Remember our junior in MCC? One Kamakshi Priya. She seems to be making it big in the film world. Is the director of the new Tamil blockbuster "Kannamoochu Ennaada", which stars Radhika, Sathyaraj and budding Malayali superstar Prithviraj.
It was only when she was being interviewed on one of the channels, that I realised it's her.
She was one of those who used to be in the poetry reading and drama sessions at Anderson Hall, alongwith classmate Rajni.
Murali
p.s. Thank you Murali for this very interesting info. I vaguely remember her. And Prithviraj has already budded in Malayalam, but he is prolly still budding in Tamil. :)
21 November 2007
19 November 2007
The English Faculty then
Thanking our Profs...
Our dept help was one John, a smiling kind person who went to the AG's church. He helped in xeroxing and marks entering, and we did some dept assistance for him as part of our non-academic requirements.
Principal Rev. Dr. H. Francis Sounderraj (HFS) - I think
he taught us Phonetics/linguistics in the first year (I still remember him saying that tier is pronounced like tear and not tyre, and that tyre is something that runs on the road as opposed to the train's tier and railway tracks). In the 2nd year, he taught us TS Elliot's Murder in the Cathedral though because of the problems in college he couldnt complete it and some other prof took over those classes. I absolutely loved his classes. (That's him at a convocation ceremony.)
he taught us Phonetics/linguistics in the first year (I still remember him saying that tier is pronounced like tear and not tyre, and that tyre is something that runs on the road as opposed to the train's tier and railway tracks). In the 2nd year, he taught us TS Elliot's Murder in the Cathedral though because of the problems in college he couldnt complete it and some other prof took over those classes. I absolutely loved his classes. (That's him at a convocation ceremony.)Head of the Dept Prof. V.S. Venkataraman(VSV) - He taught us Chaucer's Canterbury Tales in the 2nd year. I always looked forward to his classes as he was very humorous.Prof. Jayaraman (He retired in '92.) - he taught us Shakespeare's some play. His was the first class I attended at MCC. Sad to say, people would fly paper rockets, read novels, sleep etc. while he taught - since he was blind.
Prof. Dr. P. Rajani (PR) - he taught us poetry including metaphysical poetry. The bachelor Sindhi prof with his flowing beard organised plays.
Prof. P.S. Dorai (PSD) - I cant remember what he taught but it was always tough to cross the 60% mark in the papers he evaluated. I got it only once, and I thought that was the greatest achievement in my 2 years there. Vinodini was his favorite student scoring 60 or a lil more. His smoking was legendary, and he would ride around the campus in a bicycle.
Prof. Dr. A. Vishnu Bhatt (AVB) - he taught us Indian literature and also some other boring topics. He took his doctorate later.
Prof. V. Rajagopalan(VR) - he always had a smile for all of us.
Prof . S. Victor Fredrick (SVF) - he taught us Shakespeare and called me Roshini. Some fared badly in his papers depending on how their relations with him were. Being an autonomous college, the internal assessments could be biased .
Prof. Wilfred Chelliah (WC) - he was better known as a man of music (at his church I think)
Prof. Manohar Samuel (MS) - he was very strict and send back students who came late to class saying that they were too early for the next class!
Prof. Dr. Stephen Jebanesan (SJ) - he had a cultivated foreign accent having done some courses in the UK/US on scholarships. His polka-dotted shirts were famous. He taught us linguistics in the first year.
Prof. Nirmal Selvamoney (NS) - getting marks in his papers were believed to be tough, and he taught us in the 2nd yr. A stickler for the purity of the Tamil language, he had changed his name - but VSV once observed that he should have called himself Nirmal Duddumuthu since Selvamoney wasnt pure Tamil! :)
Prof. Cherian Kurien (CK) - he taught us Shaw's Arms and the Man, and would sign with his fingers over his head whereever something he was referring to was in inverted comas.
Prof. Felix Moses (FM) - apparently he gve negative marks in BA, but in our MA class he was giving most of us marks in the 80-95% range. Prof. K.Ganesh (KG's nick name was "kind gentleman", says Maha!) - his classes were very good and he had a loud booming voice that made not listening not easy at all.
Prof. Franklin (FD) - he was a very friendly prof but did not take classes for us, only supervised as we took our exams.
Prof. Arul Kumaran (YAK) - he did not take classes for us either.
Prof. Dr. P. Rajani (PR) - he taught us poetry including metaphysical poetry. The bachelor Sindhi prof with his flowing beard organised plays.
Prof. P.S. Dorai (PSD) - I cant remember what he taught but it was always tough to cross the 60% mark in the papers he evaluated. I got it only once, and I thought that was the greatest achievement in my 2 years there. Vinodini was his favorite student scoring 60 or a lil more. His smoking was legendary, and he would ride around the campus in a bicycle.
Prof. Dr. A. Vishnu Bhatt (AVB) - he taught us Indian literature and also some other boring topics. He took his doctorate later.
Prof. V. Rajagopalan(VR) - he always had a smile for all of us.
Prof . S. Victor Fredrick (SVF) - he taught us Shakespeare and called me Roshini. Some fared badly in his papers depending on how their relations with him were. Being an autonomous college, the internal assessments could be biased .
Prof. Wilfred Chelliah (WC) - he was better known as a man of music (at his church I think)
Prof. Manohar Samuel (MS) - he was very strict and send back students who came late to class saying that they were too early for the next class!
Prof. Dr. Stephen Jebanesan (SJ) - he had a cultivated foreign accent having done some courses in the UK/US on scholarships. His polka-dotted shirts were famous. He taught us linguistics in the first year.
Prof. Nirmal Selvamoney (NS) - getting marks in his papers were believed to be tough, and he taught us in the 2nd yr. A stickler for the purity of the Tamil language, he had changed his name - but VSV once observed that he should have called himself Nirmal Duddumuthu since Selvamoney wasnt pure Tamil! :)
Prof. Cherian Kurien (CK) - he taught us Shaw's Arms and the Man, and would sign with his fingers over his head whereever something he was referring to was in inverted comas.
Prof. Felix Moses (FM) - apparently he gve negative marks in BA, but in our MA class he was giving most of us marks in the 80-95% range. Prof. K.Ganesh (KG's nick name was "kind gentleman", says Maha!) - his classes were very good and he had a loud booming voice that made not listening not easy at all.
Prof. Franklin (FD) - he was a very friendly prof but did not take classes for us, only supervised as we took our exams.
Prof. Arul Kumaran (YAK) - he did not take classes for us either.
Our dept help was one John, a smiling kind person who went to the AG's church. He helped in xeroxing and marks entering, and we did some dept assistance for him as part of our non-academic requirements.
The name list have been compiled by Usha and the details & observations by Rosh.
18 November 2007
Attendance register
1. S. Amos Miller
2. Annie Mary Sam
3. Bharathi
4. Gladson JAC
5. Grace Stanley
6. Indraneel Ghosh
7. Kavitha Israel
8. Murali Krishnaswamy
9. S. Mahalakshmi
10. Prem Sahayadhas
11. Persis Yenubari?
12. Princy T.
13. Pichandi
14. Rajeevnath R.
15. Roshin Mary George
16. M. Saleem
17. Shanker Balan
18. Shoba Sarah Paul
19. Sunita Gopalakrishnan
20. Thimmarayan
21. Usha Nair
22. Usha Sarah Thomas
23. Venkatesan V.
24. Vinodini Charles
(This was our MA class in 1991-93. Usha Nair, Usha T, Sunita, Annie and Roshin were
considered the Malloo clique of the MA class. Shoba, though a Malayali, always kept company for Vinodini, since both stayed in the Women's Hall and had been together at WCC too. Princy, Persis, Grace and Kavita formed another gang in class - which later had two male patrons Glady and Ghosh. Maha kept Bharati company. Murali was seen with Rajeev (and sometimes Miller?), and also recieved an occasional bear pat from his old Lawrence pal Shanker. Thimmarayan had his own circle of friends outside class. Pichandi was the paavam one. Prem from Thomas Hall and Venky from Selaiyur were inseparable, except when they went to their rooms I think.... by Rosh)
***
Amos Miller
Annie Mary Sam
Ajie George
Dora Kesari
K. Jayanthi
Murali K
Mahalakshmi S.
Princy T
Rajeevnath R.
Reeba John
Roshin Mary George
Usha Thomas
Vinodini Charles
... and this was our MPhil batch of 93-94.
Aji from JNU Delhi, Dora from Nagercoil and Reeba from American Unvty of Madurai were the newcomers. Dora was my roommate at the Pallavaram hostel while Reeba shifted to the college hostel once she got admission there. She was a highly emotional person I think... RMG
2. Annie Mary Sam
3. Bharathi
4. Gladson JAC
5. Grace Stanley
6. Indraneel Ghosh
7. Kavitha Israel
8. Murali Krishnaswamy
9. S. Mahalakshmi
10. Prem Sahayadhas
11. Persis Yenubari?
12. Princy T.
13. Pichandi
14. Rajeevnath R.
15. Roshin Mary George
16. M. Saleem
17. Shanker Balan
18. Shoba Sarah Paul
19. Sunita Gopalakrishnan
20. Thimmarayan
21. Usha Nair
22. Usha Sarah Thomas
23. Venkatesan V.
24. Vinodini Charles
(This was our MA class in 1991-93. Usha Nair, Usha T, Sunita, Annie and Roshin were
considered the Malloo clique of the MA class. Shoba, though a Malayali, always kept company for Vinodini, since both stayed in the Women's Hall and had been together at WCC too. Princy, Persis, Grace and Kavita formed another gang in class - which later had two male patrons Glady and Ghosh. Maha kept Bharati company. Murali was seen with Rajeev (and sometimes Miller?), and also recieved an occasional bear pat from his old Lawrence pal Shanker. Thimmarayan had his own circle of friends outside class. Pichandi was the paavam one. Prem from Thomas Hall and Venky from Selaiyur were inseparable, except when they went to their rooms I think.... by Rosh)***
Amos Miller
Annie Mary Sam
Ajie George
Dora Kesari
K. Jayanthi
Murali K
Mahalakshmi S.
Princy T
Rajeevnath R.
Reeba John
Roshin Mary George
Usha Thomas
Vinodini Charles
... and this was our MPhil batch of 93-94.
Aji from JNU Delhi, Dora from Nagercoil and Reeba from American Unvty of Madurai were the newcomers. Dora was my roommate at the Pallavaram hostel while Reeba shifted to the college hostel once she got admission there. She was a highly emotional person I think... RMG
15 November 2007
13 November 2007
Updates
Sometime back, Murali had sent this update on Kavita, which I forgot to add to the database.
"Kavita Israel and her husband were in the UK a few years ago to study somthing in religion. K is back in Chennai and very active in the field of religion. But she is known as Anita or Dorothy in church circles!!! K now lives in the Kilpauk area."
Talking of Kavita, I am reminded of Glady. One of my indelible MCC memories is of them sitting in the gutters stringing a guitar. (That's them in front of Selaiyur Hall, with Princy and Persis) Two days back, I had the good luck to chat with the "jac of all trades" Mr. Gladson (no offence meant!).
He told me that "the priority right now and by that I mean the next 20 days is to find a house or a place to shift all the belongings coz we need to get out of the one we aer in right now. and then my mom keeping very indifferent health. we feel tightly squeezed from all corners..." Which means he has no time to blog a post.
Usha says she is about to catch a cold. Her son has not been too well either. We have also been just recovering from a viral fever, that is synonymous with weather change in Chennai.
I spoke to Prem today and we discussed our careers. With the change of govt in TN, he now practises as a defence lawyer - after years as a prosecution lawyer.
The other day, I got a brief SMS from Venky when I wished him happy Diwali. "Fine, thank you," he said. If I get to hear any more about anyone else I will keep you informed.
10 November 2007
The Trip
Seeing so much being said about the trip prompted me to write a blog on the Trip.
It was the year 1992 and we were in the second year of our Masters. For those who have spent the undergraduate years in the college the word trip would have given a vague remembrance as the last time they had gone for a trip was in 1988, the year we had joined the college and it was supposed to be a department trip which I had missed.
Over a period of time the College was going through an invisible change in the outlook and behavior due to the various factors like the change of administrative powers, the infusion of a new breed of students who seem to have fun as their priority than academics. Adding to the woe was the misbehavior of outside college students in Deep Woods show (that's a picture Glady shot during Deepwoods). All these factors sort of diminished the prospect of outings and trips.
It was in my second year of Masters that I was offered the post of class representative although I never understood the responsibilities of one. And it was during a casual discussion while sitting in a near empty class next to the department that the idea was born to plan an outing.
Being the class rep I approached VSV, the then Department Head and with lot of apprehension requested him to authorize one. I was surprised that he immediately approved and asked me to take either Prof. Arul or Prof. Franklin with us.
With that approval I thought that everything was done but I never knew that it was only the beginning. Believe me If I had put in the same efforts during my M.Phil I would have completed the thesis. I had to literally ask every member whether they would like to come for the trip and the responses made me just go mad, there was no consent from everyone uniformly. It was like what are the dates? Oh I may have something coming up around that time etc etc. With great difficulty the numbers slowly started to build up and now it was the time to collect the money. I never knew then that there were professional money collectors which banks use to collect their debts. Again another ordeal… Oh I forgot to bring money, don’t worry tomorrow I will definitely bring etc etc.
Finally the money was collected and it was time to book the train tickets and by then Grace had gracefully agreed to get accommodation in a villa through the Church which was a welcome relief for me. Until then Venky and Prem had not given their names and we were counting numbers without them. It was a long wait for the tickets in Egmore and the computerized ticketing was not all that computerized to book tickets from anywhere or I knew of any agent who can book the tickets over a telephone call. Finally the arrangements were all made and we were at the station. Then came the surprise Venky and Prem too were there. I thought maybe they came to bid us good bye. But they came with their luggage and until today I don’t know how they managed to book tickets in the same train and compartment for them.
The journey was uneventful and we were woken up early morning at Kodai Road station and we had to rush to get out of the train as the train would stop only for five minutes. Then we took the three hour bus ride to the Kodai hill top and this was eventful for many as the twists and hairpin bents in the road made them throw up.
Finally we reached the top and climate was freezing and I realized that it was not a good idea to come to Kodai in December and we split into 2 groups and rushed to the nearest restaurant to find some warmth and have breakfast. Then we hired some taxis to go to the Villa which was on the other side of the lake.
Only at the villa we realized that Venky and Prem are missing and we don’t know how they got separated while we had breakfast. And it just happened that they never knew where we are going to stay as I never told them since they were not coming for the trip. So I took the thoni (a small round shaped boat) to go to the other side and started looking for them at the taxi stand. I had to ask the taxi drivers”did you see a fat person and a lean person” Someone did remember and said that they have taken a taxi. I was greatly relieved. What had happened was that Venky and Prem did not have the address and they had to call Chennai at Grace’s residence to their dismay and ask for the location. That is how they managed to find the place and land at the villa.
I took the thoni back and it started raining heavily, having struck in the thoni I completely got drenched and came back to villa shivering. By then the fire place was up and it was a welcome break. The four days went in a jiffy and I am sure everyone had a good time and I am happy that it was a turning point for some in life.
The members were, Annie, Usha Sarah, Grace, Kavitha, Princy, Shoba, Maha, Gladson, Persis, Ghosh, Venky, Prem, Roshin, Pichandi, Amos, who else?
It was the year 1992 and we were in the second year of our Masters. For those who have spent the undergraduate years in the college the word trip would have given a vague remembrance as the last time they had gone for a trip was in 1988, the year we had joined the college and it was supposed to be a department trip which I had missed.
Over a period of time the College was going through an invisible change in the outlook and behavior due to the various factors like the change of administrative powers, the infusion of a new breed of students who seem to have fun as their priority than academics. Adding to the woe was the misbehavior of outside college students in Deep Woods show (that's a picture Glady shot during Deepwoods). All these factors sort of diminished the prospect of outings and trips.
It was in my second year of Masters that I was offered the post of class representative although I never understood the responsibilities of one. And it was during a casual discussion while sitting in a near empty class next to the department that the idea was born to plan an outing.
Being the class rep I approached VSV, the then Department Head and with lot of apprehension requested him to authorize one. I was surprised that he immediately approved and asked me to take either Prof. Arul or Prof. Franklin with us.
With that approval I thought that everything was done but I never knew that it was only the beginning. Believe me If I had put in the same efforts during my M.Phil I would have completed the thesis. I had to literally ask every member whether they would like to come for the trip and the responses made me just go mad, there was no consent from everyone uniformly. It was like what are the dates? Oh I may have something coming up around that time etc etc. With great difficulty the numbers slowly started to build up and now it was the time to collect the money. I never knew then that there were professional money collectors which banks use to collect their debts. Again another ordeal… Oh I forgot to bring money, don’t worry tomorrow I will definitely bring etc etc.
Finally the money was collected and it was time to book the train tickets and by then Grace had gracefully agreed to get accommodation in a villa through the Church which was a welcome relief for me. Until then Venky and Prem had not given their names and we were counting numbers without them. It was a long wait for the tickets in Egmore and the computerized ticketing was not all that computerized to book tickets from anywhere or I knew of any agent who can book the tickets over a telephone call. Finally the arrangements were all made and we were at the station. Then came the surprise Venky and Prem too were there. I thought maybe they came to bid us good bye. But they came with their luggage and until today I don’t know how they managed to book tickets in the same train and compartment for them.
The journey was uneventful and we were woken up early morning at Kodai Road station and we had to rush to get out of the train as the train would stop only for five minutes. Then we took the three hour bus ride to the Kodai hill top and this was eventful for many as the twists and hairpin bents in the road made them throw up.
Finally we reached the top and climate was freezing and I realized that it was not a good idea to come to Kodai in December and we split into 2 groups and rushed to the nearest restaurant to find some warmth and have breakfast. Then we hired some taxis to go to the Villa which was on the other side of the lake.
Only at the villa we realized that Venky and Prem are missing and we don’t know how they got separated while we had breakfast. And it just happened that they never knew where we are going to stay as I never told them since they were not coming for the trip. So I took the thoni (a small round shaped boat) to go to the other side and started looking for them at the taxi stand. I had to ask the taxi drivers”did you see a fat person and a lean person” Someone did remember and said that they have taken a taxi. I was greatly relieved. What had happened was that Venky and Prem did not have the address and they had to call Chennai at Grace’s residence to their dismay and ask for the location. That is how they managed to find the place and land at the villa.
I took the thoni back and it started raining heavily, having struck in the thoni I completely got drenched and came back to villa shivering. By then the fire place was up and it was a welcome break. The four days went in a jiffy and I am sure everyone had a good time and I am happy that it was a turning point for some in life.
The members were, Annie, Usha Sarah, Grace, Kavitha, Princy, Shoba, Maha, Gladson, Persis, Ghosh, Venky, Prem, Roshin, Pichandi, Amos, who else?
My diwali
Celebrations in Chennai...
We went to a friend's place in the evening and burst crackers till late in the night.
09 November 2007
Obit Ms. Chelliah
"Just to tell you that Ms. Chelliah, the warden of Martin Hall, passed away a few days ago. Seems to have had a long innings at Sarah Tucker, Lady Doak, WCC, MCC. Notice came in The Hindu and was issued by a nephew, Joshua Chelliah.
Guess she was there when Shobha Paul was in Martin."
Murali
p.s. I dont think any of you will know her (save for Sunita) though I had the fortune to interact with her when I resided in MH for a couple of days. She had been extremely kind to me and had tried to dissuade me from leaving the hostel on account of ragging - ragging of a IInd PG student by other IInd PG students just because she was a novice at the hostel. I was told by a fellow first yr victim (the famous nightingale of the college Sindhu John) that my departure helped the cure the menace of ragging in MH to a considerable extent since it came to the Princi's attention.
Sindhu John, our junior, right now lives in Chennai with her handsome hubby Paul, who runs an NGO,and 2 daughters. She had married soon after her postgraduation and has quite big kids. She attends the church I used to attend for a while but I havent seen her in the past 2 years or more.
Guess she was there when Shobha Paul was in Martin."
Murali
p.s. I dont think any of you will know her (save for Sunita) though I had the fortune to interact with her when I resided in MH for a couple of days. She had been extremely kind to me and had tried to dissuade me from leaving the hostel on account of ragging - ragging of a IInd PG student by other IInd PG students just because she was a novice at the hostel. I was told by a fellow first yr victim (the famous nightingale of the college Sindhu John) that my departure helped the cure the menace of ragging in MH to a considerable extent since it came to the Princi's attention.
Sindhu John, our junior, right now lives in Chennai with her handsome hubby Paul, who runs an NGO,and 2 daughters. She had married soon after her postgraduation and has quite big kids. She attends the church I used to attend for a while but I havent seen her in the past 2 years or more.
07 November 2007
Girl with 8 limbs faces surgery
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/11/06/india.girl.ap/index.html
I am watching this story. After hearing the ridiculousness of how people are building temples for her and offering money to buy her for circus, I am concerned. I hope this girl triumphs over this huge surgery and has a good life.
If any of you out there hear anything about her, keep us posted too.
I am watching this story. After hearing the ridiculousness of how people are building temples for her and offering money to buy her for circus, I am concerned. I hope this girl triumphs over this huge surgery and has a good life.
If any of you out there hear anything about her, keep us posted too.
03 November 2007
Happy Diwali
Here is wishing all my friends and their families a very happy and prosperous Diwali with loads of fun, sweets and goodies.And a wonderful year ahead with excellent health.
It will be good if each one of you would find the time to write a few lines as comments or post a blog.
Maha could think about blogging about her plans for this year's diwali - are you cooking with friends or partying?
We are waiting for Miller's big blog. Rajeev could write about what you guys did for Diwali - all the partying and special cooking! Gladi could please write about his busy days. I am sure Murali can also find sometime to write..!
Did Venki manage to go to his home town? And what is Suni & co. all doing now? I wonder if Usha nair even checks.
Where are the rest?
Signing off in the hope that all of you and your families are doing great.
It will be good if each one of you would find the time to write a few lines as comments or post a blog.
Maha could think about blogging about her plans for this year's diwali - are you cooking with friends or partying?
We are waiting for Miller's big blog. Rajeev could write about what you guys did for Diwali - all the partying and special cooking! Gladi could please write about his busy days. I am sure Murali can also find sometime to write..!
Did Venki manage to go to his home town? And what is Suni & co. all doing now? I wonder if Usha nair even checks.
Where are the rest?
Signing off in the hope that all of you and your families are doing great.
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