Childhood

Damodaran was born to K. P. Kunhikannan and Smt. Thalu in a small hamlet called Nettur in the present day Thalassery. Father K. P. Kunhikannan, belonging to a well to do family, was an Advocate Clerk working for one of the leading advocates of Malabar District Court at Thalassery, K. T. Chandu Nambiar. More than a clerk, he was a mentor and a person endowed with a thorough knowledge of legal matters, capable of even counseling his boss. He also dabbled in social activities and spared his time in mentoring and advising fellow citizens on matters of education and other local matters.

His mother Venadan Thalu was a lady of strong will and convictions, who had deep influence on Nettur P Damodaran. Though she was having only very basic education, she groomed her ward in the right direction in choosing his education and pursuing other interests without any reservation. Her younger brother Achootty, who was owning and running a fairly successful weaving mill in Nettur itself and the matrilineal family set up of the times, also had profound influence on Damodaran’s growth. Thalu Amma always gave full support to her son for all his activities, knowing fully well that he was fighting against the rulers. She also did her bit in spreading the message of freedom among the ladies of the area, besides organizing them for small activities related to freedom struggle. She was unfortunate to bear the loss of her beloved son and lived another six years after his passing.

The Illkkunnu Village (previously known as Illicoon), where his home was located, was in many ways special. During the first decades of 19th century, European missionaries were active in this area, and the first schools in the region was started there. Dr. Herman Gundert, who created the first Malayalam Dictionary, and started the first newspaper in Malayalam lived here. The German missionaries also introduced gymnastics which led to development of circus tradition of the area. The first girl’s boarding school in Malabar was also started at Nettur. It is also worthwhile to note that the mother of the great novelist and Nobel laureate Herman Hesse (Marie, daughter of Dr. Gundert) was born at Illikunnu.