The Department of English at St.
Berchmans’ College has always been held in high regard among academic
institutions in Kerala thanks to its dedicated teachers who had a profound love
for English Literature. This illustrious group included Prof. O'Brien, Prof.
M.P. Paul, and Prof. C.A. Sheppard. When Prof. Sheppard took the reins of the
Department, its prestige began to shine with unparalleled brilliance.
Prof. C.A. Sheppard's presence not only
energized the Department of English, but also the entire college. His name was
synonymous with St. Berchmans’ College in any discussion. The years he spent at
the college were its golden age. He instilled in both students and the faculty
a passion for excellence, self-reliance, and industriousness. His classes were
not mere lectures on poetry, prose, or drama, but comprehensive studies of
English language phrases and idioms. Students vied for spots near the podium to
capture every word he spoke. Passages from the Bible and soliloquies from
Shakespeare flowed from him like a powerful stream. One could liken the
sentiments of students from that time to Wordsworth's description of the French
Revolution in the Prelude: "Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive."
I recall his classes on Bernard Shaw’s
"Arms and the Man" vividly as I was one of his undergraduate
students. His teachings extended beyond the text to a deep exploration of
Shaw’s entire body of work. What stood out was his beautiful introduction to the
works of Bernard Shaw. He meticulously explained new words and phrases, delving
into their meanings and nuances. Sitting in his class was an immersion in the
evolution of the English language and literature. When he was invited to
inaugurate the Literary Association of the Minor Seminary at Parel, he spoke
about the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins who was relatively unknown to the
general public at the time. Prof. C.A. Sheppard exuded sophistication,
confidence, and eloquence, presenting the image of a truly exceptional teacher.
It was often said by students that they could see the light in his room even in
the early hours of the morning, reading and typing. With his departure, both
students and the staff lost a mentor, a guide, and a wellspring of inspiration.
However, the Department endured,
maintaining its glory and renown with a new roster of exceptional teachers such
as Prof. V.J. Augustine, Prof. A.E. Augustine, Prof. K.J. Francis, Prof. K.T.
Sebastian, Prof. T.P. Madhavan Pilla, Prof. K.V. Joseph, Prof. K.K. Mathew, and
Prof. P.C. James. Under the leadership of Prof. V.J. Augustine, the
Postgraduate Department was established, propelling the Department to new
heights of success, with many students being placed in top ranks in University
exams. The discipline that he instilled and the seminar and discussion- methods
he introduced helped students excel in interviews and oral exams.
Prof. A.E. Augustine, a close associate
of Prof. C.A. Sheppard, electrified not only the classrooms but the entire
college with his mastery of the English language. His compelling eloquence made
every conference or meeting a memorable occasion. Prof. K.J. Francis, with his
majestic demeanour, left a lasting impression with his lectures. There was an
air of grandeur about him.
Prof. K.T. Sebastian was an exemplary
teacher, both in appearance and speech. He breathed life into Milton's works,
delving deep into the poetic brilliance of "Paradise Lost" and
drawing connections to the modern world. Prof. P.J. Devasia deftly navigated the complexities
of modern English literature, using his exceptional memory to highlight the
beauty of the poetry of Hopkins and Eliot.
Prof. T.P. Madhavan Pilla embodied
nobility and dignity. I remember jotting down a note in my composition book,
commenting on his insights. He graciously responded on the back of my note,
attached to the composition book. Pleasant, gentle, and dignified, he carried
the Department's flag high. Another stalwart was Prof. K.V. Joseph, who had a
remarkable ability to bring vividly to life all the characters from Chaucer’s
"Canterbury Tales". Despite being a skilled stylist and grammarian,
he remained humble and approachable, both to his colleagues and to his
students. The youngest faculty member at the time was Prof. P.C. James, a
bundle of energy and humour. He brought the vibrancy of American Literature to
his classrooms, always inspiring, fresh, and innovative. His presence lit up
the department, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Spending time with these great teachers
endowed with real scholarship and high rectitude was a pleasant experience
which will never fade away from my memory. They enabled me to work in tandem
with professors of English from foreign universities. Their laughter, their
encouragement and inspiring words remain always fresh and memorable in my mind.
“Footfalls echo in the memory
Down the passage which we did not take
Towards the door, we never opened
Into the rose garden.”
