Ammembal Subba Rao Pai (19 November 1852 – 25 July 1909) was a leading lawyer of Mangalore, India. He was the founder of Canara Bank, now one of India's leading banks, and Canara High School in Mangalore. Though he was a lawyer and a banker by profession, he was an educationist and social reformer by temperament. He helped shape the future of Dakshina Kannada District and of the GSB community in Karnataka.
Early life
Pai was the youngest of the four sons of Upendra Pai, a lawyer practicing in the Munsif's court at Mulki, near Mangalore. Born on 19 November 1852, at Mulki, near Mangalore, he underwent early schooling at Government High School, Mangalore, and it was the early demise of his mother that is believed to have profoundly influenced him to take to studies seriously. After passing his F.A.(First Arts examination) examination, his father sent him to Madras (now Chennai) to take up higher studies. Following his graduation (B.A.) from the Presidency College, he joined the Madras Law College and stood First Class First in Bachelor of Law (B.L) in 1875. Here he came into contact with Justice Holloway, whose personality was a rewarding experience to him.
Career
In 1876, following the demise of his father, he returned to Mangalore and successfully practiced law (it is said that he often attempted to persuade amicable out-of-court settlements for his clients, although this sometime cost him his fee).
Pai was also an admirer of nationalist leaders of India.