A personality who did Tirubuvanam proud!

Uppili Veeraraghavan was the eldest son of Sri Veeraraghava Iyengar and Komalavalli who hailed from Manalur. Veeraraghava Iyengar came and settled along with his brothers Srinivasa raghavan and Ramaswamy, their parents and his two sisters in Tirubuvanam .

Uppili was his eldest son and his two brothers Ranganathan and Narayanan along with his sisters Vijayalakshmi, Bhooma, Jayalakshmi, and Radha were brought up by their parents in Tirubuvanam.  He studied at Tiruvidaimarudur Adheenam High School and later went to Kumbakonam Arts College to pursue his under graduation. He was a student of English Literature and went on to study his Masters in Presidency college Madras. During that period he stayed in Triplicane’s  Sydoji Lane considered to be a paradise for bachelors of that time! As crispy Dosas, and hot south Indian meals were served by the mess run by the famous Sydoji mess! Later years the young Uppili had to shoulder the burden of taking care of his entire family due to the parting of ways of his father with his brothers in his home town and not finding the lady luck smiling on his family business venture. Uppili sought to further his career in the field of education and went to Madurai. He joined Thyagaraja College of Arts and Science as an assistant professor in the Department of English.  His indomitable spirit supported his family and he was instrumental in ensuring provision of educational and life needs of all his brothers and two sisters Jayalakshmi and Radha. He single handedly took care of his family of six in those days and that too with his meager income in a metro!

He found his life partner in Srimathi Singaram daughter of K.T.Varadharaja Iyengar, who was equally large hearted and a pillar of support to him and she was more than a match in respect of her patience and life skills.

His magnanimity often brought about difficult times to his wife. Many of his relatives took shelter under him to educate their wards! He was equally forthcoming to his wife’s family who also found the same kind of care and affection flowing from him. He was a simpleton with a heart to accommodate everyone who looked up to him for help! He would never say no to anyone who sought his help.  In the meanwhile his own family grew in size and he had five sons and a daughter. They too demanded his attention and care. Despite his difficulties he never lamented about the burden of life that was too demanding on him. His innate nature to help people in need often resulted in more relatives staying in his house and pursuing their studies! This could not be even remotely imagined in today’s way of life!

All this never deterred him in his pursuit of Excellence in his chosen field “English Literature”, it was much more than passion for him. He steadily rose to the position of Professor of the Department and later to be its head! His fame spread across the domain of educational institutions and the University of Madurai soon invited him to be on the Academic Council as a member. He mentored many to obtain Doctorate in English Literature. He went on to become a member of Syndicate in the University of Madurai. He left Thyagarajar college and joined Sourashtra College as the founder Principal, and built that institution from the scratch!

He had many publications to his credit. He was an avid reader and a connoisseur of  Carnatic music and also has translated The great Tamil Savant's Tiruvachakam into Tamil!

During his times he saw the emergence of the college in its new campus at Pasumalai and his efforts to turn its campus into a green pasture from a barren land cannot be forgotten by any of the citizens of Madurai!   His career in the field of education in Madurai left an indelible mark of excellence and his humility that touched every individual who came in contact with him. All this he achieved despite his health being a drag on his spirit!  During his strenuous life he not only helped many to further their education, but also saw to it that his own family never lagged  behind, he educated all his children to be Post Graduates, and post doctoral fellow.

Though his ailments abated and life with its cruel hand took him away at a time when he would have loved to see his family doing well in all spheres, his memory lingers in everyone’s heart as an affable and a towering personality.