Parur T. K. Narayana Pillai

Parur T. K. Narayana Pillai (died 1969) was a freedom fighter during the British Raj in India and was a member of the Indian National Congress (INC) which fought against the British rule in India. He was the first Chief Minister of Travancore-Cochin at the time of its formation in 1949.

"Parur TK" as he was fondly called was born in North Parur, Kerala, India. He was educated at the Union Christian College in Alwaye, Ernakulam district and earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1911. He became the thaluk president of the INC, North Parur unit, in 1924 and then went on to become the Travancore-Cochin secretary of the INC in 1932, and its president in 1938. He was a founding member of the Travancore State Congress.

After India gained independence from Britain in 1947, and the King of Travancore acceded to join the Indian union, Parur TK became the first chief minister of the newly formed Travancore-Cochin state under the union of India. His successes in the state of Travancore-Cochin is attributed to a lot of men who were his staunch supporters, among them his personal secretary, the famous freedom fighter from Karikkakom in Thiruvananthapuram, Karikkakom S. Narayana Pillai. He was unanimously elected the leader of the Congress Legislature Party and he assumed charge as the Chief Minister (Premier) from 1 July 1949.

Parur TK became the food, labour and education minister during the next ministry which was headed by C. Kesavan.

Parur TK retired from politics and devoted his time to writing. He was bed ridden for a few years with arthritis until his death.

The playback singer Sujatha Mohan and Radhika Tilak are his granddaughters and another playback singer Swetha Mohan is his great-granddaughter.

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