A Man who walked with History - Adv. K.Ayyappan Pillai, a profile

A Man who walked with history – A profile on Advocate K.Ayyappan Pillai, eminent lawyer, politician during the pre and post-independence era, a centenarian and above all a person who keeps honesty and integrity close to his heart.

Would consuming goat’s milk daily make ones palms soft and velvety? Whether it is a fact or a figment, K.Ayyappan Pillai was made to believe this for a while. And any guesses about the occasion? It was Mahatma Gandhi’s visit to Trivandrum in 1934. Ayyappan Pillai, then a young and energetic lad, was deputed by the famous Gandhian and freedom fighter G.Ramachandran to lead Gandhiji to the dais during a public function. While holding Gandhiji’s hand, still remembers Ayyappan Pillai, it was so soft and velvety and he whispered at his classmate and friend Kainikkara Govinda Pillai. It was Kainikkara who has opined that consuming goat’s milk would have made it soft.

Advocate K.Ayyappan Pillai was a popular figure during the pre and post-independence period as a freedom fighter, political leader and as an eminent lawyer in the Kerala High Court. He was a doyen of Travancore politics starting from the pre-independence period of the early thirties which spanned for several decades later. His residence at Thycaud, where he still lives with his wife, had witnessed several meetings, under currents and political turmoil of those times. He celebrated his ninety ninth birthday recently and still remembers those pre and post-independence days with amazing clarity.

While being led to the stage, Gandhiji initiated a dialogue with the young Ayyappan Pillai and asked him what he was doing and about his future plans. Ayyappan Pillai replied that he was still an under-graduate student and he looks for a job in the government service after graduation. Gandhiji opposed the idea and suggested him to serve the nation and work for the uplift of the poor. Though his meeting with the Mahatma was short and crisp, its meaningful depth and brevity indeed made ripples in his young mind. Later years saw him being drawn more towards the independence struggle and becoming a part of the political movements, much to the embarrassment of his father. His father had already planned for his bright career in the government secretariat as assured by the then Dewan, Dewan Bahadur Mohammed Habibullah. But Ayyappan Pillai does not have any repentance now for not stepping feet on the career path which was well paved and designed by his father, but feels pride having led a bright and celebrated life in political, professional and personal spheres.

When the British has finally decided to quit India, there were about five hundred and fifty five royalties existed in the sub-continent. Sir C.P.Ramaswamy Iyer, the then Dewan of Travancore promulgated the idea of an independent Travancore and made series of meetings with the Viceroy Lord Mount Batten at Delhi. After much deliberations and negotiations, it was finally concluded that Travancore shall be given a special preference of an independent status in the Indian Union. As per the plan, the defence and foreign affairs portfolios shall be vested with the Union and administration shall be given to Travancore. The instrument of accession was drafted accordingly. Sir C.P flew back to Trivandrum and presented the Raja with the papers of instrument of accession. But the Maharaja did not oblige immediately.

Meanwhile all popular uprisings for freedom in Travancore were usurped by the state police and the henchmen sent by the Dewan. The plan for an independent Travancore has started casting shadows over the dreams of many, who have dreamt about the Indian Union. Ayyappan Pillai still vividly remembers that fateful evening when Sir C.P was brutally attacked at a function at Music Academy, which is at a stone’s throw away distance from his residence at Thycaud. That incident entirely overturned the prevailing political climate and paced up Travancore to join the Indian Union sooner.

All top leaders of the State Congress including Pattom Thanu Pillai were imprisoned after the Sir C.P fiasco and the rest fled from the scene in no time. The ensued political scenario witnessed a hiatus and a tension prevailed everywhere. One day the GOC (General Officer Commanding) of the Maharaja, Mr.Parameswaran Pillai, came as an emissary from the palace and visited Adv. Ayyappan Pillai at his residence. By the time Ayyappan Pillai has already become well known in the political circles for his relentless efforts for freedom, integrity and efficiency in his profession and above all, his closeness with Pattom Thanu Pillai. The emissary told him that the Maharaja wanted to see Mr. Ayyappan Pillai at the earliest. Ayyappan Pillai showed his face before the H.H.Cithira Thirunal Maharaja immediately. His Highness did not conceal his apprehension on the vacuum created in the administration after the attack on Sir C.P and expressed his desire to appoint Sri Pattom Thanu Pillai as his next Dewan. The Maharaja wanted Ayyappan Pillai to meet Pattom in the jail and get his consent. Pattom Thanu Pillai has already behind the bars and Ayyappan Pillai met him at the Central Prison at Poojappura and presented the Maharaja’s offer.

Pattom was lost in thoughts for a few moments and asked Ayyappan Pillai whether he had ever visited north Indian states like Bihar, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh, which are gripped by utter poverty, illiteracy and where no signs of civilisation are visible. How it would be appropriate for an advanced and civilised state like Travancore could merge with such a union where such retarding factors overrule, he asked. For any such intentions to stay as a separate state of Travancore from the Indian Union, Sir C.P could have initiated discussions with the state congress much earlier, which he did not. So he underlined his statement that then the time is too late to initiate any such political endeavours and asked Ayyappan Pillai to request the Maharaja to sign the instrument of accession sent by the Viceroy. He also humbly declined the post of Dewan of Travancore.

Ayyappan Pillai did not visit the palace again to apprise the Maharaja of his meeting with Pattom, but conveyed the matter through the GOC. Series of events followed this, like formation of Thiru-Kochi and formation of the state of Kerala later, which are known to all.

Ayyappan Pillai was born in 1914 in Mundanadu, a place near Aryasala in Trivandrum. His father was in the government service and retired as Deputy Peishkar. Since the family used to follow wherever he was transferred, young Ayyappan Pillai had primary education in various schools of Changanesserry, Meenachil and Alappuzha. He did his graduation from Govt. Arts College and law from Law College, Ernakulam.

Ayyappan Pillai is found to be quite energetic in recounting numerous political episodes and events, in which he was also a part in many, and touched the whole lot of personalities of those times. But all narrations would end its way to share something or other about Pattom Thanu Pillai, who was his long-term mentor, friend, guide and philosopher. He has vivid memories about Pattom and still cherishes the moments spent with him. Pattom, who used to fondly call him “Appu”, would usually consult Ayyappan Pillai on various matters of politics and appointments, before taking the final decisions.

Though Pattom Thanu Pillai was an able administrator, a class statesman and above all, extremely honest and sincere to people, an undesirable character trait eclipsed his impeccable personality. He could be easily influenced by his friends and peers. That trait of emotional impulsion was good enough to disparage whatever best he has delivered for the state. Ayyappan Pillai quoted one or two instances when Pattom was influenced easily by his peer group.

A vacancy arose for the post of Advocate General of the state. Pattom consulted with Ayyappan Pillai and decided to nominate Neyyattinkara T.K.Narayana Pillai, an eminent lawyer and who was a well-known figure in the legal circles of Travancore-Cochin and also well known for his efficiency and knowledge in legal affairs. He has also taught Ayyappan Pillai while he was in Law College. T.K.Narayana Pillai was consulted in due course by Ayyappan Pillai and also by P.S.Nataraja Pillai, a cabinet colleague of Pattom. T.K did not ask for any special conditions or requirements and whole-heartedly accepted the offer. The matter was put up in the next cabinet meeting and T.K’s name was approved. That was a Friday and the next day being second Saturday, Pattom left for Kanya Kumari for a brief vacation with his wife. That afternoon Mr.Mathew Marikan, a former Judge with the High Court paid a visit to Mr.P.K.Kunju, a minister in the Pattom’s cabinet. Both were long-time friends and while they were spending time in a hotel over a “mood of spirit”, Mathew explained his plight having been removed from the post of the High Court Judge. And he pleaded P.K.Kunju to induct him into the vacancy of the Advocate General, which was still open. P.K.Kunju was put in a dilemma. Only that forenoon it was decided in the cabinet to appoint T.K.Narayana Pillai in the post. Since the decision has not come out as a Government Order, he calculated, still he has got time to reverse the decision. P.K.Kunju immediately left for Kanyakumari and met Pattom at the guest house. Pattom was surprised to see his cabinet colleague at Kanya Kumari and asked him what the matter was. P.K.Kunju presented the matter and got immediate assurances from Pattom that the decision on the appointment shall be revoked once he returned.

Monday’s newspapers published the name of Mr.Mathew Marikan as the new Advocate General of the state. Ayyappan Pillai, who was not aware of the events that happened during the last two days, was heading towards his office at High Court. He saw T.K.Narayana Pillai at a distance and found his face was furious. He rushed towards Ayyappan Pillai as a violent gale and started abusing straight on his face. Ayyappan Pillai was surprised for his sudden outburst. He then took out a newspaper roll and showed it to him. It has the news about the new appointment of Advocate General. Ayyappan Pillai expressed his unawareness on the developments and immediately contacted P.S.Nataraja Pillai, another minister, over phone. Nataraja Pillai also expressed his anguish for the unilateral decision made by Pattom under the influence of his friend.

In various instances Pattom has acted in haste like this, under the influence of his close friends and colleagues and without much thought process and anticipating any aftermath. Other than this impromptu behaviour, he was a man of character and integrity, Ayyappan Pillai remembers.

Under the influence of Pattom Thanu Pillai, Ayyappan Pillai left Congress and joined Praja Socialist Party (PSP). It would be surprising for the new generation political stalwarts that, in those days, political workers only spend money without any expecting any returns. Many families were ruined in those times owing to the overwhelming patriotism and nationalistic emotions of young men. Ayyappan Pillai was also not an exception. Whenever the party needed funds for activities, Ayyappan Pillai shall usually be the lender of the last resort.

All through his political life, Ayyappan Pillai’s name was suggested several times to various top posts of the party leadership, but he always shied away from such offers. With his knowledge and calibre, he could have reached any top positions in the party leadership and in the successive state or central ministries. But he found happiness and satisfaction in just participating whole-heartedly in the political activities and nothing more.

During the general elections to the Parliament, immediately after the emergency period, Praja Socialist Party (PSP) has decided to form an alliance with the Indian National Congress. A meeting held at Ayyappan Pillai’s residence decided to send two emissaries to meet Smt. Indira Gandhi, who was then the Prime Minister and the President of Congress, to discuss about the possibilities of a formal election alliance. Though Ayyappan Pillai’s name was first suggested to accompany Mr. Gopala Pillai, Chairman of PSP, he humbly denied the offer and suggested the name of Sri C.V.Janardanan, to be in the team. Generating the required finance to meet the flight tickets, accommodation and dining expenses was another problem. No qualms, that too was offered by Ayyappan Pillai. Soon, Gopala Pillai and Janardanan reached New Delhi. They secured an appointment to meet Mrs.Gandhi on the next day at 8.30 p.m in the evening.

They reached the Prime Minister’s residence well in time and were waiting in the visitors’ lobby. At around 8.25 p.m., the American Ambassador to India paid an urgent visit to meet the Prime Minister. Mrs. Gandhi asked her staff to consult the PSP team and apologize for the delay and requested them to wait for a while, since the Ambassador has come to discuss a serious international matter. They readily accepted the apology since that was an international matter and decided to wait. But, as the time grew, Gopala Pillai was seen getting impatient and restless for some unknown reasons. Anxious Janardanan asked him to stay calm since they have come for a very important matter which would even destine the future of their party. But Gopala Pillai could not be pacified so easily. On further questioning Janardanan was told that one Brigadier friend of Gopala Pillai in Delhi has invited him for a cocktail dinner in the evening and the enticing cheer is getting delayed due to the unexpected Ambassador’s visit. Though Janardanan tried to appease him and convince the importance of the meeting, Gopala Pillai was in no mood to listen or understand. By around 8.50 p.m. Gopala Pillai lost all patience and fled from the scene. Janardanan had no other way than following him. Sooner the American Ambassador returned and when Mrs. Gandhi called in the PSP team, they have already left. That appeared to be a great insult to Mrs. Gandhi and infuriated her, which destroyed the last ray of political hope of PSP in the political scene of the state.

When the team returned at the Trivandrum airport, a team including Ayyappan Pillai was there waiting to receive them, and also expecting some positive news from Delhi. But when they met, Janardanan was all in tears and narrated the whole story of deceit and irresponsibility shown by Gopala Pillai. In the ensued Parliament elections, PSP did not field any candidates and in the later years the party was seen disintegrating into shambles and slowly faded away into oblivion.

Though numerous phone calls and visitors interrupt during his deliberations, Ayyappan Pillai efficiently manages all and treats everybody with affection. He was never found losing his presence of mind and was astute enough to be restarting from the point the dialogue was interrupted. Apart from a bit of hearing disability, Ayyappan Pillai is quite healthy for his age and briskly moves whenever the phone rings. He is a voracious reader and has penned a book – “Fall of hegemony of Nairs in Travancore”, which portrays the plight of the Nair community after the Land Reforms Act of 1957. He is in the work of another book, which is yet to be named. More untold stories of the past era may be unfolded in his next book and when the background was further explored, phone again started ringing incessantly – yes, Ayyappan Pillai is busy.