Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai - Early Life

Early Life

K.Ramakrishna Pillai was born on 25 May 1878 (ME :1053 Edavam 16) as the youngest son of Narasimhan Potti and Chakkiamma at Neyyattinkara, Travancore state. Bharmashree Narasimhan Potti was a poojari in a temple.

Ramakrishna Pillai was born in a Nair family named Thekkekod veedu in Athiyanoor, Arangamugal ( present), in Neyyattinkara Taluk of the princely state of Travancore. Mall karanavar, a patriarch of this family saved Prince Marthanda Varma, who later became Maharaja of Travancore, from the latter enemies. In gratitude, Marthanda Varma gifted the family with 50-acre (200,000 m2) land, 12 room mansion and certain privileges in the Krishna temple in Neyyattinkara. Ramakrishna was born in this family over a century later.

In the matrilineal Nair society, Ramakrishna Pillai as a young boy lived with his maternal uncle, Advocate Keshava Pillai. Kattupana Naganathaiyer was his first teacher in the malayalam school.In 1887 January, he joined the Neyyattinkara English medium school, where K. VeluPilla (Headmaster) and R. Keshavapilla (Asst. Headmaster) were his teachers. Since third form was the highest class in the Neyyattinkara school, he joined Rajagiyamahapadashala (Royal school), Thiruvananthapuram in 1892. Ramakrishna used his newly received freedom at Thiruvananthapuram to read new books and newspapers, visit new places and gaining new friends.He was a shy and silent student at school. He passed his matriculation exam at the age of 14.

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