Bodheswaran

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Bodheswaran (birth name, Kesavan; for a time known as Bodheswarananda) (1901–1990) was a poet and social reformer from Kerala, India.[1]

Early life

Bodheswaran was born in Neyyattinkara, India, in December 1901. Named Kesavan by his parents, he was attracted to the thoughts of Swami Vivekananda. In his youth after leaving school he met the social and religious reformer Narayana Guru and remained with him for about two years. Then he travelled throughout India at the Kashi Vishwanath Templechanged his name to Bodheswarananda. Then he went to Bengal and associated with many Sannyasins and with nationalist activists. There he attended meetings at which great leaders such as Mohandas K. Gandhi and Motilal Nehru spoke.[2]

With Chattampi Swamikal and Narayana Guru

Upon return from his travels, Bodheswaran was advised by Narayana Guru to meet Chattampi Swamikal, who subsequently influenced him greatly. While continuing his association with Swami he worked for national movement also. His public speeches attracted huge crowds and inspired the youngsters to join freedom movement.[2] After a short spell during which he favoured the Arya Samaj movement,[citation needed] influenced by Chattampi Swamikal he got involved in social reform movements like Vaikkom Satyagraham and the Temple Entry Movement.[2]

He also became a worker for the Indian National Congress and changed his name once more, to Bodheswaran.[2]

After Indian independence Bodheswaran gradually withdrew from active politics, although he remained a Congressman until his death. He lectured and wrote on the subject of Swamikal, his belief as quoted by Nair and Devi is that Swamikal was "an embodiment of perfect knowledge".[2]

Bodheswaran was married to V. K. Karthiayani,[3] a Professor of Sanskrit in the Government Sanskrit College, Thiruvananthapuram.[citation needed] He has three daughters, Hridayakumari,[4] Sugathakumari[3] and Sujatha who are teachers, writers and social activists and sustain the movements initiated by their father.[citation needed]

Bodheswaran died in July 1990.[citation needed]

References

  1. ↑ "Bodheswaran foundation inaugurated". The Times of India. PTI. 11 December 2002. Retrieved 2011-10-11. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 R. Raman, Nair; L. Sulochana, Devi (2010). Chattampi Swami: An Intellectual Biography. Trivandrum: Centre for South Indian Studies. pp. 168–169. ISBN 978-81-905928-2-6. Retrieved 2011-10-11. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Tharu, Susie J.; Lalita, Ke, eds. (1993). Women Writing in India: The twentieth century. Women Writing in India: 600 B.C. to the Present 2. Feminist Press. p. 399. ISBN 978-1-55861-029-3. Retrieved 2011-10-11. 
  4. ↑ Sasibhooshan, Gayathri (2 September 2011). "Why not a khadi pudava this Onam?". The Times of India. Retrieved 2011-10-11. 

Further reading

External links

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