A centenarian whose basis for living is Dwaita

By K.N.Venkatasubba Rao

BANGALORE, JULY 1. For the 103-year-old Mavattoor Hiriyanna, who has seen "three centuries," the rudiment of life is "Dwaita"(dualism) where the congenial co-existence of Atma and Paramatma is "realised both in content and form." Does he mean to say life is just "Dwaita" and is he orthodox in the true sense of the term ?

"No. I am an ardent follower of Dwaita philosophy. I am austere, religious and have been a disciplinarian throughout my life. But I do not believe in imposing my beliefs on my family members. Both Atma and Paramatma are cosmic entities, and their mutual relationship is both subjective and relative," he says.

He was born into a religious and austere Madhwa Brahmin family on May 26, 1899. He studied only up to the then fifth form. He got married to a 11-year-old girl when he was just 14. He has four daughters and two sons, 23 grandchildren and 27 great

grandchildren. He now lives in Bangalore with his eldest son, Mr. M.H.R.Rao, former Director, Bharat Gold Mines Ltd.

How does he respond to the now "illegal" child marriage ? Does he regret his marriage ? What does he think of it?

"Basically, the then social and family systems that were governed by rigid ethical and moral codes were responsible for child marriages. Economic and social conditions, the financial status of families and religious austerity, and beliefs and emotional concerns of individuals played their own roles. Those were the days of bullock carts and joint families living in rural areas. Obedience to elders was the order of the day as they (elders) had the moral right to command such obeisance. When my father asked me to marry, I just obeyed him. Why should I regret now? It, infact, helped me and my wife (now deceased) to understand each other and face problems, pains and pleasures of life with conviction and equanimity, reposing abundant faith in God. Today's situation is different. I am aware marriage is not merely a question of binding a boy and a girl or a man and woman by the nuptial knot. I too agree that the abolition of child marriage was an effort to educate people.

From my point of view, associating marriage with legalities only speaks of the path of civilisation we have been treading. With the disappearance of the joint family system, we have deprived ourselves of an ancient system of human bondage."

He started working at the age of 16 and rose to become the chief cashier and accountant (a much respected and revered post in those days) with the then John Taylor Mining Board (JTMB) in KGF. He was a "club bird" and loved to play card games such as -- Bridge and 28 -- at the JTMB Indian Officers Club until his superannuation in 1953. How did he manage to become an officer in an English company although he had studied only upto the fifth form?

His first job was at the Magistrate's Court in KGF with a monthly salary of Rs. 19 and annas eight (in 1917). He also worked in the KGF Sanitary Board on a salary of Rs. 20 in 1918. While working there he learnt typewriting on his own. In 1920, he joined the then famous English Wearhouse of Haji Ismail Seth on a salary of Rs. 50. When he tried to join the Watch and Ward Department of the JTMB, the then chief of the department, Arthur Jones, is supposed to have said: "Mr. Harnia (most Englishman pronounced his name thus) is not qualified for the job as he does not know fingerprint analysis." To his surprise, Mr. Hiriyanna asserted he did know the subject. How? "Urge to learn. I was in constant touch with police, and with their help I learnt fingerprint analysis and shorthand. God blessed me with diligence, devotion and honesty."

How was the working atmosphere and administration at KGF in British regime?

The working atmosphere was generally congenial with a few occasional disturbances. In 1930, the miners lead a protest against the authorities for taking their fingerprints as if they were criminals. They succeeded in forcing the company to withdraw this rule, which was a major event. Most of the key posts were held by English officers. Interestingly, there was a glaring discrimination among Whites themselves such as English, Italian and German. There were separate clubs for English officers, Indian officers, Anglo-Indian officers and workers. Liquor was served only at the Whites' clubs and entry was restricted.

The English officers had great concern for Mr. Hiriyanna's religious sentiments. They respected him, and his merit, hard work, discipline and honesty were recognised. "On the day of my superannuation, I was presented with a silver sumputa (a small box to keep idols of gods and goddesses) with a silver bell weighing 50 tolas. The gift itself speaks of their reverence to my religiosity and myself," recalls Mr. Hiriyanna, who is also "addicted" to cricket and tennis.

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