Swami Agamananda: The Forgotten Catalyst of Socio Spiritual Transformation

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This book is an attempt to study the role of Swami Agamananda who was forgotten reformer in the history of Kerala. Even though many writings have been made in the socio-cultural history of Kerala, no major works have been done exclusively on the reformations of Swami Agamananda. This book throws light on the contribution of Swami Agamananda in the socio spiritual realm of Kerala and also on history of the activities of Ramakrishna Mission in Kerala.
Swami Agamananda was one of the leaders who interpreted and used the elite religious concepts for social reformation in Kerala. He used the religious concepts to reconstruct an egalitarian society during the epoch of renaissance in Kerala. His social activities were based on the concept of dharma which is widely interpreted by both ancient and modern scholars.
Swami Agamananda was a contributor of articles to every news paper and periodicals in his time. His writings, eloquent speeches and cultural activities have contributed a great deal to the process of social mobility and modernization of Kerala.

Previously a bank employee, he has been working in field of history since 2014. Have passed graduation from CMS COLLEGE Kottayam, and post graduation in History from IGNOU. Sidhartha is a member of South India History Congress which organises annual conferences at various institutes to discuss various aspects and research in history.. .

Kerala has made considerable contribution to strengthen the renaissance movement in the country from mid 18th century. The process of renaissance in India was developed through various methods. Some of the individuals and movements marched forward with a political vision while some others concentrated on religious, cultural and spiritual reformations. There had been some spiritual leaders who emphasized the need of an integral change in the life of people. We often do not remember that many of our renaissance heroes were spiritual teachers and also truth seekers. Ayya Vaikuntha Swami, Narayana Guru, Chattampi Swami, Brahmananda Sivayogi and Swami Agamananda are some of the forerunners in this field. The mutual cooperation of the communities has made the Kerala society more dynamic in the field of renaissance movements. Swami Agamananda is one of the prominent personalities who brought about firm foundation for this movement. Born in an orthodox Brahmin family, his first public involvement was during the Vaikom Satyagraha. Swami Agamananda was popular as a Sanyasin in the order of Sriramakrishna Mission. Born on August 27, 1896 in a Nampiatiri Brahmin family of Chavara in Kollam District of Kerala, he was inclined to religious and spiritual thoughts from childhood itself. Vivekananda's interpretations on the views of Sri Ramakrishna deeply influenced him. In 1928 Krishnan Nampiatiri received Sanyasa with the name Agamananda and began to serve the Sri Ramakrishna Mission. Agamananda's personality had many facets, that of a social activist, religious reformer, secularist thinker, propagandist of the teachings of Vivekananda, educationalist, writer and a great orator. His writings, eloquent speeches and cultural activities have contributed a great deal to the process of social mobility and modernization in Kerala. This book is a very humble attempt on the role of Swami Agamananda and the role of Ramakrishna mission in modern Kerala.