Kuriakose Elias Chavara was born in 1805 at Kainkary, Kerala. After his early schooling and priestly studies he was ordained priest in 1829. Father Kuriakose founded the Indigenous Religious Congregation - Carmelites of Mary Immacualte (CMI) on May 11, 1831. He was a pioneer in education and social work in the country. He was an illustrious scholar, educationist, prolific writer, poet, multilinguistic, social reformer and an organizer.

Father Kuriakose was a man of deep prayer and he stayed in close communion with the Lord amidst his religious and social activities. So he was accepted as a man of God. Based on the traditional Carmelite Spirituality Father Kuriakose introduced Monastic life in Kerala and emphasized the importance of education. Fr. Chavara Kuriakose took a keen interest in starting educational institutions attached to the Monasteries and churches. This idea paved the way for the progressive change in the field of education in India.

Education is the charism of the CMI Congregation. It is running a good number of schools, Colleges, Hospitals, Social service Centres, printing houses and so on in various parts of India drawing inspiration from Fr. Kuriakose. He died on January 3rd 1871 and his mortal remains are kept in St. Joseph's Monastery, Mannanam, Kerala.

As a Catholic Christian School, Christ Academy Kandali strives to develop not only physical, intellectual, artistic and cultural aptitudes of children, but also their character, from the earliest stages by inculcating sound moral principles which are meant to help them grow up as good children of God and worthy responsible citizens of our country.