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Revolutionaries of Travancore in 19th Century
The Great men who were responsible for the renaissance in the
Princely state of Travancore during 19th Century were
1.Ayya Vaikunda Swamikal (1809-1851)
2.Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker(1825-1874)
3.Siva Raja Yogi Thycaud Ayya Swamikal(1814-1909)
4.Ayyankali (1863-1941)
5.Chattampi Swamikal
6.Sri Narayana Guru (1856-1928)
According to P. Govinda Pillai, the wellknown Marxist scholar, Sri Narayana Guru is the Rajasilpi (Master Architect) of
Renaissance in Kerala and both Ayya Vaikundan and Arattupuzha did the pilot work for him, as Saint John did for Christ
(See the article about “Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker-Gurudevante mungami ,navothanahinte rekthasakshi”
in Desabhimani Onam special 2006)
It is true that Ayya Vaikundan (1809-1851) worked for the uplift of Nadar community in South Travancore and Arattupuzha
Panicker for the uplift of Ezhavas in Travancore and Ayyankali for the uplift of Dalits like Pulayas. Sri Narayana Guru stood
mainly for the uplift of Ezhavas. But remember only Siva Raja Yogi Ayya Swamikal, born in Upper caste Saiva Vellala Caste
stood and got humiliated for the uplift of
lower castes like Ezhava, Pulaya and Paraya.(see Biography of Ayyankali by THP Chentharassery)
For the first time in whole world, Thycaud Ayya introduced “Panthibhajanam”
(Eating together of both upper and lower castes sitting in a single row for “Thaippoya Sadyas” in
his residence in Mettukkada , Thycaud. Following this he was nicknamed as “Pandipparayan” and “Mleschan”
. Ayya used to say” intha ulakthile ore oru jathy than, ore oru matham than ,ore oru kadavul than” ( Sri
Narayana Guru later translated Ayya’s words as “Oru jathy, Oru matham, Oru daivam”) Ayya was
the Great Guru of Chattampi Samikal , Sri Narayana Guru, Ayyankali ,Maharaja Swathi Thirunal (so Ayya was Raju Guru), Resident
McGregor (so Ayya was resident Guru) and 46 others belonging to different castes, creeds and socioeconomic status , from
Royal Palace, Residency to huts in Petta & Manakadu slums.
Ayya Vaikunda Swamikal (1809-1851)
Born as the son of Ponnu Madan - Veyilal couples of Vilayil ,Sastham Kovil( now known as Swamithoppu) near Nagarcoil in
South Travancore on26th March 1809.“Mudichoodum Perumal” was the name given to him. But Upper class Leaders
asked to change ”Perumal” because only upper class was eligible to use that name at that time.So parents
called him “Muthukutty”.He learned “Nalvazhimoodura”i,”Thirukural”
etc.He also learned Bible because at that time there came the LMS Missionaries.After pilgrimage and meditation in Thiruchentoor
Muthukutty returne dat the age of 24.Therafter he called himself as Vaikunda Swami.He tried to change certain social customs
prevailed at that time among Nadars. Nadars were not allowed to wear upper cloths(Melseela) Slaveyr was rampant. . Following
agitations in 1859 Nadars got permission to wear melseela. Slavery was ended in 1856.165,ooo slaves were released.
During htose days of un touchability Vaikundan caught hold of the rope of Suchenndram Chariot during the festival-Therottam
.Maha Raja arrested him and kept him in Sinkara Thoppu in Manakadu,Trivandrum.He was tortured severly.His followers marched
to Royal Palace. Tax for the palm trees was taken back. “Akhilathirattu” contains his doctrines. He founded
temples called “Nizhal Thankals”in Kanyakumari,Parassala,Ramanathapuram ,Kottarakkara Nagercoiletc. Temple
in Swami Thoppu has“Anpukody” flg.He founded “Samathwa samajam” in 1836
Disciples
Sivananu of Myladi(Dharma Sidhar)
Pandaram of Kailasapuram(Bheem Sidhar)
Arjunan of Pillayarkudiyiruppe(Arjun aSidhan)
Subbayyan of Kulachal(Nakula Sidhan)
HariGopalan of Thamarakulam (Sahadeava sidhar)
Books(Tamil)
1.Akilathiruttu
2.Sattu (Charthu)
3.Thiruvul
Sri Narauana Guru was born 3 years after his Samadhi.
Different studies are going comparing the works of these two Gurus.
March 26 birthday of Swamikal is local holiday for Kanyakumari District
In 1851 Vaikundar founded “Kannadi Temple” in Swamithoppu.
Here worship is donein frony of a mirror wearing a knot over the head (Thalayil kettu)
He got idea of Mirror temples from Jainas of Madhura.
Sri Narayana Guru later followed Vaikunda Swamikal
Ayya Vaikundon did not allowed to take his photo or draw his picture or to make his statue .So we have no idea how he
looked like.Apart from Thycaud Ayya Swamikal he is the only Swami who objected publicity.
( Thycaud Ayya too did not allow to sing or write about him. But The Royal Family of Travancore got a photo of Ayya to
keep it in their prayer room (Thevarappura).(see Dr.R.P.Raj’s article in Ayya Swami Souvenir 2002)
Later Chithira Thirunal made Ayya Guru statue based on this painting to install in Ayya Swami temple in Mettukada .So
we can see how he looked like)
Source : V.Thankayya & Dr.P.K.Thilak “ Snehathinte Thirinalam” in
“Thekkan Thiruvithacore-Viplavathinte nadu”1st Edn.DCBooks, p 42-50
Arattupuzha Velayudha Panicker (1825-1874)
Born in 1925 as the Grandson of Valikadavil Perumalchan (Perumal Chevakan)
of Arattupuzha, Karthikappally. Parents died in childhood.
Grand father was Marine Exporter.
Velayudhan studied Ayurveda, Astrology in addition to Sanskrit. He married Velumpy of Varanapally in 1845. Same year he
founded a temple in Mangalathu near Kaliissery Tharavdu. Viswanathan Gurukal of Kandiyur, Mavelikkara installed Sivlinga.
Panicker learned pooja from Vaikom temple staying there in disguise. All castes and tribes were allowed to worship there.
Panicker built another temple in Cheruvaranam. In1853. Remember that Aruvippuram installation by Sri Narayana Guru was only
in 1888
Panicker organised strike for “Achipudava” and succeeded. Another victory was the permission granted
to lower class women to wear gold ornaments following “Mookkuthy Chantha” incidence of Pandalam. Panicker
founded school and library in Arattupuzha.
H e had Kathakali Troup too
.He caught hold of the thief who robbed “Salagram” from Tharana Naloor Namboothiri during his travel
through Kayamkulam lake. As a compliment the King gave him the title of “Panickan”.Later it was modified
as “Panicke”r.
He was killed in January 1874 during a boat journey by a group of people
Source:
1.P.Govinda Pillai-Desabhimani Onam Special 2006
2.R.Jayakumar-“Arattu Panickarude vismruty Viplavam”- Malayam Varika December 2006
3.Siva Raja Yogi Thycaud Ayya Swamikal(1814-1909)
www.geocities.com/guruforum/Thycaud-Ayya-Swamikal.htm
During the Jayanthi & Samadhi days of Sri Naryana Guru & Chattampi Swamikal and Birth 7 death days of Ayyankali
papers like Manorama and Matgrubhumu publish articles about these them. But they never published an article about Thycaud
Ayya, Ayya Vaikundan or Arattupuzha. While preparing for an article for Ayya Swamikal in 2006 July, I send articles both to
Manorama and Mathrubhumi. There was no response from Mathrubhumi. Manorama returned the article with a note such articles
are published only during jubilee years(25.50,75, 100 etc).I am happy the Centurion S amadhi day of Thucaud Ayya is fast approaching
(20July 2009).I am sure Manorama keep their promise. Let us wait for 2 more years. Till then we can get the help of BLOGS
4.Ayyankali (1863-1941)
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayyankali
5.Chattampi Swamikal
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chattampi_Swamikal
6.Sri Narayana Guru (1856-1928)
www.narayanaguru.org/
I'll create pages similar to this one for the articles in my e-zine. I'll change the title of each page I create to reflect
its specific content.
Since long blocks of text are difficult to read online, I'll break the articles up with pictures
or clipart as appropriate.
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If someone other than me has written an article, I'll be sure to include a byline at the bottom.
This article contributed by Jane Turner.
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