Shri K.Mahadeva Iyer

Shri K.Mahadeva Iyer

n TDR, there was a Secondary School (I to VIII std) situated in Thirumanjana veedhi, opposite to Sankara mutt (Present).  It had no big name board, no advertisement, no modern appearance etc., But,….it was very famous and popular.  Every body knew about it and had some connection with it.  Either his or her father might have been the student of that school,….. or he or his children might be studying.  It was in the years 1930s and 40s.  The school was called as Secondary school, Naickers school, Kokat Rao school or Ekanatha iyer school. It had very good name, very good strength, very good management, efficient staff, good treatment, good teaching etc., Even in those days, parents selected only good school send their children to study.

The school was managed by Naick family and sri Swaminatha Naick was the correspondent. Sri G Ekanatha iyer was the Headmaster. The management had full confidence in him and gave full freedom to run the school efficiently.  The staff was the pick of the lot.  The senior most Asst, next to HM was Sri K Mahadeva Iyer, the eldest son of Sri Ketharam Iyer, the then village officer (Karnam) of Mahadana puram vattam.  He was a very efficient Karnam who had all particulars about lands, Houses, Pattas etc in his finger tips.  He was given great respect by all.  Only with his help, my father bought the Mahadana street house (No.140).  

Shri Mahadeva Iyer was a thin man with tuft.  His dress was simple with dhothi, Jibba and Angavasthram. He was a very nice gentleman. I did not hear him speak loud on any occasion.  He would speak only mildly, press his view effectively and finish the work successfully.  He was a man of few words.  He was a man of action.  Everybody gave him respect and would approach him for advice.  After Ekanatha Iyer, he became the H.M. of the school. His administration was very good. After some years, the T.A.H.S undertook the management of the secondary school. Sri Mahadeva Iyer continued as the H.M.  He had been the student of the illustrious Trio Messers N.P.Iyer, K.G. Iyengar, and S.S.Iyer.

In those days, parents preferred only the secondary school to the T.A.H.S and were very particular to make their children study up to 8^th std, so as to get a solid foundation as the Secondary school had a band of hard working devoted teachers.  Under the leadership of Sri K.M Iyer, they worked more efficiently.  To say frankly, there was a healthy contest between the two schools.  Sri K.M.Iyer himself was a good teacher.  He would teach English, Maths, Social science, Science, all subjects effectively and impressively.  Effective management, good teaching of good discipline, his manner of moving with others all made him a perfect model Teacher. Our Writer Mali Sir, Raghavan Sir, to name a few was his students.

His family life was very smooth and decent.  He had 3 brothers and two sisters. Shri K. Narayana Iyer, school teacher is one of his brothers. One of his sisters was staying in 123 – Mahadana Street…..Maligaikadai Mani Iyer’s wife. His children were all gems. They studied very well and are in good status.  Mali is the close friend of Mutthumani and Ramamurthy,…same batch. All his children studied under me. Mr M Subramaniam called as Individual Subramaniam is a senior Bank officer and his love for TDR and T.A.H.S is so immense, so great that he took a major part in TOSA activities,….even now is thriving every nerve to make TOSA a very efficient and model association in the whole Tamil Nadu and theTEAM effort of TOSA speaks louder. With the willing support of each one…...it could be achieved. I have been seeing the efforts of a committed TEAM from close quarters and simply amazed. May GOD bless them in their efforts!

K.M Iyer was a close friend of Sri N Thiyagaraja iyer.  The sincere friendship resulted in Sow. Uma, his daughter’s marriage with T. Mohan (S/o Sri Thiagaraja Iyer). They are all well settled.  Due to my age and profession I could move with Sri K Mahadeva Iyer.  I had my own respect.  About his nature, attitude, approach and qualities, his Daughter-in-law has fondly and emotionally recollected in different context, last week in a touching manner. A great, unique and rare effort from a D-in-law.

Sri Mahadeva Iyer’s sight and gentle smile would speak thousands of words.  He was not 2 in one,….3 or 4 in one.  He was all in one.  Yes all good things combined in one!.....That was Sri Mahadeva Iyer.

Great people…..Great place…..Great School…..Great teachers…..

M.Venkatraman,

Retd teacher,

T.A.H.S.S – TDR

Camp : Pondicherry