Our Salute to the Leader
Shri. Mannathu Padmanabhan the ardent leader of the Nair Community, the immortal founder of the Nair Service Society and the great social reformer was born on 2nd January 1878 in Perunnai, a village in Changanacherry taluk of the erstwhile state of Travancore as the son of a middle-class family.
Poverty, misery and deprivation marked the early years of his life. Mannam could not continue with higher education due to the poor economic condition of his family. However, with his personal efforts he continued his studies and became a teacher and later on he entered into legal profession, enrolled as an advocate and started practice in various courts in Changanassery.
The plight of the Nair Community was witnessing it’s own decadence and disintegration, precipitated by extravaganza, superstitious veneration for antiquated and anachronistic customs and traditions. His oratorical skill and organizational ability to motivate, inspire and mobilize the Community that was lost in a long and deep slumber, helped him mobilise the Nair community.The Nair Service Society, the flagship organization of the Nair community in Kerala was thus formed way back in October 1914, which he conceived, nursed and nurtured, epitomized the hopes and aspirations of the community which had been waiting for a savior.
He assumed a pivotal leadership in transforming the community into a vibrant organization at the time of its own disintegration due to disunity, absolute poverty, misery and ignorance. His timely intervention helped the Nairs to unite under one banner and decide to abolish so many disparities that existed in the community and they also started working towards the development of the Nair community and the Hindu society as a whole.
Mannam had strongly believed in the philosophy of creativity through social reform and this could be achieved only through a transparent system of education. With strong determination and relentless efforts Mannam established a large number of educational institutions in different fields across Kerala that are now standing in the laurels.
Mannam’s personal life was inextricably intertwined with the history of the N.S.S.He travelled extensively through the state, met the people ,organized them and won their love and regard with the help of his disarming simplicity, single-minded devotion, will and determination.
Impregnable fortress of superstition and formidable citadel of resistance crumbled before his all-conquering and awe-inspiring personality. Gradually he built an empire out of nothing .The prestigious institutions founded by him would perpetuate his memory. Captivated by Mahatma Gandhi and his principles of Satyagraha .Mannam led a Satyagraha march called “Savarnajatha” for the sake of the untouchables .It ultimately led to the” Temple Entry Proclamation” .The dynamic roles he played in the “Vaikom Satyagraham” and in the independence struggle and his subsequent imprisonment and his initiatives aimed at communal harmony ,peace and social changes turned him into a legend in his life time .The major milestones in the history of the N.S.S intersect the social ,political and cultural history of Kerala .
It was no wonder, the then President of India awarded him with the titles of Bharta Kesari (1959) and Padmabhusan (1966), to honour his relentless efforts and valuable services to humanity.
Mannam the legend passed away on 25 February 1970.
