Pt. K. Santanam was  born on 25th August, 1885 to A. Krishnamachari Iyengar who was then the Dewan of Mysore. As both the parents died when he was young, he was sent to his relatives at Kumbakonam (Tamil Nadu) where he completed high school and college studies. He did his post graduation in Economics at Madras Presidency College and won a Gold Medal. On obtaining scholarship he went to England to study law at Kings College, Cambridge and became barrister in 1910. On return, he chose to settle in Lahore and practiced Law at the High Court.

As a lawyer he took up the defence of those implicated in the aftermath of Jallianwala Bagh massacre. No one was allowed to travel outside Amritsar under the Martial Law then in effect, but Pt. K. Santanam managed to slip out and brought the atrocities perpetrated in Punjab to the notice of the Viceroy's Executive Council. He assisted Gandhiji in the drafting of the inquiry report.

After ten eventful years as a lawyer he quit his legal practice following Gandhiji's clarion call to boycott the law courts and British Educational Institutions. He took active part in the Non­ Cooperation Movement. He was arrested on 2nd December 1921 along with Lala Lajpat Rai. On being released he taught in the National College set up by Lalaji. He held several important positions in the Congress Committee. He also took part in the Salt Satyagraha Movement.

In 1924, under Lala Lajpat Rai's inspiration he set up the Lakshmi Insurance Company with its Head Office at Lahore. It was a successful venture. The Lakshmi Insurance Company was the Punjab's second biggest successful venture in the Life Insurance Business as noted in "Life Insurance in India-Its History; Law, Practice and Problems by R.M. Ray." Important known surviving buildings of the company still exist in Pakistan.

Pt. K. Santanam was known for his progressive thoughts. He shunned certain rituals and practices and rejected the caste system. He was a successful lawyer, freedom fighter and an enterprising businessman with foresight.

He passed away on 30th August 1949.

The Department of Posts is happy to issue a commemorative postage stamp on Pt. K. Santanam.

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