Since 1939
History & Legacy
Where Kerala Samajam started, and how it grew into the institution it is today.
How it began
An Onam celebration on Bina Road
The idea of setting up Kerala Samajam originated in 1939, when Shree C. A. Sreedharan Pillai and his friends were celebrating Onam at H6, Quarter No. 27 on Bina Road in Burmamines. Eighteen Malayalees, all part of the Malayalee mess run at the time, were at that celebration. They became the first members of Kerala Samajam.
To turn the idea into something lasting, Malayalees across the region were called together, and an informal meeting was held at the same house on Bina Road. Alongside the original eighteen, fifty more attended. That gathering created the Kerala Club — later renamed Kerala Samajam.
Milestones
Eight decades of service
- 1939
Kerala Club is founded
Malayalees across the region were called together for a meeting at 27 Bina Road. Fifty more joined the original eighteen, and the gathering founded the Kerala Club — later renamed Kerala Samajam.
- 1939
An Onam celebration in Burmamines
The idea of Kerala Samajam began when Shree C. A. Sreedharan Pillai and his friends celebrated Onam at H6, Quarter No. 27, Bina Road, Burmamines. Eighteen Malayalees from the Malayalee mess attended — they became the organisation’s first members.
- 1980
Kerala Samajam Model School is established
The Model School opened its doors, going on to become CISCE-affiliated and the first ISO-certified institution in eastern India. The previous website also credited Mr K. M. Abraham, Education Officer at Tata Steel, with founding it in 1965.
- 2018
The Samajam Administrative Block is inaugurated
The new administrative block was opened on 9 December 2018, alongside the 79th Annual Day celebrations at the Samajam Auditorium.
- 2018
The KSMS auditorium opens
A fully air-conditioned auditorium seating 900, equipped for acoustics, lighting and sound, was inaugurated on 8 December 2018.
- 2019
The Kerala Samajam Canteen opens
A Kerala-style canteen with modern facilities was inaugurated on 3 March 2019 at the Kerala Samajam Model School campus in Golmuri.
- 2023
The APR Memorial Volleyball Tournament begins
The first edition was held in memory of the Samajam’s late Chairman, Shri A. P. R. Nair, to encourage the sport among young people through equal participation.
- 2025
The 84th Annual General Meeting
The 84th AGM was held on 15 August 2025, and the 84th Annual Day was celebrated on 9 November 2025 — more than eight decades of continuous service to Jamshedpur.
