The past and the present

Dhananjayan, Rukmini Devi and ShantaKalakshetra functioned from 1936 to 1963 in the sylvan surroundings of the Theosophical gardens, Adyar. There was an intimate relationship between the institutions run by the Besant Trust such as the Besant Theosophical High School, Arundale Teachers Training Centre, Montessori School, and Kalakshetra. Students and staff shared a common hostel, a common prayer, and common teachers. Our teachers were elderly, experienced and inspiring; yet they were strict disciplinarians and living examples of simple living and high thinking. There were no time-bound tuitions; living in the campus was by itself a learning experience. There were no distractions and the ‘satsangam’ made us what we are today. It was truly a ‘gurukulam’ with a limited number of inmates close to one another, sharing and caring for one another. It was a beautiful and serene …read more