To All OCs:
The Old Cottonians’ Associations of Bishop Cotton Boys’ and Girls’ Schools
Invite you to the Green & Gold Ball scheduled to be held at the Chancery Pavilion, Residency Road, Bangalore on Saturday, 13th December, 2008 at 7.30 p.m.
It was decided that the OCs who passed out 25years ago (1983) and 50 years and above (1958) will be honored, but only the 50yrs and above will be given the Free Entry for the Green & Gold Ball and dinner and the rest of them will have to buy the dinner coupons.
Tickets are priced at Rs. 1250/- per head inclusive of unlimited drinks and dinner.
Dress Code: Formal
Edna Benn / Asghar Mistry
Secretary / Ass. Secretary
OCA-BCGS / OCA-BCBS
Monday, December 8, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Miss Marjorie Suares – 87 Years Young
Today is Miss Suares' birthday, and we here on the Cottonsgirls blog have this little gift for her: a lovely heartfelt article written especially for us by Heera Nawaz (batch of 1975).
For 40 years, Miss Suares focused all her verve, tenacity and energy in being a physical education instructress at Bishop Cotton Girls’ School – a post she held until she retired at the age of 60, nearly thirty years ago.
Apart from successfully honing the sporting skills of several national athletes, such as Nandini Prasad, Preethi Joseph and Loretta Wate, Miss Suares had a brilliant sporting career in her own right:
In the 1948 Lucknow Olympiad, she became the first woman to break the 16 ft record in the Long Jump event in India. A few years later, at the 1952 Asian Games, she won the Bronze in the High Jump event.
She was the 100m and 200m State Champion, and was also Captain of the Karnataka State Hockey and Basketball teams – positions she retained for several years.
Miss Suares was also a born leader and a confident administrator. She started the State Women’s Hockey Association and for 15 years held the prestigious position of Secretary of the Bangalore Schools Athletic Association. She was also a member of the Old Cottonians’ Association and the school’s Parent-Teacher Association.
Recently, a group of Old Girls visited Miss Suares to share past memories and reminiscences of life at Cottons with her, and found that she only appears to be growing younger and even at the age of 87 is active, mobile and enthusiastic. Perhaps being a physical education teacher for so many years may have something to do with her active and lively persona and sparkling mind.
The best thing about the rendezvous was that it enabled us to see the person behind the successful careerist. Always a `live wire’ bursting with dynamism, Miss Suares was also known to be very strict and an ardent disciplinarian. However, when she let her guard down, it is evident that she is also a very kind and compassionate person.
She is a sterling example on ageing gracefully. As she says, be grateful for each day, every day. She has obviously proved that harbouring prejudices and having a faulty attitude are definite no-nos for longevity.
Miss Suares was full of praise about the “good old days”. About Bangalore, she has this to say: “Bangalore has grown so much in the past years, yet I would like to remember the way it was thirty or forty years ago, at that time it truly was a Garden City and a Pensioners’ Paradise.”
Amen to that, Miss Suares!
By Heera Nawaz
Miss Marjorie Suares - 87 Years Young
by Heera Nawaz
For 40 years, Miss Suares focused all her verve, tenacity and energy in being a physical education instructress at Bishop Cotton Girls’ School – a post she held until she retired at the age of 60, nearly thirty years ago.
Apart from successfully honing the sporting skills of several national athletes, such as Nandini Prasad, Preethi Joseph and Loretta Wate, Miss Suares had a brilliant sporting career in her own right:
In the 1948 Lucknow Olympiad, she became the first woman to break the 16 ft record in the Long Jump event in India. A few years later, at the 1952 Asian Games, she won the Bronze in the High Jump event.
She was the 100m and 200m State Champion, and was also Captain of the Karnataka State Hockey and Basketball teams – positions she retained for several years.
Miss Suares was also a born leader and a confident administrator. She started the State Women’s Hockey Association and for 15 years held the prestigious position of Secretary of the Bangalore Schools Athletic Association. She was also a member of the Old Cottonians’ Association and the school’s Parent-Teacher Association.
Recently, a group of Old Girls visited Miss Suares to share past memories and reminiscences of life at Cottons with her, and found that she only appears to be growing younger and even at the age of 87 is active, mobile and enthusiastic. Perhaps being a physical education teacher for so many years may have something to do with her active and lively persona and sparkling mind.
The best thing about the rendezvous was that it enabled us to see the person behind the successful careerist. Always a `live wire’ bursting with dynamism, Miss Suares was also known to be very strict and an ardent disciplinarian. However, when she let her guard down, it is evident that she is also a very kind and compassionate person.
She is a sterling example on ageing gracefully. As she says, be grateful for each day, every day. She has obviously proved that harbouring prejudices and having a faulty attitude are definite no-nos for longevity.
Miss Suares was full of praise about the “good old days”. About Bangalore, she has this to say: “Bangalore has grown so much in the past years, yet I would like to remember the way it was thirty or forty years ago, at that time it truly was a Garden City and a Pensioners’ Paradise.”
Amen to that, Miss Suares!
By Heera Nawaz
Sunday, November 23, 2008
A Golden Oldie from the 1930's!
Isn't this an lovely photo?! This photo with a number of girls dressed for what appears to be a Shakespearean play was taken in the 30s. Clearly we've had a long tradition of drama at Bishop Cottons!
This photo was sent in by Cheryl Irish (1975 batch). In the picture is Cheryl's mum Ida D'Bras who is standing in the back row (second from the right) and graduated from Cottons around 1936. All three of Ida's daughters - Gail, Dawn and Cheryl were Cottonians too!
We'd love to know if anyone has any more information about the event or the other "old girls" in the photo!
This photo was sent in by Cheryl Irish (1975 batch). In the picture is Cheryl's mum Ida D'Bras who is standing in the back row (second from the right) and graduated from Cottons around 1936. All three of Ida's daughters - Gail, Dawn and Cheryl were Cottonians too!We'd love to know if anyone has any more information about the event or the other "old girls" in the photo!
Friday, November 21, 2008
School's Out - 1976
A couple of photos taken by Janice Mulleneux on the last day of school before the ICSE exams
- The exact date 29 October 1976!!! It was muck up day!!
Meera Balraj and Arathy Appayya
Meera Balraj and Arathy AppayyaMonday, November 10, 2008
Pictures from the 1974 school magazine - Senior School Staff
Seated L-R: Mrs Jaffer, Mrs Athyal, Miss Suares, Mrs Chandran, Miss Susheela, Mrs Carmel Joseph, Mrs Prakasam.Standing Row 1 L-R: Mrs daCunhna, Mrs Pai, Mrs Thomas, Miss Gnanakan, Mrs Chabbria, Mrs Molly Joseph, Miss Solomon, Mrs Joshi, Mrs Rozario, Mr Sadagopan
Standing Row 2 L-R: Miss Coelho, Miss Vanaja, Miss Rao?, Mrs Lynsdale, ?, Miss Andrews, Miss Charles, Ms Tushar, Mrs Stella Samuel
Pictures from the 1974 school magazine - Junior School Staff
Back row: Ms Samson, Ms Hegde?, Ms Mangala, ?, Miss Vanspaul, Mrs Leslie, Mrs Tannen, Mrs Smith, Mrs DicksonFront row: Mrs Panickar, Mrs Medhora, Mrs Chandran, Mrs Lobo (back), Miss Edwards(front), Miss Stevens, Miss Ryall, Mrs Galiffe.
Pictures from the 1974 magazine - More Staff pictures
Field staff with Mr Vaz and Mrs Chandran.
Seated are Ms Phillo, Mrs Chandran and Mrs MathewsDoes any remember the names of any of our dear gardeners, cooks and bearers standing in the back row?
Pictures from the 1974 magazine - Boarding Staff
L-R; Ms Cooke, Ms Marchand, Ms Solomon, Ms Bruty, Miss James, Ms Chandran, Ms Samson, Ms Gnanakan
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Carol Service December 1978
And while we are on the subject of music...here are two pictures from the Carol Service held in the old School Hall
Music Maestro - Barbara Thomas
The Bell Rings… “Pens down girls….its the SINGING PERIOD”!!!
Gladly….the girls stopped wrestling with Fleming’s Left Hand Rule, Avogadro's number, Goh Cheng Leong's geographic definitions, the finer points of Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi and Otto Bismarck’s plan for the Unification of Germany and made their way to the Singing Room. This is one occasion when hardly anyone straggled as they made tracks out of the quad…past the cycle stand, school toilets, pantry rear entrance, bathoo’s domain and tailor’s shed… and headed into the Chapel side entrance of the boarding block to the suite of Music rooms on the ground floor.
Music Maestro Mrs Barbara Thomas, more than the “Pied Piper that beckoned” was always at her piano. With good humour and an unparalleled passion for her art, she single-handedly transformed scores of discordant caterwauling noises to (dare I say ) voices of angels!!!! Scales, Rounds, Ditties, Folk, Religious, Classics and Contemporary…we did them all….who can forget the medley of My Fair Lady and the bewitching sounds of the Bohemian Rhapsody [yes very trendy then...and a still a hot fave today - my 18 year old is impressed that his Mum was taught to sing this in school in 1977]
Mrs Thomas' effort was relentless, her attention to detail - meticulous and the results - always spectacular… whether it was the Inter Class Singing Competitions, special choir numbers at School Prize Day or St Peter’s Evensong services, the fully choreographed events at the Carol Services…or the mega productions that began with Bluebeard once the new Auditorium was completed! Other successes followed...to read more check out the photos and piece on the famous Madras Choir Competition on this the blog!
Thanks Glenis Thomas (nee Mulleneux), who sent us this picture of Barbara Thomas taken in 2005 during a visit to Australia.
It’s lovely see Mrs Thomas looking so well and active. Readers will be pleased to know she continues to teach her beloved music - which as she remarked in a recent email “Keeps me in touch with young people, and hopefully their influence keeps my mind fairly trendy!!”
Gladly….the girls stopped wrestling with Fleming’s Left Hand Rule, Avogadro's number, Goh Cheng Leong's geographic definitions, the finer points of Akbar’s Din-i-Ilahi and Otto Bismarck’s plan for the Unification of Germany and made their way to the Singing Room. This is one occasion when hardly anyone straggled as they made tracks out of the quad…past the cycle stand, school toilets, pantry rear entrance, bathoo’s domain and tailor’s shed… and headed into the Chapel side entrance of the boarding block to the suite of Music rooms on the ground floor.
Music Maestro Mrs Barbara Thomas, more than the “Pied Piper that beckoned” was always at her piano. With good humour and an unparalleled passion for her art, she single-handedly transformed scores of discordant caterwauling noises to (dare I say ) voices of angels!!!! Scales, Rounds, Ditties, Folk, Religious, Classics and Contemporary…we did them all….who can forget the medley of My Fair Lady and the bewitching sounds of the Bohemian Rhapsody [yes very trendy then...and a still a hot fave today - my 18 year old is impressed that his Mum was taught to sing this in school in 1977]
Mrs Thomas' effort was relentless, her attention to detail - meticulous and the results - always spectacular… whether it was the Inter Class Singing Competitions, special choir numbers at School Prize Day or St Peter’s Evensong services, the fully choreographed events at the Carol Services…or the mega productions that began with Bluebeard once the new Auditorium was completed! Other successes followed...to read more check out the photos and piece on the famous Madras Choir Competition on this the blog!
Thanks Glenis Thomas (nee Mulleneux), who sent us this picture of Barbara Thomas taken in 2005 during a visit to Australia.It’s lovely see Mrs Thomas looking so well and active. Readers will be pleased to know she continues to teach her beloved music - which as she remarked in a recent email “Keeps me in touch with young people, and hopefully their influence keeps my mind fairly trendy!!”
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Cotton's Teachers circa 1950s
Here's another picture sent in by Celia, of the teaching staff at school during the 50s.
Emily Pharoah (Celia's aunt) is in the middle row, 6th from the left. Mr. Godbole, Hindi teacher is far right, top row, Miss Susheela is top row 3rd from left, and Miss Suares is middle row 2nd from the right.
Just in case the caption is hard to read, here is the list again (if anyone knows the missing names - or has more info on any of the people in the picture, do let us know so we can grow our history book!):
Top Row (left to right): Mr. Ramamurthy, Mrs. Galloway, Miss Sushila, Mrs. Whitbread, T5, Mrs. Pereira, T7, T8, T9, Mr. Godbole
Middle Row: M1, Mrs. Latt, Mrs. Robey, Miss Mortimer, Miss Britto, Miss Pharoah, Miss Mulley, Miss I. Stevens, Miss Stevens, Miss Suares, Mrs. Fewkes
Front Row: Mrs. Arkley, Mrs. Clark, Miss Moore, Mrs. C. Gaughan, Mrs. Schiff, Miss Biddy Scott, Miss Millington, Miss Holder, Mrs. Robinson
Sports Day 1962
Celia (Joyce) Fivash sent in this picture - here she is collecting the cup for Maiden House who won that year. Celia was captain of Maiden House, and she's also one of 10 girls from her batch who are getting together for a reunion of the 1962 batch in Bangalore in January 2009.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Reunion - batch of 1962
Not bad for us Old Girls (well, we can give the Internet a little credit too!) We have been reaching out and as a result, have been getting in touch with OCs around the world, with news and info and pix hopping about from continent to continent till they arrive here! This picture has travelled from New Jersey to Sydney to Bangalore!
Here's a picture of a "mini-reunion" of some of the batch of 1962, sent in by OC Gail Mendens (also batch of '62) from Sydney Australia. The girls in the picture are (left to right) Arti, Rama, Kala, Nalini and Malini, (sorry, don't know their surnames or maiden names) and the reunion took place in New Jersey USA in September this year.
Monday, October 6, 2008
A word (well, several) in thy green and gold ears ..
Cottons Girls is growing by leaps and bounds. Now, in addition to this blog, we've also set up an online group at Yahoo. It's easy enough to join, and you can use your existing email address to post messages. In addition to writing messages, there's also a database section on the group - one contains a list of all the Old Girls (with batch, house, and current location - for privacy reasons only the country is listed) and a second list contains all the staff. Of course it's still under construction, but we hope to build up a complete listing of every Old Girl one day!
Here on the blog, if you'd like to be a contributor do let us know. As a contributor, you can write articles and post pictures. About posting comments - many girls said they had difficulty with this, I have corrected our settings and you should be able to post now, regardless of whether you're a gmail user or not. However, comments will be "moderated" which means that one of us contributors will have to approve the message before allowing it to appear on the blog. This is just to reduce spam and make sure no one posts sensitive information.
Please remember this blog is in the public domain - so do use your judgment when posting a story, a picture or a comment, and NEVER write your email address, contact information or sensitive personal details. Over on the Yahoo group, you can write messages with more abandon as only invited members can view the messages, databases, etc (members will only be accepted if they are Old Girls or staff).
There are also quite a lot of us OCs on Facebook, so if you are on there too, search for one of us to join in the fun.
Finally, if you have a personal website or blog that you'd like fellow OCs to visit, please mail me the link and I'll add it to the Links section here (bottom of the page).
Here on the blog, if you'd like to be a contributor do let us know. As a contributor, you can write articles and post pictures. About posting comments - many girls said they had difficulty with this, I have corrected our settings and you should be able to post now, regardless of whether you're a gmail user or not. However, comments will be "moderated" which means that one of us contributors will have to approve the message before allowing it to appear on the blog. This is just to reduce spam and make sure no one posts sensitive information.
Please remember this blog is in the public domain - so do use your judgment when posting a story, a picture or a comment, and NEVER write your email address, contact information or sensitive personal details. Over on the Yahoo group, you can write messages with more abandon as only invited members can view the messages, databases, etc (members will only be accepted if they are Old Girls or staff).
There are also quite a lot of us OCs on Facebook, so if you are on there too, search for one of us to join in the fun.
Finally, if you have a personal website or blog that you'd like fellow OCs to visit, please mail me the link and I'll add it to the Links section here (bottom of the page).
2004 reunion of some of the 1974 batch
Jane sent me some pix for the blog, of this get-together of 1974 batch-mates at the Bangalore Club - pix taken in July/Aug 2004
front row - L to R - Mina Calla, Radha C V Iyer, Yasmin Tonse, Jane John. Back row - L to R - non-Cottonian Anita (who could not be cropped out of the picture without also chopping Mina's head off), Usha Philips and Sheela Mathew ... all except Sheela (1975) were '74 batch.
"The one with us sitting inside are Mina Calla standing behind, L to R Yasmin, Usha, Jane and Sheela ... "
Thanks for sharing, Jane!
Any other OCs out there want to share your pix with the rest of us? Do ge
t in touch!
front row - L to R - Mina Calla, Radha C V Iyer, Yasmin Tonse, Jane John. Back row - L to R - non-Cottonian Anita (who could not be cropped out of the picture without also chopping Mina's head off), Usha Philips and Sheela Mathew ... all except Sheela (1975) were '74 batch.
"The one with us sitting inside are Mina Calla standing behind, L to R Yasmin, Usha, Jane and Sheela ... "
Thanks for sharing, Jane!
Any other OCs out there want to share your pix with the rest of us? Do ge
t in touch!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Reunion - Batch of 1975
It's been amazing to see the number of Old Cottonians re-connecting with one another on facebook and the blog in recent months! As Kala Lingham remarked recently it seems that the arrival of facebook and the blog coincided with a time when "we 40 somethings are all feeling a little nostalgic for that simple life we had back in the 70' and 80's! .... its been slightly surreal"!!!
Well here's a bunch that have stayed in touch over the years...The batch of 1975! This photo sent in by Sheela Mathew, was taken a few years ago. We hear the gang continues to meet regularly in Bangalore!
1st row - front - Janaki KV, Shobana Swamy, Vijitha Reddy and Sandhya Seetharam
2nd row - back - Sudha Rao, Sandhya Vani, Roopa Rathnam, Sheela Mathew, Hema Shetty and Heera Nawaz.
Thanks to Ameetha V (unfortunately not in this picture) for helping out with the names...
Well here's a bunch that have stayed in touch over the years...The batch of 1975! This photo sent in by Sheela Mathew, was taken a few years ago. We hear the gang continues to meet regularly in Bangalore!
1st row - front - Janaki KV, Shobana Swamy, Vijitha Reddy and Sandhya Seetharam2nd row - back - Sudha Rao, Sandhya Vani, Roopa Rathnam, Sheela Mathew, Hema Shetty and Heera Nawaz.
Thanks to Ameetha V (unfortunately not in this picture) for helping out with the names...
Friday, October 3, 2008
Another Sporting Moment!
As Cottonians, all of us will remember our heroes smashing records and winning medals for Cottons at the Inter School Athletics Competitions...For those who studied in the 70's, names such as Nandini Prasad, Hema Shetty, Nirmal Cariappa, and Kala Arasi will strike a chord...Mind you there were hosts of other champs...my apologies..their names escape me at the moment!
The non sporting ones like me sat in the stands of Kanteerava Stadium and cried ourselves hoarse :
"GINGER LIME AND SODA POP...WE WANT COTTONS ON THE TOP"
and "2 4 6 8 ... WHOM DO WE APPRECIATE? .... COTTONS"
or "KALA" (clap clap clap) "KALA" (clap clap clap) "KA la ... SHhhhhhh....Quiet Girls! Swaree says HUSH!!! Don't distract the girls!...."
The competition and rivalry at the School Sports was equally fanatic...our own version of Quidditch...when the 3 houses in those days Barton Maiden and Foley were pitted against each other "in the spirit of sportmanship to the honour and glory of sports"!
So against this background here is a classic... Latha Gowda or GOWDI, as Suaree christened her, from Maiden House and Nimmi Ramakrishnan (not Rao as I first posted, thanks Lakshmi Daniel) relegate Barton House darling and Queen of Sports Kala Arasi to 3rd place in the Discuss Competition in 1977! (...Lakshmi thinks Nimmi was also in Barton)
Face spotters will enjoy the picture of Latha receiving her prize from chief guest Sr Vaughn who was principal of Sophia's. We can spy Miss James, and a bunch of Foleyites - Maya Mathani, Shanthalakshmi, Jyoti Devraj Havilah, Lisa Koshy, and Amina and of course Latha's many Baby Dorm PHANS perched on the parapet!
[btw if you can identify others, please add names to the comments, we'd also love to hear from you if you wish to become a contributor or send us your pictures...you can find most of us through our profile pages or facebook!]
The non sporting ones like me sat in the stands of Kanteerava Stadium and cried ourselves hoarse :
"GINGER LIME AND SODA POP...WE WANT COTTONS ON THE TOP"
and "2 4 6 8 ... WHOM DO WE APPRECIATE? .... COTTONS"
or "KALA" (clap clap clap) "KALA" (clap clap clap) "KA la ... SHhhhhhh....Quiet Girls! Swaree says HUSH!!! Don't distract the girls!...."
The competition and rivalry at the School Sports was equally fanatic...our own version of Quidditch...when the 3 houses in those days Barton Maiden and Foley were pitted against each other "in the spirit of sportmanship to the honour and glory of sports"!So against this background here is a classic... Latha Gowda or GOWDI, as Suaree christened her, from Maiden House and Nimmi Ramakrishnan (not Rao as I first posted, thanks Lakshmi Daniel) relegate Barton House darling and Queen of Sports Kala Arasi to 3rd place in the Discuss Competition in 1977! (...Lakshmi thinks Nimmi was also in Barton)
Face spotters will enjoy the picture of Latha receiving her prize from chief guest Sr Vaughn who was principal of Sophia's. We can spy Miss James, and a bunch of Foleyites - Maya Mathani, Shanthalakshmi, Jyoti Devraj Havilah, Lisa Koshy, and Amina and of course Latha's many Baby Dorm PHANS perched on the parapet!
[btw if you can identify others, please add names to the comments, we'd also love to hear from you if you wish to become a contributor or send us your pictures...you can find most of us through our profile pages or facebook!]
A picture of Miss Suares - from the 1980's
Maya Thomas (1983) sent in this picture of Miss Suares smiling away. Mrs Clarke is in the background, and the teacher seated on the left is Mrs Collison.
Can someone with good eyesight figure what the thought for the day says on the black board and also help identify the other seated teacher please?
Can someone with good eyesight figure what the thought for the day says on the black board and also help identify the other seated teacher please?
Monday, September 29, 2008
Pervin will kill me for this.
Innocent and earnest Foley House Captain 1980-81 who unwittingly gave an evil friend one of her passport photos as a souvenir.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Twenty years on .. Miss Suares - Epilogue (Part Five)
After writing that last post, I've been getting into Sentimental-Weep-Mode .. and I made a little phone call to Miss Suares to see how she was. She told me that there's been nothing but talk of our little visit, all morning. Even the maid and cook were all agog (plus quite fascinated by the sudden appearance of "Gladys" with her red nose, funny voice and of course, the bubbles!)
Miss Suares has read through all your letters and said it was so wonderful to reminisce and visualise all the girls who sent the letters - she remembers you all.
"It makes you feel .. " here she paused, ".. different."
What made it extra special for her, she said, was seeing that not all the girls who came or wrote were active in sports. She hadn't thought that she meant anything more than a sports teacher. I think that, reading what we had written, how we had held on to her words all these years - eyes front, hold those heads high, backs straight, lift those feet - made her see that she had done more than train champions and coach teams - she had influenced the lives not just of girls but the women we've become. I think she knows now that she was more than she thought she was.
She also said that now, her own words were coming back to her at a time when she needed it, to give her the inspiration and motivation to keep going. That's a nice harvest, don't you agree?
I think now she does understand what she was, and is, for Cottons. I do wish my poor Professor Snape could have had what we gave Miss Suares yesterday.
Miss Suares has read through all your letters and said it was so wonderful to reminisce and visualise all the girls who sent the letters - she remembers you all.
"It makes you feel .. " here she paused, ".. different."
What made it extra special for her, she said, was seeing that not all the girls who came or wrote were active in sports. She hadn't thought that she meant anything more than a sports teacher. I think that, reading what we had written, how we had held on to her words all these years - eyes front, hold those heads high, backs straight, lift those feet - made her see that she had done more than train champions and coach teams - she had influenced the lives not just of girls but the women we've become. I think she knows now that she was more than she thought she was.
She also said that now, her own words were coming back to her at a time when she needed it, to give her the inspiration and motivation to keep going. That's a nice harvest, don't you agree?
I think now she does understand what she was, and is, for Cottons. I do wish my poor Professor Snape could have had what we gave Miss Suares yesterday.
Twenty years on .. Miss Suares and One Final Hogwartian Analogy (Part Four)
(Any Harry Potter fans who haven't yet read The Deathly Hallows? This post contains spoilers!)
With all the Harry Potteresque echoes to this whole Facebook revival, how could I resist not taking it further? And I love analogies, as anyone who's had the (mis)fortune to witness me once get going on my philosophical meanderings will confirm.
We have our own version of Platform 9 and 3/4's. We have our house rivalries and our midnight escapades. We are Cottons Girls and the rest of the world, poor dears, are Muggles.
Two incidents from yesterday's visit to Miss Suares stay with me, and give rise to this One Final Hogwartian Analogy, as yet unrevealed:
She told us a story about how, when a chief guest was with the then-principal Miss Hardy (this must have been in the 50s or 60s) in the auditorium (not the new one - the original hall which allegedly had a secret tunnel under the stage that led to the boys' school!!). The girls were, of course, making a racket, but suddenly fell silent.
"What happened?" the chief guest asked, for the change was drastic. Miss Hardy smiled and pointed out to him that Miss Suares had just entered the room.
Fear? Maybe. But respect too. There was something about Miss Suares, a presence she had that absolutely no other teacher was ever able to match. At one point, during the telling of these stories, she clasped her hands together and said, "I always thought, oh God, these girls must HATE me .. "
That's when it struck me. A little voice in my head whispered, "Good Lord .. Miss Suares is Professor Snape .. "
Now those of you who aren't fully into the Harry Potter books, or who perhaps haven't read all the way to the end, may think this is a horrible thing to say, because for quite a while there, JK Rowling made us think he was the villain of the story.
But those of you who DO know the whole story - and who also know of my utter devoted worship of Professor Snape - will understand that this is the greatest compliment I could pay anyone, and not a statement I would make lightly.
So who was Professor Snape? A hard, determined man with rather an iron-fisted attitude to his students - striking terror into Neville Longbottoms everywhere. An ex-student turned teacher, brilliant at what he did, bitter perhaps, but keeping his pains secret. Loyal, so loyal to Dumbledore and what Hogwarts stood for, at the cost of taking lives, and of giving his own too. Harry Potter hated him and feared him and misunderstood him. Right until the end. It's only in the Epilogue that we found, and wept over, Harry's recognition of Snape for what he was: Harry had named his son after Snape.
To me, that was too little, too late. So when I look at our get-together with Miss Suares yesterday, I like to think that we did more for her than JK Rowling did for Snape in that last paragraph of her book. Snape died never knowing whether his true colours were ever appreciated. I'm so glad to all of you who contributed to this reunion with your time, your letters, your phone calls and email forwards and your presence there yesterday. You made for a better happy ending than Rowling could ever write.
With all the Harry Potteresque echoes to this whole Facebook revival, how could I resist not taking it further? And I love analogies, as anyone who's had the (mis)fortune to witness me once get going on my philosophical meanderings will confirm.
We have our own version of Platform 9 and 3/4's. We have our house rivalries and our midnight escapades. We are Cottons Girls and the rest of the world, poor dears, are Muggles.
Two incidents from yesterday's visit to Miss Suares stay with me, and give rise to this One Final Hogwartian Analogy, as yet unrevealed:
She told us a story about how, when a chief guest was with the then-principal Miss Hardy (this must have been in the 50s or 60s) in the auditorium (not the new one - the original hall which allegedly had a secret tunnel under the stage that led to the boys' school!!). The girls were, of course, making a racket, but suddenly fell silent.
"What happened?" the chief guest asked, for the change was drastic. Miss Hardy smiled and pointed out to him that Miss Suares had just entered the room.
Fear? Maybe. But respect too. There was something about Miss Suares, a presence she had that absolutely no other teacher was ever able to match. At one point, during the telling of these stories, she clasped her hands together and said, "I always thought, oh God, these girls must HATE me .. "
That's when it struck me. A little voice in my head whispered, "Good Lord .. Miss Suares is Professor Snape .. "
Now those of you who aren't fully into the Harry Potter books, or who perhaps haven't read all the way to the end, may think this is a horrible thing to say, because for quite a while there, JK Rowling made us think he was the villain of the story.
But those of you who DO know the whole story - and who also know of my utter devoted worship of Professor Snape - will understand that this is the greatest compliment I could pay anyone, and not a statement I would make lightly.
So who was Professor Snape? A hard, determined man with rather an iron-fisted attitude to his students - striking terror into Neville Longbottoms everywhere. An ex-student turned teacher, brilliant at what he did, bitter perhaps, but keeping his pains secret. Loyal, so loyal to Dumbledore and what Hogwarts stood for, at the cost of taking lives, and of giving his own too. Harry Potter hated him and feared him and misunderstood him. Right until the end. It's only in the Epilogue that we found, and wept over, Harry's recognition of Snape for what he was: Harry had named his son after Snape.
To me, that was too little, too late. So when I look at our get-together with Miss Suares yesterday, I like to think that we did more for her than JK Rowling did for Snape in that last paragraph of her book. Snape died never knowing whether his true colours were ever appreciated. I'm so glad to all of you who contributed to this reunion with your time, your letters, your phone calls and email forwards and your presence there yesterday. You made for a better happy ending than Rowling could ever write.
Twenty years on .. Miss Suares and The First Kiss (Part Three)
Ok now, don't go getting any funny ideas. Those of you who've visited my blog (Art Earth Ink Soul .. and if you haven't visited it yet, you must!) will remember my recent visit to see Mrs. Seshadri - where I'd written about The First Cup of Coffee - that Seshu had made for me personally (it's these little milestones of life that keep me smiling!) and so it seemed only apt that I make a separate entry for this new milestone: my first kiss and hug from Miss Suares!If anyone reading this doesn't know Miss Suares, they won't understand the significance of this. But most of you reading this are her ex-students, and you will understand.
Miss Suares, tall, daunting, awe-inspiring - able to silence an entire auditorium just by entering it - none of us would have dared to give her a hug and kiss back in those days! So it was delightful to be welcomed with open arms and a warm hug and kiss on the cheek when we walked in to her home to visit her yesterday!
We also got The Second Kiss when we were leaving. After I kissed her goodbye, she put her hands up to her cheeks, an odd expression on her face. "Oh dear," I thought. "She can smell the cigarettes on my breath."
But no.
"Steady," I heard her murmur softly to herself. Miss Suares, indomitable as ever, held her tears back, and saw us out with a glorious smile.
to be continued ..
Twenty years on .. Miss Suares and The Order of Facebook (Part Two)
Left to right: NK Nandini (batch of 1981), Nazu Tonse (1981) Nalini Manasseh (1969), Supriya Hegde (1980), Marjorie Suares (1942), Heera Nawaz (1975) Hazel Suares (1940s), Edna Benn (1951)
Left to right: Anu Kurien, NK Nandini, Nalini Manasseh, Supriya Hegde, Marjorie Suares, Heera Nawaz, Hazel SuaresWhat a lovely evening it was. There was so much to talk about, so many memories - of school days, sports events, all the people whose lives we had all been a part of. Miss Suares hosted us to a little tea party too.
Miss Suares is going to turn 87 this November - 87 years YOUNG. She's full of life, full of memories of all us girls. She sets a clear example of what a life full of sport and exercise can do for one! Although she's now recovering from a back problem, and wears a brace around her waist for extra support, she's so full of zest and enthusiasm. We must confess that before we met her, we were wondering if we would be meeting a frail bedridden lady, so it was such a lovely surprise to meet her and find her so alive and alert and very much present! As Rajshree had pointed out in an email recently, "She was always indestructible .. "
To be continued ..
Twenty years on .. Miss Suares and The Magic of Cottons (Part One)
It started with The Secret Order of Facebook, where various old Cottonians who had wandered down the vast corridors of the internet, found themselves in front of a magic door marked 'Log In'. And here it was that Bartonians, Foleyites and Maidens reunited and rekindled much of the olde magic of Cottons.Then, with the magic tingling in her fingertips one day, Leena Athyal sat in front of her computer and uttered that omnipotent spell: "Google!" And so it was that the magic wound its way around the web and Miss Suares was found!
The internet Owls winged their way across with Leena's findings - Miss Suares' whereabouts and most importantly her phone number - and I found myself on the phone, asking to speak to "Mrs. Marjorie Suares". This did not get any positive response from the young vivid voice on the other end of the line. I thought for a moment and quickly amended my request, "I mean, MISS Marjorie Suares." This worked immediately.
"Speaking," was the answer.
(What a lovely affirmation for us single women! That an 87-year-old lady can communicate in that one little exchange, the pride and self-recognition of who we are - in a country where the misses are seen as women who have "missed out" - not that a Miss or a Mrs or even a Ms is superior one over the other - but that we are who we are, and we state it with our heads held high and our voices and self-worth firm as ever.)
And so the magic spread across the web. Soon letters were pouring in from around the world, and plans were made. And yesterday was the day - twenty pages printed out on yellow (imagine Gold) paper and wrapped in a Green folder, bound with a red satin ribbon (school colours, and Barton - for those of you with colour-blind memories!), and seven of us Old Cottonians frantically rushed to be On Time (after all, Miss Saures had told me, "Saturday at 4" and when "Suaree" gives specifics, you make sure you follow orders!)
Three hours later, we left, unwillingly, taking with us lovely memories and inspiration and even some useful anti-ageing tips!
To be continued ...
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Shades of the same person...
The year was 1979, the month was April..2 good little girls dressed in their Saturday best were eagerly awaiting all the food and beer the Fete would bring. Notice the butter won't melt in our mouth smiles... one's at attention, the other at ease! Raj..if we could even be a shade of our former thin selves..guess I should speak for myself :-)
And then this shows up..blackmail material forever, bwahahahaha! Latha Nair and Raj playing dress-up!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The famous Madras Choir competition!
1oth std..at the pinnacle of the school..the choir has been chosen to represent our school at an inter school competition in Madras. Oh..the excitement! What should we sing, how are we going to get there..what are we going to do there..will we win..is there any doubt..we're the BEST! Practices for Doctor Foster went to Gloucester..and the Lion Tamer..lyrics include "crack the whip"..the rest is buried in my mind and cannot be dynamited out. Positions and postures are painstakingly planned..uniforms pressed, blazers and shoes cleaned. The day arrives, we board the train to Madras with MS. SUARES AND HER FAMOUS WHISTLE. (we don't know what we're in store for!) Lots of singing in the train..Pleas from Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Joseph to conserve our voices for the singing competition. The calmer ones go to sleep, the more rambunctious of us (read Raj, Shobha, Pervin, me and others) ride the rails sitting at the edge of the train door. We reach the famous Mount Road and the Church of South India. Find some hall or other to sleep in, with a graveyard in the back..Beautiful angels of stone..scary at night..Next day we line up to go to breakfast at the Kamath hotel..everyone is clamouring to give the waiter their order...OUT COMES THE FAMOUS WHISTLE..girls, girls, show some decorum..now how many of you want dosas, raise your hands, how many want idlis? Oh no..cringe, the height of embarrassment at that age..(have no clue that embarrassment is sticking your legs in stirrups and showing your privates to the world)..every one's looking at us..even the waiters are laughing..oh MS. Suares, how could you? We eat and get out of there as quick as possible. Go to the place of the competition..practice, practice, practice. Back to lunch at CSI..very hospitable, delicious..except for Shobha(Chachie) gagging from finding a lizard in the pickle..off for showers...sweating outside, sweating during and sweating when we come out...why is Madras so hot! The day of the competition dawns, nerves there but hidden..lots of reassurances that we can do it. On stage, Mrs. Thomas so put together looks absolutely beautiful in her brand new dress..we are so polished and put together, hit every mark, voices soar like angels..Pervin, Sandra and Jill hit every high note perfectly..Raj and I hit every note correctly, Shobha was an alto or tenor..can't remember..we can't lose, WE'RE THE BEST! Come back to the church..time for fun..its late, but there's always time for a walk. OUT COMES THE FAMOUS WHISTLE..line up girls..various states of dress and undress, some of us still in our uniforms, some in regular clothes..ART SIR in his "pyjamas"..blue, black and white striped, with polished black shoes..walk down Mount Road! Yup..we're representin..now! We're cool, we're hip, We're THE BISHOP COTTON'S GIRLS SCHOOL CHOIR..oh excuse the man in the pj's, he's with us, but not with us! We walk to the beach, check out all the stall around it..WHISTLE..Girls, stay away from the water..no, no buying any kachra from the stalls.." WHISTLE..line up time to walk back to the church..Next day we make our way back to the orderly life at school, bragging about the competition, holding it up as a badge of honour, rubbing it in other girl's faces. DID YOU WIN? OF COURSE WE'RE THE BEST! No..we were not, NOT in Madras..we cam 3RD..oh the mortification..we were robbed..they said our singing was too refined..what do they know about songs and choirs..partiality I tell you..all the other competitors were from Madras, of course they're not going to let someone from Bangalore win..
So came to the close one of my finest trips down memory lane...the highlight wasn't the competition or the songs..(of course I break out into Dr. Foster went to Gloucester for my kids now and then) but it was MS. SUARES'S WHISTLE and ART SIR in his Pj's. Now, you tell if the kids of today are not deprived of a well rounded education!
So came to the close one of my finest trips down memory lane...the highlight wasn't the competition or the songs..(of course I break out into Dr. Foster went to Gloucester for my kids now and then) but it was MS. SUARES'S WHISTLE and ART SIR in his Pj's. Now, you tell if the kids of today are not deprived of a well rounded education!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Drill Sergeant Marjorie Suares...PRRRP PRRP PRP!
Drill Sergeant Marjorie Suares.
The blow of her whistle was like a crack of a whip. Move it! Move it! – She got even the sluggiest of slugs to complete the 2 rounds around the field.
PT as we called it (physical training) was the bane of my existence. Jumping jacks, running on the spot, raising your knees as high as you could (which was never high enough!) Touch your toes...1 – 2 – 3 – 4.....Stand straight...”SHOULDERS BACK, CHEST OUT, STOMACH IN.....EYES LOOKING THEIR LEVEL”....she would holler and we’d comply. Drill Sergeant Marjorie Suares... No, she wasn’t a Real Drill Sergeant, but I bet she could have Whooped the Arses of any drill Sergeants out there. Bishop Cotton Girls School won several accolades in the field of Inter School Sports. Trophies and Shields of excellence were won under the Stern Eye and Firm Hand of Ms. Marjorie Suares. More often than not, Bishop Cotton Girls School (between the years while I was there -1975-1981) led the March Past in the Interschool Sports. This recognition is owed solely to Ms. Marjorie Suares, Old Cottonian and PT Teacher for many, many years. She was mean with the hockey stick and is the only person I can recall that could run the length of that hockey field (for her age!!) during the OCvs PC matches! Shame PC’s Shame!!
As a kid, I was interested in playing field hockey and basketball and I must say that Ms. Suares never let me forget the commitment I made. Once you’re in, you’re in for good or GET OUT! Which means – Practice, Practice, Practice and I must say I was proud to have been able to represent Cotton Girls in some of the matches for both games...No, I was not the best nor the Star Athlete, but I learned about Presence and Determination from Suaree (as we used to call her..never to her face..NO NO!). If there was anybody more Present (in more ways than one) in what she did and certainly more Determined, Ms. Suares stands out in my mind’s eye. She was there, rain or shine (much to our chagrin), but I don’t recall her ever being absent...does anybody else?? And mind you, you’d better have your bloomers or shorts on when you’re at PT!!!! As I look back and reminisce, Ms. Suares will always be a part...A BIG PART OF BISHOP COTTON GIRLS SCHOOL! She was 10ft tall for God’s Sakes....well, maybe not, but to me she sure appeared to be so!
Ps – I never hunch when I walk and am cautious even while I sit at my computer...coz if ever I do, I hear echoes of “SHOULDERS BACK, CHEST OUT, STOMACH IN, EYES LOOKING THEIR LEVEL...PRRRRRRP! PRRP! PRRP! -
If anybody has a pic of Ms. Suares kindly post it in the BLOG
Cheers,
Raj
The blow of her whistle was like a crack of a whip. Move it! Move it! – She got even the sluggiest of slugs to complete the 2 rounds around the field.
PT as we called it (physical training) was the bane of my existence. Jumping jacks, running on the spot, raising your knees as high as you could (which was never high enough!) Touch your toes...1 – 2 – 3 – 4.....Stand straight...”SHOULDERS BACK, CHEST OUT, STOMACH IN.....EYES LOOKING THEIR LEVEL”....she would holler and we’d comply. Drill Sergeant Marjorie Suares... No, she wasn’t a Real Drill Sergeant, but I bet she could have Whooped the Arses of any drill Sergeants out there. Bishop Cotton Girls School won several accolades in the field of Inter School Sports. Trophies and Shields of excellence were won under the Stern Eye and Firm Hand of Ms. Marjorie Suares. More often than not, Bishop Cotton Girls School (between the years while I was there -1975-1981) led the March Past in the Interschool Sports. This recognition is owed solely to Ms. Marjorie Suares, Old Cottonian and PT Teacher for many, many years. She was mean with the hockey stick and is the only person I can recall that could run the length of that hockey field (for her age!!) during the OCvs PC matches! Shame PC’s Shame!!
As a kid, I was interested in playing field hockey and basketball and I must say that Ms. Suares never let me forget the commitment I made. Once you’re in, you’re in for good or GET OUT! Which means – Practice, Practice, Practice and I must say I was proud to have been able to represent Cotton Girls in some of the matches for both games...No, I was not the best nor the Star Athlete, but I learned about Presence and Determination from Suaree (as we used to call her..never to her face..NO NO!). If there was anybody more Present (in more ways than one) in what she did and certainly more Determined, Ms. Suares stands out in my mind’s eye. She was there, rain or shine (much to our chagrin), but I don’t recall her ever being absent...does anybody else?? And mind you, you’d better have your bloomers or shorts on when you’re at PT!!!! As I look back and reminisce, Ms. Suares will always be a part...A BIG PART OF BISHOP COTTON GIRLS SCHOOL! She was 10ft tall for God’s Sakes....well, maybe not, but to me she sure appeared to be so!
Ps – I never hunch when I walk and am cautious even while I sit at my computer...coz if ever I do, I hear echoes of “SHOULDERS BACK, CHEST OUT, STOMACH IN, EYES LOOKING THEIR LEVEL...PRRRRRRP! PRRP! PRRP! -
If anybody has a pic of Ms. Suares kindly post it in the BLOG
Cheers,
Raj
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Another reunion
Last month was a real good one for sentimental memories and reunions. Thanks to Facebook again for putting me in touch with Farzana, who was my "little sister" in the boarding. Mrs. Marchand had come up with the idea of having a big sistr-little sister programme in the boarding, and Farzana was mine. She was in the 4th or 5th Standard when I left, I think. I remember her being a very dainty pretty fairylike child.
Soon after I found her on Facebook, she came down to Bangalore for a holiday and so I got to meet her again after all these years! She is still dainty, pretty, fairylike, softspoken and graceful. She is also mom to these two adorable little guys, and is a paediatric nephrologist! Wow. Me, I just became a clown.
Friday, August 29, 2008
More pictures from Sports Day 1979
Here are some more pictures for all you face spotters out there! Simply click on the picture to view a larger version in another window
The Final March Past culminates not just the day, but hours and hours of sports training and relentless marching practice! On the left is Barton House (captain Malika Rao), in the middle - a section of Maiden House (captain Viji R) and on the right is Foley House (captain Firdaus H) which won the inter house sports championship that year.
And of course, who could forget those ceremonial moments that marked the occasion...
On the Left: Sports Captain Sheela Nambiar takes the oath on behalf of all the athletes. On the Right: A solemn moment at the Closing Ceremony as the band plays Auld Lang Syne, and Sheela N, Sheila K (Sports Vice Cap'n) and School Vice Cap'ns Sumathi Bedi and Leena Athyal deliver the school flag to School Captain Christine Marley
The Final March Past culminates not just the day, but hours and hours of sports training and relentless marching practice! On the left is Barton House (captain Malika Rao), in the middle - a section of Maiden House (captain Viji R) and on the right is Foley House (captain Firdaus H) which won the inter house sports championship that year.
And of course, who could forget those ceremonial moments that marked the occasion...
On the Left: Sports Captain Sheela Nambiar takes the oath on behalf of all the athletes. On the Right: A solemn moment at the Closing Ceremony as the band plays Auld Lang Syne
Sunday, August 17, 2008
A reunion with Mrs. Seshadri
All praise to Facebook who enabled me to find Gita and discover that Mrs. Seshadri is her mother-in-law! Gita put me in touch with Mrs. Seshadri and finally, after years of wondering how to locate her, I met her on Saturday (16 August 2008). Niru and I (Nirupama Sarma, 1981 batch) took the scenic route (meaning which we got lost and took a lot of u-turns) and eventually found ourselves at Mrs. Seshadri's front door. Some rapid make-up and hair preening to ensure we were fit to face her, and then there we were, exchanging hugs and memories.
It was a wonderful morning - and what a memory Mrs. Seshadri has! It was a truly special time and thanks so much Gita for making this happen. For all the years that have gone by, "Seshu", as we used to call her (not to her face, of course! Far too irreverent!
Plus most of us were too terrified and awed to!) has hardly aged. She was surrounded by piles of books and texts, and on a blackboard behind her were scrawled these delightful words: chiaroscuro .. catharsis .. hamartia .. hubris .. it was even a thrill to see her elegant handwriting hadn't changed after all this time. We talked of school, of girls and teachers, of those who are still here and those who have passed on. We talked about our lives, our work, our destinies .. it was such an inspiring morning.
It was a wonderful morning - and what a memory Mrs. Seshadri has! It was a truly special time and thanks so much Gita for making this happen. For all the years that have gone by, "Seshu", as we used to call her (not to her face, of course! Far too irreverent!
Plus most of us were too terrified and awed to!) has hardly aged. She was surrounded by piles of books and texts, and on a blackboard behind her were scrawled these delightful words: chiaroscuro .. catharsis .. hamartia .. hubris .. it was even a thrill to see her elegant handwriting hadn't changed after all this time. We talked of school, of girls and teachers, of those who are still here and those who have passed on. We talked about our lives, our work, our destinies .. it was such an inspiring morning.
I was even honoured by having my very first cup of coffee ever made by Mrs. Seshadri - so honoured, in fact, that I have taken a picture of it! But that picture goes on my other blog (Art Earth Ink Soul)!
Today I'm yearning to be her student again .. and not just for the coffee!
Molly and Annie
Well its not just us ex-students who are catching up and having a yarn...the old teachers are at it too!!! This picture, taken at Chenganoor yesterday (16 Aug 08), was sent in by my mum. On the right is Mrs Elizabeth (Molly) Joseph, former School Principal (1988 – 99) and English teacher (1970-88). Those of us in her English classes will have wonderful memories of discovering the skill and wit of Shakespeare and the inspiration of classics such as To Kill a Mockingbird
Monday, August 11, 2008
Pictures from the 60s
Leena found this website made by an Old Cottonian from the 60s, it has some lovely old black and white photographs of the quad etc. Click the link below to go there:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/2960/cottong.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/2960/cottong.htm
Wheelbarrow-ing. Sports day '79
Gloria and Melani A lead the charge of the not so light brigade! This classic from Kala (extreme right) includes a number of familiar faces...Kiran, Rekha, Malika, Vijaya, Seema and Akila.Do add the names of the others in the comments and we'll update the caption.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
1979 - SPORTS DAY
Maiden house is just not doing well ...I think, just look at those faces! Gloria Woolger, Supriya Hegde, Shoba Mathew, Anita John, and...
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
All That Poetry
Happy Birthday to Lord Alfred Tennyson
"Half a league, half a league, half a league onward,
all in the valley of death rode the six hundred.
Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns! he said:
Into the valley of Death rode the six hundred."
Gotta love that poem! - Raj
"Half a league, half a league, half a league onward,
all in the valley of death rode the six hundred.
Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns! he said:
Into the valley of Death rode the six hundred."
Gotta love that poem! - Raj
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Lights... Camera... Action
Remember the drama of all those school concerts, plays and Inter House Dramatics Competitions.... the hours spent in rehearsals, preparing costumes and props...all leading up to the big production?!!!! Well here's a sample of those momentous occasions in the next three posts.
The Shoemaker and the Elves - Standard II, 1971.
This item was presented by Mrs Dickson’s class in 1971. I can’t remember all the names…but here's a shot -
Front Row: The Shoemaker's children: Madhu Matta, Kumuda, ?, and Marina Joseph; the Shoemaker’s wife Viji R, The Shoemaker: Nalin?, Queen: Nurith, King:Bobby Gupta, Prince: Thomas?, Princess: Firdaus, The Six Elves: ? has their head down, Suja Philips?, Shiney Ninan, ?, ?, Leena.
Back Row: Other Customers: John Arul, Sandra Marley, ?, Nina Dhruve.
The Shoemaker and the Elves - Standard II, 1971.
This item was presented by Mrs Dickson’s class in 1971. I can’t remember all the names…but here's a shot -Front Row: The Shoemaker's children: Madhu Matta, Kumuda, ?, and Marina Joseph; the Shoemaker’s wife Viji R, The Shoemaker: Nalin?, Queen: Nurith, King:Bobby Gupta, Prince: Thomas?, Princess: Firdaus, The Six Elves: ? has their head down, Suja Philips?, Shiney Ninan, ?, ?, Leena.
Back Row: Other Customers: John Arul, Sandra Marley, ?, Nina Dhruve.
Barton House presents Sganarelle, a play by Moliere - 1978
Barton House performed this play in 1978 and went on to win the competition that year. Notice the amazing props that were painstakingly put together by all the Bartonians in the boarding! ...and don't you just love Sganarelle's (Lakshmi Daniel) head gear?!
Cast (picture on the right)
Standing: Sganarelle:Lakshmi D; Sganarelle's wife:Madhu; Celie:Sumathi, Celie's betrothed Lelie:Sharmila, Celie's father:Anuradha.
Seated: Lelie's servant:Krishnamani, Celie's Nurse:Leena
Also in this picture is one of our favourite places at Cotton Girls - the tree in the middle of the Quad
The Dear Departed - Prize Day 1979
I'll bet they've lost track as to how many times this one's been performed!!!!
Cast: Elizabeth Jordan:Sumathi, Henry Slater:Vijaya, Abel M (the grandfather):
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Cottonians - 1960
Padmini Janakiraman's batch - picture of a picture taken during a party at Nergis (Batliwala) Sabawala's home.
(We had originally listed this as Malini Jairam's batch .. but I just got a mail from Padmini's sister Malini who corrected me - and also informed me this pic was taken in 1960 - Nazu, 15/10/08).
Saturday, August 2, 2008
They don't make them like they used to!
Okay these aren't quite the usual school photos! But Yasmin and I visited school some years back (actually I think it was in the 90s) and found the old name boards stacked in a corner of the old library (what used to be the old hall and what is now the main reception area, principal's office etc).
The names may not be clearly visible here but if you click on the picture an enlarged version comes up.Oh - and they LITERALLY don't make them like they used to .. apparently the class sizes increased so much that they stopped making these boards by the 90s.
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