KERALA PSC / RENAISSANCE LEADERS OF KERALA / POIKAYIL YOHANNAN (KUMARA GURU) / NOTES

 

KERALA PSC / RENAISSANCE LEADERS OF KERALA / POIKAYIL YOHANNAN (KUMARA GURU) / NOTES

KERALA PSC / RENAISSANCE LEADERS OF KERALA / POIKAYIL YOHANNAN (KUMARA GURU) / NOTES

 

·       Poykayil Yohannan (Eraviperoor, 17 February 1878-1939), known as Poikayil Appachan to his followers, or Kumara Gurudevan

·       He was a Dalit activist, poet, Christian preacher and the founder of the socio-religious movement Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha (“God’s Church of Visible Salvation”)

·       He brought 125 acres of land in different parts of Travancore for the use of PRDS. The new organization was headquartered at Eraviperoor

·       Poikayil Yohannan set up schools and industrial training centers in different places in addition to constructing buildings for religious ceremonies and public functions

·       Poikayil Yohannan was also a member of the Dalit advocacy group Sadhujana Paripalana Sangham (SJPS) which had been founded in 1905 by another Dalit leader of Kerala, Ayyankali

·       Yohannan was also twice nominated, in the years 1921 and 1931, to the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha, the legislative council of the princely state of Travancore

 

KERALA PSC / RENAISSANCE LEADERS OF KERALA / POIKAYIL YOHANNAN (KUMARA GURU) / NOTES