Since Father’s Day is around the corner, I thought I should share his wonderful memories..!
As you may know, Father’s Day was inspired by the idea of recognizing the important role fathers playin raising families. Sonora Smart Dodd who was raised by her father after her mother’s death is credited with sparking the movement for a special day to honor fathers. She proposed the idea in 1910 and it gained momentum eventually becoming a national holiday in the United States. Father’s Day is always celebrated on the third Sunday of June each year…
My respected and highly educated father Vithal Hari Kulkarni alias VHK, was very well known person in Bombay. Especially in teaching, literary and social area. He did his Masters Degree-MA in English from Bombay’s most prestigious St. Xavier’s college. He was a Professor of English and was the Head of the department in Ramnarayan Ruia College, Matunga, as well as in Bombay University for more than 30 years. He also used to teach English in UDCT (University Department of Chemical Technology). British influence dressed with hat, my father had unique style of teaching with witty and humorous touch. For thesame good reason his popularity was widespread and so his classrooms used to be jam-packed with both Arts & Science students. He was a paper setter and moderator for Master & Bachelor degrees in Englishsection in Bombay University as well as on Advisory Board of Educational Committee…
Besides English, he used to teach Marathi and Sanskrit languages in private classes too. He was great orator, a famous literary figure in journalism, writer-organizer for weekly radio talks-comedy skits-episodes-programs, dedicated communty social worker and good badminton player. Though he was retired in 1960 from college, later he was asked to come back to teach part time for few more years. It was very rare for the professor or any teacher who got this respect and honor. with pride…
You wouldn’t believe it, our house walls-shelves were filled with books like a library. Later, he donated all the books to Bombay University, colleges and libraries respectively. Besides, our house used to be open 24/7 for students and visitors. My father used to say, “Communication, Contact & Connection are three important aspects of human interaction and relationships, people should keep”…
Since my two elder brothers were in USA, my father visited USA in 1976. Though he liked some of the places, he never wanted to stay longer in USA. As soon as he came back to Bombay, he jokingly said,
“America is the first class prison for old people…”
To Be Continued… Part Two
