E. K. Nayanar
Erambala Krishnan Nayanar (Malayalam: ഏറമ്പാല കൃഷ്ണൻ നായനാർ; 9 December 1919 – 19 May 2004) was a prominent Indian political leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He held the post of Chief Minister of Kerala three times - during 1980–81, 1987–91 and 1996–2001.
He holds the honour of having been the longest-serving Chief Minister of Kerala, having been in office for a total of 3999 days, spanning 11 years. He was a member of the Politburo of CPI(M).
Early life
E K Nayanar was born on 9 December 1919 in Kalliasseri. Despite his father, Govindan Nambiar, being a believer in the feudalism, Nayanar took to the national movement of the time at a very young age under the influence of his cousin, K.P.R. Gopalan. Nayanar was influenced by the events following the admission of a Dalit girl to local school under the leadership of K.P.R. Gopalan. Nayanar was a participant in student movements in the Malabar region as a part of Balasangham and consequently dropped out of school. He also faced severe opposition from his father. He was drawn towards the socialist ideology guided by leaders like P. Krishna Pillai. Nayanar famously helped in the establishment of a library and named it Shri Harshan Library, after Harshan, a member of the oppressed caste who was tortured to death at the Kannur Central Jail for his participation in the national movement.
