from samudiri college, Calicut and masters degree from Presidency college, Madras,before he returned to join Victoria college as a history professor. He was the principal of Samudiri college, Calicut during the period 1919-24 before he joined Talasseri Brennan college also as a principal from where he retired from service.
Born at Kottakkal, he completed his B.A. (Hons) degree from Madras Presidency college, and served the British administration in various capacities. He rose to the position of a District collector, Mangalore, where he expired while still in service due to illness.
Son of Manadevan rajah of the Zamorins family (kizhakke Kovilakam), he joined the Indian Civil Service, and served the govt. in various administrative capacities. He served as the Textile commissioner, and chief controller of imports and Exports before he was transferred to the central government at Delhi as secretary to the home minister, Sardar Vallabhai Patel. His contributions towards the integration of princely states after the police action at Hyderabad is well known and led him to be the first chief Minister of Andhra pradesh.
He completed his graduation degree from Govt. victoria college, Palghat and joined the revenue department of Madras presidency from where he rose to the post of collector of Vellore, and Tiruchirapally. He retired as a joint secretary in the revenue Department and did a brief stint as an administrator in the Aryavaidyasala, Kottakkal, staying at his ancestral house.
He studied at the Victoria college, Palghat and Madras Christian college for his B.A.(Hons) degree before qualifying for the I.P.S. examination. He started his career as an Assistant supdt. of police and rose to the rank of Director General of police, Andhra pradesh. He was posted as chairman cum Managing Director, A.P. Police building construction department. He is the winner of various police medals for his meritorious and gallant service including the President’s medal.
He is known for his journalistic contribution as an editor of "Desamitram" and "sudarshanam" while he was at Kannur. In 1960, he was elected as the president of journalist union. He did extensive research on the Moplah Revolution in Malabar and his works related to the above are quoted authoritative works in History related to the districts of Malabar. He has written many books on the freedom struggle and the Russian revolution, Socialism in Malabar, etc.
After completing his education from Cherpulassery high school, he got his commission in 1942 to the Royal indian Air force as a pilot officer in the administrative department. He rose to the post of Air commodore and Director of personnel Administration in Delhi. In 1975, the president of India awarded him with a medal for his outstanding and meritorious service. He retired from the services in 1975 and settled at Bangalore.
The twin brothers are known for their contributions towards Kathakali and developing the same as an international cultural dance. Gopi joined the P.S.V. Natyasangam', a kathakali troup belonging to P.S. Varier of Kottakkal Arya vaidyasala fame. However, he was encouraged to change his profession by his mentor, who advised him to study sanskrit and Aryuveda. He became a physician and started practising at Palghat, where he was the branch manager and a trust board member of the Aryavaidshala. Vasu continued to learn music under the guidance of Venkatakrishna Bhagavatar, where he learnt Karnataka Music, Mridanga, and harmononium in addition to his practice of Kathakali. He has extensively toured European and western countries giving various performances and has been honoured by the Kerala Kalamandalam for kathakali. He has received the "Veerashrinkala" from the zamorin, honoured by the Indonesian govt. at the Ramayana festival of 1971, and various other international awards. He used to perform for the Akashvani, prior to the advent of T.V,. in a regular manner.
The twin brothers are known for their contributions towards Kathakali and developing the same as an international cultural dance. Gopi joined the P.S.V. Natyasangam', a kathakali troup belonging to P.S. Varier of Kottakkal Arya vaidyasala fame. However, he was encouraged to change his profession by his mentor, who advised him to study sanskrit and Aryuveda. He became a physician and started practising at Palghat, where he was the branch manager and a trust board member of the Aryavaidshala. Vasu continued to learn music under the guidance of Venkatakrishna Bhagavatar, where he learnt Karnataka Music, Mridanga, and harmononium in addition to his practice of Kathakali. He has extensively toured European and western countries giving various performances and has been honoured by the Kerala Kalamandalam for kathakali. He has received the "Veerashrinkala" from the zamorin, honoured by the Indonesian govt. at the Ramayana festival of 1971, and various other international awards. He used to perform for the Akashvani, prior to the advent of T.V,. in a regular manner.
He started his career as a teacher at Palghat Victoria college after his post graduation from Madras Presidency College. He went on to join the office of the textile commissioner at Bombay before retiring as Jt. Controller of Imports and Exports. He has also worked as Chairman, Coir Board .He was very fond of classical music and established the Kathakali club at Ernakulam. He was a member of several literary and art societies and served as chairman, Kalamandalam in 1982.
He was a prominent freedom fighter and has participated in the salt satyagraha, Liquor shops picketing, Foreign cloth boycott, and the Khadi movements in his youth days. He has also been jailed for his activities in this connection and is the recipient of a "Tamrapatra" awarded by the Govt. of India. He was one of the founder members of the Samantha Yogakshema Sabha (1931--34)
He did his post graduation in English from Madras Christian college and worked at Mahindra & Mahindra for a period of fifteeen years before turning back to his passion, i.e. fine arts, Kathakali, dance and music. He is also a journalist, author of two books, and contributed regular articles to Matrubhumi weekly. He was a director at the college of journalism at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
He was famous for his contributions in the field of cinema and drama. He was a member of 'Indian peoples Theatre association', and has acted in the films of K.A. Abbas and Shanti Bardhan. He was a choreographer in the songs and drama division and has toured several foreign countries in that capacity. However, he is more well known as a child actor, having played the role of Nehru in the "Discovery of India', He has won several awards of Kerala sahitya akademy, and National sahitya Academy, Bharatiya Bala Siksha Parishad, etc.
After completing his education, he passed the examinations of the Kerala Public service commission and rose up to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Sales Tax and Agricultural Income Tax.Before retirement, he was also elevated as the Taxes Board Member in the Taxes claims tribunal, Cochin. He is responsible for founding the Samantha Kshema Sabha in 1977.
He joined the Union govt secretariat at a very young age and served as a stenographer and secretary to John Mathai, the interim govt. food minister, and K.R.K. Menon, Finance secretary, He rose up from the ranks to retire as Finance Secretary, Tripura State immediately after its formation as a state.
After completing his education at Samoodiri college, he entered the field of entrepreneurship, and with humble beginnings, in 1933, he converted his cloth business in Palghat to a leading cloth merchant business center along with his brothers under the banner of "P.K. Nedungadi and brothers". His contributions in the functioning of Samantha Samajam can never be forgotten by the community and he served as its vice-president till his death.
He had his early education at zamorins college and recieved his B.A. Degree from Madras Christian College with first rank in Sanskrit. He also got first rank for his B.L degree from Madras University. He was shifted to Kerala where he was elevated to the post of Chief Justice of High Court and Judge of the Supreme Court. He was also appointed as President of National Consumers Disputes Redressal Commission. In his distinguished career, he is also the recepient of Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award, the National Citizenship Award, and the Shiromani Award. He is also noted for his role in in several spiritual, cultural, and social organisations.
After completing his schooling from Manjeri, he completed his graduation from Victoria College, Palghat and joined the Revenue Department of Kerala Government. He rose up to the ranks of A.D.M. Thrissur before he was appointed as Temple Administrator by the Guruvayoor Devassom Board after his retirement
After completing his schooling at kottakkal, he joined Loyola College, Madras from where he did his graduationHe has also studied at the Institute of Science, bangalore after its opening. He was one of the first entrants of the Indian Foreign Services, from where he was posted as Ambassador to Tangyanika. His career stints at United Nations Secy. Generals office, Indian Space Research Institute, Atomic Energy Department at the helm of affairs are still remembered. He has successfully served with the first three Prime Ministers of India with dignity and praise. He is also well known for his social work after retirement as Secretary, Ministry of foreign Affairs, Government of India.
After completing his schooling at Kottakkal, he did his graduation from Victoria College, Palghat from where he also obtained his law degree. He has risen upto the post of District and Sessions Judge, Ernakulam at the time of retirement. There have been several others who almost made this list, but due to paucity of space, the names are limited to the top twenty three persons only who have led their professions thus setting an example for the others to follow.