A section of the audience at the first convocation, at the Open Air Theatre

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Institute Events

The first convocation of IIT Madras was held on the 11th July, 1964. The convocation took place on a Saturday evening at the Institute’s Open Air Theatre and a total of 107 students (92 B. Tech. degrees and 15 M. Sc. degrees) received their degrees. Dr. A. L. Mudaliar (Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan), the Chairman of the Board of Governors, presided over the ceremony. The chief guest and speaker at this event was Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, second President of India. His Excellency Dr. G. F. Duckwitz, German Ambassador to India, also attended the ceremony and addressed the audience. Front row, fourth from left: Mrs. Shanthi Sengupto

Collection:

Gourishankar Collection

Album Name:

1st convocation Dr. Radhakrishnan Chief Guest 11 July 1964

Photograph ID:

001/0213/IMG_0261

Album ID:

0213

Date:

1964-07-11

Place:

OAT

Photographer:

C. Gourishankar (1926-2002). A geologist by qualification, Gourishankar started his career as a photographer after working for many years with the Geological Survey of India. In everything that he did, Gourishankar strove to achieve flawlessness and impeccable quality. Thus his photography too was characterised by this drive for perfection. Every photograph that Gourishankar took was meticulously planned and shot and printed with diligence and patience. Gourishankar carried out most of the official photography at IIT Madras in the 1960s.

Event:

Convocation