A life of service: Dignity to the dead, knowledge to the living

In a quiet part of Puthur, Tiruchy, one family has quietly dedicated over two decades to acts of deep compassion and cultural preservation.

For more than 20 years, P Vijayakumar, a yoga master, along with his wife V Chitra and daughter V Keerthana, has been performing the last rites for unclaimed and destitute individuals, those who die without family, identity, or support.

Cremation grounds, often avoided and solemn, have become places of service for this family.

Despite social norms that traditionally exclude women from such spaces, both Chitra and Keerthana have stood by Vijayakumar.

Their involvement initially faced resistance, but the family remained committed to what they saw as a sacred responsibility.

During the devastating second wave of COVID-19, when fear and stigma kept even families away from their deceased loved ones, this family took on the task of ensuring proper burials, bringing dignity to those otherwise forgotten.

Vijayakumar’s compassion extends far beyond cremation grounds. For 25 years, he has maintained a public library outside his home, open to all, day or night.

With over 25,000 books, the library functions on trust; there is no librarian, no fees, and no restrictions.

His belief is simple: that access to books can transform lives. His efforts were recognised by the Rotary Club of Tiruchy in 2014 and again in 2024 with the Arivuchcholai Award.

Equally passionate about culture, Vijayakumar has turned part of his home into a museum of Tamil heritage.

The collection includes traditional tools, household items, and even ancient manuscripts, many of which have disappeared from modern life. Visitors, including students and researchers, often come to learn from these carefully documented exhibits.

His interest in history also extends to philately and numismatics, with a vast collection of stamps, coins, and currency notes that reflect political, social, and cultural changes over time.

Supported by Chitra, who balances her legal profession with community work, and Keerthana, a B.Com, LLB (Hons) student, the family continues to live by a shared belief that every life deserves dignity, every mind deserves knowledge, and every culture deserves preservation.

Image Credit: Rafikahamed96, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Image Reference: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trichy_rockfort_temple_with_kaveri_bridge.jpg