The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Remembering the Freedom Struggle Glimpse into the history of freedom struggle

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jan 27, 2006

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Remembering the Freedom Struggle Glimpse into the history of freedom struggle

Staff Reporter

DOCUMENTING HISTORY: An exhibition of historical documents organised by the Department of Archaeology at the old Legislature Complex in the city. Photo: S. Gopakumar

Thiruvananthapuram: The majestic portals of the old Assembly hall in the Secretariat building were thrown open to the public on Thursday for a glimpse into the history of the freedom struggle in the erstwhile Travancore and Cochin. The Archives Directorate has turned the expansive lobby into the venue for an exhibition of historical records. The two-day event has been organised in connection with the 57th Republic Day celebrations.

The exhibits include rare documents highlighting the history of the independence movement in Travancore and Cochin and the suppressive measures taken by the administration.

Copies of the fiery speeches by freedom fighters and publications that were banned by the Government are on display. The exhibition also features records relating to the formation of the State of Kerala.

Some of the notable items on display include copies of the resolution adopted by the working committee of the Indian National Congress deciding to observe January 26, 1947 as Independence Day, a memorandum submitted by the Travancore State Congress against the Dewan C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer in 1938 and the formation of a committee for the formation of the Kerala state.

A separate section is devoted to the books and newspapers, including the Malayala Manorama and Desabhimani that were banned by the Travancore Maharajah for highlighting the freedom struggle. The police reports on clandestine meetings and Government orders directing surveillance on public gatherings and freedom fighters are on display.

The exhibition highlights the role played by Pattom Thanu Pillai in the Independence Movement. Apart from copies of his speeches at Congress meetings held at the railway station maidan, Thampanoor, (1939) and the Pettah railway station grounds (1941), it also features a letter written by him to the Chief Secretary, Government of Travancore-Cochin in 1956, expressing disappointment with the formation of a truncated Kerala State against the wishes of the people.

Copies of speeches and writings by other freedom fighters like Annie Mascrene, K. Ramakrishna Pillai, C. Kesavan, K.C. George and EMS Namboodiripad provide an insight into the challenges faced by the movement.

Documents relating to the integration of Travancore and Cochin, the formation of Kerala State and the declaration of Kochi as the seat of the High Court are featured. The show also includes pictures of Gandhiji's visit to Kerala, the Cochin Dewan Shanmugham Chetty and the first Kochi Cabinet. The show draws to a close on Friday evening.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail