Nilakanta Sri Ram: Difference between revisions
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[[File:N Sri Ram 1947.jpg|200px|right|thumb|N. Sri Ram in 1947]] | [[File:N Sri Ram 1947.jpg|200px|right|thumb|N. Sri Ram in 1947]] | ||
[[File:Sri_Ram_family.JPG|400px|right|thumb|N. Sri Ram and family at Olcott in 1953]] | [[File:Sri_Ram_family.JPG|400px|right|thumb|N. Sri Ram and family at Olcott in 1953]] | ||
'''Nilakanta Sri Ram''' | '''Nilakanta Sri Ram''' (1889-1973) was an Indian Theosophist who served as the fifth International President of the [[Theosophical Society (Adyar)|Theosophical Society]] based in Adyar, Chennai, India. He was much loved as a teacher, lecturer, and writer. | ||
== Early days == | == Early days == | ||
After attending the Hindu High School in Madras (now Chennai), he completed a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Madras, majoring in Mathematics. | '''Nilakanta Sri Ram''' was born on [[December 15]], 1889 in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. His parents, A. Nilakanta Sastry and his wife Seshammal, were both Theosophists. After attending the Hindu High School in Madras (now Chennai), he completed a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Madras, majoring in Mathematics. | ||
== “Born renounced” == | == “Born renounced” == | ||
Born into a Brahman family, he made a break with the tradition of appending “Sastri” or “Sarma” to his surname, which would have indicated his caste. His younger brother, N. S. Sastry, wrote of him as being “born renounced.”<ref>N. S. Sastry, “Born Renounced”, ‘’The Theosophist’’ Vol. 94 (June, 1973), 206.</ref> He led a life of simplicity, humility, generosity, and detachment, and quietly achieved much without drawing attention to himself. | Born into a Brahman family, he made a break with the tradition of appending “Sastri” or “Sarma” to his surname, which would have indicated his high caste. His younger brother, N. S. Sastry, wrote of him as being “born renounced.”<ref>N. S. Sastry, “Born Renounced”, ‘’The Theosophist’’ Vol. 94 (June, 1973), 206.</ref> He led a life of simplicity, humility, generosity, and detachment, and quietly achieved much without drawing attention to himself. | ||
== Educational work == | == Educational work == | ||
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== Work with Annie Besant == | == Work with Annie Besant == | ||
He became Assistant Editor of [[New India]], the daily newspaper published by [[Annie Besant]]. He helped in her work with the Home Rule League, and helped to draft the Commonwealth of India Bill that was presented before the British Parliament on December 9, 1925. During her final years, 1929-1933, he served as her personal secretary, and was at her bedside when she passed away. | He became Assistant Editor of [[New India (periodical)|''New India'']], the daily newspaper published by [[Annie Besant]]. He helped in her work with the Home Rule League, and helped to draft the Commonwealth of India Bill that was presented before the British Parliament on December 9, 1925. During her final years, 1929-1933, he served as her personal secretary, and was at her bedside when she passed away. | ||
== Theosophical work == | == Theosophical work == | ||
During the administration of [[George S. Arundale]], Mr. Sri Ram held office as Treasurer (1937-1939), Recording Secretary (1939-1941), and then Vice President (1942-1946). When [[Curuppumullage Jinarājadāsa|C. Jinarājadāsa]] succeeded Mr. Arundale, Mr. Sri Ram began lecturing abroad more extensively. He spoke in many countries of Europe, North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Burma. | During the administration of [[George S. Arundale]], Mr. Sri Ram held office as Treasurer (1937-1939), Recording Secretary (1939-1941), and then Vice President (1942-1946). When [[Curuppumullage Jinarājadāsa|C. Jinarājadāsa]] succeeded Mr. Arundale, Mr. Sri Ram began lecturing abroad more extensively. He spoke in many countries of Europe, North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Burma. Mr. Jinarājadāsa greatly valued his advice and assistance, and appointed Mr. Sri Ram as his successor. | ||
== Presidency == | |||
Mr. Sri Ram assumed the Presidency of the Society on [[February 17]], 1953. During his term in office, the [[Adyar Library and Research Centre]] was shifted out of the headquarters building into a new structure. Another new building was created to house the [[Vasanta Press]]. | |||
During his years in office he toured the world almost every year, participating in conventions and lecturing at lodges. He was often accompanied by his wife and son. He also lectured regularly at the [[School of the Wisdom]], and some of those talks were assembled into book form, ‘’The Way of Wisdom.” | |||
== Freemasonry == | == Freemasonry == | ||
Mr. Sri Ram was a member of Le Droit Humain. | Mr. Sri Ram was a member of [[Le Droit Humain]]. | ||
== | == Writings == | ||
Mr. Sri Ram | |||
Writing was always a major activity in Mr. Sri Ram's life. He wrote editorials for ''The Theosophist'', numerous journal articles, and several books. The [[Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals]] has hundreds of articles written by or about Sri Ram in this [http://www.austheos.org.au/cgi-bin/ui-csvsearch.pl?search=Sri+Ram&method=all&header=field4&page=10 list]. They include articles published in many prominent Theosophical journals: [[The Theosophist (periodical)|''The Theosophist'']], [[The American Theosophist (periodical)|''The American Theosophist'']], [[Theosophical Digest (periodical)|''Theosophical Digest'']], [[The Light Bearer (periodical)|''The Light Bearer'']], [[Theosophy in New Zealand (periodical)|''Theosophy in New Zealand'']], [[Theosophy in Australia (periodical)|''Theosophy in Australia'']], [[The Theosophical Journal (periodical)|''The Theosophical Journal'']], and [[Le Lotus Bleu (periodical)|''Le Lotus Bleu'']], among others. | |||
His books included: | |||
* ''An Approach to Reality and Man''. Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1968. | * '''’Thoughts for Aspirants’'''’ Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1957. Available in part at [http://www.katinkahesselink.net/other/aspirant.htm Katinkahesselink.net]. | ||
* ''On the Watch Tower, Selected Editorial Notes from ‘’The Theosophist, 1953-1966’’''. Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1966. A compilation of his articles. | * '''''An Approach to Reality and Man'''''. Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1968. | ||
* ''The Human Interest and Other Addresses and Short essays''. Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1968. | * '''''On the Watch Tower, Selected Editorial Notes from ‘’The Theosophist, 1953-1966’’''''. Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1966. A compilation of his articles. | ||
* | * '''''The Human Interest and Other Addresses and Short essays'''''. Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1968. | ||
* | * '''‘’Man, His Origins and Evolution’'''’ Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 19??. | ||
* | * '''‘’A Theosophist Looks at the World'''’’ Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 19??. | ||
* '''''The Way of Wisdom''''' Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 19??. A collection of talks presented at the School of the Wisdom in Adyar. | |||
== Additional resources == | == Additional resources == | ||
* '’The Theosophist’’ of June, 1973 was a memorial issue following his death. | |||
== External links == | == External links == | ||
=== Biographies and articles === | === Biographies and articles === | ||
* "Sri Ram, Nilakanta" in [http://theosophy.ph/encyclo/index.php?title=Sri_Ram,_Nilakanta Theosopedia]. | |||
* [http://www.theosophicalsociety.gr/presidentsgallery/sriram.htm Bio] | * [http://www.theosophicalsociety.gr/presidentsgallery/sriram.htm Bio] | ||
* [http://www.theosophycardiff.care4free.net/srirambiography.htm Bio] | * [http://www.theosophycardiff.care4free.net/srirambiography.htm Bio] | ||
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[[Category:Presidents of TS Adyar|Sri Ram, Nilakanta]] | [[Category:Presidents of TS Adyar|Sri Ram, Nilakanta]] | ||
[[Category:Nationality Indian|Sri Ram, Nilakanta]] | [[Category:Nationality Indian|Sri Ram, Nilakanta]] | ||
[[Category:Educators|Sri Ram, Nilakanta]] | |||
[[Category:Lecturers|Sri Ram, Nilakanta]] | [[Category:Lecturers|Sri Ram, Nilakanta]] | ||
[[Category:Editors|Sri Ram, Nilakanta]] | |||
[[Category:Writers|Sri Ram, Nilakanta]] | [[Category:Writers|Sri Ram, Nilakanta]] | ||
[[Category:TS Adyar|Sri Ram, Nilakanta]] | [[Category:TS Adyar|Sri Ram, Nilakanta]] | ||
[[Category:Masons|Sri Ram, Nilakanta]] | [[Category:Masons|Sri Ram, Nilakanta]] | ||
Revision as of 02:50, 10 October 2013
Nilakanta Sri Ram (1889-1973) was an Indian Theosophist who served as the fifth International President of the Theosophical Society based in Adyar, Chennai, India. He was much loved as a teacher, lecturer, and writer.
Early days
Nilakanta Sri Ram was born on December 15, 1889 in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. His parents, A. Nilakanta Sastry and his wife Seshammal, were both Theosophists. After attending the Hindu High School in Madras (now Chennai), he completed a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Madras, majoring in Mathematics.
“Born renounced”
Born into a Brahman family, he made a break with the tradition of appending “Sastri” or “Sarma” to his surname, which would have indicated his high caste. His younger brother, N. S. Sastry, wrote of him as being “born renounced.”[1] He led a life of simplicity, humility, generosity, and detachment, and quietly achieved much without drawing attention to himself.
Educational work
Sri Ram was a teacher at the Besant Theosophical College in Madanapalle, the National School in Bangalore, and the National University of India in Chennai. All of these were schools established by Annie Besant in her initiative to improve Indian education.
Work with Annie Besant
He became Assistant Editor of New India, the daily newspaper published by Annie Besant. He helped in her work with the Home Rule League, and helped to draft the Commonwealth of India Bill that was presented before the British Parliament on December 9, 1925. During her final years, 1929-1933, he served as her personal secretary, and was at her bedside when she passed away.
Theosophical work
During the administration of George S. Arundale, Mr. Sri Ram held office as Treasurer (1937-1939), Recording Secretary (1939-1941), and then Vice President (1942-1946). When C. Jinarājadāsa succeeded Mr. Arundale, Mr. Sri Ram began lecturing abroad more extensively. He spoke in many countries of Europe, North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Burma. Mr. Jinarājadāsa greatly valued his advice and assistance, and appointed Mr. Sri Ram as his successor.
Presidency
Mr. Sri Ram assumed the Presidency of the Society on February 17, 1953. During his term in office, the Adyar Library and Research Centre was shifted out of the headquarters building into a new structure. Another new building was created to house the Vasanta Press. During his years in office he toured the world almost every year, participating in conventions and lecturing at lodges. He was often accompanied by his wife and son. He also lectured regularly at the School of the Wisdom, and some of those talks were assembled into book form, ‘’The Way of Wisdom.”
Freemasonry
Mr. Sri Ram was a member of Le Droit Humain.
Writings
Writing was always a major activity in Mr. Sri Ram's life. He wrote editorials for The Theosophist, numerous journal articles, and several books. The Union Index of Theosophical Periodicals has hundreds of articles written by or about Sri Ram in this list. They include articles published in many prominent Theosophical journals: The Theosophist, The American Theosophist, Theosophical Digest, The Light Bearer, Theosophy in New Zealand, Theosophy in Australia, The Theosophical Journal, and Le Lotus Bleu, among others.
His books included:
- ’Thoughts for Aspirants’’ Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1957. Available in part at Katinkahesselink.net.
- An Approach to Reality and Man. Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1968.
- On the Watch Tower, Selected Editorial Notes from ‘’The Theosophist, 1953-1966’’'. Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1966. A compilation of his articles.
- The Human Interest and Other Addresses and Short essays. Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1968.
- ‘’Man, His Origins and Evolution’’ Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 19??.
- ‘’A Theosophist Looks at the World’’ Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 19??.
- The Way of Wisdom Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 19??. A collection of talks presented at the School of the Wisdom in Adyar.
Additional resources
- '’The Theosophist’’ of June, 1973 was a memorial issue following his death.
External links
Biographies and articles
- "Sri Ram, Nilakanta" in Theosopedia.
- Bio
- Bio
- articles by Nilakanta Sri Ram
- "N. Sri Ram" at Theosophical Society, Cardiff Lodge web page.
Video
- Perspectives on N. Sri Ram's Teachings by Radha Burnier
Notes
- ↑ N. S. Sastry, “Born Renounced”, ‘’The Theosophist’’ Vol. 94 (June, 1973), 206.