Hindu High School

The Hindu High School, located on Big Street, Triplicane, Chennai, India, is one of the oldest high schools in South India, having been established in 1852. The school was founded at a time when many parents were reluctant to send their children to schools managed and run by the British Raj.

The name

In 1852, there existed two boys' schools in the Triplicane area of Madras: the Dravida Pathasala (Pathasala means school in Sanskrit) for Tamil boys and the Hindu Balura Pathsala for Telugu boys. In 1860, these two Pathsalas were merged, the new entity being named the "Triplicane Andhra Dravida Balura Pathasala". The school was later again renamed "The Triplicane Anglo-Vernacular High School". Finally, in 1897, the school’s name was changed to "Hindu High School", which it retains to date.

The building

Construction of a large school building was completed in 1897, the L-shaped red brick building having been designed by the famous architect Henry Irwin. The three-storey building was constructed by Namberumal Chetty, a renowned builder of his time, on a plot of 40,000 square feet. Wide and broad verandas and big windows ensured proper ventilation, while high ceilings and rows of arches imparted an imposing look to the school building. With additional construction done over a period of time, the building is now T-shaped.

The personalities

The notable students of the school includes:
* Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (1910-1995), a nobel prize winner
*Kamal Haasan (born 1954), a famous movie star of Hindi, and Tamil movies.
*Ramanujam , the famous mathematician of India.
*R Venkataraman, the 8th President of India.

Trivia

* In the 1860s, the number of students dropped to 48, and the school was facing financial difficulties. In 1869, M. A. Singarachariar, Chief Cashier of the Bank of Madras, was appointed Secretary-Treasurer of the school to manage its financial affairs, as the school was facing a deficit of Rs. 80.

*Kamal Haasan’s father was informed in writing by the principal of the School that: “Your son jumps down from 2nd floor and 3rd floor of our school building! If something (unpleasant) happens to him we will not be responsible!” It is said that in the next week, Kamal came down rolling from the 3rd floor and in the process met with an accident and some bones were broken, and he had to undergo a month’s treatment.

link of eminent alumni in hindu high school: http://www.hinduhighschool.com/alumni/index.htm

Photo gallery of 150 year celebration: http://www.hinduhighschool.com/photogallery/index.htm

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Mission Statement To provide education that will impart knowledge, moral and ethical values through multidimensional activities and interpersonal relationships. Vision Statement To develop Human Resources through education for the upliftment of society, to prepare students to face challenges and to produce students the country will be proud of.

External links

* [http://www.hinduhighschool.com School's website]
* [http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2004/02/02/stories/2004020200140300.htm An article in the Hindu]