V. R. Krishnan Ezhuthachan

V. R. Krishnan Ezhuthachan (1909–2004) was an Indian freedom fighter, Gandhian, journalist, trade unionist and Indian National Congress leader from Thrissur city in Kerala, India.

Personal life V. R. Krishnan Ezhuthachan was born in Avinissery, Thrissur on 25 April 1909. As the tenth son of Vadakkoot Nelliparambil Raman Ezhuthachan and Njarasseri valappil Lakshmi amma. He completed his primary education from ezhuthupura (old traditional village school) which functioned in his own home. thumb After passing the 10th grade securing a gold medal, he completed graduation in economics and law (BL) by securing rank. When Gandhiji arrived Thrissur in 1925, Ezhuthachan met him and then stepped into the freedom struggle. P. Kumaran Ezhuthachan, an active member of the Cochin State Congress Party, was his mentor in politics. With the formation and activities of Kochi Rajya Prajamandalam, Ezhuthachan made his own identity in the field of politics.

In January 1942 Prajamandalam decided to conduct the first annual meeting at Irinjalakuda. Diwan A. F. W. Dixon banned it due to the resentment caused towards the king by the activities of Prajamandalam and . As a consequence of the ban, many leaders of Praja Mandala were arrested, including Ezhuthachan. Leaders who came forward to conduct the meeting were arrested at the meeting place by the police sent by Diwan. Leaders like K. Karunakaran were arrested and faced brutal torture in jail. thumb Ezhuthachan (third from right), with P. P. George and P. A. Madhavan at INTUC meeting In connection with the Quit India movement, on 5 August 1942 a conference was conducted under the leadership of Gandhiji and Nehru for All India Congress Committee at Bombay. Ezhuthachan and S.Neelakanda Iyer attended the conference by representing Prajamandalam. As part of the Quit India movement Prajamandalam actively participated in strikes. During that time there was a strong ban in functioning of the press, Prajamandalam started a newspaper called Deenabandhu with Ezhuthachan as editor-in-chief.

With the intention of saving people from financial crisis caused due to the Second World War, an organisation called was formed. Ezhuthachan worked as secretary of this organisation in Thrissur. During the spread of fifth fever and cholera, actively worked to prevent its spread.

When Prajamandalam decided to face election in 1945, Ezhuthachan was unanimously elected to the Cochin Legislative Council. Ezhuthachan was a member of the Travancore-Cochin legislative council representing Nemmara. Ezhuthachan gave leadership to a caste-based organisation called Ezhuthachan samajam. To honor his activity, a law college founded by was named after him.

Recognition The nation honored Ezhuthachan with Thamarapathra for his excellent service in the Indian independence movement. Other major awards include the University of Madras Award for the study in 1931. He was given the Sadanandan Award and Prof. K. M. Chandy Award for contributions in the field of cooperative movement in India. Ezhuthachan was also given by the Kerala Press Foundation, the Ramasrama award for excellent service in the social and literature fields, the Thissur Sahrudaya Vedhi award, and the Tomyas award.

Other works

(translation) Vishwacharithraavalokanam (translation of Glimpses of World History by Jawaharlal Nehru) (translation of Ashok Metha's Communal triangle) Kochikkoru abhivruddhi paddhathi (compilation of Krishnan Ezhuthachan's speeches in legislative assembly) In addition, Ezhuthachan co-authored a book named about the history of the Kingdom of Cochin.