 Madhavan was born on 2 September 1885 at Karthikappally, son of Kesavan Channar of Alummoottil family and Ummini Amma of Komalezhathu family.Alummoottil family was one of the wealthiest in the state of Travancore that time.His maternal uncle was Komalezhathu Kunjupillai Chekavar, a member of the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha.