Ammu Swaminathan Biography 
Ammu Swaminathan was a social worker, freedom fighter and political activist from Palakkad, Kerala who was active in the pre-independent era. She also served as a member of the Constituent Assembly of India. One of the powerful women of Kerala in the 20th century, she gave birth to two powerful daughters of 20th century too. She is the mother of the great Indian freedom fighter Lakshmi Sahgal, who was fondly called Captain Lakshmi. Captain Lakshmi was married to noted military officer, Prem Kumar Sahgal. Her fourth kid, Mrinalini Sarabhai was a legendary classical dancer, who was married to the renowned Indian scientist Vikram Sarabhai. Thus renowned dancer-actress Mallika Sarabhai is her granddaughter.
Ammu Swaminathan, also pronounced as Ammu Swaminadhan was born as the daughter of Govinda Menon Panamanna Perumpilavil and Anakkara Vadakath Ammuamma in 1894 in Palakkad of British India. She was the youngest of numerous offspring to her parents. She received an informal education at home. After her father’s death during her childhood, her mother had to struggle a lot to bring up the children. As she belonged to Nair community, her ‘Sambandam’ was arranged to Dr. Subbarama Swaminadhan, a Brahmin when she was only 13. He was around 35 years old then. He was well-educated and had faced a lot of hardships during his early life and he gave shelter to Ammu. Though ‘Sambandam’ was traditionally accepted in Kerala then, they did not constitute marriage, and the kids born belong to mother’s family and inherit mother’s property as well.
Later the couple made a formal wedding in the London registry office and Ammu and her kids accepted ‘Swaminathan’ as surname. It happened when the matrilineal Marumakkathayam system was abolished. Subbarama Swaminathan nurtured her and encouraged her talents as well. She got influenced by the principles of Mahatma Gandhi and entered freedom struggle movement. The couple gave birth to four great children - Govind Swaminadhan - a barrister at the Madras High Court, Subbarama - the younger son, an advocate at the Bombay High Court, and above all, Captain Lakshmi – the celebrated freedom fighter and officer of INA, and Mrinalini Sarabhai, the celebrated classical dancer. Her second son, Subbarama was married to daughter of noted politician, M. C. Chagla. Noted leftist leader, Subhashini Ali, and dancer Mallika Sarabhai are her grandchildren.
She actively participated in Indian freedom struggle movement, and served as a member of the Constituent Assembly of India after independence. She was elected a member of the Rajya Sabha from Madras State in 1952 and was actively associated with many cultural activities. She also served as the President of the Bharat Scouts and Guides (1960-1965). She passed away in 1978.
Published: N/A
Updated: February 27, 2016
