In Bihar, since 1974, Dr. Vinayan was a well-known name among the down-trodden, intelligentsia and state administration. He impressed all these three sections immensely and had few parallels in the country in the way he lived. Vinayan heeded to the call by Jaya Prakash Narayan in 1974 to bring a total transformation of society. He gave up his medical degree to come down to Bihar and worked in Jehanabad. He mentioned once how Jaya Prakash Narayan would make sure that all those responding to his call understood the sacrifice that was being asked. JP would tell everyone they were not coming as guests and should not expect to be treated like a groom in the village. They would have to live like the villagers, sharing their lives and struggles.

A revolutionary in his own right, Vinayan had led a chequered life. He was born 11th September, 1947 in Jhansi. Though he was born in Jhansi, his forefathers belonged to Agra, Uttar Pradesh. He was born in a middle class, progressive, Brahmin family which was greatly influenced by the movement of Arya Samaj. His father's name was Vachaspati Shastri and grandfather was Pandit Prem Roy Sharma. His mother's name was Vedabati Sharma. His father and mother were active members of Arya Samaj. They had a total of ten children. The number of sons was seven and among them Vinayan was in third position. Besides, Vinayan had three sisters. Vinayan's two brothers were involved in communist politics and others were high professionals and two brothers were dead in their early life.