Mysuru: There seems to have been a very close bonding between Thathaiah Anathalaya on Narayana Shastri Road in city, established decades ago and late Siddaganga Seer Sri Shivakumara Swamiji.
A few students, who had completed 10th standard at Siddaganga Mutt, were sent by the late Swamiji to Thathaiah Anathalaya in city to continue higher education. The Swamiji, who was providing shelter, food and education to lakhs of students at Siddaganga, was the inspiration for establishing free Anathalaya as in Mysuru.
The then Secretary of Thathaiah Anathalaya and grandson of Thathaiah M.S. Srinivasa Rao used to give first preference to students sent by Sri Shivakumara Swamiji for admission. The Swamiji used to call back those students after higher education and provide employment at Siddaganga Mutt. Students of Anathalaya, who used to visit Siddaganga Mutt in Tumakuru to collect annual contribution, were well looked after by the late Swamiji, according to Social Activist K. Raghuram who had also served as the Manager at Thathiah Anathalaya.
Mysore Anathalaya was established in 1894 when the Siddaganga Seer was not yet born. The article claiming Swamiji was the inspiration in establishing Mysore Anathalaya is far from truth, because it was not.