V. A. Sundaram
Vellalore Annaswamy Sundaram entered the world on the 2nd of February 1896 in Coimbatore. His family traced their lineage back to Appayya Dikshita, a Sanskrit scholar from the 16th century. He was born into an orthodox Tamil Brahmin household where his father worked as an advocate. The name Sundaram means beauty in Sanskrit, and Mahatma Gandhi later noted that the man possessed virtues matching this meaning. This early identity set the stage for a life dedicated to harmony and aesthetic appreciation.
Sundaram enrolled at Pachaiyappa's College in Madras to study English literature after finishing high school. Halfway through his degree, he attended a meeting of the Indian National Congress in December 1914. A speech by Gandhi delivered in Madras during April 1915 changed his path instantly. He abandoned his studies to follow the leader as a disciple. Gandhi took him to Ahmedabad to join the newly founded Sabarmati Ashram. The discipline proved too harsh for the young man who suffered from malnutrition within nine months. He left the ashram but kept his commitment to the cause.
Gandhi sent Sundaram to Europe in June 1931 before attending the second Round Table Conference in London. Jamnalal Bajaj sponsored this seven-month journey across the continent. In Italy, he met Mussolini and Pope Pius XI while explaining Gandhi's message through the Giornale d'Italia. Albert Einstein received an introduction from Wilfrid Israel in Caputh, Germany. Einstein wrote a letter to the Mahatma which Sundaram carried back. He also visited Switzerland, France, and Czechoslovakia to meet President Tomáš Masaryk in Prague. These travels strengthened international knowledge about Gandhi's philosophy among writers and intellectuals like Stephen Spender and Christopher Isherwood.
Sundaram answered Malaviya's call to Benares in January 1926 to become his personal secretary. His primary task involved raising funds for the emerging university. He developed an aptitude for engaging high-profile donors such as Maharajas or Ruling Princes. Gandhi referred to him as the University Collector who could command lakhs of rupees. S. Radhakrishnan noted in December 1929 that Sundaram had collected six lakhs for the institution. He traveled extensively throughout India alongside Malaviya to secure these donations. A house named Krishnakutir was built on the university grounds for him near Malaviya's own residence.
A guiding theme in Sundaram's life was harmony spreading beyond religious borders. From his youth he took a keen interest in Christian culture and philosophy. His home in Benares hosted many Christian and Muslim guests over the years. He exchanged thoughts and letters with figures like Sadhu Sundar Singh and Swami Sivananda. Despite fighting against English rule, he remained a passionate admirer of English literature. He made great efforts to send all his children to England for higher education. This approach reflected his belief in unity despite political conflicts.
Sundaram retired from the BHU in 1956 after thirty years of service. He moved to Bombay with his wife Savitri to spend his final years there. They lived together with their eldest son until his death on the 11th of March 1967. His former house Krishnakutir is now planned as part of a Heritage Complex on BHU grounds. The site features a memorial stone set up by Sundaram where Gandhi performed prayer in 1942. His personal diaries and private correspondence are held by his daughter Saraswati Albano-Müller in Germany today.
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Common questions
When was V. A. Sundaram born and where did he enter the world?
Vellalore Annaswamy Sundaram entered the world on the 2nd of February 1896 in Coimbatore.
Why did V. A. Sundaram leave Sabarmati Ashram after joining Mahatma Gandhi?
The discipline proved too harsh for the young man who suffered from malnutrition within nine months so he left the ashram but kept his commitment to the cause.
What international figures did V. A. Sundaram meet during his seven-month journey across Europe sponsored by Jamnalal Bajaj?
In Italy, he met Mussolini and Pope Pius XI while explaining Gandhi's message through the Giornale d'Italia and Albert Einstein received an introduction from Wilfrid Israel in Caputh, Germany.
How much money did S. Radhakrishnan note that V. A. Sundaram collected for Banaras Hindu University in December 1929?
S. Radhakrishnan noted in December 1929 that Sundaram had collected six lakhs for the institution as the University Collector who could command lakhs of rupees.
When did V. A. Sundaram die and where did he spend his final years with his wife Savitri?
They lived together with their eldest son until his death on the 11th of March 1967 in Bombay after retiring from the BHU in 1956.