History of MS Sabha

History of Mandayam Srivaishnava Sabha

The Sabha consisting of Mandayam Srivaishnavas was born about 100 years ago on 30-12-1916, when the first Central committee was formed under the Presidentship of U. Ve. Praktana Vimarshana Vichikshana Prachya Vidya Vaibhava Rao Bahadur R. Narasimhachar. Magnanimity and generosity of U. Ve Sri M.O Parthasarathy Iyengar provided Rs. 1 Lakh as seed money. This endowment under M.O.P Iyengar trust continues even today.

The objectives were:

a) Livelihood and growth through education and knowledge base. This can be seen even today in community’s youth, who are engaged as computer and software professionals.
b) Spiritual fervor following Srivaishnava culture.
c) Physical and Mental ‘well being’ through exercises.

The Sabha started functioning with meetings at Bangalore, Madras, Mysore, Melukote and Mandya.
Pursuing the above objectives, ‘Mysore students home’ was opened in the year 1917. Deserving and needy students were given hostel accommodation and scholarships for studies. A Samskruta Patashala was opened in premises of Sri Venugopalaswamy Temple in Malleshwaram, teaching Sanskrit and Divyaprabhandam.

Simultaneously, in Madras, due to philanthropic nature of U. Ve M.O Parthasarathy Iyengar an Educational institution was started in one of his houses. It is interesting to note that, for 7 years between 1918 and 1925, Sabha did not function due to difference of opinion among members regarding
the prescribed atonement for those returning from overseas by steamer etc., and other causes. The Sabha was restarted in 1925 under the Presidentship of U. Ve. Rao Saheb R.A Srinivasa Iyengar.

In the next 3 years rules, regulations, by-laws were made and constitution, which is followed even today, was framed on 30-12-1928. The Sabha was registered in October 1934.

The following indicates chronological evolutions of the Sabha.

• 1934 During this period the Sabha purchased the building, where present Mandayam Home is located in Ramavilasa Agrahara at Mysore, through the benevolence of Swamy Srivasananda, Appalacharya swamy and Raobahadur R. Narasimhachar amounting to nearly Rs. 7,000. Thus the first immovable asset of Sabha was created.
• 1935 First Mandayam Ladies meet in Mandya, in the premises of Lakshmi Janardhana Temple, under the presidentship of Srimathy Ranganayakamma Mandyam.
• 1936 Mandayam Home receives a grant of Rs. 4,000 from the Government.
• 1937 H. H. Maharaja of Mysore grants 10 acres of wet land irrigatable by Irvin canal in Guttalu Village in Mandya Hobli, which was given on lease to farmers. Return of Rs. 250 per month from this land was used for maintenance of ‘Home’ in Mysore.
• 1946 Mysore Trust board gave 1001 x 1081 site in Jayalakshmipuram, free of cost to start a Vidyarthinilayam.
• 1947 Sri M.C Rajamannar made important changes in Sabha administration.Donations for Patrons, Donors, Life members were fixed. Ordinary members were charged a nominal fee of Re 1 to Rs 4.
• Central committee to be composed of, all Patrons and President, Vice president, Secretary and 10 other members, who were all elected from the non-patron group of General body.
• 1953 Release of the book ‘Mandayam Srivaishnava History’ authored by Mandayam Jatavallabha Singraiyengar, based on his monumental research on Mandayam community.
• 1955 Our Lands gave nearly 18 pallas of rice each year.
• 1960 Literary and merit awards started: First awardees were Sri M.A Lakshmithathachar, Sri M.A. Yadugiri and Sri S.Narsimharajan for Basketball.
• 1963 Mandayam socials was unique, attracting more than 500 Mandayams. Sabha reached a capital of Rs 32,000.
• 1967 First Mandayam Bulletin was released.
• 1974 Due to Land reforms act, Paddy which was being received so far, was stopped.
• 1979 Diamond jubilee of ‘Mandyam Home’. Honouring of vidwans and vaidikas by H. H Yadugiri Yatiraja Narayana Ramanuja Jeeyar.
• 1980 Release of Genealogy book of Mandayams. A Monumental work by Sri Asouri Ramanuja Iyengar, R.N. Tirunarayana Iyengar and Late S.N. Gopal. Thyagaraja Aaradhana Started.
• 1987 Ramanujacharya’s Tirunakshatram was started. Lands in Mandya were surrendered to Government.
• 1992 Platinum Jubilee of Sabha was celebrated with grandeur in Varadacharya Memorial Hall.
• 1998 A landmark was achieved in the creation of Sabha’s valuable immovable asset viz, Ramanuja Samskruti Bhavana due to unstinted efforts of late R.A. Krishnaswamy, Late M.K. Tirunarayana Iyengar, R. M. Parthasarathy, M.A Narasimhan, S. Rangarajan and a team of dedicated and committed persons.
• 2000 – 2008 Cultural activities took the prime seat in to the functions with the accompanying Thadiyaradhane, Thyagaraja and Purandaradasa Aaradhane, Aadivallikkilamai celebration, organized visits to Melukote and other temple towns on festive occasions, recognition of merit in various fields, promoting Srivaishnavism by honouring Mandayam vaidikas and scholars for promoting Vishistadvaita, Divya prabhandham Ghosti tradition, Vaadyarike etc., annually. These have become regular features. Managing committee’s increasing efforts to regularise the bequeathed properties to the sabha has to be lauded.
• 2006 Sabha’s 90th year was celebrated on a grand scale. A commemoration volume was released. Mandayams above 90 years of age were honoured.
• 2008 Events organized were:Global Mandayam meet:- A Social Cultural Reunion of Mandayam Diaspora spread all over the globe, scheduled from 25-12-2008 to 28-12-2008 with many programmes.
• Revised Genealogy book was released.
• Formation of a Vision committee to look into future growth of Sabha.
  An important part of Sabha’s activities is the annual socials held during December. Various outdoor sports, indoor games, competition in arts and Crafts are regularly held. Music dance, drama etc., mostly depicting Srivaishnava values are part of these cultural functions.