A Soul Anchored in Devotion - In Loving Memory of G Easwaran (Raju)
🙏 Swamiyae Sharanam Ayyappa 🙏
Pallikattu sabari malaikku…
Kallum mullum kaalukku meththai…
The sacred journey where even stones and thorns soften beneath devotion was not just a song for him—it was the rhythm of how he lived.
Neiyyabhishekam Swaamikkae…
Karpoora Dheepam Swaamikkae…
Every offering he spoke of carried reverence, every chant reflected a heart fully surrendered to Lord Ayyappa. For Raju, faith was not practiced occasionally , it quietly shaped his breath, his thoughts, and his days.
🙏 Swami Saranam Ayyappa🙏
A life well lived. A soul at peace.
Gayathrinadhan Easwaran, lovingly known as Raju, lived a life that quietly blended devotion, duty, and deep love for family. Born in May 1934, in Kodungallur, Kerala, his journey began in simplicity and grew into a life rich with meaning, relationships, and unwavering faith.
From a young age, he carried within him a sense of responsibility and discipline. His professional life in Sales and Marketing took him across places and connected him with people from all walks of life. Yet, no matter where he went, his values remained rooted in tradition, humility, and integrity.
His marriage to Jamuna in February 1961, in Wynad marked the beginning of a beautiful partnership. Together, they built a life grounded in understanding, care, and quiet strength. Their journey took them from Calcutta to Jamshedpur, then to Mumbai, and eventually to the United States. Through every transition, they stood beside each other, steady and unshaken.
As a father, Raju was present in the truest sense. He encouraged, guided, and celebrated his children in everything they pursued. Whether it was academics, music, debates, or performances, he was always there—watching, supporting, and sharing his thoughts with sincerity. Conversations with him often turned into lessons on life, values, and purpose.
Later, as a grandfather -Thatha, Kussi Thatha -he found a new kind of joy. His grandchildren brought out his warmth in ways that words can hardly capture. He watched them grow, cheered for their talents, and filled their lives with encouragement and pride. Each one of them carried a special place in his heart, and he made sure they knew it.
Beyond family, Raju had a deep love for knowledge. He was a voracious reader, endlessly curious, and surprisingly tech-savvy for his time. His gentle but constant advice to the younger generation was simple and lasting - keep reading. It was his way of planting seeds that would grow long after him.
He was also a man of service. Always active, always ready to help, he complemented Jamuna’s caring nature beautifully. Together, they reflected a rare balance - like Ardhanarishwara—two halves moving as one, creating harmony in their family and beyond.
But above all, what defined him was his devotion to Lord Ayyappa. His connection to Sabarimala was not just spiritual, it was deeply personal. He didn’t merely undertake the pilgrimage; he lived its discipline, its humility, its surrender. For him, “Swami Saranam” was not just a chant it was a way of being.
In later years, as memory began to fade and dementia slowly dimmed parts of his world, something remarkable remained untouched his essence. His faith. His ability to recognize love.
There is a moment that stays close to the heart.On a quiet day, through the small glow of a phone screen, his eyes lit up again. The clouds seemed to part. He saw his granddaughter. In that instant, there were no forgotten names, no fading memories only recognition, love, and light. He held on, offering a silent blessing, one that felt like a forever embrace.
Not long after, he began his final journey.
Raju passed away peacefully in April 2026, at the age of 92, in Naperville, Illinois. He left this world surrounded by love, prayers, and the quiet grace that marked his entire life.
He is reunited now with those who went before him, resting in the eternal presence of the Lord he devoted his life to.
Some lives are loud in their impact. Others, like his, are gentle but deeply lasting.
He was frank and open, making every conversation feel easy.
He was knowledgeable and curious, always learning, always growing.
He was affectionate in his own quiet way.
He was a guide, a listener, a presence you could rely on.
And to those who knew him closely, he was simply… Raju.
The journey to the sacred eighteen steps is not taken by feet alone, but by the longing of the soul.
Raju has taken that journey.
And somewhere, beyond what we can see, he has reached those steps and found his peace.
Raju has taken that journey.
And somewhere, beyond what we can see, he has reached those steps and found his peace.
Check out this beautiful Tribute Video for G Easwaran (Raju) created by Arthi Nadhan.
Maatens, Melodies, and the Middle Seat
(Written by Radha)
Kannan mama leaning in with the optimism of a man who thinks he can actually get a straight answer, "Chollu," he prompts (Tell me). Raju Thatha doesn’t even blink. He delivers a "Maaten" (I won't) so definitive, so structurally sound, it could hold up a bridge. It was the "No" heard round the world-a brief, glorious moment of a *cute stubbornness* that reminded everyone exactly where the family DNA comes from.
Then we have Radhika Chithi, appearing in a scene that perfectly captures the "*adult child*" experience. There she is, tucked into bed, but with her parents positioned squarely in the middle like a human Great Wall of China. To top it off, Raju Thatha is there double-checking ages, presumably to ensure everyone is legally old enough to be this ridiculous. It was a beautiful display of "*no matter how old you get, you’re still sitting at the kids' table in your soul."*
Nothing says "traditional family values" quite like the *Forced I Love You*. The awkwardness was palpable, the sincerity was tucked under layers of polite hesitation, and the result was *pure, unadulterated comedy.*
Through the screen, two figures anchored the chaos:
Jamuna Paati - impeccably dressed and wearing a permanent smile that suggested she either knew a secret or had simply mastered the art of being the calmest person in the room
Kannan Mama - The human spark plug. If there was a moment of joy, he was there lighting the fuse, ensuring the family atmosphere stayed somewhere between "festive" and "slightly chaotic."
Just when you thought the emotional peak had passed, entered the hospital staff member. In the middle of sterile hallways and clinical precision, he breaks into *Sharanam Ayyappa*. It turns out Raju Thatha’s influence is so potent it can turn a hospital ward into a concert hall. It was a blessing, a tribute, and a reminder that Raju Thatha’s reach extends far beyond the living room.
In the end, the screen was filled with the grandchildren, the ultimate proof that while Raju Thatha might be the star, his production company is thriving. Arthi, you didn't just make a video, you gave us a backstage pass to a legacy built on stubborn "Maatens," impeccably draped sarees, and the kind of love that doesn't need to be said even if we're going to keep forcing them to say it anyway.
Thank you for this wonderful show!