If a child needed correcting, Smt. Thirumalamma would not raise her voice. If a parent arrived at her office angry and shouting, she would ask them to sit down, listen patiently, and then explain her point of view so calmly that they often left apologising. If someone needed advice on a marriage, a purchase, a child, a family problem, or even which sari to buy, they would seek her out. In Malleswaram, she was simply someone people trusted.

This presence took shape in Malleswaram Shishu Vihar, which she founded in 1953. 

Born in Mysore in 1922, one among eleven siblings, she grew up in a family that valued both learning and culture. Her father, B. Krishnaswami Iyengar, was an engineer involved in landmark projects such as the KRS dam and the Hulikere tunnel, while her mother Lakshamma was known for her knowledge of scriptures, discipline, and meticulous nature. Those influences remained with Thirumalamma throughout her life.

Her own path was marked by both perseverance and loss. After losing her husband and infant son at a young age, she returned to education, completed a degree in science from Maharani's College, trained as a teacher, and eventually founded Malleswaram Shishu Vihar. A passionate advocate for Kannada and accessible education, she established the school as a Kannada-medium institution with the aim of providing quality education to children regardless of their financial background. In 1962, her commitment to inclusive education led her to start a wing for children with special needs, which later grew into Bala Manovikasa Kendra.

Her love for Kannada often showed up in the most unexpected way. She would look at nursery rhymes like Jack and Jill or Humpty Dumpty and wonder why children should begin their world with falls, broken crowns, and sadness. “Why should children listen to such things?” she would say. Instead, she began writing her own Kannada rhymes.Over time, these grew into hundreds of rhymes, along with annual day plays and songs she would compose for every school occasion.

Her contributions were widely recognised, including the Karnataka Rajyotsava Teachers Award (1972), a Gold Medal for Community Development (1973), the Best Social Worker award (1978), and the Attimabbe Award (1997). 

To speak of Thirumalamma only as a founder or principal, however, is to miss the larger picture. Her school functioned much like an extension of her home. Teachers became family and students remained connected long after graduation. Former students continue to gather annually to remember their school days and the woman they affectionately knew simply as "Amma." 

In conversation with Lakshmi Sridharan (Niece of Smt. Thirumalamma)

Q: What was your relationship with Thirumalamma?

She was my mother's younger sister, but to me she was almost like a second mother. I was very close to her from childhood. When I was hardly two years old, she would carry me to school with her. 

Q: What do you know about her childhood?

My mother and Thirumalamma grew up together in Hulikere, where their father was working as an executive engineer. They had a very comfortable upbringing and were affectionately treated like princesses.

My mother was the more outspoken one, while Thirumalamma was always quieter and more reserved. There is one story my mother used to tell. Whenever guests visited, people would usually notice my mother first because she was very fair and striking. But on one occasion, a guest asked, "Who is that beautiful, saintly-looking girl?" referring to Thirumalamma. My mother never forgot that.

Even as a child, Thirumalamma was known for her calm and gentle nature.

Q: How did her education unfold?

Her educational journey was not straightforward. Because there was no suitable school where the family was living, much of her early education happened at home. Later, after moving to Bangalore, she attended school and completed her education despite several interruptions.

Like many women of her generation, she married young. She later faced tremendous personal tragedy, losing both her infant son and her husband within a short period of time. At a time when many would have expected her education to end, her father encouraged her to return to college. She completed her degree at Maharani's College and eventually entered the field of teaching.

She first worked at Himamshu Shishu Vihar and later decided to start a school of her own because of her deep love for children.

Q: How did Malleswaram Shishu Vihar begin?

The school started on property that belonged to her father. Although he was happy to let her use the space, she insisted on paying rent because she believed in being independent and self-reliant.

A few teachers joined her from the previous school, and Malleswaram Shishu Vihar began to grow.

In the late 1950s, the school went through a difficult period when a dispute led to most of the teachers leaving. Thirumalamma's primary concern was that the children's education should not suffer. She called upon family members to help temporarily while she rebuilt the staff.

Within a year she had assembled a new team of teachers, and the school continued almost uninterrupted. The parents placed enormous trust in her and remained supportive throughout.

Q: What kind of person was she as a principal?

One incident has always stayed with me.

A very angry parent once stormed into the school shouting at her for punishing his son. The boy had behaved badly towards another student, and her punishment had simply been to make him sit in her office.

The father arrived furious and kept shouting. Thirumalamma listened quietly and then said, "Please sit down."

After allowing him to speak, she calmly explained what had happened and why she felt it was important to correct the child's behaviour. By the end of the conversation, the father apologised and left respectfully.

That was her way. She never raised her voice, but people listened to her.

Another thing she strongly believed was that no child should suffer because of financial difficulties. The school never charged penalties for late fees.

Once I suggested introducing a penalty. She replied, "Parents sometimes come and pay an entire year's fees in one day before the examinations. If you can teach a whole year's lessons in one day, then I will listen to your advice."

Even today, the school continues the tradition of not charging penalties or demanding donations.

Q: Did she receive support from her family?

Always.

Her parents and siblings supported her throughout her life. During difficult periods, family members stepped in to help the school whenever needed.

One of her brothers later became president of the school and reassured her that the institution would continue even after she was gone.

Q: What influence did her parents have on her?

A tremendous influence.

Their mother, Lakshamma, was known for her discipline, meticulousness, and knowledge of scriptures despite having little formal education. Everything she did was careful and precise.

Their father was a highly accomplished engineer who worked on major projects including the KRS Dam and the Hulikere Tunnel.

The values of discipline, responsibility, kindness, and attention to detail that defined Thirumalamma can be traced directly to her parents.

Q: How was she regarded in Malleswaram?

She was widely respected.

Parents would approach her not only about their children but also about personal matters. Teachers sought her advice. People trusted her judgement.

Her home on 7th Cross was well known throughout Malleswaram. During Krishna Janmashtami she would invite neighbourhood children, decorate the house beautifully, and distribute several varieties of homemade snacks.

For weddings and family functions, everyone relied on her. Whether it was organising the house, shopping, or selecting a sari, people valued her taste and judgement.

Q: What principles did she live by?

She was deeply disciplined and soft-spoken.

One principle she followed throughout her life was: "If you cannot help, at least do not hurt."

She never spoke negatively about others. Even when people wronged her, she did not discuss it publicly. She believed that if there was something good to say, it should be shared; otherwise, it was better left unsaid.

Q: What were her interests outside education?

She loved reading, especially books on child development and philosophy.

She was deeply interested in music and regularly attended concerts during the Sri Rama Navami season in Malleswaram. She played the violin, sang devotional songs, painted extensively, and encouraged artistic expression in her school.

She was also an excellent cook.

And she loved sweets. She disliked bitter foods entirely, but anything sweet brought her great joy.

Q: What do you think people should know about her?

People know her as a teacher and founder, but what stands out to me is her character.

She never focused on the negative. She never spoke ill of anyone. She carried herself with dignity, kindness, and restraint.

She was ready for anything. "Impossible" and "bored" were not words in her dictionary. To everyone connected with her school, she was simply Amma.

More on Thirumalamma:

https://malleshwaramshishuvihar.org/our-founder/