110th Birth ANNIVERSARY
H.N KRISHNA MURTHY, LAg (Hebbal)
Life and Times of H N K Murthy
(06.7.1915 to 12.03.1995; 79)
Born in Hiremaglur on July 6th 1915, today happens to be HUNDRED AND TENTH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY of Sri. Hiremaglur Narasimha Iyengar Krishna Murthy (Anna) born to Hiremaglur Narasimha Iyengar and Hiremaglur Lakshmi. He was youngest among three, having elder brother Sri. HN Rangaswamy Iyengar and sister Smt. Kamala.
Have compiled geni tree a decade back, have to upgrade now. If I look at the pedigree, Ranjit, second generation SIL has to be added and would be 39th person.
He named his house as KAMALA NIVAS as a tribute her. (See photo)
Passed the SSLC public examination in 1932 having studied at Government High School, Chickmaglur. Around 1923 lost his father (thatha) and thereafter was under care of our dodappa (H N Rangaswamy Iyengar). Moving to Mysore, subsequently completed his LAg (Licenciate in Agriculture) as a border at Hebbal, Bangalore. His was the last LAg stream which changed to BSc (Ag) later. Used to mention often. His wish was indirectly fulfilled by Osmania University by calligraphically inscribing his name in 10 degree certificates as father's name.
His notes and text books Soil microbiology, Agricultural engineering etc, were well preserved for long and along with the drawing board, set square, T square (?), also a camp cot. All these show his interest in the course, inclined to pursue further. If circumstances were congenial he should have been full time Agricultural Scientist or an Academic. (Seems to have learnt carpentry during this period, a decorative clock case existed for long.)
Following his studies seems to have worked in various agricultural stations, got married in 1946, continuing work at places like Mandya, Goribidnur, Chikkabalapur etc, before moving to Hyderabad in 1950/51. One of the recommendationl letter has Lal Bahadur Shastrji's name, probably associated with some agricultural institution. He worked at different units, finally appointed as Farm Superintendent, HACA, at Toli Chowki, and was alloted spacious farm house, with jeeps & tractors and farms under his control. May be he was moved to the office opposite to public gardens, and moving to a house at Narayanguda in 1956. Stayed there till 1966-67, 11 years, around 300 sq ft plinth.
It was during stay here Satyan, Raghu and Srinu were born. Both ammayaa and pati have been there. An important observation is the exchange of letters by way of postcards between Anna and Dodappa almost fortnightly basis, cheapest communication mode. There bandage was that of Rama and Laksnmana as quoted by pati herself. Unfortunately we lost dodappa in 1964.
By 1966 end Prasad had entered graduate class, i completed my schooling, Sreemathi in XII.
It is a luxury to grow among six in today's times, rather can say 8 with two leaving us, in 54 and 56. Greatest act was the landlord used to switch off mains beyond 10.00 pm, finding difficult when Prasad was in school final. They are very much our family friends even this day.
1963 critical year
HACA had its own problem (being a telangana institution), it came under liquidation, and labeled as office of the liquidators, HACA, this created anxiety and also search for alternate employment, an offer cropped up at Chitoor or in NIZAM SUGAR FACTORY, Nizambad, in any case displacement was an issue, in addition Prasad had come to school final, a worrisome situation.
Some how it subsided and Anna continued till formal retirement in 1980, though the main job was working for its reestablishment via SC, so this became the main activity besides other business of HACA, ironically the liquidation got lifted nearing his retirement stage, but not much beneficial. Now HACA is doing well especially having assets and running other institutions.
Had the privilege of sending our seed technology students of Nizam College at one of the institution housed there, in 90s.
Anna successfully served the institution with all devotion for over 3 decades. Believe his transport was his bicycle ride of 10 km up and down, till retirement. Had seen enough of ups and down of HACA.
HACA gave me a overnight shelter for joint study in one of the blocks in 66-67.
In relation circle Anna was known as HACA Krishna Murthy, because we had two namesake.
Used good offices for procurement of foreign sugar (sugar ration days) for friends and relatives, including carrying to Bangalore AK. HACA was government outlet for supply of foreign sugar and textiles especially terelene and terricot cloth at subsidized rates.
Anna and Akshay Kuteer
He being the eldest among his generation enjoyed a good stand, Ramuji mama, Shitti and chin mamma were far younger, Ramuji mama was supposed to have learnt slokas from pati.
Has been a part of all functions and activities.
Prasad, Sreemathi & Srinivas were born there, Prasad at AK itself. The Patriarch of AK along with Rajanna mama, Shitti and chinmama, had moved to Bhusawal, in early 50s, I had a two years academically productive stint there and Satyan was born at Bhusawal in 1958. Raghu was born at Hyderabad and Ammaya was here.
No idea of birth place of Jairam & Mythili. (You can see them in pictures), both elder to Satyan.
Though being away at Hyderabad. Till mid sixties Bangalore and Mysore were our summer camps.
Anna and Mysore family
Advice
Take things as it comes
His desires
His wants were never exceeded the needs
Principle
It is simple to be happy, but difficult to be simple followed in his life time. Happens to be Tagores quote.
Absolutely no vices, even a card game
Pedigree....39 so far
Influence to remain science stream
My entry into academic line not a freak, the motivation has come from Anna indirectly. He used crop the science news in the daily Hindu (subscription beyond means) and pass on along with columns on religion during graduating days. During second BSc had taken him round golden jubilee exhibition of OU especially Genetics Dept (was not a student then) we underwent several simple tests, surprisingly found both color blind,
Booth were equally exited. Another factor was one of the coplot owner was GMReddy, Prof of Genetics unknown to me then. He spent quite a lot of time with Anna in our study room. Casually enquired about me and advised to take Genetics at PG, it was at same year Khorana got the noble prize. Anna's influence doesn't stop there, two years into research found that my father worked under my mentors father in 1940 (my prof being just 5) once they met after decades the binding became stronger. In 1973 when our paper proof was being checked, my mentor said hereafter whenever you publish a paper, it will be his name to be cited (Murthy), it continues and have been called so throughout service.
It's not only me, Sreemathi has been in tandem for 11 years from schooling to PG, with small deviation having taken Botany as main with Cytogenetics in optional, and was a better performer by getting distinction in PG.
She also joined for research programme, under well known Geneticist in Botany department.
We even shared the Junior Reserach Fellowship in the same year in 1973, in the same order.
Some how could not click and six months later joined teaching, anna has duly interacted with her professors who visited our place, and she was appreciated for her interest.
Anna and health issues
We as children never thought much about his health all starting with gastroenteritis, quite acute never used to have second meal, this was for more than a decade. He avoided drastic treatment weighing against responsibility and operation last chance. It was only after we three seniors were married, he agreed to follow up. Was treated by top gastroenterologist (Dr. CM Habeebullah, HoD OMC, also board member in our Department) in 1980, only person with an endoscopy. He had him in his ICMR project as a subject, unfortunately the medical treatment didn't work and advised for surgery
House construction at Amberpet
Three at a time in degree courses
Commitment to pati, dodappa and his family
12th March 1995 Sunday in the early hours at 8.00 am he complained about uneasiness and gastric chest pain, went and saw him
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