This fraternity is keeping Ayurveda alive

Kozhikode: Vadakara is synonymous with Kerala’s traditional martial art form Kalaripayattu and the traditional mansions here that once boasted of the best Kalari masters are almost in ruins or have become a part of the folklore.

When everything that gave this place a unique identity is withering away, a group of people, who have masterfully won over their Freudian identity crisis, are scripting an authentic comeback of Kerala’s own system of Ayurveda.

Thadikar, as these yogis are called, bring out the most authentic and traditional medicines of Ayurveda in the market. They have kept the technological advancements and machines at bay and stick to the traditional ways of preparing the medicinal concoctions.

The 55 acre ashram, established in 1921 by a retired military personnel,  later called Swamy Sivananda Paramahamsa,is still a mystery to most of the people outside. When Sivananda decided to fight the problems stemming out of his identity, which he had to face while being with the military, he developed a way of life of his own, that negates personal relationships and the importance of being.

The community shed their clothes during their 8 hour prayers every day and let the women chose her partner, as many as she wants as long as she remains in the ashram. The ashram does not allow feelings like love to grow among their inmates nor to nurture relationships.

“There is no partner concept as it is equal to slavery. The children also do not share any special relationship with their parents. It was a good spiritual life,” says Janardhanan who stayed in the ashram for 48 years before leaving 10 years ago.

He defends the principle saying they never glorified sex or thought it as a private affair “Anybody can leave the ashram at any time. But if one needs to get in as an inmate, he will have to pr-ove that his mental status has completely changed to live the way ashram wants him to live,” he said.