Leaders of Renaissance in Kerala - K Kelappan

Born- 24 August 1889, Machukunnu (Kozhikode)
Full Name- Koyappalli Kelappan Nair
Father- Kanaran Nair
Mother- Kujamma Amma
Spouse- Lakshmi Amma
Died- 07 Oct 1971

  1. K Kelappan is Popularly known as Kerala Gandhi
  2. He was a social reformer, an Indian Freedom fighter, educationist and journalist.
  3. He was the first President of Nair Service Society.
  4. He was considered as the first Satyagrahi from Kerala to participate in the individual Satyagraha movement launched by Gandhiji.
  5. K Kelappan gave the leadership to the Payyannur and Calicut salt Satyagraha.
  6. He played a dominant role in the famous Vaikom Satyagraha and was the leader of the Guruvayur Satyagraha.
  7. K Kelappan was the secretary of Guruvayur Satyagraha Committee.
  8. It was at Gandhiji's request that he ended his fast at Guruvayur.
  9. He was the chairman of the committee which was formed to fight against untouchability in Kerala during Vaikom Satyagraha.
  10. He was jailed several times during the Indian freedom movement including the Quit India Movement.
  11. He was the KPCC President at the time of Indian Independence.
  12. K Kelappan presides over the Aikya Kerala Conference (AKC) held at Thrissur in April 1947.
  13. After Independence, he left the Congress and joined the Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party and was elected to Parliament from Ponnani Lok Sabha seat in 1952.
  14. He concentrated in Sarvodaya activities and Bhoodan Movement in Kerala in later life.
  15. He was the President of almost all major Gandhian organisations like Kerala Sarvodaya Sangh, Kerala Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, Kerala Sarvodaya Mandal and Gandhi Peace Foundation, Calicut.
  16. He was the founder of Thavanoor Rural Institute.
  17. He helped in starting 'Mathrubhumi' and was its editor for a number of years.
  18. He also led a peaceful Satyagraha in Thali Temple Angadipuram near Perinthalmanna.
  19. The publication 'Gramadeepam' was started by K Kelappan.
  20. Kerala Gandhi Kelappan Museum and Research Centre comes in Pakkanarpuram (Kozhikode).
  21. Indian postal department published a commemorative postal stamp of K Kelappan on 24th August 1990.