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Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai

K. Ramakrishna Pillai
Bust of Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai in Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 2014
Bust of Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai in Thiruvananthapuram
Born Ramakrishna
25 May 1878
Neyyattinkara, Travancore
Died 28 March 1916
Kannur
Residence Thiruvananthapuram
Nationality Indian
Occupation Editor of Swadeshabhimani(newspaper)
Spouse(s) Nanikutti Amma,
B. Kalyani Amma
Children K.Gomathy Amma,
K. Madhavan Nair
Parent(s) Narasimhan Potti, Chakkiamma

K. Ramakrishna Pillai (1878–1916) was a nationalist writer, journalist, editor, and political activist. He edited Swadeshabhimani (The Patriot), the newspaper which became a potent weapon against the rule of the British and the erstwhile princely state of Travancore (Kerala, India) and a tool for social transformation. His criticism of the Diwan of Travancore, P. Rajagopalachari and the Maharajah led to the eventual confiscation of the newspaper. Ramakrishna Pillai was arrested and exiled from Travancore in 1910. Vrithantha Pathra Pravarthanam (1912) and Karl Marx (1912) are among his most noted works in Malayalam, Vrithantha Pathra pravarthanam being the first book on journalism in Malayalam and Karl Marx, the first ever biography of Karl Marx in any Indian language.

K.Ramakrishna Pillai was born in Athiyanoor (Arangamugal in Neyyattinkara Taluk of Travancore) on 25 May 1878 (ME :1053 Edavam 16). He was the youngest son of Chakkiamma and Narasimhan Potti, a temple-priest.


The patriarch of the family (Thekkekod veedu) had once saved the life of Prince Marthanda Varma from his enemies. When Marthanda Varma became king or Maharaja of Travancore, he gifted the family 50-acre (200,000 m2) of land, a 12-room mansion and certain privileges in the Krishna temple in Neyyattinkara. Ramakrishna Pillai was born over a century later.

Following the matrilineal Nair tradition, Ramakrishna Pillai spent much of his boyhood with his maternal uncle, Advocate Keshava Pillai. He had his early education at Neyyattinkara English Medium School and Rajagiyamahapadashala, the Royal school, Thiruvananthapuram. He was a shy and silent student. Kattupana Naganathaiyer, K. VeluPilla and R. Keshavapilla were his early teachers. Ramakrishna Pillai utilized his less restricted life in Thiruvananthapuram to acquaint himself with new books, newspapers, new places and new friends. He passed his matriculation exam at the age of 14.


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