| This article on Thycaud Ayya Swamikal was
provided by Dr.Kanam Sankara Pillai in a
letter to Guruforum. Narayana Guru and Chattampi Swamikal both studied under Ayya Swamikal and his teachings had a great impact on Guru. We are publishing it as it is (unedited). This article got a response. KR Panicker writes. |
Sivaraja Yogi Thycaud
Ayya Swamikal alias M.
Subbaraya Panicker (1814-1909) - Dr.Kanam Sankara Pillai
Kairaly channel fame “Reverse Quiz Wizard”, G.S. Pradeep failed to identify the First and Great Social reformer of Kerala, Thycaud Ayya Swamikal in the “Aswamedham” program of 12 / 13th June 2002. No wonder the present generation of Keralites do not know much about the Great Guru, “Thycaud Ayya /Ayyavu”. Many have not heard even his name. Ayya Swamikal was the Guru of Sreenarayana Guru, Chattampi Swamikal, Ayyankali, Swayamprakasa Yogini , Swathy Thirunal ,Raja Revi Varmma, A.R. Raja Raja Varmma , Petta Fernandus, Thakkala Peer Muhammad etc .For his disciples he was “Sivaraja Yogi Ayya Swami Thiruvadikal”, for people of Ananthapuri he was “Thycaud Ayya” for co-workers he was “Suprand Ayya”. He was the Manager and later Superintendent of Thycaud Residency (1873-1909) and in records he was M. Subbaraya Panicker. For Malabar Collector and later resident Mc Griger he was Tamil Tutor. Subbarayan was born in1814 to Muthukumaran from Kavalappara in Malabar and Rugmini Ammal from Kollam . Two sanyasins ,Sachidhanandar and Chiti Paradesi were his gurus and with them he went for world tour at the age of 16. Subbarayan had visited Burmma, Singapore, Penang and Africa and learned many languages including that of African cannibals. He returned after 3 years and went for meditation at Kodungalloor and Srivalliputhoor. It is said that Kali ( Ujaini Amman) and Hanuman Swami, next to present Kerala Niyamasabha Mandiram, appeared before him. Ayya composed “Thycaud Ujain Mahakali Pancharatnam” following first and “Hanuman Paamalii” following second. Ayya had disciples from all castes (Chritians, Muslims, both upper and lower cast Hindus- Brahmins Ezhavas, Kaniyan , Pulayas etc) from all levels of society , from hut to Palace and both men and women and brahmacharins and family men. No wonder his doctrine was “Intha ulakathile ore oru jathy than , ore oru matham than, ore oru kadavul than”. Sreenarayani Guru translated this doctrine to Malayalam (Oru jathy, oru matham , oru daivam).Ayya not only preached the slogan but also practiced it. Remember only an upper caste Hindu could make such a slogan and not a lower cast at that time. Ayya had to suffer the consequences. Upper class Hindus called Ayya “Parayan / Pandipparayan etc. Ayyas’s son Lokanatha Panicker has to approach the court to establish that his father belongs to upper caste Vellala (see “Thycaud Ayyaswami Thirvadikal”- 1st Edn 1960 page 114).Noted historian of Kerala Dr.M.G.S.Narayanan in the Millennium suppliment of Malayal Manorama dated 31st Dec 1999 described Ayya as a Brahmin. Two days later Nrayanan partially corrected himself by stating that Ayya was “not a Brahmin”, but he hesitated to divulge who Ayya was. On Chitrapournami day of ME 1054 Ayya taught Chattampi the secret “Balasubramanya Manthram”. Next year on the same day he taught Nanu the mantra. According to noted critic Kesari Balakrishna Pillai Ayya received Tanric-Budhist and Hindu yogadarsanas from Tamilnadu from Siva yogis like Thirujanasambandhamoorthy Nayanar,Thirunavakkarasu and Manikkavachakar.(“Upaharamalika”-Smaranika of Chataampi Swamikal ,20.4.1950) “Oru jathi,Oru matham, Oru daivam”.Being a Saivite Ayya considered all men as equal. He gave “atmajanopadesam” to Chattampi, Nanu Asan, Swyamprakasini Amma and Kollthamma and made them sanyasins and advised them to propagate his doctrines. Ayya the Great Guru was a religious scholar, Hatayogi, poet and social reformer. Even though a yogi he was a family man Even before Gandhiji he took measures for eradication of untouchability (“ayitham”). He introduced “Panthibhojan” by placing Ayyankali by the side of Brahmins and himself for feasts in connection with his birthday and Thaippuyam. Thus he is the first Social reformer of Kerala
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Dr.Kanam Sankara Pillai,MS.DGO
Dy.D.H.S,Kerala (Retd ) Senior
Gynecologist,CM.Hospital,Pandalam
689501.Kerala.India Tel# (r) 0473-452115/454123