A multi-faceted centenarian

February 26, 2015 12:00 am | Updated September 30, 2016 09:10 pm IST - VISAKHAPATNAM:

Duvvuri Lalithamba going through the headlines of The Hindu before starting her day, in Visakhapatnam.— PHOTO: C.V. SUBRAHMANYAM

Duvvuri Lalithamba going through the headlines of The Hindu before starting her day, in Visakhapatnam.— PHOTO: C.V. SUBRAHMANYAM

As Duvvuri Lalithamba adjusts her vocal chords to sing Annamacharya kritis, it is hard to believe that she is a centenarian. From music she switches to sports, drama and her insatiable appetite to explore different facets of life.

A violinist, drama artiste, sportsperson, and orator, there is rarely any sphere that has been left untouched by the 100-year-nine-month-old. In an informal chat with The Hindu , she shares her childhood experiences and the importance of leading a meaningful life. “Every day is a new day for me and I keep myself busy,” she says after a quick glance at the headlines of The Hindu without wearing reading glasses.

Source of inspiration

Born to former Chief Justice of Madras High Court late Sir Vepa Ramesam and Lakshmi Narasamma, Ms. Lalithamba has well-stocked mind. “My father was a great source of inspiration for us. He was close to Mahatma Gandhi. Besides introducing the concept of birth control, my father suggested Swadeshi Movement and Literacy Movement to Bapu,” recalls Ms. Lalithamba.

While conversing, she gets up, heads swiftly to her room and comes back holding an old album. “I always believe in pushing boundaries. Lady Willingdon Higher Secondary School, Chennai, happened to be the right place for me to discover many interesting facets,” she explains flipping through some of the old photographs.

From shuttlecock to netball, tennikoit to essay writing competitions and staging playlets in Telugu, Tamil, and English, Ms. Lalithamba says that there is more to life than just ranks. “I got married to D.V. Ramamurthy when I was 11. He encouraged me to complete my SSLC post our marriage. Later we settled down in Vizag,” she says.

About the present education trend, Ms. Lalithamba says that wisdom is more important than being intelligent. “I feel sorry for the present generation as their exposure to the world has been narrowed down. Thanks to internet, television, and cinema that have taken over sports and outdoor activities, dimming the chances of leading a healthy life,” she adds.

I feel sorry for the present generation as their exposure to the world has been narrowed down

Lalithamba

A violinist, drama artiste, sportsperson, and orator, there is rarely any sphere that has been left untouched by the 100-year-nine-month-old. In an informal chat with The Hindu , she shares her childhood experiences and the importance of leading a meaningful life. “Every day is a new day for me and I keep myself busy,” she says after a quick glance at the headlines of The Hindu without wearing reading glasses.

Source of inspiration

Born to former Chief Justice of Madras High Court late Sir Vepa Ramesam and Lakshmi Narasamma, Ms. Lalithamba has well-stocked mind. “My father was a great source of inspiration for us. He was close to Mahatma Gandhi. Besides introducing the concept of birth control, my father suggested Swadeshi Movement and Literacy Movement to Bapu,” recalls Ms. Lalithamba.

While conversing, she gets up, heads swiftly to her room and comes back holding an old album. “I always believe in pushing boundaries. Lady Willingdon Higher Secondary School, Chennai, happened to be the right place for me to discover many interesting facets,” she explains flipping through some of the old photographs.

From shuttlecock to netball, tennikoit to essay writing competitions and staging playlets in Telugu, Tamil, and English, Ms. Lalithamba says that there is more to life than just ranks. “I got married to D.V. Ramamurthy when I was 11. He encouraged me to complete my SSLC post our marriage. Later we settled down in Vizag,” she says.

About the present education trend, Ms. Lalithamba says that wisdom is more important than being intelligent. “I feel sorry for the present generation as their exposure to the world has been narrowed down. Thanks to internet, television, and cinema that have taken over sports and outdoor activities, dimming the chances of leading a healthy life,” she adds.

I feel sorry for the present generation as their exposure to the world has been narrowed down Lalithamba

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