CENTRE

Genesis and Growth

The Genesis and growth of Sri Aurobindo Centre, Tadpatri has been a phenomenon similar to a seed quietly sprouting and growing into a magnificent tree with rich foliage and like a bud blossoming into a flower spreading out its fragrance silently without clamor. This is, solely due to the grace and blessings of The Mother and Sri Aurobindo. The school and eventually the hostel have evolved out of their sublime principles and philosophy. Ever since inception the school has been striving for the overall development of children, which shall remain our pursuit.

It was sometime in 1956. Sri T.Obulanarayana Reddy Ex-Sarpanch of Chinnapolamada near Tadpatri, happened to go on a visit to Pondicherry. There, in Sri Aurobindo Ashram he met with Sri C. Narayana Reddy (Who hailed from Cheemalavagupalli near Tadpatri) who had by then settled himself in Pondicherry, as a sadhak of Sri Aurobindo’s Yoga. During the conversation Sri Narayana Reddy made a suggestion that it would be good if a Sri Aurobindo Centre and a library were opened at Tadpatri. Later on Sri C. Narayana Reddy himself happened to come to Tadpatri for a few days of stay. At that time a group of five friends, Sri Obulanarayana Reddy, Sri I.V.Narayana , Sri Y. Panduranga Rao, Sri E.Ganganna and Sri B.Narasimhaiah met him to know from him about his sadhana and spiritual life. During the course of his talk, Sri Narayana Reddy, again put forward his suggestion that it would be good for Tadpatri to start a Sri Aurobindo Centre here. The group were inspired by his ardent faith and devotion and resolved to start working for it. As a first step with the contribution given by Chukkulur Adinaraya Reddy and Sri Pola Venkararatnam Sreshty, the portraits of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother with the Blessings of the Mother were brought to Tadpatrirts.

A house on the water works road was taken on a rent for Rs.10/- per month and on 17-11-1957 Sri Aurobindo Centre, Tadpatri was opened and it was inaugurated by Prof. K. Varadachari , Reader, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, Sri C.Narayana Reddy as Founder and Sri B. Narasimhaiah as the first Secretary. A Small library was added by getting a few books, the writings of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother and a few other books on Mother and Sri Aurobindo and the Yoga and Sadhana. As days passed, gradually more and more people began to take interest and a few people were inspired by the vision and integral Yoga of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. Daily in the evenings the regular members met at 05:00PM and spent time reading books and discussing among themselves. There was collective meditation at 07:00PM for half an hour. And this collective meditation is going on till today.  Among the regular participants was Sri C.Jaganmohan Pratapa Reddy, who used to spend most of his time, both in the morning and the evening reading books. He was inspired by the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and developed deep bond with the Centre. As if it was Divine dispensation, in a few months later Sri A.G. Kesava Reddy came to Tadpatri as the Agent of the Buckingham and Carnatic Mills Tadpatri Branch (Binny Compary as it was called at that time). He was a man of spiritual bent of mind and visited the centre every evening, took part in the reading sessions and collective meditation. He also used to hold discussions on spiritual thought with other members.

The arrival of these two great persons, gave added strength to Sri I.V.Narayana who was already the back bone of the Centre. The three coming together acted as a great fillip for the further growth and development of the Centre. The Three began to think together, plan together and act together for the future programmes of action. They were so closely knit together that Tadpatrians named them the ‘Trinity’ of the Centre. This triumvirate was mainly responsible for laying  a strong  foundation and  super  structure  for the  centre both physically,   financially and spiritually.  Among the regular participants was Sri C.Jaganmohan Pratapa Reddy, who used to spend most of his time, both in the morning and the evening reading books. He was inspired by the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and developed deep bond with the Centre. As if it was Divine dispensation, in a few months later Sri A.G. Kesava Reddy came to Tadpatri as the Agent of the Buckingham and Carnatic Mills Tadpatri Branch (Binny Compary as it was called at that time). He was a man of spiritual bent of mind and visited the centre daily every evening, took part in the reading sessions and collective meditation. He also used to hold discussions on spiritual thought with other members.

In tune with the official requirements, Sri Aurobindo Centre, Tadpatri was Registered under the Registration of Societies Act, in 1968 with Sri A.G.Kesava Reddy as Chairman and Sri C.Pratapa Reddy as Secretary and with many others as members. Then on, Board of Management and General Body meetings were held periodically to plan, approve and regulate the activities and programmes.

The next immediate requirement was to have a permanent and own building for the Centre. A good number of well-wishers extended their cooperation and assistance in this regard.  Sri Narasa Reddy Municipal Engineer rendered great help with his assistance and unstinted effort, a site for the building was secured. On 24 November 1967, the Chairman Sri A.G.Kesava Reddy laid the foundation for the construction of the Meditation Hall. The plan for the Meditation Hall and the adjoining library with a stage in the front was drawn and given Sri Ramakant Navelkar of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry. The construction was completed in good time and on 27th April 1969, the Meditation Hall building was inaugurated by Sri Prapatti of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, (24th April Mother Darshan Day) Pondicherry. Sri E.Ganganna was instrumental in getting from the Ashram the Sandals worn by the Mother to the Centre. The Sandals are placed in a glass casket in the Meditation Hall for devotees to do their Pranams. In 1971 the centre was able to host and organise the All Andhra Mahasabha of all the Sri Aurobindo Centres in Andhra Pradesh. This was a landmark in the development of the Centre which was privileged to bring together so may followers and devotees of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother.

The Centre was now on a firm footing and the activities included: Group(Collevtive) Meditation in the evening, arranging lectures on spiritual matters, celebrating important days viz August 15th, Sri Aurobindo’s Birthday and 29th February Mother’s Birthday.
The advent of the year 1972 heralded the preparation for celebration of Sri Aurobindo’s Birth Centenary year August 1972-August 1973. As part of the Birth Centenary Celebrations the centre here, a school – Sri Aurobindo Centenary School was opened in its campus. The school, Sri Aurobindo Centenary School was inaugurated by Sri Bab leswar of Sri Aurobindo Ashram. This strong aspiration on one hand and the huge responsibility of procuring funds for constructing a school building and providing the required facilities made the triumvirate put in all their efforts to execute the works. They took it up as Mother’s work and concentrated themselves fully to the work.

The advent of the year 1972 heralded the preparation for celebration of Sri Aurobindo’s Birth Centenary year August 1972-August 1973. As part of the Birth Centenary Celebrations the centre here, a school – Sri Aurobindo Centenary School was opened in its campus. The school, Sri Aurobindo Centenary School was inaugurated by Sri Bab leswar of Sri Aurobindo Ashram. This strong aspiration on one hand and the huge responsibility of procuring funds for constructing a school building and providing the required facilities made the triumvirate put in all their efforts to execute the works. They took it up as Mother’s work and concentrated themselves fully to the work.

Before starting the work, the three went to Pondicherry, has Mother’s darshan and prayed to her for blessings. The Mother gave Her Blessings and  on their return to Tadpatri they began to find things go on smoothly, help coming miraculously just at the required moment and all problems getting solved easily and smoothly. Help came in from different people and from different quarters.

The school started progressing with the grace of the Mother at each and every step.  The Centre also owns a printing press Auro Printing Press. Sri C. Rajagopala Reddy rendered free managerial service for 12 years followed by Sri M. Viswanatham who has been shouldering the wok. Arka a monthly publication by Sri Aurobindo Ashram Pondicherry is printed here free of cost. A few other books also were printed for other authors.  The Centre continues to function uninterruptedly maintaining a good tradition. It is solely due to Mother’s blessings and the strong and sound foundation laid by the triumvirate and good start they gave.

The Centre has also been fortunate to have useful guidance from the elders of Sri Aurobindo Ashram Pondicherry. They occasionally visit the Centre and provide guidance and advice. Sri M.P. Pandit, Sri Navjata, Sri Dev Dutt, Sri Ramakanth, Sri Prapathi, Sri Bableshwar, Sri Raju, Dr Manmohan Reddy, Sri Kittu, Sri Kishorilal, Sri Chote Narayana Sarma , Batti, Suneethi Pantulu, Bharati, Lavanya and several other Ashramites have graced the Centre with their visits.

Dr. Nadkarni (Professor CIEFL Hyderabad) a great devotee of Sri Aurobindo And The Mother and an exponent of Sri Aurobindo’s Savitri and Prof. V. Madhu Sudan Reddy (Prof. of Philosophy, Osmania University) and an ordent sadhak and devotee, Chalamayi of Sri Aurobindo International School Hyderabad visited the Centre and gave enlightening talks on Purna Yoga and Integral Education.

The Centre’s library has since been enriched and has all the works of Sri Aurobindo And the Mother and also many books written by other authors on Sri Aurobindo, The Mother and their Yoga. There are now about 1200 books. The library is of open access to all those who are interested. In addition, the periodicals published by Sri Aurobindo Ashram are subscribed to and are kept available for the benefit of those interested: Mother India, Bulletin of Physical Education, Sri Aurobindo Action All India Magazine, Arka(Telugu).

The Three pioneers, Sri A.G. Kesava Reddy, Sri C.Pratapa Reddy and Sri I.V.Narayana have since passed away leaving their footprints for the Prof Kittu Reddy  to follow their spirit of consecration and service. The present committee with Col (Dr) Shivji Misra(Retd) as Chairman and Sri.M. Meenakshi Naidu as Secretary is shouldering the responsibility.