Nilakanta Sri Ram
Nilakanta Sri Ram was born on December 15, 1889 in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India. Mr. Sri Ram was a much loved teacher, lecturer, and writer in the Theosophical Society based in Adyar, Chennai, India, and served as its International President from 1953 until his death on April 8, 1973.
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.
“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.”[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.
Freemasonry
Mr. Sri Ram was a member of Le Droit Humain.
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, talks were assembled into book form, ‘’The Way of Wisdom.”
Writings
- 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.
- ‘’Thoughts for Aspirants’’ Adyar, Chennai, India: Theosophical Publishing House, 1957. Available in part at Katinkahesselink.net.
- ‘’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??.
Additional resources
• ‘’The Theosophist’’ of June, 1973 was a memorial issue following his death.
External links
Biographies and articles
- 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.