A.V. Padma, a former teacher at Presentation Convent-Church Park and headmistress of St. Mary’s School, Cuddalore, died here on Wednesday. She was 91. She translated the first edition of S. Meenakshi Ammal’s cook book, Samaithu Paar, into English in 1968.
“The translation was a tough job since there were no English equivalents for Tamil measures, such as Azhakku and Seer. I remember she used to work into the night sometimes,” recalled her son Vivekanad Parthasarathy, who added that she was also the first principal at SIET’s school for girls.
Arasanipalai Venkatachari Padma did her intermediate at Queen Mary’s College and her M.A. Honours in Economics at Presidency College. After teaching at Presentation Convent-Church Park, she moved to Cuddalore.
She continued her tryst with teaching even after her retirement by starting a school in Vaniyanchavadi on Old Mahabalipuram Road. Since she was unable to manage the school, the Punjab Association took it over.
“She gifted us half an acre of land and we purchased another half an acre from her. We then purchased four acres of land around that plot and started homes for the disabled, elderly and children. She remained at the school, surrounded by the children whom she loved very much,” said Ramesh Lamba, general secretary, Punjab Association.
Her husband T. D. Parthasarathy, who worked with The Hindu’s Sports section, predeceased her. She is survived by two children.
