 Madhava Panikkar was born to Puthillathu Parameswaran Namboodiri and Chalayil Kunjikutti Kunjamma in the princely state of Travancore in 1895.He completed his basic studies at CMS College School, Kottayam and St. Paul's School, Vepery, Madras.Later on he joined Madras Christian College for intermediate classes.