George V High School by Dinanath Pathy

Summary

This script from an alternative English class delves into the author Dinanath Pathy's memoir, 'Drawing Master of Digabandi,' focusing on his experiences at George V High School. It paints a vivid picture of the school's architecture and the distinct personalities of its staff, including the strict yet affectionate Headmaster Mr. Ramnarayan Paddy and the kind-hearted Assistant Headmaster Mr. Sanatana Kuzari. The narrator's own journey as a student, his artistic talents, and the challenges faced due to his impoverished background are highlighted, offering a nostalgic reflection on the school's influence on his character and the dedication of its teachers.

Takeaways

• 📚 The class discusses a chapter from 'Drawing Master of Digabandi' by Dinanath Pathy, an Odiya painter and sculptor, who also attended George V High School.
• 🏫 George V High School is depicted as a tile-roof school with three blocks of rooms, a large stone wall, and a wide veranda supported by round twin pillars.
• 👨‍🏫 Mr. Ramnarayan Paddy, the headmaster, is described as a strict disciplinarian with a powerful personality, yet also affectionate and hardworking.
• 🚶‍♂️ Mr. Paddy had a unique routine for visiting the toilet, smoking continuously on his way to an open field, leaving a trail of cigarette stench.
• 🚌 The school had two 'bosses', one of whom would drive buses and teach English when the driver was on leave, demonstrating the dedication of the teachers.
• 🎨 The narrator, a painter and sculptor, received special attention from the headmaster due to his artistic talent and received drawing prizes.
• 🔍 Mr. Sanatana Kuzari, the assistant headmaster, was a soft-hearted, principled individual who used charts and maps for teaching geography.
• 🎻 Mr. Kuzari was also a gifted artist and a sentimental person, often seeking guidance from his spiritual guru before making decisions.
• 📚 The narrator mentions two incidents reflecting Mr. Kuzari's unjust actions, one involving an anatomy lesson and the other concerning a copied textbook.
• 👓 Mr. Lottova But Nike, the seniormost teacher, was known for his attention to detail and discipline, often giving very specific instructions.
• 🌾 Pandit, or the junior Pandit, was more concerned with collecting materials for his cows than focusing on the children's education, even during classes.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the class discussion in the script?

The main topic of the class discussion is the chapter 'George the Fifth High School' from the book 'Drawing Master of Digabandi' by Dinanath Pathy, a noted Odiya painter and sculptor.

What was unique about the school buildings described in the script?

The school buildings were unique because they had tiled roofs, a feature not commonly seen in modern schools, and were surrounded by a huge stone boundary wall. They also had a wide barranda and thick round twin pillars for support.

Who was the headmaster of George V High School during Dinanath Pathy's time?

The headmaster of George V High School during Dinanath Pathy's time was Mr. Ramnarayan Paddy.

What was Mr. Ramnarayan Paddy's approach to discipline in the school?

Mr. Ramnarayan Paddy was a strict disciplinarian who believed in maintaining discipline at any cost. He was known to identify and punish mischievous or troublesome students with a cane.

What was the unusual habit of Mr. Ramnarayan Paddy when he went to the toilet?

Mr. Ramnarayan Paddy had the habit of chain-smoking cigarettes on his way to the toilet, which was an open field about four kilometers away from his house. The stench of cigarette smoke would indicate his presence.

What role did the school driver play when the headmaster was absent?

When the headmaster was absent, the school driver would drive the buses, face the children, teach English at school, and then drive the children back to their houses.

Why was the narrator particularly favored by Mr. Ramnarayan Paddy?

The narrator was favored by Mr. Ramnarayan Paddy because he was a talented painter and sculptor who received drawing prizes from Kesab Maharana's Drawing Masters Association on three consecutive occasions.

What was Mr. Sanatana Kuzari's role in the school and how was he as a teacher?

Mr. Sanatana Kuzari was the assistant headmaster of the school. He taught science, geography, and non-detailed texts. He was a tender-hearted, soft-hearted, and principled person who used charts and maps to teach geography effectively.

What incident from the script highlights Mr. Pujari's strict adherence to principles?

An incident that highlights Mr. Pujari's strict adherence to principles is when he got late to school and instead of entering the school campus, he sent an application for casual leave and went back home.

What were the two unjust actions of Mr. Pujari mentioned in the script?

The two unjust actions of Mr. Pujari mentioned in the script were: 1) Becoming angry and scolding a student for asking whether a skeleton was male or female during a science class, and 2) Throwing away the narrator's notebook containing copied lessons from the non-detailed textbook because he thought it was a printed book.

How did the narrator's financial situation affect his school life?

The narrator's financial situation affected his school life in several ways, such as not having the required clothing for games classes and not being able to afford a non-detailed textbook, which led him to copy the entire book into a notebook.