By Express News Service

BENGALURU: The first play home (shishu vihaar) of the city is all set to celebrate its platinum jubilee. Hymamshu Jyothi Kala Peetha, located in Malleswaram, was established in 1942 and will complete 75 years on December 23.

The institute, which started with just five students, is now one of the most sought-after schools in the city. Chitra A Rao, chairperson of Hymamshu Educational Trust and Managing Director of Hymamshu Jyothi Kala Peetha, is also one among the first five students.

“The shishu mandir was a very progressive step at that time. The founders were not discouraged or disappointed when starting the school only with five children, despite the good publicity made in and around Malleswaram,” she said.

“It was the strong determination of the founders, M L Sreenivasa Sastry and Sundaramma Sastry, to contribute to child education in the memory of their late child Hymamshu, who unfortunately lived only for three years (1933-36) and still made an impact on their minds,” she added.

On completing 75 years, the school will be honouring the efforts of its founders. “Today, the institution has grown and expanded well. To mark the platinum jubilee celebrations (1942-2017), a series of events have been organised by the founders, alumni and the staff. A revised edition of the founder’s biography and a souvenir will also be released. Several dignitaries from different walks of life are set to participate in the event on Friday,” said Chitra Rao.

Many great personalities like former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, freedom fighter and Jawaharlal Nehru’s sister Vijayalakshmi Pandit, her sister and writer Krishna Hutheesing, General K M Cariappa, Justice Nittur Srinivasa Rao and others, both from within the country and abroad, have visited the institution.