P. Appukutta Poduval, a freedom fighter, social activist and Gandhian from Kerala, India, was born on 9 October 1923. After completing his schooling at Payyanur Sanskrit Padhanasala and the Basel Mission School, Payyanur, Poduval joined the University of Lucknow and later the University of Mysore.
His life was forever changed when he met Mahatma Gandhi in 1934 during Gandhiji’s visit to Payyanur, which was as per the invitation of Swami Ananda Theertha, a strong voice against untouchability. Poduval was influenced by Swami Ananda Theertha and Raghavji, who was among the 78 who participated in the Salt March with Gandhiji.
During the Quit India Movement in 1942, Poduval was arrested by the British for delivering lectures in student meetings in Kozhikode and Kannur, for which he was imprisoned for two weeks at the Central Prison, Kannur. Personally and professionally, he dedicated his life to Khadi and Gandhism. In 1944, he joined the Kerala branch of Charkha Sangh.
He also dabbled in art – the picture of Bharat Mata that he drew was featured on the cover of Mathrubhumi Azhchappathippu in 1946. In 1947, he became in charge of the Oorijita Khadi Kendra in Payyanur, under the then Madras Government.
Poduval participated in the Bhoodan movement along with Vinoba Bhave and Jayaprakash Narayan. During the early ’50s, he worked for Deccan Herald as a journalist. In 1957, he took care of the office of the ninth Sarvodaya Sammelan held at Kalady. In 1962, Poduval became an employee of the Khadi Gramodyog Commission.
He has served as Program Executive Officer of Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi, Secretary of Bharatiya Sanskrita Prachara Sabha, Principal of Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya Payyanur, and the President of Payyanur Sarvodaya Mandal. He received the G. Kumara Pillai-I.M. Velayudhan Award, instituted by the Poornodaya Book Trust, in 2013.
V. P. Appukutta Poduval
(1923 – ★) – (Kerala)
P. Appukutta Poduval, a freedom fighter, social activist and Gandhian from Kerala, India, was born on 9 October 1923. After completing his schooling at Payyanur Sanskrit Padhanasala and the Basel Mission School, Payyanur, Poduval joined the University of Lucknow and later the University of Mysore.
His life was forever changed when he met Mahatma Gandhi in 1934 during Gandhiji’s visit to Payyanur, which was as per the invitation of Swami Ananda Theertha, a strong voice against untouchability. Poduval was influenced by Swami Ananda Theertha and Raghavji, who was among the 78 who participated in the Salt March with Gandhiji.
During the Quit India Movement in 1942, Poduval was arrested by the British for delivering lectures in student meetings in Kozhikode and Kannur, for which he was imprisoned for two weeks at the Central Prison, Kannur. Personally and professionally, he dedicated his life to Khadi and Gandhism. In 1944, he joined the Kerala branch of Charkha Sangh.
He also dabbled in art – the picture of Bharat Mata that he drew was featured on the cover of Mathrubhumi Azhchappathippu in 1946. In 1947, he became in charge of the Oorijita Khadi Kendra in Payyanur, under the then Madras Government.
Poduval participated in the Bhoodan movement along with Vinoba Bhave and Jayaprakash Narayan. During the early ’50s, he worked for Deccan Herald as a journalist. In 1957, he took care of the office of the ninth Sarvodaya Sammelan held at Kalady. In 1962, Poduval became an employee of the Khadi Gramodyog Commission.
He has served as Program Executive Officer of Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi, Secretary of Bharatiya Sanskrita Prachara Sabha, Principal of Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya Payyanur, and the President of Payyanur Sarvodaya Mandal. He received the G. Kumara Pillai-I.M. Velayudhan Award, instituted by the Poornodaya Book Trust, in 2013.
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