An old portrait of K. Janardhanan Pillai B.A. L.T. (b.1875-d.1965) still adorns the walls of the century-old Government Model School in Thiruvananthapuram. Apart from the plaque that mentions his name, and his term as the Head Master in the school, the present generation of teachers and students have little clue about the man in the portrait.
K. Sankaran Nair, the youngest son of Janardhanan, points to an old book, Mahânâya Peter Chakravarthi (1921), and says, “This book, written by my father was used as a textbook in the schools in the erstwhile Travancore State. He also wrote a textbook on geography, as well as a compilation of the popular tales of the Greek hero Hercules.” The book titled Hercules-Veera Kadhakal was popular amongst primary school students during the early decades of twentieth century. “M.P. Appan, the renowned poet was my father’s student at Model School and fondly recalls the details from the Hercules textbook,” says Sankaran.
Janardhanan was born in Thiruvananthapuram, as the son of Kesavan Pillai and Karthyayini Pillai. Kesavan Pillai, was also a supervisor at the PWD, associated with the construction of the Punalur Suspension Bridge. It was in the early years of the twentieth century that Janardhanan entered into Government service as a teacher. He was first posted at Kollam.
Sankaran recalls many vivid stories of his father’s early service days in Kollam, where the renowned K. Paramu Pillai M.A. (1872-1919), perhaps the first postgraduate from Travancore, was posted as Head Master. On holidays, the teachers gathered at Paramu Pillai’s place. “K.C. Kesava Pillai used to grace these occasions with his presence. A fine vocalist, Kesava Pillai used to recite attakadhas and Carnatic compositions to enliven the gathering,” says Nair.
While in Kollam, the family had another distinguished visitor – Chattambi Swamikal, who came to their house, accompanied by numerous stray dogs. “Swamikal, paid occasional visits to our house and sometimes spent the night there,” recalls Nair.
Janardhanan was later posted at Kottarakkara, Kottayam and Vaikom. He served as Head Master at Government School, Marthandam (Kanyakumari District) for three years. Janardhanan retired as Head Master from Model School in 1932. Janardhanan, who settled down in Charuvila Veedu in Thampanoor was a supporter of the Kathakali Club established by V. Krishnan Thampi. “I still recall the days we went to Attakulangara School to see the performances of great Kathakali maestros like Vechoor Raman Pillai,” recollects Sankaran. Janardhanan, in his later years, led a relaxed life, as a patriarch who loved the company of his family and the love and regards of his former students.
[The author is a conservation architect and history buff]
