Prof.P.Archibald Furtado, Photographs: Seetarama Shastri.
Prof. Venkatesh Kramadhari
A Teacher, Administrator, Mentor, Yakshagana Artist and, Above All, a Noble Human Being
Barkur, 31 August 2026:
The morning of 31st August dawned with a touch of gloom at the National Industrial Training Institute (NITI), Barkur. The familiar campus, which had witnessed countless lessons, examinations, achievements and celebrations, wore a different look that day. Students—past and present—teachers, management representatives, alumni, technical education fraternity, friends, admirers and well-wishers from across Udupi District gathered in large numbers to bid a heartfelt farewell to one of NITI Barkur's most distinguished sons—Prof. Venkatesh Kramadhari, who retired from active service after a remarkable professional journey spanning more than three decades.
For four memorable years, Prof. Kramadhari had served as the Principal of NITI Barkur. But his association with the institution went far beyond those years of leadership. He had been a Mathematics teacher, lecturer, technical trainer, administrator and mentor, contributing to the growth of the institution almost from its formative years. His retirement was therefore not merely the conclusion of a career; it was the closing of a significant chapter in the history of NITI Barkur.
At 11.00 a.m., the open stage of the NITI campus became the setting for a touching farewell ceremony. The programme commenced with prayers, seeking God's blessings upon the retiring Principal and his family.
The dignitaries on the dais included Mr. B. Shantaram Shetty, President of the Barkur Educational Society, Office bearers and members of the Management, Mr. Nagaraj Shetty, President of the NITI Alumni Association, Mr. Umesh Pai, philanthropist and well-wisher, and other distinguished other guests.
Following the formal welcome by the senior lecturer Prof Nataraj Devadiga, the gathering was taken on a nostalgic journey through the remarkable contribution of Prof. Kramadhari.
A Right Hand in NITI's Journey
In his keynote address, Former Principal Prof. Dinakar Tolhar recalled the early days of NITI and spoke with admiration about the dedication and sacrifices of Prof. Kramadhari. He recalled how Kramadhari had stood beside the institution and its leadership as a trusted colleague and "right hand", shouldering responsibilities in teaching, training, administration and institution-building.
The progress and reputation enjoyed by NITI Barkur today, he observed, bear testimony to the commitment of people like Prof. Kramadhari who quietly worked behind the scenes and remained devoted to the institution through changing times.
Mr. Ashok Kumar Shetty, Secretary of the Barkur Educational Society, paid rich tribute to the retiring Principal, recalling his illustrious career as a lecturer, technical trainer and Head of the Institution. His association with NITI, almost from its very birth, made him an inseparable part of its history.
He expressed profound gratitude for Prof. Kramadhari's leadership, particularly during his tenure as Principal, which helped NITI Barkur emerge as one of the finest Industrial Training Institutes in Udupi District and earn recognition beyond the district.
When the Applause Became an Emotion:
Then came one of the most moving moments of the day.
As Mrs. Geeta and Mr. Venkatesh Kramadhari couple took their seats of honour, the atmosphere suddenly became deeply emotional...!!. One after another, organisations, colleagues, alumni, students and well-wishers came forward with garlands, bouquets, shawls and mementos.
The honours seemed to arrive like the monsoon rain—one after another, generous and spontaneous.
Each felicitation carried a story. Each bouquet represented gratitude. Each shawl conveyed affection. Each memento symbolised memories that would remain long after the retirement ceremony had ended.
A beautifully worded citation highlighting the life, career and contribution of Prof. Kramadhari was read out and presented to him by Vice Principal Prof Bhaskara Upadya amid thunderous applause. Yet, as many speakers observed, even the most carefully written citation could capture only a small fraction of the many-sided personality of the man being honoured.
For Prof. Kramadhari was not merely a Principal.
He was a teacher who inspired, an administrator who led, a trainer who moulded young minds, a colleague who stood by others, a renowned Yakshagana artist who enriched the cultural life of the community, and above all, an honest and compassionate human being.
A Man Beloved by Students and Colleagues:
Leading the felicitation, BES President Mr. B. Shantaram Shetty, on behalf of the Management and the wider Barkur civil society, honoured Prof. Kramadhari with a traditional shawl, bouquet and an artistic memento.
In his words of appreciation, he described Kramadhari a family man, and a personality with a passionate heart for students, colleagues and friends —a person whose presence had become an integral part of Barkur's educational and social landscape for more than three decades.
The words of appreciation continued to flow from the dignitaries and guests, including the Principal of a Government ITI, who acknowledged his contribution to the technical education fraternity.
The Voice of the Retiring Principal:
Then came the moment everyone had been waiting for.
As Prof. Venkatesh Kramadhari rose to speak, the usually vibrant campus fell into pin-drop silence.
His farewell address was not merely a speech. It was a journey through memories.
With characteristic humility, he thanked every person who had been a lamp-post in his long professional journey and in his association with NITI Barkur.
He fondly remembered the late Principal B. Seetharama Shetty and Dr. Somayaji, among others, whose guidance and values had left a lasting impression on him and strengthened his belief in the nobility of the teaching profession.
He expressed his gratitude to the Barkur Educational Society Management, the Old Students Association, his colleagues, staff members, students and his wife, Mrs Geeta, son Mr Vedanth, daughter in law, Ms Raksha, the neighbouring families who had supported NITI and stood by him in different ways over the years.
His words reflected neither the pride of a retiring head nor the sadness of leaving an institution. Instead, they revealed the gratitude of a teacher who had received far more from his profession than he could ever give back.
Giving Back the Affection He Received:
In a gesture that beautifully reflected his personality, Prof. Kramadhari did not allow the farewell to remain a one-way expression of gratitude.
As a symbol of his affection and appreciation, he honoured the guests and his colleagues with shawls and beautiful mementos.
It was a deeply symbolic gesture.
The man who had received so much love that morning chose to return it.
The formal programme concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by the lecturer, Mr. Guruprasad Aithal, expressing gratitude to all those who had contributed to making the farewell a memorable occasion.
More Than a Retirement:
The gathering was made even more special by the presence of professional companions from various technical institutions, family members, friends, former students and fellow artistes.
Their presence demonstrated that Prof. Kramadhari's influence had never been confined to the four walls of NITI.
His professional journey had touched classrooms, workshops, offices, cultural stages and, most importantly, human hearts.
As the gathering dispersed after lunch, people carried with them more than the memories of a farewell function. They carried stories of a teacher, mentor, Principal, colleague and artist whose life had become intertwined with the NITI Barkur success story.
A Chapter Closes, a Legacy Remains:
Retirement may bring an end to an official designation, but it can never retire a person's contribution from the memories of those whom he has influenced.
For NITI Barkur, Prof. Venkatesh Kramadhari will remain much more than a former Principal.
He will remain part of its history.
Part of its growth, its culture, and part of the memories of generations of students and colleagues.
The farewell on 31st August was therefore not simply a goodbye.
It was a collective "Thank You, Sir."
A thank you for more than thirty years of teaching, service and commitment, for leadership and friendship.
A thank you for values.
And above all, a thank you for being Prof. Venkatesh Kramadhari—the teacher, the leader, the artiste and the human being whose legacy will continue to inspire NITI Barkur for years to come.
NITI may bid him farewell from its corridors, but his footprints will remain embedded in its story.
-P Archibald Furtado - Admin coordinator of National Group of Educational Institutions - Managed by The Barkur Educational Society.
