Nettur P Damodaran
Encyclopedia
Nettur P Damodaran was a member of the 1st Lok Sabha
(1952) from the constituency of Tellicherry, which was part of the erstwhile Madras state
. He represented the now defunct Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party
. He was elected to the Lok Sabha with 42.61% of the electorate voting in his favour.
Nettur P, as he was popularly known, had established his own image as a good Parliamentarian, journalist, philanthropist, reformer and writer. He graduated in Physics from Madras Christian College
and it was here that his public life started when he was elected as the first elected Student Union
Chairman of the College council in 1935.
Damodaran had for a brief period worked as a journalist, first in Free Press Journal and later for Mathrubhumi
in Bombay as correspondent. He was also editor of 'Dinaprabha', a Malayalam daily published from Calicut in early 60s. From 1963-66, he held senior position in the Home ministry, Government of India
, as Officer on Special Duty for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled tribes, which gave him opportunity to travel extensively all over India. His experiences during these travels gave enough material for his literary incursion in the form of travelogues. In 1967, he was appointed as the Chairman of Backward class reservation commission by the Left Democratic Front
Government headed by E M S Namboodiripad. He served as Chairman until the report was finalised in 1970. The report, known as Nettur Commission report stirred many a political battles in Kerala.
He was conferred with the honorary Thamrapathra on the Silver Jubilee of Indian Independence by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
in recognition of his work towards the independence struggle.
in the present day Tellicherry municipality. He did his early schooling from Mannayad school and Middle school, Illicoon in Nettur which was established by the legendary visionary and philanthropist Hermann Gundert
. He later on attended Basel Evangelical Mission Parsi High School(B.E.M.P), Tellicherry and Brennen College
respectively. After graduating in Physics from Madras Christian College
, he joined the Indian freedom movement from the Malabar region. He played a pivotal role in the Quit India Movement
during 1942 from Tellicherry, organising rallies and public events to that effect, often giving the police a slip. During one such event, he was arrested by the authorities. This created an uproar in Tellicherry already reeling in high National spirits. He was tried and sentenced to two years in Prison. He was held as a political détenu in Alipur Central jail, Bellary
from 1942-44. After finishing his jail-term, he resumed his fight for India's freedom till Independence was achieved in the year 1947.
Damodaran's political life gave way to administrative career for a short spell, when he was unexpectedly chosen by Andhra Kesari T. Prakasam, then Chief Minister
of Madras State
, as one of the first two 'Firka' (now known as Block) development officers as part of an all India experimentation on Firka development model. He resigned from his official position in 1952 to embark on Parliamentary career by contesting the first general election of Independent India from Tellicherry constituency, and winning with a thumping majority. During his tenure in the Lok Sabha (1956), he was part of a Parliamentary delegation to China when Prime Minister Zhou Enlai
was in power.
Some of his published works include :
Anubhavachurulukal was republished in 2007 by Samayam Publications, Kannur
.
and Chandernagore. Damodaran played a role in expediting Mahé's liberation from French rule by working in concert with Mahé liberation leaders such as I. K. Kumaran
and C.E Bharathan, and highlighting the various issues related to the struggle in parliament. Prime Minister Nehru personally saw to it that the concerns raised by Damodaran and the remedies put forward by him in Parliament were addressed appropriately, helping realising the liberation of Mahe in a bloodless manner. He was actively involved in shaping and giving political lead in the formative years of independent Mahé.
, a form of dance; and Thira, a religious ritual of northern Kerala. He was instrumental in organising various Kalari performances for the troupe of C .V.N Nair, a kalaripayattu maestro from Thalassery
in Northern India and even in Ceylon(Sri Lanka
). He was encouraged further by the Nehru after witnessing a private performance in New Delhi. Indian circus, of which Tellicherry was the citadel, was another area of his interest and involvement. At the time of his death, he was the Secretary of the Circus Federation of India, New Delhi.
1st Lok Sabha
The First Lok Sabha was constituted on 17 April 1952 after India's first general election. The 1st Lok Sabha lasted its full tenure of five years and was dissolved on 4 April 1957.- Important Members :- List of Members by state :...
(1952) from the constituency of Tellicherry, which was part of the erstwhile Madras state
Madras State
Madras State was the name by which the Indian districts in Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Northern Kerala, Bellary and Dakshina Kannada were collectively known as from 1950 to 1953....
. He represented the now defunct Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party
Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party
The Kisan Mazdoor Praja Party was a socialist political party of India. Although the party is now defunct and doesn't contest election anymore, it is logged with the Election Commission of India as having contested the very first parliamentary elections in 1951 in India...
. He was elected to the Lok Sabha with 42.61% of the electorate voting in his favour.
Nettur P, as he was popularly known, had established his own image as a good Parliamentarian, journalist, philanthropist, reformer and writer. He graduated in Physics from Madras Christian College
Madras Christian College
The Madras Christian College, commonly known as MCC, is a liberal arts and sciences college in Madras , India. Founded in 1837, MCC is one of Asia's oldest extant colleges. Currently, the college is affiliated to the University of Madras, but functions as an autonomous institution from its campus...
and it was here that his public life started when he was elected as the first elected Student Union
Student union
Student union may refer to:* Students' union, or student government in the U.S., a student organization at many colleges and universities dedicated to student governance...
Chairman of the College council in 1935.
Damodaran had for a brief period worked as a journalist, first in Free Press Journal and later for Mathrubhumi
Mathrubhumi
Mathrubhumi is a Malayalam language newspaper that is published from Kerala, India. Mathrubhumi was founded by K. P. Kesava Menon, an active volunteer in the Indian freedom struggle against the British.-History:...
in Bombay as correspondent. He was also editor of 'Dinaprabha', a Malayalam daily published from Calicut in early 60s. From 1963-66, he held senior position in the Home ministry, Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
, as Officer on Special Duty for the welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled tribes, which gave him opportunity to travel extensively all over India. His experiences during these travels gave enough material for his literary incursion in the form of travelogues. In 1967, he was appointed as the Chairman of Backward class reservation commission by the Left Democratic Front
Left Democratic Front
Left Democratic Front is a coalition of left winged political parties in the state of Kerala, in India. This is one of the two major political coalitions in Kerala, each of which have been in power alternatively for the last two decades. LDF is the coalition that is presently in oppposition...
Government headed by E M S Namboodiripad. He served as Chairman until the report was finalised in 1970. The report, known as Nettur Commission report stirred many a political battles in Kerala.
He was conferred with the honorary Thamrapathra on the Silver Jubilee of Indian Independence by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi
Indira Priyadarshini Gandhara was an Indian politician who served as the third Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms and a fourth term . She was assassinated by Sikh extremists...
in recognition of his work towards the independence struggle.
Early Years and the Freedom Struggle
Damodaran was born to K. P. Kunhikannan and Smt. Thalu in a small hamlet called NetturNettur
Nettur is a village segment which comes under the jurisdiction of Thalassery municipality, in the state of Kerala, India. It is situated in North Thalassery enroute to Kannur via NH 17. The Anjarakandi-Thalassery state Highway passes through Nettur...
in the present day Tellicherry municipality. He did his early schooling from Mannayad school and Middle school, Illicoon in Nettur which was established by the legendary visionary and philanthropist Hermann Gundert
Hermann Gundert
Rev. Dr. Hermann Gundert was a German missionary and scholar, who compiled a Malayalam grammar book, Malayalabhaasha Vyakaranam , the first Malayalam-English dictionary , and translated the Bible into Malayalam. He worked primarily at Tellicherry on the Malabar coast, in Kerala, India...
. He later on attended Basel Evangelical Mission Parsi High School(B.E.M.P), Tellicherry and Brennen College
Brennen College
Brennen College is one of the oldest educational institutions in Kerala affiliated to Kannur University. It is located in Dharmadam, Thalassery of Kerala state, India. The Brennen College evolved from a school established by the English philanthropist Edward Brennen, who had made Thalassery his home...
respectively. After graduating in Physics from Madras Christian College
Madras Christian College
The Madras Christian College, commonly known as MCC, is a liberal arts and sciences college in Madras , India. Founded in 1837, MCC is one of Asia's oldest extant colleges. Currently, the college is affiliated to the University of Madras, but functions as an autonomous institution from its campus...
, he joined the Indian freedom movement from the Malabar region. He played a pivotal role in the Quit India Movement
Quit India Movement
The Quit India Movement , or the August Movement was a civil disobedience movement launched in India in August 1942 in response to Mohandas Gandhi's call for immediate independence. Gandhi hoped to bring the British government to the negotiating table...
during 1942 from Tellicherry, organising rallies and public events to that effect, often giving the police a slip. During one such event, he was arrested by the authorities. This created an uproar in Tellicherry already reeling in high National spirits. He was tried and sentenced to two years in Prison. He was held as a political détenu in Alipur Central jail, Bellary
Bellary
Bellary is a historic city in Bellary District in Karnataka state, India.-Origins of the city's name:There are several legends about how Bellary got its name....
from 1942-44. After finishing his jail-term, he resumed his fight for India's freedom till Independence was achieved in the year 1947.
Damodaran's political life gave way to administrative career for a short spell, when he was unexpectedly chosen by Andhra Kesari T. Prakasam, then Chief Minister
Chief Minister
A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a sub-national state, provinces of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, notably a state of India, a territory of Australia or a British Overseas Territory that has attained self-government...
of Madras State
Madras State
Madras State was the name by which the Indian districts in Tamil Nadu, Andhra, Northern Kerala, Bellary and Dakshina Kannada were collectively known as from 1950 to 1953....
, as one of the first two 'Firka' (now known as Block) development officers as part of an all India experimentation on Firka development model. He resigned from his official position in 1952 to embark on Parliamentary career by contesting the first general election of Independent India from Tellicherry constituency, and winning with a thumping majority. During his tenure in the Lok Sabha (1956), he was part of a Parliamentary delegation to China when Prime Minister Zhou Enlai
Zhou Enlai
Zhou Enlai was the first Premier of the People's Republic of China, serving from October 1949 until his death in January 1976...
was in power.
Literary works
Damodaran traveled extensively within India and wrote travelogues describing the local culture, people and practices.Some of his published works include :
- Narmadayude Nattil ( In the land of NarmadaNarmada RiverThe Narmada , also called Rewa is a river in central India and the fifth largest river in the Indian subcontinent. It is the third largest river that completely flows within India after Ganges and Godavari...
) - A travelogueTravel literatureTravel literature is travel writing of literary value. Travel literature typically records the experiences of an author touring a place for the pleasure of travel. An individual work is sometimes called a travelogue or itinerary. Travel literature may be cross-cultural or transnational in focus, or...
covering the course of the Narmada riverNarmada RiverThe Narmada , also called Rewa is a river in central India and the fifth largest river in the Indian subcontinent. It is the third largest river that completely flows within India after Ganges and Godavari...
. - Adivasikalute Keralam (The Tribals of Kerala) - An authoritative work on the Tribals of KeralaKeralaor Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
- Anubhavachurulukal ( Reels of experience:Publisher: DC Books, KottayamKottayamKottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
;1987) - Autobiographical sketches encompassing the freedom struggle and early years of freedom
Anubhavachurulukal was republished in 2007 by Samayam Publications, Kannur
Kannur
Kannur , also known as Cannanore, is a city in Kannur district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is the administrative headquarters of the District of Kannur and 518km north of state capital Trivandrum. During British rule in India, Kannur was known by its old name Cannanore, which is still in...
.
Social reform
Damodaran worked towards the uplift of socially and economically backward classes of Kerala. He was Chairman of what came to be known as the Nettur Commission, formed by the government of Kerala to assess comprehensively the conditions that define backwardness of social classes in Kerala. A report of the commission's findings was submitted to the government which was subsequently published in 1971.Liberation of Mahé
Even after India attained independence from Britain, France continued to hold onto Pondicherry, Mahé, Yanam, KaraikalKaraikal
Karaikal is a major port city of east coast of India and a municipality in Karaikal district in the Union Territory of Pondicherry, India. Several explanations are offered for the word 'Karaikal'. The imperial Gazetteer gives it the meaning 'fish pass'. According to Julien vinson the town is said...
and Chandernagore. Damodaran played a role in expediting Mahé's liberation from French rule by working in concert with Mahé liberation leaders such as I. K. Kumaran
I. K. Kumaran
Irayi Kunnathidathil Kumaran Master , was a freedom fighter from Mahe or Mayyazhi, Union territory of India, who fought for liberation from France, in 1954. He was also unsuccessfully fought for the unification of Mayyazhi with Kerala.He is known as Mahe Gandhi. Kumaran was the first regional...
and C.E Bharathan, and highlighting the various issues related to the struggle in parliament. Prime Minister Nehru personally saw to it that the concerns raised by Damodaran and the remedies put forward by him in Parliament were addressed appropriately, helping realising the liberation of Mahe in a bloodless manner. He was actively involved in shaping and giving political lead in the formative years of independent Mahé.
Cultural Activism
Damodaran liked art and took various steps to popularise and promote local art forms of the Malabar region. This primarily included Kalari Payattu, an ancient martial art; TheyyamTheyyam
Theyyam or Theyyattam or Thira is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu area Theyyam or Theyyattam or Thira is a popular Hindu ritual form of worship of North Malabar in Kerala state, India, predominant in the Kolathunadu...
, a form of dance; and Thira, a religious ritual of northern Kerala. He was instrumental in organising various Kalari performances for the troupe of C .V.N Nair, a kalaripayattu maestro from Thalassery
Thalassery
Thalassery , also known as Tellicherry, is a city on the Malabar Coast of Kerala, India. This is the second largest city of North Malabar in terms of population. The name Tellicherry is the anglicized form of Thalassery. Thalassery municipality has a population just less than 100,000. Established...
in Northern India and even in Ceylon(Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is a country off the southern coast of the Indian subcontinent. Known until 1972 as Ceylon , Sri Lanka is an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Mannar and the Palk Strait, and lies in the vicinity of India and the...
). He was encouraged further by the Nehru after witnessing a private performance in New Delhi. Indian circus, of which Tellicherry was the citadel, was another area of his interest and involvement. At the time of his death, he was the Secretary of the Circus Federation of India, New Delhi.