Lecture Notes: George Fifth High School

Introduction

Speaker: Discussing the chapter titled "George Fifth High School" from Tina Nath Bhati's life story.
Author: Tina Nath Bhati, a renowned artist from Odisha; the chapter translated from Odia by Niranjan Mohanty.

Accomplishments: Author, scholar, art historian, educator, engineer; passed away in 2016.
Background: Born in Digapahandi, Odisha.
Education: Studied art in Zurich, Paris, and New Delhi; trained at Charukala Mandir and the Government College of Art and Crafts, Khali Court.
Career: Founding principal of BK College of Arts and Crafts; received many accolades and fellowships; active as Director of Alice Boner Institute, Varanasi.

School Memories: Reflection on school days; the dichotomy of sweet vs. bitter experiences.
School's Name: George V High School, named after George V, King of the United Kingdom; renamed Barakamundi High School later.

Original Structure: Tile-roofed school with stone wall boundary, wide veranda, pillars, and classrooms for grades 8-11.
Additional Structures: Thatch-roofed halls for grades 4-7; offices for Headmaster, head clerk, and teachers; art room.

Playgrounds and Fields: Open field for prayers; stage near the western boundary for performances; playground touching the village pond and rice fields.
External Offices: Sub-register’s office near the school gate; King’s old Kacheri converted into a college.

Role: Respected and feared headmaster likened to a district collector.
Persona: Strict, disciplined, likened to a tiger but also affectionate and hardworking.
Teaching Style: Interactive and engaging (e.g., role-playing while teaching "Alice in Wonderland").
Punishments: Known for corporal punishment (caning students).
Habits: Chain smoker; known for his unique routine which could be a record (comparison to the Guinness World Records).
Multifaceted Role: Would even drive the school bus when needed.

Subjects: Taught science, geography, and non-detailed English texts.
Character: Soft-hearted, sentimental, devoted to Swami Nigamananda; also a violin player.
Actions: Demonstrated unjust actions like driving a student out and throwing away a student’s handwritten text.
Redemption: Later apologized for his mistakes.

Role: Disciplined and dependable; had an eye for detail.
Physical Features: Tall, short nose, bony face, shrunken eyes.
Responsibilities: Taught up to class seven; in charge of staging dramas.
Personal Connection: Close relationship with the author; collaborative on art projects.

Pandit Durga Madhav: Known as Junior Pandit; obsessed with his cows and straw.

Sports: Even without proper sports attire, the author played football and served as a referee in volleyball due to his loud voice.
Independence Day: Engaged in decorating rooms and worshiping freedom fighters' photographs on Aug 15th.

Teacher Perception: Life in village schools demanding; teachers had multifaceted roles and were more intimately involved with students than their urban counterparts.
Key Lesson: Encourages appreciation for teachers' multifaceted roles and dedication.