Our Founder
The Congregation of Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) is the first indigenous religious congregation in India.
St Kuriakose Elias Chavara
1805 - 1871
St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara (1805–1871) was a visionary social, educational, cultural, and spiritual reformer of 19th century Kerala. Founder of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) and the Congregation of the Mother of Carmel (CMC), he promoted universal education and social transformation.
In 1846, he established the first Sanskrit school at Mannanam, where children of all castes and backgrounds learned together—marking a milestone in India’s cultural history.
A champion of social harmony and peaceful coexistence, St. Chavara taught respect, brotherhood, and universal human dignity, seeing all people as one family and children of God.
HISTORY
Chavara Cultural Centre, Delhi is a CMI (Carmelites of Mary Immaculate, a Catholic religious order) initiative to promote peace and harmony in society through Inter-religious dialogue, Art, Literature and Cultural interactions. This centre is an offshoot of Chavara Cultural Centre, Kochi, Kerala, which was established in 1971 on the occasion of the centenary of heavenly bliss of St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara. When people of different faith come together for the celebration of a festival, it enhances their innate goodness and this enhancement of goodness will usher a new culture in the society; the culture of love, truth, peace, justice equality and mutual respect and acceptance.
Dr. Fr. Roby Kannamchirayil CMI
Director
Fr. Roby Kannamchirayil CMI is a visionary leader, scholar, and spiritual guide dedicated to promoting interfaith harmony, cultural preservation, and social empowerment. As Director of the Chavara Cultural Centre, Delhi, and an active NGO Representative at the United Nations, his efforts have touched lives across the globe.
Born and raised in Kerala, India, Fr. Roby brought the rich spiritual heritage of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate (CMI) to bear on the pressing challenges of inter-religious dialogue and cultural understanding in contemporary India and beyond.
