‘Manichechi’, radical Leftist, passes away

Thrissur: Mani alias Naguleswari, who was once a vigorous presence in the radical CPI(ML) movement in Kerala, died in the wee hours of Friday after prolonged illness. She was 75. Mani was fondly called ‘Manichechi’, after she married K Venu, the then leader of CPI(ML) movement, who has now shunned the Marxist ideology. Her marriage at Karikkodi near Anthikkad in the late-night hours of March 22, 1981, itself was a major sensation, as it was held when Venu was an underground activist of the Left extremist movement. Interestingly, it was held in presence of about 30 prominent cultural activists of Kerala, including K G Sankarappillai, B Rajeevan, Savithri Rajeevan, and late activists like Meghanathan and K S Sadasivan, evading police attention. “We had all become tense when Venu was late by half-an-hour for that ‘underground’ marriage,” recalled Savithri.Mani was a virulent participant in the agitation of coir workers of Karikkodi in which Janakeeya Samskarika Vedi, a collective associated with CPI(ML) movement, had played a pioneering role, and the marriage was more or less a party decision, recalled Venu. She was arrested and lodged in jail for that agitation. Born in a working class family, with strong Left leanings, Mani could study only up to the second standard, because of financial constraints. But her marital life with Venu, a leading intellectual and writer in Kerala, was very smooth and filled with mutual respect. On the other hand, she did not mince words when she differed with anyone, including Venu, at party meetings, recalled activist T K Vasu. Activist-writer Sarah Joseph, who worked with Mani in the women’s group ‘Manushi’, said she was very bold, and possessed amazing leadership qualities and comradeship. Echoing similar views, revenue minister K Rajan said, “I have seen her in several agitations, with just four or five people around her. But her virulent slogans would create an impression that hundreds have rallied in that struggle.”Mani was active in several movements — to support Balamani of Chelakkara, who was ostracized by her community, in the ‘Manusmrithi’ burning agitation at Vaikom, and the long protests against public waste dumping at Laloor in Thrissur. Even when she was gripped by major ailments she used to aver that she was a revolutionary Communist.Mani is survived by sons Anup and Arun, daughters-in-law Surya and Bindu, besides her husband. Prominent leaders of various political parties and many cultural and social activists condoled her death.