Memorial Lectures
Annual lectures are organised in memory of Prof. Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai and Sri. Puthuppally Raghavan. Sri. Puthuppally Raghavan’s family has instituted an endowment for the same, and Sri. P.N Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai memorial lecture is supported by KCHR.
Puthuppally Raghavan (1910 - 2000)
Puthuppally Raghavan (known as Puthuppally) was born on January10, 1910, at Puthuppally near Kayamkulam in Alapuzha District in a Nair joint family. He became involved in the Independence Movement when he was a high school student, and later involved in the various struggles and activities of the state as a full timer. Puthuppally excelled as a political activist, journalist, scholar and writer.
PuthuppallyRaghavan, was a rare and unique popular historian, wrote and published more than 30 books, most of them are related to history in some way or the other. His autobiography in five volumes goes beyond the narration of mere memories of his socio-political life; from his high school days, he had been keenly collecting various historical data and information which he readily made available for research scholars whenever they approached him. He had an exceptionally good library.
Throughout his life, he tried to transcend the boundaries imposed by family, wealth, religion and caste. He withdrew from active public life with the partition of the Community Party in India in 1964 and concentrated more on intellectual quest and indulged in writing books. He believed in simple living and high thinking and never went after positions of power.
P.N. Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai (1904-1973)
P.N. Elamkulam Kunjan Pillai (1904-1973), eminent scholar and researcher in Kerala history was born to Kadackonathu Krishna Kurup and Puthen Purackal Nanukutty Amma on 8th November, 1904. He was a student of the University College, Thiruvananthapuram and later secured BD (Hons.) in Sanskrit from Anamalai University. He started his career as a school teacher and later joined the department of oriental languages in the University College as a tutor. A committed researcher in Kerala history, he was a multi linguist and scholar in astronomy, manuscriptology and archaeology.
His important works (in Malayalam) are Unnuneeli, Sandesam Charithradrishtiyil koodi, Kerala Bashayude Vikasa Parinamangal, Kerala Charithrathile Iruladanja Edukal, Chila Kerala Charithra Prasnangal, Bhashayum Sahithyavum Noottandukalil, Sahithya Charithra Samgraham, Sahithya Malika, Annathe Keralam, Janmisampradayam Keralathil, Samskarathinte Nazhika Kallukal, Keralam Anchum arum Noottandukalil, Chera Samrajyam Onpathum Pathum Nootandukalil. He has also authored books in Tamil. The important works in English are Studies in Kerala History and Some Problems in Kerala History