Kerala Rennaissance for Kerala PSC: St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara

He was known as Father of Literacy in Kerala and Kalathinu Munpe Nadanna Navodhana Nayakan, Daivs Dasan
Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara is popularly known as Chavarayachan
Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara was born on 10 February 1805 at Kainakary.
He is the first canonised Catholic male saint of Indian origin.
The Congregation of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) is the first indigenous religious congregation in the Catholic Church of India.
It was founded by Fr. Thomas Palackal, Fr. Thomas Porukara and Fr. Kuriakose Chavara on 11 May 1831.
The first Prior General of this congregation was St. Kuriakose Chavara at Mannanam.
Originally it the name of the Congregation was ‘Servants of Mary Immaculate’
In 1958, the name was changed to ‘Carmelites of Mary Immaculate’ (CMI).
After the death of others, Chavara took up leadership on 8th December 1855
A similar one for women, the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (C.M.C.)
It was founded in 1866, 13 February at Koonamavu
On 29 November 1829, St. Chavara become a priest
St. Chavara celebrated his first Holy Qurbana at St. Andrew’s Catholic Forane Church Arthunkal, Alappuzha
He was the first vicar general in the Syrian church.
Kuriakose Chavara started an institution for Sanskrit studies at Mannanam in 1846
Chavara took the initiative to start a school in a nearby village called Arpookara
Fr. Chavara admitted the untouchables to schools and provided Sanskrit education to the lower castes
He took initiative to start educational institutions along with Church.
The schools in Kerala are commonly called Pallikudams because school attached to Church (Palli)
Kuriakose Chavara implemented mid day meal for the poor students from lower caste in the schools at Mannanam and Arpookara
This inspired Sir C P Ramaswamy Iyer to recommend this to King for being implemented in all government run schools
Pidiyari was the charity practice of Kuriakose Chavara.
He encouraged people to make daily small donations to help the needy through Pidyari scheme.
It supported the Midday meal Kuriakose Chavara popularized in schools
An organization formed by Kuriakose Chavara called “Unnimishihayude Dharma Sabha” who took care of the Pidiyari collection
Kuriakose Chavara started St. Joseph’s Press at Mannanamin 1846.
It was the third printing press in Kerala.
It was the first press founded by a Malayali without the help of foreigners.
Nasrani Deepika was printed from this press.
The first book printed in this Press at Mananam was Njanapeeyusham
The oldest existing Malayalam newspaper in circulation Nasrani Deepika at 1887.
Atmanuthapam Maranaveettil Padunnathinulla Pana, Anasthaciayude Rakthasakshyam, Dhyana Sallapangal and Nalagamangal were written by St. Chavara.
Prior Mango is a variety of mango popularized by Kuriakose Chavara
Kuriakose Elias Chavara died on 3 January 1871, aged 66, at Koonammavu.
His canonization was on 18 March 2014 by Pope Francis
St. Chavara Museum, Archives and Research Centre- Mannanam
St. Chavara Kuriakose Elias Museum-Koonammavu
Chavara National Museum- Vazhakulam
Chavara Museum and Art Gallery- Alappuzha
Jeevitham Thanne Sandesham: Vishuda Chavarayude Jeevitham- Prof. M.K. Sanu
Chavarayachan Oru Rekha Chitram- K.C. Chako.