Born around 1886, Kowlessar was the son of Bachu of the Koiri Caste and was approximately 24 years old when he was visited by a recruitment officer sometime in September 1906, in the Village of Narah, under the Thana of Gola, the District of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh inquiring as to whether he wished to take a farming contract in an island in the Caribbean under the control of the British.  

On October 29, 1906, Kowlessar was met by the Official Government Emigration Agent for Trinidad certified that Kowlessar was the beneficiary of a full explanation of all matters concerning his engagement and duties and on the said date, Kowlessar was then examined by the Surgeon Superintendent and declared fit to travel.  This medical opinion was confirmed on October 30, 1906, by the Protector of Emigrants.

Kowlessar travelled across the kala pani to Trinidad in search of a new life. Having met Mooniah on the boat, they established a relationship and decided to face their unknown destiny together. As they arrived in Trinidad, they claimed they were married by tradition while on the boat and requested to be dispatched to the same estate. The estate owners did not care, and both were placed in the Henry Estate in Moruga.

Life was not easy for Kowlessar and Mooniah.   Mooniah suffered repeated miscarriages. Then the miracle happened, and she gave birth to Madan.  Not long after, Kowlessar died around 1920, leaving Madan, an orphan in a strange land.  Kowlessar was the husband of Mooniah and Mooniah and the maternal great-grandfather of Rajendra Ramlogan, the founder of  Traum House Lodge.