From Chelakara to the world: The inspiring journey of P.R. Ramachander, a scholar, translator, and a true visionary
A life woven with wisdom: The story of P.R. Ramachander, a bridge between the past and the present
The Sage of Chelakara: The Story of P.R. Ramachander
In the quiet, verdant village of Chelakara, nestled near Thrissur in Kerala, the air is thick with the scent of coconut palms and the echoes of ancient traditions. It was here, on January 10, 1940, that a boy named P.R. Ramachander was born into a family deeply rooted in the cultural and spiritual fabric of the region. His father, P.R. Rama Iyer, affectionately known as Kunju Rama Iyer, was a respected figure in the village, belonging to the Jyotsyar sect, a lineage known for its scholarly pursuits. From this humble beginning, Ramachander’s life would unfold as a tapestry of brilliance, dedication, and service to humanity.
The Early Years: A Seedling of Genius
Chelakara, with its lush paddy fields and serene backwaters, was the cradle of Ramachander’s early years. Though his mother tongue was Tamil, his childhood was a mosaic of languages and cultures. His father’s hotel business took the family to Secunderabad, where young Ramachander learned Telugu. This was the beginning of a lifelong fascination with languages. The family’s subsequent moves to Kolkata and Delhi further enriched his linguistic palette, as he mastered English, Hindi, and Malayalam, and even learned to read Sanskrit and speak Kannada.
Ramachander’s academic prowess was evident early on. A prodigy in mathematics, he often scored more than 100% in his exams, a testament to his extraordinary intellect. He routinely achieved scores of 160 out of 100 in his postgraduate studies (by tackling every question on the exam, not just the required six out of ten), he possessed an uncanny ability to simplify complex derivations and theorems, making them seem effortless.
He earned a Master’s degree in mathematics and later a post-doctoral diploma in agricultural statistics. His academic journey was not just a pursuit of knowledge but a preparation for a life of service.
A Scientist with a Vision
Ramachander’s professional career was nothing short of illustrious. For 36 years, he served as the Head of the Department of Statistics in various ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) Institutes. His work in statistical applications to perennial crops, biometrical genetics, and insect ecology earned him global recognition. He was hailed as a top scientist of the millennium by an institution in England and was honoured as a ‘Fellow of the Indian Genetic Society’ in 1967. His contributions to seedling selection techniques and climate suitability studies revolutionized agricultural practices, benefiting countless farmers.
Despite his scientific achievements, Ramachander’s heart was always drawn to the cultural and spiritual heritage of India. He believed that the wisdom of the ancients was a treasure trove that needed to be preserved and shared, especially with the younger generation who were increasingly disconnected from their roots.
The Second Innings: A Lifelong Passion for Preservation
Upon his retirement in 2000, Ramachander embarked on a mission that would define his legacy. He turned his attention to translating Hindu scriptures and Carnatic music compositions into English. This was no small feat. Many of the original works were in languages he could not read, such as Telugu and Kannada. Undeterred, he used Tamil script versions of these texts and painstakingly translated them into English, ensuring that the essence and depth of the original works were preserved.
His translations are a monumental contribution to Indian literature and spirituality. He has translated approximately 2,700 stotras and 2,200 Carnatic music krithis, including all known compositions by the legendary composer Thyagaraja. His work spans a vast array of texts, from the Ramayana and Upanishads to the Bhagavad Gita and Devi Mahatmyam. In total, he has translated about 60,000 pages of content in five different languages.
Ramachander’s translations are not just academic exercises; they are acts of devotion. He wanted to make these ancient texts accessible to everyone, especially those who might not have the linguistic skills to read them in their original form. His work has been a bridge between the past and the present, ensuring that the wisdom of the ancients continues to enlighten future generations.
A Man of Many Talents
Ramachander’s interests were not confined to translation. He was also an astrologer, providing free consultations for over 25 years. His love for history, blogging, and writing religious articles further showcased his multifaceted personality. He wrote poetry in English, penned children’s stories, and even created websites to share his work with the world. His blog updated daily with religious content, is a testament to his unwavering dedication to his passions.
The Online Legacy of Raja Thatha
Raja Thatha, as he is known, is a prolific translator of Hindu prayers and other religious texts. He has been sharing his work online since 2008, and by the beginning of 2020, his blog spots and websites had received over 92 lakh visits. This is a considerable achievement given that his work focuses mainly on the Hindu religion.
Raja Thatha’s online presence is vast and varied:
- His blog, Stotrarathna.blogspot.in, contains translations of more than 2400 stotras written in Sanskrit, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi, including translations of the Bhagavad Gita, Sri Krishna Karnamrutham, Jnanapana, and Devi Mahathmyam. This site alone has received over 2.5 million visitors.
- He has also translated around 2100 Carnatic Krithis written in Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi, and Malayalam on his blog translationsofsomesongsofcarnticmusic.blogspot.in. This blog includes English translations of all known Thyagaraja Krithis and has received over 2.2 million visitors.
- Brahminrituals.blogspot.in features English translations of Samkepa Dharma Sastra, rules of behavior for Brahmins, and mantras of Sandhyavandana, Tharpana, and Upakarma for all three Vedas. This site has had almost 2 million visitors.
- Rajathathablog.blogspot.in contains Raja Thatha’s thoughts and various write-ups, including a translation of Thirukural, with over 850,000 visitors.
- Villagegods.blogspot.in describes 119 village Gods of Tamil Nadu, with each description translated into Tamil by Sri Jayaraman, attracting over half a million visitors.
- Rajathathaskeralatemples.blogspot.in provides descriptions of 118 temples in Kerala, with over 117,000 visitors.
- The first online English translation of the entire Vikramadithya stories can be found on vikramadhithya.blogspot.in, with over 170,000 visits.
- Rajathathas.blogspot.in contains the first English transcription and translation of Thunjathu Ezhuthachan’s Adhyatma Ramayana verse by verse, with over 158,000 visitors.
- Narayaneeyamtrans.blogspot.in offers a verse-by-verse translation of Meppathur Bhattathiri’s Narayaneeyam with over 77,000 visitors.
- Other blogs include srimadbhajanamrutham.blogspot.in which contains some Bhajans of Dakshina sampradaya Bhajan, nuranisasthapreethi.blogspot.in, which contains the first English transliteration and translation of songs sung during Nurani Sastha preethi, englishvalmikiramayanam.blogspot.in which has a verse by verse translation of Valmiki Ramayanam, englishkambaramayanam.blogspot.in, which has a verse by verse translation of the Kamba Ramayanam from Tamil, kannadasanspirituallyrics.blogspot.in which has English translations of 100 spiritual songs of Kaviarasu Kannadasan, and devinarayaneeyam.blogspot.com which contains an English translation of Devi Narayaneeyam, a summary of Devi Bhagawatham.
In addition to these blogs, Raja Thatha has websites with various content:
- raja-thatha-corner.bizhat.com/Stories.html has a large number of stories, new rhymes suitable for India, information about great people, and translations of slokas for children.
- poetrypoem.com/cgi-bin/index.pl features 30 poems and poem translations by P.R. Ramachander.
- uni5.co/index.php/en/proverbs.html contains more than 100 Malayalam proverbs and several Tamil proverbs illustrated by stories.
- hinduwebsite.com/upanishadindex.asp provides translations of 23 rare Upanishads into English.
Raja Thatha also offers a free horoscope matching service and has facilitated at least 1500 marriages over the past 20 years. Much of his work is also available on other websites such as shastras.com, brotherhood.channelsai1.net/ramachander/, and hindupedia.com/en/Main_Page.
Despite his vast contributions and advanced age, Raja Thatha expresses uncertainty about how long he will be able to continue his work, attributing it to God’s orders and guidance. He also acknowledges the cooperation of his family, without whom his work would not have been possible. He concludes with blessings for his younger friends and respect for elders in age and knowledge.
A Legacy of Humility and Service
Despite his numerous accomplishments, Ramachander remains a humble man. He always focused on giving back to the world and simplifying complex problems. He empowered his children with knowledge but always encouraged them to think for themselves. His work has been widely appreciated, earning him a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Food for Thought Foundation. The India Book of Records recognized P.R. Ramachander for translating the maximum number of books and prayers on Lord Ram into English. Specifically, at the age of 84 years, 1 month, and 2 days, he translated three Ramayanas, 75 minor Ramayanas, and 175 prayers.
Today, Ramachander resides in Bangalore with his wife, Jayalakshmi, and their family. He is a member of the Kerala Iyer Trust and continues contributing to preserving and disseminating India’s cultural and spiritual heritage. His life is a shining example of how one person’s passion and dedication can make a profound impact on the world.
The Sage of Chelakara
P.R. Ramachander’s story is a testament to the power of knowledge, the importance of cultural preservation, and the enduring spirit of service. From the small village of Chelakara to the global stage, his journey is a beacon of inspiration. He is not just a son of Chelakara but a sage whose work will continue to enlighten and inspire generations to come.
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