Biography of Eminent Nairs

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

BALACHANDRA MENON
Born 11 January 1954 in Kollam
Father: Shivashankara Pillai
Mother: Lalitha Devi
Balachandra Menon is film director, actor, scriptwriter, author, film journalist, lawyer, film producer, distributor, editor, singer, and composer. He has found space in the Limca Book of Records for the maximum number of films directed, scripted and acted in. He made a number of films in the 1980s and 1990s. He has directed 40 films and has acted in more than 100 films. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor. Menon has introduced many actors into the Malayalam film industry. Shobhana, Parvathy, Maniyan Pillai, Karthika, Annie, Nandini etc. are some of them. He won National Film awards for Best Actor and Best Film on Family Welfare. He has also won Kerala State Film awards for best screen play, best actor, and special jury award for his film Samantarangal.

BALACHANDRAN CHULLIKKAD

Born on 30th July 1957.

Balachandran Chullikkad is prominent among young writers and representative of modern Malayalam poetry. Balachandran represented Indian poetry in the international poets meet in the International Book Fare at Gottenberg, Sweden in1997. He participated in many national poets meets organized by various agencies like Central Sahitya Akadamy, New Delhi. He was offered Sanskrithi National Award for the best young writer in India in 1990, but he refused to accept it. He also declared that he would never accept any awards. He accepted Buddhism in1999. His important collections of works (poems) are Pathinettu Kavithakal, Amavasi, Gazal, Manasandaram, Dracula, Balachandran Chullikkadinte kavithakal, Chidambarasmarana).

		BALAGOPAL. N Born on 22 March 1949 at Ambalappuzha. Father: P.N.Panicker. Mother: Chinnakutty Amma. Balagopalan is an eminent organiser and an expert in the field of publications. He was the General Manager of Prabhath Book House for a long period. Later he established Vox Pupulai Publications and started publication of books especially scientific and educational books. He represented India in many international book exhibitions and trade fairs. He won the award for the best publisher from the President of India. He is the Director of Kedas and representing Kerala in the Khadi-Village Industries Board and CAPART.

		BALAKRISHNAN NAIR,T.(CHIRAKKAL). Born on 17th November 1907 Father: Ramavarma Raja of Chirakkal Mother: Kallyanikutty Amma Chikrakkal Balakrishnan Nair was a scholar, writer, musicologist and folklorist. On completion of this graduation, he was attracted by the freedom struggle and joined the Home Rule and Quit India Movement. He was a close associate of Annie Besant, Rajendra Prasad and Jayaprakash Narayan. He was imprisoned for his participation in the freedom struggle. Later, he took his B.T. (B.Ed.) degree and joined as a teacher in Chirakkal Rajas High School. However, he continued his political activism by building up of the Indian Socialist Party in Kerala. He also concentrated his attention on the study of folklore and literary activities. He collected hundreds of folk songs and published under the tile Kerala Bhasha Ganangal. Muchilot Bhagavathy, Itheehya Kathakal, Therenjedutha Prabandhangal, Kerala Varma Ramayanam are some of his other important works It was his research in medieval Malayalam literature that unearthed the Cherussary Bharatham, an unknown work of Cherussery, the author of Krishna Gatha. He was active in the Teachers’ movement and was the President of Private School Teachers Association. He was also served as a member of the Samastha Kerala Sahithya Parishad and member of Sangeetha Nataka Academy. He passed away on 13th January, 1977.

		Prof. BALAKRISHNAN NAIR. Born on February 5, 1923 at Thiruvananthapuram Father: Govinda Pillai Mother: Gourikutty Amma Professor Balakrishnan Nair was a philosopher, Vedanta scholar Sanskrit academician, author. He is well known for his spiritual discourses, especially Bhagavat Gita. After securing MA degrees in Malayalam and Sanskrit language from the Kerala University and MA degree in Hindi from Banaras Hindu University, he started his career as faculty at Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvananthapuram Later he joined the Government service as a lecturer in Malayalam and served various colleges of Kerala. The list of Prof. Balakrishnan Nair's works is voluminous. Sree Narayana Gurudeva Krithikal – Sampoorna Vyakyanam (Works of Sree Narayana Guru with Complete Interpretations – ten parts compiled in two volumes), Srimad Bhagavad Gita (Sivaravindam Mahabhashyam), Vendanta Darsanam (Upanishad Swadyayam) (Three parts), Bhashya radeepam Brahmasutra Bashyanuvadham), Vasishtasudha (Yogavasishta Saaram), Randu malayala maamarakala--arinamakeerthanam interpretation, Jnanapaana interpretation, Prawdanubhoothi (Prakarana Prakashika), Goudapaada darshanam, Bhagavata rudayam, Ekasloki, Pratasmarana stotram, Randu vidyaranya krithikal – Panchadashi - Jeevanmukti Vivekam. He won Srinarayana Samskarika Samithi Award, Kerala Sahitya Academy award for the book titled Jeevan Mukti Vivekam, Srinarayana Samskarika Sangham Award, Geetha Puraskaram, Samskrithi Prathisdan Award, Sidhinadananda Award, Ramasram Award etc. He passed away on 4th February 2011.

		Prof. BALAKRISHNAN R NAIR. A.M (Prof. KICHU NAIR) Father: C K Balakrishnan Nair, Chemmarappallil, Elangulam Mother: K Thankamma Place of Birth: Trivandrum Popularly known as Prof Kichu Nair, Professor Balakrishnan R.Nair is a distinguished clinician, educator, researcher, and mentor. He possesses MBBS, MD (Newcastle) FRACP, FRCPE (Edinburgh), FRCPG (Glasgow), FRCPI (Ireland), FANZSGM, Graduate Diploma (Clinical Epidemiology, University of Newcastle). He was also awarded Honorary Doctorate of Medicine by the University of Newcastle. He is the Professor of Medicine and Associate Dean, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Newcastle, Australia . He holds the position of Director of the Centre for Medical Professional Development, Hunter New England Health Service at Newcastle. He is the Director of Educational Research with the Health Education and Training Institute of New South Wales, Australia . He is the Foundation Director of the Academy of Medical Educators and Center for Medical Professional Development in Newcastle. Prof.Nair is an Emeritus Advisor to the Royal College of Physician of Edinburgh and is a member of the International Advisory Panel of the College Journal. He is a series Editor of the Clinical Skills section of the Medical Journal of Australia and is a member of editorial panels of many medical journals. Prof Nair is the Associate Editor in Chief of Advances in Medical Education and Research. He is a member of the National Panel of Examiners of the RACP and Board of Examiners of the Australian Medical Council. He is the Chair of the Work Place Based Assessment of for the Australian Medical Council. His works “Problem Based Geriatric Medicine” and “Clinical Examination; a Problem Based Approach” are well received by medical students and doctors. He has published over 125 peer reviewed articles in national and international journals. He has received over 8 million dollars in research grants. He won Order of Australia (AM) (an Australian honor equal to PadmaBhushan)for services to medical education, on the Queen’s Birthday honourslist,and John Sands Medal for distinguished services to the College and Fellowship, Royal Australasian College of Physicians. Other notable awards are Faculty of Health and Medicine Award for outstanding achievement and excellence in 2014, and ANZAME award for a distinguished track record in medical education in 2007. In 2018, he was elected to the Fellowship of the Association of Medical Education in Europe. He hails from a well known Nair family.

		Prof. BALAKRISHNAN NAIR .N Born on 5th February 1927 at Perumbavoor Dr N Balakrishnan Nair is a scientist who had a distinguished career spanning four decades as a marine biologist, teacher, and ecologist. He was the founder president of Kerala Science Congress. After obtaining a doctoral degree (PhD) from the University of Madras in 1955, he continued his researches there and secured the degree of Doctor of Science in 1965. Then he started his career by joining the University of Kerala as a member of the faculty of science. He held various positions at the university such as that of the head of the Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries and the Dean of the faculty of science till he moved out in 1978. Subsequently, he chaired the Science, Technology and Environment Committee (STEC) of the state government and served as a member of the Kerala State Coastal Zone Management Authority, established by the Government of Kerala in 2002. He also served as an emeritus professor of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) from 1991 onwards. A marine biologist who specialised in littoral ecology, fishery biology and conservation and management of living aquatic resources, his contributions in these fields have been widely acknowledged. He is considered as the top authority in bio-deterioration of cellulose in aquatic environments. Kerala first imposed a ban on monsoon trawling based on a report by a committee headed by Dr.Nair. He was also one of the first scientists in the country to conduct detailed studies on fish diseases, their nature, and incidence and control measures to prevent massive outbreaks. Other significant contributions include studies on the ecology of wetlands. He also laid the foundation for conserving and managing mangroves and seaweeds. An author of over 400 original research publications, he has also been honoured with fellowships of various scientific bodies. Among the many awards and honours which he had won include the Padmasree in 1984 and the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize. He passed away on 21st April 2010.

		BALAKRISHNA PANICKER .V.C. Born in 1889 V.C. Balakrishna Panicker was a poet and a journalist who marked his foot prints in the fields he stepped in. During his life period of just 24 years, he produced numerous poems, slokas, plays, articles and translations. In his boyhood, his father took him to Mankavu palace in Kozhikode and ihe spent about four years with literary giants that moulded him into a romantic poet and a self-confident person. V.C. is now remembered mainly for his two long poems, Oru Vilapam and Viswaroopam. V.C. was also an accomplished prose writer. He was the editor of journals such as Kerala Chinthamani (Trichur), Malabari (Tirur) and Chakravarthi (Kochi). V.C. showed remarkable understanding of the political undercurrents in Travancore and Cochin and expressed his views boldly through his editorial. He is still remembered for his bold editorial which he wrote on 26th October 1910 against the exile of Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai from Travancore. He would have matured into a powerful political commentator at a time when India's freedom struggle was about to be unfolded. But he passed on 20th October 1912 at the age of 23

		BALAKRISHNA PILLAI.K.G . Born on 19.02.1934 at Haripad K.G. Balakrishnapillai was a Kerala Gandhian, senior Hindi activist, writer, translator and editor. He edited the Kerala Hindi Prachar Sabha mouthpiece "Kerala Jyoti" for more than 30 years from 1969. He also served as the Deputy Chairman of the Kerala Hindi Prachar Sabha from 1992 to 2003. He joined the Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha in 1952 and continued to serve throughout his life. He was an officer in the Department of the Agriculture and later became Deputy Registrar of the Kerala Agricultural University. He retired as the Senior Administrative Officer from the College of Agriculture, Vellayani. He was also active in the Adult Literacy Mission and a member of the Kerala Informal Education Development Committee. He had been a member of the Hindi Consultative Committees of the Ministry of Law, Urban Development and Food Processing, Government of India, and the Central Hindi Committee of the Government of India. He had also been a member of the Governing Council of the Central Hindi Institute, and Vidya Parishad of Agra and Vidya Parishad of Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University, Wardha. He had a close relationship with the Indian Hindi Academy. Pillai had written numerous articles, a few poems and a book in Hindi about Kerala. He had also written more than 200 articles and a dozen short books in Malayalam. He also translated more than a hundred Malayalam stories and certain poems into Hindi. Mridula Garg's Hindi novel 'Kathgulab' has been translated into Malayalam jointly by him and Smt.Thanakamony Amma, a former Professor of Hindi. He was awarded with 'Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Puraskar' of Central Hindi Institute, Agra. He passed away on 31st May 2015.

		BALAKRISHNA PILLAI, KESARI Born on 1889. Father: Akathoot Damodaran Kartha. Mother: Parvathy Amma. Kesari Balakrishna Pillai was a bold journalist and the pioneer of an era in Malayalam literature. He introduced the essence of English and French literature classics to the Malayalam literature. Through translations and criticism he brought new idea among the younger generations. Many literatures like Thakazhy Shivasankara Pillai were his disciples. He was a pioneer in this field to many other writers. He was the editor of Swadeshabhimani’ Journal. Later, he published another journal ‘Probodhaka’. His criticism infuriated the government, which resulted cancellation of license to his journal. Then he started another daily, “Kesari” in 1942, but the Government canceled its license also, due to his severe criticism against nepotism and corruption of authorities. Died on 18 December 1960.
		BALAKRISHNA MENON.K Born on 15 March 1899 at Wadakkanchery Balakrishana Menon was a popular political leader and an eminent advocate. On completion of his B.L.Degree, Menon started his career as an advocate. He entered into politics in the year 1945 as a member of Nationalist Group. He was elected to the Kochi Legislative Assembly in 1945 and became the Minister of Labour in the Minstry headed by Parambi Lonappan. He had to resign from the post consequent on the approval of no-confidence motion in 1946. He has been inducted as a Minster for Food and Education in the Ministry of Parur T.K.Nair in 1947. He founded People’s Congress Party and elected to the Travancore-Cochin Legislative Assembly in 1949. Later he became a member of Praja Socialist Party (PSP) and served as the district secretary of the party. He was elected from Vadakkanchery constituency to the Kerala Legislative Assembly. He was he Deputy Leader of the PSP Legislature Party. He passed away on 16.05.1988. Sopanam.

		BALAKRISHNA PILLAI R. Father: Raman Pillai. Mother: Karthyani Amma. Sri.R.Balakrishna Pillai is famous for his firmness in opinion, readiness for service, excellence in speech and diplomacy in administration. His outspoken nature gave him many enemies also. But every time he surpassed his enemies and voiced his opinions more vehemently without fear or favour. He is the President of NSS Pathanapuram Taluk Union. He is the unopposed leader of Kerala Congress (B). He proved to be an eminent minister and administrator. He was elected eight terms to the Kerala Legislative Assembly and once to Lok Sabha. He became the Minister of the Government of Kerala for more than 10 years and gave leadership to various departments.

		BALAMANI AMMA Born in 1909. Father: Chittannur Kunhunni Raja. Mother: Nalappat Kochukutty Amma. Balamani Amma was an illustrious poetess who had unflinching image in the minds of people of Kerala. Following the path of Nalappat Narayana Menon she took the field of poetic literature from early ages itself. She published her collection of poems in more than 10 volumes. Her important works are Koopukai, Amma, Sopanam. Died on 29 September 2004

		BALARAM. N.E Born on 20 November 1919 NE Balaram is a founding leader of communist movement in Kerala, a Maxian ideologue, Indian Philospher, historian, writer, and critic. Balaram studied up to 8th standard, which was considered good school education at that time. After completing school, he became a teacher in a nearby school for a while. By then he was a known scholar in Sanskrit and Indian philosophy which ultimately took to the Ramkrishna Mission in Calcutta. There he spent several months learning more about the Vedas, the Upanishads and other ancient texts. Being a discontented young atheist, he returned to Kannur and started his political career as a Congress party worker and later active in the Congress socialist group. The Congress socialist group started the ground work to build a Communist movement in the state and Balaram was also an active oroganiser of the historic meeting held at Pinarayi that gave birth of the Communist Party in 1939. In 1957, he was elected to the first Kerala Legislative Assembly from the Mattannur constituency. In 1960, he again represented Mattannur. In 1964, when the communist movement split Balaram stood with the Communist Party of India. He was a member from the Tellicherry constituency to the Legislative body in 1970. He became a minister in the C. Achutha Menon ministry (from 4.10.1970 t0 24.09.1971) and held important portfolios like Industry and Public Relations. He took charge as the State Secretary of the Communist party of India in 1971. He held that post till 1984. Then he became the Secretary of the National Council of the party as well as the Member of the Rajya Sabha. He held both the posts till his death. A Short History of the Communist Party of India, Indyayude Piravi, Dhanasastra Silpikal, Moonnu Internationalukalude Charitram, Idathupaksha Communism, Adhunika Muthalalitham, Keralathile Communist Prasthanam, Adyanalukal, Saoundryolsvam, Bharatheeyapaithrukam, N. E. Balaram Sampoorna Krithikal (10 volumes) are his works. He passed away on 16 July 1994.

		BARISTER AK PILLAI (A.KRISHNA PILLAI) Born on April 16, 1893 at karunagappally Father: Ayyappan Pillai Barrister AK Pillai (A. Krishna Pillai) was a brave patriot and freedom fighter. After completing his BA from Arts College, Thiruvananthapuram, he graduated in Law from the Madras University. Thereafter, he went to England to pursue higher studies. When the Non-cooperation Movement started, Pillai left his studies at England and returned to India to join the congress and to participate in the national movement. Thereafter, he devoted himself wholly to the service of the Congress in various capacities. Soon he was put in charge of organizing the new Congress Province of Kerala comprising of Malabar, Travancore and Cochin regions. Pillai was one of the leaders of the Vaikom Sathyagraha, which was the first great battle against untouchability. To facilitate organizational and propaganda work, he started a vernacular paper, the "Swarat", which was the first nationalist journal in Kerala. He also participated in other international Conferences of Colonial peoples and oppressed nationalities. He passed away on October 5, 1949.

BHASKARAN NAIR. (Dr.) K.

Born on 25 August 1913.

Dr.K.Bhaskaran Nair was one of the eminent writers who had a separate vision and style in the field of science and literature. He upheld moral values even in science. He was the Principal, Director of Collegiate Education, Secretary of Sahithya Academy and Member of Kendra Sahithya Academy. Important Works: Adhunika sasthram, Parinamam, Sasthra Purogathy, Sasthra Deepika.

		BHASKARAN NAIR N. Born on 10th July 1919 Father: Neelakanta Pillai. Bhaskaran Nair was a social worker, a leader of the Nair Service Soceity, a leading advocate, a political activist and an able administrator. A law graduate, he had started life as a consulting lawyer. Sri. Bhaskaran Nair started his political career as an active Congress worker. He had also contested General Elections as PSP candidate in 1951. He was to the Kerala Legislative Assembly representing Changanachery constituency. Later, joining the N.D.P he became a member of Kerala Legislative Assembly from Mavelikara constituency in 1977. He also served as the Finance and Health in the C.H. Muhammed Koya Ministry from 12.10.1979 to 1.12.1979. He was the Chairman of the Estimates Committee during 1964-1965 and chaired the Petitions Committee from 1977 to 1979. He had also served as the President of Travancore Devaswam Board. He had been elected as Changanacherry Municipal Councillor, and had also served as Board member and Treasurer of N.S.S. He passed away on 30.8.1998.

		BHASKARAN NAIR S.Prof. Born in 1935 at Neyyattinkara Father: Sivasankara Pillai Mother: Karthyani Amma Prof. Bhaskaran Nair was a renowned Sanskrit scholar and an Indologist. Prof. Nair started his career as a teacher in the Punjab University after completing his higher studies from the University of Kerala. He was the Director of the Viswesharanand Vedic Research Institute of Indology at Hosiparpur under the Punjab University. He was an expert in analyzing manuscripts of ancient Sanskrit literature. He had written a good number of books and research articles in English,Hindi, Sanskrit and Malayalam on ancient Sanskrit literature. He is best known as the Editor of the “Maha Subhashitha Samgraha”, a Sanskrit book series published by Viswesharanand Vedic Research Institute of Indology. He had written commentaries on “Raja Tharangini” of Kalhara, “Sree Mahabhagavatham” and “Bhagavath Geetha” . “A Comparative and Critical Edition of Rigveda”, “A critical Edition of Adhavaveda”, “Brahmanodhara Kosa”, Upanishad Udhara Kosa”, “Hindi Sahithya Grandhasoochi” are some of his other important works. He passed away on 22nd July 2020.

		P.BHASKARAN Born on 21 April 1924. P. Bhaskaran is a renowned lyrist, great poet and multifarious genius. Through his poetry Vayalar Garjikkunnu (Vayalar roars), he depicted the historic revolution of Punnappra-Vayalar and become a notable writer and blessed poet. His touching poetic collection is Orkuka Vallappozhum (Remember Occasionally). P.Bhaskaran is a freedom fighter also. He participated in ‘Quit-India’ movement and imprisoned in his teen ages. Later, he became follower of communist philosophy and contributed for its growth through his lyrics and other literary works. He was the Editor of Deshabhimani, and Jayakeralam journals. He was the Secretary, Sangeetha Nataka Academy and the Chairman, Kerala State Film Development Corporation. He directed a number of good Malayalam films. His film “Neelakuyil” won the first medal (silver) for Malayalam film. He has written lyrics for more than 100 films.

		P.T.BHASKARA PANICKER. Born in 15 October 1922 at Palakkad Father: K.M.V.Namppoothiri Mother: Kavukkutty Amma P. T. Bhaskara Panicker was a famous social activist and writer. After passing BSc and BT, he worked as a school teacher for two years. He joined the Communist party and spent three years underground and in jail. When the ban on the party was lifted he worked again as teacher in various schools for two years. In the 1954 he was elected as the President of the Malabar District Board. From 1959 to 1965 he served as a member of the Kerala Public Service Commission, from 1969 to 1971, Editor of the Viswavijnana kosam (10 volumes), and from 1971 to 1974, President of Grandhasalasamgham. Panicker was one of the leaders of the Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad that popularised science among the common people. He has been an active leader member of many organizations including KANFED (Kerala Association for Non-formal Education), STEPS Publications, Inter Disciplinary Studies, Bharana Parishkara Vedi (forum for the study of civil service reforms), and Kerala Sthala Nama Samithi (body for research on place names). He has written more than 100 books, mostly scientific and educational. Sasthra Parichayam, Sciencinte Kadhakal (3 parts), Jeevante Kadha, Manushyan Enna Yanthram, Grahanthara Yathra are some of his major works. He passed away on 30 December 1997.
		BHODESWARAN Born in 1902. Father: Kunjan Pillai. Mother: Janaki Amma.His original name is Kesava Pillai. He adopted the name “Bodheswaran” at Kasi (varanasi) while on a pilgrimage. He was a progressive revolutionist who stood and fought for his principles in the political and cultural fields for more than half a century. He led campaign in favour of Vaikom Sathyagraha. His Keralagana is famous even today. He died in 1990.

		BIJU MENON Born on 9th September 1970) Father:P. N. Balakrishna Pillai Mother: Malathiyamma Biju Menon is a film actor of Malayalam films. He started his acting career through Malayalam television serials He made his debut in 1995 in Puthran. In a career spanning over two decades, he has appeared in over 130 films, and has won two Kerala State Film Awards and two South Indian Filmfare Awards