STRONGER PEOPLE STAND UP
FOR OTHERS

At the dawn of the last century a new order of lawyers with University Degrees began to enroll themselves as Vakils of Quilon Courts. They were looked upon with suspicion by the older generation and there was a gulf between the two which could not be bridged easily. Finding it impossible to form an association with the countenance of the leaders of the Bar, six of the junior practitioners in 1906, jointly began to subscribe for the Indian Law Reports and English Law Quarterly. They were all inconspicuous members of the Bar and their financial position was such that some of the six were not able to pay the admission fee of Rs. 7 in a lump, but paid it in instalments. They had no constitution and no rules. They had no meetings and no place to meet and had no Library worth the name. The reports and the few text books they had, were circulated among the members of their Association which they styled “The Quilon Vakil’s Association”. They had a room in the Court premises which though known as Vakil’s Room was mainly occupied by their clerks and petition writers. They had no chairs or tables but they squatted on the floor in three or four rows with their small low desks before them and their clients sat between the row of desks.
Membership was open to all Vakils entitled to practise in the Civil Courts of Quilon. Mr. C. Sankara Menon served as the first Secretary for a continuous period of ten years, followed by Mr. P. Karunakara Menon. Interestingly, the Association had no provision for a President until 1937, when it was incorporated under the Companies Act as a not-for-profit Association.
One year after its formation, the then Dewan, Sir P. Rajagopalachari, visited the Association’s room. Upon seeing that its grand almirah contained only three volumes, he wittily remarked that it had an “excellent library!” However, the Association quickly grew, acquiring a substantial library and becoming a flourishing institution. It celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1933, its Golden Jubilee in 1958, and its Platinum Jubilee in 1983. The Association currently boasts a membership strength of 1,103. Much of its financial stability is credited to a provision in its rules which states that a member who is in arrears of subscription, even for a quarter, ceases to be a member.

The Birth of the Quilon Bar Association

For a time, many Vakils were reluctant to join the Association. However, circumstances soon necessitated unity, and in August 1908, a meeting was convened at the residence of Mr. C. Sankara Menon. There, “The Quilon Bar Association” was formally established. The meeting was presided over by Mr. V. Subbier (later Law Member to the Government of Travancore). In addition to the original six members, nine more Vakils attended, bringing the founding strength to fifteen. Among them were distinguished names such as Dr. K. Krishnan Pandalai (later a Judge of the Travancore and Madras High Courts), Illikkulam P. Kesava Pillai (later Government Pleader), R. Raman Pillai (popularly known as "Madras Raman Pillai"), S. Venkitakrishna Iyer, Changanacherry K. Parameswaran Pillai (later High Court Judge), C. Raman Thampi (later High Court Judge), and C. Sankara Menon.

Achievements and Contributions

The achievements of the Quilon Bar are multifaceted. Its contribution to the judiciary of the State is particularly noteworthy. Dr. K. Krishnan Pandalai, one of the Association’s founders, was the first member of the State Bar to be directly appointed as a Judge of the Travancore High Court. He later served as a Judge of the Madras High Court. Four members of the Quilon Bar rose to become Chief Justices—Mr. P. Raman Tampi (Travancore High Court), Mr. Puthuppally Krishna Pillai (Travancore-Cochin High Court), Mr. K. Sankaran (Kerala High Court), and Mr. K. Sreedharan (Gujarat High Court). Many other members were elevated to the High Court Bench, including Changanacherry K. Parameswaran Pillai, C. Raman Thampi, N. Kumaran, K. Sankaran Pandalai, Parur N. Narayana Pillai, and C. Madhavan Pillai.

The Association’s contributions to the subordinate judiciary are too numerous to list, and several of its members—including women—have served as Judges, Munsiffs, and Magistrates. Notably, Justice Fathima Beevi became the first woman Judge of the Supreme Court of India and later served as Governor of Tamil Nadu.
 

Legislative, Civic, and Political Impact

The Quilon Bar was always active in the legislative domain. Its members regularly adorned the State Legislature, with figures like Changanacherry P. Raman Pillai, Puthuppally, and Kottoor making invaluable contributions. The Bar also played an instrumental role in drafting and shaping landmark legislations such as the Nair Act and the Chitties Act, and in opposing ill-conceived legislative proposals.

In civic matters, members of the Association have consistently been elected to the Quilon Municipal Council, and most Chairmen of the Municipality have emerged from its ranks.

Politically, the Quilon Bar has produced prominent leaders including ministers and parliamentarians. T.M. Varghese and C. Kesavan were part of the first Cabinet in Travancore, with Kesavan later becoming the Chief Minister of the Travancore-Cochin State. The late C.P. Mathen, another notable member, also served as an Ambassador.
 

Contributions to Industry, Literature, and Journalism

Members of the Quilon Bar have been pioneers in industries such as tile manufacturing, banking, planting, and even shipbuilding. Mr. C.P. Mathen gained prominence in banking, while Mr. C. Sankara Menon was instrumental in launching two sea-going vessels, Vijaya Lakshmi and Bhagya Lakshmi. Kavalam Nilakanda Pillai and Shencotta Rama Iyer were early innovators in chitty business and kayal reclamation.

In literature and journalism, members like E.V. Krishna Pillai, M.R. Madhava Warrier, and S. Rama Warrier left an indelible mark. It is said that the Bar was privileged to have a preview—or even influence—on some of the great humorous writings of ‘E.V’.
 

Professional Legacy and Modern Achievements

From its early days, the Quilon Bar has demonstrated a deep concern for the well-being of the profession and its members. It was among the first to recognize the need for a well-organized Bar Association and took the lead in convening annual conferences of Vakils across the State.

Stalwarts like P.K. John and K.P. Raman Pillai were unwavering defenders of the Bar’s independence. John, a scholar of Sanskrit and English, left a thriving practice to enter the plantation industry. Raman Pillai, known for his prowess in criminal law, was a leading legislator and an ardent supporter of reforms.
In recent times, names like T.M. Varghese and V.N. Narayana Pillai (‘Vaikom Saar’) evoke admiration. While the former gravitated towards politics, the latter balanced his legal practice with major roles in banking and industry, remaining the unchallenged doyen of the Kollam Bar.
The Hon’ble Justice Siri Jagan of the Kerala High Court was also an esteemed member of the Association. Political stalwarts such as Shri R. Sankar, Shri C.M. Stephen, Shri Thazhava Kesavan, Dr. Henry Austin, Shri C.V. Padmarajan, Shri Kadavoor Sivadasan, Shri Babu Divakaran, and Shri N.K. Premachandran all began their journeys as members of the Kollam Bar Association.
The Association celebrated its Centenary in 2008 with a year-long programme inaugurated by the then Chief Justice of India, Hon’ble Justice K.G. Balakrishnan. In 2022, the 115th anniversary was marked under the banner Cent Quinze, during which five sitting Judges of the Kerala High Court, including Hon’ble Justice Muhamed Mustaque, and former members of the Kollam Bar such as Justices P.B. Suresh Kumar, P. Somarajan, Raja Vijayaraghavan V., and A. Badharudeen, graced the celebrations. Contributions from juniors of late Senior Advocate Sri P. Vijayaraghavan and the family of late Senior Advocate K. Ananthasivam helped renovate the Association Hall and develop E-Library facilities.
The long-cherished dream of constructing the Kollam Court Complex became a reality on 30th November 2024, with the foundation stone laid by Hon’ble Justice Devan Ramachandran. The event was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister Sri K.N. Balagopal, with numerous dignitaries in attendance.
In a historic move, the Kollam Bar Association organized the All Kerala Advocates Cultural Fest—Lex Fiesta 2025 on April 25th, 26th, and 27th. Inaugurated by Hon’ble Justice Devan Ramachandran, the grand event saw participation from advocates across Kerala. The valedictory function was presided over by Hon’ble Justice P.B. Suresh Kumar. Kollam Bar Association emerged victorious, winning the Adv. Vaikom N. Narayana Pillai Memorial Ever-Rolling Trophy, while Attingal Bar Association became runners-up, receiving the Adv. P. Vijayaraghavan Memorial Ever-Rolling Trophy.

Conclusion

Of the distinguished gentlemen and women of the Kollam Bar over the past century, it can be justly said that they proved “a lawyer’s tongue can carry a man further than the weight of purse or the length of pedigree.” Like Clarke and Carson, Asquith and Smith of England, the veterans of the Kollam Bar have demonstrated time and again that “lawyers can find words when other men are dumb.” The young members of the Kollam Bar Association today continue to carry the torch lit by those stalwarts—honouring the past, serving the present, and shaping the future.

(Edited by Adv. Boris Paul)