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by Dushiyanthini Kanagasabapathipillai

The 3rd Annual Nahammal Kasipillai Memorial Oration was delivered on January 16th 2008 at Sivananda Nilayam, Saiva Mangaiyar Kazhagam, Wellawatte.

Deshabandu Nahammal Kasipillai, as Principal dedicated over thirty years in building up one of the finest institutions of learning in Sri Lanka today. She passed away on 8th of December 2005.

[Ms. Nahammal Kasipillai Served as Principal of Saiva Mangaiyar Kazhagam 1937 to 1969, National leader Transcendental meditation-1975 to 1995 and she was honoured with Deshabandu award from President of Sri Lanka, in 1993]

The educator is remembered for many of her contributions to learning that span over generations of students, parents and teachers and leaving behind a legacy that is praised of embodying “a purity of purpose, a perseverance of effort, and a passion for service”.

The event was chaired by Retired Supreme Court Judge C.V.Wigeswaran and the Memorial oration was delivered by Ms. Sivanandini Duraiswamy.

Aaranie Karthikeyan, recalled the lifelong teacher and matriarch’s sound guidance to all those to sought it, in her vote of thanks at the Memorial Oration.

[Portrait of Ms. Nahammal Kasipillai, at Sivananda Nilayam, on Jan 16, 2008]

Full Text of Vote of thanks, delivered by Aaranie Karthikeyan:

Chairperson Justice C.V.Wigneswaran, Keynote speaker Mrs Sivanandini Duraiswamy, The Principal, Staff and students of Siva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam, President of The Past Pupils Association Ms Sarojini Kanendran, committee members, members of the Alumni and past students, Uncle Thilakan, family members, relatives, friends and well wishers of late Miss.Nahammal Kasipilliai.

Good evening,

It is an honour and privilege as a grand niece of Late Ms Kasipillai whom we fondly called Kasi granny/ or Periyamma to propose the vote of thanks today. Before I set I about the task of expressing our sincere thanks to those organising this evening’s memorial lecture, I ask that you indulge me in recounting a few cherished memories I have of her.

I would like to quote a particular verse from the Thirukurral Chapter 45 “Periyaarai Thunai Kodal”.

It translates to “it will be the rarest of rare good fortunes if though can secure to thyself the kinship of a worthy person”.

Accordingly from a tender age I was always conscious of the rare privilege that was bestowed upon me in the form of Periyamma’s close guidance, love and friendship. Her life long commitment to the empowerment of women was apparent to me both in her conversations and the countless persons who would visit her at her Vivekananda road residence for personal advice, and reassurance. A sound listener in her role as counsellor, she provided non-judgmental and sound guidance to all those to sought it. As a mentor to many, she was quick to identify the talents and capacities of all those who came before her, always encouraging of efforts demonstrating discipline, perseverance and hard work.

She would often quote to me Poet Bharathiyar’s words on the role of women in society.

My awe and respect for her life’s work took form in an essay I wrote for my Grade 8 Tamil class on the 15th July 2001 titled ‘Naan Virumbiya Periyaar’. I don’t wish to bore you with the entire contents of the essay, but just an excerpt demonstrating my admiration and appreciation of her personality at that age.

At 13 years of age, these words were a tribute to her virtues of discipline, ethics, and uncompromising stance on perseverance, hard work and honest intention. I am indeed very fortunate to have enjoyed the privilege and benefit of being a member of Ms Kasipillai’s intergenerational family. It has enabled me to appreciate and hopefully embody the maturity, wisdom and experience demonstrated by Miss. Kasipillai with regard to the essence of life.

At this juncture I believe it appropriate to express our sincere thanks on behalf of the Kasipillai family to the following persons, who have enabled us to commemorate Miss. Nahammal Kasipillai, by organising this memorial lecture on her 92nd Birthday anniversary today.

I’d like to thank Justice Wigneswaran for chairing today’s proceedings. Your thought provoking words on the role of women through South Asian history, and the transition from a community based identity to an individual rights based identity, is a topic that dominates much of the contemporary global discourse on human rights regime.

I’d like to thank Ms. Sivanandini Duraiswamy for her keynote speech. Your keynote address on the multiple roles played by Hindu women from ancient times to date, their potential and capacity which had been given a pride of place in Hinduism, conferring a dignity, respect and freedom for women, the reasons that have led to the deterioration of their status and the need for women to become agents of change-aid us to challenge the status quo, empower ourselves and to chalk out new course based on Hindu values. You have very succinctly stated how these obstacles could be overcome by the adoption and practice of Hindu values, UN declarations on women and principles of good governance by individuals, society, state and the international community. These words are a personification of the values and principles Ms Kasipillai stood for. You can be assured that your words were reaffirming to most of us here today, of our inherent capabilities and capacities to combat the challenges of our day-to-day lives.

Thank you Mrs Sarojini Kanendran for your welcoming words and nostalgic memories of Ms Kasipillai’s time as your teacher and principal.

I’d also like to express our sincere gratitude to Saiva Mangaiyar Kazhagam, the Principal and her staff, Mrs.Sivanandini Duraiswamy, and the Past Pupils Association lead by Sarojini Kanendran and her team who were instrumental in undertaking the necessary arrangements to make this event a memorable and successful one.

And last, but not least we appreciate the presence of all those who have participated in today’s memorial lecture, despite their heavy daily schedules, particularly during times of great uncertainty and concern due to the prevailing security situation in the country.

I’d like to conclude with a few words from Swami Vivekandana on servant leadership, which I believe articulate, the essence of Ms Kassipillai’s legacy.

“One must be a servant of servants and must accommodate a thousand minds. There must not be a shade of jealousy or selfishness, then you are a leader”.

Miss. Kassipillai embodied all these and more in her life’s work-a purity of purpose, a perseverance of effort, and a passion for service. She was a shining example for every one of us striving to find real value in life. May her blessings be with us.

Thank you.
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Email:dushi.pillai@gmail.com