History Of NSS
History Of NSS
History Of NSS
NAIR BHRITHYA JANA SANGHAM, was founded by Mannathu Padmanabha Pillai and thirteen others of his Nair community associates, at Mannath House, Perunna, Changanacherry on 31 October, 1914 (15-3-1090). K.Kelappan Nair was the first President and Mannath Padmanabha Pillai its secretary. Apart from them the twelve other founder members were:
1. Panagottu Kesava Panicker
2. N.C. Thrivikrama Kaimal
3. Kakkanad Narayana Panicker
4. Panakkattu Parameswara Kurup
5. Nagavallil Kochukunju Kurup
6. Padinjarekattu Krishna Pillai
7. Kottanattil Padmanabha Pillai
8. Pallupurath Narayana Pillai
9. Pothuvadathu Padmanabha Pillai
10. Valparambil Velayudhan Pillai
11. Kondur Krishna
12. Thaliyil Madhavan Pillai
This name was suggested by Kappana Kannan Menon (Thalassery) who was then the Headmaster of St. Berkmen High School Changanacherry wherein K. Kelappan Nair was also a teacher. This name was chosen in the beginning in the model of SERVANTS OF INDIA SOCIETY that was prevalent in those days under the stewardship of Gopalakrishna Gokhale and N.M. Dravid,G,K. Devdhar, A.V. Patwardhan, Ranade like veterans on national level.
In his childhood, the great personality influenced Mannath Padmanabhan in social movements was the eminent Lawyer Govinda Pillai of Kainikara house that was situated adjacent to Chiramuttam and Mannath houses wherein the former (Mannam) was born and brought up. On the day of performance of the last rituals followed by the untimely demise of the later (Kainikkara Govinda Pillai), in accomplishment of his unfulfilled desires and in his loving memory, the Nair community members of the locality assembled over there decided to form a Nairs organisation; and they named it as “Perunna East Nair Samajam”. Mannath Padmanabha Pillai was elected as its first secretary. It was in the year 1910 (1086). They later constructed a Mandiram for this Samajam and its foundation stone was laid by His Holiness Thirthapada Paramahamsar.
This organisation was second of its kind in Kerala, the first being Ayiroor Nayar Samajam in Pathanamthitta District (then Quilon) that was registered in the year 1909 (1085).
The other eminent Nair community reformers renowned of those days were C. Krishna Pillai, C.V.Raman Pillai, P.Thanu Pillai, K Paramu Pillai, Swami Theertha Pada ParamaHamsar, Kappana Kannan Menon, K. Kelappan Nair, Mahilamandiram K. Chinnamma and the social organizations formed in those days were:
1. Nair Purushartha Sadhini Sabha (Founded by Swami Thirthapadar)
2. Malayalee Social Union that was later renamed as Malayalee Sabha in 1886 during the reign of Maharaja Visakham Thirunal .
3. Daily Newspaper “Malayalee”, its chief editor C.V.Raman Pillai.
Those organizations had not lived long. In Jan 1905, formed Keraleeya Nayar Samajam. was then formed and it was registered under company act in 1912 and C. Krishna Pillai was its President and C.V. Raman Pillai, the Secretary. Today’s System of Nair Karayogams was the great idea and vision of TheerthaPada Swamikal (Poorvasrama Name: North Paroor, Madathil, Narayana Kurup). C. Krishna Pillai was its staunch supporter. Abolition of Namboothiri Sambandham, Thalikettu Kalyanam and varies of other regressive customs prevailed in that age; promotion of agriculture, commerce and industry activities among Nair community members were the intended mission of the Keraleeya Nair Samajam. Unfortunately, due to difference of opinion in the leadership, this organisation also could not accomplish its mission and was later divided into two groups. “Samastha Kerala Nayar Samajam” was thus formed anew under the Presidentship of C. Krishna Pillai, whose blessings were always with Mannathu Padmanabhan in his unmatched majestic endeavors in fulfillment of the community services ahead.
Both the Keraleeya Nayar Samajam and Samastha Kerala Nayar Samajam gradually demised when Nair Service Society started its endless expansions under the captainship of Mannath Padmanabhan.Nair Bh’rithyajana Sangham was later renamed as Nair Service Society under the scholastic advice of the great personality K. Paramu Pillai who was the first person to have had achieved M.A. degree in Kerala history (He was later known as M.A. Paramu Pillai).
In its plight, N.S.S. had conquered all areas of social, cultural, economical, educational, industrial segments and revived our community as a whole from the depth of chaos indeed from the bitterness our numerous destructive customs. Yet, we have to accelerate our spirit to go at par with other communities in this modern age. We have to determine ourselves that we are not lagged behind in any spheres. Our Samudayacharyan had suffered a lot to get our community to today’s stature. Let us and our descendents follow His divine foot steps leading to victorious hemispheres!
BHARATHA KESARI MANNATHU PADMANABHAN
Sri. Mannathu Padmanabhan was born on January 2nd 1878 to Sri. Eswaran Namboodiri of Nilavana Illam and Chiramuttathu Parvathy Amma He was born with a humble family background and started his career as a teacher in Government Primary School [Kanjirapally Govt. School-1893], at the age of 16. In 1905, he started practicing law in the Magistrates Courts and soon became a leading member there.
Mannam was the forefront fighter against the social injustices that was in force at that time in Kerala and led the famous “Vimochana Samaram”. Mannam took leadership in the Vaikkom Sathyagraham and Guruvayoor temple-entry and led the famous “Savarna Jadha” in 1924, an anti-untouchability agitation.
Sri. Mannathu Padmanabhan was born on January 2nd 1878 to Sri. Eswaran Namboodiri of Nilavana Illam and Chiramuttathu Parvathy Amma He was born with a humble family background and started his career as a teacher in Government Primary School [Kanjirapally Govt. School-1893], at the age of 16. In 1905, he started practicing law in the Magistrates Courts and soon became a leading member there.
Mannam was the forefront fighter against the social injustices that was in force at that time in Kerala and led the famous “Vimochana Samaram”. Mannam took leadership in the Vaikkom Sathyagraham and Guruvayoor temple-entry and led the famous “Savarna Jadha” in 1924, an anti-untouchability agitation.
He became a member of the Indian National Congress in 1947 and took part in the Travancore State Congress agitation against Sir C.P Ramaswamy Iyer’s administration in Travancore for which he was arrested and sent to jail. In 1949, Sri. Mannam became a member of the Travancore Legislative Assembly.
Mannam dedicated his life for the upliftment of the Nair Community. He established, expanded and enriched the Nair Service Society and served as its Secretary for 31 years and as President for three years. NAIR BHRITHYA JANA SANGHAM [which later became Nair Service Society], was founded by Mannathu Padmanabha Pillai and thirteen others of his Nair community associates, at Mannath House, Perunna, Changanacherry on 31 October, 1914. Sri. K.Kelappan Nair was the first President and Sri. Mannath Padmanabha Pillai was its secretary. Mannam gave up his career to become full-time secretary of Nair Bhruthya Janasangham.
Founder members of NSS were:
1. K Kelappan Nair
2. Mannathu Padmanabha Pillai
3. Panagottu Kesava Panicker
4. N.C. Thrivikrama Kaimal
5. Kakkanad Narayana Panicker
6. Panakkattu Parameswara Kurup
7. Nagavallil Kochukunju Kurup
8. Padinjarekuttu Krishna Pillai
9. Kottanattil Padmanabha Pillai
10. Pallipurath Narayana Pillai
11. Pothuvadathu Padmanabha Pillai
12. Valparambil Velayudhan Pillai
13. Kondur Krishna Pillai
14. Thaliyil Madhavan Pillai
Later in his life Mannam renamed himself as “Padmanabhan” removing the sir name, stating that cast should not be a dividing factor amongst the human beings. In 1925, Nair Service Society was registered under the Indian Company act. 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 hem 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.
In 1901 Mannathu Padmanabhan married Mechettu Kalyani Amma, who died in 1912 survived by a daughter. In 1932, Mannam married “Thottakkattu Madhavi Amma”, the daughter of the Diwan Peshkar of Cochin, Karakkattu Narayana Menon and famous Malayalam poetess, Thottakkattu Ikkavu amma. Madhavi Amma was the first lady member of the Cochin legislative council and a writer of many books, such as “Thathvachinda”, “Hemapanjaram” etc.
People of Kerala, considering the outstanding and unselfish social works of Mannam gave him “Bharatha Kesari” [Lion of India] sir name. The President of India conferred Mannam the title of “Padmabhushan” in 1966. Mannam Passed away on 2nd February 1970. During his lifetime, Nair Service Society had his constant attention and selfless service. Sri. Mannam wrote many articles, an autobiography, and a travel book, criticisms and a novel, Snehalata. His style was virile, forthright and very effective. He also set up colleges, schools, hospitals and industrial units for the upliftment and welfare of people of Kerala. NSS has grown into a powerful organization with a vast membership, substantial finances and various welfare activities. Our Samudayacharyan had to sacrifice a lot to get our community to today’s stature. Let us and our descendents follow his divine foot steps leading to victorious hemispheres!