The board that reads ‘Sree Karpagavalli Vidyalaya Middle School’ can barely be missed by the residents of Mylapore at the junction of North and East Mada streets. It stands as testimony to the selfless intent of Dharmaraja Iyer who started it in 1926 to impart high-quality education to one and all. Due to Dharmaraja Iyer’s flowing beard, it was referred to lovingly by the students as “Dhaadi Vaadhyar” school. The school, nestled in a peaceful ambiance, has had stalwarts such as former Thuglak magazine editor Cho S. Ramaswamy, former Indian Bank MD & Chairman M.S. Sundararajan, politician and lawyer Jayanthi Natarajan, the grandchildren of former Governor of Madras (1946) Mohammad Usman, and the nephews and nieces of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.G.R., among many others who studied here. Many of them have openly credited the school for the quality of education they received. Even after half a century, the school’s alumni still hold fond memories of Dhaadi Vaadhyar School.
Over the years, the school became a government-aided institution and continues to serve children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds while maintaining the same high quality of education as in its early years. However, with the passage of time, the preference for English as the medium of instruction has taken a strong hold on people’s minds. This, combined with the Right to Education (RTE) Act, which encourages admissions to English-medium schools, has made the situation even more challenging. As a result, this wonderful institution of learning has faced difficult times in recent years.
With student enrollment dwindling to just 10 in the academic year 2024-25, the school’s management has recently been taken over by a new group of trustees dedicated to restoring its former glory and reputation. The trustees – Shivakumar R, Prabhu Nambiappan, Harshavardhana R, Yamuna Harshavardhana, Sripriya Anand, and Sriram U R – are making every effort to ensure this revival, as the school celebrates its centenary during this academic year.
To begin with, the school is organizing a free weekend summer camp for children aged 4 to 8, starting on 29 March 2025, with flyers being distributed to spread the word. Kindergarten classes will commence in June, offering the added benefit of a safe daycare facility on the school premises.
Spoken English will be taught by competent and caring instructors to ensure that students develop the ability to communicate effectively with people from different linguistic backgrounds.
Girls will receive additional support, as ₹2,000 per year will be deposited into their accounts for each year they remain in the school. With free breakfast, lunch, and evening snacks provided, students will receive the necessary nutrition to support their energy and growth during their formative years.
Additionally, tuition fees, uniforms, and ID cards will be provided free of cost for all students. To ease commuting, the school will arrange transportation for children traveling together from the same locality.
The trustees bring with them rich experience from diverse backgrounds and are committed to working for the school’s benefit in a multifaceted manner. They are eager to lead the school into its second century of service in a grand and meaningful way, as a tribute to Dhaadi Vaadhyar’s vision.
Support in any form is welcome—whether by spreading the word to help enroll children, volunteering, or contributing through sponsorships or donations.
For more information, please contact SKVVMSchool@outlook.com
Yamuna Harshavardhana is a Chennai based educator, researcher and author.
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