Nilakanta Sri Ram

N. Sri Ram in 1947

N. Sri Ram and family at Olcott in 1953

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.” 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" biographical sketch in Theosopedia.
• "N. Sri Ram: International President of the Theosophical Society, 1889-1973" biographical sketch in Theosophy Cardiff.
• "Nilakanta Sri Ram" brief biographical sketch and several articles at Katinkahesselink.net.
• "N. Sri Ram" biographical sketch at Theosophical Society, Cardiff Lodge web page.

Audio

• Numerous recorded lectures are available in CD format for download at Theosophical Society in America web page, for sale at Quest Books and for loan at the Henry S. Olcott Memorial Library.

Video

• Perspectives on N. Sri Ram's Teachings by Radha Burnier