Padma Bhushan Sri. Mannathu Padmanabhan is a legendary leader who dedicated his life to the upliftment of the people in Kerala in general and the Nairs in particular. He spearheaded the establishment of the Nair Service Society which has ever since been playing a major role in the upliftment of the community. He was born in Perunna, on 02 January 1878 AD to Sri. Eswaran Namboodiri of Nilavana Illam and Chiramuttathu Parvathy Amma.

He started his career as a teacher in 1893 in the Kanjirapally Government School and later 1905, he started practising law in the Magistrates Courts and soon became a leading member of the Bar. In 1914 “Nair Bhruthya Janasangham” was formed to organise and bring social upliftment of Nair community. In 1915 he gave up a lucrative practice and became its full-time secretary. In 1924, as an initiative supporting the Vaikkom temple-entry campaign, he led the famous “Savarna Jadha” , an anti-untouchability agitation. In 1929, he participated in the famous Guruvayoor Satyagraha. In 1950, Sri Mannam gave up his surname, stating that name should not be an indicator of caste.  On 09-08-1959, the people of Kerala honoured him with the title “Bharatha Kesari” [Lion of India] for his outstanding and selfless social activities.

With an aim to instill a sense of direction in the decadent Nair Community of the period,Nair Service Society was registered under the Indian Companies act in 1925. It was in the post-independence period that our founder could bestow his undivided attention to the NSS, which he continued until his demise on 25th February 1970. He set up many colleges, schools, hospitals and industrial units.All these years the Nair Service Society continued to reap the benefits of his constant attention and selfless service. It has now grown into a formidable organisation with a vast membership, substantial finances and various welfare activities. His untiring efforts and well calculated moves have made the Nair Service Society an undisputed force to reckon with in the socio-political firmament of Kerala.