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Mr. M. K. Natarajan was the first principal of the Central School at IIT Madras from 1964 to 1968.  Saraswati, hailed as the goddess of learning and wisdom, is a patron of the arts and sciences. In the photograph, Mr. Natarajan seeks her blessings on the opening of the Central School in the traditional manner. The Central School started operating with classes from VI to IX on July 20, 1964. This school is part of a network of 1251 Central Schools established by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, both in India and abroad. The name ‘Central School’ was later changed to…

The Central School at IIT Madras started operating on July 20, 1964. This Central School is part of a network of 1251 schools established by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, both in India and abroad. The name ‘Central School’ was later changed to Kendriya Vidyalaya. The new school building was officially inaugurated by Dr. A. L. Mudaliar on January 20, 1965. The children of IIT faculty members were given first priority for admission. Seen in the picture (from the left): Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman, Board of Governors), Dr. C. D. Deshmukh (Vice-Chancellor of University of…

The audience features the first batch of school students, who are dressed in the classic white and navy blue uniform. This uniform, which had been in use since the inception of Central Schools in India in 1963, was changed in 2012-13. The inauguration ceremony took place outside the main entrance of the Central School building, which is visible in the picture.This entrance, however, is no longer the main entrance to the school. The second entrance was possibly built later in time. Seated amongst the audience (from the left): Dr. C. D. Deshmukh (Vice-Chancellor of University of Delhi) and Dr…

In this photograph, a student honours Dr. Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar with a garland at the inauguration of the Central School. Dr. Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar (left) was a member of the Board of Governors of IIT Madras. He was appointed Minister-in-Charge of Education, Public Health and Excise in the year 1936. With a passion for Tamil language, literature, music, and culture, he made significant contributions to the Tamil cause and was awarded the title of Tamil Isai Kavalar. The students wear the classic white and navy blue uniform. This uniform, which had been in use since the…

Seen in the picture (from the left) are Dr. Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar (Member, Board of Governors), Dr. C. D. Deshmukh (Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi), Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman, Board of Governors), Prof. B. Sengupto (Director, IIT Madras), Mr. R. Natarajan (Registrar, IIT Madras) and Mr. Y. S. Ramaswamy (Superintending Engineer, IIT Madras). The Central School at IIT Madras started operating on July 20, 1964, with classes  VI to IX. Classes X and XI were introduced in June 1965 and June 1966, respectively. From the first 250 students and 10 staff members, the school has…

Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman, Board of Governors), with Mr. Y. S. Ramaswamy (Superintending Engineer, IIT Madras) on his right, presents a parcel of delicacies to the students following the inauguration of the Central School building at IIT Madras.  The Central School at IIT Madras started operating on July 20, 1964, with classes  VI to IX. Classes X and XI were introduced in June 1965 and June 1966, respectively. From the first 250 students and 10 staff members, the school has grown to accommodate students in classes I through XII, with a total enrolment of 1802 students and 45…

The inauguration of the Central School at IIT Madras on January 20, 1965, was graced by Dr. C. D. Deshmukh (Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi, left) and Dr. Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar (Member, Board of Governors, right).  Dr. C. D. Deshmukh served as the Finance Minister for the Union Cabinet from 1950 to 1956, and was a member of the Institute’s Board of Governors from 1959 to 13 January, 1961. He was also the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Delhi during the years 1962 to 1967.  Dr. Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar (left) was a member of the Board of Governors of IIT Madras.…

The audience smiles, perhaps, at an amusing remark made by Dr. A. L. Mudaliar. Seen in the picture (from the left): Mr. M. K. Natarajan (Principal, Central School, IIT Madras), Dr. C. D. Deshmukh (Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi), Dr. Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar (Member, Board of Governors) and Prof. B. Sengupto (Director, IIT Madras) seated on the dais, with Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman, Board of Governors) at the microphone.  

In this photograph, Mr. R. Natarajan accompanies Dr. Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar towards the dais on the inauguration of the Central School building at IIT Madras in 1965. Dr. Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar (left) was a member of the Board of Governors of IIT Madras. He was appointed Minister-in-Charge of Education, Public Health and Excise in the year 1936. With a passion for Tamil language, literature, music, and culture, he made significant contributions to the Tamil cause and was awarded the title of Tamil Isai Kavalar. Mr. R. Natarajan (right) was the Registrar of IIT Madras from 1959…

Seen amongst the audience (from the left): Dr. C. S. Krishnamoorthy (Department of English, Humanities and Social Sciences), with his left hand underneath his chin is seated in the third row, in the middle. Along the same row, visible from behind the tree, is Prof. S. Sampath (Department of Electrical Engineering).

The Central School building included a spacious library with a large collection of books on a variety of subjects. The photograph shows Edward Bacon's (editor) book Vanished Civilizations - Forgotten Peoples of the Ancient World alongside many others on display.  Mr. M. K. Natarajan, the first principal of IIT Madras' Central School stands in the centre, possibly surrounded by other members of the school's teaching faculty. He served as the school’s principal from 1964 to 1968. The other persons in the photograph are yet to be identified.  

Dr. A. L. Mudaliar appears to be pressing a buzzer during Prof. B. Sengupto's (not seen in the picture) address on the inauguration of the Central School in 1965.  Seen in the photograph (from the left): Mr. M. K. Natarajan (Principal, Central School, IIT Madras), Dr. C. D. Deshmukh (Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi), Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman, Board of Governors), and Dr. Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar (Member, Board of Governors).  

On the day of the Central School building's opening, the inauguration stone was placed in a temporary wooden frame. When viewed in February, 2022 this stone was positioned near the new entrance to the school. The school building, located near Gajendra Circle was officially inaugurated by Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman, Board of Governors) on January 20, 1965. Dr. Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar (Member, Board of Governors) and Dr. C. D. Deshmukh (Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi) were present. The Central School at IIT Madras started operating on July 20, 1964. The initial location of the…

Prof. B. Sengupto was the first Director of IIT Madras, serving from 1959 until his retirement in 1967. His vision was instrumental in the development of the Institute's infrastructure, administration, and education, laying the foundations for what it is today. Seen in the picture (from the left): Mr. M. K. Natarajan (Principal, Central School, IIT Madras) Dr. C. D. Deshmukh (Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi), Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman, Board of Governors), and Dr. Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar (Member, Board of Governors) on the dais, with Prof. B. Sengupto (Director, IIT Madras) at…

After the inauguration, the distinguished guests explore the Central School building as seen in the photograph. Seen in the picture (from the left): Mr. T. N. Venkataraman (Chief Security Officer), A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman, Board of Governors), and Mr. R. Natarajan (Registrar, IIT Madras) are in the first row, walking ahead. Prof. B. Sengupto (Director, IIT Madras), Mr. Y. S. Ramaswamy (Superintending Engineer, IIT Madras), and Dr. C. D. Deshmukh (Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi) are in the second row with Dr. Rajah Sir Muthiah Chettiar (Member, Board of Governors), in the white…