Bhavan mourns founding trustee
TRIBUTES have been paid to renowned British Indologist Dr John Marr, who died last Thursday (19) at the age of 95. He was one of the founding trustees of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, UK.
A writer and a former faculty member at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, Marr was known for his academic rigour and encyclopedic knowledge of Indian culture.
He was awarded one of India’s highest civilian honours, the Padma Shri, in 2009 for his contribution to education.
The enthusiasm and support for young students from peers such as Marr were fundamental to the long-standing recognition and appeal of the Bhavan’s multi-subject diploma programme.
Of Marr, it was remarked that, in his presence, one felt as if almost anything was possible with the right knowledge, friends, and a spare six months to dedicate to the task.
From the minutiae of the Indian musical tuning theory to the architectures of Indian temples and the long, winding histories of the myriad Indian dance forms, Marr always added fresh intellectual insight and the flavour of vivacious local colour. It was frequently accompanied by some extraordinary tale of a past escapade involving perhaps an ambassador or an iconic Indian performer, a 4,000 mile family road trip or a beautiful roadside flower, all but invisible to the casual passer-by.
A specialist in Carnatic music and Tamil literature, Marr once said: “Largely through the medium of her music, I have been privileged to share India’s tremendous tradition and values of which she has so much to give to the world.”
His love for India was legendary. He said, “India has been my second home since I was 19 and has shown, over the years, so much care and affection towards me, far more than I could possibly deserve.”
The Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan UK paid homage to the scholar. It said: “For everyone at the Bhavan who had the honour of meeting, working, and learning with him, Dr Marr will always be remembered for his incomparable spirit and his uncompromising passion for Indian culture; foundations upon which this organisation, now in its 50th year, have been built. He will be much missed by us all.”