An Ode to my Alma Mater.
Posted 6th April 2008 at 09:29 PM by Chitvish
This is my modest attempt to ruminate over and preserve the memory of my Alma Mater, American College in Madurai, as history.
School and college days are very special in one's life. Deep impressions are formed, as one is being moulded. These memories are precious possessions that supply happiness all along our life. In my pre-teens, while the concept of "going to college" was in the future tense, the "American college" had a mystique about it; passing through the college everyday on the way to my school would always create an awe in me. The sprawling green campus with regal buildings only added to the charm.
In my life, the period of two years at the American college was special because from a shy, awkward girl, I blossomed into a self-confident young woman.
The first thing that impressed me most was the sublime quietude of the sprawling campus of about 40 acres. When I first entered the college, I was struck by the natural splendour of the campus. It was a riot of colour, with the flame of the forest and other bright flowers growing in profusion. The ground was richly carpeted with fallen flowers. It felt like being in the Garden of Eden itself sans the snake of course! The natural beauty of the campus was matched, if not surpassed by the magnificent buildings in red brick, built in the Indo-Saracenic style.
My emotional attachment to the college started on the very first day. As the days passed, I realised that the sylvan surroundings and magnificent buildings were well matched by the brilliance of my professors. The freedom given to us inculcated a sense of discipline. We were just 20 lady students, as compared to 3000 boys. Needless to say, we were worshipped as queens! The campus was safe for us and the boys were generally well behaved. Some of them even used to play the role of Knight-in-Shining-Armour for us, damsels, even if not in distress ! Co-education did help me very much and I learnt to emerge out of my cocoon and became a confident young woman. We were never spoon-fed and the seeds of self-reliance were sown on the very first day of our college life.
My memory swarms with the names of all my professors, at one time real personalities who moved about the corridors of the college building and imparted knowledge as best as they could. I can visualize them even today, their style, their posture, their disposition and ease with which they explained away all our difficulties and doubts. They are now just a memory. They will remain so with me as long as my time lasts.
I love the American college. It is difficult to explain why. The place has a soul like the great historic sites! I have no hesitation in saying that my college played a major role in shaping my personality. The individual styles of communication adopted by various members of the faculty were learning opportunities. When I sit back and think of my years in American College, there is a sense of warmth and gratitude which fills my heart.
Well, all good things should or would come to an end. My pleasant days at American College came to an end with a special candle lighting ceremony, held annually, to bid farewell to the outgoing students. As I remember, there was an air of uneasy emotion, as all of us, girls and boys, dressed in white, stood, freshly graduated. As a tradition of American College, each one of us was given a candle and soon after the principal's farewell speech, the candle was lit and we silently moved out, with a halo of light around us. Tears flowed down on our cheeks on bidding adieu and I am sure that many of the candles would have been put out by our own tears as mine was. But that symbolism carried a strong message to enlighten the darkness with education. Many years have passed, since then. But this candlelight remained warm in my heart. The college has completed 125 yrs. So many candles left the campus and became stars all over the world.
An institution does not move anywhere but takes people from nowhere to somewhere.
This undying spirit of commitment of my college continues. I take this
opportunity to show my deep love and affection to my dear Alma Mater !
May God bless this institution!
Love,
Chithra.
School and college days are very special in one's life. Deep impressions are formed, as one is being moulded. These memories are precious possessions that supply happiness all along our life. In my pre-teens, while the concept of "going to college" was in the future tense, the "American college" had a mystique about it; passing through the college everyday on the way to my school would always create an awe in me. The sprawling green campus with regal buildings only added to the charm.
In my life, the period of two years at the American college was special because from a shy, awkward girl, I blossomed into a self-confident young woman.
The first thing that impressed me most was the sublime quietude of the sprawling campus of about 40 acres. When I first entered the college, I was struck by the natural splendour of the campus. It was a riot of colour, with the flame of the forest and other bright flowers growing in profusion. The ground was richly carpeted with fallen flowers. It felt like being in the Garden of Eden itself sans the snake of course! The natural beauty of the campus was matched, if not surpassed by the magnificent buildings in red brick, built in the Indo-Saracenic style.
My emotional attachment to the college started on the very first day. As the days passed, I realised that the sylvan surroundings and magnificent buildings were well matched by the brilliance of my professors. The freedom given to us inculcated a sense of discipline. We were just 20 lady students, as compared to 3000 boys. Needless to say, we were worshipped as queens! The campus was safe for us and the boys were generally well behaved. Some of them even used to play the role of Knight-in-Shining-Armour for us, damsels, even if not in distress ! Co-education did help me very much and I learnt to emerge out of my cocoon and became a confident young woman. We were never spoon-fed and the seeds of self-reliance were sown on the very first day of our college life.
My memory swarms with the names of all my professors, at one time real personalities who moved about the corridors of the college building and imparted knowledge as best as they could. I can visualize them even today, their style, their posture, their disposition and ease with which they explained away all our difficulties and doubts. They are now just a memory. They will remain so with me as long as my time lasts.
I love the American college. It is difficult to explain why. The place has a soul like the great historic sites! I have no hesitation in saying that my college played a major role in shaping my personality. The individual styles of communication adopted by various members of the faculty were learning opportunities. When I sit back and think of my years in American College, there is a sense of warmth and gratitude which fills my heart.
Well, all good things should or would come to an end. My pleasant days at American College came to an end with a special candle lighting ceremony, held annually, to bid farewell to the outgoing students. As I remember, there was an air of uneasy emotion, as all of us, girls and boys, dressed in white, stood, freshly graduated. As a tradition of American College, each one of us was given a candle and soon after the principal's farewell speech, the candle was lit and we silently moved out, with a halo of light around us. Tears flowed down on our cheeks on bidding adieu and I am sure that many of the candles would have been put out by our own tears as mine was. But that symbolism carried a strong message to enlighten the darkness with education. Many years have passed, since then. But this candlelight remained warm in my heart. The college has completed 125 yrs. So many candles left the campus and became stars all over the world.
An institution does not move anywhere but takes people from nowhere to somewhere.
This undying spirit of commitment of my college continues. I take this
opportunity to show my deep love and affection to my dear Alma Mater !
May God bless this institution!
Love,
Chithra.
Total Comments 32
Comments
 |  Dear Chitra That was a splendid write-up.  Straight from the heart filled with emotions.I can visualise that you have enjoyed each and every moment of your college life,you seem to be narrating it fresh from memory. Next time when I visit Madurai I will include "American College" in my list of places to visit.  Regards Sowmya |
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| |  Sowmya, my Honey! Thankyou !! Whatever happened to A(nand) C(hitra), my FB Boni, I wonder!! When I posted this blog, I thought since it is personal, there may not be takers! But you have belied my imagination!! A(merican) C(ollege) is enroute from my house when we go "downtown" & just reminds me of one of the most enjoyable phases of my life. Sure, I will come with you & proudly take you round!! Lovwe, Chithra. |
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| |  Dear Chithra Ma'am, That was a wonderful write up on Alma mater . As I was reading it I was reminded of my own one The St. Anthony's Girls School in Chembur Mumbai. The campus, was our home for 12 years. About 6 years back when I met my teachers ,(I worked there as a student counsellor for high school),I felt so wonderful. They are so old now but still teach with the same passion.Just for dear old times sake I am penning a few words of my school, that we used to sing everyday, School life a rock on which we shall build with a spirit of God to be filled . As we grow in our minds may this truth be instilled! ...... I can completely relate to your feeling.For me my school is my bench mark. Whenever I scout for a school for my daughter (I cannot put her in St. Anthony's now as I live 25 kms away),I find some fault with every school. Its like you compare others parents with your own and never approve of the others . For you your parents are always the best! And so is our almamater. Love, Devika |
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| | Devika Mole, I know I am...copying Sri - but endearment has no limitations, Mole! I did my entire schooling in St Joseph's Convent, but for reasons, I cannot figure out, college became dearer to me ! May be my adolescent stage of life had something to do with it. Last evening, my grand daughter was here. When I showed her this blog, she said she was shocked that my parents sent me to a co-ed college, more than 40+ yrs back, in a conservative mofussil place like Madurai.  But the college taught me so many life-lessons and I owe it to my AC, whatever I am today ! Thanks for "dropping in" here. Love, Chithra. |
| Updated 7th April 2008 at 12:23 AM by Chitvish |
| | Dear Chitra Ma'am, Thanks for the endearment ! Wow todays a lucky day! Love, Devika Mole |
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| |  Dear Chith That was a wonderful write up about your college. After school going to a college is a entirely different thing. Remembering the college, friends and teachers make us so nostalgic. Yes it is so special that you never ever wish to forget that part in your life. It is there with us always. Thank you Chith Love Vidhi |
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| | Dear Mam Lovely write up abt ur college ,it shows how much u loved n cherished those days.made me remember all my school days n friends.no matter wht i still make it a point to visit my school n talk to teachers when i visit my native. enjoyed ur writing. Regards raji |
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| | Vidhi, perhaps as I grow old....school life is fading away from memory, but college life is still fresh ! I think the tranformation during adolescence is also a reason! Love, Chith. |
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| | I cannot do that, Raji!Nobody lives in Madurai anymore, from my classmates. I just keep in touch with one who has now come back to Chennai, after many years in Delhi. Atleast 3 persons have passed away. Reading about them in the Obituary column made me very sad! But that is what life is all about at 60+ ! Love, Chithra. |
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| |  Chithu, This blog is awesome.Made me nostalgic! I cherish my school days more than my college days and i'm proud that i'm still in touch with my school teachers.They are my guiding light even now.They even attended my wedding  ...I can write on and on.., but chithu this is definitely an ode and i'm 100% in agreement with thelines from you:An institution does not move anywhere but takes people from nowhere to somewhere. |
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| | Aishu Babes, honestly I had my own fears when posting this blog because this is more a memoir than an article or an incident! Now, everybody feels nostalgic & identifies with her own younger school or college days!! That only shows we love to get nostalgic in life!! Love, Chithu. |
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| |  Dear Superwoman Wow beautiful write up............. with this it looks like you have taken everyone to they college days. Those are the best days and also the age to learn so much. Not bad so your time boys were the Knights with shining Armour for all the beautiful ladies of your time. Superb |
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| | Dear Aruna, don't think, the boys acted only as Knights! They acted enough as Romeos also. But the proportion of Juliets was very thin & so "we, the lady-students" were in great demand!! Now, don't make me write all the fun we had in co-ed college !1 I have to maintain a dignified image in this forum, now that I am a senior citizen!! Love, Chithra. |
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| |  college vazhkai - adhu oru vasantha kaalam !!deer chiths well it all looks like sum telepathy going between u n me...2 days back i read the write up given by my wingmates as were bidding fareweel to each other on our farewell day frm college...in that there was a poem writen as college vazhkai- adhu oru vasantha kaalam...am exactly reminded of those words when i read this blog......i am learning dance since i was 3,but started doing my own compositions in my college only...it was a platform which made me confident and taught me the practical side of life..till school life we are well protected by our parents...but only in the college life and that when u have to stay in hostel u cum across gud n bad things and u learn the realities of life and start differenciating the good from the bad..... thanks for this lovely blog my friend..i also thank ur american college for giving such a darling n young woman like you to us !!! |
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| |  Dear Chithu mam, Looks like you passed out yesterday. Another vivid description here. You brought my college memories back too. Have you had an alumni meet or something. It ll be great to know what each of your classmates do now. Nostalgia is a beautiful thing |
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| | Don't worry Chitra can imagine how much fun u might have had during your days just reading your posts...........hahahaha Good memories never fade it will always remain with us for ever God Bless you with such young heart even at this age. |
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| | Dear Sowmi, it is not just vasantha kalam!It was Kanaa kaaNum inimaiyana vasantha kaalam ! There were less responsibilities & life was nothing but dreams!! Now don't take me back to my youth, Sowmi!! I might end up "leaking" out juicy tit-bits wich I want to avoid. I have to maintain the senior citizen image of chitvish - ha ha ha !  Love, Chithu. |
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| | Dear ML, there has never been an Alumi meet !Even if there was one, living in Chennai, I wonder whether I would have gone. Sadly the entire front appearance of AC has changed to a shopping complex. It is as though, the institution is hiding behind a mini-mall. My classmates are scattered globally. As far as I know, 3 are already nomore. Well, that is life !! Love, Chithra. |
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| | Aruna, just a weebit of "juicy" news!Only & specially for you!! One of my young friends had been to the US last year. Her husband's cousin was my classmate & my stiff competitor in ranks. She said, he very fondly enquired about me, which really made me emotional. On the days the marks were given, a group of boys lead by him would enter the class chanting in chorus Hope not chithra this time also! So, I used to work more & more hard to get the coveted first rank. Finally, I emerged the University Topper! Don't ask me, what I am doing with that now. Well, it is all past glory, but sweet glory too ! Love, Chithra. |
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| |  It's my alma mater too!Dear Chithra, That was a nicely written piece which stirred nostalgic memories in me as well. I spent the finest four years of my life there in that beautiful campus. PUC 1 year plus 3 years B.Com. In other colleges the professors used to spoon-feed the lessons and notes to unwilling students. But in our dear AC as Prof. John Sahayam who taught Shakespeare to me in Advanced English used to say quite often, "My mission here is to drive you to the library" Which he did extremely well. When I moved over to the Commerce Department I met professors whose impact would last a life time. The professor who taught me my first lesson in Accounting DGR came to life again as Professor Malathi in SHE serial. She introduces Shalini to Accounting and inspires her to take up the CA course. Because of my love for the college and the campus I agreed to act as the External Examiner for B.Com Income Tax paper and later for M.Com. Income Tax, all for a period of 20 years. In fact I can now reveal that I valued your nephews paper. I had given him 98 out of 100 in Income Tax, while my professor who was the internal examiner had given him only 94. Normally the average score of 96 would have become his final score. Instead I argued with my Professor, "Sir, honestly, if you and I were to write the exam, we can't do this good. I should have given him 100. But some bigwigs might raise their eyebrows, if somebody scores a centum in a theory paper. That's why I cut down two marks. I request you to please increase your marks to 98, so that it becomes his final score." He agreed. Long live our Alma Mater! love, |
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