Senior Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Pracharak M.A. Krishnan, affectionately known as ‘MA Sir’, passed away at 97 at Amrita Hospital in Ernakulam, Keralam, while undergoing treatment. The sad demise of this nonagenarian has drawn tributes from across the country.
MA Sir was widely associated with developing several cultural and child-focused initiatives across Keralam, including Bala Gokulam and Tapasya Kala Sahitya Vedi.
Emotional Tribute from the RSS
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwatji and Sarkaryavah, Dattatreya Hosabaleji, issued a joint condolence message following the passing of Shri MA Krishnan. In an emotional tribute, the duo stated, “In the passing of Shri MA Krishnan, popularly known as MA Sir, we have lost not only a senior Pracharak of Keralam with total dedication and commitment, but also a man of multifaceted talents who founded Balagokulam and Tapasya that became hallmarks of the nationalist movement in Keralam. Our deep condolences to his family members, countless admirers and people who are inspired by MA Sir.
Being one of the earliest pillars of Sangh, he relentlessly struggled to build the movement in the most difficult times and challenging areas. We pay our respectful homage to the memory of MA Krishnan Sir. We pray to the Almighty to grant sadgati to the departed soul. Om Shanti.”
Fond Association with RSS
In 1947, MA Krishnan joined an RSS shakha and later became a full-time Pracharak in 1954 after resigning from his teaching position. He went on to work for the Sangh in Kottayam, Ernakulam, Alappuzha and Kollam districts.
In 1964, MA Krishnan took over as Editor of Kesari in Kozhikode. He served as Editor-in-Chief until 1990 and played a significant role in expanding the publication’s reach within Malayalam media and the State’s wider cultural sphere.
Under his leadership, Kesari evolved from a publication primarily associated with Swayamsevaks into a weekly that addressed a broader cultural readership. The publication carried articles and poems on Kerala’s mandirs, cultural centres, historical personalities and cultural heritage.
MA Krishnan was also involved in organisational arrangements surrounding the 1967 Jana Sangh National Conference held in Kozhikode. Interestingly, he reported on the conference for Kesari under the pen name Shakalyan, under which he also introduced the column‘Ithukettelle’.
In 1968, MA Sir was among those associated with the efforts surrounding the Thali worship freedom movement. The campaign centred on restoring and protecting the historic Thali mandir precinct in Kozhikode.
MA Sir’s influence extended beyond his formal roles as an Editor or RSS Pracharak. Supporters and associates remember him for his ability to bring together writers, historians, cultural activists and social workers around cultural initiatives.
