It was a fifty year journey that culminated in the song Berchmans’ Kids, which I wrote and sang at the Swaralayam programme on St Berchamns Day, 13 August 2021, the Centenary Year of the college; a journey entwined with my joint family, the college and my career.Let me briefly describe the journey before it gets deleted from my memory.

First encounter with Rafi’s English song: Muhamed Rafi, the legendary playback singer sang an English song in UNO in 1970, The world is one, in which he used English lyrics and adapted it to the tune of his celebrated song, Baharon phool barsao in the film Suraj, (1966). The music was by Shankar- Jaikishan and the English lyrics by Harindranath Chattopadhyay. The late Dr M J Cherian my cousin,  ENT surgeon, bought the music disc in 1970s and I remember listening to this song at our home, along with Rafi’s other English song She I love is a beautiful beautiful dream comes true.

Singing Cherian: Dr M J Cherian, who I called Joychayan, was the son of my father’s eldest brother M S John, (Mammoottil Ulahanachen), who was one of the pioneering theatre activists and organised a drama troop in Changanacherry. This is mentioned by Mr Joseph Koottummel in his history of the Town. Dr Cherian, the second son was trained in classical music. Ulahannachen passed away at an early age in 1941 putting an end to the drama troop and the loss of a promising professional singer. Dr Cherian was known for his musical talent during his College days. He studied BSc Chemistry at S B, and then proceeded to do MBBS in Trivandrum medical College and displayed his musical abilities during their alumni meetings too. He was identified among his college mates as the ‘singing Cherian’. He retired from the government service and joined St Thomas Hospital in ENT department where also he delighted his colleagues during the celebratory occasions with his music.  

Musical Mammoodans: We cousins used to gather occasionally for musical evenings at one of our homes. Along with Dr Cherian, we had Scaria Varghese Kovakattu, another known singer in his SB College days. My brother, the late Scaria Mathew, Chartered Accountant, played the harmonium, M C Scaria, ex service, played the tabala and M C Joseph (Raju Dhanya Theatre) the percussion. I used to chip in with a song or two, when they wanted a rest. The other cousins joined in as cheer leaders. At the golden jubilee of the wedding of Dr M J Cherian we released a CD including his three songs, but used the service of professionals for the orchestration.

@ SB stages: I debuted as a singer on stage at staff meeting after I joined SB in 1977. The big break came when I sung the prayer song Sathyanayaka at Millennium musical concert of students and staff in the year 2000. Later I was the prayer song singer for similar programmes in the college, sung the opening song when I was the Principal.

@ International conferences: In 2005 the college conducted an International Conference on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development. Around fifty foreign delegates were taken to Nehru Boat Race at Alapuzha, followed by a session and lunch at Lake Palace Resort. At the meeting I sang the Rafi song The world is one. I altered the lyrics in the second stanza with we have come here to dream and plan a sustainable future… this was much appreciated by the delegates.

In 2015, as Director of Berchmans Institute of Management Studies, I attended the sixth United Nations Supported PRME Asia Forum at Goa in 2015. There were over hundred delegates from across the globe. At the cultural meeting I sang the Rafi’s song The world is one. In the second stanza I sang we have come here to dream and plan Responsible Management  Education…. The north Indian delegates couldn’t believe that Rafi had sung an English song.

Berchmans’ kids song: When I was asked to sing at the S B Centenary this year I did not hesitate to select the Rafi song, but with a changeover of the original lyrics, but sticking on wherever possible. I put myself in the shoes of the Alumni in different parts of the globe and capsuled their thoughts and wishes for the feast of St Berchmans on this centenary year.

My only regret is that my vocal chords have started disobeying me and so singing was laborious. But it was gratifying as I was paying tributes to my alma mater and the place of my career, on which campus I was for nearly half a century; as student of BCom 1972-75, faculty of commerce from 1977, HOD 2001-02, Vice Principal 2002-07, Principal 2007-10 and Director, Berchmans Institute of Management Studies 2014-2020.

May S B be in the pride of place in our hearts.

I dedicate this song to Dr M J Cherian, my Joychayan, the Rafi of Mammootil family and CA Scaria Mathew, my elder brother Josekuttychayan the harmonist, who have joined the heavenly choir.

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To listen to: Muhammed Rafi sing The world is one click here

Berchmans’ Kids song click here

M J Cherian singing at the age 80+ click here

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BERCHMANS’ KIDS

Although we stay in different lands,
we all share values of Berchmans,
remember friends, we were her kids..2

We all were here, under her care
for youthful time, exciting time,
we have learned here, we have played here,
gained all what’s needed for  life,
come let us sing in praise of her,
for what we are is ‘cause of her,
remember friends, we were her kids.
Although we live in different lands,
we all share values of Berchmans,
remember friends, we were her kids..

We have met here to laud her name,
on her centenary feast,
we have joined here to wish our mom,
a bright future and higher growth,
a space that she shall occupy,
a niche that we shall be proud of,
remember friends, we were her kids.
Although we stay in different lands,
we all share values of Berchmans,
remember friends, we were her kids..