Because schools denied entry to backward communities, many children from the Ezhava community tried to pursue higher studies in Sanskrit, Astrology, and Ayurveda through the Gurukulam system. After completing his studies at ‘Kudipallikoodam’ (Residential School), Nanu was given lessons in Sanskrit and Ayurveda by his maternal uncle, Krishnan Vaidyar.
Nanu developed a mastery in Sanskrit early on. Later, he joined the Educational Centre of Kummambally Raman Pillai Asan for higher education in the language. He continued his studies while staying at the famous Varanappalli house in Kayamkulam, in central Travancore.
Under the patronage of Kochukrishnan Panicker, who was a literary connoisseur, a Sanskrit scholar, and a kind-hearted man, many students from various parts of Kerala arrived at Varanappalli to live and study. This teacher, who held a special affection for Nanu, encouraged him to read profound poetic passages. ‘Gajendra Moksham Ammaanapaattu’ (a type of folk song), composed at the request of this master, is considered to be Guru's first literary work.
During that period, Guru wrote many poems in Sanskrit praising different gods and goddesses including ‘Vinayakashtakam’, ‘Vasudevashtakam’, ‘Guhashtakam’, ‘Bhadrakaliashtakam’, and ‘Devistavam’. Nanu's contemporaries included prominent figures like Perunelli Krishnan Vaidyar, Veluteri Keshavan Vaidyar, and Manamboor Govindan Asan. While many of them delighted in reciting romantic verses, Nanu tried to look at life more deeply. He immersed himself in profound philosophical thoughts, composing devotional hymns about his beloved deities. However, owing to a severe bout of dysentery, Nanu had to cut short his stay at Varanappalli and return home for treatment.
After completing his studies, Nanu established residential schools in Chempazhanthi and Kadakkavoor and began teaching Sanskrit to children. Thus, ‘Nanu Bhaktan’ came to be ‘Nanu Asan’ (Master). He also accepted an invitation to teach 'Gita Govindam' at a school in Anchuthengu. Nanu spent this period immersed in reading, meditation, and devotion. He was beginning to realise that untouchability and caste discrimination were deadly diseases of society.
