Ayyathan Gopalan

RaoSahib Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan(റാവു സാഹിബ്. ഡോ. അയ്യത്താൻ ഗോപാലൻ)(3 March 1861 – 2 May 1948), popularly known as "Darsarji", (Social reformer of Kerala Popularly known as "Darsarji"(ദർസർജി)- "Darsar"(ദർസർ) meaning Doctor) was an Indian physician, writer, and philanthropist. He is largely known for being the pioneer of Brahmosamaj(1898) and the founder of Sugunavardhini movement (1900)(സുഗുണവർധിനി പ്രസ്ഥാനം) in Kerala. He denounced idol worship and fought to end the social practices that he thought were unethical, but were prevalent in Kerala. Among his favorite disciples were Brahmananda Swami Sivayogi, Vaghbatananda guru, and Brahmavadhi P. Kunhiraman. Dr. Gopalan honored Swami Sivayogi and P.Kunjiraman with the titles "Brahmananda" and"Brahmavadi" respectively, for their involvement in promoting social services through BrahmoSamaj.

In the year 1900, Dr. Gopalan ignited reform activities by initiating Sugunavardhini movement in order to foster human values in children and to protect the rights of women, children, and the downtrodden sections such as the Harijan communities of the society and educate them. He established the Lady Chandhawarkar Elementary School with the aim to educate girls and the underprivileged section of society. Dr. Ayathan Gopalan's Sugunavardhini movement played an important role in the Kerala reformation movement.

Born in the renowned Ayyathan family of Pulappadi Illam (Renowned Thiyya family of Malabar) in Chettamkunnu Thalassery (formerly Telicherry), India, Dr. Gopalan was the first son of Ayyathan Chandhan and Kallat Chiruthammal. His grandfather, Ayyathan Kannan Vaidyar was a noted Ayurvedic physician in Thalassery, who was well versed in intoxication treatment and was also a Kalari Gurukkal. His youngest sister, Dr. Ayyathan Janakiammal was hailed as "The First lady doctor of Malabar, Kerala."

He attended Brennen School and Mission High School, and later joined Madras Medical College on 19 September 1884. During his college years, he got to learn the principles of Brahmosamaj and Raja Ram Mohan Ray. That was the time when he began involving his social activities. He had been an active executive member in the General Committee of Calcutta Brahmosamaj since his college days and participated in the committee's annual conferences, conducted annually at different locations across India along with great Brahmoleaders like Kesub Chandra Sen, Debendranath Tagore, Shivnath sasthri, Rabindranath Tagore, Dr.R.G.Bhandarkar and other eminent personalities . In 1888, he obtained a medical license with honors and entered into government service. Thereafter, he worked as a medic in several hospitals across South India and as a medical lecturer. He also served as a Magistrate during the British Rule in Malabar.

Gopalan married Kallat Kausallyaammal on 30 December 1894. Interestingly, according to the rituals involved, the marriage was the first Brahmo wedding, conducted at the Madras Brahmosamaj under the priest ship of Dr. Ramakrishna Gopal Bhandarkar, a great Brahmo leader and social reformer of that time. Several Brahmo leaders presided over the wedding. Kallat Kausallyaammal was a strong supporter of Gopalan and helped him with his social reform activities.

After working as Doctor,Chief Surgeon and Superintendent at Hospitals of Salem,Trichi, Madurai, Chennai,Mysore, Bangalore (Lady Curson and Bowring Hospital)and several hospitals all over South India he came back to Kerala in the year 1896 and joined as the first Superintendent of Calicut Lunatic asylum (Now Kuthiravattom Mental Hospital), Meanwhile, caste and racial discrimination, evil practices, beliefs, and social injustices were very much prevalent in Kerala, and atrocities against women and children were at their peak. DR. Gopalan, extended his reform ideologies and propagated his reform activities by establishingBrahmo Samaj on 17 January 1898 at Calicut . To conduct Samaj meetings and prayers, a separate Brahmomandir(Hall)(now Ayathan Gopalan Memorial School on Jail Road in Calicut) was constructed in Calicut that opened to the public on 17 October 1900. The Brahmomandir was inaugurated by Mana Vikraman Ettan Thampuran, the Zamorin King of Calicut. The second branch of Brahmosamaj was established at Alappuzha in 1924. A separate Brahmomandir (Hall for conducting prayer meeting)was also constructed in 1928 at Poonthoppu,Kommady,Alappuzha(Now Grihalakshmi Gandhi smaraka seva sangam) with the donation received from a landlord (Janmi) of Alleppey, named Mangalath Cochoumini Channar, who was once a strict follower of Sree Narayana Guruji, but later got influenced by the reform activities of Dr. Gopalan and Brahmo Samaj. His daughter, Dr. Mangalath Cochoumini Mandhakinibai spearheaded reform activities at Alappuzha Brahmosamaj and was married to Dr. Gopalan's third son, Devadath Ayathan. This was the first Brahmomarriage conducted at Alappuzha Brahmosamaj(Kerala), which spread the custom of Misravivaham all over South Kerala.

In the year 1900, He initiated Sugunavardhini movement and ignited his social and reform activities. Through Sugunavardhini movement he had been able to foster human values in children, and to protect the rights of women, and also to give proper education to girls and the marginalized sections of society, especially the Harijans communities in Kerala that were then ill-treated by the higher castes, such as the Brahmins and Nairs. He provided free education to girls and underprivileged sections in the society such as Dalits (Harijan communities). Weekly meetings were conducted at his residence, Santhi Ashram. Women, children, and people from all walks of life used to gather during the meetings at his residence to share their sorrows with DR. Gopalan and his wife, Kausalya, who worked to solve them. Children were allowed to showcase their talents and skills and were appreciated during these weekly meetings. Kallat Kausallyaammal along with her daughter-in-law Dr. M.C. MandhakinibaiDevadath united women and the lower section of the community to assert their social rights.

Unlike the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP), which had been established by Narayana Guru and was fairly influential around the same time, the Sugunavardhini Movement and Brahmosamaj were comprised of mostly professionals and intellects, including Brahmananda Swamisivayogi, Vagbhatananda Guru, and Brahmavadi P. Kunhiraman, all with a more secular approach to reform. Other eminent personalities who worked with Brahmosamaj Calicut were G. Subbha Rao, Kallingal Madathil Rarichan Mooppan, Kunjikoru Mooppan, C. Achuthan Vakeel, B.S.T. Mudaliyar, Rao Bahadur V.V.Govindan, Kallat Raghavan, Swami Aryabhadhan, Swami Brahmavradhan, Padmanabha Panikar, Sadhu Sivaprasad, Rama Sasthrikal, Manjeri Ramayyar, Mithavadi C. Krishnan, Lady Chandhawarkar, Rabindranath Tagore, Kesub Chandrasen, Raj Narayan Basu, Ramanandachatterji, Debjyothi Burman, Sasi Bhushan Basu, Satishchandra Chakraborthi, Jatheendrakumar Majumdar, and Justice Rande.

The movement they took part in was instrumental in uplifting the underprivileged and the marginalized sections of society. The movement also succeeded in educating women and the underprivileged, and led to several reforms, such as Misra Vivaham and Misra Bhojanam. Dr. Gopalan also took part in Thali Road Strike (Samaram at Calicut).

Gopalan was honored by the British Government with the highest civilian award and title, Rao Sahib for his social and humanitarian services on 17 November 1917.

He left for his heavenly abode on 2 May 1948, at the age of 87.

Dr. Ayyathan Gopalan translated the Bible of Brahmosamaj, Brahmodharma originally written in Bengali language byMaharshi Debendranath Tagore to Malayalam in the year 1910. He also wrote many songs and keerthanams to be sung during Brahmosamaj prayer meetings. His other literary contributions are listed below:

• Brahmadharmam
• Keerthanaratnamala
• Brahmamatham
• Rammohunroy (Harikatha)
• Madhaaikyam
• Madhavum Guruvum
• Madhavan
• Aaradhanayude Randu Padikal
• Brahma Madhavum Ithara Madhangalum
• Jaathi
• Plague Farse (drama)
• Vivaahageethangal
• Saranjiniparinayam (musical drama)
• Susheeladukham (musical drama)
• Jai Britannia
• Yeshu Daivamayirunnuvo
• British Bharana Mahathmyam
• Ente Ammayude Ormadaykk (biography of mother Kallat Chiruthammal)
• works: He propagated his reform ideologies by conducting dramas, making awareness to the public, and also through his writings. Saranjiniparinayam, Susheeladukham (musical drama) and Plaguefarse (drama) were among his famous dramas that had been played by Kottakkal P.S.Warier nadaka sangam (P.S.V. Natyasangham) throughout Kerala for many years.