A beaming smile and freshly laundered traditional attire has been his style statement for decades. A radiant face above the simple-white jubba with the trademark waistcoat. Hitting 81 next Sunday, Mathoor Krishnamurti constantly churns out of ideas and projects that rope in the younger generation. It’s a mix of infectious enthusiasm and optimism of an idealistic youth tempered by experience and maturity. As the executive director of Bangalore’s Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, the youthful octogenarian has succeeded in making the centre a beehive of activity where tradition meets modernity in practical fashion.
In 1995, when Mathoor took over the reins of the Bhavan — a centre where he had worked as a registrar for two years way back in 1970 — there was no visible fanning out of its activities even after more than two decades. The Bhavan was invariably associated with activities for retired persons. Mathoor then had just returned to India after a long and meaningful stint in London, where he not only helped set up the Centre, but ensured that it grew into representing a mini India in terms of his country’s ethos.
In 15 years, the Bangalore Bhavan has spread its wings. In Karnataka, it has seven full-fledged centres, from Madikeri down south to upstate Bagalkot of Bijapur district. The endowments at the Bangalore centre have doubled to 54. In Mysore, an institute of visual and performing arts has about 400 children. The work of the publication wing is phenomenal. For instance, the 100-volume Kannada version of The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi. Ten volumes are already out. India’s past, encapsulated into The History and Culture of Indian People is also being published in 13 parts in Kannada, with nine
of them already out.
“To extend the Bhavan’s activities, I am prepared to beg for charity,” says Mathoor, whose fund-raising capacity is legendary. But the most lasting contribution of Mathoor is seen perhaps in the Bhavan stepping into the education sector. Although it has met with criticism, as it has opted for the CBSE syllabus. And Mathoor, who headed the prayers on world religions in 1984 at the diamond jubilee celebrations of the BBC in London, is unfazed even amid canards about the ‘saffronisation’ of his schools. Why that allegation? Says H N Suresh, programme director of the Bangalore Bhavan, without answering the question: “We have prayers in our schools. Shlokas are taught. Traditional performing arts are a part of our curriculum.”
That brings its distinctly core activity into focus. The weekend Kala Bharathi School of Fine and Performing Arts in Bangalore, which has about 500 students on its rolls. So successful has been its functioning been that the model is being sought to be replicated in other centres of the Bhavan, says Mathoor, who has over 40 books, including translations, to his credit.When he recently launched a set of 18 DVDs on the Kumaravyasa Bharatha, and on the Festivals of India, at the Raj Bhavan, it was a work of archival depth, and one which gave an insight into the cultural history of the country.
It also spelt the revival of ‘Gamaka’, an ancient performing art exclusive to Kannada and Karnataka. His ‘Gamaka Vacahana’, aired everyday on a private TV channel, is one of the most popular programmes, garnering high TRP ratings for years. The programme has been a source of sustenance to thousands of people, as his discourses on spirituality have been. “I believe no good causes suffer for want of money. My mission is still incomplete,” says Mathoor.
— jyothi@expressbuzz.com
