Māma as I knew him

The first thing I remember about Māma is his ultra-caring nature. Once, when I was swimming in a lake in Melkote with wooden floaters tied to my back, a playful incident left me gasping for air after drinking in water. While others, including the older people, laughed, it was Māma who swam up, lifted me onto his back, and carried me to safety. I still remember the warmth of his back and the security I felt.

This was just one of many instances where his care and selflessness stood out. Another time, while carrying Jayashree on his bicycle, her cloth got caught in the wheel. In his effort to rescue her, he put his own leg between the spokes and fractured it. Despite the pain, he was always smiling-his kindness shining brighter than any discomfort.

Mama was gentle, especially when compared to his rough-but-loving friend, Rāju Māma. While the latter believed in tough love, Mama's approach was always tender and understanding, earning him a special place in our hearts.

As I grew older and moved away, I lost touch with him for a while, focusing on my education and career. I regret not understanding the depth of his work and vision at the time. Mama founded the Academy in 1973, a center for preserving and propagating Indian knowledge systems. I was oblivious to the monumental efforts he was making to bridge ancient wisdom with modern understanding.

It was only later, after years of living abroad and grappling with the mundanity of my own pursuits, that I truly began to appreciate his genius. Māma was a pioneer, a beacon for a renaissance in Indian culture. His encyclopaedic knowledge and ability to teach complex ideas with simplicity were unparalleled. Though conservative in

appearance, his inclusiveness and openness to differing views made him a true liberal at heart.

Visionary Contributions

Mama's contributions spanned numerous fields, and his ideas were ahead of their time. To name just a few

• Scientific Nature of Sanskrit: He demonstrated the perfect classification of speech sounds and the unparalleled precision of Päņini's grammar, establishing it as a universal grammar for languages.
• Computational Linguistics: He developed systems for parsing Sanskrit, translating languages, and exploring the semantic and syntactic depth of texts, achievements unmatched even today.
• Organic Farming: He implemented Rşi-Krşi Paddhati, a method inspired by Vedic texts and classical literature, to create sustainable farming models.
• Artificial Intelligence and Reasoning: Drawing from Navya Nyaya philosophy, he applied these principles to domains like dairy farming and other practical fields.
• Reviving Traditional Crafts: Mama documented and revitalized Melkote's ancient veshti-making techniques.
• Knowledge Dissemination: He created a Jnana Aśvattha (Knowledge Tree) to map Indian knowledge systems, rooted in the philosophical framework of Advaita and Viśişțādvaita.
• His research extended to fields as diverse as traditional medicine, manuscript preservation, and eco-friendly technologies. He even created simple yet effective tools like mosquito repellents and water purifiers, blending ancient wisdom with modern needs.

What stood out most about Mama was his selflessness. In a world obsessed with patents and ownership, he freely shared his ideas, encouraging collaboration. He saw knowledge as a gift meant to uplift humanity, not something to be hoarded for personal gain.

His life in Melkote was a testament to his dedication. Whether tending to cows, engineering water systems, or guiding seekers on complex philosophical debates, he embraced every task with passion and humility. Despite his profound contributions, he lived a simple life, often cooking his own meals and finding joy in the smallest things.

Chami Mama's presence was like a steady flame quiet yet illuminating. Though I once struggled to understand his world, I now see him as a towering figure in our family and a guiding light for the future of Indian knowledge systems. His ability to combine scholarship, practicality, and compassion made him truly unique.

He leaves behind a legacy not just of achievements but of inspiration. His life reminds us of the importance of staying connected to our roots while embracing the possibilities of the future. To me, he will always be the uncle who lifted me out of the water, both literally and figuratively, showing me what it means to live with purpose and care.

I remember an old English rhyme which used to go-

"Abu Ben Adam, May his tribe increase"

Chami Mama is my choice for the first line of this poem. May his work continue to inspire generations to come, and may his tribe truly increase.