Nair Service Society
The Nair Service Society, a synonym for selfless service and social commitment was founded by the late Sri. Mannathu Padmanabhan on 31 – 10 – 1914. It came into being at a crucial stage in the history of the Nair community which was facing a crisis brought about by disunity and blind adherence to outmoded customs, beliefs and practices. They had a glorious past .but ignorance, accumulated over centuries, reinforced by inadequate education, proved disastrous for the community. Their predilection for celebrations and penchant for ceremonial occasions fuelled by a strong affinity towards profligacy and extravaganza, contributed to their decline and downfall. Gradual loss of land holdings, underemployment and unemployment due to lack of modern education completed the process of disintegration
It was at this juncture that Sri. Mannathu Padmanabhan took the initiative to unite the members of the Nair community and build up a great organization. The rest is history. He inspired them and gave them a dream, a dream of liberation from poverty, misery and ignorance. In his own unique way, with his persistence, tireless efforts, vision and farsightedness, the N.S.S opened an array of educational institutions, hospitals and other socially beneficial institutions all over the state.
With an amazing network of units at the village (Karayogam) and taluk levels (taluk unions), the N.S.S has evolved into a well-knit and coherent organization that has never swerved from the noble ideals and high principles of the founder.
Though initially started to reorganize, strengthen and empower the Nair community the N.S.S, has extended the benefits of its service beyond communal and religious boundaries and has been playing significant roles in the social, economic, educational and political transformations of the state.
പ്രതിജ്ഞ
“ഞാന് നായര് സമുദായോന്നതിക്കായി നിരന്തരം ആലോചിക്കുകയും പരിശ്രമിക്കുകയും ചെയ്യും. അങ്ങനെയുള്ള ശ്രമങ്ങളില് ഇതര സമുദായക്കാര്ക്ക് ക്ഷോഭകരമായി യാതൊരു പ്രവൃത്തിയും ചെയ്യുന്നതല്ല. ഈ സംഘോദ്ദേശ്യങ്ങളെ മുന്നിര്ത്തിയും ഉദ്ദേശസാധ്യത്തിനു വേണ്ട ന്യായമായ കരുതലോടു കൂടിയും ജീവിച്ചുകൊള്ളാം.
സത്യം, സത്യം, സത്യം”
Bharatha Kesari Sri. Mannathu Padmanabhan
Bharatha Kesari Sri. Mannathu Padmanabhan the peerless leader of the Nair Community, the immortal founder of the Nair Service Society and the great social reformer was born in the closing decades of the 19th century in perunnai, a village in changanacherry taluk of the erstwhile state of Travancore as the son of middle-class parents. Abject poverty misery and deprivation marked the early years of his life. After school education he became a teacher and then a pleader .Before long he found himself drawn in to the vortex of political and social movements. The plight of the Nair Community that was witnessing it’s own decadence and disintegration, precipitated by extravaganza, superstitious veneration for antiquated and anachronistic customs and tradition, filled him with anguish. He marshalled his oratorial skill and organizational ability to motivate, inspire and mobilize the Community that was lost in a long and deep slumber .The Nair Service Society which he conceived, nursed and nurtured, epitomized the hopes and aspirations of the community which had been waiting for a saviour.
Mannam Samadhi Mandapam at Perunnai, Changanacherry.
SHRI. CHATTAMBI SWAMIKAL
Sree Vidyadhiraja Parama Bhattaraka Chattampi Swamikal is a revered Hindu Saint and a foremost social reformer, who can be rightfully called the Father of New Kerala! His thoughts and work influenced the launching of many social, religious, literary and political organisations and movements in Kerala and for the first time gave voice to those who were marginalized
The Nair community follows the teachings of this revered saint.
Chattambi Swamikal was born on Chingam 11, 1029 (ME) (August 25, 1853) in a nair family known as Ulloorcode, near Kollur Mutt in Kannanmool, Thiruvananthapuram. Vasudeva Sharma (Anandasharma) was his father and Thirunanga mother. Parents called him by name Ayyappan, but he was known by pet name ‘Kunjan’. He could not join a school for his studies due to the poor condition of his family. He overheard teaching of the ‘Asan’ from the Kollur Athiyar Mutt and knowing this he was Athiyar Mutt and knowing this he was permitted to sit inside the classroom. He studied Malayalam, Sanskrit and Tamil languages from this ‘Asan School’. He supervised the class and therefore, he came to be known as ‘Chattambi’, which means ‘monitor’. After his education, he practiced document writing as a job. He was also served as an Accountant in the Government Secretariat. He learnt the art of ‘Hat yoga’ from Thaikkattu Ayyavu, a Tamil Pandit and hat-yogi. He also learnt Tamil vedic works from Pandit Swaminatha Desika. He became a disciple of the famous pandit and scholar Subha Jatapathikal. He traveled thoughout South India and attained knowledge in different languages and religions. On return, he obtained expert training in the art of yoga from Admananda Swamikal.
“Here I met a remarkable man”, wrote Swami Vivekananda when he met Chattambi Swamikal at Ernakulam. He made this remark on hearing the clarifications on ‘Chinmudra’ from Chattambi Swamikal.
Pracheena Malayalam, Vedadhikara Niroopanam, Sree chakkra Poojakalpam, Khristumatha Niroopanam, Jeevakarunya Niroopanam, Adibhasha etc. were the main works of Swamikal.
