By Jose Kavi
New Delhi, March 15, 2023: Sadhu Ittiyavirah, an itinerant preacher, a spiritual guide, a renowned writer, and a social reformer who had inspired several generations, died March 14 at Kothamangalam in the southern Indian state of Kerala.
He would have turned 101 on March 18.
The death due to age related illness occurred at Jeevajyothi, his residence in Iramalappadi, Kothamangalam.
The funeral is scheduled at 4 pm on March 15 at St George’s Cathedral, Kothamangalam.
A former Jesuit theology student, Ittiyavirah left the seminary just nine months before ordination and walked on foot throughout Kerala and other parts of India for 20 years. He preferred to be called “God’s tramp.”
Before entering the Gujarat province of the Society of Jesus, he had joined the Army during the Second World War, but soon came out of the regimental framework.
The tall charismatic leader had addressed more than 60,000 venues about God’s love. His talks were on love based on the classics of major religions.
He had also authored 60 books in English and 38 in Malayalam. He had written more than 7,000 articles for various periodicals and magazines.
He had preached in several countries.
His journeys in northern India had earned him the title, “Sadhu” (sage).
Ittiyavirah was born March 18, 1922, at Kollappilly near Pala in Kottayam district as the son of Anna and Mathai Perumattikunnel.
On his hundredth birthday in 2022, the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council, hailed him as a prophet of love who spread Christ’s message through an innocent smile. He preached the Gospel with his words and deeds, the council said.
A sadhu’s travels, it added, are a guide for those who want to walk in love. Sadhu Ittiyavirah had traveled as a mendicant wearing clothes with “God loves us” written on them.
Ittiyavirah’s interest in science, especially its applications for the benefit of the common man, saw him form ‘Anusandhan,’ an organization at Bhanpuri in Raipur, then in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, to utilize solar energy practically.
The Anusandhan Ashram was in 1973 handed over to the Raipur diocese.
He was the winner of the 1981 Albert Schweitzer award for social work and he spent a major portion of the prize money on the organization.
At the end of his long wanderings, he heeded to the constant pleas of his friends and relatives to settle down at Kothamangalam. His well-wishers helped him buy 10 acres of land at Eramalloor.
Again, bowing to his friends’ persuasions, he married Lalykutty Manalel, Thiruvalla, at the age of 56. His son Jomon is a teacher at St George Secondary School in Kothamangalam.
I knew him personally as I had accompanied him on foot as his guide from my high school to our parish church about 10 kilometers away when I was studying in the 10th standard. We walked together talking about many things.
Strictly in keeping with the advice of Jesus to his disciples for going about from one place to another to preach the gospel: “Take with you no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic …..” , he led the life of a mendicant and went about preaching in schools, colleges, churches etc, accepting whatever was offered to him for his basic needs.
I remember an incident that he narrated to me on our way, which he had experienced in one of his travels for preaching when he was rudely treated by somebody without knowing who he was. The Sadhu’s shabby appearance had made him mistake for an ordinary beggar but when he came to know that he was holding an MA degree he apologised to him and asked him why he had not introduced himself with his credentials. His reply was: “You honour the two letters ‘MA’ but I am more than that – I am M-A-N MAN. Don’t go by the appearance. You should respect every man”.
Heard his name while I was in Kerala 51 years back, never knew this much. He has touched too many lives all across India and in foreign lands through his humble lifestyle and spiritual power.
The name is very familiar but I cannot recall meeting him or seeing any of his writings
My childhood memories of Sadhu Ittiyavirah came alive reading your piece. Surely a well-lived and an outstanding life in the service of God and mankind. May his soul rest in peace.
A well written piece about a well-deserving person.