Kerala GK: 50+ Famous Personalities — Writers, Scientists, Freedom Fighters, Artists, Sportspersons

Kerala PSC exams regularly ask about famous personalities from Kerala — their birth/death years, contributions, famous works, and associated titles. This note covers 50+ figures across all domains.

Social Reformers

Name	Birth-Death	Contribution	Key Fact
Sree Narayana Guru	1856-1928	Social reformer, philosopher, anti-caste crusader	”One Caste, One Religion, One God for Man”; Aruvippuram Shiva installation (1888)
Ayyankali	1863-1941	Dalit rights leader, fought untouchability	Villuvandi Yatra (1893); first Dalit to ride a bullock cart on public road
Chattampi Swamikal	1853-1924	Philosopher, social reformer	”Pracheena Malayalam” (first to challenge Brahmin supremacy through Sanskrit scholarship)
V.T. Bhattathiripad	1896-1982	Namboothiri social reform	”Adukkalayil Ninnu Arangathekku” (From Kitchen to Stage)
Vakkom Abdul Khader Moulavi	1873-1932	Muslim social reformer, journalist	Founded “Swadeshabhimani” newspaper; exiled by Travancore Diwan
Pandit Karuppan	1885-1938	Dalit poet, social reformer	”Jathikkummi” — first anti-caste song in Malayalam
Kumaranasan	1873-1924	Poet of social revolution	”Veena Poovu”, “Duravastha”, “Chandalabhikshuki”
Dr. Palpu	1863-1950	Doctor, social reformer	Inspired Sree Narayana Guru; fought for Ezhava temple entry; Ezhava Memorial (1896)
Poykayil Yohannan (Kumara Guru)	1879-1939	Dalit spiritual leader	Founded Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha (PRDS)

Writers and Poets

Name	Birth-Death	Major Works	Key Fact
Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan	16th century	Adhyatma Ramayanam, Mahabharatam	”Father of Malayalam literature”; introduced Malayalam script
Kumaran Asan	1873-1924	Veena Poovu, Nalini, Leela, Karuna	”Mahakavi”; died in boat accident at Pallana
Vallathol Narayana Menon	1878-1958	Sahitya Manjari, Bandhanasthanaya Aniruddhan	Founded Kerala Kalamandalam (1930)
Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer	1877-1949	Uma Keralam, Kerala Sahitya Charitram	Wrote first comprehensive history of Malayalam literature
Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai	1912-1999	Chemmeen, Kayar (Coir), Thottiyude Makan	Jnanpith Award (1984)
S.K. Pottekkatt	1913-1982	Oru Desathinte Katha, Vishakanyaka	Jnanpith Award (1980); travel writer
M.T. Vasudevan Nair	1933-present	Naalukettu, Kaalam, Randamoozham	Jnanpith Award (1995); filmmaker
O.N.V. Kurup	1931-2016	Sakhavu, Bhoomikkoru Charama Geetham	Jnanpith Award (2007); Padma Vibhushan
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer	1908-1994	Balyakalasakhi, Pathummayude Aadu, Ntuppuppakkoranendarnnu	”Beypore Sultan”; master of short story
Changampuzha Krishna Pillai	1911-1948	Ramanan, Spandikkunna Asthimadam	”Romantic poet”; died young at 37
P. Kesavadev	1904-1983	Odayil Ninnu	Pioneer of progressive literature
Lalithambika Antharjanam	1909-1987	Agnisakshi	First major woman writer in Malayalam
O.V. Vijayan	1930-2005	Khasakkinte Ithihasam (Legends of Khasak)	Masterpiece of modern Malayalam fiction
Akkitham Achuthan Namboothiri	1926-2020	Irupatham Noottandinte Ithihasam	Jnanpith Award (2019)

Freedom Fighters

Name	Birth-Death	Contribution	Key Fact
Pazhassi Raja (Kerala Varma)	1753-1805	Armed resistance against British	”Lion of Kerala”; guerrilla warfare in Wayanad
Veluthampi Dalawa	1765-1809	Diwan of Travancore; anti-British	Kundara Proclamation (1809) against British; committed suicide
K. Kelappan	1889-1971	Vaikom Satyagraha leader	”Kerala Gandhi”
A.K. Gopalan	1904-1977	Communist leader, freedom fighter	First Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha
Accamma Cherian	1909-1982	Led march against Diwan C.P. Ramaswami Iyer	”Jhansi Rani of Travancore” — Gandhi’s title
Muhammad Abdur Rahiman	1898-1945	Congress leader, journalist	Led Salt Satyagraha in Kerala; Mathrubhumi director
Vakkom Majeed	1909-1940	Revolutionary against Travancore monarchy	Hanged by Travancore state; youngest Kerala martyr
K.P. Kesava Menon	1886-1978	Journalist, freedom fighter	Founded Mathrubhumi newspaper (1923)

Scientists and Scholars

Name	Birth-Death	Field	Key Fact
Ramanujan (not Keralite but often confused)	—	—	Born in Tamil Nadu, NOT Kerala
G. Madhavan Nair	1943-present	Space science	ISRO Chairman (2003-2009); Chandrayaan-1
Dr. Verghese Kurien	1921-2012	Dairy science	”Milkman of India” (born in Kozhikode); Operation Flood
Vikram Sarabhai	—	—	NOT Keralite (Gujarati) — often confused
E.C.G. Sudarshan	1931-2018	Theoretical physics	Tachyon theory; should have won Nobel (many argue)
Dr. M.S. Swaminathan	1925-2023	Agriculture	”Father of India’s Green Revolution” (born Kumbakonam, TN but worked in Kerala)
Mambally Bapu	1880-1950s	Baker/inventor	Invented the Malabar Parota / puff pastry style of baking
K.R. Ramanathan	1893-1984	Meteorology, physics	First director of Physical Research Laboratory

Artists and Performers

Name	Birth-Death	Art Form	Key Fact
Raja Ravi Varma	1848-1906	Painting	First Indian artist with international fame; oleographs
Kalamandalam Gopi	1937-present	Kathakali	Greatest living Kathakali artist; Padma Shri
Guru Gopinath	1908-1987	Dance	Pioneer of Kerala Natanam (Kerala dance form)
Mrinalini Sarabhai	1918-2016	Bharatanatyam	Born in Kerala; internationally acclaimed dancer
Yesudas (K.J. Yesudas)	1940-present	Playback singing	8 National Awards for Best Playback Singer; “Gaana Gandharvan”
Adoor Gopalakrishnan	1941-present	Cinema	Father of new-wave Malayalam cinema; “Swayamvaram” (1972)
Mammootty (Muhammad Kutty)	1951-present	Cinema	3 National Film Awards for Best Actor
Mohanlal (Viswanathan Mohanlal)	1960-present	Cinema	5 National Film Awards; Padma Bhushan

Sportspersons

Name	Birth-Death	Sport	Key Fact
P.T. Usha	1964-present	Athletics	”Payyoli Express”; missed Olympic bronze by 1/100th second (1984 Los Angeles)
K.M. Beenamol	1975-present	Athletics	Olympic 4x400m relay participant; Asian Games gold
Anju Bobby George	1977-present	Long jump	World Athletics Championship bronze (2003) — first Indian
Jimmy George	1955-1987	Volleyball	Asia’s best volleyball player; died in car accident
Manuel Frederick	1938-2000	Football	One of India’s greatest goalkeepers
Shiny Wilson	1965-present	Athletics	800m runner; Arjuna Award
Sreesanth (S. Sreesanth)	1983-present	Cricket	Part of 2007 T20 and 2011 ODI World Cup winning teams
Sajan Prakash	1993-present	Swimming	First Indian swimmer to achieve Olympic ‘A’ qualification time
P.R. Sreejesh	1988-present	Hockey	Olympic bronze (2020), goalkeeper; retired after Paris 2024 bronze
Mirabai Chanu	—	—	NOT Keralite (Manipuri) — often confused

PSC Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
Father of Malayalam literature	Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan
Kerala Gandhi	K. Kelappan
Jhansi Rani of Travancore	Accamma Cherian
Lion of Kerala	Pazhassi Raja
Beypore Sultan	Vaikom Muhammad Basheer
Milkman of India (Kerala connection)	Dr. Verghese Kurien (born Kozhikode)
First Jnanpith winner from Kerala	S.K. Pottekkatt (1980)
Founded Kerala Kalamandalam	Vallathol Narayana Menon (1930)
Payyoli Express	P.T. Usha
Who painted “Shakuntala”	Raja Ravi Varma
Aruvippuram Pratishta year	1888 (Sree Narayana Guru)
Villuvandi Yatra year	1893 (Ayyankali)

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Memory Aid: Kerala’s 5 Jnanpith Winners: Pot-Thak-MT-ONV-Akki — Pottekkatt (1980), Thakazhi (1984), M.T. Vasudevan Nair (1995), O.N.V. Kurup (2007), Akkitham (2019).