In those days, Sanskrit learning was the monopoly of a privileged few. Though Orthodox, Sri. Nambi refused to recognise barriers of caste and creed and gathered in his house devoted disciples drawn from all casts. It was a regular Guru Kula type of education which the master imparted to his disciples in his house "Punnasseri Illom" situated in panoramic surroundings at Perumudiyoor near Pattambi town. As early as 1887, Sri. Nambi became a editor of a Malayalam monthly the Vijnanachinthamani devoted exclusively for the popularization of Sanskrit language and literature. He also established a printing press in 1892 and magazine was published uninterruptedly for 29 years.

As the number of deciples increased, a regular school became a necessity and this was started in 1889 by Sri. Nambi himself with his own resources. He managed the school himself and even provided the pupils which free lodging and food.

It was only much later, due to the incessant appeals to Government that a modest grant was obtained for running the school. Though the great was quite inadequate for the purpose, Sri Nambi, with his inmate energy, enthusiasm and dedication to the cause of Sanskrit learning not only continued to run it, but brought pressure upon the Government of Madras in raising it to the status of a college. The university gave affiliation to this colllege in 1911 and this Institution was known as the "Central Sanskrit College." The college coached up students for the 'Vidwan' and 'Siromani' titles and began to attract students from far and wide. It attained a great reputation and became the nucleus for the establishment of nearly 35 institutions in the Malabar area devoted exclusively for the study of Sanskrit. Sri Punnasseri Nambi Neelakanta Sharma was the Principal of the Central Sanskrit College for 25 years, till his death in 1935. His great devotion to the language and dedicated work gave an inter-national reputation to the Institution. A great controversialist, an eloquent speaker both in Sanskrit and in Malayalam. Sri Nambi was also the author of several outstanding books such as the "Panchabodhakriyabhasha" and Jyothissastra Subodhini". He was also the publisher of the Pattambi Almanac for several years which was noted for its accuracy and dependability. The recognition of his great schoarship and devotion to the cause of Sanskrit learning, the Maharaja of Cochin conferred on his the title of 'Panditaraja.'

After Sri Nambi's death, the college passed through a period of depression financially and otherwise. It was somehow managed by some of its old students and the local public Finally, due to the persistent appeals of the press and the public, the Malabar District Board took over its management in 1957 and eventually in the same year it passed into the hands of the Government of Kerala.

With the management passing to the hands of Government the fears about the college vanished and it forged ahead in its rapid growth to its present status. It was felt that facilities should be provided not only for the study of Sanskrit but to other subjects also in order to attract a large number of students. This alone could promote its growth and with this end in view Government sanctioned starting of Pre-Degree courses in Sanskrit and Malayalam in 1966. this marked the beginning of a regular Arts and Science College. Degree courses were also contemplated but this required additional accommodation and more facilities without which affiliation could not be obtained. It was here that the public enthusiasm became evident. A powerful college Welfare Committee was constituted and Sri. A.S.K.Rama Iyer became the President and Sri. M.P. Udayavarman its secretary. Sri Rama Iyer donated the present site for the College. The members of the Welfare Committee campaigned day and night to collect a sizeable fund to put up temporary sheds in this site. The services rendered by Sri. M.P.Udayavarman and Sri. E.P.Gopalan, Members of the Committee have to be recorded with gratitude.

The government readily respond to the public enthusiasm and the then Adviser to the Hon'ble governor of Kerala, Sri. N.E.S. Raghavachari, I.C.S. sanctioned an original allotment of Rs. 7.5 lakhs for the construction of buildings. Degree courses in Sanskrit, Malayalam and Economics were started in 1966-67 and the University of Kerala gave necessary affiliation sanction. Part of the new building was occupied in 1968-69. In the same year Post Graduate courses in Sanskrit and Malayalam were also started. During this period of basic activity from 1964, Sri. S. Venkitakrishnan was the Principal. Had it not been for his energy, enthusiasm, courage and dedication, it would have been almost impossible for the college to grow to its present status. Pre-Degree courses in Science and History (Groups I,II,III) and new Degree course in Economics and Politics (Pattern II) were started in 1969. Hindi and Malayalam were introduced as second languages. The main college building was completed in 1969 and a beautiful auditorium was also completed as well as the playgrounds. The Post Graduate Block was constructed in 1972 and a Women's Hostel adjacent to the college in 1975 to accommodate 106 students. B.Com course was introduced in 1970-71 and B.Sc. course in Chemistry in 1974-75.

A college Co-operative society was registered in November 1975. It is temporarily housed in a room in the Main Block of the college. The Post Graduate Departments of Sanskrit and Malayalam got recognition as Research Centres of the University of Calicut, in 1979 (order No. PLD/1/2929/78 dated 19-1-1979) Meanwhile under the direction of Government of Kerala a college Development Committee was constituted. the committee succeeded in constructing a building " Centre for Oriental Research and Computer studies." It was inaugurated by His Excellency, the then Vice-President of India, Sri. K.R. Narayanan, on 9th February, 1997. At present about thirty scholars pursue research work under five recognized research guides.

In the year 1983 the 125th Birth Anniversary of the great Founder -Father of the college, Punnasseri Nambi Neelakanta Sharma was celebrated in the benefiting and grand manner. The Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of the college were inaugurated by His Excellency, the then Vice President of India Sri. R. Venkitaraman on 13th December 1986.

In 1993 the institution was upgraded as a "Centre of Excellence" by the Government of Kerala. Yearly commemoration lectures on the great Guru Punnasseri Nambi and the brilliant disciple Kuttikrishna Marar are organized in the college. Eminent scholars and academicians all over the land are invited to participate in these lecture programmes.

The college Library is unique in many respects. It contains a number of palm leaf manuscripts of Punnasseri Nambi along with collection of other rare manuscripts and books. The college has full-fledged functional wing of National Cadet crops, the National Social Service & C.S.S.

The college has to be updated and well equipped to face the modern changes and challenges in the realm of higher education. A College Welfare committee 2001 was constituted with the Principal as the Convener, in order to work out a proper plan of modification and modernization. Blue prints are chalked out for several projects like constructions of Library Buildings, Canteen, and Bank extension counter and other infrastructural development, beautification of the campus, Internet connection etc. Various govt and non-governments agencies and general public have willingly came forward to make this a grand success. Sri. Ajayakumar, the Honourable M.P of Ottapalam has alloted about Rs. 8 Lakhs under the MPLAD scheme for the Library Builiding. The District Panchayat and Block Panchayat and nearby Grama Panchayat have offered their whole hearted co-operation in this venture. With the successful completion of these projects the college can not only cope up with the fast moving society but also keep up with the status of Excellence in the field of advanced learning and ultimately satisfy the ambitions and aspirations of the society.

SUCESSION LIST OF PRINCIPALS