Although I remember many of my friends from Madras Christian College, Chennai, my failing has been that I have not maintained contact with them. Still, recollecting the times we spent together at Bishop Heber Hall gives me immense pleasure.
Two years my senior and pursuing a Master’s in Physics, the witty Venkateswaran had an interest in P G Wodehouse, regaling us with the escapades of Bertie Wooster and Jeeves. When I was appointed captain of ‘D’ Block in Heber, he lost no time in congratulating me: “So, you have now become the Blockhead.” One of his quirks was to lock his room and walk down the corridor, only to retrace his path, and recheck that his room had been locked. I wrote about this trait of his in the Hall magazine, referring to him as the “lock-complex man”. Not to be outdone, he retorted, “Now I have to be careful with my room keys!”
Sivalingam (Siva) was a History student, but we bonded over our interest in table tennis. Never known to show mercy to the little white ball, he held the record for breaking the most, causing much anxiety to Sujaudeen Ghani, the Indoor Games Secretary. A grave concern of residents was the cleanliness of tumblers in the Mess as they often bore the odour of eggs. Goaded by friends, Siva contested the election for Secretary, Non-Veg Mess. During the campaign, all candidates would wax eloquent on their plans. Questions were hurled at each. When asked of his plans for ‘tumblers and egg smell’, he stated, “I shall abolish the egg stink from the tumblers”. That statement won him the election, andhe succeeded in his mission.
Krishnaswamy (KS) was a student of English. He became the focus of a fair amount of teasing as pursuing English seemed to have been the domain of girls, and he was the only boy amongst them. He was even invited to attend the Girls’ Hostel Day function. Smartly attired, he was given a ceremonial send-off from our Hall. Later, editor of the College magazine George K Mathew got him to write about it.
One of the most exciting occasions in Heber Hall was the Annual ‘Idli Eating’ competition. Competitors were served unlimited quantity of idlis, sambar, chutney, coffee, tea, lime juice — to be consumed in 30 minutes. KS was the star attraction. Some gave up after consuming 10, or 12, or even 16 idlis, but, KS was still going. At the end of 30 minutes, he was declared the winner, having consumed 35 idlis. The Hall magazine reported: “Congratulations to Krishnaswamy for polishing off 35 idlis in 30 minutes, and yet succeeding in maintaining a trim waist-line!”
When I think of such dear friends, what stands out is their inherent innocence, which endeared them to all of us at Heber.
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