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In a talk organised by the Heritage Centre, Poochi Venkat spoke about Gourishankar, the photographer who was known for making his subjects feel at ease before taking pictures of them. In this photograph, nobody seems to be bothered by the fact that they are being photographed, in spite of the flash. It provides ample room for natural and candid expressions on the subjects. In the first row, Mrs. Shanti Sengupto (wife of Director, second from left), Mr. Gerhard Fisher (Consul General, Federal Republic of Germany, third from left), Mrs. Kraus (fourth from left) and Prof. R. A. Kraus (…

According to the 15 April 1963 edition of Campastimes, the entertainment programme consisted of a German sketch, an English drama, a Tamil play and a Malayalam shadow-play. According to this report the Open Air Theatre was jam packed with around 4000 people. Mr. C. V. Sahasranamam (Mechanical Engineering Department, 1960-65) played the lady character in the play, while Mr. S. M. Krishnan (Mechanical Engineering Department, 1961-66) played the hero in the play. The man with an umbrella is possibly Mr. K. V. Rangaswami (Civil Engineering Department, 1960-65), and the person peeping out from…

Mrs. Nirmala Medhi, wife of Mr. Medhi (second from left) and Mr. Bishnuram Medhi (Governor of Madras, third from left) can be seen in the photograph. They were the chief guests for the event. The person to the extreme left (in white suit) is possibly Prof. B. Sengupto (Director of IIT Madras). This was not the first time that Mr. Bishnuram Medhi visited the institute. He had earlier visited during the inauguration of IIT Madras in 1959 as well. This has been documented in the First Institute Day Number of 1960. The inauguration of IIT Madras was held most likely at A. C. Tech. or CLRI.

This photograph was taken during the Fourth Institute Day of IIT Madras. Mrs. Nirmala Medhi and Mr. Bishnuram Medhi (Governor of Madras) were the chief guests for the event. Trophies and prizes were distributed for academic and extra-curricular achievements to students, staff and faculty of the Institute. We know from the annual report of IIT Madras for 1962-1963 that twelve prizes were given to winners of literary competitions conducted during the year.

In this play, Mr. K. S. Krishnamurthy (Electrical Engineering Department, 1961) played the part of the scientist and Mr. Sriram (department and year yet to be determined) played the role of his assistant. Mr. C. V. Sahasranamam (Mechanical Engineering Department, 1960) played the lady character and Mr. S. M. Krishnan (Mechanical Engineering Department, 1961-66) was the hero. (Identified by Mr. K. Narayanan, Electrical Engineering Department, 1963-66).  According to the 15 April 1963 edition of Campastimes, the entertainment programme consisted of a German sketch, an English drama, a…

This photograph was taken during the variety entertainment programme of the Fourth Institute Day in 1963. Dances, magic shows, plays, music performances and various cultural activities were a hallmark of Institute Day in the 1960s. It was a community event which brought together students, professors and staff members of IIT, children from Vanavani School, campus children and other residents of the campus. The persons in this photograph are yet to be identified.

Mrs. Nirmala Medhi and Mr. Bishnuram Medhi (Governor of Madras) were the chief guests for the Fourth Institute Day. Trophies and prizes were distributed for academic and extra-curricular achievements to students, staff and faculty of the Institute. We know from the annual report of IIT Madras for 1962-1963 that twelve prizes were given to winners of literary competitions conducted during the year.   The student in the photograph is yet to be identified.

Taken during the prize distribution ceremony at the Fourth Institute Day, this photograph shows the Director’s wife Mrs. Sengupto presenting a trophy to a student. Trophies and prizes were distributed for academic and extra-curricular achievements to students, staff and faculty of the Institute. We know from the annual report of IIT Madras for 1962-1963 that twelve prizes were given to winners of literary competitions conducted during the year.   The student receiving the prize is yet to be identified.

Mr. Bishnuram Medhi was the fifth Governor of Madras State. He remained Governor until 1964. In this photograph, Mr. Medhi (second from left) is seen interacting with a German family. IIT Madras had a number of German faculty members and technicians in the 1960s. Most German families lived on campus.  The dark coloured circular pillars indicate that this photograph was taken at the Bose-Einstein Guest House.   Seen in the photograph are, Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman, Board of Governors behind Mr. Medhi) and Mr. Y. S. Ramaswami (Superintending Engineer, partially covered by a…

Mrs. Nirmala Medhi and Mr. Bishnuram Medhi (Governor of Madras) were the chief guests for the Fourth Institute Day. Trophies and prizes were distributed for academic and extra-curricular achievements to students, staff and faculty of the Institute. We know from the annual report of IIT Madras for 1962-1963 that twelve prizes were given to winners of literary competitions conducted during the year.   The student in the photograph is yet to be identified.

This photograph was taken during the Fourth Institute Day at IIT Madras. To the right is Mrs. Nirmala Medhi, wife of Mr. Bishnuram Medhi (Governor of Madras). The person on the left is yet to be identified. Mr. and Mrs. Medhi were the chief guests at the Fourth Institute Day. This guest house was constructed in 1962 and distinguished guests and visitors would usually be welcomed here with refreshments before events.

This photograph was taken during the Fourth Institute Day at IIT Madras. The chief guests for the event were Mr. Bishnuram Medhi and Mrs. Nirmala Medhi. In the image, from left, possibly Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan (Student Representative, Mechanical Engineering Department, first batch), Prof. D. Venkateswarlu (Gymkhana President), Mrs. Nirmala Medhi, Mr. Bishnuram Medhi (Governor of Madras) and Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman, Board of Governors).

Dr. A. L. Mudaliar assumed office as the first Chairman of the Board of Governors at IIT Madras on 1 January 1959. He served as Chairman from 1959 to 1969 for a period of 10 years and made significant contributions to the Institute during his term. On the stage, from left, Mrs. Nirmala Medhi and Mr. Bishnuram Medhi (Governor of Madras State and chief guest), Prof. B. Sengupto (Director), Mr. R. Natarajan (Registrar) and Prof. N. Klein (Humanities Department). Dr. Mudaliar can be seen at the podium.

This image shows a picture of the administrators and chief guest at the stage during the Fourth Institute Day of IIT Madras. The chief guests were Mr. Bishnuram Medhi and his wife Mrs. Nirmala Medhi. From left, possibly Mr. S. Gopalakrishnan (Student Representative, Mechanical Engineering Department, first batch), Prof. D. Venkateswarlu (Gymkhana President, Head of Chemical Engineering Department), Mr. Bishnuram Medhi (Governor of Madras and chief guest), Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman, Board of Governors) and Prof. B. Sengupto (Director).

In this play, Mr. C. V. Sahasranamam (Mechanical Engineering Department, 1960) played the lady character in the production. (Identification by Mr. K. Narayanan, Electrical Engineering Department, 1963-66).  The students backstage are visible, owing to the angle from which the photographer chose to take the photograph.    According to the 15 April 1963 edition of Campastimes, the entertainment programme consisted of a German sketch, an English drama, a Tamil play and a Malayalam shadow-play. According to this report the Open Air Theatre was jam packed with around 4000…