The Onden Master

Ex HM AHS

It was in  1963 that I just joined my eighth standard class at AH School. Many days passed but our class didn’t have a regular class teacher. Well, imagine a headless class with mischievous boys, many of whom were out grown in size and aged for that class. A few little boys like me were sandwiched among them in the class and found it extremely uncomfortable. We told the problems to some friendly teachers and got a stock response saying that the new class teacher will come and join anytime soon and thereafter he would take care of your well being. We prayed for that day and waited impatiently. One fine morning a lean fellow clad with a spotless shirt and dhoti arrived in the class and introduced us as our new class teacher. Many grown up laughed and a few smiled and the weakest of all sported despair. Wondered will he be able to do justice to his job!

Alas! He did a wonderful job as teacher, mentor and counsellor. Unfortunately it was only that year I had the opportunity to be their in his class. I never remembered him after leaving school. When I saw the obituary put up by his family members it was already five years over after he left the world. Sad indeed! 

My Gurunathan

Late Sri O V Kammaran Nambiar, an accredited Astrologer of yore and a Sanskrit Scholar par excellence and a distinguished Educationist of last century is my Guru who initiated me to the world of letters. 

The affection shown by him at a time when it was not forthcoming from many other relatives, was immense and that is one big reason I wish to publish his details here even though he left this world way back in 29^th September 1980 at the age of 82. OV as affectionately known, has eminent sons and daughter and a large family. The village Azhikode got the first primary school through his efforts in 1925 , nearly 90 years ago. His knowledge in astrology made him an authority and is known throughout Kerala state.  The last day I met my Gurunathan was way back in 1978.

I had an occasion to meet his eldest son T K Damodaran Nambiar who visited  our home in 2005 April a few days after Vishu rejuvenating his fondness and respect to my father who died in 1999. He is also a teacher himself and scholar who won  the best teacher award in his thirties. His younger brother Ramachandran Nambiar is an expert Ayurvedic Physician whose dedication is well known. He too visited us to condole on hearing the demise of my father. I am extremely thankful to both the persons who took so much of effort to locate our home deep inside the village Kalliasseri  as a matter of courtesy  that can be found rarely now.