A Bhaskaran Nair

 A BHASKARAN NAIR

A Bhaskaran Nair(ABN) was my elder maternal uncle (Valiyammavan). He was  illustrious, multifaceted and  popular in public life. A brilliant student and a topper in School, ABN moved to Trivandrum for higher education in the University College followed by the Law College to emerge as a First Class  BSc BL with the First Rank! He started practicing law  under the legendary criminal lawyer, Malloor Govindappillai. However it was cut short since he got inducted to Kawdiar Palace, in the service of the Maharaja of Travancore. He felt suffocated by the splendour and constrained by the strict palace rules and tendered his resignation within a month. Soon after he became the Legal Advisor, Titanium Minerals. Even this job didn’t appeal to his genius and he quit after a short tenure.

 In the meantime he got married to Sarojini Amma (Rajamma) from a well known Nair Family, Papadiyil, in Kudasanadu. 

ABN was enamoured by the Freedom Struggle and the Congress ideology. Having returned home from a long stint in Trivandrum he took a decisive plunge into politics! He contested the first Panchayat election and won handsomely. It was exciting times for the nascent Indian democracy and polity. ABN relished the new opportunity. He was elected as the First President of Pallikal Panchayat. During this period he lived in our house ( Krisnabhavan) adjacent to Bhaskaravilasam Bungalow. I was witness to the hectic campaigning during the elections and the growing popularity and political clout of Valiyammavan. He was a born leader who could win the hearts and gain the support of people. He was gifted in resolving conflicts. He cultivated lasting friendships and 

became highly influential. 

The Congress chose ABN as its candidate for the first Legislative Assembly Election from Kunnathur Constituency. He was pitted against a seasoned politician, Pandalam P R Madhavan Pillay ( PR) of the Communist Party. Krisnabhavan was a bustling centre of Congress campaign and Ammavan and supporters felt sure of winning. He bought a huge Chevrolet and the Party hired a fleet of jeeps for the campaign! It was the first Assembly election I had witnessed and that too from close quarters. A spectacle of posters, graffiti, flags, leaflets, loudspeakers, processions, sloganeering, public meetings, speeches, door to door canvassing etc! Propaganda on full scale but no violence,  booth capturing or foul play! I remember the kids having a whale of a time shouting slogans and parading with flags. We had hilarious moments when some of our children shouted ‘Inquilab Zindabad’ or waved a red flag with hammer and sickle inadvertently! Despite all efforts, PR won due to a strong Communist wave that swept through. It was a rude shock but ABN remained unfettered. He focused on construction of new village roads in our Panchayat. Another contribution was the creation of a Cooperative Society for Beekeeping and Poultry. 

About this time ABN happened to meet with Mannathu Padmanabhan, the Founder of Nair Service Society ( NSS). Mannom was impressed by the young Advocate and lured him to join the NSS. This was a great 

opportunity to harness his potential. His organising ability and proximity to Mannom catapulted ABN to the top echelon of NSS. Mannom gained national and international fame spearheading the state wide Vimochanasamaram (Agitation for liberation) to oust the Communist Government of EMS. ABN used to accompany Mannom across the State that resulted in further enlarging and consolidating his reach and stature. 

I would like to mention some of his major contributions such as establishing Mannom Sugar Mills and Medical Mission Hospital both at Pandalam, Polytechnic, Perumpulikal and Engineering College, Palghat. Out of these, his role and involvement in Mannom Sugar Mills in the Factory and promoting widespread cultivation and procurement of Sugarcane in the Region deserves special mention. While he was engaged in all these activities, he used to teach law in NSS College, Pandalam as an honorary professor. 

Valiyammavan used to wear white or more often off-white (cream) coloured bush shirt, white single mundu (dhoti) and polished black leather shoes. He was always clean shaven. He used to read newspapers daily. He was fond of cartoons and he used to subscribe to Shanker’s Weekly and Sarasan ( Malayalam magazine). He had keen interest in farming particularly rubber plantation and banana/ plantain cultivation. I admire his sharp intellect and quick wit and ability to resonate at different intellectual levels. He took me to Calicut in his car for my interview for admission to Regional Engineering College . And we talked in English throughout the journey. I wasn’t used to converse in English but gained confidence as we moved on. And what a thoughtful act on his part as I could do well in my interview that was in English! 

I remember staying in Alakapuri, the best hotel in Calicut. Among the dishes for dinner I liked fish molee, the most! As I narrated my interview experience over the dinner I could observe ABN’s beaming face! 

 Valiyammavan had helped many people in getting jobs and  admission to college.  I had seen several aspirants and their parents seeking his advice and help. He had always been empathetic and kind. He gave employment in Mannom Sugar Mills to several people linked to Thattanappallil!

Valiyammavi had always been pleasant and lively. She had an attractive disposition with a bright face and captivating smile. She was affectionate, caring, friendly and  hospitable. She outlived ABN and remained in good health until passing away recently. 

ABN was a colossus who had impacted not only Thattanappallil family but also a sizeable section of Society, particularly in Central Travancore. For me, he was a role model having a profound influence during the formative  years in life!