Two Dear Colleagues

TWO DEAR COLLEAGUES
A Postscript

Sri Sivakamayya

It is with the deepest sorrow that I convey to the readers of “Triveni” the distressing news of the sudden demise of my esteemed colleague Sri M. Sivakamayya at the early age of 58. In the early hours of the 10th of February he collapsed after a heart attack in his house at Masulipatam.

He distinguished himself as an educationist during his principalship of the Andhra Jateeya Kalasala, Masulipatam, and as a journalist offering his valuable co-operation to me for over fifteen years. His passing away is a severe loss to the institutions with which he was connected. To me personally he was like a young brother, loving and tender, and relieving me of much of the responsibility of editing the journal. Being a fine scholar with critical acumen, he edited “Triveni” with conspicuous ability and won admiration of the public.

He was well versed in English, Sanskrit and Telugu and brought to his work in different spheres a cultivated taste and an appreciation of things of beauty. His idealism and devotion were of rare quality and every one who came into contact with him realised the nobility of his aims.

I am too dazed at the moment to say more about him. I can only pray that his soul may rest in peace.

Sri Isvaran

Early in January Sri Manjeri S. Isvaran, a former Secretary National Book Trust of India, breathed his last at Delhi. During the early years of “Triveni” in Madras, he was associated with the journal and lent distinction to it.

Graduating from the Presidency College, Madras, he chose literature as his career and won recognition as a writer of short stories and poems. He introduced himself to me and offered to work with me in an honorary capacity. His first book on K. S. Venkataramani made a great impression on me as an affectionate tribute to an elder writer from a literary aspirant.

As a critic and creative artist he achieved notable success. He was also the centre of attraction to contemporary writers in South India who made their early excursions into the realm of literature.

He enabled me and “Triveni” to contact literary men and artists in different parts of India. Later he worked with Sri Khasa Subba Rau in the English Weekly “Swatantra.” During my long absence from Madras he was in charge of “Triveni” and took great pains to maintain a high standard. Like Sri Sivakamayya he was very affectionate by nature and gave of his best to “Triveni” and continued to be on the Advisory Board till the end. I deeply mourn his loss.

Editor