The Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Yogam – The Vanguard of Social Revolution in Modern Kerala

Abstract

A peculiarity of the caste and community setting of the early 20 century Travancore was that while the Savarna Hindus and Christians had their own religions to organise themselves, the Sanathana Hinduism was not ready to accept the Ezhavas and other low castes as Hindus. As a result it was extremely necessary for them first to fight against the socio- religious abuses and malpractices. The Ezhavas as the largest polluting caste were denied of all social, political and economic rights. As the first among the polluting caste and the largest among the backward castes in Travancore, it was imperative for them to give leadership to the aspirations of the low castes. Thus unlike the social reform in the British Indian provinces, the movement began in Travancore among the low castes. The central personages of the movement were not high caste intellectuals inspired by the European Enlightenment but low caste Ezhavas and later Pulayas, Parayas and members of some smaller caste groups.