Thycaud Ayya Swamikal (1814-1909)

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, Penank 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. Ayyass 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.A.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.