Sree Kumara Gurudevan – Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha
Sree Kumara Gurudevan, is the founder, propagator and preacher of Prathyaksha Raksha Daiva Sabha (PRDS) (“God’s Society of Obvious Salvation”), a unique socio religious movement for the depressed classes and untouchables which was started in 1909 in Kerala. He was a dalit activist, poet.
Poykayil Sreekumara Gurudevan was born on 17 February 1879 in Eraviperoor village in Thiruvalla of Central Travancore. He was also known as Poykayil Appachan alias Poykayil Kumara Guru Devan. His father was Kandan and mother Lachi. His original name was Kumaran. He was also known as Poikayil Appachan , Pulayan Mathai, Yohannan ,Kerala Napoleon and Kumara Gurudevan.
With his poetic and oratorical power he organized nearly twenty four different castes and communities in one single faith and religion called PRDS. Adi Lahala is related to him (A protest for the Christian Dalit People).
He was twice nominated in 1921 and 1931 to the Sree Moolam Praja Sabha, the legislative council of the princely state of Travancore. He stood for gender equality allowing women to the position of priests. His followers worship him as incarnation of God. He was the first person to start an English medium school for the dalit community. He met Gandhiji at Neyyattinkara in 1937. He died in 1939. His mortal remains were preserved in a monumental holy shrine at Sreekumar Nagar in Eraviperoor. 16th October 2021 was observed as Independence Day of slaves and a ritual day for PRDS.
The special cover issued to commemorate the contributions of Sree Kumara Gurudevan towards the socio religious movement features a colour portrait of Sree Kumara Gurudevan against the background of the holy shrine where is mortal remains are preserved. The cover also carries the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav logo. The special pictorial cancellation is a line graphic sketch of Sree Kumara Gurudevan portrait. This special cover issued on 16-10-2021 (KL/32/2021).
