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Prof. Bibhutibhushan Sengupto was the first Director of IIT Madras. He played a pivotal role in the rapid growth that took place during the initial years of the Institute. Most of his earlier education took place in East Bengal and Calcutta. He studied at the Benaras Hindu University which was one of the leading universities at that time, known for its engineering education. He then went to Manchester, England for further education. Prof. B. Sengupto was selected to be founder Director of IIT Madras in 1958, and he joined IIT Madras in 1959.

This photograph was taken during the Second Institute Day of IIT Madras. Institute Days of IIT Madras in the 1960s were known for their cultural performances and shows, which consisted of dances, plays and songs, among other entertainment programmes. There was also an award distribution ceremony where students, staff and faculty members were awarded prizes for their contributions to the institute in the field of academics and extracurricular activities. Prof. Ajit Kolar calls the three guests of honour shown above, “The Second Trinity of IIT Madras”. From the left, Mr. R. Natarajan (…

One can note the open structured Cauvery Hostel in the background. The initial hostels were built in this fashion. The later hostels were built as quadrangles. The shadow of the photographer (C. Gourishankar) falls on the ground. It appears that he used a flash while taking the photograph, which is suggested by the shadow. Prof. B. Sengupto was the first Director of IIT Madras, while Dr. A. L. Mudalair was its first Chairman of the Board of Governors.

Mr R. Natarajan, the Registrar, was known for his oratorical skills. His speeches and articles both were eloquently presented. His popular articles centred on the game of cricket are available in various Annual Numbers, and several other publications. Judging by the amused look on the faces of the guests of honour at the dais, we can assume that Mr. R. Natarajan may have infused a joke or two in his speech.    In an Oral History Narrative interview conducted and documented by the Heritage Centre of IIT Madras, Mr. Mahadevan of the first batch of IIT Madras talks about Mr. R.…

Institute Days of IIT Madras in the 1960s were known for their cultural performances and shows, which consisted of dances, plays and songs, among other entertainment programmes. There was also an award distribution ceremony where students, staff and faculty members were awarded prizes for their contributions to the institute in the field of academics and extracurricular activities. From the left, Mr. C. Krishna (yet to be confirmed), Mr. B. Ramachandra Pai (Mechanical Engineering Department) as the girl character (extreme right). The two individuals in the middle are yet to be identified.…

Prizes were distributed at Institute Days to students, staff and faculty members of IIT Madras for their contributions to the Institute in academic and extracurricular activities. The chief guests often presented the prizes. The chief guest for this Institute Day was Mr. C. Subramaniam (Minister of Education for Madras State).  Mr. Chandrasekaran was from the second batch of IIT Madras (1965). In a recent conversation during an alumni reunion, Mr. Chandrasekaran commented that this photograph shows "C. Subramanian receiving a prize from C. Subramaniam".

This photograph was taken during the Second Institute Day of IIT Madras. Prizes were distributed at Institute Days to students, staff and faculty members of IIT Madras for their contributions to the Institute in academic and extracurricular activities. The chief guests often presented the prizes. The chief guest for this Institute Day was Mr. C. Subramaniam (Minister of Education for Madras State).   The student in the photograph is yet to be identified.

The photograph was taken at the Second Institute Day in 1961.  From the left, Mr. C. Subramaniam (Minister of Education for Madras State and chief guest), Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman, Board of Governors), Prof. B. Sengupto (Director of IIT Madras). The person giving a speech is yet to be identified. 

Mr. C. Subramaniam (chief guest and Minister of Education for Madras State, first from left) and Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman, Board of Governors, second from left) are felicitated with flower garlands by students. Prof. B. Sengupto (Director of IIT Madras) is seen to the far right.

This photograph was taken during the Second Institute Day of IIT Madras. Mr. Subramaniam was the chief guest for the event. Chidambaram Subramaniam (also known as CS), was an Indian politician and activist. He continued to be associated with IIT Madras in the future. He was present at the inauguration function of the Computer Centre in 1973. At the time, he had just completed his tenure as Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission (1971-1972). Prof. Bibhutibhushan Sengupto was the first Director of IIT Madras. He played a pivotal role in the rapid growth that took place during the…

Institute Days of IIT Madras in the 1960s were known for their cultural performances and shows, which consisted of dances, plays and songs, among other entertainment programmes. There was also an award distribution ceremony where students, staff and faculty members were awarded prizes for their contributions to the institute in the field of academics and extracurricular activities. In the image, first row, Mr. Y. S. Ramaswamy (Superintending Engineer, second from right), and his family. Mr. Ramaswamy came to IIT Madras in the early 1960s (possibly 1961). He had been in the CPWD. (Source:…

The dance was a part of the entertainment programme which consisted of plays and music performances. Institute Days of IIT Madras in the 1960s were known for their cultural performances and shows, which consisted of dances, plays and songs, among other entertainment programmes. There was also an award distribution ceremony where students, staff and faculty members were awarded prizes for their contributions to the institute in the field of academics and extracurricular activities. From left, Mr. A. Rehman (confirmation required), Mr. Jagmohan Anand, Mr. Pritam Lal Kapur, Mr. R. Paul and Mr…

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 the left, Mr. R. Natarajan (Registrar), Mr. C. Subramaniam (chief guest and Minister of Education for Madras State, partially covered by Dr. A. L. Mudaliar) and Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Chairman, Board of Governors).

This photograph was taken during the Second Institute Day of IIT Madras. The event was held at Cauvery Hostel during this year. In the image, Mr. R. Natarajan (Registrar, first from left), Prof. B. Sengupto (Director, third from left) and Mr. Gerhard Fischer (Consul General, Federal Republic of Germany, center).

The performance was a part of the entertainment programme which consisted of plays, music performances and dances. Institute Days of IIT Madras in the 1960s were known for their cultural performances and shows, which consisted of dances, plays and songs, among other entertainment programmes. There was also an award distribution ceremony where students, staff and faculty members were awarded prizes for their contributions to the institute in the field of academics and extracurricular activities. The performers are yet to be identified.