TWO DEAR COLLEAGUES
A
Postscript
Sri Sivakamayya
It
is with the deepest sorrow that I convey to the readers of “Triveni” the
distressing news of the sudden demise of my esteemed colleague Sri M.
Sivakamayya at the early age of 58. In the early hours of the 10th of February
he collapsed after a heart attack in his house at Masulipatam.
He
distinguished himself as an educationist during his principalship of the Andhra
Jateeya Kalasala, Masulipatam, and as a journalist offering his valuable
co-operation to me for over fifteen years. His passing away is a severe loss to
the institutions with which he was connected. To me personally he was like a
young brother, loving and tender, and relieving me of much of the
responsibility of editing the journal. Being a fine scholar with critical
acumen, he edited “Triveni” with conspicuous ability and won admiration of the
public.
He
was well versed in English, Sanskrit and Telugu and brought to his work in
different spheres a cultivated taste and an appreciation of things of beauty.
His idealism and devotion were of rare quality and every one who came into
contact with him realised the nobility of his aims.
I
am too dazed at the moment to say more about him. I can only pray that his soul
may rest in peace.
Sri Isvaran
Early
in January Sri Manjeri S. Isvaran, a former Secretary National Book Trust of
India, breathed his last at Delhi. During the early years of “Triveni” in
Madras, he was associated with the journal and lent distinction to it.
Graduating
from the Presidency College, Madras, he chose literature as his career and won
recognition as a writer of short stories and poems. He introduced himself to me
and offered to work with me in an honorary capacity. His first book on K. S.
Venkataramani made a great impression on me as an affectionate tribute to an
elder writer from a literary aspirant.
As
a critic and creative artist he achieved notable success. He was also the
centre of attraction to contemporary writers in South India who made their
early excursions into the realm of literature.
He
enabled me and “Triveni” to contact literary men and artists in different parts
of India. Later he worked with Sri Khasa Subba Rau in the English Weekly
“Swatantra.” During my long absence from Madras he was in charge of “Triveni”
and took great pains to maintain a high standard. Like Sri Sivakamayya he was
very affectionate by nature and gave of his best to “Triveni” and continued to
be on the Advisory Board till the end. I deeply mourn his loss.