Women & Social Change - Kerala PSC Study Materials - Renaissance in Kerala

This article provides you Kerala PSC exam oriented short notes & study material regarding women & social change which is part of the renaissance in Kerala. This blog discusses some of the major women leaders such as Parvathi Nenmenimangalam, Arya Pallam, A V Kuttimalu Amma, Lalitha Prabhu, Akkamma Cheriyan, Anna Chandi, Lalithambika Antharjanam etc. In the field of social reform movements, the influence of women was normally ignored in the old days. When Kerala renaissance has been included initially in the PSC examinations, it didn't give much focus on women. But nowadays, this mistake is being corrected."The importance of women in the renaissance in Kerala" has been now introduced in the Kerala PSC examination syllabus as a separate topic to study. The life history of those women who contributed to the Kerala renaissance is a brief topic to study in almost all PSC exams. They are discussed as follows. 

The contribution of women in the Kerala renaissance is too great to be ignored. There are a lot of women who fought bravely on the front lines of Kerala renaissance against suppression from different classes. But the truth is, their significance had not been much brought out to light. Just as women are confined to narrow walls of the household, the contributions and achievements of these women are being left out in the great history of a struggle for reformation. But as of today, highlighting the importance of women in the Kerala renaissance in the syllabus of competitive PSC exams is a good sign. It has become a matter of great interest that their history must be strictly studied for such examinations. The incidents of upper cloth revolt, which took place two hundred years ago, marked the first advancement of women movement in Kerala. Women participation was also very active in Paliyam, Vaikkom & Guruvayur Satyagraha.

Best Study Material for Renaissance in Kerala
for PSC Exams

Khosha Bahishkaranam
"Khosha Bahishkaranam", "Kallumala revolt" (Kallumala Samaram), "Tholviraksamaram" etc were the famous old age revolts led by Indian women. Ritual of restricting Namboothiri women to go outside without wearing a veil is known as 'Khosha'. "Antharjanam" (Brahmin Woman), when leaving their homes are compelled to wear 'Khosha'. In 1929, Parvathy Manazhi was the first women who entered the public without wearing 'Khosha'. Later, Parvathi Nenmenimangalam, Arya Pallom continued that path.

Parvathi Nenmenimangalam
She was a prominent figure in the social reform movement of women in Kerala. Parvathi Nenmenimangalam was the person behind the foundation of "Antharjana Samajam". She was born in 1911, Nadavarambathu Nalloor Illam in Iringalakkuda as a daughter or Vishnu Namboothiri and Saraswathi Antharjanam. She got married to Brahmin named Vasudevan Namboothiri of Chettupuzhayil Nenmenimangalam Illam and hence she is known as Parvathi Nenmenimangalam. Antharjana Samajam was founded in their house. She was recommended by the government as a representative of "Antharjanam" to discuss Namboothiri bill in Kochi legislative assembly. She was also responsible for the first widow remarriage in Namboothiri caste. The first Namboothiri widow remarriage was on 13th September 1934 between M R Bhattathirippad and Uma Antharjanam. The marriage was arranged in the house of V T Bhattathirippad known as "Rasikasadanam".

Arya Pallam
Arya Pallam was another woman from "Antharjanam" community who dedicated her life towards social change. She was born in 1908. At the age of 13 she got married to Pallath Krishnan Namboothirippad and from there only she heard about "Yogakshema Sabha". Arya Pallam was the main woman leader in Kallumala revolt and advised women in her locality for a better quality of living. She also served as the president of "Antharjana Samajam". Her contribution was also significant in Paliyam satyagraha.

A V Kuttimalu Amma

A V Kuttimalu Amma played a major role in arranging women from Kerala for the national freedom movement. She was even put in jail along with her few months old baby. Kuttimalu was born on 23rd April 1905 in Palakkad district of Kerala. In 1936 Madras presidency election, she was selected as the representative of Malabar. She also served as the president of Malabar Pradesh Congress. A V Kuttimalu Amma was a campaigner of Swadeshi movement, civil disobedience movement and quit India movement. She was a director board member of "Mathrubhumi". She died on 14th April 1985.



Lalitha Prabhu
Lalitha Prabhu was the daughter of famous scholar Sheshagri Prabhu. The house where Lalitha Pradhu was born, named Nandagokul was the major center of national movement in Malabar region. She was one of the famous activists for Kerala Mahila Desa Sevika Sangam. Kamala Prabhu is her sister. Both Kamala and Lalitha were part of the women wing of Congress in the national movement. The famous "Thaali Case" incident was related to Kamala Prabhu.

Akkamma Cheriyan

Akkamma Cheriyan was born on 14 February 1909, in Kanjirappalli. She was known as the Jhansi Rani of Travancore (named by Mahatma Gandhi). On October 23, 1938, she led a protest which is supported by 50000 people to release the leaders who were put in jail by Sri Chithira Thirunnal Balarama Varma. She is also known as Joan of Arc of Kerala. After independence Akkamma Cheriyan was elected unanimously to the Travancore legislative assembly from Kanjirappalli. Rosamma Punnus, one of the first and famous communist leaders of Kerala was the sister of Akkamma Cheriyan.

Confusing Fact: Akkamma Cheriyan is known as the Jhansi Rani of Travancore. Annie Mascrene is known as the Jhansi Rani of Kerala. Statue of Akkamma Cheriyan is situated at Vellayambalam (Thiruvananthapuram). Annie Mascrene Square is situated in Vazhuthacaud (Thiruvananthapuram).

Anna Chandi
Anna Chandi was a significant contributor in the field of law. She became the first woman in India to become a high court judge. She is the first woman layer of India. After retiring from her career as a lawyer for 8 years, she served as a member of law commission. Anna Chandi is renowned as the first generation feminist. She was also the owner and publisher of woman magazine in Kerala named as "Srimathi". It was the first woman's magazine weekly published in Malayalam. She was also recommended as a member of Travancore legislative assembly. Anna Chandi died on 20th July 1996. Her autobiography is "Atmakadha'.

Lalithambika Antharjanam
She was a writer born Kottavattom, near Punalur in Kollam, who portrayed the suppressed life of Hindu women in Kerala through her novels, dramas and short stories. Lalithambika Antharjanam is famous for her work Agnisakshi which got Vayalar Award in 1977, which is the first novel to Vayalar award. The novel also got Kendra Sahithya Academy award and Kerala Sahithya Academy award in 1977. Grama Balika is the name of a novel written by her. Some of her famous poems are lalithanjali, onakkazhcha, sharana manjari, bhavadeepthi etc. Dramas include punarjanmam, veera sangeetham etc. The autobiography of Lalithambika Antharjanam is "Atmakadhakkoru Aamukham". She died on 6th February 1987.

Note: This article has only provided you with some introductory facts related to Kerala Renaissance/Kerala History. If you want more detailed and PSC exam oriented Kerala Renaissance contents (including contents in this article in PDF format), you can avail an eBook (click here>>). 

This eBook is prepared based on Kerala PSC previous year question papers and covers the complete syllabus of Kerala Renaissance for PSC exams.

Other Useful Links

• Kerala Renaissance Study Material for PSC exams

• Kerala Geography Study Material for PSC exams

• Indian Constitution Study Material for PSC exams

• Social Welfare Schemes & Programs Study Material for PSC exams

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