KERALA HISTORY: MOVEMENTS

This project is based on highlighting the renaissance that took place in Kerala. Several socio cultural movements related to this renaissance have been discussed in this assignment. These movements include Panthi Bhojanam and Saiva prakasha sabha in the 1800s. The Bhakti movement is also a socio-cultural movement in Kerala. It helped to shatter the Brahmin monopoly on the society of Kerala. Channar revolt, formation of Samatya Samajam, Villu Vandi agitation, Kallu Maala agitation, Vaikom Satyagraha, Guruvayur Satyagraha, Sugunavardhini movement are the names of some other movements that took place on key areas of Kerala. Leaders such as Ayya Vaikundar, Kuriakose Elias Chavra, Narayana Guru and Sahodaran Ayyappan led these movements with vigour and confidence and facts related to this have been described here. It discusses the history of the movement within Kerala and provides frequently asked questions about it. Furthermore, it discusses the struggles related to this movement in Kerala.

Description of different aspects of Kerala’s movement:

In Kerala the movement that was initiated is named the Renaissance movement. This movement had started in the end of the 19th century. Several movements were part of this socioeconomic renaissance as well. The struggles during the time of freedom will also be discussed separately.   This movement had started because of the inequalities created by the Brahmins within the society. Their monopoly was broken through these movements. All the aspects that are related to this movement will be discussed in this assignment so that a better overview can be obtained.

History of Kerala movement:

There are many reasons for the renaissance movement in Kerala. It started to secure equality within society. This type of movement shocked “Namboothiri and Syrian Christians” as well as Nairs. They were shocked by the Mysorean invasion as they disregarded any caste structure prevalent in Kerala. Apart from that there were several other reasons for these movements in Kerala. The European arrival, Dutch, English and Portuguese arrival in Kerala acted as a catalyst to this renaissance. European missionaries arrived and established several educational institutions within Kerala and this also contributed to the renaissance movements. Centralised monarchies created political disorders within the state as well. All these reasons shattered the old feudal orders and created space for new systems through the renaissance. Movements such as Samatya Samajam, “Nair Service Society ”, Vaikom Satyagraha and Temple Entry Proclamation can be mentioned as reformist movements of this era. 

Struggle of people in Kerala during this movement:

This reform had started by several leaders such as “Sri Narayana Guru” so that the social rights especially for the woman could be returned. The primary motive was to increase education for the female population and to abolish social inequalities. Women in Kerala also took part in the reform movements or renaissance. These movements help Kerala to achieve a flexible attitude towards different castes and creeds. Educational reforms also were initiated through the renaissance movements in this state of the country. This has impacted the overall society of Kerala by changing their way of thinking and applying logic. These movements introduced enlightenment within Kerala and this was done through lower castes mostly. The people or leaders of the reform movements struggled in various ways to change the outlook of the society of Kerala. 

Movements for freedom in Kerala:

There are different types of freedom movements that have been initiated in Kerala. Major reforms that took place in Kerala to create an equal society include formation of many committees and activities such as Yukthivadi magazine, “Prathyaksha Raksha Sabha”, “Sadhujana Paripalana Sangham”, “Misra Bhojan” and many more. “Villu Vandi”, “Kallu Maala” agitations, formation of Brahmosamaj, “Namboothiri yuvajana sangham” were some of the other movements of this age. The father of this renaissance is called “Sree Narayana Guru” although Vaikunda Swamikal first started leading these movements. Educational reform was also encouraged during this century so that the woman could get enough opportunity as well as men.

Freedom struggle in Kerala:

In The movement of Temple entry conducted in 1920s and 1930s within Kerala, social reforming elements and zeal of ordinary people can be observed intensely. It is considered as a historical movement of this period and it also became an integral and unique part of the Nationalist movement of India. “Gandhian constructive Program” was also involved with the temple entrance issue. The lower castes or the untouchables took the lead of this movement for providing equal rights to enter temples in Kerala. This type of people had fought for the activities that had taken place for the revolution.

Conclusion:

It can be concluded that there are different types of movement that have been highlighted in this project so that a better view regarding the situation of two different states can be highlighted. Many reforming movements as a result of the renaissance can be mentioned here to bring out their importance in the reformation of Kerala. These movements include the Bhakti movement, Vaikom Satyagraha, Sugunavardhini movement and many more. Names of several leaders from the lower castes have also been mentioned who led these movements and welcomed all struggles to achieve an equal society and their activities are also highlighted.