Sanskrit Teacher from Karnataka Chosen for Highest Civilian Award in The UK

“My salary was Rs 475 per month, but I did not get it for the first 8 months. So, I started giving tuitions to students who were lagging behind in Sanskrit and used to earn 30 to 40 rupees which covered my expenses. I was happy as a teacher and that was all I wanted then,” said Mattur Nandakumara. He has now been selected for the prestigious Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), an honorary degree conferred by the United Kingdom which is equivalent to the Padma Awards in India. King Charles III has approved his name for this year’s honorary British awards given to foreign nationals.

Nandakumara has been recognized as one of the Top 100 Influential Asians in the United Kingdom in his role as an ambassador for India’s art, culture and philosophy. Hailing from Mattur village in Shivamogga, the only village in the world where Sanskrit is spoken, the language came easily to Nandakumara. He scored 124 out of 125 in class 10th and after doing his Masters got 4th rank in the university.

Since there was not much competition, I got a job as a Sanskrit teacher at Raghavendra High School, Malleswaram, Bangalore. “Many a times, when there was a shortage of Kannada grammar teachers, I used to fill in those classes. I loved teaching and being with the kids at school,” he told News18.com. In fact, when the school had to select a Sanskrit teacher on the rolls and the management asked the students who they preferred, they said that ‘MNN’ was their surname. Therefore, he was actually elected by the students. Nandakumar’s uncle, Mattur Krishnamurthy was at that time a renowned Sanskrit scholar in London and was heading the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan there.

Janine Miller, a French woman who was studying the Vedas under him, traveled to Bangalore to learn more about the culture and traditions here. The young Nandakumar was his guide here. After a very productive and happy visit, she offered to host the lad if he intended to pursue further studies in London at any time. This gave hope and desire to Nandakumar. Around the same time, his uncle suggested that he pursue his Ph.D. in London. Hence, he traveled to London and completed his Ph.D.

John Marr, his guide, was a big influence on him, recalls Nandakumar. He later went to London to teach Sanskrit at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and was later appointed as the Academic Director there. After the retirement of Matur Krishnamurthy, Nandakumar became the head of the institution. “I am deeply honored to have been chosen for this prestigious recognition by the UK Government. But I am also immensely grateful to everyone who has put their trust in me and helped build over all these years. George Harrison of the Beatles, Several mentors, from Priyamvada Birla to Mrs. Sudha Murthy of Infosys, have played a huge role in shaping the building,” says Nandakumar.

Acknowledging his immense efforts in shaping the building, Sudha Murthy speaking to News18.com said, “For the past 45 years, Nandakumar has created a very unique home environment for Indian art and culture in London. Art forms such as classical music, Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam and Odissi are taught in different rooms of the building. Organizing these classes and coordinating the students and teachers is also not an easy task. But Nandkumar does it with all his heart. He is a very humble poet and scholar. He also teaches Ramayana and Mahabharata on weekends. I have already told him that if I have to stay in London for two months, I intend to learn Raghuvansh from him. This recognition and respect for Nandakumar is very much deserved,” she said.

Murthy sponsors ‘Summer School’, a two-month camp in June-July for children where renowned artists teach various art forms. She requests donors to come forward and contribute to their heart’s content so that many more such meaningful events can be organized at the Bhavan, London which is home to India’s art and culture.

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