Let me introduce myself Padma Manian eldest daughter in law of Writer Sri N.Jayarama iyer (w/o Muthumani).I read Sri.Venkataraman sir's memories of my father in law. I like to share some of my pleasant times with him. I was doing my 3rd year B.A(Hons) when I got married.My father in law encouraged me to finish my gradution after my marriage.
At first I came to his house on 12th april 1971 as daughter in law.But our relationship was more than a father and daughter.We use to discuss a lot about politics, stories writers and the thing is that I will sit next to him on the unjjal and his policy is that respect should be in the heart only and not in physical ways. Imagine a daughter in law sitting next to a father in law some 40 yrs ago and it was a talk of Mahadana st women folk at that time.He encouraged me to do a lot of social services and when I became the president of our Ladies club at Madurai he was very happy and gave a lot of suggestions.
At this juncture I like to mention that he treated all his daughters in law equal and as his daughters only.I always remember him as a noble, kind hearted soul always ready to help to the people who came in contact him
Our relationship is a special bond and still I remember him calling me Padmasani.
I MISS YOU, APPA, A LOT.
Padma Manian
An Emagazine by TDRities
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Venkatrama Sir’s karuvuulam….
Writer Jayarama Iyer
Shri N. Jayarama Iyer, popularly known as Writer Jayarama Iyer, was one of the pillars, one of the architects of T. A. High school, Tiruvidaimarudur during the years 1930-1980. Even as a young boy of 20, after passing S.S.L.C. in the T.A.High School, he joined the institution as the Head clerk of the High School. Before him, the school office work was carried out by Shri V. Vaithyanatha Swamy Iyer (of Kondasamudram), Senior Secondary Grade teacher and Shri A. Srinivasa Iyengar, Secondary Grade teacher and book keeping teacher.
Being very smart and intelligent, N J Iyer learnt the work from them very quickly and became an expert in the work. As he was the student of Shri. N P Iyer, K. G. Iyengar and Sivasamba Iyer, it was very easy for him to work under them. He had also good relationship with the then Managers of the Tiruvavadhuthurai Mutt who were the correspondents of the High School at that period namely Shri V. Krishnaswamy Iyengar, N. Krishna Iyer, Aiyasamy Iyer and others. He discharged his duties very sincerely, efficiently and earned very good name among teachers, parents and the public. No one can deny the fact that he was the one responsible for the growth of school. Along with teachers like Shri V. Vaithianatha Swamy Iyer and others, he went to near by villages and requested the parents to send their wards to the T. A. High School and thus improved the strength of the school. New buildings were constructed, new teachers were appointed, permanent approval was got from the Govt, results (percentage of pass) increased and thus T. A. High School got very good name in the Tanjoore District.
In those days, aided schools (as T A H S ) were given annual grant only after repeated inspection and rigid formalities. Sri N J Iyer with some other Head clerks of the aided schools in the zone, formed an Association and fought for the easy disbursement of the Grant. In those days, teachers were paid very poorly and salaries were disbursed once in 4 or 6 months. Teachers had to live under the mercy of money lenders, grocery shop owners and cloth shop owners etc. M/S Pandaram Ayyah, Krishnamurthy Pillai, Maligaikadai Mani Iyer were gracious enough to give their products for loan. For example, B.T Teachers were paid only Rs.30 to Rs. 40 per month,…that too, once in 4 months. Under this situation, teachers came in very decent dress (Panchakatcham, angavasthiram, Shirt, long coat, Turban, cleanly shaved face etc.,). They were given much respect and they were revered by one and all in the public. Only due to the administration of the Aided schools, situation improved and we should thank the administrative staff of those days under the stewardship Writer Jayarama Iyer.
Sri N J Iyer’s father had been working in the Lord Mahalinga swamy temple as Sheroff. His job was to keep all the jewels of the temple in his safe custody, giving them on festival days and receiving them back. That was a very risky job and he handled very well. Sri N J iyer had 4 sons and a daughter. J Muthusubramaniam (Mutthumani), Ramakrishnan (Singidi), Venkatesan and Sundaresan were all very good intelligent and dutiful sons. All were my students and I am proud to say that they were my students. They were well in studies and in extra curricular activities too.
Shri V. Natarajan (Baby sir) produced and directed many Sheakspear plays. Muthu Subramaniam and J. Ramakrishnan took main part in those plays. I still remember, Muthumani acting as Hamlet with all emotions in his face uttering “ To Live or Not to Live….” They also acted in my dramas Gnansambandhar and Thirunavukarasar. Sri N J Iyer was blessed with a good son in law (Mirasdar belonging to Sirkazhi) and Grand Sons. All are well placed and are receiving God’s blessings in plenty.
Time changed,…..environment changed,……situation changed. N J Iyer retired after 35 years of sincere and dedicated service. Sri N J Iyer was a very religious man, a true Sakthi Upasakar,…..performed Kumbabhishekam to East Mariamman Koil, Tiruvidaimarudur
May God bless his Tribe!
M. Venkatraman
Retd Teacher,
T.A.H.S.S
Tiruvidaimarudur
Camp : Pondicherry
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