Pages from History
by Prof. A.V.Narasimha Murthy
The Maharaja met Prof. Venkannaiah and requested him to give private tuition to the prince on a monthly remuneration of Rs. 250 per month, which was a luxury in those days. But Venkannaiah politely refused the offer, but made arrangements for the private tuition, through some other scholar. The family members of Venkannaiah were very unhappy for his refusal which they thought was a god-send opportunity. But Venkannaiah had a different logic — “I am a Professor at the College for which I receive salary and to take up private tuition is an offence and hence I rejected the offer.” While sending him back, the Maharaja had sent fruits in a huge silver plate. The Professor humbly kept the fruits and sent back the empty plate to the Palace. He was told that the silver plate was also a gift along with fruits. That was how the Maharaja treated him, with respect.
Some months ago, we were returning to Mysore from Hampi after finishing the South Indian Numismatic Conference. Our wives insisted on visiting Molakalmuru famous for the silk sarees. At this place every home has a weaving machine to produce silk sarees which have a good market. While returning from Molakalmuru, to our right, I saw the name board ‘Taluku’ which was the name of a village.
I was thrilled because this small village has given great scholars to Kannada literature. It became famous because of Talukina S. Venkannaiah, Professor of Kannada in Mysore Maharaja’s College. Practically, he was the pioneer in starting the Kannada Department here. Even educated persons also might not have heard about this man’s greatness. Such persons should refer to Kuvempu’s Sri Ramayana Darshanam. This book contains a dedication page, dedicated to Kuvempu’s Guru Prof. T.S. Venkannaiah whom the former has treated as an embodiment of divinity. One has to read it to believe it. Ta. Su. Shamarao has given a good glimpse into the life and works of Prof. Venkannaiah in his famous book Mooru Talemaru (Three generations).
Venkannaiah was a towering personality and commanded great respect as a Professor. Mysore Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV (Nalwadi) had also heard of this great Professor and thought that this man was best suited to give private tuition to Prince Jayachamaraja Wadiyar. The Maharaja sent the Palace car to the residence of Venkannaiah and the Professor went to the Palace. The neighbours were pleasantly surprised that the Palace car had come to the residence of this Professor who had the good fortune of travelling in the Palace car. The neighbours’ respect for the Professor increased. The Maharaja met the Professor and requested him to give private tuition to the prince on a monthly remuneration of Rs. 250 per month, which was a luxury in those days. But Venkannaiah politely refused the offer, but made arrangements for the private tuition, through some other scholar. The family members of Venkannaiah were very unhappy for his refusal which they thought was a god-sent opportunity. But Venkannaiah had a differ
ent logic- “I am a Professor at the College for which I receive salary and to take up private tuition is an offence and hence I rejected the offer.” While sending him back, the Maharaja had sent fruits in a huge silver plate. The Professor humbly kept the fruits and sent back the empty plate to the Palace. He was told that the silver plate was also a gift along with fruits. That was how the Maharaja treated him, with respect.
Venkannaiah believed and lived according to the adage ‘Simple living, high thinking.’ Though not rich he was generous to a fault. Once a law college student wrote him a post card, asking money to pay his examination fee. Venkannaiah did not know that student but took pity on him. But he had no money at that time. Immediately he borrowed Rs.150 and sent it to that student. At another time a theft took place in his house. The thief could not get anything except a silver plate which he was using for eating. Everybody was cursing the thief but Venkannaiah said, ‘I am grateful to the thief who has stolen my silver plate so that I can eat along with others in an aluminium plate.’ Such anecdotes are available in plenty. That is how Venkannaiah lived. He died in 1939 and hence I did not have the good fortune of seeing or meeting that great personality.
But this is amply compensated by my close association with his brother Prof. T.S. Shamarao who was also a Professor of Kannada and a towering personality. One of his sons was my student and even today I feel guilty that I could not get him a job in Archaeology. But he on his own got a job in a bank and now is a retired happy person. Prof. Shama Rao did not mistake me for this lapse. In those days monthly meetings at the residences (Satsang) used to be held in which about 10 scholars took part. These meetings used to begin with breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea with a lecture by a scholar, and later, a discussion on the lecture. One day my turn came and I went to Prof. Shamarao’s residence where I saw H.M. Shankaranarayana Rao, Venkataramappa and others. I was asked to give a talk on ‘Ancient Indian education with special reference to Karnataka.’ It was my good fortune that the scholars present there admired my lecture.
Chief Minister Bangarappa was a student of Ta.Su. Shamarao. One day, he came to the residence of Shamarao and paid respects. He said, ‘Sir, the Government has come to your doorstep, please command.’ The condition at Professor’s house was not encouraging. Bangarappa promised to give jobs to his sons and daughter and give him a State award. Shamarao did not like it and addressing Bangarappa in singular, said, ‘Administer the State well and earn a good name, that is all I want.’ A similar thing happened to Minister Abdul Nazir Saab too.
With the passing away of Shamarao, everyone thought that Taluku publication would end. At that stage, a young and energetic son, T. S. Chayapati, came on to the scene with a determination to continue Talukina Venkannaiah Memorial publication started by his father. He has published more than one thousand books and continues to do so. He has earned the title ‘Savira Pustakagala Saradara.’ Almost all the great Kannada authors are included in his publications including K.B. Ganapathy whose four books he has published including Adarshavadi.
Almost all my Kannada books have been published by him. Not only is he a publisher, he is also an author and has 23 books to his credit.
On turning 70, Mysore District Kannada Sahitya Parishat, under its dynamic President Chandrashekar, jointly with Ranganath of Savigannada fame had organised a function, during which a felicitation volume titled ‘Chayabhinandana’ was released. Chayapati has made immense contribution to the society through his publications and the society salutes this achiever in public. Most people celebrate their birthdays at home but it is the privilege of some to get the distinction of celebrating birthday through public service. Persons like Chayapati have no retirements who is planning to publish more books.
I will be failing in my duty if I do not refer to with admiration the part played by his wife Pushpa Chayapati who has been his backbone and stood by him in all his activities including publications. She is a good PRO and Chayapati also accepts this truth without any hesitation. On this happy occasion of the release of the felicitation volume on attaining 70, I wish him good health, long life and all prosperity including more publications under the magic name Taluku. Hope all my readers will say ‘amen.’
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / May 17th, 2014