My great great grandfather – Prof. M. Hiriyanna (seated right) was an exceedingly well known philosopher in Mysore state (then a large part of Karnataka). In this image he is photographed with his friend and colleague, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who went on to become the second president of India in 1962. My great great grandfather M. Hiriyanna, was a Professor of Sanskrit and S Radhakrishnan was a professor of Philosophy at the University of Mysore.

Our family seems to have had very humble antecedents in a small village called Bargehalli in Karnataka. In 1910 Hiriyanna moved to Mysore and set up house. He was an inspiration to several generations and I wish I had known him. Legends about him are abound and I hang on every reminisced word. For he seems a larger-than-life man. A principled man. And 100% self-made Stalwart. We still inhabit the house that he built: 962, Lakshmipuram, Mysore. Known simply to our family and friends as “962.”

According to N. Sivarama Sastry. “Prof. Hiriyanna lived a perfectly ordered and disciplined life. He often reminded me of Kant and the Philosopher’s Walk. He was simple to the verge of austerity. He dressed simply and everything about him was scrupulously neat and clean. He was correct and punctual. He promptly answered communications, kept all his engagements, and never made a promise which he could not fulfill. He was fastidious to a degree and a perfect artist in everything he did – from mending a pencil to writing a work. Though he did no spare himself, he was tolerant of those who could not come up to his exacting standards. He was in fact noted for his kindness and consideration and unfailing courtesy. He never denied help to any student or scholar. He was equally well known for his honesty and uprightness. He was exceedingly modest and his learning did not sit heavily on him. But beneath his modesty and humility he had a keenly sensitive nature.”

My aunt, Malathi Jaya Rao grew up around him and says – “He always emphasized physical courage; an unbending spirit; self esteem without pride; not taking things that are not ours, and created in us an enduring value: what a man is far outweighs his wealth or intellectual attainments. An immaculately dresser, in a spotless white dhoti, cream colored close collared coat, a laceless turban, an uttariyam and pump shoes, he used to get up very early and after collecting flowers from the garden and after having a bath he would do do puja. He was very particular that the family joined him for the Mahamangalarathi at 6 a.m.” It seems he would sharpen pencils exactly the same amount and use them until they wore down up to a pre-determined length. Short worn pencils were then passed on to the kids in the family. He has left us a priceless legacy in his writings on Indian philosophy – many of which are now textbooks and staples.

Some of the family still lives in the house Hiriyanna built – 962, and the descendants visit several times a year. We are now scattered across the world, seven generations and several nationalities incorporated into the gene pool. The house ’962′ he built has not changed since 1910. It’s hundred year-old stones are the ones that know him well and when I run my hand along the walls or sit on the cool red oxide floors, or enter “his room,” and read his wisdom in his own beautiful hand, I stand a little taller knowing there is a bit of this great man, somewhere in me.