Centenary
Celebration of HM Shri T.S.Muthuswamy Iyer at SIES High School, Mumbai
December
15, 2012... It was a landmark day of SIES High School, Matunga, Mumbai.
Our late HM Shri T. S. Muthuswamy's 100th Birthday!! The event titled 'The
Century of Bliss' was organized by the school authorities and I too received an
invitation for the same. Around 10 of my 1969 batchmates attended the same. The
school hall was overflowing with ex-students, teachers and non-teaching staff.
Muthanna's son and daughter-in-law were Guests of Honour! Seen below is the write-up of the event I
shared with my batchmates in our google-group discussion forum!
Also
seen below is the poem that I read out during the occasion. Happy that it was
received well.
Our
family was known as A.K.Family and we siblings were famous in school, studying
well, taking part in all extra-curricular activities and also creating an
impression in the minds of many of our teachers. I am proud of SIESHS and of my
dear Leela, Padma, Kuttan, Sita and Chandra !! And best of all, our mom who
encouraged us so much in singing, dancing, debates, essay, elocution, and
other competitions, drawing and sewing classes etc.
I am
also proud of my parents who together made our school life very interesting. My
dad encouraged us in perfecting our English language. He also put in the
thought of 'enjoying life' and 'keeping
healthy' in us. I love my family and my school!
--oo00oo--
Report on the Centenary Celebration of HM Shri T.S.Muthuswamy at
SIES High School on 15,12.2012
The centenary celebration of our HM Shri T.S.Muthuswamy started
on dot as scheduled. From our batch I met Ganesan, MBala, Dilip,
Krishnamoorthy, Sitha, Kashi with wife Lalitha and Krishna Kumar. (Please add
in your response if I missed out anyone).
The program began with a vedic chanting by SIES Nerul 'Veda'
students. Then Bombay sisters - Saroja and Lalitha - who are SIES alumni
rendered carnatic vocal songs.... Kanchadalayadaakshi Kaamaakshi; Ramakrishna
Govinda Narayana; Maitrei Bhajata.... The songs were sung in their melodious
heart-melting voice and the choice of the songs were really good. They then
joined the 'speakers' on the stage.
HM Shri T. S. Muthuswamy's son Dr. M. Sriram was seated at the
center o the stage. Apart from V. Shankar and Mr. R. Sethuraman of the
SIESociety, other ex-students were Dr. Raju Vishwanath (of Parvati Bldg, near
our school); Dr. S. R. Ganesh, Mr. R. Sridhar and Bombay Sisters Saroja and
Lalitha.
The usual ritual of handing over a 'ponnadai'
happened.... Mr. Sethuraman honoured Dr. Sriram., our current HM
Kalyani did the honours to Saroja and Lalitha and our erstwhile HM Parvathi
madam respected Muthanna's daughter-in-law with a 'ponnadai'.
Mr. V. Shankar gave details of various qualities of Shri
Muthanna and mentioned how our school progressed under his administration.
He mentioned about a new corpus/endowment started in Muthanna's honour and
appealed to all those present to contribute liberally for educating the needy.
This was followed by speeches by the other alumni. There was one
thing common, every speaker talked about 'Sathyannasthi...' . Everyone thought
that though they did not relish 'Muthanna's stern-ness or his fuss for
cleanliness and other qualities so much during school days, they understood the
positive impact of such lessons after they left school They had also seen another
side of Muthanna which was rarely seen by public in his role as an HM.
I had written a poem on Shri Muthanna and offered to read the
same if there was time. As my name was read out, I took the mike, shared a few
of my interactions with HM which had an impact on me as a tiny kid. Then
I was happy to read out the poem I am really happy to have shared such a moment
with the crowd, and more so, with his son and wife.
Muthanna's son then spoke about his father, his qualities and
peculiarities. It was nice to hear him and to note that he was proud of being
there at the function specially in his father's honour. The newly renovated
school hall is fully airconditioned and looks elegant. This is being named
after Muthanna.
The program culminated with our national anthem. This was
followed by lunch which was sumptuous and tasty.Thanks to Dilip who gave me a
lift to the most crowded area in Matunga (I love it!) !!
The school had a videographer and a photographer to cover the
event. There are also pictures clicked from my camera and Kashi's, apart from
Ganesan's handset. Ravi will have the job of collating and uploading whenever
he gets them:-)
Shanta
--oo00oo—
In Memory of our Head Master
Shri. T. S. Muthuswamy (aka Muthanna)
(On his Centenary Celebration
at
SIES High School, Matunga on
15.12.2012)
On this special event today
A few lines about Shri
Muthanna, I say
As he walks nearby..... you
STOP,
Nothing but attention, you
pay !!
With respect, fear or
even awe?
Feelings mixed, you stand
Listen intently n follow what
is said
His wish is your command!
As I remember our HM those
days
One might think he is
not there
When he nears you, you would
know
He has noticed something
somewhere
Students were told to wash
our cans
From which we ate our meal
With fights and fun at the
tap counters
We would wash with great zeal
Because we knew we had to
show -
Open our cans as we pass HM
Sharp eyes, shrewd look,
quick to see
Even a grain or dirt, with
face grim
Murli would be told to leave
the line
Because his button was undone
Prema will be given a
warning
Because her hair had a loose
ribbon
Length of skirts, tear in the
uniform,
Upturned collar... all these
were seen
The Supervisor would read
HM’s look
Or his nod, as it might have
been....
Self discipline, Integrity,
Respect to one’s duties
Are lessons I learnt
along the way
Stern outside but
sincere within
A great teacher he was,
of the day
His Maths and ‘lessons' are
still fresh
His thoughts - sharp
and clear
There is no one like our
Muthanna,
I bow in respect, my dears!!
--oo00oo--
(Written
and read out by Shanta Ramakrishnan
( SIES1969) at the school
during HM T.S.Muthuswamy’s
Centenary Celebration On
15.12.2012)
(c) Shanta Ramakrishnan
