Sanskrit College in Mylapore, Chennai, wears a festive look with the two Acharyas – Sri Jayendra Saraswati and Sri Vijayendra Saraswati – of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Pitam camping there since May 17. The campus was one of the favourite Chennai camps of Sri Chandrasekharendra Saraswati, whose Jayanti is prominent on the agenda of this outing of the acharyas. Incidentally, Sanskrit College was the first camp for Sri Sankara Vijayendra Saraswati, who accompanied his Guru to the venue.
It is also celebration time for Sanskrit College, which has organised an alumni meet on Sunday, May 24 .
“It is much more than a get together of old students,” observes Dr. N.V. Deviprasad, Principal. Called AATMAS (Alumni Association of the Madras Sanskrit College), the organisation, led by a band of office-bearers, has been organising many activities. E. Balasubramania Sastrigal (1997-2012) served as president for the longest period so far.
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The college was started in a modest place at Palathope, Mylapore, in 2005. Hence centenary celebrations began in 2005 with seminars taking place every month, the subjects including Vedas, Vedangas and Mimamsa.
In 2006, the actual centenary year, all the students were given cash awards and veterans honoured with gold medal, shawl and memento.
Dr. Deviprasad recalls the honouring of Sri Ramachandra Sastry in 2005 as an unforgettable experience. “He was 105 and a living legend.
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He lived in Sriperumbudur and we conducted the felicitation function just outside Sri Ramanujar temple. The local people cooperated in a wonderful manner. The function, attended by illustrious scholars, all his students, gave such fulfilment. I consider myself blessed to have got the opportunity to be involved,” reminisces Sri Deviprasad.
Veda Anthyakshari, a rare competition that challenged the razor sharp mind of a Vedic student, was conducted during this period, an event that was repeated for those above 18.
With data collected from 1906, AATMAS will honour alumni, who are 80 years and above. Most senior among them is 92-year old Sri Adayappalam Ramakrishna Dikshitar, whose lineage can be traced to Appayya Dikshitar. Sri Ramakrishna Dikshitar was Asthana Vidwan of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Pitam for more than five decades.
Sri Sambanda Sivachariyar, who was a student in 1933, and worked under the illustrious Dr. V. Raghavan, is another veteran to be felicitated. “Sri Sambanda Sivachariyar later worked with the French Institute for 50 years and was honoured for his mastery in Saiva Agamas,” says Dr. Deviprasad.
He went on to receive the President’s Award for 2014 and will be felicitated at the function. A familiar name in the honours list is Sri Seshadrinatha Sastrigal, former Principal of the college.
On Sunday , felicitations to the veterans will begin at 3.30 p.m. “The programme includes a Sanskrit skit and rendition of music. This will be followed by Sri Balaperiyava ’s Anugraha Bashanam , around 7.30 ,” says Dr. Deviprasad, who is retiring on May 31.
“The function will also include my farewell,” he laughs. Contact Dr. Deviprasad at 94446 14164.