Bharathakesari Sree Mannathu Padmanabhan

Mannathu Padmanabha Pillai (2 January 1878 – 25 February 1970), better known as Mannathu Padmanabhan was an Indian social reformer and agitator from the south-western state of Kerala. He is recognised as the founder of the Nair Service Society (NSS), which represents the Nair community. His birthday (2 January) is observed as Mannam Jayanti every year. Padmanabhan is considered a visionary reformer who organised the Nair community under the NSS.

Early life

Mannathu Padmanabhan was born in Perunna village in Changanacherry, Kottayam District, Travancore on 2 January 1878 to Easwaran Namboothiri of Nilavana Illam and Mannathu Parvathy Amma. Padmanabhan belongs to the Mannathu family, through matrilineal succession (Marumakkathayam).

He began his career as a teacher in 1893 in a Government primary school. He was the former Headmaster of a government up school North Mazhuvannoor. After a few years, from 1905 he changed his profession and started practicing law, in the Magistrates Courts.

Nair Service Society

On 31 October 1914, with the help of a few others, he established the Nair Service Society. His main ambition was to uplift the status of the Nair community. Nairs were the most economically and socially dominant community in Kerala. From 1915 onwards, he gave up law practice and became the secretary of the Nair Service Society.

On 2 January 2022, Nair Service Society celebrated the 145th Mannam Jayanthi at NSS headquarters, Perunna in Changanassery.

Political life He fought for social equality, the first phase being the Vaikom Satyagraha, demanding the public roads near the temple at Vaikom be opened to low-caste Hindus. He took part in the Vaikom (1924) and Guruvayoor (1931) temple-entry Satyagrahas; the anti-untouchability agitations. He opened his family temple for everyone, irrespective of caste distinction. 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. In 1964 he was instrumental in the formation of Kerala Congress, the first regional party in India.

Death Padmanabhan died on 25 February 1970 at the age of 92, after age related complications. Mannam memorial (or Samādhi) is located at NSS Headquarters Changanacherry. He is regarded as the reformer and moral guide of the members of Nair community.