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Mrs YGP
Mrs YGP
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Yecha Gunja Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy[1] (27 November 1925 – 6 August 2019), better known as Mrs YGP, was an Indian journalist, educationist and social worker. She was the founder and dean of the Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan.[2] Rajalakshmi was awarded the Padma Shri in 2010, India's fourth highest civil honour for her contribution to literature and education.

Key Information

Personal life

[edit]

Rajalakshmi was born in Madras on 27 November 1925 into an affluent and educated family, the daughter of Burmah Shell employee R. Parthasarathy and his wife Alamelu Amma. Her father was the son of Indian independence activist, Dewan Bahadur T. Rangachari and her mother was a homemaker. Her cousin K. Balaji was an actor and director in the Tamil film industry.[3]

Rajalakshmi studied at St. John's School and Holy Cross College, Madras and received a graduate degree in journalism from the University of Madras in 1947, at a time when few women in India undertook higher studies. She was the only woman in her class and the first woman in her family to graduate.[3] Later, she completed her M. Ed. and acquired a master's degree in history from the University of Madras also.[3]

She was married to playwright Y. G. Parthasarathy, and they had two sons, Y. G. Rajendran and Y. G. Mahendran, a Tamil film and stage actor.[3] Rajalakshmi died in Chennai on 6 August 2019 at age 93 due to a cardiac arrest. She was replaced by Mrs. Sheela Rajendran, her daughter-in-law.[3]

Career

[edit]

On completion of her graduation, Rajalakshmi worked as a journalist with The Hindu and the Tamil weekly, Kumudam.[4] She however quit her job after marriage and started the Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan in 1958.[3][4]

Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan

[edit]

In 1958, Rajalakshmi started a school with 13 students along with members of the Nungambakkam Ladies Recreation Club in a shed in the terrace of her house in Nungambakkam and named it Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan in deference to the wishes of one of its benefactors, R. M. Seshadri, who expressed his wish for the school to be named after his wife.[5] The next year, the school acquired its own building. In 1971, the school established its first branch, in Nungambakkam (which is also known as the main school). Since then, the school has grown manifold and in 2009, comprised five branches with over 8,000 students and 500 staff members. Rajalakshmi served as the dean and director of the school since its inception in 1958, until her death. In 2010, it was reported to have more than 10,000 students.[6]

Awards

[edit]
  • On 26 January 2010, Rajalakshmi was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civil honour for her contribution to literature and education.[7]
  • 'Achievement Medal for Leadership and Commitment to Excellence in Education' by the U.S-based Center for Excellence in Education.[3]
  • 'Vayoshreshtha Samman' award from the Government of India.[3]
  • 'Paul Harris Fellow Award' by the Rotary Club of Madras.[3]

Works

[edit]
  • Excellence Beyond the Classroom: A Memoir of YGP. Frank Bros. & Company. 2004. ISBN 9788171706976.[8]

References

[edit]

Further reading

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy (8 November 1925 – 6 August 2019), popularly known as Mrs. YGP, was an influential Indian educationist, journalist, and social worker renowned for founding and leading the (PSBB) group of schools in . Born into the family of Diwan Bahadur in Madras (now ), she was the first woman in her family to graduate and earned a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the , becoming one of the earliest women journalists in . In 1948, she married , a prominent Tamil and , with whom she shared two sons, actor Y. G. Mahendra and Y. G. Rajendra. Mrs. YGP's career in education began in the 1950s when she established the PSBB schools in , starting with just 13 students in a modest and expanding it into a network of prestigious CBSE-affiliated institutions that emphasize holistic development, Indian cultural values, and innovative pedagogy such as continuous evaluation and internal assessments. As the founder and long-time dean, she pioneered programs like "" for peer learning, specialized labs for subjects including and social sciences, and international exchanges through initiatives such as the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) and the . She also founded Bharat Kalachar in 1987, a cultural organization dedicated to promoting Indian arts, music, and heritage, reflecting her deep commitment to cultural preservation alongside education. Her contributions extended to social activism, where she advocated for in education—famously escalating issues to then-Prime Minister to secure her role as principal of a boys' school—and mentored numerous educational institutions while upholding principles of accountability, integrity, and responsibility. Mrs. YGP received several accolades for her lifelong dedication, including the in 2010 for her services to education, the Vidya Seva Ratnam Award in 1986, the Stree Shakti Puraskar in 2002, the Avvaiyar Award in 2012, and the Vayoshreshtha Samman in 2019. She passed away on 6 August 2019 at the age of 93 due to in , leaving a lasting legacy that continues to influence generations through PSBB's global recognition and her emphasis on empowering students with confidence, kindness, and cultural rootedness.

Early life and education

Birth and family background

Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, widely known as Mrs. YGP, was born on November 8, 1925, in Chennai (then Madras) into a prominent Tamil Brahmin family; some sources cite November 27 as the date. She was the daughter of R. Parthasarathy, an employee of Burmah Shell, and Alamelu, a homemaker whose influence profoundly shaped her early years. Her paternal grandfather, Diwan Bahadur T. Rangachari (1865–1945), was a distinguished lawyer, politician, journalist, and legislator who played a notable role in India's independence movement as a moderate voice in the Egmore clique and through his public service. The family household in was steeped in values of , discipline, and intellectual pursuit, reflecting her grandfather's legacy of and legal prominence in South Indian circles during the early 20th century. Alamelu, described as broadminded yet rooted in orthodox traditions, instilled in her daughter a deep appreciation for , encouraging extensive reading and fostering a sharp, inquisitive mind from a young age. This environment emphasized moral discipline alongside exposure to traditional arts, with the home serving as a hub for discussions on nationalistic ideals amid the independence struggle. During her early childhood in , Rajalakshmi experienced a nurturing setting rich in literary and artistic influences, including and classical like and , which her family's cultural ethos promoted and which later informed her lifelong commitments. These formative years, marked by her mother's guidance and the patriotic fervor inherited from her grandfather, laid the groundwork for her values of service and cultural preservation. She was the first woman in her family to graduate.

Academic pursuits

Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, known as Mrs. YGP, completed her early education in , attending St. John's School for her schooling and Holy Cross College for undergraduate studies. Her academic interests during this period centered on and the arts, laying the foundation for her lifelong engagement with cultural and philosophical subjects. Following her , she earned a in from the University of Madras around 1947. She then pursued advanced studies at the , earning a in . This program deepened her understanding of historical narratives, particularly those rooted in Indian traditions. Subsequently, she obtained an M.Ed. from the , with an emphasis on teacher training methodologies that integrated cultural values into . Her academic trajectory, marked by a progression from historical studies to educational theory, equipped her with the intellectual framework for her later contributions to .

Personal life

Marriage and family

Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, known as Mrs. YGP, married , a prominent Tamil dramatist and who founded the United Amateur Artistes theatre group, in 1948. Their union blended personal partnership with shared intellectual pursuits, as Parthasarathy's career in theatre and complemented her emerging interests in education and culture. The couple raised two sons, (also known as Y. G. Mahendra), a renowned Tamil and actor who continued his father's theatrical legacy, and Y. G. Rajendran. Mrs. YGP balanced domestic responsibilities with her professional ambitions, notably launching the school from her home in 1958 while nurturing her young family, demonstrating her ability to integrate household duties with educational innovation. Parthasarathy's deep commitment to Tamil theatre profoundly influenced Mrs. YGP's own engagement with and , fostering her passion for cultural promotion among youth. passed away in 1990. Together, they co-founded Bharat Kalachar in 1987 on the school premises to nurture artistic talents, with the family providing essential emotional and logistical support that enabled her to sustain such initiatives alongside her family life.

Later years and death

In her later years, Mrs. Y. G. Parthasarathy remained deeply engaged with the (PSBB) Group of Schools and Bharat Kalachar, organizations she had founded decades earlier. Even as she entered her 90s, she actively participated in events, such as addressing audiences after performances at Bharat Kalachar and attending her annual birthday endowment lecture at PSBB in 2018, where her presence was celebrated on her 93rd birthday. Despite facing health constraints that limited her mobility, her enthusiasm for promoting arts, culture, and education persisted, as evidenced by her continued role as chief patron of Bharat Kalachar and mentor to educational institutions. Mrs. Parthasarathy focused on mentoring successors at PSBB, sharing her pedagogic expertise to ensure the institution's alignment with her vision of holistic, Indianized , including , , and responsibility. She guided various schools beyond PSBB, such as R.M. Jain Vidyashram and Vels Vidyashram, emphasizing the integration of arts and academics in their curricula. On August 6, 2019, Mrs. Parthasarathy passed away at the age of 93 in due to natural causes following a ; she had been admitted to a private hospital the previous day after complaining of breathlessness. Her last rites were performed at her residence in , with cremation held at 4 p.m. the following day at Besant Nagar Electric Crematorium; she was survived by her sons, actor Y. Gee. Mahendra and Y. G. Rajendra, along with their families, who were present during the ceremonies.

Professional career

Journalism

Mrs. Y. G. Parthasarathy entered in the late 1940s, marking a pioneering step as the first woman at The Hindu. She joined the publication's weekly supplement, Sport & Pastime, where she honed her skills in reporting and commentary on social matters. Her most enduring contribution during this period was the agony aunt column "What Should I Do?", written under the pen name Rashmi from 1948 to 1967. Published in Sport & Pastime, the column provided empathetic and practical advice to women grappling with personal dilemmas, such as marital conflicts, career decisions, and societal expectations, offering a supportive voice in an era of limited outlets for female perspectives. Beyond the column, Parthasarathy's articles championed by exploring themes of , family responsibilities, and evolving gender roles. She advocated progressive ideas, such as equipping women for professional independence, through pieces that addressed etiquette for "" and the balance between domestic duties and personal growth, as detailed in her writings. These contributions, later compiled in the Stree, underscored her role in fostering societal dialogue on gender equity.

Social and cultural initiatives

Mrs. Y. G. Parthasarathy's cultural engagements extended to , where she co-founded the United Amateur Artistes (UAA) troupe in 1952 with her husband . The group pioneered modern Tamil drama by incorporating English influences, colloquial Tamil, and encouraging women's participation on stage. She served as of the Madras Natya Sangh in the , adapted plays for performance, contributed to scripts such as Kurukshetram, and even cast a young in a play. Her involvement helped promote progressive that addressed social issues. Later, Mrs. YGP founded Bharat Kalachar in 1987 as the cultural wing of the on its premises in , aiming to promote , dance, and theater among the youth and broader community. This initiative served as a dedicated venue for , nurturing appreciation for traditional Indian cultural forms through regular programs and events. Under her guidance, Bharat Kalachar organized the annual Margazhi Mahotsav, a prominent month-long festival held from mid-December to mid-January, featuring performances in Carnatic and Hindustani music, , and other classical dances, as well as thematic events that integrated artistic expression with educational outreach. These gatherings, hosted at the YGP Auditorium, attracted renowned artists and audiences, emphasizing the preservation and dissemination of India's while occasionally linking to activities for holistic development. Beyond cultural promotion, Mrs. YGP engaged in social advocacy, particularly as a firm believer in , drawing from her early career experiences where she challenged gender barriers in professional and educational spheres. She contributed to community welfare in through participation in social functions and high-level committees focused on societal betterment, reflecting her commitment to broader outside her primary roles in education and .

Educational contributions

Founding of Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan

In 1958, Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, popularly known as Mrs. YGP, along with a group of housewives from the Ladies Recreation Club, established as a modest educational initiative in . The school began with just 13 students, including two of Mrs. YGP's sons, operating from a thatched shed on the terrace of her home at Chandralekha Muthuswamy Street in . It was named in honor of the wife of an early donor, reflecting the community's collaborative spirit in fostering child-centric learning inspired by the broader Bala Bhavan concept. The institution was co-educational from its inception, emphasizing holistic development amid post-independence India's evolving educational landscape. The school's early years marked steady progress under Mrs. YGP's leadership as founder. In 1959, it relocated to a building in the Lake Area, expanding its capacity and enabling the first batch to appear for the in 1968. Affiliation to the (CBSE) in 1978 further solidified its academic framework, allowing for standardized curricula and broader recognition. Infrastructure development was resourceful; Mrs. YGP personally solicited donations, such as bricks from actor , to construct the initial permanent structure featuring innovative honey-combed walls and a thatched roof, built brick by brick on a leased plot. By the 1970s, the institution had grown significantly, with an annexe established in 1971 at Thirumalai Road, , followed by the K.K. Nagar branch in 1976. The 2010 inauguration of the branch extended its reach within , culminating in three main branches and an annexe serving over 8,000 students and 500 staff by the . Mrs. YGP served as dean and director throughout this expansion, overseeing key milestones like the 2008 and the 2018 celebrations, while the 1986 establishment of a Teacher’s Centre enhanced . This scaling transformed the small terrace-based school into a prominent educational network, driven by her visionary administration.

Innovations in pedagogy

Mrs. , known as Mrs. YGP, pioneered (CCE) in her schools decades before it was adopted as national policy by the in 2010. She implemented internal assessments across all grades, including cycle tests for students in classes 3 through 8, to foster ongoing learning and reduce reliance on high-stakes end-of-year exams. This approach emphasized formative feedback and holistic student progress, setting a model for balanced evaluation that integrated academic, co-curricular, and personal growth metrics. In line with her vision of holistic development, Mrs. YGP integrated arts, sports, and moral education seamlessly into the curriculum at Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan (PSBB), ensuring students balanced intellectual rigor with creative and physical pursuits. She established a dedicated Cultural Wing to nurture artistic talents through regular programs in music, dance, and theater, while promoting sports as essential for character building and teamwork, with alumni crediting her for producing national-level athletes. Moral education was woven in via the "AIR" framework—Accountability, Integrity, and Responsibility—aiming to cultivate ethical decision-making and social awareness alongside academics. Drawing from her PhD thesis on the 11th-century philosopher Sri Ramanuja, Mrs. YGP introduced value-based learning programs that infused and ethics into daily school life, promoting principles of , equality, and spiritual inquiry. These initiatives included classroom discussions on Ramanuja's teachings, ethical sessions, and projects to instill cultural rootedness and , preparing students to navigate modern challenges with traditional wisdom.

Awards and honors

National awards

In 2010, Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, widely known as Mrs. YGP, received the , India's fourth-highest civilian honor, for her distinguished contributions to literature and education. The award was announced on , January 25, 2010, and formally presented by President at in on March 31, 2010, during the annual investiture ceremony. This recognition underscored her lifelong dedication to transforming , particularly through her establishment and leadership of the group of schools, where she integrated cultural heritage with modern to foster holistic student development. The elevated her profile nationally, affirming her role as a trailblazing educationist who advocated for value-based learning and in academia. In 2018, she received the Vayoshreshtha Samman from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for her active contributions to society and education. No other specific central government honors from the Ministry of Education have been documented for her.

Other recognitions

In recognition of her contributions to and social work, Mrs. Y.G. Parthasarathy received the Vidya Seva Ratnam award from the government in January 1986, presented by Chief Minister . This honor highlighted her pioneering efforts in establishing value-based through the schools. The government further acknowledged her societal impact with the Stree Sakthi Puraskar in April 2002, conferred by Chief Minister for her advancements in and cultural preservation. In September of the same year, the Rotary Club of presented her with a Lifetime Achievement Award, celebrating her lifelong dedication to educational service and community development. Additional state-level appreciation came in 2012 when she was awarded the Avvaiyar Award by Chief Minister , recognizing her role as a mentor and promoter of through education and arts. In 2018, honored her with the World of Women Torch Bearer Award, presented by , for her enduring influence on gender equity and institutional innovation in schooling. In June 2018, she was honored by Governor for her lifetime contributions to education and . In October 2016, conferred the Golden Award on her for contributions to education and Indian . In July 2003, she was named a Paul Harris Fellow by for her fundraising efforts in . In September 2009, she received the International Achievement in Excellence Award from the Centre for Excellence in Education in Virginia, . Her legacy in education continues to be celebrated through the Dr. Mrs. YGP Educationist Award, instituted by the Rotary Club of Madras , which has been conferred annually since at least 2010 on distinguished figures in the field, reflecting the enduring institutional regard for her contributions.

Legacy

Impact on Indian education

Mrs. Y.G. Parthasarathy's implementation of (CCE) at the (PSBB) schools in the 1980s, well before its national adoption, served as an early model for holistic student assessment that emphasized both scholastic and co-scholastic development. This approach, which included internal assessments and cycle tests for students up to Class VIII, demonstrated the feasibility of such systems in diverse educational settings. Her pioneering at PSBB focused on comprehensive evaluation to foster well-rounded student growth. Through extensive mentorship, Parthasarathy established teacher training programs that extended PSBB's principles of , , and Responsibility (AIR) to institutions across , including R.M. Jain Vidyashram and Vels Vidyashram. These initiatives, such as the "" program, equipped educators with innovative methods for holistic teaching, leading to widespread adoption of PSBB-inspired practices in regional schools and enhancing teacher in the area. Her guidance emphasized sharing pedagogic expertise, resulting in a network of influenced institutions that prioritized ethical and accountable education delivery. Parthasarathy advanced gender-inclusive by challenging societal norms that barred women from leading all-boys' schools, successfully petitioning Prime Minister in the 1960s to allow her to head PSBB's boys' section, thereby breaking barriers in . This advocacy contributed to greater female participation in administrative roles within private institutions, indirectly supporting higher female enrollment by modeling equitable access and opportunities for girls in co-educational environments like PSBB. Her efforts highlighted the importance of equity in education, influencing private schools to adopt more inclusive policies that boosted girls' involvement in formal schooling.

Tributes and commemorations

Following the death of Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, known as Mrs. YGP, on August 6, 2019, from a at age 93, numerous public figures expressed profound grief and admiration for her contributions to and . Alumni and celebrities, including music composer , who attended (PSBB) schools, mourned her as a visionary who encouraged extracurricular pursuits alongside academics, stating on that her passing marked the loss of a pivotal influence in his early years. Cricketer R. Ashwin, another PSBB alumnus, highlighted her holistic approach to student development and unwavering support, tweeting condolences that underscored her role in fostering well-rounded individuals. Actor , a prominent figure, shared his sorrow on , recognizing her enduring legacy as an educationist. Politicians and educators also issued statements reflecting on her impact. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami described her demise as an irreparable loss to the education sector and student community, emphasizing her foundational work with PSBB schools. Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam expressed deep sadness via tweet, while BJP Tamil Nadu president Tamilisai Soundararajan, a former PSBB student, recalled her strict yet inspiring emphasis on discipline and values like neatness. All India Samathuva Makkal Katchi president R. Sarathkumar lauded her multifaceted roles as an educationist, journalist, and administrator. Among educators, singer Harini credited Mrs. YGP for early encouragement in her musical career through scholarships from Bharat Kalachar, an organization Mrs. YGP supported, while table tennis player A. Sharath Kamal remembered her funding for his international competitions during school years. In the years since, PSBB has organized annual commemorations to honor her memory, including the Mrs. YGP Memorial Lecture Series, launched in 2020 and featuring speakers on educational themes, with the inaugural event addressed by Vice-President M. and streamed online. These events often coincide with her death anniversary on August 6 and include student performances, quizzes on Indian culture, and releases of commemorative materials like the The Woman of Our Lives. Additionally, the Rotary Club of Madras established the Dr. Mrs. YGP Educationist Award in her honor, an annual recognition for individuals advancing education and Indian cultural values, with the 15th edition conferred on dancer in 2025. Media coverage and have further perpetuated her legacy. The 2005 biography Mrs. Y.G.P.: A Class Apart by Lakshmi Devnath, published by the PSBB Alumni Association, chronicles her life as a , educationist, and cultural patron, drawing on personal anecdotes to portray her innovative spirit. Posthumous tributes in outlets like Madras Musings featured alumni reflections, such as filmmaker Arjun Mukerjee's account of her blend of strictness and humor, and singer Meenakshi's praise for her nurturing presence and financial support for extracurricular achievements.

Works

Journalistic writings

Rajalakshmi Parthasarathy, known as Mrs. YGP, began her journalistic career in the late 1940s as one of the pioneering women journalists in Tamil Nadu, contributing to several prominent Chennai-based publications. She earned a postgraduate diploma in journalism from Madras University in 1947 and initially joined The Mail as its first woman diploma holder, before moving to The Hindu where she worked for over two decades. Her most notable contributions were to Sport & Pastime, The Hindu's weekly magazine, where she wrote under the pseudonym "Rashmi" from 1948 onward. In the long-running agony aunt column "What Should I Do?" (1948–1967), she offered practical advice to women navigating personal dilemmas, such as marital conflicts, career choices, and societal expectations, providing empathetic yet rational guidance during a time of post-independence social flux. She also edited the women's page and penned the "Women's Corner" column, which addressed gender norms with a progressive slant, challenging traditional views on women's roles while promoting . Additionally, under the same pseudonym, she covered trends, blending cultural commentary with accessible insights into evolving styles in urban . In Tamil-language outlets, Mrs. YGP extended her reach with pseudonyms tailored to local audiences: as "Jalak" for , a popular weekly, and "Sumangali" for , where she focused on women's issues, including empowerment through education and professional opportunities. Her articles often tackled social reforms, such as critiquing patriarchal constraints and advocating for women's participation in public life, alongside pieces on that highlighted the limitations of colonial-era Westernized curricula in fostering holistic Indian development. Over time, her writing evolved from intimate personal advice in the early columns to more expansive commentary on Indian , incorporating critiques of social inequalities and calls for educational innovation that emphasized cultural rootedness and gender equity. This progression mirrored her growing engagement with public discourse, influencing her later shift toward educational and social initiatives while maintaining a commitment to accessible, reform-oriented .

Publications and theses

Mrs. Y. G. Parthasarathy, known as Mrs. YGP, completed her doctoral thesis in her later years on Sri , the 11th-century philosopher, exploring his socio-religious thought and philosophical insights into and ethics that influenced her lifelong commitment to value-based learning. This work, undertaken after her Master's degree in history from the and B.Ed. from University, emphasized ethical principles derived from , which she later integrated into pedagogical practices. A compilation of her columns was published as Stree. In 2004, she authored Excellence Beyond the Classroom: A of YGP, a reflective publication that detailed her innovations in , including holistic approaches to that blended with modern teaching methods. Published by Frank Bros. & Company (ISBN 978-81-7170-697-6), the book serves as a guide for educators, highlighting her post-1970s experiences in fostering student creativity and ethical development through extracurricular activities and cultural integration. Themes from her thesis on ethical philosophy echoed briefly in this , underscoring the enduring role of Ramanuja's teachings in shaping moral . While specific contributions to educational journals remain less documented in public records, her scholarly output prioritized enduring works that advanced teacher training and cultural over ephemeral writings.

References

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