Sankara Narayanan Thampi

R. Sankara Narayana Thampi(Born: September 30, 1911 Alleppey, Died: November 2, 1989) was a freedom fighter, Indian National Congress activist and served as the First Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly from April, 1957 to July, 1959.

Early Days

Shri. Sankara Narayana Thampi was born on September 30, 1911 at Pallana village in the Alleppey district of Kerala to Rama Varma Raja of Mavelikkara and Thankamma Kettillamma.

Shri. Thampi graduated from The University College, Trivandrum and took a Bachelor's Degree in Law from the Trivandrum Law College. He established practise as a lawyer at his father's place in Mavelikkara. During his barrister years he got involved in the freedom struggle and took an active part in the Harijan Upliftment Movement.

Freedom Struggle Days

In 1938, Shri. Narayana Thampi became an active member of the All Travancore Youth League and got elected in its Working Committee. He joined the State Congress in the same year.

In August, 1938 he was arrested on charges of participation in the Youth League activities and was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment. In association with the Malabar Socialist Party he organised various anti-war activities during the Second World War.

He was elected Vice President of All Travancore Coir Factory Worker's Union and was fined Rs.1000 and imprisoned for 2 years for allegedly making provocative speeches at Punnapra which resulted in mass rebellion.

Disillusioned by the Congress, Shri. Thampi joined the Communist Party of India in 1947 just like other prominent leaders like E.M.S. Namboodiripad. He became part of the Executive Council and was the District Secretary of the party in Kayamkulam.

Political career

Sri. Sankara Narayana Thampi was elected in the Third Travancore Assembly(1944-47) from the Karunagappalli-Karthikappalli constituency. He was also a member of the Travancore-Cochin Legislative Assembly from 1954-1956 from the Mavelikkara constituency.

He was chosen as the First Speaker of Kerala Assmebly in the EMS Cabinet on April 27, 1957 and was Speaker till the dissolution of the First Kerala Assembly on July 31, 1959.

As speaker, Shri Thampi was known for his brevity and preciseness of his rulings. Even today his "Rulings from the Chair" are quoted regularly. During the initial turmoil in the nascent Assembly, Mr.Sankara Narayana Thampi handled the situation with charismatic ease.

Outside Politics

Shri.Narayana Thampi was a Social Worker all throughout his life. He always worked for the protection of Civilian Rights and their protection. After withdrawing from active politics, he became the Chairman of the State Service Rules Revision Committee.

He was married to Smt.P.L.Thankamma and they had 3 sons and 2 daughters.

He breathed his last on November 2, 1989 with his near and dear ones beside him.

External links

* [http://niyamasabha.org/codes/Speakers%20&%20Deputy%20Speakers%20Book%20Final.pdf Biography at niyamasabha.org]