Madhavan T.K.

T.K. Madhavan (1884—1930) was a social reformer and a journalist.

Madhavan was born on September 2, 1884 at Karthikappally, as son of Kesavan Channar of Alummoottil family and Ummini Amma of Komalezhathu family.

He was very active in social reform movement and In 1915 decided to start a newspaper Desabhimani. TK Narayanan was the editor. It started as weekly newspaper and after two years since its inception, Madhavan became the editor.

 He was a prominent leader of the Temple Entry Movement, which fought for the entry of oppressed and low-caste communities to the temples of Kerala. In all his speeches he pressed for the right of temple entry for all.

In 1924, Vaikom Sathyagraha was started under the leadership of Madhavan, K. Kelappan, and K.P.Kesava Menon to get the right of oppressed classes to walk along the road in front of Vaikom Mahadeva temple. Madhavan and Kesava Menon were arrested and imprisoned. Finally, the Maharaja of Travancore agreed to open the road to all class of people and the Vaikom Sathyagraha was a great success. However, he had to continue his struggle for the temple entry. In 1927 he was made organizing secretary of the SNDP Yogam.

He met Gandhi at Tirunelveli, and persuaded him to visit Vaikom. Madhavan died at his residence on April 30, 1930. He was only 46 year old then.