Tribute to S.G. Sanath Kumar
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| S.G. Sanath Kumar (26-6-1928 -- 24-9-2014) |
Hardwicke was also known for its legendary ‘Headmaster’ – S.G. Sanath Kumar (26-6-1928 -- 24-9-2014) or as he was referred to as ‘Sanath-Sir’ by both teachers and students alike. I was a student of Hardwicke, indeed so were my brothers. I recall my first day when before setting off on my bicycle, my father; D Ram Singh cautioned me that ‘Sanath-Sir’ was a strict disciplinarian. This fear was so great that on one occasion I was late by a few minutes and was hoping to sneak in through the passage way where the choir was singing hymns. It was the sudden sight of ‘Sanath-Sir’ wielding his cane, rapping the knuckles of a small line of latecomers that made me turn tail and hare out of the school all the way home by walk leaving my bicycle propped up against Sanath-Sir’s residential quarters. It was with great trepidation that I went back to school the next day... the heavens did not fall and all was well.
Incidentally, Sanath-sir and my father were friends, and I had the unnerving privilege of eating from my lunch box at the Headmaster’s house!
My stint at Hardwicke began after I passed out of the well-known CFTRI School and joined the Anglican portals of this replica of the great English Public Schools.
This all-boys school was imposing and had been built by the Wesleyan Mission as a students’ hostel at the turn of the century. The building was built around an imposing quadrangle. The central section commanding a vast foreground is a three-storey rectangular tower with Madras-Terrace roofing and finials with a beautiful archway. The two-storey blocks with their sloped roofing make up the four corners.
Rows of arched openings punctuated with blank spaces dominate the elevation; the larger arches are framed with molded arch rims. A perfect combination of cream and terra cotta with imaginative way of painting brought out all the interesting details.
The most striking feature apart from the building itself was the beautifully laid out lawns and flower beds around two enormous ‘Christmas’ trees that stood like guardians between a lily-filled pool with its fountain. On any given day, one could see a lively menagerie consisting of rabbits, guinea pigs, tortoises, jungle fowls and peacocks amidst 500 boys. There was also a large vegetable garden that was well maintained and kept the menagerie in the pink of health.
The grounds in the front were used for football, hockey and of course the annual day celebrations. The mini-stadium and stage were used for cultural events.
It was during Sanath-sir’s ‘reign’ that Hardwicke was ranked as one of the best schools in Mysuru. It was also Sanath-sir’s passion for gardening that saw the school’s gardens, the neatly laid hedgerows, the profusion of flowers, winning the annual Dasara Flower Show year after year for a record 14 years in a row.
Sanath-Sir was cast in the mould of the great headmasters and it was due to his leadership that the school, its teachers and students became worthy of emulation.
It was in 1979 that Hardwicke celebrated its 125th Anniversary. It was also Sanath-Sir’s initiative that saw the establishing of the English medium primary school. It was also in 1979 that Sanath-sir was honoured as the ‘Best Headmaster.' When the then Chief Minister R Gundu Rao visited the school during the 125th centenary celebrations, he announced a grant of Rs one lakh to the school which was utilised to construct the mini-stadium.
Sanath-Sir was a keen footballer and an athlete had taken part in several university and state level events. His early schooling was at Hardwicke and later at St. Philomena’s college. He had a brief stint as a sports reporter with the Deccan Herald and a job in the Railways when his first love, teaching, drew him back into the folds of Hardwicke. Along with the teaching job he obtained his M.Ed., degree. He was made the Headmaster in 1968 and continued till 1984.
I was fortunate to render an oration in honour of Sanath-sir upon his retirement in 1984 . Although I had graduated from high school in 1982, the presence of Sir unnerved me. There I stood at the lectern with Sanath-sir sitting a few feet away. His 'admiring look' at me was enough to derail my train of thoughts; unable to speak extempore I frantically searched my pocket, found the written notes and I somehow got through my speech conscious of the fact that I had made a priceless ass of myself.
Vivid are the memories of my interactions with Sir when I was the General Secretary of the School Union and later the President of the Interact Club od Hardwicke High School. I am grateful to Sir for being my guide and mentor who inculcated leadership qualities in me.
During the Presidentship of my father, Rotary Mysuru decided to establish a High School and Sanath-sir being a member of that club was chosen to lead the way. As the chief-de-mission of this new Rotary project, Sanath-sir with his years of experience heading Hardwicke and other CSI School at Mandya saw the successful establishment of the Rotary High School in 1988.
He served as the secretary and correspondent of the Rotary school and saw it emerging as a centre of excellence. Sanath-sir finally retired on 10 April 2004.
He continued to keep in touch with his students. I last had a brief meeting with him at his house opposite the Hardwicke PU College, he sat in the small patch of sunlight in the narrow path before his door, a black and tan dachshund dozing at his feet and a star tortoise nibbling a rose petal while another was in a state of somnolent stupor, he recalled his early days as student, then a teacher and finally the Headmaster of that sterling institution the Hardwicke College.
Sanath-sir was married to Meena in 1954, who also happened to be my teacher. Their son Ranjith works in Mandya while their daughter, Pamela is back in Mysuru after her service as a teacher at the Bishop Cotton’s Girls School in Bengaluru.
Sanath-sir was much more than a teacher; he was a family friend and a well-wisher.
posted by RG Singh at 3:14 AM
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