Namaskaram
Sanskrit college at Mylapore in Chennai is a Landmark. Have passed this illustrious institution many times but never had an opportunity to visit. It was accomplished on Saturday, 3rd November when I was invited by Sri P.R. Kannan an erudite scholar from Mumbai who is closely associated with Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Peetam. He had instituted an annual endowment lecture in memory of his late father Sri D. Ramakrishna Iyer at the prestigious Sri Kuppuswamy Sastri Research Institute which functions from the Sanskrit College at Myalpore.
The inaugural lecture was given by Dr. K. Srinivasn, former Principal and Head-Department of Sanskrit, R.K.M. Vivekananda College, Chennai on the topic an overview of Vedic Literature. The speech was flowing like Thaila Dhara and it was a feast to hear about our great glories of Vedas, Yagas and Yagnas and I couldn’t believe ninety minutes have gone past when the lecture was ended. Sri Krishnamurthi Sastrigal who was present on the occasion heaped his praise on Sri Srinivasan for going into minute details.
I wish to bring to your attention that this Sanskrit college was founded by Sriman V. Krishnaswami Iyer way back in the year 1906. He was a brilliant lawyer, became a Judge of Madras High Court in 1909. Though he lived a short span of life he was known for his greatness and philanthropy. Mahatma Gandhi who visited the college in 1915 called him a “Mahapurusha”.
Sri Kanchi Mahaperiyava had praised him stating that Sri Krishnaswami Iyer had invested as capital not only his savings but also his body and soul on three institutions he had found. The first one for treatment of ailments in the name of Venkataramana Vaidya Shala, the second for upliftment of Atmajnana by establishing the Sanskrit college and the third one to take care of financial needs through establishment of Indian Bank. There is a beautiful picture of Mahaperiyava inside the Sri Kuppuswamy Sastri Research Institute which is kept in decorated wooden frame.
Thanks to Sri P.R. Kannan for inviting to this event which made me to visit this holy place visited by many Mahans.
Those who come to Chennai do make a visit and feel our great heritage.
Pranams
Anand Vasudevan
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