VAIDYAR AS A PUBLISHER

Kesavan Vaidyar is a publisher of eminence. Sri Vaidyar edited and published the “Vivekodayam”, a monthly devoted to literature and culture. “Vivekodayam”was ranked as one of the topmost literary magazines in Kerala. Unique characteristic of this magazine was that it published comprehensive special issues on great personalities in Kerala. Many enlightened people keep these issued as historical records. The magazine appeared regularly for 20 years.
He had been in the Editorial boards of many journals. He had been in the Director Board of the Nationalist dailies, “Deena Bandhu” and “Dina Prabha”. He has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Keerala Sahithya parishad, as organization of the writers of Kerala. Almost all well-known writers of Kerala are his close friends. He was also the Chairman of the Vivekodayam printing and publishing Co. (P) Ltd. which had published a few books pf outstanding literary value.

കേശവന്‍ വൈദ്യരുടെ കൃതികള്‍

പുസ്തകപരിചയം

പ്രത്യൌഷധവിധിയും പ്രഥമചികിത്സയും
- ശ്രീ സി. ആര്‍. കേശവന്‍ വൈദ്യര്‍
ശ്രീ സി. ആര്‍. കേശവന്‍ വൈദ്യരുടെ ഗ്രന്ഥങ്ങളെ പരിചയപ്പെടുത്തുകയും വിലയിരുത്തുകയും ചെയ്‌തുകൊണ്ട്‌ പുതിയൊരു പംക്‌തിക്ക്‌ തുടക്കം കുറിക്കട്ടെ. അതീവ ലളിതമായ ഭാഷയില്‍ ഏതൊരു കൊച്ചു കുട്ടിക്കുപോലും മനസ്സിലാക്കാവുന്ന വിധം രചിച്ച പുസ്തകമാണ്‌ പ്രത്യൌഷധവിധിയും പ്രഥമചികിത്സയും. 1942 ഡിസംബറില്‍ പുറത്തിറങ്ങിയ ഈ പുസ്തകത്തിന്‌ ഏട്ട്‌ പുതിയ പതിപ്പുകളും അനേകം റീപ്രിണ്റ്റുകളും ഉണ്ടായത്‌ പുസ്തകത്തിണ്റ്റെ പ്രചുരപ്രചാരത്തേയും ഉപയോഗ്യതയേയും സൂചിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. 1990 മെയ്മാസത്തില്‍ ഈ പുസ്തകത്തിണ്റ്റെ ആദ്യ ഡി സി പതിപ്പ്‌ പ്രകാശനം ചെയ്യപ്പെട്ടു. ഈ കൃതിയെക്കുറിച്ച്‌ ഡി സി ബുക്സ്‌ ഇങ്ങനെ എഴുതുന്നു:
അറിഞ്ഞും അറിയാതെയും സംഭവിക്കാവുന്ന അനേകം വിപത്തുകളുടെ മദ്ധ്യത്തില്‍ കൂടിയാണ്‌ മനുഷ്യന്‍ ജീവിച്ചുപോരുന്നത്‌. അത്തരം അപകടഘട്ടങ്ങളില്‍ ഉപകരിക്കുന്ന പ്രഥമ ചികിത്സകളാണ്‌ ഈ ഗ്രന്ഥത്തില്‍ സമാഹരിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത്‌. ആയുര്‍വേദ ഗ്രന്ഥങ്ങളിലും തമിഴു വൈദ്യ ഗ്രന്ഥങ്ങളിലും ചിതറിക്കിടക്കുന്നവയാണിവ... ലളിതമായ മലയാള പദ്യങ്ങളിലൂടെയാണ്‌ ഈ ചികിത്സാവിധികള്‍ പറഞ്ഞുതരുന്നത്‌. അപകടങ്ങളും മറ്റും സംഭവിക്കുന്ന ഘട്ടങ്ങളില്‍ അടിയന്തിരമായി അവനവനു തന്നെയോ മറ്റുള്ളവര്‍ക്കോ ഉടനടി പരിഹാരം ചെയ്യത്തക്കവിധം ലഘുവായ പ്രതിവിധികള്‍ അടങ്ങുന്ന ഈ ഗ്രന്ഥം ഓരോ കുടുംബത്തിലെയും ഓരോ അംഗങ്ങളും കരുതിവെക്കേണ്ടതാണ്‌............
ഈ ഗ്രന്ഥത്തെ സംബന്ധിച്ച്‌ വളരെ അന്വര്‍ത്ഥമായ ഒരു നിരീക്ഷണമാണ്‌ ഡി സി ബുക്സിണ്റ്റേത്‌.
(തുടരും )

പഴുതാര കുത്തിയാല്‍ എന്തു ചെയ്യണം?
പഴുതാര കടിച്ചീടില്‍
പഴുപ്പായൊരു പ്ളാവില
അരച്ചു തുമ്പതന്‍ ചാറില്‍
പുരട്ടേണം വിഷം കെടാന്‍.

(പ്രത്യൌഷധവിധിയും പ്രഥമചികിത്സയും - ശ്രീ സി. ആര്‍. കേശവന്‍ വൈദ്യര്‍ )

നോക്കൂ, എത്ര ലളിതമായ ചികിത്സാവിധി. എത്ര ലളിതമായ ഭാഷ. എത്ര ലളിതമായ, ആസ്വാദ്യകരമായ കവിത . ചികിത്സ ഓര്‍ക്കാന്‍ മാത്രമല്ല ചൊല്ലി രസിക്കാനും കൊള്ളാം.
(തുടരും) പുസ്തകപരിചയം: പി ശിവദാസ്‌.

VAIDYAR AS A PHYSICIAN

Kesavan Vaidyar was an Ayurvedic physician of considerable repute. Sri. K. C. Manavikrama Raja, the zamorin of calicut awarded “Vaidyaratnam” (The jewel of physicians) to him on 17-9-1953. His certificate reads:-

“H.H. the zamorin of kozhikode

is glad to tell you that your treatment has given him immense relief and the zamorin is very much pleased with your capacity to treat aged partients like the zamorin:In recognition there of the zamorin is pleased to confer on you

the title of “Vaidyaratnam”.

He is a founder member of the Kerala Ayurveda Mandal, the only organization of the Ayurvedic physicians in the state. He has served as its Vice-President. He has presided over a number of annual conferences of the Mandal.

VAIDYAR AS A SOCIAL REFORMER

VAIDYAR THE GREAT SOCIAL REFORMER
Sri Kesavan Vaidyar was born when Kerala was witnessing a great social revolution and cultural renaissance under the inspiring leadership of Saint Sree Narayana Guru. Sree Narayana Guru’s compassion for the poor and the down trodden was boundless. He led a revolutionary movement against Caste system and every kind of discrimination between man and man. Sri Kesavaqn Vaidyar was instinctively attracted towards this movement. His first attempt was to enlighten the illiterate folk of his village. For this purpose, he founded Sree Narayan. Siva Sang ham in 1922, when he was just 19 years old. Soon aprayer hall was constructed with a view to disseminate the Guru’s message,” One Caste, One Religion, One god for Man”. A weaving Centre and a co-operative society also were founded for the welfare of the villagers. He worked as the secretary of all these institutions.
The S.N.D.P.Yogam, which is the first mass organization in Kerala, had been formed in 1903 and had two goals, one to push forward the renaissance movement started by Sree Narayana Guru and two, to bring forth the social emancipation of the untouchables. Kesavan became an active worker of this organization. A branch of the S.N.D.P.Yogam was opened in his village and Kesavan was elected as the Secretary. Soon he rose to the position of a member of the Board of Directors. He worked as an assistant to Sri. T. K. Madhavan, who gave the present shape and structure to S.N.D.P.Yogam. Finally Sri Kesavan was elevated to the highest position in the Yogam, namely its President, in 1966.
Kesavan Vaidyar was 20 years old when Vaikkam Satyagraha, the epic struggle against untouchability was launched under the auspices of the Indian National Congress. Mahatma Gandhi was the guiding star and K.P.Kesava menon, T.K.Madhavan, K.Kelappan and Mannath Padmanabhan were the front line leaders. Kesavan enrolled himself as a Satyagraha volunteer. Later when Sri. K. Kelappan began the Guruvayoor Satyagraha for temple entry, Kesavan went all the way from his village in Central Travancore to Guruvayoor to take part in the sathyagraha. He has taken active part in many other agitations and struggles for the eradication of untouchability. He has also served as a member of the Cochin state Harijan welfare committee.
National Movement.
His involvement in the Vaikkam Satyagraha, brought Kesavan in contact with the national movement. He was attracted by the Congress ideals, But there was not much political activity in the princely state of Travancore in those days. So Kesavan busied himself in the constructive programme of the Indian National Congress. His field of work widened after a lull of six years when he settled down in the princely state of Cochin. There in 1941, Praja Mandal came into existence and Kesavan become an active member. Praja Mandal was the counter part of the Indian National Congress. In the early forties two national calamities struck the state- one a cyclone and the other an epidemic of cholera. It was the Praja Mandal, not the Government, that organized effective relief work. And Kesavan was in the forefront in this work. He has served the organization as the Secretary of the Mukundapuram Taluk Committee. After the attainment of freedom, Praja Mandal merged with the Indian National Congress and Kesavan continued his work as a Congressman. He has been elected to the Trichur D.C.C. Gradually he lost interest in party politics. But he upholds the fundamental ideals of the national movement even now.

( Will conitnue ... P. Sivadas )

VAIDYAR AS AN EDUCATIONALIST

EDUCATION

Kesavan Vaidyar’s contribution in the field of Education is tremendous. Besides helping a number of educational institutions through liberal donations, he himself runs two High Schools, three Primary schools, one Teachers Training school and a Higher Secondary school for Science. For many years he had been a member of the Board of Trustees of Sree Narayna Trust, Quilon, which manages 16 colleges, two poly Technics, half a dozen High schools and Industrial Training Centers, He has been the Chairman of the Development Committee of the Christ college, Irinjalakuda managed by the Christian church.
Sri Kesavan Vaidyar has established two charitable Trusts, one for the advancement of Education and the other for the alleviation of suffering due to disease.
S. N. Chandrika Educational Trust for the advancement of Education .
Sree Narayana Chandrika Trust, works in the field of Health.
S. N. Chandrika Educational Trust runs a number of educational institutions and student’s hostels.
1. S. N. TEACHER TRAINING INSTITUE, IRINJALAKUDA
2. S. N. L. P. SCHOOL IRINJALAKUDA
4. S. N. U. P. SCHOOL IRINJALAKUDA
5. S. N. HIGH SCHOOL IRINJALAKUDA
6. S. N. HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL IRINJALAKUDA
7. S. N. PRE-PRIMARY SCHOOL IRINJALAKUDA
8. S. N. T. T. I. HOSTEL (FOR LADIES )
9. S. N. T. T. I. HOSTEL (FOR GENTS)
10. MATHA MAITHRI NILAYAM
It also runs a well-equipped public Library.
( S. N. PUBLIC LIBRARY & READING ROOM IRINJALAKUDA)
The Library is acclaimed as one of the best Libraries in the Kerala state. Another Public Library was constructed at Ramappuram, and it was opened by Sri. K. Karunakaran the then Hon’ble chief minister of Kerala in 1984. A new library in the name of Dr. Palpu is under constructed at Aruvippuram. An amount of Rs.3 Lakhs was donated to the Dharma Sangham Trust in 1988 for this purpose.
The Educational Trust has also distributed thousands of Rupees by way of scholarship to the poor irrespective of Caste, Religion or creed.

HEALTH

The other Trust, Sree Narayana Chandrika Trust, works in the field of Health. It runs a 160 - beded Hospital (LAL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, MAPRANAM) for allopathic treatment in a village with all modern equipments. This hospital was inaugurated by the president of India, Sri Neelam Sanjeeva Reddi on 25th April, 1978. The Trust is running a Nursing school recognized by the Government. The hospital is growing. A Yoga Centre is attached to the Hospital. The Kerala Chapter of the Madras institute of Magneto Biology is an additional speciality of the Hospital.
The Lal Memorial Institute for continuing Medical Education, functioning under the auspices of the Hospital is doing great service to the practicing doctors in the district. The discussion and workshops conduced by the Institute are being attended by many doctors. Scientists and Doctors of international repute serve as resource persons in these workshops and discussion.

( will continue ... P. Sivadas )

VAIDYAR AS AN INDUSTRIALIST

Pioneer in Ayurvedic Medicinal Soap

Kesavan Vaidyar can be considered as a pioneer in the field of Ayurvedic Toilet Soap. His “Chandrika soap” is based on unique formula he has evolved. His attempt at integrating the wisdom of ancient sages of India with modern scientific knowledge was a great success. Chandrika A PIOyurvedic soap has become very popular in India and abroad.

In the beginning, Chandrika was used mainly to treat skin diseases. Not only Ayurvedic physicians, but also Doctors practicing modern medicine, prescribe Chandrika for a number of skin ailments. All those who used Chandrika found it wonderfully efficacious and they spread the news. The demand for the soap grew steadily. In the meanshile, Sri Vidyar continued his experiments and research and Chandrika become a cosmetic soap for daily use with great medicinal values.
As an industry, Chandrika had a very humble beginning. In the soap factory , S. V. PRODUCTS, Sri Kesavan Vaidyar and his wife were the only workers. Later their two children joined them. Together they did all the work form manufacturing to selling by hawking. In 1944, Chandrika won a Merit Certificate in a All- India Industrial Exhibition.

Since then chandrika soap has participated in many exhibition. Since then chandrika soap has participated in many exhibitions all over India and won several gold Medal Certificates. Now Chandrika is being manufactured at seven cemtresnmely, Irinjalakuda and Ernakulam in Kerala State, podannur and coimbatore in Tamilnadu, Bangalore and My sore in Karnataka and Thirupathi in A.P. There is a net work of stockists throughout India and in foreign countries. Chandrika soap is being exported to 19 foreign countries, including Germany, United Kingdom and the U.S.A. It has received state Awards for creditable export performance in 1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82 and National Merit Certificate in 1980-81, 1981-82, 1982-83 . Chandrika won the Second Award for 1984-85 and the First Award for 1985-86 in the SSI Sector. The soap is winning one award or the other every year.

A noteworthy aspect of Chandrika is that it is purely a hand-made soap. It does not use electric power or large scale machinery. It is an eloquent vindication of the Gandhian principles of khadi and village industries.

Sri Kesavan Vaidyar is also a good model for enlightened employers. The employees enjoy many benefits in addition to those which are legally due to them. Eminent people like Sri. V. V. Giri, Sri panampilly Govinda Menon, Sri. K. P. S. Menon, Sri. N. N. Vanchoo (while he was the Governor of Gujarath) have visited the factory and recorded their appreciation of the labour welfare schemes.

Chandrika is not a mere industrial concern. It is a social institution. A major portion of the profit from Chandrika soap goes for social work.
( will conitue ...p. sivadas)

VAIDYAR AS A WRITER

Kesavan Vaidyar is a writer of eminence. In his early days he used to compose poems. His book on “Accidents and first Aid”, written in fluent Malayalam verse is very popular and has run into seven editions by now. It has been commended by great Ayurvedic physicians and practitioners of modern medicine. His articles on social and cultural problems appear in periodicals, souvenirs and special publications. His other books are:-
1. Accidents and first Aid
2. PRATHAUSHADHVIDHIYUM PRATHAMACHIKITHSAYUM
3. “Sreenarayana Chinthakal”
(3 editions) a collcection of articles on the life, message and philosophyof Sreenarayana Guru.
4. “Visha Chikitsa”
a monograph on the treatment of reptile poison.
5. “From Palpu to Mundasserry “
(2 editions) lucid pen-pictures of great social reformants of this century in Kerala
6. “Vicharadarpanam”
A collection of articles on diverse topics.
7. “Gurucharanangalil”,
A collection of essays on Sree Narayana Guru.
8. “T.K.Madhavan and Sree Narayana Guru”-
A study on the social revolutionary movement in the first quarter of Twentieth century
9. “Sree Narayana Guru - in his own words”- a classified collection of Guru’s important sayings.
10. Sree Narayana Guru and Sahodaran Ayyappan.
Besudes. he has also compiled and edited the following books:
(1) Sree Narayana Guru- A symposium
(2) Swami Dharma Theertha –An autobiography of one of the great disciple of sree Narayana Guru
(3) Sahodaran Ayyappan- Memories and Studies
VAIDYAR AS A PUBLISHER
Sri Vaidyar edited and published the “Vivekodayam”, a monthly devoted to literature and culture. “Vivekodayam”was ranked as one of the topmost literary magazines in Kerala. Unique characteristic of this magazine was that it published comprehensive special issues on great personalities in Kerala. Many enlightened people keep these issued as historical records. The magazine appeared regularly for 20 years.
He had been in the Editorial boards of many journals. He had been in the Director Board of the Nationalist dailies, “Deena Bandhu” and “Dina Prabha”. He has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Keerala Sahithya parishad, as organization of the writers of Kerala. Almost all well-known writers of Kerala are his close friends. He was also the Chairman of the Vivekodayam printing and publishing Co. (P) Ltd. which had published a few books pf outstanding literary value.

SRI. C. R. KESAVAN VAIDYAR

Sri C.R. Kesavan Vaidyar had a humble beginning as social worker. Then he became a famous Ayurvedic Physician , great industrialist , a well-known educationalist and a dedicated social reformer.
Kesavan was born to a poor family as the sixth child of Chullikkattu Raman and Kunzhilayichi of Kontatu village in Ramapuram in Meenachil taluk of Kottayam district, 26th August 1904. He began his education in the kutippallikkotam of Thenganaal Kesavapilla Aasan, his first teacher. He continued his education in the ‘Kalari’ of Pampanal Aasan and in other formal schools. He began his career as school master at Kudapalam Grand School. He had taught in other schools also. Later he studied Ayurveda. Thus he became ‘Kesavan vaidyar’.
Kesavan married Karthiani, daughter of Marangad Theruvakkattil Konthy and Paru, in1930.

He was lucky to become the disciple of Sree Narayana Guru and became very close to the Guru. 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 Kesavan led a simple life and helped others.
Later he became the disciple of Swami Ramananda, studied Indian systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Siddha, etc and began to treat patients. Thus he became ‘Kesavan vaidyar’.

He was awarded the "Vaidyaratnam" title by K.C. Manavikraman Zamorin of Kozhikode in 1953.
He was an active participant of historic, social reform movements such as Vaikom Satyagraha and Guruvayur Satyagraha.

His knowledge in Ayurvedic medicine helped him establish "Chandrika" herbal toilet soap.
In 1940 Sri Kesavan Vaidyar started manufacturing an ayurvedic soap called ‘Chandrika’, from a small town called Irinjalakuda in Kerala.
When he first made 'Chandrika Ayurvedic Soap', Ayurveda was not very well known or used in non-medicinal products.In the beginning Sri 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.
Faith and belief in his creation, 'Chandrika Soap' gave him the courage to persist with it. His belief and persistence paid of when people who used it realised its value and goodness and came back asking for more. Once people discovered Chandrika, there was no turning back for him.
Sri. Kesavan Vaidyar went on to export Chandrika Soap to almost all the western, Middle Eastern and far eastern countries.
Using the income from the business Sri. Kesavan 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 established Lal Memorial Hospital, a charitable hospital so that the less fortunate could avail of basic medical services thatwere 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. Teacher training Institute, S. N. Lower Primary school, S. N. High School, S. N. Higher Secondary School and a public library believing that Education would help people empower themselves.

Sri. Kesavan Vaidyar has held various high positions. He has worked as SNDP Yogam President, Chandrika Educational Trust Chairman, S.N. Trust Director Board member, Kalamandalam Exeutive Committee member, Unnayi Warrier Kalanilayam President and Guruvayoor Temple Renovation Committee member, etc.The list is incomplete.
Sri. C. R. Kesavan Vaidyar passed away at his residence at Irinjalakkuda, Kerala, South India on the 6th of November, 1999 after prolonged illness. He was 95.
He is survived by sons Dr. C.K. Ravi and Mr. C.K. Jinan and daughters Mrs. Leela, Mrs. Nalini and Mrs. Santha.
People from all walks of life have condoled the deatlh of Vaidyar. The then Chief Minister of Kerala Mr. E.K. Nayanar condoled the death of Vaidyar and described him as a model for everyone because he climbed up in life through his own effort and hardwork. Ministers and other dignitaries also condoled his death. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

( will continue... P. Sivadas)