"Taravat Mahadevan Nair" popularly known as T.M. Nair, was one of the prime moving forces of the Dravidian movement that singularly contributed to the upliftment of poor and downtrodden in South India. A doctor by profession, Dr. Nair was a precocious child. He passed his matriculation examination with flying colours while still in class V. Born to Shri Taravat Shankar Nair and Smt. Kamini Amma on 15th January, 1868 in Koduvayur in Calicut district in Kerala, Dr. Nair transcended all social economic and political deprivations to achieve his goal with perseverance, intelligence and  hard work.

He had his early education in Palghat from where he went on acquire  master's degree in Arts from Madras Presidency College. But his urge to become a doctor, led him to achieve degree in Medicine from Madras Medical College. His insatiable quest for knowledge took him to England in 1889 from  where  he  achieved  the  highest  degree  in  medicine M.B.C.M. in 1894 followed  by a Doctorate from  Edinburg University in 1896. He specialized in ENT from Paris in France.

Returning home, he dedicated himself to the medical profession with full vigour. He followed a very disciplined life and forever remained a learner. He had a impressive library of his own with books on subject like medicines, health, literature and politics. He would attend to his patients till noon and thereafter devote much of his time in his library reading and writing on wide range of subjects. He published very popular medical monthly magazine known as 'Antiseptic' for more than sixteen years.

His interest in politics surfaced from his days in college when he actively participated in the student politics. He was elected Secretary of the students union and he published a journal called "University Student". In England too, he was elected Vice-President of Indian's Association in London.

He joined Indian National Congress and for quite sometime was one of its prime spokesperson. He later left Congress to join 'South Indian Welfare Association'  and together with Sir Pitti Thiagarayar and Dr. C. Natesan formed the 'Justice Party' that became the precursor of the Dravidian Movement in India. Millions of unprivileged, uneducated and deprived souls had found an effective voice in the Justice Party. Dr. Nair published an English newspaper called Justice on behalf of Justice Party for many years. He was also the editor of 'Madras Standard', a magazine published from Madras. He regularly wrote on the ideologies of Justice Party in British media and campaigned for the voice of the downtrodden.

Following the First World War, Montague-Chelmsford Committee came to India to study the devolution of power to Indians. Justice Party in full force campaigned for communal representation. Dr. Nair was the Chief architect of the communal representation principle. He want to England on 2nd October, 1918 and presented his views in the British Parliament. He cogently presented his arguments with facts and figures on the terrible deprivation and discrimination faced by the downtrodden at the hand  of the upper castes. British Parliament in great measure appreciated the communal representation principle and gave a  sympathetic consideration.

The report of Montague-Chelmsford was placed for study before the British Parliament the next year. Dr. Nair once again traveled to England despite his failing health to seek the opportunity and speak the oppressed voices. Fate willed it otherwise, Dr. Nair passed away in London on 17th July 1919.

Dr. Nair's untiring efforts and missionary zeal brought about a conspicuous consciousness in the unprivileged classes and led to mass movements in every nook and Corner of the country. Under his able guidance and leadership Justice Party became a force to reckon with and conferred upon him the status of the legendary leader whose indelible marks are evident even today. His efforts have uplifted millions out of the misery of exploitation, discrimination and deprivation.

The Department of Posts is happy to release a commemorative postage stamp in the memory of Dr. T.M. Nair an educationist, a social reformer, a politician, a doctor, a writer, an editor par excellence.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India