Grand Public Commemoration held to mark Educationist Smt.Sumukhi Teacher’s Birth Centenary

The Mylapore Trio – Amarnath, Surendranath, Aparna (Sumukhi’s Grand Children - Kalakshetra Alumni & Cultural Ambassadors of Mylapore) and Secretary Sugathan and Members of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation Celebrated the Birth Centenary of Sumukhi Teacher (16^th April 1916-2016) in a very grand manner at the Prayer hall of Lady Sivaswami Girls Higher Secondary School on Sunday 17^th April 2016. The Chief Guest was Smt. Vani Jairam – Veteran Playback Singer. (Alumnus) and other Guests of Honour were Dr. Vatsala Narayanaswamy - Secretary, The National Boys’ and Girls’ Education Society, Mylapore. Smt. Leela Narendran – Secretary & Correspondent, Lady Sivaswami Ayyar Girls’ Hr. Sec. School, Mylapore. (Alumnus) Smt.Ruby Puthotta – Headmistress, Lady Sivaswami Ayyar Girls’ Hr. Sec. School, Mylapore. Smt. Rukmini Ramani – Musician, Founder Director, Sivan Arts Academy (Alumnus) Smt. Leela Ganapathy – Head of the Dept. (Retd), Govt. College of Fine Arts, Chennai. (Alumnus) Dr. Vamsadara – Former Director of Medical Education, Govt. of Tamil Nadu. (Alumnus & Sumukhi’s Niece) Prof. N.S.Jayalakshmi – Former Senior Teacher of Bharathanatyam, Kalakshetra, Chennai (Sumukhi’s Close Associate) Ms. C.Indumathi – Former Senior Teacher, Besant Arundale Sr. Sec. School, Kalakshetra. Octogenarian Alamelu Teacher and a colleague of Sumukhi graced the occasion. Kamala Teacher’s daughter Smt. Rama Venkadatri represented her.

The Historic day began at 10 am at the Prayer Hall of the School which was aesthetically decorated with traditional garlands on both sides covering the hall. The artistically decorated frame with Sumukhi Rajasekharan Led photo was placed at the center of the hall. Specially made colorful Sakkrai Achu dolls and Koparai images were arranged along with traditional lamps on conventional mats which added a cultural touch. The programmed started with The Mylapore Trio offereing a vaira oosi green Saree, a Pavazha Maalai and pooja to the goddess Saraswathi of the School. The students mellifluously rendered school prayer. Sri. Aparna, one of the “Mylapore Trio” welcomed the august audience. Sugathan the Foundation secretary gave a beautiful classical dance performance for a song starting “Sumukhi”, well applauded by all. Sri. Amarnath narrated the life history of her and highlighted the important events. There was an interesting presentation of Smt. Sumukhi’s Pictorial Profile on the screen. Sri. Surendranath recollected the spiritual life and important events of her life. He quoted the prophetic words of Sumukhi to her colleagues about why she has not acquired any wealth, Sumukhi said “I have not built Concrete Buildings but I have built Human Buildings which will multiply” to a question, she further said that both she and her husband are like minded in service and charity. Then Surendranth honoured the Guests with signature mementos - culturally rich souvenirs; the Chief Guest was presented with golden lacquered crown and other Guests with auspicious Tanjavur Paruppu Thengai Koodu.

Smt. Vani Jairam said that she was proud and delighted to be a part of the historic celebration. She said that Sumukhi Teacher was her beloved teacher and showered encomiums on her. She opined that Sumukhi teacher was an Iconic figure in Home Science Dept. and trained students in its various aspects. Vani has learnt many household chores from her and has won many prizes in the competitions in Home Science. She also said that Sumukhi Teacher was always a very sweet person with a smiling face as per her name. The other guests of honour shared their experiences with Sumukhi Teacher academically, personally. Dr. Vatsala said that Sumukhi Teacher’s authored a book on Home Science which was well written and applauded by one and all. Smt. Leela Narendran felt that Sumukhi was an excellent teacher both in Home Science and Science subjects. She was very strict inside the class but at the same time very sweet off the class room with the students and helped them in all matters. Smt. Ruby Puthotta felt that she was proud to be the Headmistress of this prestigious school and said that she has heard much about Sumukhi Teacher’s merits and virtues from her seniors. Smt. Rukmini Ramani shared her love for her beloved teacher. She said that Sumukhi used to draw kolams on the mada streets of Mylapore and used to join her father Papanasam Sivam in the Marghazhi Maadham Bhajans. Smt. Leela Ganapathy said that she was Sumukhi Student and Surendranath was her student. She spoke about the greatness of Sumukhi Rajasekharan and their charity and generosity. Dr. Vamsadara narrated few anecdotes in the life of Sumukhi describing her sacrifices and services both for her gathered family and for the public at large. Though Sumukhi was her aunt no concession of any kind was extended to her by her in school. She recollected how Sumukhi had gathered many families and uplifted them. She described an episode, which expounded the highest service of Sumukhi to a poor gypsy during her child birth on the roadside. Prof. Jayalakshmi talked about her close association with Sumukhi in Kalakshetra and praised her for contribution and the way she sculpted the Mylapore Trio from the Kalakshetra soil. Ms. Indumathi from Kalakshetra gave a short and crisp speech eulogizing Sumukhi and said that she was her inspiration who molded her in the art of school administration. Smt. Alamelu traced her association with Sumukhi and her fostered family for decades. She explained about her philanthropy, her excellent and simple way of teaching science and the way she molded her students with values. Smt. Rama Venkatadri recounted the way in which Sumukhi took an entire family, which was literally in streets under her care & wings over night. Smt. Revathi Sankaran said that though the new Tamil Year is called “Dhurmukhi” chanting the name of “Sumukhi” could annulled its evil effects.

The Mylapore Trio handed over a Cheque of Rs.50,000 to the school authorities towards creating an Endowment in the name of “SRI SUMUKHI RAJASEKHARAN BIRTH CENTENARY SCHOLORSHIP” for the Best Student in Higher Secondary Classes in Home Science.

The programme ended by 1.00pm and all the guests were gifted away with a Saree, Kasi Annapoorani, Vibhoothi and Kumkum and Kayaru, as a token of remembrance. They included Alumni of Lady Sivaswami Girls’ Higher Secondary School, Mylapore and Besant Arundale Senior Secondary School, Kalakshetra, Academicians, Artists, Retd. Officials, Professors, Teachers and those elites of the Mylapore Bastion viz., all the Mylapore Vakeel aathu mamis and daughters. There was a sumptuous feast with 16 varities of dishes to all the guests. Nearly 150 dignitaries from many parts of Chennai, Srirangam, Trichy, Tirupati, Madurai and other towns had gathered to sing praise of their most beloved teacher who had chiseled them and made an impact in them and inspired them. After so many decades, these alumni who were septuagenarians, octogenarians came from far off places to pay their salutations to her. Tears rolled down the cheeks of many when they narrated different episodes and experiences with her. On the whole the function was very well organized and created history. It was a very memorable day altogether for one and all.