T. K. Madhavan Biography 
T. K. Madhavan was a social worker, social reformer, activist, journalist and revolutionary who lived in Kerala in the late 19th century and early 20th century. He was short lived (2 September 1885 – 27 April 1930) and lived only 44 years. He is best remembered for his involvement with Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) and fight against social evils like untouchability based on caste prejudices and he was involved in Vaikom Satyagraha too. He met Gandhi at Tirunelveli, and persuaded him to visit Vaikom, which he agreed, and he visited and inspired hundreds during Vaikom Satyagraha. He fought for the temple entry for all sectors of the society, which resulted in the landmark declaration by King of Travancore in the first half of 20th century.
Madhavan was born on 2 September 1885 at Karthikappally of Alappuzha (then a part of Travancore kingdom). He was born as the son of Alummoottil Kesavan Channar and Komalezhathu Ummini Amma. He belonged to a higher class, rich and influential family of Travancore princely state. Komalezhathu Kunjupillai Chekavar was his maternal uncle. In 1917 he took over the daily newspaper, Desabhimani, and as a social reformer he got involved in the Temple Entry Movement, Vaikkom Satyagraha, all for demanding equal rights for lower sections of the society.
This social reformer fought for the human rights of all the castes and was instrumental in bringing the lower caste people under one umbrella. He also educated them to make them aware of basic human rights. He was instrumental in organizing the Vaikom Sathyagraha, which finally resulted in granting access to public properties, roads, temples etc to all people, irrespective of castes. It brought landmark changes in the social fabric of the state.
Published: November 04, 2018
Updated: November 04, 2018
