C. R. Kesavan Vaidyar

C. R. Kesavan Vaidyar(August 26, 1904 - June 11, 1999) 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 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.

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 [Irinjalakuda] 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.

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 Trust 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 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)

References

* [http://www.chandrikasoaps.com/|Chandrika Soaps official website]
* [http://www.anusmaranakal.com/kesevanvaidyar/index.php?ID=0 C.R.Kesavan Vaidyar]
* [http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/203-2146085-0799954?%5Fencoding=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books-uk&field-author=C.%20R%20Kesavan%20Vaidyar Books of Vaidyar]