Bodheswaran

Bodheswaran
Born	15 November 1901
Died	1990
Spouse(s)	V.K.Karthiyani
Children	Hridayakumari, Sugathakumari,Sujatha

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

Early Life

Bodheswaran was born in Neyyattinkara, India, in December 1901. Named Kesava Pillai 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 Temple he changed 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.

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. After a short spell during which he favoured the Arya Samaj movement, influenced by Chattampi Swamikal he got involved in social reform movements like Vaikkom Satyagraham and the Temple Entry Movement.

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

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".

Personal life

Bodheswaran was married to V. K. Karthiayani Amma, a professor of Sanskrit in the Government Sanskrit College, Thiruvananthapuram. He has three daughters, Prof. B Hridayakumari, Sugathakumari and Prof. Sujatha Devi who are teachers, writers and social activists and sustain the movements initiated by their father.

Bodheswaran died in July 1990.