Here, I assume the role of compiler and bring forward to our Blog community an interesting read. An exchange of information, between a Master and a Student which is narrated in Question and Answer fashion.
The exchange is between Shri Cadavasal R Natarajan and Mr Michael Hauss. I sought permission from Shri CRN to publish this article in my blog after the thesis was completed, with the associated request of Micheal, so that visitors to the blog will be benfitted with the contents of this exchange.
Read further....
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My name is Michael Hauss and i was informed by a colleague that you might be able to assist me in a part of my project for English class.
Each student in my Honors 2 English class is reading a different novel. I chose "A Passage to India" by E.M . Forrester because I have never read a piece of Indian literature and I thought that it would be different and interesting.
I am required to write a research paper that includes three parts:
1. What I Know,
2. The Search,
3. What I Discovered.
As a part of The Search, I need at least one first-hand source, which is where you might be able to help me. I have chosen to write about racial discrimination which is a prevalent topic in the novel.
Would you feel comfortable answering any of the following questions about
racial disrimination,
British colonial rule in India, or
even just Indian culture in general?
The questions are :
1. Have you ever been discriminated against because of your ethnicity? If so,
how did it make you feel?
2. Did you lived in India during British rule?
Can you briefly describe the English people's treatment of the Indians or the English people's treatment of you?
Did you enjoy living in India under British colonial rule?
Why or why not?
3. How has being Indian shaped your life today?
a. For example, do you incorporate aspects of Indian culture in your life today?
b. Are you proud of your Indian heritage now when you are living in the United States?
If you can answer any of these questions it would be a great help.
From: C R Natarajan To: Michael Haus
E M Forrester – A Passage to India Project. Racial discrimination in India during British rule.
Apropos your e-mail of 27th, April I will do what I can to help you . I can only provide you with a window of what I have heard, seen and minimally experienced.
I have tried to be honest in expressing my views, and may be guilty of violence to political correctness. You will be justified in rejecting wholly or partly my views that are not germane to your quest. There may be errors in semantics, punctuation etc. I have not had time to revise my submission. May be you will find answers to your queries not surgically incised. There is no copyright and you may use what is relevant to your paper.
Question. 1. Have you ever been discriminated against because of your ethnicity? If so, how did it make you feel?
Answer: I was 18 when India became independent in 1947. I did not experience discrimination under British rule in India which lasted till Aug. 1947. I hail from an affluent and educated family belonging to a mixed social circle of a few well-educated Englishmen who had great understanding of the aspirations of Indians for their freedom.
Discrimination was faced by those who worked under English supervisors e.g. Bureaucrats, but not when one was in an independent profession e.g. doctors or lawyers. My grandfathers were both highly successful lawyers of repute and were acceptable to the rulers as separate but equal and sometimes, as the same but unequal depending on the disposition of the ruling pack! The more understanding and liberal whites of the British Empire certainly had their regrets about not only leaving the princely life they led in India but also the hospitality, philosophy and culture of the society in which they moved and the loyalty of their subordinates. It must be said to their credit they did not conceal the regret or equivocate.
The educated White who understood the ebb and flow of history, realized that they have come full circle: they came to India obtaining concessions as traders and in between, they donned different roles, employees of the local rulers, tax collectors, fiefdom, military advisers, and victors post 1857 mutiny, rulers and then finally in 1947 back as traders and advisers. Some might have harbored a sense of superiority because they were once rulers and resented the equality and familiarity claimed by the educated Indian but such anger and resentment were vented in private drawing room discussions, or in segregated armed forces messes and social clubs.
In fact some of the social clubs were exclusively for the Whites e.g. Wellingdon Club in Mumbai, Gymkhana Clubs in provincial capitals. The “Whites Only” board in the Breach Candy swimming pool in Mumbai was removed more than a decade after Indian Independence. In cricket matches the Indian players were not allowed in the club premises and “whites only” segregation was the norm. During the war Indians selected as commissioned officers were designated as Viceroy's Commissioned officers and not as King's Commissioned officers, an invidious distinction without a difference! Hardly any Indian broke the glass ceiling and achieved the highest level in the armed forces hierarchy. The recognition came after independence.
I was in the Management cadre of a British company in India from 1956. Any open discrimination would have resulted in the guilty declared persona non grata by the Govt. of India on a proven incident. There was of course preferential treatment for the expatriates for e.g. the expatriate whites were paid a salary at least twice that of an Indian at the same level, provided rent free, furnished housing, club memberships etc. though some of them did not even have mid-school education while the Indians had to satisfy a higher standard viz. graduates or professionally qualified. Indians proficient at games like Cricket or Tennis and hailing from affluent, socially well placed families were selected. The Brits knew how to soften the barbs by having daily luncheon with the Indian officers and periodical in-house parties!
It did hurt to experience the difference in salary and perquisites, but, compared to Indian owned companies we were paid better and not treated like feudal serfs, a common enough phenomenon in Indian firms. Lack of employment opportunities stifled protest and mobility.
Having said all this, I must record that as long as the Indian worked well and contributed to the scheme of things, he was well rewarded, and his job was secure. Petty prejudices on ground of faith or caste or other factors did not affect career progression. It is attributed to George Bernard Shaw the quote, "If you have a Chinese in Whitehall the British administration would be better" or words to that effect - I am not vouching for the veracity of this quote! His comments were probably directed at local prejudices - ethnicity, region, faith, etc. that influenced policy and decision making by a Brit in the British Government, which a Chinese would not have imbibed. It is the same with a British manager in India, for whom local biases were of no moment.
My association with the British organization terminated in 1963 and my personal relationship with my then bosses still continues on a friendly basis of good vibes and nostalgia!
Question 2. Did you live in India during British rule? Can you briefly describe the English people's treatment of the Indians or the English people's treatment of you? Did you enjoy living in India under British colonial rule? Why or why not?
Answer: I lived in India during the sunset years of British rule in India by a weakened Britain, virtually bankrupted by the Second World War economically and manpower decimated by the war.
There were many good aspects of British rule in India. India was one unit and not the fragmented country divided by language, geographical barrier, faith, people led astray by political chicanery, regional interests trumping national needs that it is now. The administration of the country was fair and responses to people's needs in general being swift. There were of course instances of neglect as it happened during the great Calcutta famine, when British rulers did not act till it was almost useless. The British rulers had to display firmness and fairness and so carefully avoided even a semblance of favoritism in most decisions. Members of the Labor and Liberal parties in the British parliament wasted little time and missed no opportunity to pillory the ruling party for any real or perceived injustice to the Indians. The motive in all cases was not altruistic but the political gain that accrued was too good to be missed! Justice was not only done in most cases but appeared to be done also by the judiciary and administration.
There was the case of a British High Court Judge who shot and killed a young boy during anti-British riot, when his car was surrounded. The judge rescued himself from the bench until the trial was over, he was acquitted and then he returned to England.
Earlier there was the trial of General Dyer, the British officer who ordered shooting and killing of Indians when they assembled for a protest meeting against the British in Jallianwalabagh in the Punjab. There was the impeachment of Warren Hastings in the British Parliament, though Warren Hastings was not as corrupt or bad as he was made out to be, during his tenure in India as Governor General. Remember that it was he who had Bhagwad Gita translated into English. He was one of the few who had great respect for Indian spirituality and philosophy, jurisprudence and administration.
It was Lord Curzon, to whom Indians owe much for saving Taj Mahal from vandalism and for preserving monuments of Indian heritage by starting the Archaeological department of India. He was an imperialist and did what he believed was in the best interests of his King and his Country but he also understood the duty and obligation imposed on him as Viceroy of India to protect the land, heritage, culture, life, integrity and people of India. Indian Prisoners of War in the hands of the Japanese formed a separate regiment and fought the British. After the war they were tried for treason and desertion but acquitted, defended by a galaxy of Indian lawyers including Jawaharlal Nehru, whom the British imprisoned for well over two decades. Nehru was the first Prime Minister of free India.
There are many instances like this not only of British rule but also of earlier conquerors like the Mughals, the Slave dynasty who contributed much to India. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT RULE BY CONQUERORS MUST BE ACCEPTED.
Freedom is the birthright of every human. C Rajagopalachari, one of India's great intellectuals and Mahathma Gandhi's friend and companion said after independence, watching India's downward slide into corruption and party bickering said, "Self Government is no substitute for Good Government". It is governance for common good and not just self government. Decatur is reported to have said, "My country, may she always be right: but right or wrong, my country” and not as corrupted, "My country right or wrong." That is the sentiment of people like me in the twilight years of life, having lived through the golden era of India when Freedom was won not by violence but by non-violence .
To have lived at the same time as Mahathma Gandhi, to have seen him and heard him speak, to have experienced the power of a frail old man, sparsely dressed, with no armor except his walking stick that was more a prop than a weapon, confuse and defeat the most powerful colonial power in modern history is a feeling that is difficult to describe, but is only humbling. He epitomized the moral and spiritual strength of the country. When the last British Viceroy and Governor General of free India left India, he traveled in an open carriage amidst multitude of Indians, waving and chanting Good bye and Long live.
I do not believe there is a parallel in the history of nations that a people enslaved and ruled for nearly a century, treated the departing rulers as friends.
British rule or Indian rule, life has to be lived. Life is bittersweet and is not dependant on who rules the land in which one lives. At the same time, if the government of the country is in the hands of the unprincipled, the rapacious, the religiously bigoted, then life is hell. If at every moment there is an assault on the finer sentiments, a rape of beliefs, an incessant attack on values, then discretion is under threat, and humans are just Pavlova's dogs, conditioned to be morons. Fortunately such an experience I did not face when I lived in India.
Indians owe to Mahathma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and a few others of that era, that institutions for self government have been developed and India has remained a united country notwithstanding the differences in religion, language and ethnicity. Just a cursory examination of the neighboring countries or countries in other continents that emerged out of colonial rule will bring into sharp relief the quality of leadership in India that brought India out of colonial rule and to total independence.
There are problems to-day but thanks to the firm foundation of coequal branches of government the country lumbers along. Fissiparous tendencies are not uncommon in the history of nascent democracies. The legacy of the British in transport and communications, a fairly independent judiciary, a civil service that respects rule of law and precedents, armed forces that do not usurp the civilian rule formed the basics of Indian Self-rule in a parliamentary system under a constitution that has morphed in response to the times and people’s aspirations.
Question 3. How has being Indian shaped your life today? For example, do you incorporate aspects of Indian culture in your life today? Are you proud of your Indian heritage now when you are living in the United States?
Answer: The core of Indianness is summarized in the ancient sayings in Sanskrit, “Vasueiva Kutumbaham” meaning “The world is one family" and “Sathyam Ekam, Vipraha Bahuda Vadhanthi” viz “Truth is one and the wise call it by different names". The first is an understanding that humanity at large is one family. The Truth referred to is not the truth as applied in the courts of law, which is a perception of a happening, an incident that differs radically depending on the "eyes of the beholder". The Truth in the Rig Veda is the ultimate, that invisible force that governs our lives, notwithstanding our arrogant belief that we are masters of our lives; We experience that results of our actions or inactions are not what we expected but still we can not accept that we are not masters of our fate!
What defines an Indian is not the dress or language or religion. The Indians have by and large, managed to keep alive the tradition of oneness and unity and that is perhaps unequaled in any other land of geographic contiguity peopled by varied ethnic groups and religious beliefs. That is what has made India unique.
It is a common belief that there is an Indian culture, like Indian food, however varied it be. If Culture is considered to be an external manifestation and some sort of common behavior or norm, dance, music, dress or food, as is bandied about by the Indian Diaspora and touted by International "cultural" circles, then there is no Indian culture as such but only regional ones like Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil etc. but if one looks for a "Culture of India”, then an abstract commonality can be found - that culture is "the spirituality that unites all humankind and forms the basis Indian ethos, philosophy and living and not the religion that divides mankind".
When I see around me the great evangelists preaching that "my God is better than your God" and seeking to clothe people differently, without in any manner changing their mind-set of hatred and bigotry but inculcating and infusing greater and deeper divides, I pay homage to the seers of India and my forefathers for having brought me up in that culture of India that believes in the world being one family, Truth being one, in the acceptance of seeming plurality in unity and in the non-violence of mind as much as the body.
I am very perturbed and saddened by apostasy (of religious conversion without total faith) and equally by the blindness of unreasoned faith. What is ridiculed as blind faith in one religion is glorified as Divine intercession in another. Parthenogenesis may be the answer but then, how can man accept that, despite the common factor of Life, the organisms different from Man are not subject to divine law, as they are lower! In evolution Man is said to have developed discretion, reasoning, understanding nature and life, and purpose. On the other hand sections of humanity are trashed because they have a different faith, or bribed into believing that short term material affluence is the path to eternal bliss; profit trumps probity, means justify end and principles are only temporary expediencies!
One does not have to incorporate any culture in daily life as changing clothes for a state dinner but the culture that is imbibed is a part of existence. It has taken a long journey for me to have taken a peep through a small slit, the light of the philosophy and culture of India. No other culture has displayed the width and breadth of tolerance and acknowledgment of the variety of philosophical thought, freedom of debate - a range that starts at one end of the scale with the Omar Khayyam "unborn yesterday, dead tomorrow, what boots it if to-day be sweet" pulsating through lines of demarcation of the divine and the human, culminating in the fusion of the abstract with the material and reconciling it with the impermanence of everything, almost Nihilism!
If I had lived in India, I would not have developed as much appreciation of the rich heritage of India, a geographical entity, the diversity in commonness of the people of India and above all the great responses to eternal questions that are yet unanswered by other traditions. The tragedy of human race lies not in its diversity but in its failure to seek and find its roots in the common spirituality, and, instead clothe themselves in divisive religious indoctrinations. Rig Veda, said to be the oldest scripture of over four thousand years does not extol the virtue of one God over the other or treats divinity as exclusive but pays homage to Nature.
Religion as is known to-day does not appear in the Vedas. I am proud to have been brought up and nurtured in the faith of my forefathers and the seers of India. The tragedy of modern day religious beliefs is the intransigence, bigotry, intolerance, commercialization and politicization. Indian values have survived assaults from within and without and have survived. I am proud, not in the egoistical sense, but in the humility that the culture of India has infused in me. It is time that reason infects intellect, and intellect injects understanding of human values. If I am considered a non-believer it does not hurt me but I will quote Lord Byron
Religion—freedom—vengeance—what you will, A word’s enough to raise mankind to kill.
I am proud of my heritage, culture and philosophy and will be so wherever I live, be it USA or Europe or the Arab world.
Response of Micheal after he presented the thesis
Dear Mr. Natarajan,
School is finally over and I wanted to let you know what my grade was on my Passage to India project. There were 4 different parts, including an oral presentation and I got a 92% on all of the parts. That was the second highest grade in my class of 33 students! .I want to thank you again for all of your wise words, quotes and information. Without your guidance, I am certain that I would not have done so well. Thank you. I greatly enjoyed e-mailing and "talking" with you.
Michael Hauss
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Madurai - Advocate R.Krishnaswamy Iyer
“OM Sree Gurubhyo Namaha”
At the outset I start with pranams to Jagadguru His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Abhinava Vidyatheerta swamigal, the 35th Pontiff of Sri Sringeri Saradha Peetham
Jagadguru Sri Sri Abhinava Vidyatheerta swamigal - 35th Pontiff of Sri Sringeri Saradha Peetham
In this epistle I write about Madurai - Advocate R.Krishnaswamy Iyer. This year happens to be centenary year of Advocate R.Krishnaswamy Iyer as well.
Advocate R Krishnaswamy was a true reflection of the statement “A contended mind is a continual feast”. He lived a life which echoed the words in letter and spirit, “To a large-hearted person The whole world is his family.” . He is an exemplary example of selfless service and true sacrifice. His Service and devotion to the Sringeri mutt was unparalleled. When anybody questioned him on what he had saved for himself and his family, His steadfast response and oft repeated words were, “I have put everything in Godess Sharadha Ambal Bank”. Ambal will protect all of you. He was an epitome of tolerance.
Shri R.Krishnaswamy offering 'Poornakumbam' respects to His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidya Theertha swamigal
Shri Krishnaswamy did his Bachelor of Arts and then did his Bachelor of Law in Trivanduram Govt Law collage. He setup his base in Madurai. The family lived in No 61, Dhanappa Mudali street in Madurai. (Just few houses away from Shri V.Kameshwara Iyer, whose clan I’m related to!). They later moved on to Natarajapuram Agraharam. He practiced as an advocate in the Madura, and frequently visited the sub-courts in the districts surrounding Madurai. He used to wear a dhothi [Panjakacham], a black coat and Turban. In Natarajapuram agraharam he is still fondly remembered by old timers as “Turban Thatta”. In one of my visits to Madurai, a person known to me, after enquiring the antecedents of my wife remarked in Tamil with joy –‘oh you have married turban thatta’s granddaughter!’. Such was the affection of people towards him, who had known him.
Advocate R Krishnaswamy Iyer was very emotionally attached to his Maternal Uncle M.S.Mantreshwar Sharma.
On many occasion he has travelled to Sringeri with his uncle M.S.M Sharma. R.Krishnaswamy Iyer along with uncle M.S.M Sharma, played a pivotal role in shaping up the events related to administration of Sringeri Mutt in 1944.
The events and details are well chronicled in a book titled “ The Crest Jewel of Yogis - A biography and advices of the peerless preceptor His Holiness Abhinava Vidya Theertha Mahaswamigal “ – First Volume compiled by Sri Umesh and Published by Sri Sharada Trust. The details can be found in the chapter “Epitome of Tolerance”
The section “Epitome of tolerance” narrates the steps taken by the staunch disciples of the Mutt to maintain the Independence and authority of the Head of the Math in the matters of administration.
There were people with vested interests who wanted the math administration to be taken over by the Government. Lot of false propaganda were spread with malicious intent.
M.S.M. Sharma was instrumental in sorting out the issues with the government. He along with key delegates personally met and clarified certain key points to Mr K V Anantharaman – The Revenue and Endowments minister of Mysore state. The meeting took place on 10-07-1944.
On 11-07-1944, the M.S.M Sharma went to Sringeri and appraised His Holiness Chandrasekara Bharathi Swamigal and His Holiness Abhinava Vidhya Theertha Swamigal.
M.S.M Sharma wrote a epistle to the minister appraising him on his discussions with the Acharaya’s and left for Karachi.
After a lapse of few days, Shri R.Krishnaswamy Iyer ( Nephew of M.S.M Sharma) had met the Minister K.V. Anantaraman, in Madurai. The minister has indicated that the Government will not act on the false propaganda and it is fully aware of the strong protests from the South. He has also indicated that he has put a note in the file for future reference.
Madurai Advocate R.Krishnaswamy Iyer has maintained a full written account of the events of 1944. This has been handed over to the author R.M Umesh who has acknowledged the same in his book. The written notes have been verified by Dharmatma Dr V.Vaidyasubramanya Iyer.
Advocate RK handled many cases related to the administration of Sringeri Math and properties. He used to get invited to the Sringeri math , whenever key dignitaries were visiting the math. RK used to ensure the protocol aspects were clearly followed during the dignitaries visit. RK used to accompany Shri Abhinava Vidya theerta Bharathi swamigal during his long evening walks around Narshimavanam and used to update him on various legal aspects and other general issues.
Shri R.Krishnaswamy Iyer with His Royal Highness the King of Nepal : Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev,
Shri R.Krishnaswamy Iyer with President V.V.Giri during his visit to Sringeri
He married his own maternal aunt Grand-daughter Vedambhal. The couple had 7 children and only the last daughter Meenakshi survived.
Meenakshi was married to M.Jagadeesan [s/o Sanskrit scholar Mahalinga Sastry hailing from Vyacherry village near Ayyampetteai between Kumbakonam and Tanjavur] and had a daughter Sudha. Shri Jagadeesan was employed with TATA and the couple settled in Bombay. Meenkahsi lost her husband Jagadeesan very early in her life, in a tragic accident in 1977. There upon the family moved back to Madurai and the responsibility of taking care of his daughter and grand daughter fell upon RK’s shoulders. The incident severely affected the health of RK’s wife Vedhambal and came as a rude mental shock to her daughter smt Meenkashi.
The tragic disturbances in his family life, neither affected RKs devotion in Godess Sharadha ambal nor his unshakable faith in His Guru Shri Abhinava Vidya Theertha swamigal. He looked at the incident and related suffering to his family as a reflection of some unfinished karma in his previous births. RKs mind neither harbored ill-will nor had an iota of doubt on the existence of GOD. He overcame this grief, by associating even more strongly with the Mutt and his Guru.
It is said, he has received profound advice and counseling from his Guru Holiness Jagadguru Abhinava Vidhyatheertha swamigal, w.r.t to the cosmic events surrounding the loss of his son-in-law. He has not shared the dialogue between him and His Guru to anybody else.
Shri R.Krishnaswamy Iyer with His Guru His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidya Theertha swamigal
Any normal human being would have crumbled to pieces on such a fate befalling their most loved and adorned daughter, but here we see RK, as a tall edifice, taking things by his stride and not complaining about it as well. Most importantly, rather than going into a shell, he had a vision to look forward and plan the succeeding events in her life.
Smt Meenakshi got further educated, took up a job as a teacher in Chennai, and with the tireless efforts of R.Nagarajan (His c-brother) got a job in TELCO (Now TATA Motors) on compassionate grounds and then smt Meenakshi shouldered the responsibilities of running the family.
RK performed daily puja’s to Bana Lingam which was given to him by His Holiness Abhinava Vidyatheertha swamigal. One of his habits was collecting photos of his Guru. He had vast repository of rare photos.
H.H. Jagadguru Abhinava Vidyatheertha swamigal in coversation with Lord Narasimha
His love and affection for his grand daughter was total. On every Janma Nakshtram (On Birth star of every year), special poojas were performed in Madurai and a Red Rose Garland was handed over to Sudha as pooja prasadham.
RK-Vedhambal Shastiapthapoorthi was performed in Madurai and Sadhabhishekam was performed in Bangalore
RK made all arrangements for celebrating the Shastiapthapoorthi of his co-brother Nagarajan - Maragatham (Chotta chitti), in Srigeri and blessed by His Holiness Abhinava Vidya theerta swamigal. While taking leave of Swamigal after the function, Mahasannidhanam Abhinava Vidya theertha Swamigal with his ever characterstic smile asked RK “ Enna Krishnaswamy Iyer, ungalukku thripthi thane” [ RK – Are you satisfied ?] . Tears just rolled down the cheeks of RK and he performed Shastanga Namaskaram to his Guru.
RK was very active in his profession till he was 80 years old. He moved to Bangalore to be with his daughter Meenakshi who was posted in Bangalore. Clients used to come to Bangalore from Madurai and take him to Madurai for the court cases. He suffered a paralytic stroke at the age of 81 years and his left hand and leg got affected, limiting his movements. He lived for another 10 years, very affectionately tendered by his Grand daughter Sudha
His physical condition did not deter him from paying a visit to His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Bharathi theertha swamigal, when His Holiness visited Bangalore in 1991. Seeing RK unable to stand in the crowd, His Holiness instructed his private secretary to put a chair, so that RK can sit and asked RK not to strain himself like this.
Shri R.Krishnaswamy Iyer with His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Swamigal the ruling and 36th Pontiff of Sringeri Sharada Peetam
I try to recall, on some of the associations of R.Krishnaswamy Iyer. Which I have heard about.
He was very close to late Keervatti Sankara Vadhyar, whom I have also interacted, when I was in Madurai and knew him well. I have traveled with him to Sringeri on 2 occasions.
RK was very close with Sri SPM Chettiyar & family in Madurai. Sri SPM Chettiyar family used to treat RK as one of their own family member.
"Friends Standing Tall" - Shri RK with his close friend Shri SPM Chettiyar
RK was very close to Dr Raghava Variyaar, of 'Arya Vaidhya Salai' and the association between the two families still continues.
Advocate RK was very close with Shri B.R. Ramasastry family in Bangalore. Shri Ramasastry & his son shri Vidhyasankar were very closely attached with Advocate Krishnaswamy and his family. Their respect and admiration for each other was mutual. A interesting incident concerning myself and Shri Ramasastry is penned down at the end of this section. The association between the two families continues even now and thanks to our forebears who have set it up.
RK passed away in Dec 1998 [Aged 90years] . He breathed his last on the lap of his Grand daughter (who had just finished her BE final semester exams), with absolute confidence in Goddess Sharadha ambal and his Guru Shri Abhinava Vidhya Theertha swamigal.
Upon his death the
Bana lingam was handed over to the Sringeri Math in Venkatnarayana road – T.Nagar - Chennai
The legal files pertaining to math were collected by Shri B.R.Ramasastry and handed over to Sringeri math
Many photographs related to Sringeri math and previous acharays were handed over to Sringeri Math
Shri R.Krishnaswamy Iyer & Family receiving Mantraksham from H.H.Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Theerta swamigal. [Photo of Shri Pandit M.S.M.sharma in the backdrop]
Vedhambal was an embodiment of devotion. She was very intelligent and shrewd lady. Being the eldest daughter in the family, she was well respected within the family. RK & Vedhambal couple (along with R Nagarajan (RK’s co-brother) was also instrumental getting the younger siblings married, and as well looked after their comfort and well being.
She was well versed with music and played the violin well. She used make choclates. In the latter part of her life, she spent most of her time visiting temples in Madurai, and in meditations &'Japam' [Prayers].
Vedhambal suffered during her end days, caused by an accidental fall . She was immobile and bed ridden for about 8 months. Her mind was active till her death. A day before her death, she lapsed into unconsciousness and the doctor,indicated that the end was near and advised recitation of Vishnu Sahasranama which was duly done. There was no response from smt Vedhambal to calls made by her near and dear ones.
Myself and Sudha got a call and rushed to see her. Sudha called out to her grandmother loudly and got a moaning (hmmmm), as Response and that was the final voice from Smt Vedhambal, which to me looked as if the soul was holding itself to bid a final bye to her most loved grand daughter. She breathed her last that night.
Vedhambal passed away on 3rd September - 2001 (She was 79 years old) . Her daughter Meenkashi, Sister Kalavathy, brother Ramamoorthy were also by her bed side when she breathed her last
Smt Vedhambal had kept a golden Mangalyam, Golden Ear studs, in her old trunk box, which I chanced upon while cleaning the lofts (Some six months later). It was meant to be submitted to Sringeri math as Kanikkai (offering), to ward of some suffering or dosha to her Sister smt Kalavathi & her family. They were duly handed over to Sringeri Math in the presence of His Holiness Bharathi Theerta swamigal and we prayed for his Anugraham (His Grace) and blessings.
Archaryal remarked to his private secretary in front of us ,”this child (pointing to Sudha) is the grand daughter of advocate R.K, and she has handed over to the math her patti’s kannikai [offering] and blessed us with His Grace. The next day while leaving after getting Mantraksham, Sudha received a Saree from the benevolent Holiness with blessings.
Note: Sudha is married to Sundaresan [s/o S Jagadeesan and Grandson of J.Subramani Iyer ] of Sattanathapuram family.
I sum up my writing’s on Shri Advocate R Krishnaswamy with the below incident. Numerous were the correspondence between Shri RK and His Holiness Sringeri Jagadguru Sri Sri Abhinava Vidhyatheertha Mahaswamigal. On one occasion swamigal was camping in Chidambaram. RK has sent an epistle updating Swamigal on various aspects related to the Mutt and has also desired “His holiness grace should turn on him for a while in the sacred place Chidambaram”. Private Secretary to his Holiness Sri N Lakshminarayana Sastry has responded as below carrying the message from His Holiness which I reproduce in verbatim.
“His Holiness was immensely pleased with your desire,that His Holiness thoughts should turn on you for a while in this sacred Kshetram Chidambaram. His Holiness has directed me to inform you, that He has not only thought of you in this place, but you are ever in His mind”
By his selfless service to His Guru, Shri R.Krishnaswamy Iyer has achieved immortality.
Our Pranams and Prayers to Godess Sharadha, His Holiness Jagadhguru Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal the ruling and 36th pontiff of Sringeri Sharada peetam, the Guru Parambara to which our forefathers submitted themselves. They have traversed the path of righteousness and we pray them to guide us and our succeeding generations.
Family Tree:
I wanted the pen down the below incident. Once a small parrot was badly injured and landed in the front yard of our house and took refuge in a small bush plant (Probably, she had fallen from her nest).The parrot was about to be devoured by a cat. I shoed away the cat and took the parrot inside the house and next day showed it to a veterinarian doctor. The doctor said the leg has been badly damaged and put a small strip around its leg with some medicines. I got a cage and tendered to the parrot. The parrot used to go around the hall and bed room- its mode of walking was one leg forward and for the next push it will thrust its beak. We named it as Ranganayaki – (to be honest, the bird was very fierce and aggressive). When left out of the cage for bathing, it will go and hide underneath the chest off drawer of Advocate R.Krishnaswamy Iyer.
In about 2 month’s time, it grew healthy, the legs became almost alright with a slight slant and its wings grew big enough for it to fly. I had planned to get a partner for the bird.
We went on a Sunday to pay a courtesy visit to Shri Ramasastry uncle’s house. I narrated the story of the parrot, its injury and subsequent recovery. His words were very straight –“sundaresan – your duty is done, release the bird for it to be with its flock”. So profound were his words on me, as soon as I returned home, I set the bird free and Ranganayaki flapped her wings with great speed and flew away happily. Had it not for him, thinking that I’m doing good, I would have imprisoned the freedom and happiness of the bird.
At the outset I start with pranams to Jagadguru His Holiness Sri Sri Sri Abhinava Vidyatheerta swamigal, the 35th Pontiff of Sri Sringeri Saradha Peetham
Jagadguru Sri Sri Abhinava Vidyatheerta swamigal - 35th Pontiff of Sri Sringeri Saradha Peetham
In this epistle I write about Madurai - Advocate R.Krishnaswamy Iyer. This year happens to be centenary year of Advocate R.Krishnaswamy Iyer as well.
Advocate R Krishnaswamy was a true reflection of the statement “A contended mind is a continual feast”. He lived a life which echoed the words in letter and spirit, “To a large-hearted person The whole world is his family.” . He is an exemplary example of selfless service and true sacrifice. His Service and devotion to the Sringeri mutt was unparalleled. When anybody questioned him on what he had saved for himself and his family, His steadfast response and oft repeated words were, “I have put everything in Godess Sharadha Ambal Bank”. Ambal will protect all of you. He was an epitome of tolerance.
Shri R.Krishnaswamy offering 'Poornakumbam' respects to His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidya Theertha swamigal
Shri Krishnaswamy did his Bachelor of Arts and then did his Bachelor of Law in Trivanduram Govt Law collage. He setup his base in Madurai. The family lived in No 61, Dhanappa Mudali street in Madurai. (Just few houses away from Shri V.Kameshwara Iyer, whose clan I’m related to!). They later moved on to Natarajapuram Agraharam. He practiced as an advocate in the Madura, and frequently visited the sub-courts in the districts surrounding Madurai. He used to wear a dhothi [Panjakacham], a black coat and Turban. In Natarajapuram agraharam he is still fondly remembered by old timers as “Turban Thatta”. In one of my visits to Madurai, a person known to me, after enquiring the antecedents of my wife remarked in Tamil with joy –‘oh you have married turban thatta’s granddaughter!’. Such was the affection of people towards him, who had known him.
Advocate R Krishnaswamy Iyer was very emotionally attached to his Maternal Uncle M.S.Mantreshwar Sharma.
On many occasion he has travelled to Sringeri with his uncle M.S.M Sharma. R.Krishnaswamy Iyer along with uncle M.S.M Sharma, played a pivotal role in shaping up the events related to administration of Sringeri Mutt in 1944.
The events and details are well chronicled in a book titled “ The Crest Jewel of Yogis - A biography and advices of the peerless preceptor His Holiness Abhinava Vidya Theertha Mahaswamigal “ – First Volume compiled by Sri Umesh and Published by Sri Sharada Trust. The details can be found in the chapter “Epitome of Tolerance”
The section “Epitome of tolerance” narrates the steps taken by the staunch disciples of the Mutt to maintain the Independence and authority of the Head of the Math in the matters of administration.
There were people with vested interests who wanted the math administration to be taken over by the Government. Lot of false propaganda were spread with malicious intent.
M.S.M. Sharma was instrumental in sorting out the issues with the government. He along with key delegates personally met and clarified certain key points to Mr K V Anantharaman – The Revenue and Endowments minister of Mysore state. The meeting took place on 10-07-1944.
On 11-07-1944, the M.S.M Sharma went to Sringeri and appraised His Holiness Chandrasekara Bharathi Swamigal and His Holiness Abhinava Vidhya Theertha Swamigal.
M.S.M Sharma wrote a epistle to the minister appraising him on his discussions with the Acharaya’s and left for Karachi.
After a lapse of few days, Shri R.Krishnaswamy Iyer ( Nephew of M.S.M Sharma) had met the Minister K.V. Anantaraman, in Madurai. The minister has indicated that the Government will not act on the false propaganda and it is fully aware of the strong protests from the South. He has also indicated that he has put a note in the file for future reference.
Madurai Advocate R.Krishnaswamy Iyer has maintained a full written account of the events of 1944. This has been handed over to the author R.M Umesh who has acknowledged the same in his book. The written notes have been verified by Dharmatma Dr V.Vaidyasubramanya Iyer.
Advocate RK handled many cases related to the administration of Sringeri Math and properties. He used to get invited to the Sringeri math , whenever key dignitaries were visiting the math. RK used to ensure the protocol aspects were clearly followed during the dignitaries visit. RK used to accompany Shri Abhinava Vidya theerta Bharathi swamigal during his long evening walks around Narshimavanam and used to update him on various legal aspects and other general issues.
Shri R.Krishnaswamy Iyer with His Royal Highness the King of Nepal : Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev,
Shri R.Krishnaswamy Iyer with President V.V.Giri during his visit to Sringeri
He married his own maternal aunt Grand-daughter Vedambhal. The couple had 7 children and only the last daughter Meenakshi survived.
Meenakshi was married to M.Jagadeesan [s/o Sanskrit scholar Mahalinga Sastry hailing from Vyacherry village near Ayyampetteai between Kumbakonam and Tanjavur] and had a daughter Sudha. Shri Jagadeesan was employed with TATA and the couple settled in Bombay. Meenkahsi lost her husband Jagadeesan very early in her life, in a tragic accident in 1977. There upon the family moved back to Madurai and the responsibility of taking care of his daughter and grand daughter fell upon RK’s shoulders. The incident severely affected the health of RK’s wife Vedhambal and came as a rude mental shock to her daughter smt Meenkashi.
The tragic disturbances in his family life, neither affected RKs devotion in Godess Sharadha ambal nor his unshakable faith in His Guru Shri Abhinava Vidya Theertha swamigal. He looked at the incident and related suffering to his family as a reflection of some unfinished karma in his previous births. RKs mind neither harbored ill-will nor had an iota of doubt on the existence of GOD. He overcame this grief, by associating even more strongly with the Mutt and his Guru.
It is said, he has received profound advice and counseling from his Guru Holiness Jagadguru Abhinava Vidhyatheertha swamigal, w.r.t to the cosmic events surrounding the loss of his son-in-law. He has not shared the dialogue between him and His Guru to anybody else.
Shri R.Krishnaswamy Iyer with His Guru His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Vidya Theertha swamigal
Any normal human being would have crumbled to pieces on such a fate befalling their most loved and adorned daughter, but here we see RK, as a tall edifice, taking things by his stride and not complaining about it as well. Most importantly, rather than going into a shell, he had a vision to look forward and plan the succeeding events in her life.
Smt Meenakshi got further educated, took up a job as a teacher in Chennai, and with the tireless efforts of R.Nagarajan (His c-brother) got a job in TELCO (Now TATA Motors) on compassionate grounds and then smt Meenakshi shouldered the responsibilities of running the family.
RK performed daily puja’s to Bana Lingam which was given to him by His Holiness Abhinava Vidyatheertha swamigal. One of his habits was collecting photos of his Guru. He had vast repository of rare photos.
H.H. Jagadguru Abhinava Vidyatheertha swamigal in coversation with Lord Narasimha
His love and affection for his grand daughter was total. On every Janma Nakshtram (On Birth star of every year), special poojas were performed in Madurai and a Red Rose Garland was handed over to Sudha as pooja prasadham.
RK-Vedhambal Shastiapthapoorthi was performed in Madurai and Sadhabhishekam was performed in Bangalore
RK made all arrangements for celebrating the Shastiapthapoorthi of his co-brother Nagarajan - Maragatham (Chotta chitti), in Srigeri and blessed by His Holiness Abhinava Vidya theerta swamigal. While taking leave of Swamigal after the function, Mahasannidhanam Abhinava Vidya theertha Swamigal with his ever characterstic smile asked RK “ Enna Krishnaswamy Iyer, ungalukku thripthi thane” [ RK – Are you satisfied ?] . Tears just rolled down the cheeks of RK and he performed Shastanga Namaskaram to his Guru.
RK was very active in his profession till he was 80 years old. He moved to Bangalore to be with his daughter Meenakshi who was posted in Bangalore. Clients used to come to Bangalore from Madurai and take him to Madurai for the court cases. He suffered a paralytic stroke at the age of 81 years and his left hand and leg got affected, limiting his movements. He lived for another 10 years, very affectionately tendered by his Grand daughter Sudha
His physical condition did not deter him from paying a visit to His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Bharathi theertha swamigal, when His Holiness visited Bangalore in 1991. Seeing RK unable to stand in the crowd, His Holiness instructed his private secretary to put a chair, so that RK can sit and asked RK not to strain himself like this.
Shri R.Krishnaswamy Iyer with His Holiness Jagadguru Sri Bharathi Theertha Swamigal the ruling and 36th Pontiff of Sringeri Sharada Peetam
I try to recall, on some of the associations of R.Krishnaswamy Iyer. Which I have heard about.
He was very close to late Keervatti Sankara Vadhyar, whom I have also interacted, when I was in Madurai and knew him well. I have traveled with him to Sringeri on 2 occasions.
RK was very close with Sri SPM Chettiyar & family in Madurai. Sri SPM Chettiyar family used to treat RK as one of their own family member.
"Friends Standing Tall" - Shri RK with his close friend Shri SPM Chettiyar
RK was very close to Dr Raghava Variyaar, of 'Arya Vaidhya Salai' and the association between the two families still continues.
Advocate RK was very close with Shri B.R. Ramasastry family in Bangalore. Shri Ramasastry & his son shri Vidhyasankar were very closely attached with Advocate Krishnaswamy and his family. Their respect and admiration for each other was mutual. A interesting incident concerning myself and Shri Ramasastry is penned down at the end of this section. The association between the two families continues even now and thanks to our forebears who have set it up.
RK passed away in Dec 1998 [Aged 90years] . He breathed his last on the lap of his Grand daughter (who had just finished her BE final semester exams), with absolute confidence in Goddess Sharadha ambal and his Guru Shri Abhinava Vidhya Theertha swamigal.
Upon his death the
Bana lingam was handed over to the Sringeri Math in Venkatnarayana road – T.Nagar - Chennai
The legal files pertaining to math were collected by Shri B.R.Ramasastry and handed over to Sringeri math
Many photographs related to Sringeri math and previous acharays were handed over to Sringeri Math
Shri R.Krishnaswamy Iyer & Family receiving Mantraksham from H.H.Jagadguru Sri Abhinava Theerta swamigal. [Photo of Shri Pandit M.S.M.sharma in the backdrop]
Vedhambal was an embodiment of devotion. She was very intelligent and shrewd lady. Being the eldest daughter in the family, she was well respected within the family. RK & Vedhambal couple (along with R Nagarajan (RK’s co-brother) was also instrumental getting the younger siblings married, and as well looked after their comfort and well being.
She was well versed with music and played the violin well. She used make choclates. In the latter part of her life, she spent most of her time visiting temples in Madurai, and in meditations &'Japam' [Prayers].
Vedhambal suffered during her end days, caused by an accidental fall . She was immobile and bed ridden for about 8 months. Her mind was active till her death. A day before her death, she lapsed into unconsciousness and the doctor,indicated that the end was near and advised recitation of Vishnu Sahasranama which was duly done. There was no response from smt Vedhambal to calls made by her near and dear ones.
Myself and Sudha got a call and rushed to see her. Sudha called out to her grandmother loudly and got a moaning (hmmmm), as Response and that was the final voice from Smt Vedhambal, which to me looked as if the soul was holding itself to bid a final bye to her most loved grand daughter. She breathed her last that night.
Vedhambal passed away on 3rd September - 2001 (She was 79 years old) . Her daughter Meenkashi, Sister Kalavathy, brother Ramamoorthy were also by her bed side when she breathed her last
Smt Vedhambal had kept a golden Mangalyam, Golden Ear studs, in her old trunk box, which I chanced upon while cleaning the lofts (Some six months later). It was meant to be submitted to Sringeri math as Kanikkai (offering), to ward of some suffering or dosha to her Sister smt Kalavathi & her family. They were duly handed over to Sringeri Math in the presence of His Holiness Bharathi Theerta swamigal and we prayed for his Anugraham (His Grace) and blessings.
Archaryal remarked to his private secretary in front of us ,”this child (pointing to Sudha) is the grand daughter of advocate R.K, and she has handed over to the math her patti’s kannikai [offering] and blessed us with His Grace. The next day while leaving after getting Mantraksham, Sudha received a Saree from the benevolent Holiness with blessings.
Note: Sudha is married to Sundaresan [s/o S Jagadeesan and Grandson of J.Subramani Iyer ] of Sattanathapuram family.
I sum up my writing’s on Shri Advocate R Krishnaswamy with the below incident. Numerous were the correspondence between Shri RK and His Holiness Sringeri Jagadguru Sri Sri Abhinava Vidhyatheertha Mahaswamigal. On one occasion swamigal was camping in Chidambaram. RK has sent an epistle updating Swamigal on various aspects related to the Mutt and has also desired “His holiness grace should turn on him for a while in the sacred place Chidambaram”. Private Secretary to his Holiness Sri N Lakshminarayana Sastry has responded as below carrying the message from His Holiness which I reproduce in verbatim.
“His Holiness was immensely pleased with your desire,that His Holiness thoughts should turn on you for a while in this sacred Kshetram Chidambaram. His Holiness has directed me to inform you, that He has not only thought of you in this place, but you are ever in His mind”
By his selfless service to His Guru, Shri R.Krishnaswamy Iyer has achieved immortality.
Our Pranams and Prayers to Godess Sharadha, His Holiness Jagadhguru Bharathi Theertha Mahaswamigal the ruling and 36th pontiff of Sringeri Sharada peetam, the Guru Parambara to which our forefathers submitted themselves. They have traversed the path of righteousness and we pray them to guide us and our succeeding generations.
Family Tree:
I wanted the pen down the below incident. Once a small parrot was badly injured and landed in the front yard of our house and took refuge in a small bush plant (Probably, she had fallen from her nest).The parrot was about to be devoured by a cat. I shoed away the cat and took the parrot inside the house and next day showed it to a veterinarian doctor. The doctor said the leg has been badly damaged and put a small strip around its leg with some medicines. I got a cage and tendered to the parrot. The parrot used to go around the hall and bed room- its mode of walking was one leg forward and for the next push it will thrust its beak. We named it as Ranganayaki – (to be honest, the bird was very fierce and aggressive). When left out of the cage for bathing, it will go and hide underneath the chest off drawer of Advocate R.Krishnaswamy Iyer.
In about 2 month’s time, it grew healthy, the legs became almost alright with a slight slant and its wings grew big enough for it to fly. I had planned to get a partner for the bird.
We went on a Sunday to pay a courtesy visit to Shri Ramasastry uncle’s house. I narrated the story of the parrot, its injury and subsequent recovery. His words were very straight –“sundaresan – your duty is done, release the bird for it to be with its flock”. So profound were his words on me, as soon as I returned home, I set the bird free and Ranganayaki flapped her wings with great speed and flew away happily. Had it not for him, thinking that I’m doing good, I would have imprisoned the freedom and happiness of the bird.
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