K. Ramakrishna Pillai [clarification needed] (1878–1916) was an Indian nationalist writer, journalist, editor, and political activist.

[1][2] He edited Swadeshabhimani (The Patriot), the newspaper which became a potent weapon against the rule of the British and the erstwhile princely state of Travancore (Kerala, India) and a tool for social transformation.

[14] The patriarch of the family (Thekkekod veedu) had once saved the life of Prince Marthanda Varma from his enemies.

When Marthanda Varma became king or Maharaja of Travancore, he gifted the family 50-acre (200,000 m2) of land, a 12-room mansion and certain privileges in the Krishna temple in Neyyattinkara.

Ramakrishna Pillai utilized his less restricted life in Thiruvananthapuram to acquaint himself with new books, newspapers, new places and new friends.

During this time, he also gained the friendship and guidance of many literary legends and editors like Kerala Varma Valiya Koil Thampuran, Adithya Das, A. R. Raja Raja Varma, Ulloor S. Parameswara Iyer, Pettayil Raman Pillai Asshan, Oduvil Kunhikrishna Menon and Kandathil Varghese Mappillai.

Due to the resistance of his uncle Keshava Pillai, Ramakrishna had to leave home to take up a job.

He challenged customary practices by marrying Nanikutti Amma from Thoopuveetil, Palkulangara, Thiruvananthapuram, a woman from a lower sub-caste of the Nair community in 1901.

He also spoke at conferences held in Cherthala and Paravur Taluks about the ills and malpractices rampant in society.

During that period, literary discourses and letters brought Ramakrishna Pillai close to B. Kalyani Amma.

Ramakrishna Pillai and his family thus shifted to Vakkom in Chirayinkil Taluk, where the office of the newspaper and the printing press were located.

Though Vakkom Moulavi continued to own the paper, he had given Ramakrishna Pillai total freedom to run the newspaper.

On 26 September 1910, Swadeshabhimani newspaper and the printing press were sealed and confiscated by the Indian Imperial Police.

Ramakrishna Pillai was arrested and banished from Travancore to Thirunelveli in Madras Province of British India.

Many nationalists and Indian newspapers reacted to the arrest and banishment of Ramakrishna Pillai and the banning of the paper.

Yet, early in the first half of the twenties, the banned newspaper was revived by the mighty will of K. Kumar of Travancore, the veteran Gandhian and Freedom Fighter.

The paper was revived under the same name 'Swadeshabhimani' and had its headquarters in the building currently housing the DPI Office at Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram.

NOTE: After Independence, the Government of Kerala returned the press of Swadeshabhimani to Vakkom Moulavi's family in 1957.

In the same year, Ramakrishna Pillai published Vrithantha Pathra Pravarthanam, a book on Journalism which became very popular later.

In May 1913, the family went to Palghat after which Ramakrishna Pillai published his books Mannante Kannathum and Narakathil Ninnu.

[8][19] A prolific writer and fearless campaigner of civil rights, Swadeshabhimani K Ramakrishna Pillai succumbed to his ille-health on 28 March 1916.

Dramas: Prathima, Kamandalu (Ekanka Natakam), Thookumuriyil, Thapthabashoam Stories: Aa Deenarodhanam B. Kalyani Amma was the second wife of Ramakrishna Pillai.

The Samidhi observes anniversaries of the banishment of Swadeshabhimani Ramakrishna Pillai every year, which is attended by several eminent personalities.