Bodheswaran Biography 
Bodheswaran was a noted poet, a social reformer and Gandhian from Kerala. Her daughters Hridayakumari and Sugathakumari are noted poets of Malayalam who have won numerous awards including Sahitya Academy Awards. Sugathakumari is a noted social activist who also does numerous environmental and feminist activists in Kerala at present. His wife, V. K. Karthiayani was a famous Professor of Sanskrit in the Government Sanskrit College, Thiruvananthapuram. As a social activist, Bodheswaran has involved in famous social reforms of Kerala - Vaikkom Satyagraha and the Temple Entry Movement.
Bodheswaran was born in Neyyattinkara on December 1901. His birth name was Kesavan. During his childhood days, he was attracted towards the spiritual thoughts of Swami Vivekananda. While at school, he left home to meet spiritual leader and social reformer, Narayana Guru and stayed with him for two years. Then he travelled throughout India and later changed his name to Bodheswarananda at Kashi Vishwanath Temple. He toured Bengal where he happened to meet many saints and nationalist activists. He has also attended speeches of Mahatma Gandhi and Motilal Nehru.
Once he returned back, he visited Narayana Guru once again and he advised Bodheswara to meet Chattampi Swamikal. Chattampi Swamikal influenced him and his thoughts very much that he continued his association with him in many social movements. His public speeches attracted huge crowds and inspired the youngsters to join freedom movement. He also favoured Arya Samaj movement and in short, influenced by Chattampi Swamikal he participated in Vaikkom Satyagraham (1924 -1925) and the Temple Entry Movement of 1936. Temple entry movement was the first one in India to fight for the entry of low caste Hindus to temples and it was successful as well.
Later he became a perfect Gandhian and joined Indian National Congress. He changed his name from Bodheswarananda to Bodheswaran as well. But after Indian independence and Gandhi’s assassination he withdrew himself from active politics. Still he remained as a congress man till his end. Bodheswaran died in July 1990.
Published: N/A
Updated: September 12, 2013
