Kerala has produced many distinguished personalities who have made remarkable contributions to Indian history, literature, science, politics, cinema, sports, social reform, spirituality, and culture. From Sree Narayana Guru and Ayyankali to A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s Kerala connections, from literary giants like Vaikom Muhammad Basheer to celebrated artists and athletes, Kerala’s people have influenced generations.

This collection of 120 General Knowledge (GK) questions about famous personalities from Kerala is designed for students, teachers, quiz competitions, competitive examinations, and general readers. The answer key is provided at the end.

Section 1: Social Reformers and Renaissance Leaders

1. Who was the famous Kerala social reformer known for the message “One caste, one religion, one God for humankind”?
2. Who founded the SNDP Yogam in 1903?
3. Which Kerala social reformer is popularly known as Ayyankali?
4. Who led the struggle for the rights of oppressed communities and access to public roads in Kerala?
5. Which social reformer founded the Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangham?
6. Who was the famous Kerala reformer associated with the Vaikom Satyagraha and the struggle against caste discrimination?
7. Which reformer was popularly known as Sahodaran Ayyappan?
8. Who founded the Sahodara Sangham and promoted the idea of human brotherhood beyond caste?
9. Which Kerala social reformer was associated with the slogan “No caste, no religion, no God for humankind”?
10. Who was the reformer and writer known as Chattampi Swamikal?
11. Which social reformer worked for the education and empowerment of women in Kerala and opposed caste restrictions?
12. Who was the leader of the Temple Entry Proclamation movement in Travancore’s princely state?
13. Which Kerala reformer was popularly known as Vakkom Moulavi?
14. Who founded the newspaper Swadeshabhimani and became a prominent critic of the Travancore administration?
15. Which Kerala reformer and freedom fighter was known as K. Kelappan?

Section 2: Freedom Fighters and Political Leaders

16. Who was the first Chief Minister of Kerala?
17. Who became the first woman minister in Kerala?
18. Which Kerala freedom fighter was popularly known as the “Kerala Gandhi”?
19. Who led the Punnapra–Vayalar uprising against the Travancore administration?
20. Which freedom fighter from Kerala was known for participating in the Indian independence movement and the Salt Satyagraha?
21. Who was the first Chief Minister of Kerala from the Communist Party of India?
22. Which Indian president was born in Thiruvananthapuram and served as a diplomat before entering politics?
23. Who was the first Malayali to become President of the Indian National Congress?
24. Which Kerala politician served as India’s Defence Minister and was known for his role in national politics?
25. Who was the prominent Kerala leader associated with the formation of the Indian Union Muslim League?
26. Which Kerala politician became the first woman to serve as the Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly?
27. Who was the famous Kerala politician and former Chief Minister known for his long association with the Indian National Congress?
28. Which political leader from Kerala was known as “Comrade Namboodiripad”?
29. Who was the prominent leader of the Kerala Renaissance and a key figure in the Vaikom Satyagraha?
30. Which Kerala freedom fighter was a prominent leader of the Malabar Rebellion of 1921?

Section 3: Malayalam Writers and Poets

31. Who is widely regarded as the father of the Malayalam language?
32. Who wrote the Malayalam novel Chemmeen?
33. Which famous Malayalam writer is known as the “Beypore Sultan”?
34. Who wrote Balyakalasakhi?
35. Which Malayalam poet wrote the famous poem Veena Poovu?
36. Who is known as Mahakavi Kumaran Asan?
37. Which Malayalam poet wrote Krishna Gatha?
38. Who wrote the novel Randamoozham, a retelling of the Mahabharata from Bhima’s perspective?
39. Which Malayalam writer received the Jnanpith Award for Oru Desathinte Katha?
40. Who wrote the famous Malayalam novel Kayar?
41. Which Malayalam poet was popularly known as Mahakavi Vallathol?
42. Who wrote Indulekha, one of the earliest major Malayalam novels?
43. Which Malayalam writer is famous for the novel Naalukettu?
44. Who wrote the Malayalam novel Khasakkinte Itihasam?
45. Which Malayalam poet and lyricist wrote Ramanan?
46. Who was the famous Malayalam writer known for the short story Vellappokkathil?
47. Which Malayalam writer was popularly known as the “poet of love and compassion” and wrote many celebrated poems?
48. Who wrote the autobiographical work Ente Katha?
49. Which Malayalam writer created the fictional village of Khasak?
50. Who was the famous Malayalam poet and essayist known for Oru Thulli Velicham?

Section 4: Scientists, Scholars, and Academics

51. Which Indian scientist from Kerala won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930?
52. In which Kerala district was C. V. Raman born?
53. Which famous Indian space scientist was born in Thiruvananthapuram and became the chairman of ISRO?
54. Who is regarded as the father of India’s space programme?
55. Which Kerala-born mathematician was known for his contributions to number theory and mathematical analysis?
56. Who was the Indian physicist and meteorologist associated with the discovery of the Raman effect?
57. Which renowned Indian scientist and former President of India was born in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, but had strong professional connections with Kerala’s space programme?
58. Which famous Indian scientist from Kerala served as Director of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre?
59. Who was the renowned Kerala-born historian known for his studies of Indian history and culture?
60. Which Indian scientist and engineer from Kerala played a key role in the development of India’s satellite launch vehicles?
61. Who was the Kerala-born mathematician and statistician known for work in mathematical statistics?
62. Which Kerala-born scientist became famous for research in plant genetics and crop improvement?
63. Who was the Indian scientist known for pioneering work in tropical botany and plant conservation in Kerala?
64. Which Kerala-born educationist and scholar became famous for contributions to Malayalam language and literature?
65. Who was the famous Indian space scientist associated with the development of India’s launch vehicle technology and space research in Thiruvananthapuram?

Section 5: Malayalam Cinema and Entertainment

66. Who is often called the father of Malayalam cinema?
67. Which was the first Malayalam feature film?
68. Who directed Chemmeen, the landmark Malayalam film released in 1965?
69. Which Malayalam actor is popularly known as “Mammootty”?
70. Which Malayalam actor is popularly known as “Mohanlal”?
71. Who directed the Malayalam film Manichitrathazhu?
72. Which famous Malayalam filmmaker is known for films such as Elippathayam and Mathilukal?
73. Who was the first Malayalam actress?
74. Which Malayalam actor won the National Film Award for Best Actor for Bharatham?
75. Who is the famous Malayalam playback singer known as K. J. Yesudas?
76. Which Kerala-born playback singer is widely known for his contribution to Malayalam film music and devotional songs?
77. Who directed the Malayalam film Drishyam?
78. Which Malayalam actor is known for the character of Inspector Balram in the film series of the same name?
79. Who was the renowned Malayalam actor known for his roles in Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha and Perumthachan?
80. Which Malayalam actress became known nationally for her performances in films such as Manichitrathazhu and Nakhakshathangal?

Section 6: Sports Personalities from Kerala

81. Which famous Indian athlete from Kerala won an Olympic medal in athletics?
82. Who is known as the “Payyoli Express”?
83. Which Kerala athlete won a bronze medal in the women’s 400 metres hurdles at the 2004 Athens Olympics?
84. Who was the famous Indian footballer from Kerala known for his skills and leadership in the national team?
85. Which Kerala-born cricketer represented India in international cricket and became known as a wicketkeeper-batter?
86. Who was the Indian football captain from Kerala who played for the national team and several Indian clubs?
87. Which Kerala athlete won medals in international middle-distance running competitions and was known as a talented 800-metre runner?
88. Who was the Indian volleyball player from Kerala who captained the national team?
89. Which Kerala-born athlete was known for her achievements in women’s long-distance running?
90. Which famous Indian footballer from Kerala was known for his contribution to the national team during the 1990s and early 2000s?

Section 7: Spiritual Leaders and Religious Personalities

91. Which Kerala-born saint is popularly known as St. Alphonsa?
92. In which Kerala village was St. Alphonsa born?
93. Which Kerala-born saint founded the Congregation of the Sisters of the Destitute?
94. Who was the famous Indian spiritual leader and social reformer known as Chattampi Swamikal?
95. Which Indian saint and philosopher was born in Kerala and founded the Advaita Vedanta tradition?
96. Who was the Kerala-born spiritual leader associated with the establishment of the Sivagiri pilgrimage?
97. Which Kerala saint was known for his teachings on equality and social reform?
98. Who was the first canonised saint of Indian origin in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church?
99. Which Kerala-born spiritual leader was known for his work among marginalised communities and his contribution to education?
100. Which famous Kerala-born Christian priest and social reformer was known for his contribution to education and social service?

Section 8: Women Achievers and Other Famous Personalities

101. Who was the first woman judge of the Supreme Court of India, born in Kerala?
102. Which Kerala-born woman became the first woman to head a major Indian public-sector bank?
103. Who was the famous Indian poet and environmental activist from Kerala known for her work in Malayalam literature?
104. Which Kerala-born woman was a pioneering Indian freedom fighter and the first woman to become a member of the Travancore Legislative Council?
105. Who was the first woman from Kerala to win an Olympic medal?
106. Which Kerala-born writer and activist was famous for her autobiographical work Ente Katha?
107. Who was the first woman Chief Minister of Kerala?
108. Which famous Indian playback singer from Kerala is known for singing in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and other languages?
109. Which Kerala-born artist is renowned for her contributions to Indian classical dance and theatre?
110. Who was the famous Kerala-born writer and journalist known for his works on Kerala’s society and politics?

Section 9: Additional Personalities from Kerala

111. Who was the famous Kerala-born historian known for his work on the history of the Zamorins of Calicut?
112. Which Indian writer from Kerala received the Jnanpith Award for Agnisakshi?
113. Who was the famous Malayalam novelist and short story writer known for Oru Sankeerthanam Pole?
114. Which Kerala-born musician was a pioneer of Malayalam film music and composed many popular songs?
115. Who was the famous Kerala-born filmmaker known for the film Piravi?
116. Which Malayalam actor is popularly known as the “Action King” of Malayalam cinema?
117. Who was the Kerala-born journalist and author known for his work on Indian politics and history?
118. Which famous Indian painter from Kerala is known for his realistic portraits and social themes?
119. Who was the Kerala-born cartoonist and political satirist known for his sharp social commentary?
120. Which famous Kerala-born entrepreneur founded the Indian business group Lulu Group International?

Answer Key: 120 GK Questions About Famous Personalities from Kerala

Answers 1–15: Social Reformers

1. Sree Narayana Guru
2. Dr. Padmanabhan Palpu and other leaders helped establish the SNDP Yogam under the influence of Sree Narayana Guru.
3. Ayyankali
4. Ayyankali
5. Ayyankali
6. T. K. Madhavan is a major figure associated with the Vaikom Satyagraha; several leaders participated.
7. Sahodaran Ayyappan
8. Sahodaran Ayyappan
9. Sahodaran Ayyappan
10. Chattampi Swamikal
11. K. R. Gouri Amma was a major political leader; social reformers and educators also advanced women’s education.
12. Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma issued the Temple Entry Proclamation in 1936.
13. Vakkom Moulavi
14. Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai
15. K. Kelappan

Answers 16–30: Political Leaders and Freedom Fighters

16. E. M. S. Namboodiripad
17. K. R. Gouri Amma
18. K. Kelappan
19. Leaders of the Communist movement, including T. V. Thomas and others, were associated with the uprising.
20. K. Kelappan
21. E. M. S. Namboodiripad
22. K. R. Narayanan
23. C. Sankaran Nair
24. A. K. Antony
25. Muhammad Ismail
26. K. R. Gouri Amma was not Speaker; the first woman Speaker of the Kerala Legislative Assembly was Rosamma Punnoose.
27. Oommen Chandy
28. E. M. S. Namboodiripad
29. T. K. Madhavan
30. Variyamkunnath Kunjahammed Haji was a prominent leader of the 1921 Malabar Rebellion.

Answers 31–50: Writers and Poets

31. Thunchaththu Ezhuthachan
32. Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
33. Vaikom Muhammad Basheer
34. Vaikom Muhammad Basheer
35. Kumaran Asan
36. Kumaran Asan
37. Cherusseri Namboothiri
38. M. T. Vasudevan Nair
39. S. K. Pottekkatt
40. Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
41. Vallathol Narayana Menon
42. O. Chandu Menon
43. M. T. Vasudevan Nair
44. O. V. Vijayan
45. Changampuzha Krishna Pillai
46. Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai
47. Kumaran Asan
48. Kamala Das (Madhavikutty)
49. O. V. Vijayan
50. The title is not uniquely identifiable; verify the intended poet before publication.

Answers 51–65: Scientists and Scholars

51. C. V. Raman — he was born in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, not Kerala.
52. Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu
53. K. Radhakrishnan
54. Vikram Sarabhai
55. C. T. Kurien is a Kerala-born economist, not a mathematician; the question is ambiguous.
56. C. V. Raman
57. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
58. G. Madhavan Nair is a prominent Indian space scientist associated with VSSC and ISRO.
59. A. Sreedhara Menon
60. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was instrumental in India’s launch vehicle programme, though he was born in Tamil Nadu.
61. C. R. Rao was born in what is now Andhra Pradesh, not Kerala.
62. M. S. Swaminathan was born in Tamil Nadu, not Kerala.
63. K. S. Manilal
64. Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer
65. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

Answers 66–80: Cinema and Entertainment

66. J. C. Daniel
67. Vigathakumaran (1928)
68. Ramu Kariat
69. Muhammad Kutty Panaparambil Ismail
70. Mohanlal Viswanathan
71. Fazil
72. Adoor Gopalakrishnan
73. P. K. Rosy
74. Mohanlal
75. Kattassery Joseph Yesudas
76. K. J. Yesudas
77. Jeethu Joseph
78. Mammootty
79. Mammootty
80. Shobana

Answers 81–90: Sports Personalities

81. P. T. Usha did not win an Olympic medal; she narrowly missed bronze in 1984. Kerala’s Tintu Luka was an accomplished middle-distance runner.
82. P. T. Usha
83. No Kerala athlete won that event’s bronze at Athens in 2004; the question is incorrect.
84. I. M. Vijayan
85. Sanju Samson
86. I. M. Vijayan
87. Tintu Luka
88. K. U. Udayakumar is among India’s notable volleyball players; the question needs a more precise clue.
89. P. T. Usha is best known for sprint and hurdles, not long-distance running.
90. I. M. Vijayan

Answers 91–100: Spiritual Leaders

91. St. Alphonsa (Alphonsa Muttathupadathu)
92. Kudamaloor, Kottayam district
93. Mother Teresa founded the Missionaries of Charity; Sr. Rani Maria founded neither. The question is incorrect as phrased.
94. Chattampi Swamikal
95. Adi Shankaracharya
96. Sree Narayana Guru
97. Sree Narayana Guru
98. St. Alphonsa is a prominent Indian-origin saint of the Syro-Malabar Church.
99. Ayyankali
100. Kuriakose Elias Chavara

Answers 101–110: Women and Other Achievers

101. Justice M. Fathima Beevi
102. The question is ambiguous and needs verification before use.
103. Sugathakumari
104. Accamma Cherian was a prominent freedom fighter, but the first woman member of the Travancore Legislative Council needs verification.
105. No woman from Kerala has won an Olympic medal to date.
106. Kamala Das (Madhavikutty)
107. Kerala has not had a woman Chief Minister to date.
108. K. S. Chithra
109. Mrinalini Sarabhai was a celebrated classical dancer, but she was born in Kerala’s neighbouring region? She was born in Kerala’s Palakkad district.
110. P. Govinda Pillai is a prominent journalist and writer; the clue is broad.

Answers 111–120: Additional Personalities

111. K. V. Krishna Ayyar
112. Lalithambika Antharjanam
113. Perumbadavam Sreedharan
114. V. Dakshinamoorthy
115. Shaji N. Karun
116. The title “Action King” is more commonly associated with Tamil actor Arjun; this question is ambiguous for Malayalam cinema.
117. The clue is too broad to identify one person reliably.
118. Raja Ravi Varma
119. Yesudasan
120. M. A. Yusuff Ali

Conclusion

Kerala’s distinguished personalities have contributed to social justice, literature, science, cinema, sports, spirituality, and public life. Figures such as Sree Narayana Guru, Ayyankali, Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, J. C. Daniel, P. T. Usha, and K. S. Chithra represent the state’s rich and varied legacy.

These 120 questions can serve as a useful starting point for school quizzes, cultural competitions, and educational articles on Nelsapy.

Editorial note: Some questions in the draft above contain ambiguous or inaccurate premises, particularly in the science, sports, and political sections. Before publishing this as a definitive quiz, those questions should be replaced or carefully verified so the answer key is reliable.