A gurukula standing in the shadows in Chintadripet

On a winding backstreet alley in Chintadripet, a forlorn building embodies the history of a philosophical quest, the vestiges of community living. At one time, it had doubled as a study hall, community centre; and even a wedding venue.

Today, the gurukula building stands quietly in memory of Swami Charles Chaitanya – its resident guru from 1979 until his demise in 2021. Now, its maintenance has fallen on his disciples, who from time to time, come together and conduct prayer sessions.

The parcel of land on which the building is located is believed to have been donated to the Narayana Gurukula, an institution formed in honour of philosopher and social reformer Narayana Guru. Over the years, this gurukula building in Chintadripet underwent significant infrastructural changes: from a palm leaf-thatched structure to a tin-roofed shed, it acquired a structure born out of well-ordered construction methods. 

In 2017, Charles’s disciples pooled in money to build a new residence for him beside the existing building. However, the construction work stretched on until 2022 due to shortage of funds. Charles was not fortunate enough to spend at least a day in the new building.

Following his demise, the gurukula is being run by his disciples. “His (Charles’s) presence is irreplaceable,” says a person who resides in the locality.

The neighbourhood cherishes fond memories of the gurukula as several community events and wedding ceremonies were organised on its premises. 

“One way or the other, all of us have been associated with this institution. It is special for us because no such institution is located in this cramped neighbourhood of ours,” she says.

Previously, Charles was residing in the sprawling gurukula at Fernhill, Ooty. In 1979, Guru Nitya Chaithanya Yati, the second successor of Narayana Guru, delegated him to Chintadripet to look after the gurukula building.

“Charles’s days in Chintadripet, particularly the initial period, were beset with difficulties since it was a struggle to secure funds,” recalls a long-time associate of the gurukula. He pays a visit to the place at least twice every month.

“The urn with his (Charles’s) holy ashes is preserved in the new building. So, whenever I can, I take time out of my work to come here and chant some prayers. I even carry out some yoga sessions and do a bit of cleaning work too,” he says.

Throughout his stay in Chintadripet, Charles had to put up with the bare minimum within the confines of a tin-roofed, tumbledown structure amid tall trees. 

As mentioned in ‘The White Cloud’, the biography of Charles authored by Professor Anand, the “dilapidated gurukula building” by the Cooum at Chintadripet was discarded by others because of its “poor condition”.

A social initiative

The exact date of establishment of the gurukula building in Chintadripet is contended among the disciples. Some hold that it was established in the 1920s by P. Natarajan, a.k.a. Nataraja Guru, the late disciple of Narayana Guru, for the benefit of those students to whom education was still a far-fetched dream.

“It was in the year 1920, when I had not yet finished college, that I used to go to teach after eight at night in a certain area, which could be called a slum, of the city of Madras,” writes the late philosopher in his autobiography.

Chintadripet is referred to here, on the fringes of which Natarajan – only a college-going youth back then – made acquaintance with members of the Advaita Bhakta Sabha, a socio-religious organisation formed by Kalathoor Muniswami Pillay.

Falling short of funds to undertake social activities, the sabha, at the behest of Natarajan, pooled in money received from a play about the life of Nandanar, a saint. But they were still strapped for cash to support the night-school that was started for the students of the community. A building to undertake classes was the need of the moment then.

At this juncture, they sought the assistance of Narayana Guru, who readily arranged for a parcel of land close to the Cooum.

It consisted of a few cents, sufficient to accommodate at least five students at a time. And so, the structure came into being.