Chelvarani Nadarajah - A Memorial

A loving tribute to my dear friend and colleague.

The late Mrs. Chelvarani Nadarajah née Thamotharampillai.
Dedicated & eminent Teacher, St Agnes’ Convent, / St Thomas’ Girls’ School, Matale.
A loyal friend & colleague and a loving wife & mother.
23.04.1934. - 09.08.2021.

Her Children rise up and call her blessed! (proverbs 31:29)

The dawn of the year 2021 has been a very sad and challenging year for me. This is the third instant that I’m bound to pay tribute to yet another amazing & unassuming friend, with whom I was in touch by email, until the outbreak of the Covid pandemic world over. My encounter with this lovely lady dates back to the early sixties, when I was just a very young teacher.

Miss Chelvarani Thamotharampillai assumed duties as a teacher at St Agnes’ Convent, Matale in the early sixties, when the school was in the verge of a transition. At the end of 1961 our school opted to function as a ‘Non fee levying, non assisted private school’, after the take over of the ‘assisted schools’ in 1961. At this time, our Sister Principal gave the freedom to the teachers to join the Government Sector, which offered better prospects. Most of the Catholic teachers, and almost all the non Christian Past Pupils of the school, stood by Sister Principal steadfastly. Only two non Christian, non Past Pupil teachers stood by Sister loyally. And I’m so proud to say that one of them was Mrs Chelvarani Nadarajah! This simply implies the integrity of this noble lady, who stood by the school during the very difficult times, when she could have enjoyed life with better prospects. This was the caliber of the teachers of yore, who set an example to the younger teachers & students.

Miss Thamotharampillai was married to another highly educated & distinguished teacher Mr Nadarajah, who later held a very high post in the Department of Education.

Mrs Chelvarani Nadarajah was one of the most unassuming persons I have yet to meet. She was a devoted wife & mother, who was able to balance her duties & never neglected her duties as a mother & Teacher.

Unfortunately our dear teacher and family had to leave the country during the mid eighties, due to the ethnic conflict in the country.

I take this opportunity to convey my deepest sympathies & heartfelt condolences to dear Mr. Nadarajah & loving Children Asokan, Ahila, Kavitha & Nalina. And all their families & loved ones. I know that it will be very difficult for you to come into terms with the loss of such a precious mother but…

Those whom we love never die, they live in our hearts forever

Good bye my dear friend. I thank my God for your beautiful fruitful life, and also for placing you in my path as a loyal friend. I will always remember you with love & gratitude.

But, oh for the touch of a vanished hand. And the sound of a voice that is still.

Swarna Rajanathan & Children.

I feel fortunate because I was one of her students and personally got to know her. It was such a treat. The truth that she was named by the Heavens can still not be deciphered. Good bye dearest Nadarajah Teacher! Mrs.Chelvarani Nadarajah.

Yamuna Darshani Muralithararajah