“The Mylapore Trio” Amarnath, Surendranath, Aparna, Sugathan and Members of Sri Sumukhi Rajasekharan Memorial Foundation conducted the 4th ‘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 congregation consisted of a Professor, Art Director, Chartered Accountants, Ph.D Research Scholars, Retd. Principal, P.G Teachers, Scientist/ Dancers, Musicians and Members of various fields. 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 followed by a questionnaire session. After a gap of 4 standstill months, this new concept of an Intellectual Meet through Online ‘THREADING VARIOUS FLOWERS OF DIFFERENT NATURE’ was accomplished overnight. THE COMMON THREAD WAS THE FOUNDATION WHICH BINDS ONE AND ALL.
The Fourth Session was conducted on Sunday, 26th July, 2020 from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. 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.
Aparna – a Chartered Accountant, very enthusiastically introduced the Speaker Smt. Shivabala as a Mylaporean with high values – dedication, devotion with a high degree of service mentality. She puts her heart and soul in teaching the student fraternity. Aparna said that Shivabala has been associated with our family for decades and all their family members were students of Sumukhi Amma at the Iconic Lady Sivsawami School and her connection continues with Our Foundation till date. Aparna credited her father for naming the Spiritual Walk as “Bala Vidwan Bhawani”. Aparna showered encomium on Shivabala as a “good samaritan” who comes to the rescue of others for timely help and welcomed her to deliver her talk. She puts in optimum effort in teaching and serving the student fraternity.
Shivabala was overwhelmed with energy and enthusiasm to deliver a lecture on “Fuzzy Physics” - the word Physics was written in Greek language and so by looking at the invite, it was all “Greek and Latin” to us. But Shivabala made it very simple and interesting by tracing the evolution of Scientific inventions and discoveries pertaining to Physics from the ancient period to the present day. All important Greek and Indian Physicists were paraded in the form of colourful pictures explaining their inventions and contribution to the Scientific World. That apart she exhibited the important landmark inventions and discoveries through the ages, which had an impact on the Human Civilization.
Some of the important western scientists mentioned were Aristotle, Copernicus, Galileo, Sir Isacc Newton, Einstein, Michael Faraday, Marie Curie etc. Indian Scientists and Thinkers included Aryabhataa, Chanakya, Sir C.V. Raman, Subrahmanyam Chandrasekhar. She touched upon various concepts like Helio Centric theory, Atoms, Gravity, Concept of Pi Electricity etc. and gave a basic explanation about everything which was like a “family of flowers” in a single boutique.
The Highlight of her talk was her Philosophical angle of the various concepts of Physics which stole the show. The gravitational force was interpreted thus – the worldly desires pull us down again and again, but our goal is to reach God by going up and not pulled down by empirical aspirations. The Third law of motion was explained thus – for every karma we do, there would be an equal reaction we have to undergo whether good or bad. Thus by combining Physics with the philosophy she made history.
Shivabala was able to attach her own spiritual thoughts to Physics only because of her mental makeup, filled with utmost bhakthi, devotion towards the Presiding Deities of Mylapore Lord Kapaliswarar and Goddess Karpagambal. She is a rare genre among the teaching fraternity who not only teaches physics to students in a simplified and interesting manner but also teaches spiritual values to them indirectly. Shivabala not only prepares them to face the Board Exams but also trains them to face life by Surrendering to God.
Amarnath congratulated Shivabala for scanning the topic with a historical perspective and as a Professor of History, he focussed more light on Indian Science. He referred and cited Ancient Indian Scientists and Physicists like Aryabhatta, Varahamihira, Bharadwaja, Kanada and mentioned their remarkable contribution to the Physics, Mathematics, Astronomy, Atomic theory, Aeroplanes etc. He also acknowledged the contribution of Ancient Greek and Modern Western Scientists to mankind. He felt that each Civilisation has its own credentials and India by its own right has been scientifically very much advanced in the ancient period. He opined that if only Lord Macaulay had not introduced Western education in 1835, India would have continued with her scientific history. He felt that children should be taught Ancient Indian Science, Scientists, their inventions and discoveries. He commended Shivabala for her historical presentation of Physics with a Philosophical interpretation. He said that she combined Physics with Meta Physics and it was something different.
Surendranath an Art Director, shared some memories of Sumukhi Amma who was a veteran and a proficient & accomplished Science Teacher. He said that she taught Science at Lady Sivaswami Aiyar Girls High School at Mylapore in the days of yore. She explained Scientific concepts with a philosophical perspective, which was totally a new perspective decade back. She thereby inculcated bhakthi indirectly even through academics. Suren said that she did some physics experiments like Magic Tap, the Magic Torso, Kolam and Song, which were exhibited at “Sudharma” and were applauded by one and all. Even in Kalakshetra all the Teachers used to consult Sumukhi Amma regarding their respective subjects especially science before they entered their classes. Suren said that he had the privilege to have Her as his Biology teacher too. When the whole class stood up to wish her he too followed suit and all checked his behaviour... that was the very tickling situation for him. He shared that Sumukhi Amma used to teach Science with Spiritual interpretation and felt that after her he could see only Shivabala teaching Physics with Philosophical touch.
The Second part of the Sadhas was ‘NATURO-UPAYA’ in which Shri. Sugathan – Secretary, who is also a Naturopath gave some Tips on natural remedies for ailments. Today he gave some titbits for increasing the strength of bones. He suggested that “Pirandai” can be consumed to increase the calcium level in our body which was well-received by all. He also gave some recipes based on pirandai which would ultimately boost the bone strength.
As per the diktat of the Foundation, all the participants were in Traditional Attire with Purple, Violet, Pink as the Colour Code.su
The Programme ended with a happy note to meet again next week with a different Speaker and a Topic.
