I was thrilled to read the article "The Montessori phenomenon" (Janaury 7, 2007) mainly because of the photo of Dr. Maria Montessori and her son Mario at the Theosophical Society; more so because I am one of the children in that photo — the one on the right playing with the map of India. I was the youngest hostel student of the school. I have a similar photo of Dr. Montessori along with six other students.
Dr. Montessori came to India in November 1939 and the kindergarten children of Besant School attended her classes at Olcott Bungalow. I still remember the Christmas party she gave for the children - the only one I had in 11 years of schooling there.
During World War II, Dr. Montessori was confined to the Theosophical Society while Mario was interned elsewhere. On her 70th birthday on August 31, 1940, the Viceroy sent a telegram, "We have long thought what to give you for your 70th birthday. We thought that the best present we could give you was to send you back your son."
The war was a blessing in disguise for Indiaas Dr. Monstessori's association with the country lasted about 10 years.
Mario was good with the children. He would take them to the beach and help them catch Madras crabs.
Most kindergarten students of that time continued to study till their SSLC at the Besant Theosophical School and I am still in touch with about 12-14 of them. One student, Venkatesh, says he remembers Maria Montessori coming in a hand drawn rickshaw to Olcott Gardens from Leadbetter Chambers. As for me, I still collect maps as a hobby.
K.V.S Krishna,
Chennai
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