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VAYALA VASUDEVAN PILLAI (Dr.)
Father: Neelakanta Pillai
Mother: Kalyani Amma
Dr.Vayala Vasudevan Pillai was a Malayalam playwright and the Director of School of Drama and noted theatre personality who gave significant contributions in Malayalam theatre. On completion of his post-graduate programme in English, he joined as a teacher in English at the Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram. Later he obtained Ph.D in theatre art and playwright and appointed as the Assistant Director of the School of Drama at Thrissur. Later he became the Director of the School and continued as such till his retirement in 2005. Dr. Pillai was an associate of G.Sankara Pillai, eminent playwright and founder of Kalari theatre movement. He formed Suvarnarekha, a theatre group which presented about 30 plays. He won Kerala Sahithya Academy Award in 1981, Kerala Sangeetha Nadaka Academy Award and Kendra Sangeetha Nadaka Academy for his contributions to theatre-playwright in Malayalam. Viswadarsanam, Thulaseevaram, Agni, Rangabhasha, Varavelpu,Kuchelagadha, The Death of Nestling, Suthradhara, Ethile... Ethile, Kunji Chirakukal, Swarnakokkukal are some of his important works.He passed away on August 29, 2011
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VALLOTHOL
NARAYANA MENON
Born on October 16, 1878 at Thiroor.
Father : Mullassery Damodaran Elayathu Mother:
Parvathy Amma.
Vallathol was one of the great poets of Malayalam language
whose rich, dense verse was a powerful influence on
succeeding Malayalam poets, and whose prose was devoted
to the liberation of the country, against untouchables
and other social evils. Considered as most important
poet after Cherussery, Ezhuthachan and Kunjan Nambiar.
He wrote Vyasavatharam and Kirathasathakam,
two Manipravala poems at his age of 13. Sahithya
Manjari, Achanum Makalum, Shishyanum Makanum, Chithrayogam,
Bandhanasthanaya Anirudhan, Badhira Vilapom, Magdalana
Mariyam are some of his important works.
He was a patriot and national poet. He dreamt the victory
of the downtrodden. He ranked equal to Tagore and Subramonia
Bharathy. He fought for world fraternity and peace.
His respect for other cultures and vision of communal
harmony made him different from others. It was through
Vallathol that Kerala culture and art won world acclaim.
He is the founder of Kerala Kala Mandalam. He
fostered Kath kali, Kerala’s own glorious art form and
gained global fame to it. Erstwhile Madras Government
awarded Aasthana Maha Kavi. Awarded Padma
Bhooshan by the Government of India. Was Chairman
of Kerala Sahithya Academy and Sahithya Parishad.
He died in 1958 |
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VELAPPAN.
V.K.
Born
in 1895
Father : Krishna Panicker Mother: Paappi Amma.
Sri.Velappan became popular through the Nair Service
Society.He was elected as the Member of Sree Moolam
Praja Sabha twice and Travancore Legislative Council
for two times. He was also elected to the Kerala Legislative
Assembly and became the Minister for Health. It was
he who initiated action to institute Medical Colleges
at Kottayam and Alappuzha. He was also the President
of NSS.
Died on August 26, 1962. |
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VELAYUDHAN
NAIR, KALATHIL
Born
on January 9, 1912
Father : Krishna Pillai.R. Mother: Lekshmy Amma
Kalathil Velayudhan Nair was an undefeated leader of
the national movement. He was an able advocate and
administrator of the Travancore-Cochin Ministry. He
was a farsighted politician and above all the very life
and soul of the Nair Service Society. He elected to
Legislative Assembly in 1952. He became the Minister
for Electricity, PWD and Transport in A.J.John’s Ministry.
He was elected as the President of NSS in 1968. He was
the first President of National Democratic Party (NDP).
He was also the Member of Senate and Syndicate of the
University of Kerala. He made his firm imprints in whatever
field he ventured.
Died on September 1, 1976 |
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VASUDEVAN
PILLAI, MAKKAPUZHA
Born in 1911
Sri. Makkappuzha Vasueven Pillai was a celebrated personality
who made tireless efforts for more than half a century
for the progress and uplift of the nair community. He
was a member of KPCC and AICC. He was elected Travancore-Cochin
Legislative Assembly in 1951 and 1954. He was also elected
as the President of NSS.
Died on August 30, 1998 |
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VASUDEVAN
NAIR P.K.
Born
on March 2, 1926 at Kottayam.
Father : V.N.Kesava Pillai. Mother : Nanukutty
Amma
P.K.Vasudevan Nair became famous as an eminent parliamentarian
and as the State Secretary of Communist Party of India.
He was the Chief Minister of Kerala for a short period.
He rose to the leadership through Students’ and Youth
Federations. He attained national repute as a Member
of Parliament and as the Panel of Chairman of the Lok
Sabha. He was elected to the Parliament from Thiruvananthapuram
constituency in 2004 elections also.
He died on July 12, 2005 |
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VASUDEVAN
NAIR M.T.
Born
on 15 July 1934
Father : T.Narayanan Nair Mother: Ammalu Amma
M.T.Vasudevan Nair is a versatile novelist of Malayalam
and Jnanapeeth laureate. He wrote stories while he was
a student and won first place in all Kerala level short
story writing contest conducted by the Mathrubhoomi
weekly. He has written many novels and short stories.
Important works: Nalukettu, Murappennu, Asuravithu,
Kaalam, Randamoozham, Manju\
He won many awards like Sahithya Academy Award,
Vayalar Award. He produced and directed a number of
films in Malayalam.His film “Nirmalyam” won President’s
Gold Medal. He was the Editor of Mathrubhum weekly.
He is the visiting Professor of Pune Film Institute.
Government of India awarded Padmabhooshan to him in
2005. He was also awarded Vallathol Sahithya Puraskaran
for his comprehensive contributions in the field of
literature. |
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VELU
PILLAI T.K.
Born
in 1882
T.K. Velu Pillai is famous as the author of Travancore
State Manual, an authoritative history of Travancore.
Like Logan’s Malabar Manual, this work is a source of
major source of information. He also wrote a novel,
“Hemalatha”. He was a member of Travancore Legislative
Assembly since 1914 and also the Vice-Chairman of the
Legislaive Assembly. He was versatile genius as an
advocate and an eminent orator also.
Died in 1950 |
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Dr.
VALLIATHAN M.S.
Born
in 1934
Father : Marthandavarma Mother : Janaky Amma
Dr.M.S. Valliathan is a world famous personality in
the field of medical science and research. He was the
first Director of Sri Chitra Thirunal Medical Centre,
Trivandrum.He played a vital role in introducing the
most modern methods of treatment in the SCTMC, Trivandrum.
His ideas and action plans contributed for the overall
progress and developments of the Centre. He is the
Vice-Chancellor of Manipal University. He is also the
Member, UGC, ICMR, Department of Bio-technology, Govt.
of India, Energy Regulatory Board etc. The Government
of India awarded him Padmasree. He was also awarded
Padmavibhushan in 2005. |
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Advocate.
VENUGOPAL K.K
Born
in 1935
Father: Barister M.K.Nambiar
Advocate K.K.Venugopal is a leading and senior counsel
of Supreme Court. He is an Expert in constitutional
law and even the President of India seeks his advise
in matters concerning constitutional issues. He is
a social lover of humanity and man of great vision. He
was the Additional Solicitor General during 1979-80.He
was also the President of International Association
for Lawyers. He appeared for several important and historical
cases like Pondichery Assembly Speaker election case,
dismissal of Karunanidhi’s Ministry during emergency
period, Babri Masjid case, Mandal Commission etc. |
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VELU THAMPI DALAWA
Velu
Thampi Dalawa was born in 940 (ME). He was the elder
son of Kunchu Mayitti Pillai and Valliyamma Pillai Thankacy
of Kalkulam Village in Travancore. Velu Thampi who was
efficient, loyal and just was selected as the leader
of the Nattukootam (local body). Later he was appointed
as “Karyakkar’ of Kalkulam Village. Having understnd
the abilities and loyalty, Karthika Thirunal Maharaja
appointed him as ‘Sarvadhikaryakkar’ and then as the
Dalawa of Travancore.
Velu
Thampi introduced several administrative reforms in
the country. He established schools in all ‘Karas’.
The land was surveyed and levied land tax from the owners.
He established courts of law. He maintained law and
order situation in the country scrupulously and without
any fear or favour.
In the beginning, Velu Thampi was in good terms with
the British Empire. But he rose up against them when
he found their attempts to have total control of power
centres. Gradually, he turned against the British Resident.
He persuaded the Maharaja of Travancore to request the
Madras Government to recall the Resident from Travancore.
Infuriated with the action of Velu Thampi, Colonel
Mec Caule started torturing the subjects. Velu Thampi
Dalawa had allied himself with the Dewan of Kochi Paliyath
Achan in the armed campaign against the British .
After
almost a year of battles, Velu Thampi Dalawa fled the
kingdom. The power of the British Resident was now paramount
and the Maharaja had to admit the supremacy of British
in the affairs of State. Velu Thampi appealed the people
of Travancore to join his revolt against the atrocities
of British through famous ‘Kundara Proclamation’ announced
on 11 January 1809. He continued his legendary revolt
against the British with the help of soldiers who fall
in with him. But Veluthampi Dalawa and his soldiers
failed miserably in the fight held at Kollam and he
was defeated. Velu Tampi is said to have ended his
life by himself rather than face humiliation at the
hands of his opponents. He met his tragic death at Mannady.
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VINAYAN
Father: Sri Govinda Kurup
Mother: Smt. Bharathi Amma
Born at Kuttanand in Alappuzha district. Vinayan is a gifted cine director and producer. He has so far directed 36 movies (31 in Malayalam, 4 in Tamil and 1 in Telugu). He produced 4 movies, written story for 20 movies, scripts and dialogues for 12 films and penned lyrics for 5 films. He introduced many new actors in the Malayalam film industry. Vinayan created history by writing and directing the Malayalam film Albhuthadweep which was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records and Limca Book of Records for casting the most number of dwarf actors in a movie and also for featuring the shortest male lead actor in a movie. The film was a success in box-office and it was remade in Tamil language by Vinayan himself. His film Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum won two National Film Awards including a Special Jury Award for best actor and best male playback singer. He won Kerala Film Critics Award for best director and for best film for Meerayude Dukhavum Muthuvinte Swapnavum and his film Kasi won the Tamil Nadu State Award for best actor.
Vinayan is the founder/president of the MACTA Federation. He has also launched a co-operative society for the benefit of film workers. He is also the Advisory Member of the Cine Workers Welfare Board, sponsored by the Government of India. He has been appointed as the Chairman of the Kerala Horticultural Development Corporation. |
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VKN (VADAKKE
KOOTTALA NARAYANAN NAIR)
Vadakke
Koottala Narayanan Nair, popularly known as VKN in Malayalam,
belongs to the genus category of writers. He made use
of humour, irony, satire, and parody and burlesque in
his works. It may be a coincidence that VKN was also
born, brought up and spent the major part of his life
in the same area where Kalakkath Kunjan Nambiar and
Mani Madhava Chakkyar, who were the masters of social
satire and strong art forms of Thullal and Chakkyarkoothu
were born. VKN entered into Malayalam literature field
in 1950s. In 1960s VKN became a prominent figure in
Malayalam literature as a writer. He was a Delhi based
journalist from where he caught his hero, Payyan,
who appeared in almost all his major works. His important
works are Pithamahan, Arohanam, Adhikaram,
Payyankadhakal, Sir Chathu, Kaavi, Chathans, and Chitrakeralam.
He died in 2004 |
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