RBANM’s Educational Charities held its annual Founder’s Day event at the Sabha Institute on Wednesday, May 14, to commemorate its founder, Dharmarathnakara Rai Bahadur Arcot Narrainsawmy Mudaliar, and reflect on his contributions to education and social reform in 19th-century Bengaluru.
Speaking at the event, advocate and family descendant Arvind Narrain described Mudaliar, whom he referred as “merchant prince of Bangalore,” as a pioneer who challenged caste and gender norms through education. Mudaliar founded 11 institutions during his lifetime, including Bengaluru’s first free English primary school on Commercial Street in 1873.
Arvind divided Mudaliar’s life into two phases: 1827–1870 and 1872–1910, noting that most of his institutional work took place during the latter period, which he described as the “high noon of colonialism.”
Mudaliar’s efforts extended beyond education. He also set up charities to support orphans and those affected by famines. His school on Commercial Street offered English education to non-white students in the cantonment area, defying colonial-era restrictions and promoting inclusivity.
A member of the Brahmo Samaj reform movement, Mudaliar appointed Bipin Chandra Pal to lead the school, aligning with the movement’s focus on women's education, widow remarriage, and caste reform. He also founded the Govindammal Girls School to counter the widespread belief that women were subordinate and unfit for public roles.
Arvind said that while Mudaliar’s vision laid the foundation for these institutions, their growth over the past 150 years is also due to the sustained efforts of those who carried his ideals forward. He highlighted the 1936 donation of the Sabha school building to RBANM’s as one example of how philanthropy remained central to the institution's growth.
“The way his life inspires acts of giving where the Sabha school was an act of donation given to RBANM’s in 1936, and the philanthropic history this institution has, is an important lesson we take from the life of the Founder. And the vital importance of education with the imagination of education for all combined with focus on the most marginalized. With his progressive worldview where indiscrimination was his central thought he prefigures the values of the Constitution-the idea of dignity, equality and above all fraternity,” Arvind said.
The evening included a performance by folk artist and former Karnataka Janapada Academy member Shilpa Mudbi, who presented an interpretation of Renuka Yellamma’s legacy through the lens of feminism and trans identity. Mudbi, who draws from childhood memories of Dussehra plays, spoke of her ongoing work to preserve Karnataka’s folk traditions.
The event also featured poetry readings in Tamil, Hindi, and English by faculty members, focusing on themes such as Dalit rights and womanhood.