C. R. Kesavan Vaidyar
Encyclopedia
C. R. Kesavan Vaidyar was a social worker, industrialist and traditional Ayurvedic Vaidyar
and follower of Sree Narayana Guru. He was born to Chulikat Raman and Kunjalichi of an ezhava
family in Kondad Village, about 2.5 KM from Ramapuram Town Meenachil
taluk in Kottayam
District
. He was an active participant in the historic, social reform movements such as Vaikom Satyagraha
and Guruvayur Satyagraha. He studied the traditional Indian system of medicine and was awarded the Vaidyaratnam title by K.C. Manavikraman, the Zamorin of Kozhikode
in 1953.
near Thrissur
in Kerala
. When he first made Chandrika Ayurvedic Soap, Ayurveda was not very well known or used in non-medicinal products. In the beginning Kesavan Vaidyar travelled on foot or by bus carrying the wooden case all by himself. There were harsh times when he even travelled by holding onto the ladder on the back of the bus and slept outside shops waiting for them to open, so that he could sell his product to them. Now the soap is exported to several western, Middle Eastern and far eastern countries.
Director Board member, Kerala Kalamandalam
Executive Committee member, Unnayi Warrier Kalanilayam President, Guruvayur Temple
Renovation Committee member etc. He established Lal Memorial Hospital, in memory of his late son, a charitable hospital so that poor people who could avail of basic medical services that were not available to them. He also established a nursing school to support this cause and to promote professional health care. He also established S.N. Public School, a public school, a public library and a teachers' training college believing that Education would help people empower themselves. He was also written many books including the famous work of Srinarayanaguru chintakal (1972). Other works include Vicharadarpanam(1976), Palppu muthal Mundasseri vare, Gurucharanangalil(1993)
Vaidyar
Vaidyar or Vaidyan in Malayalam means physician, who used ayurvedic medicines. They are mostly ayurvedic physicians by profession which was also hereditary...
and follower of Sree Narayana Guru. He was born to Chulikat Raman and Kunjalichi of an ezhava
Ezhava
The Ezhavas are a community with origins in the region presently known as Kerala. They are also known as Ilhava, Irava, Izhava and Erava in the south of the region; as Chovas, Chokons and Chogons in Central Travancore; and as Tiyyas, Thiyas and Theeyas in Malabar...
family in Kondad Village, about 2.5 KM from Ramapuram Town Meenachil
Meenachil
Meenachil is the name of the north-eastern region of Kottayam district in Kerala, south India. The name originates from Meenakshi the Dravidian goddess. Palai is the main town in Meenachil. The arterial river of the district is also named Meenachil...
taluk in Kottayam
Kottayam
Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. Kottayam Kottayam (Malayalam: കോട്ടയം) is a city in the Indian state of Kerala, spread over an area of 55.40 km2. It is the administrative...
District
District
Districts are a type of administrative division, in some countries managed by a local government. They vary greatly in size, spanning entire regions or counties, several municipalities, or subdivisions of municipalities.-Austria:...
. He was an active participant in the historic, social reform movements such as Vaikom Satyagraha
Vaikom Satyagraha
Vaikom Satyagraha was a satyagraha in Travancore, India against untouchability in Hindu society. The movement was centered at the Shiva temple at Vaikom, near Kottayam.The Satyagraha aimed at securing freedom of movement for all sections of society through the public roads leading to the Sri...
and Guruvayur Satyagraha. He studied the traditional Indian system of medicine and was awarded the Vaidyaratnam title by K.C. Manavikraman, the Zamorin of Kozhikode
Kozhikode
Kozhikode During Classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Kozhikkode was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom of the same name and later of the erstwhile Malabar District...
in 1953.
Career
Vaidyar began his career as school master at Kudapalam Grand School. He was lucky to become the disciple of Sree Narayana Guru and became very close to the Guru. He had taught in other schools before getting connected with Guru and SNDP Units. The Guru inspired him to work for the welfare of the people who were the down-trodden and neglected in society because of caste-difference and due to birth in poor family conditions. As per the wishes of Sree Narayana Guru he led a simple life and helped others.Chandrika Soap
He started manufacturing an ayurvedic soap called Chandrika, from IrinjalakudaIrinjalakuda
Irinjalakuda is a municipal town situated in the Thrissur district of Kerala, India. It is famous for the sprawling Koodalmanikyam Temple that has Bharata as the main deity and the St Thomas Cathedral in the heart of the City...
near Thrissur
Thrissur
This article is about the city in India. For the district, see Thrissur district. For the urban agglomeration area of Thrissur see Thrissur Metropolitan Area...
in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. When he first made Chandrika Ayurvedic Soap, Ayurveda was not very well known or used in non-medicinal products. In the beginning Kesavan Vaidyar travelled on foot or by bus carrying the wooden case all by himself. There were harsh times when he even travelled by holding onto the ladder on the back of the bus and slept outside shops waiting for them to open, so that he could sell his product to them. Now the soap is exported to several western, Middle Eastern and far eastern countries.
Contributions
Using the income from the business Vaidyar set up a number of institutions so that people who were not as fortunate as he was could benefit from his good fortune. He has held various high positions. He has worked as SNDP Yogam President, Chandrika Educational Trust Chairman, Sree Narayana TrustSree Narayana Trust
Sree Narayana Trust has been one of the pioneer educational agencies in the field of higher education in Kerala since 1940. The Trusts is named after the Sage, Saint, Social reformer, Philosopher and mystic poet, Sree Narayana Guru who was the embodiment of universal fraternity and love...
Director Board member, Kerala Kalamandalam
Kerala Kalamandalam
Kerala Kalamandalam , lately renamed as Kalamandalam Deemed University of Art and Culture, is a major centre for learning Indian performing arts, especially those that developed in the southern state of India, with the special emphasis on Kerala. It is situated in the village of Cheruthuruthy in...
Executive Committee member, Unnayi Warrier Kalanilayam President, Guruvayur Temple
Guruvayur Temple
Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Krishna, located in the town of Guruvayur in Kerala, India. It is one of the most important places of worship for Hindus and is often referred to as "Bhooloka Vaikuntam" which translates to the holy abode of Vishnu on Earth...
Renovation Committee member etc. He established Lal Memorial Hospital, in memory of his late son, a charitable hospital so that poor people who could avail of basic medical services that were not available to them. He also established a nursing school to support this cause and to promote professional health care. He also established S.N. Public School, a public school, a public library and a teachers' training college believing that Education would help people empower themselves. He was also written many books including the famous work of Srinarayanaguru chintakal (1972). Other works include Vicharadarpanam(1976), Palppu muthal Mundasseri vare, Gurucharanangalil(1993)