Malladihalli Sri Raghavendra Swamiji | |
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Born | 27 July, 1890 a small village, Kerala, India |
Died | 1996 Bangalore, India |
Occupation | Yoga, Ayurveda, Educator |
Nationality | India |
Website | |
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Raghavendra Swami of Malladihalli ( Kannada: ಮಲ್ಲಾಡಿಹಳ್ಳಿ ಶ್ರೀ ರಾಘವೇಂದ್ರ ಸ್ವಾಮಿ ) (1890–1996), popularly known as "Malladihalli Swamiji", was the founder of Anatha Sevashrama Trust, Malladihalli. He taught yoga to more than 4.5 million people all over the world keeping his base as Malladihalli in Chitradurga district, a tiny village in Karnataka, India, approximately 250 kilometers from Bangalore, India.
Raghavendra Swami, was born on 27 July, 1890, in a small village located in Kerala, to Anantha Padmanabha Namboodari, and mother Padmambal. He was their only child. His parents named him Kumaraswamy. Later, urged by the head priest of Mantralaya Mutt, his name was changed to Raghavendra.
He suffered from numerous ailments, including epilepsy, in his childhood. Later in his life, he met Palani Swami, a yogi from whom he learned hatha yoga, asanas and pranayama. His health improved and his body became strong after a few years with this yogi. He was adopted by Puthali Bai and Narasimhaiah on the advice of Bhirthi Ramachandra Shastry after the death of his mother. Anantha Padmanabha, leaving his son in the care of the foster parents went on a pilgrimage to Himalayas.
Raghavendra's health gradually improved, and his foster parents began sending him to school. He performed well in every subject, except English. He was very fond of music, and learnt Carnatic music. He learned singing Bhajans and devotional songs. As a school boy he participated and acted in many plays, Yakshagana, and Thala Maddale.
He met Siddharudha Swami to do social works in Hubli, Karnataka; but left the work later. After staying some days at Siddharudha Mutt he left for Tumkur.
Kumaraswamy started his association with K. Shivaram Karanth, a budding artist, who later, acquired the skills of drama, and its intricate styles, at the Amba Prasaditha Nataka Company, in Tumkur. Shivaram Karanth took Raghavendra to Ranganatha Thamankar, who offered him a job as a clerk at his drama company. He was entrusted with the sales of tickets and disbursement of salaries and wages to the staff of the drama company. Later during this period, he left his job.