Recollections

Chittapa was a very special person for me and I owe so much to him for whatever I have achieved in life so far. How can I ever forget the help that he provided at crucial moments in my life especially in helping with my admissions into St. Patricks High School and Little Flower Junior College? His affection, enthusiasm and "young at heart' attitude was inspiring and motivating. I vividly remember the days when he used to join me in learning mridangam at RRL. It is difficult to imagine that I can never have a conversation with him any more but I will cherish the joyful moments that I could spend with him.

Srikanth

-------

(He) was such a pillar of support (along with Lakshmi athai) to all their siblings and neices and nephews, always being around to lend a helping hand at everyone's hour of need - be it to help with a wedding or provide comfort for someone with ill-health. I remember some very brief but intriguing conversations I have had with him on the rare occasions we met and he always seemed to have an interesting perspective on things. Of course with his academic disposition and being so well traveled he had a more analytical mind coupled with a wealth of knowledge and experience. Always wished I had more opportunities to meet and interact with him. He seemed to have this endless source of energy and enthusiasm for life, that anyone who met him would have felt he could go on and on...

I felt extremely blessed to have him and your mother make it for my wedding at Bangalore in August 2006, especially since it was shortly after Rukku athai's demise. Aruna and I last saw him very briefly at Vimala athai's place, NJ over the Memorial day weekend 2007 when he had come over there with Lakshmi athai and Sudha.

My memories of him are that of a simple man of tremendous intellectual capacity with the ability to view life in a lighter vein and always ready to help people...

Vikram

----------------

As I was growing up during the 40s and 50s, Pattabhi was one of my constant companions. Yes, he was technically my uncle, but neither of us let that stand in the way of our very close relationship. Some of my most fruitful hours were spent in his wonderful company. We had many things in common, love of walking, chess, apart from Mathematics, I have never met a more genial, pleasant, ever smiling person in my life. In fact, to a large extent he was a role model for me. I can't imagine visiting Hyderabad without meeting him.


Mani (Payyanna)

----------------

I still vividly remember what a great teacher he was; very fair and with a tremendous sense of humor that all the students both respected and loved him. I have not come across any other teacher who received such adoration and respect from all the students. Once, I was sitting in the last bench in his class and listening to cricket commentary with my friends. He came to us, took the transistor radio, gave the class some calculus problems to solve and he listened to the commentary and relayed the score when something happened! My college friends always affectionately enquire about him whenever we meet. He was unique. I also cherish the days I spent with him and Lakshminarayan mama - they used to meet once a week in the library of Mahbub College High school when I was a student. We used to go to Parade ground from there. For me, it was a fantastic exposure to great ideas and thought process. I am so fortunate and blessed to have had his affection and counsel at a young age. He was the role model for my generation.

Siva

----------------

I hold Pattabhi Chithappa as an ideal idol. He was a role model to me, especially in his genuine interest in building relationships.

Any mail from him was so very informative, refreshing and I took great pride in telling everyone that I got a mail from Chithappa.

His smile was infectious, and extremely comforting, so were his words. He reached out to people, and kept in touch with so many.

He always gave me an impression that he was extremely sincere and serious at the same time very jovial and lively.

Raja
Chennai
----------------

I consider fortunate to have come close to Chittappa during my Hyderabad days. Even after we moved to Madras we were in regular touch and it was such a joy reading his mail. I was just planning to write to him mentioning about our arrival here. I normally used to inform him soon after reaching here, only this time it was getting delayed as I fell ill (since recovered) soon after arriving. But never did I imagine that death would take away him away so soon. My mind is crowded with so many marvelous days spent with him that I find it hardly possible to write anything.

Malli

----------------

In the few times I met him, he always exuded a deep sense
of serenity.

Sharat & Ajita

Pattabhi Chittappa has been so close to all of us. Each one of us cherish so many good memories of the times we spent with him .God was too much in a hurry to take him away from us. For all of us he's more or less omnipotent and omnipresent. I feel so privilegd and touched that he could come for Dharini's wedding with Lakshmi Chitti.I cannot forget the lovely time we all had during the Mangalam meet..Lakshmi Chitti, I pray to god to give her all the strength to overcome this unbearable grief.(They would have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary next year!). I don't know how or what else to say for such a noble person as Pattabhi chittappa.

Latha.

----------------

He was an amazing person and together with Lakshmi chitti
formed our favourite couple. The only thing that flashes in my mind when I think of Lakshmi chitti is the million watt smile that was ever present in her face and it hurts me to even think how that face can stand this tragedy. We (specially me and Anu) have wonderful memories of days spent with you all (from Begumpet days through secunderabad and tarnaka) you were (and still are) our "closest" relatives and this is hugely due to the personalities of chittappa and chitti.

The loss is tremondous. It was so wonderful to have him here a couple of years back and I was really looking forward to more visits.

Vasanthi

----------------

It is difficult to believe that we will not be able to see Chithappa's smile and have a casual conversation with him ever. But all those years of wonderful memories will always be there with all of us. Such sadness is only eased thru passing of time and I hope that all of you will be strong.

A final thought. This fine poem should be a fitting memory from the loved ones to a person like Chithappa who never thought of or did burden anyone in his life.

*********************

Funeral Blues

Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.

Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead.
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.

He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.

The stars are not wanted now; put out every one,
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun,
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the woods;
For nothing now can ever come to any good.

W.H. Auden

*********************

Chander.

----------------

He always kept in touch and we'd talk regularly to me. We'd meet at kutcheris. He has been with me from childhood.... And I know chittappa has been a huge support for amma and also for our family. I was fortunate to interact with him - he was my college Principal and also my teacher. He was always smiling, such a gentle smile, and always had a kind word for me. He brought my 1st born home from hospital and I'll never forget the casual, yet deeply affectionate way he did it. Yes, at the core he was deeply affectionate to others and also had that rare ability to connect with others.

Sharadha
----------------

Uncle Pattabi was an exact replica of my noble father both of whom showed genuine love and affection for their relations whatever be the age or status . The Mangalam clan is now poorer without him.

Arni Mani .

----------------

The Life and Times of Dr. M.V.Pattabhiraman

Name: Mangalam Vaidyanatha Sastry Pattabhiraman
Place of Birth: Begumpet, Hyderabad
Date of Birth: January 1st, 1931
Died: April 21st, 2008
Father: Vaidynatha Sastry (Pattanna)
Mother: Kamakshi (chitti)

Education:
Mehboob College, Secunderabad
Nizam College, Hyderabad (B.A Mathematics)
Osmania University Arts College, Hyderabad (M.A Mathematics)
University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Ph.D Mathematics)

Married: June 10th, 1959
Wife: Lakshmi Raman (Ranganathan - maiden name)
Children:
Usha Raman (daughter born Sept. 1960)
Rajasekhar Raman (son born Nov. 1968)

There are of course many, many, many more significant events and people in the life of MVP Raman. The hope is that people who were part of his life will take the time to recount some of their memories and thoughts on this blog. We would like to have everyone contribute.

Please pass on this blog site to anyone you think would like to add their comments.