Madras Sanskrit College, Mylapore, Chennai

Facade of View Source: Madras Sanskrit College Website

Entrance of Madras Sanskrit College, Mylapore, Chennai

View of the Facade of Madras Sanskrit College

The Madras Sanskrit College , 84, Royapettah High Road, Mylapore, Chennai- 600004, Tamil Nadu

Sanskrit is the life line of the spiritual consciousness of India. It is not merely a language. It is the life style of India. In 1906, when several schools of philosophy such as Purva Mimamsa were dying out, prompted the lawyer, V Krishnaswami Iyer to set up in Mylapore, Madras, the Sanskrit College dedicated  for Sanskrit Study and Research with an objective of restoring and rejuvenating the indigenous tradition and culture.

V.Krishnaswami Iyer

As a result of the sustained and untiring efforts of V Krishnaswami Iyer, Former Judge of Madras High Court and Member of the Executive Council of Government of Madras and a philanthropist and leading member of the Bar, the the Sanskrit College was established in 1906 in a rented premises in Mylapore, Madras with around 25 students. As there was no college to impart Sanskrit teaching, many students from north India and outside the country came to Madras. In 1910 the college occupied the present premises built by the founder. At the initial days college admitted students for the various courses and also offered free education as well as free boarding and lodging facilities. The college has a good infrastructure with highly accomplished faculty including 14 assistant professors and three research professors to teach sastras such as Mimamsa, Vedanta, Sahitya, Jyotisha, Vyakarana and Nyaya. In addition the team of faculties to teach Hindi, English and Computer Science. The books collection includes over 50,000 books (many of them are rare book collection), periodicals and around 100 ancient and rare palm leaf manuscript in Sanskrit. 

This college and research institute was affiliated to the University of Madras and approved by the Directorate of Collegiate Education, Govt. of Tamil Nadu under Grant-in-Aid. It also receives aid from Ministry of Human Resources Development, Department of Education, Govt. of India, New Delhi, under the Adarsha Mahavidyalaya Scheme from the year 1977. It is now recognized as an "Institute of National Importance." 

Sanskrit Courses

The range of full time courses offered by the college include:

Prak-Siromani: Two year foundation programme. Recognized as equivalent of Higher Secondary Class 11 and 12 standards. Eligibility: Students passed SSLC exam or the Veda Adhyayana (Samhita), or Aagama studies from any school.

Siromani Madhyama — BA  (Three year programme). Eligibility - Prak-Siromani or Higher Secondary School with Sanskrit background. Mandatory subjects: Computer Science, English and Hindi included to meet the contemporary needs and to develop the communication skills of students.
Sanskrit Siromani — MA (Two year programme). Eligibility - Siromani Madhyama

Part time courses:

Certificate Course in Sanskrit (duration: six months. Evening Classes held thrice a week. Timing - between 5 to 7 pm)
Diploma Course in Sanskrit (duration: One year. Evening Timing - between 5 to 7 pm)

Reference:

1. The Madras Sanskrit College http://madrassanskritcollege.com
2. V Krishnaswami Iyer – the social side http://sriramv.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/v-krishnaswami-iyer-the-social-side/
3. Learn Sanskrit the traditional way  Deccan Herald Thursday 10 April 2014
4. Sanskrit College draws students from across India Times of India     Jul 2, 2012
5. No generation gap divides this bunch The Hindu April 28, 2012

Sri P.T.Lee Chengalvaraya Naicker: A Great Indian Visionary, Educationist and Philanthropist

Statue of Nobel Philanthropist Sri P.T.Lee Chengalvaraya Naicker (1829 to 1874 ) at P.T. Lee Chengalvaraya Naicker Maaligai

This picture showing the statue of Nobel Philanthropist Sri P.T.Lee Chengalvaraya Naicker (1829 to 1874 ) at P.T. Lee Chengalvaraya Naicker Maaligai, No.23, Rajaji Salai, Chennai - 600 001.  

It is interesting to learn that Chengalvaraya Naicker served as subedar Major in the Madras Army. He earned the title 'Lee' in appreciation of his service as Dubashi (Translator) in Shand & Co. Chengalvaraya Naicker Naicker died in 1874 at the age of 45. Before his death the philanthropist bequeathed all his properties earned by him out of hard work and formed a trust. 

His vision for the trust was to provide stellar role in providing education to the masses to make them self-reliant. The above said Trust was functioning along with the famous Pachaippa’s Trust from 1874 to 9.10.96. From 10.10.96 on wards, the above said Trust is functioning independently as per the Supreme Court / High Court/Governing Orders. A commercial school in the name of Chengalvaraya Naicker was established in 1866. Mr. John Adam, who may justly be called the pioneer of commercial and technical education in Southern India, was instrumental in developing the Chengalvaraya Naicker’s Orphanage into a fully equipped Industrial School (Chengalvaraya Naicker Polytechnic College) in 1906. As per the ambition and intention of the Testator, number of educational and medical institutions have been started and are functioning successfully till date.