Archives of Contemporary India

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M. Ali Manikfan

M. Ali Manikfan

An astronomer, marine researcher, ecologist, automobile engineer and ship builder, Ali Manikfan was born in 1938 at Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep. He is also a polyglot with proficiency in 14 languages including English, Hindi, Malayalam, Arabic, Latin, French, Russian, German, Sinhalese.

Ali Manikfan is acclaimed for his autodidactic research skills in the marine, ecology, and agricultural fields, without holding any formal educational qualification.  

 In 1956, he worked as a teacher and then became a clerk in Minicoy (Indian government's chief civil official on the Island). However, his interest was in marine life and in the 1960s, he joined the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute of India. 

While working with the marine biologist Dr. Santhappan Jones, Manikfan discovered a new fish species. Jones, impressed by Ali's observation skills and his wide knowledge about marine life, named the species Abduldefduf Manikfani.

In 1981, the Irish adventurer, Tim Severin assigned Ali Manikfan the task of building the ‘Sohar Ship’- the replica of the ship of Sindbad. The ship, named after the city of Sohar in Oman, was completely handmade, using traditional boat-building techniques. No metal was used in its construction. The ship is now housed in the National Museum of Oman.

Manikfan also has to his credit, a roller-driven motorcycle designed out of a bicycle with an attached old power sprayer motor. It was started by pedalling until the motor got going. He drove on it with his son Musa from Tamil Nadu to New Delhi, on an average speed of 60 to 70 km a day.  

 For his 15-acre land in Valliyur in Thirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, Ali Manikfan produces his own electricity from a windmill which he has designed himself. He has built his house there with eco-friendly materials that are naturally available in the region.

In 2021, he was honoured in the category of ‘Grassroots Innovation’ and awarded Padma Shri.

About The Collection: The papers, donated by M. Ali Manikfan himself, are a treasure trove of research material on marine and nature conservation. The collection comprises papers and correspondence from Manikfan as Chairman of the Hijra Committee of India (Cochin) with Muslim authorities to follow the lunar Islamic calendar developed by him with scientific knowledge. In addition, the collection also contains documents related to environmental planning for Lakshadweep Island, endorsed by Manikfan as President of the Lakshadweep Environment Trust (Kavaratti) and member of the Lakshadweep Building Development Board. The papers also include articles on ship building, press clippings, extracts from books and reports, material on marine archaeology, and a personal notebook. The papers are an invaluable resource for researchers, scholars, and enthusiasts alike.

Donor: M. Ali Manikfan

Acquisition: 2024