APPRECIATIONS
View(s):An unforgettable character right from his childhood days at Royal Prep
Dr. S. MAHALINGAM
Dr. S. Mahalingam passed away 12 years ago and his mortal remains were consigned to the flames on July 21, 2010 amidst a large and distinguished gathering.
“Maga” as he was known to everyone close to him was a very rare and unique personality. A quintessential bon-vivant with a warm and endearing nature, he moved in Colombo’s social circles with grace and perhaps unmatched conviviality. Reputed for his ready wit and repartee, Maga was since his early schooldays in Colombo a drawcard at any gathering or function. He had the capacity to inject humour and levity to the most serious of discussions and that was the essence of the man. A warmhearted soul he made friendships which were intense and thus won not only the affection of everyone who came to know him but also the enduring respect that his sincerity merited.
Maga was born in Colombo, the second son of Professor of Parasitology, Dr. V. Sivalingam. Maga had his education at the “school of our fathers” – Royal College where his father too learnt of “books and men” before him. With a rather uneventful scholastic record at Royal behind him, he entered the University of Peradeniya into the Veterinary Science Faculty from where he graduated as a Veterinary Surgeon with an Upper Second. Consequently he chose academia and obtained his Master’s at the University of Toronto and later his PhD from Edinburgh University.
Many are the stories of his days as a student and teacher at Peradeniya where he retired as the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences. Even after retirement he continued as a Consultant Professor visiting the University a couple of days a week during which he resided at the Kandy Club, the rest of the week in Colombo.
Maga’s exploits in the lecture halls in Peradeniya and outside are the stuff of legends. Being born and bred in Colombo he knew little about the North and when a student told him that she came from Chundukuli he responded with, “Ah, I know that place, isn’t it close to Mount Lavinia”!
With his wicked sense of humour, he was an unforgettable character right from his childhood days at Royal Prep where he met his close buddy and lifelong friend, C.V. (Puggy) Gooneratne. The two together with a few other juvenile miscreants called “The Buccaneers” were notorious for their pranks and disdain of authority. An oft repeated amusing story tells us how Puggy (a former rugger captain at Royal) could not bring himself to attend the annual Royal Rugby Players Dinner without his buddy Maga who however had never played rugby. There was considerable amusement therefore, at the long pause and deadpan expression from Maga (a man never short of words), when another diner innocently asked which position he played in the team!
His consuming interests were listening to classical and jazz music and avidly reading about the battles of World War 2.
Maga joined Royal in 1946 and belonged to the 1946 Group which celebrated its diamond jubilee in 2006 with a lavish dinner at the Colombo Hilton at which he proposed the toast to the school. It would be correct to surmise that his closest friends through life were those from the 46 Group. The bonds were strong and the memories long lasting. Many were the times that Maga and his friends were pulled up by Principal J.C.A. Corea for various acts of mischief which kept them always on the verge of dismissal from school. He lived then with his parents at No. 2 Bagatelle Road which was a rendezvous for his classmates after school. One story repeatedly related by his friends was how Maga returned home with an end of term school report that made red lights go flashing in the head of his father whose immediate reaction was to pull up a stool, stand on it and administer a thundering slap on Maga’s face. His father was short of stature, and it was Maga’s expectation that his father could never slap him as he would have to leap off the floor to reach his face! That theory was, of course, put to rest that day.
After his early years of scallywagging, Maga realised the need to get on track with his studies and towards the end of his days at Royal got down to serious business entering the Vet. Science Faculty at Peradeniya. His academic prowess emerged thereafter with a career of distinction culminating with the prestigious position of Dean of the Department of Veterinary Science.
One of his well known quirks was his penchant to rename his friends. Two such names come to mind. K. Rajendra was named “Kenneth Rajendra” and to this day he is known as Dr. Ken Rajendra whose younger brother has absorbed the appellation and is known as Ken Balendra. Likewise his close friend also from the 46 Group now living in the UK Dr. Gamini Nanayakkara who never failed to phone Maga each week for the past many years was called “George” by him and to this day is Georgie Nana!
Maga was a bachelor to the end and seemed to subscribe to the view expressed by Bertrand Russell that “much of what is greatest in human achievement involves some element of intoxication, some sweeping away of prudence by passion.” While his bacchanalian romps with his close mates are legendary he was no prude when making some astute observations on the relative merits of members of the fair sex known to him.
Dr. Mahalingam leaves behind his two devoted sisters and their families and many dear friends from his childhood days who deeply mourn his passing. He is fondly remembered and sorely missed.
Hugh Karunanayake (A friend from Primary School)
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