History of Malleshwaram Shishu Vihar (MSV)

The story of the school, Malleshwaram Shishu Vihar or MSV as it is popularly known, began in the 1950s, when Smt. Thirumalamma, a resident of Malleshwaram in Bengaluru, tragically lost her husband and only child to disease when she was in her teens.

Smt. Thirumalamma’s father, an educationist himself (he had been the Principal of Bangalore Engineering College or UVCE as we now know it) was a practical and optimistic man who thought ahead of his times. Rather than allow his daughter to mope in her widowed fate, he encouraged her to go back to school after this setback. Smt. Thirumalamma went back to the 8th standard, where she had left off before marriage, and went on to graduate in Arts. With the support of her father, she opened the Malleshwaram Shishu Vihar (MSV) and registered it as a society in 1953.

The school has been following the Karnataka state syllabus in education. Located close to Malleshwaram Circle in Bengaluru, the school, in 1950s and 60s offered state-of-the-art montessori methods in education. Students of the yester-years vouch for Smt. Thirumalamma’s ability as headmistress of the school. They recall with affection even after all these decades, her soft-spoken demeanour, her generous, warm attitude towards the staff, her patience and mother-like affection towards her wards.

The alumni network of the older students, who are now in their 60s and 70s has been active and has had students (now retired) in good positions in society as scientists, chartered accountants, local businessmen, traders and engineers. Some of them have contributed generously to the cause of the school in the past. The fees at the school was always kept low and the school operated with a view to make quality education reasonable and reachable to all.

In the 90s, after the passing away of Smt. Thirumalamma, the school shifted gears. It was managed by her brother Sri B R Prasad with care and concern.

The school is presently managed by Sri BR Prasad’s son and daughter-in-law.

In her time, to support and boost the flavour of the land, Smt. Thirumalamma had chosen for MSV to be a Kannada medium school. However, in the 90’s, the popularity of Kannada medium schools began to wane and English medium schools became increasingly popular as knowledge of English helped students get better employment. As a result, fewer students enrolled in MSV and opted for English medium schools that had sprung up around the area, instead. Observing this, the management at that time, took a decision to change the medium of instruction in MSV to English.