In a revealing interview with YouTuber Maridhas, Fr. Rajanayagam, a founding figure of Loyola College’s Visual Communication (Viscom) department, strongly criticized the institution’s decision to name buildings after Xavier Britto and Murasoli Maran. He called the move “wrong” and warned that it could send a wrong message to future generations.
When asked why there was no building named after him, Fr. Rajanayagam pointed out that buildings at Loyola College have traditionally been named after its founding fathers, such as Fr. Bertram, Fr. Lawrence Sundraram, and Fr. Sauliere.
However, the conversation took a sharper turn when Maridhas questioned the rationale behind naming buildings after Xavier Britto Murasoli Maran. Fr. Rajanayagam revealed that the decision was based on their financial contributions to the construction of the buildings. “They are contributing financially, and hence the buildings have been named after them,” he explained.
Maridhas countered by highlighting that this practice deviates from Loyola College’s long-standing tradition of honoring its founders. Fr. Rajanayagam agreed emphatically, stating, “Naming buildings after Xavier Britto and Murasoli Maran is wrong. It sends a very wrong signal to future generations, who may think the college is owned by these individuals.”
“The name matters,” he said, urging the current management of Loyola College to reconsider their decision.
It’s validating to witness the exchange between Maridhas and Fr. Rajanayagam. As a respected figure and one of the founding fathers of VISCOM, Fr. Rajanayagam’s firm stance against naming buildings after Murosali Maran and Xavier Britto resonates with me. However, I doubt that… pic.twitter.com/xtJIInRyDj
— Joseph Kennedy | ஜோசப் கென்னடி (@bluebugs_) February 18, 2025
LIBA Alumnus Declines Chrysalis 2025 Invitation
The Commune had earlier reported a story about a LIBA alumnus declining an invitation to participate in Chrysalis 2025, LIBA’s prestigious annual event, citing similar concerns. Kennedy called for the building to be renamed after LIBA’s founder, Fr. Casimir Raj, a world-renowned scholar.
It’s validating to witness the exchange between Maridhas and Fr. Rajanayagam. As a respected figure and one of the founding fathers of VISCOM, Fr. Rajanayagam’s firm stance against naming buildings after Murosali Maran and Xavier Britto resonates with me. However, I doubt that… pic.twitter.com/xtJIInRyDj
— Joseph Kennedy | ஜோசப் கென்னடி (@bluebugs_) February 18, 2025
Fr. Rajanayagam’s remarks have sparked a debate about the balance between financial contributions and institutional legacy. As a pioneer in Visual Communication education and a respected intellectual, his words carry considerable weight.
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