“The Mylapore Trio” Amarnath, Surendranath, Aparna, Sugathan and Members of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation conducted the 10th ‘SUMUKHAIVA SADHAS’ – A Virtual Cultural Meet during this extraordinary pandemic situation and lockdown. It was a unique concept and a different conclave involving professionals of different genre. The BIRDS OF “DIFFERENT FEATHERS’’ FLOCKED TOGETHER. A platform was provided to a Speaker to talk on a subject of his/her choice or profession or expertise and the only criteria are, the topic must be correlated to culture and history. This was followed by an interesting questionnaire session which leads to good interaction. Every week audience learns a new subject enabling themselves to become more knowledge-centric.
The 10th Session was conducted on Sunday, 6th September 2020 from 4.15pm to 7.00pm. The Programme began with the Prayer on the Trio's Foster Parents Smt. Sumukhi and Shri. Rajasekharan and their Grand Mother Smt. Nagammal, written and sung by Smt. Revathy Sankkaran.
At the outset, Amarnath as a History Professor, to be in tune with the Topic, spoke in a nutshell about the life history of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and the importance Teachers’ Day. Since his native was Sarvapalli, the Andhrites demanded Tiruttani near his native place. It was from 1962 his Birthday was celebrated as Teachers’ Day as per his wish. Amarnath said that he was fortunate to have been taught Philosophy at a tender age by Sumukhi Amma and hence it was easier for him to study the subject later in M.A. He also said that the essence of history is Philosophy and he quoted thus “History is teaching Philosophy with examples”. He brought out the importance of dedicated teaching and teachers. He furthered said that Sumukhi Amma was an ideal teacher who worked in the iconic Lady Sivaswami Aiyar Girls High School, started by Annie Besant, later patronised by Raja of Vijayanagaram and finally by Sir P.S. Sivaswami Aiyar – a member of the Constituent drafting committee.
Aparna – a Chartered Accountant, spoke about her experience at Besant Arundale Senior Secondary School, Kalakshetra. She said there the concept was Ahimsa – not to scold or beat the children at any cost. The serene ambience and the divine atmosphere made the children very satvic and knowledgeable. The Gurukula type of classes and Parnasala classrooms were something very unheard of at that point of time. Classes were also taken under the tree shades amidst the chirchipping of birds. The teachers were loving and impartial which created an emotional bridge between the teacher and the taught. That was her divine experience in the then ideal school at Kalakshetra.
Surendranth – An Art Director talked about the Sumukhi Amma as an Ideal Teacher and opined that because of her knowledge, forethought and experience that the Trio excelled in different fields. He explained the importance of the Iconic Lady Sivaswami Girls High School where Amma was the AHM and one of the pillars of the Institution. He said that the Foundation adapted the Girls Dress code from there and the Boys’s from Kalakshetra. He said that the history of the Trio began at the doorstep of the School which is known for its discipline and values. Sumukhi Amma was one of the pioneers to build the school from the days of yore.
The day’s Speaker Smt. Ravibala M.Sc. Chemistry, M.A. English and M.Phil. Education – Headmistress Retd. She spoke on different things which were actually a mixed bag. Her title was “Vichaaraguchchaa” – A tit-bit Treat.
Her presentation was like a variety of flowers string together. She touched upon many subjects by smearing different aspects like teaching methods, education, health, home science, chemistry, history etc. she also made some simple home-based experiments using basic food materials from the kitchen. She presented her talk with the help of many slides consisting of diagrams, charts, tables pictures and an edited version of a heart-touching children’s movie to highlight the difficulties poor children face to obtain an education.
Earlier Ravibala shared her academic history and personal experiences as a student, teacher, headmistress and administrator of schools. On the whole, her talk was very interesting with both Theory and Practical on various aspects of life. It was a different experience altogether for the audience whom for the first time were offered a mixed bag.
To signify the Teacher’s Day, the Trio remembered Academic Stalwarts and Doyens who have been honoured by the Mylapore Trio with the Lifetime Achievement Award for their selfless teaching, students’ care, honesty and integrity, excellent administration, service to academics and education. These academic stars have created a niche for themselves and were gems of the profession whom the Trio had come across in their life. They were all honoured with the highest Award “Guru Brahmam” over the period of time. Two Institutions – a school and a college were also awarded “Maha Vidhyapeetam” – the Best Institution Award. All these were photographically remembered and explained to the Audience.
Sugathan’s Naturo Upaya explained to us the importance of the eternal fruit “Nellikaai’ and how and when it must be consumed. He said that it is a very useful fruit to ward off all toxins from our body. A gooseberry a day keeps the Doctor away…
As per the diktat of the Foundation, all the participants were in Copper Sulphate Blue to identify with Chemistry.
The Programme ended with a happy note to meet again next week with a different Speaker and a Topic.
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