P. Govinda Pillai

P. Govinda Pillai Biography

P. Govinda Pillai was a veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader from Kerala. When the Communist party split into two parts, he remained with CPI (M). At that time he became the Chief Editor of Deshabhimani, Communist party newspaper - from 1964 to 1983. He has written numerous books in Malayalam that are totally related to communist party. Marxum mooladhanavum, Bhudakaalavum Munvidhiyum, Marxist saundaryashastram, udbhavavum valarchayum and Isangalkkippuram are a few of his earliest works. He has decorated the position of Chairman of Kerala State Film Development Corporation. One of the successful institution for image processing, Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (C-DIT) is regarded as another great achievement of Pillai where he served as its director too. It was established in the year 1988. He used to appear in talk shows and social events of Kairali, Malayalam television channel.

 
P. Govinda Pillai was born on 23 May 1926 in Pulluvazhi, Perumbavoor, Ernakulam as the son of Parameswaran Pillai and Parukuttyamma. He completed Bachelor of Arts with honours. From 1939 to 1941, he was a disciple of Agamananda Swamikal at the Sankaracharya Ashram at Kalady. But later, he joined the path of revolution and got arrested during Quit India Movement. He was elected as a member of Thiru-Kochi Assembly in 1951. He has also served as a member of the Kerala Assembly during 1967–70. He has often been in limelight for his critical remarks against E.M.S. Namboodiripad, popular communist leader of Kerala. He is often regarded as’ A man of encyclopaedic knowledge’ and forefront leader of the Leftist ideological battle in Kerala. When he gave refuge to Naxalite leader K. Venu he was hunted down by the police and spoke his mind on the events at the Tiananmen Square. Yet Pillai remained independent in thoughts as well as action.

Translation works done by Pillai are Kaattukadannal and Bhoothakalavum Munvidhikalum. He died at a private hospital after battling age-related ailments on 22 November 2012 at the age of 86.

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Updated: November 19, 2013