o The Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam was inaugurated on the 10th of Dec, 1930 at the Manica Vinayagar temple by a band of dedicated women under the guidance and blessings of Swami Vipulananda and Mudaliyar Rasanayagam. o The Kalagam realised the need for a Hindu Girls School in Colombo to impart education in an atmosphere of Hindu culture and tradition. o The Saiva Mangaiyar Vidyalayam was founded by Mrs. Rasamuthu Sathasivam, Mrs.Sornacanthy Nallainathan and Mrs.Balambigai Namasivayam on Vijayadasami in September 1932 at ‘Besant House’ the Theosophical Society Head quarters at Peterson Lane, Wellawatte. o The school commenced its sessions with only seven pupils on roll with Mrs.Sivanandam Thambyah as its first Manager and Mrs. Sornacanthy Nallainathan as its first Head Mistress. o Miss.P.Kanagasundaram succeeded Mrs.S.Nallainathan as Head Mistress and served till 1935. o In 1936, Miss. N.Kasipillai was appointed as the first Principal of the Vidyalayam. o Mrs. S. C. Ratnathicam was appointed as Vice Principal in 1940. o The school had its first Prize Day with Mr.C.W..W.Kanangara,the Director of Education and Mrs. Kanangara as Chief Guests. o In 1946, G.C.E. (O/L) class was started with a few students. o In 1950, the foundation stone for the new three storeyed building was laid by Adigar Sellamuthu and ceremonially opened in 1952. This is presently named the Rasamuthu Sathasivam memorial. o A Nursery school was started by the Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam in 1954. o In 1956, the Vidyalayam was elevated to the position of a Grade 1 school. o A prayer hall, Sivananda Nilayam was donated to the Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam by the patron Mrs. Sivanandam Thambyah and was ceremonially opened in September 1960. o The school became the only non fee-levying private school for Hindu children in the Island in 1960 due to the withdrawal of the grant by the government. o The year 1963 saw the inception of a new science class. o The Principal Miss. N. Kasipillai retired in 1970. o Miss. Y. Kanagasabai assumed duties as Principal in May 1970 and Mrs.I.Pathmanathan was appointed Vice Principal. o Miss.Y. Kanagasabai retired in December 1972. o Mrs. I. Pathmanathan, the Vice Principal was appointed Principal in 1973 and served till 1975. o Mrs. B. Sithamparanathan was appointed Vice Principal in 1973 and served till 1976. o In May 1975, Miss. M. Arumugam took reigns as Principal of the Vidyalayam and Mrs. G. Balachandran was appointed as Vice Principal in 1976. o FORUT a Norwegian N.G.O, over a period of 5 years, helped in the paying of salaries of the unapproved teachers. o The Vidyalayam celebrated its Diamond Jubilee and a Souvenir was released to mark the occasion. The philatelic club released the first day cover in 2006 at the finale celebrations of the Saiva Mangaiyar Kalagam’s platinum year. |
