Poikayil Yohannan: Leaders of Kerala Renaissance
Key Takeaway
I have read the history of many a civilization,I have rummaged through the history of the country and the state,But nowhere could I find anything about my caste,There is no wielder of pen on this e...
Poikayil Yohannan
(1879-1939)
I have read the history of many a civilization,I have rummaged through the history of the country and the state,But nowhere could I find anything about my caste,There is no wielder of pen on this earth,Who would write the history of my caste,My caste – which has been consigned to the netherworld,My caste – which has been lost in the uncharted depths of history...
Poikayil Yohannan aka Sree Kumara Gurudevan was one of the greatest visionaries and social reformers of Kerala who was born as an agrestic slave(Paraiyar community, പറയർ)to a Syrian Christian family named Sankaramangalam.
Being born as a slave to the Christian family, he became influenced by their beliefs, therefore practiced Christianity, and later became well-versed in Biblical literature and theology.
The Year 2020 marks the141stbirth anniversaryof Poikayil Yohannan.
Basic Facts
- Birth– 17 February 1879, Eraviperoor, Pathanamthitta.
- Family–(7)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Parents | Kandan & Lechi |
| Wife | Janamma |
| Original Name | Komaran |
| Nicknames | Poikayil Appachan, Pulayan Mathai, Kerala Napoleon & Kumara Gurudevan |
| Founder | Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha(God's Church of Visible Salvation) |
| Headquarters | Eraviperoor, Pathanamthitta |
| Mouthpiece | Adiyar Deepam (ആദിയാർ ദീപം) |
- Kumara Guru Quotes–'നിന്റെ നുള്ളരിയും ചില്ലിക്കാശും കൊണ്ട് സഭ വളർത്തുക.'(2)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Death | 29 June 1939 |
| Books | Ratnamanikal(Collection of poems) |
He put forward many revolutionary ideas in the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha such as(3)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Adi Lahala(അടി ലഹള) | A group of protests for the upliftment of Christian Dalit People spearheaded by Poikayil Yohannan |
| Vaakathaanam Lahala | Another protest for the Christian Dalit people in whichKumara Guru burnt Bible in 1906 |
| Works on Poikayil Yohannan"Poikayil Yohannan" | M.R. Renukumar."Unknown Subjects: Songs of Poikayil Appachan"(Translation)– Ajay Sekhar."Mannikkale Maanikyam"(Drama)– V.V. Shantha Kumar."Roopakam"(Documentary Film)– Prasobh Divakaran(Director).📝Read More:Repeated PSC Questions on Poikayil Yohannan.📝SideNotes:The term 'Dravida Dalithan' was first coined by –Poikayil Yohannan |