What are the major aspects which paved way to Renaissance in Kerala?
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Answer:
The Reformation movement in Kerala refers to a socio-cultural movement that began towards the end of 19th century and led to large scale changes in the social outlook of the southern Indian state of Kerala.
The foundations of social changes in Kerala goes back to the 16th century. The formation of Malayalam language in its modern form and the development of the Bhakti movement under the influence of authors like Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan helped break the monopoly of the Brahmins over literature and knowledge.
The arrival of Europeans beginning with Portuguese followed by Dutch, then the English became a catalyst in these changes. The arrival of missionaries from European nations lead to a rise in educational institutions in Kerala and the rise of an educated class among caste groups like Ezhavas.
The changes in the political order of Kerala with the establishment of centralized monarchies in Travancore and Cochin that lead to the decline of old feudal order was also a crucial factor that set the stage for reformation. The Mysorean invasion of Kerala (1766–1792) shook the hold of elites like Brahmins or Namboothiris and Nairs on Kerala society. Mysoreans had almost no regard for the caste structures in Kerala, inevitably most Brahmin and Nair families had to flee to southern Kerala to avoid persecution by Mysorean forces.
In contrast with North India, enlightenment in Kerala was driven by lower castes. Narayana Guru, Ayyankali, etc. belonged to caste groups considered lower in the social settings of 19th century Kerala. Hence most of them emphasized the need for abolition of caste system rather than a reformation of caste.
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