THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Arya Premji, wife of social reformer the late M P Bhattathiripad (Premji) was laid to rest here on Monday.
Arya Premji, 99, died at her son, senior journalist Neelan’s residence here on Sunday. Her body was cremated at the Santhikavadam on Monday evening. Arya and Premji were part of the state’s renaissance history for being the second couple in the Namboodiri community to engage in widow marriage. Arya was born to Neelakandan Namboodiri and Umadevi Antharjanam of Karuvattu Mana at Anthikkad in Thrissur in 1917. She got married at the age of 14 but became a widow a year after. Premji married her when she was 27.Premji, then a proof reader with ‘Desabhimani’ daily, had triggered a debate in the community by marrying a widow, which eventually resulted in the community ostracising them. Arya Premji was elected to the Thrissur municipal council as a Communist party candidate in 1964. She is survived by sons M P Neelakandan (Neelan), Hareendranathan, retired Colonel Induchoodan, daughter Sathi, in-laws Santha, Leela, Varada and Parvathy. Her son KPAC Premachandran had predeceased her.