A. P. Udhayabhanu

A. P. Udayabhanu (1 October 1915 – 15 December 1999) was an Indian freedom fighter, Political leader, journalist, writer and social activist from the State of Kerala. He belonged to the famous Ezhava family, Alummoottil, in Muttom near Haripad of Central Travancore, who had their family title as Channar. He was a leader of the Indian National Congress and served as the KPCC President. He was elected to the Travancore Legislative Assembly twice, in 1944 and 1948, on Congress ticket. He had worked as chief-editor of many newspapers including Mathrubhumi.He was a Member of the Kerala Public Service Commission from 1963 to 1969. He has also served as the Chairman of the Kerala Government Prohibition Commission responsible for the 'Udayabhanu Commission Report on Alcohol Policy', besides the Kerala Jails Reforms Committee. He was one among the founders of Alcohol & Drug Information Centre (ADIC)-India along with Lakshmi N. Menon and served as its President after the death of Mrs. Menon till 15 December 1999. He also served as the Chair-Person of the World Wide Fund for Nature - Kerala Chapter for a long time. His articles and columns used to appear in many Malayalam periodicals and news papers on a regular basis, mostly commenting on social issues.

Not to be confused with K. P. Udayabhanu.

Contribution to Malayalam literature

He is also well known for his contributions to the Malayalam literature, especially towards the genre of light essays.were simple, touching and humorous.

Collection of his writings Arthavum Anarthavum, Samsarikkunna deyvam, Kochu Chakkarachi, Anayum Alpam Telungum etc helped him to gain prominence as a writer of eminence in Malayalam.[1]

Enteyum Kathayum Alpam is his auto biography.

Personal life

He was Born on 1st October 1915, at Muttam near Haripad to Komath Kunhiraman Channar and Alummottil Narayani Channatti.

After his schooling, he did his BA ( Bachelor of Arts) in 1936 and BL( Bachelor of Law) from the Madras University. He had legal practice in Courts of Mavelikkara and Trivandrum.

A. P. Udhayabhanu was married to Smt. Bharathi Udhayabhanu, who was a member of the Indian Parliament (1954–1958, 1958–1964).[2] She was also a writer and her autobiographical work Aṭukkaḷayilninnu Pārlimentileykku (‘From Kitchen to Parliament’) won her the Kerala Sahitya Academy Award, 1960.[3] She died in 1983. The couple had 5 Children

Contribution to Politics

Udayabhanu was influenced by the good deeds of his Uncle T.K. Madhavan and became a member of the Indian National Congress in 1932. Being a prolific speaker he rose to the leadership of the Party very quickly. He participated in the freedom struggle actively. He was elected to the legislative assembly in 1944 and 1948 in Congress ticket.He was the President of the Pradesh Congress committee during 1955-1956.[4]

Contribution to Journalism

Udayabhanu established a Newspaper "Prabodham" in 1948 from Alapuzha. Afterwards he served as the Editor of "Deenabandhu". He had two stints at Mathrubhumi as its resident editor. Many noteworthy editorials of Mathrubhumi during these period had its origin in him.

Awards
  • Kerala Sahithya Academy Award for lifetime contributions in 1933
  • Swadeshabhimani Award for contributions to journalism in 1933
  • Pathradhipar K. Sukumaran Memorial Award in 1995
  • C. Achyutha Menon Award.
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References
  1. Sahitya Pravarthaka, Sahakarana Sangham (1970). Viswavijna Kosa,. Kottayam: National Book Stall. p. 582.
  2. http://164.100.47.5:8080/members/mpterms.asp?terms=2
  3. http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/pre_member/1952_2003/b.pdf
  4. Ente Kathayum Alapam. Kottayam: DC Books. 1998. p. 1. ISBN 81-7130-839-2.
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