About Sree Narayana Guru

Narayana, commonly known as Nanu, was born on 20th August 1856 to Madan Asan and Kuttiyamma in an Ezhava family of Ayurvedic physicians. His birthplace was the village of Chempazhanthy, located near Thiruvananthapuram in the erstwhile state of Travancore. Unlike other Ezhavas who primarily studied Ayurvedic texts in Sanskrit, Narayana Guru took a more comprehensive approach, expanding his studies to include religious texts. His early education followed the gurukula tradition, under the guidance of Chempazhanthi Mootha Pillai. During this period, his mother passed away when he was just 15 years old. At the age of 21, Narayana Guru moved to central Travancore to study under Raman Pillai Asan, a revered Sanskrit scholar. It was during this time that he delved into the Vedas, Upanishads, and the rich body of Sanskrit literature, along with mastering the logical rhetoric of Sanskrit. In 1877, he married Kaliamma, but soon after, he chose to renounce the marriage to pursue a life of social reform. His decision marked the beginning of his public life as a social leader. In 1881, Narayana Guru returned to his village upon hearing of his father's grave illness. During this time, he founded a village school where he taught local children. His contributions to the community earned him the name "Nanu Asan."