In early 1959, I received admission to the Bachelor of Engineering (BE) program at Alagappa Chettiar College of Engineering & Technology, Karaikudi (ACCET). At that time, the Madras state had only seven engineering colleges: one in Chennai, three in Coimbatore, one in Karaikudi, one in Madurai, and one in Chidambaram, with a combined total intake of about 800 students. Additionally, Alagappa College of Technology in Chennai offered a Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree in Chemical Engineering. The Madras Institute of Technology offered diploma programs in various engineering disciplines for students with a basic degree in science.Interestingly, IIT Madras had just begun admitting students to its engineering degree program. However, it was relatively unknown in rural areas at the time. Today, it stands as a world-renowned institution.
At ACCET, due to a shortage of hostel accommodation, first-year students were housed in residences called Low-Income Group Quarters, originally built for college staff. Each house had a veranda and a small front room connected to a bedroom and a smaller room, leading to a bath area and lavatory. A dining room and tiny kitchen, covered with an asbestos sheet, completed the layout.
In our house, the front room was occupied by Sahadevan from Arantangi (Thanjavur). The bedroom was shared by Pandara Kutty from Parakai (Kanyakumari) and Mohamed Haneefa from Melapalayam (Tirunelveli). The small room accommodated Marikkannu from Averendal (Ramanathapuram) and me, from Namagiripettai (Salem). The dining room was shared by Govindarajan and Kunchithapatham from Kattumannar Koil (South Arcot). Despite the cramped quarters, we developed a bond so strong that it lasted a lifetime.Our group photo, taken towards the end of our first year in BE, is shown in Fig. 1. Venkatachalapathy, though not part of our household, grew so close to us that he joined us for the photograph.
The name "Pandara Kutty" intrigued many of us. The term "Pandara" (or "Pandaram") typically referred to a devoutly religious person, while "Kutty" was a common suffix in names from Kerala. Kutty, however, was relatively tall and thin, with a serious demeanor. He spoke Tamil with a Malayalam accent, peppered with Malayalam words—characteristic of the southernmost regions of Tamil Nadu. This led some of us to mistakenly assume he was Malayali.
Figure 1. BE first year: Seated left to right Mohamed Haneefa, Krishnan, Marikkannu, Pandara Kutty, and Govindarajan. Standing left to right Kunchithapatham, Venkatachalapathy, and Sahadevan
Kutty had a unique habit of studying late into the night, often assuming unusual postures, such as lying flat with his legs upright against the wall—a pose resembling virichigasana. On one occasion, Haneefa, who woke up early to study, asked Kutty to wake him when he went to bed. When Haneefa did not wake despite being sprinkled with water, Kutty resorted to pouring a pot of water over him, much to Haneefa’s dismay!
After our first year, we were assigned to different hostels but remained close friends. Kutty, Marikkannu, and I shared a passion for movies, often watching new releases as early as possible. In those days, tickets had to be purchased directly at the counter. Kutty excelled at navigating the jostling crowds to secure tickets, shouting, “Annae, Annae, moonu tickets!” until he succeeded. One memorable film we watched on the first day was Director Sreedhar’s Nenjil Or Aalayam. Its emotional ending left us so moved that we cycled the 4 km back to the hostel in silence.
Figure 2 shows the group photo taken at the farewell function for Professor Sulaiman. He was deputed from a government college to head the Electrical Engineering Department. Figure 3 is the photograph taken in 1963 in the hostel day of the KN Hostel, where the final year students used to stay.
Figure 2. BE Electrical Batch
Figure 3. KN Hostel Day (1963)
Annual Reunions
In 2009, we celebrated in our College the golden jubilee of our engineering admission. Professor Manisundaram was the chief guest. Kutty recited a slogam before adorning Dr. Alagappa Chettiar's bust with a garland (Figure 4). We continue our annual reunions in various towns. In 2017, we met in Kanyakumari, where Kutty gave a speech (Figure 5).
Figure 4 Golden Jubilee meet 2009 at the College
Figure 5. Speaking at the annual get together of our BE batch in Kanyakumari (2017)
Life after Graduation
After graduating, Kutty joined the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB), while I began working at a defense research unit in Bangalore. In 1965, Kutty visited Bangalore to attend the Short Service Commission selection for the Indian Army and was successfully recruited. After completing his commission, he returned to TNEB. Following my two-year stint in the defense unit, I pursued a master’s program at IISc Bangalore and later joined the faculty at IIT Madras.
Kutty's outspoken nature and strong religious beliefs posed challenges in his career, often resulting in frequent transfers. Nevertheless, he remained deeply committed to his work. Eventually, he opted for voluntary retirement to dedicate himself to religious service. An authority on the Bhagavad Gita, he became a full-time teacher, gaining a significant following for his teachings.
Later Years and Farewell
My wife and I visited Kutty and his wife, Ms. Rohini Bai, on several occasions during our travels to Thiruvananthapuram. In 2015, Kutty and his family attended our grahapravesam (Figure 6). In May 2023, when Kutty was very ill, we visited him at his daughter's home (Figures 7 and 8).
We were deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend of 65 years. Kutty and I shared similar values and a lifelong bond. We hold immense admiration for the love and care Ms. Rohini Bai Kutty showed Kutty throughout their journey together, especially during the challenges of his final days.
We pray for Kutty’s aathma to attain sathgati at the lotus feet ofParamatma. Om Shanti.
Figure 6. At the grahapravesam function in Thiruvananthapuram (2015)
Figure 7. Visiting Kutty in May 2023
Figure 8. Kutty and his wife Ms. Rohini Bai at their daughter's residence(May 2023)