 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Memories of Charlie Kandhari Home > Features & Spotlights > Article |
I remember walking with the rest of my D-form tutorial one lovely sunny afternoon some twenty-five years ago in the jungles near Kansrao when we came across a sight that stopped us. Back then we obviously did not know very much about the birds and the bees (and beetles as the story will prove) so we were rather taken aback when we saw two bright red beetles furiously copulating. I remember some bright spark in our batch calling out to the only person who could enlighten us, our tutor and housemaster, Charlie Kandhari. The visual is still so clear in my mind, Charlie turned around, clad only in a pair of rather disreputable shorts, fishing rod in hand and arms bent at the elbows. “Gentlemen they’re being affectionate”. That was Charlie, a man with a turn of phrase that could make you laugh, marvel or simply cut you dead!
Surinder Kumar Kandhari, SKK, KD, Kaddu or simply Charlie as he was known by most was a character—yes sir, he had that something that simply set him apart from most around him. Who could forget the sight of Charlie cycling to class in the mornings with his coffee mug in his hand? His class however, I will be irreverent enough to admit was a terrifying experience for a lot of us. That catchy turn of phrase turned into a caustic whiplash for dullards like me who could not figure out the basics of geography. Whiplash or not the man effectively turned so many kids who passed through his class into lovers of nature and above all lovers of the Doon Valley, a place he knew like the back of his hand.
If we were somewhat scared of being in class with him he more than made up for it by being a fantastic housemaster. Charlie ran Jaipur A as if it was a school by itself, independent of the rest of the campus, and we loved him for it. He made us feel as if we belonged to an exclusive set and as he walked through the JA corridors (clad only in underwear) with Kutta his dachshund in front, he gave us the arrogance to strut around the corridors of school feeling like we were the greatest!
Him leaving for Welham Boys as headmaster was great for them and sad for us as kids and sad for the Doon School, but Charlie got on with his career and so did we. I feel fortunate that I got to know Charlie again, this time as a neighbour, after he built his lovely home close to ours in Sinhola village. Once again he brought the charms of the Doon valley alive as we went on fishing trips together and made me realise that the personality that we loved and respected then was still as charismatic.
It seems rather surreal now to also have the memory of this man lying on his deathbed, lying peacefully with his trademark Kullu cap on his head looking as if he were fast asleep. It’s absurd that a man so full of life could go so suddenly. My last conversation with him a few weeks ago had him suggesting we go for a trip to Kansrao once again, but obviously that was not to be. I have to say that I will always feel honored to have known him and to have been there to help carry him to his final journey.
Mr.Surendra K Kandhari (122-T '51) past president of The Doon School Old Boys' Society, passed away on 27 January 2004 in Dehra Dun, Uttaranchal.