Legendary tusker Guruvayur Kesavan remembered

Guruvayur Kesavan, the legendary tusker of Guruvayur Devaswom, was remembered on Kesavan Memorial Day on Sunday. Devotees and elephant enthusiasts gathered in large numbers on the Sreevalsam Guest House premises to offer floral tributes to his statue.

The commemorative procession began around 7 a.m. from the Thiruvengidachalapathi Temple. Leading the procession was the majestic tusker Indrasen, carrying a portrait of Gajarajan Kesavan, accompanied by five Devaswom elephants. Elephant Balram carried the portrait of Guruvayurappan, while tusker Ravi Krishnan bore that of Mahalakshmi. Elephants Krishna and Navaneet Krishna marched alongside as part of the ceremonial entourage.

By around 8.30 a.m., the procession reached the East Nada and circled the temple before entering the Sreevalsam premises. Standing before the statue of Guruvayur Kesavan, Indrasen offered a symbolic tribute, bowing in reverence.

Guruvayur Devaswom chairman V.K. Vijayan also placed a floral wreath at the statue, marking a solemn and heartfelt homage to one of Kerala’s most iconic elephants.

The renovated statue of elephant Guruvayur Kesavan was formally dedicated last Sunday. The renovation, led by sculptor Elavally Nandan, took nearly three and a half months. Much of the original statue was dismantled and rebuilt.

Kesavan passed away on December 2, 1976, and the previous statue was installed on November 23, 1982. Since its installation, there had been criticism that the sculpture did not accurately capture Kesavan’s likeness. Damage to the statue prompted a renovation attempt in 2022, but the revamped version again drew criticism for distortion. The devaswom board then decided to completely rebuild the statue. A renovated statue of elephant Guruvayur Kesavan was formally dedicated on November 23.

Meanwhile, many musicians participated in Pancharatna Keerthanalapanam, rendition of Thyagaraja Kritis, at Melpathur Auditorium, as part of Guruvayur Ekadasi celebrations.