They Live On…

When I joined the department of English of one of the pioneering institutions of higher education for women, Lady Doak College, Madurai, as a very young member of its faculty, it was teeming with many much-experienced teachers. Nervous and excited as any newcomer would be, I found, to my astonishment, that my colleagues were more than what anyone in my position could have hoped for! Rather than look down on me, a fledging lecturer, they rallied round to help me find my feet in the department, the college. Having had my education in a one-of-a-kind Seat of Learning with its phenomenal and exceptional teachers, I cannot deny the mixed feelings of trepidation and anticipation with which I entered this place. It didn’t take me long to realize that such feelings were unfounded. None of the senior staff ever took advantage of me, or any of us juniors. And I, for my part, never took anyone for granted. Our merry band of young faculty loved and looked up to our seniors just as much as they welcomed each one of us into the department, and, their hearts!

Ms Nesta Smith, the Head, was regarded as martinet of sorts, before we, the brat pack, set foot in the department. But with us, she turned out to be such a darling! Oh no, don’t get me wrong. The darling Ms Smith never spared anyone who as much as veered, ever so little, from the sacrosanct dictates of teaching; and God forbid we did! She’d proceed to give us a dressing down of our lives in her calm but stern style, and without mincing words. And when her last word of reproach was said, the entire episode was as good as forgotten. That it was never broached again told us that we were forgiven as well.

Mrs Hepzibah David was a sweetheart:  humble, faith-filled, firm when needed, and oh so childlike! She would, at times, aid and abet with us in our little escapades. Mrs David had a kind and gentle way of putting us in the way, be it as a teacher or just another human being. The twinkle in her eyes did the talking as did her shy, mischievous smile!

Everyone loved Sheela, an ace mimic of persons! Her adorable antics never failed to amuse the young and not-so-young alike. That she never spared herself in her jokes speaks volumes of her good nature and jovial spirit. Sheela lived to bring a smile to faces, a laugh riot too.

Mrs Edriana Jeysingh was the heart of the department. Lively, loving and lovable, simple and approachable, she was our rock of Gibraltar whenever we had to face the music! Her shallow lunch box belied the vigour and vitality she possessed. She joyfully volunteered to take up any task. Once it was given to EJ, it was considered done!

Mrs Jemima Rajendran, may, as first impressions go, have appeared to be a no-nonsense person, but no sooner did we get to know her, than it was obvious that she was a vibrant gem of naughtiness, love and laughter hidden behind the stern façade! She too would happily partake of our ‘Kiddies Corner’ fun!

Mrs Shakuntala was the considered the ‘serious’ teacher-learner. But that didn’t stop her from enjoying a good belly laugh every once in a while. Her grave countenance did nothing to camouflage her joy of teaching. Shaku, was, for the most part, an ardent, insatiable researcher who was ever ready to take us under her wing!    

Mrs Iris Norman, the stoic, soft-spoken, elegant lady whose silence spoke as eloquently as her words, regarded us, the budding new crop of college teachers, with immense joy as the bright and talented future of the department. Mrs. Norman’s serene and soft ways and words were a soothing balm to many.

Ms Ramani Solomon was, literally, the ‘drama queen’ of the department. Be it poetry or drama, Ms. Solomon acted out everything in the class, including jumping and dancing! Word was that she could, given a chance, upstage the great Laurence Oliver, when she taught (performed) Shakespeare’s Plays in class!

Mrs Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, was a philosopher, a bundle of enthusiasm and energy, every day. That her schooling was in the regional medium, never deterred her ambition to acquire fluency of the English language. And Raji retired as the affable Head of the department of English.

Savitri Ashok, or Savi as we know her, was a beautiful teacher who whetted the appetite of any kind of learner. Her knowledge-filled, calm and composed manner of speech and behaviour, both inside and outside the class, drew students by the droves. Generous, even to a fault, Savi’s love for all living things was unequivocally universal!

The term ‘mentor’ never came up in any forum then, yet each of these dear colleague-friends were our Mentors. Their ‘Best Practices’ did not need to be documented for they were there for all to look and learn from. They had families, personal problems, trials and tribulations, but we never witnessed them use their hardships as an excuse to take anyone or anything for granted or shirk work. If my life has been enriched by these humble intellectual giants, strong women of faith, how much more would their teaching have touched the lives of their dear students!

For someone like me, then in my early twenties, being part of this fold that taught by example, every one of them exceptional teacher-learners, was, and is, such a big blessing. Make no mistake, we had our classes, and preparation for those classes, sharing of knowledge and ideas, creative outpourings and critical thinking, but it was also more than evident that wisdom, discernment and intelligence were always on the same page for all of them. No show of one-upmanship, no pride except that of the joy of uplifting the other. My senior friends in the department were definitely and delightfully “differently” “abled”, but they never treated us juniors as “differently abled” on any front.  I am thankful and grateful to God for these Great Teachers, these Beautiful People who taught me, us, – the then future generation of teachers, what it means to be a teacher – with and through their lives and the joy of learning and sharing! Their legacy of love and learning lives on.