PROFILE OF PROF. K.V. IYER (1898 – 1980)
Prof. K.V. Iyer was born
in a traditional Brahmin family on 8th
January 1898 at Devaraya samudra, a small village at Kolar district in
Karnataka state. Prof. Iyer belonged to the priest family. He had studied up to
7th standard in those days.
He lost his mother at a very young age of 10 years after which he
migrated to Bangalore, along with his father.
He could not continue his studies due to financial problems and had to
join his father in a hotel at Bangalore as an assistant cook. His jobs were to
fetch water from the well and to grind Idly and Dosa batter regularly. Along
with his work, he used to go to the gymnasium to build his body. The owner of
the hotel encouraged young Iyer to continue his bodybuilding practice.
At the age of around 18
years Iyer got married to Smt. Janakamma, who was just 10 years old. In the year 1927, the young couple was
blessed with a son whom they named, Karna, after whose birth, the couple
voluntarily swore to celibacy for life. He used to call his wife ‘AMMA’-
meaning ‘mother’. Their son went on to hold a Master’s degree in physiotherapy
and became Dr. Karna, making them proud of him.
Iyer was a total vegetarian and teetotaler. His food
contained lots of grains, vegetables, chapattis, ragi, unpolished red rice,
fruits, butter milk and greens. He even advised and recommended vegetarian food
for his students. From sources of authenticity and also his students, I have
gathered information that Prof. Iyer used to do 3 hours and 30 minutes
exercises regularly, every day. His Guru in body building was Sri.
Venkatakrishnaiah.
Sometime in the year 1925 Prof. Iyer started his own
gymnasium. He must have trained not less
than 25,000 students personally and also through his postal tuitions in India
and abroad. For the students who were
coming from outside he even offered a small hostel facility. Iyer believed in “teaching by demonstration, explanation,
imitation, personalized correction and teaching”. At the beginning of the
month he used to take the measurements of his students which meant their
height, weight and dimensions of chest, waist, thighs, biceps etc. He used to
maintain records. He used this documentation as their main motivation. Even
during those days, he photographed his students for his album, from time to
time.
In the year 1929 Iyer met
Sri T.P. Kailasam, a great writer, dramatist and humorist. But for some time,
they were unable to meet each other as, Sri Kailasam was busy, working as a
geologist. After 3 years, Iyer met Sri. Kailasam again and this was the turning
point in Prof. Iyer’s literary life.
The story goes that, once
when young Iyer made a mistake while speaking in English, Sri. Kailasam is said
to have commented, “My dear son, Venkatesh, do you know that BRAIN AND BRAWN CAN GO TOGETHER? Along with your body, you can try and develop your
brain also!” It was then Iyer started reading books in English, Kannada, books
on medicine, anatomy and physiology, thereby enriching his knowledge. Sri.
Kailasam encouraged and guided Iyer to read books on various subjects.
By
and by, Iyer became so well versed with Gray’s Anatomy and Physiology, that he
was granted special permission from the government to perform dissection in the
Government College of Medicine, Bangalore. He was also subscribing to the
renowned medical magazine called LANCET and
this helped him to enhance his medical knowledge. He became a perfect
combination of a power packed Brain and Brawn .
Sri. T.P. Kailasam used to
quote and praise “THE GLORY THAT WAS
GRACE AND GRANDEUR THAT WAS ROME…. CURLY HAIRED AND CURVY LIMBED ATHLETES THAT
STRUTTED IN THE STREETS OF ROME”…….
By then Iyer’s fame had
spread far and wide and he was now personal physician to the Maharaja of
Mysore, as he had good knowledge of the Indian system of Medicine and Nature
Cure. He used to treat many complicated diseases like back ache, neck pains,
paralysis and the like with massage, physiotherapy, UV lamp, vibrator, steam
bath etc.,
Iyer was a multi-faceted
personality. He was very good at cooking,
carpentry, palmistry, astrology, (he had predicted his own death date) yoga and body building. He had a vast
knowledge of classical music and also in western music. He had a good
collection of LP records (still in possession of his son Dr. Karna), a rare hobby of those times. He used
to play on the harmonium and on weekends, along with his students, he used to
sing Bhajans (hymns). He was a voracious reader and owned a huge collection of
books. He was a very good photographer
too. Prof. Iyer was a stage artist also, he had his own drama troupe called
RAVI ARTISTS. This troupe presented
dramas for 27 years and won many prizes at the state as well as the national
level. It is worth mentioning here that, Iyer had purchased and collected
various equipments, which included curtains, spot lights, broad lights, foot
lights, dimmers, speakers, mikes, including swords, imitation jewelry, etc.,
for his drama troupe, all worth around Rs. 40,000/ - by the year 1969.
Iyer had a stage built in
his residence, which had an in-house gymnasium, in the heart of the Bangalore
city called JC Road. Every evening,
artists used to practice dramas and on weekends these dramas were staged for an
eager audience. The stage would double up as an arena for many cultural
activities including marriages, many a time.
In short, it is not wrong to say that
Iyer was JACK OF ALL AND MASTER OF ALL that he practiced…. he was
perfect with all he did.
In those times, Iyer
encouraged and performed inter-caste
marriages and widow remarriages.
It
was Iyer who performed the marriage of the great Carnatic musician Smt . M.S.
Subbalakshmi and Sri. Sadashivam Iyer. He had a very close friendship with
people of eminence like Pandit Ravi
Shankar, Pandit Ali Akbar Khan
and the well known dancers Padmini and
Ragini who used to take pride to come
and perform at Iyer’s house. Even the great dancer Smt. Chandrabhaga
Devi and Prof. Krishna Rao used to perform regularly at his residence.
By 1930 Prof. Iyer had
developed contacts and friendship world wide with contemporary bodybuilders
like Eugene Sandow, John Grimet, Monrow Brown, Sigmund Klein, Anthony Sansone,
George F. Jowett, Adolph Nordquest, Leon Nole, and Milton Smith. Iyer had sent
many of his photographs to his friends and in turn, possessed huge collection of
photographs of his friends. His own photographs and articles had already started to appear in many
magazines, to mention a few, England’s Health and Strength, Superman, America’s
physical culture and strength, and other
health and muscle building magazines.
Many
articles have been written on Prof K.V. Iyer, all over the world, in many
leading magazines. The following are some of them-
1. Forgotten secrets of the
old times strongmen by Dave Yarnell.
2. Encyclopedia of Indian
physical culture by Mr. Majumdar.
3. Www. Body building muscle
control in India.
4. Committee of Indigenous
system of medicine India 1948 interview of K.V. Iyer by Dr. A.
Lakshmipathi (the original copy is with
California University).
5. Physical Culture
Correspondence school and Vyayamashala
6. For men only-- With a 30
day guide to looking better and feeling younger --by Jack Leanne and Jim Allen.
7. Autograph of an MP. N. Keshava.
8. American National
Biography by Roussean Simmons (an Oxford University Press release 1999).
9. Iron game history by Stark
Center.
10. Prof. K.V. Iyer‘s novels
SHANTALA AND ROOPADARSI were text books for degree classes (for a few years) in
Karnataka.
11. Prof. Iyer had translated
Ibson’s 2 dramas -DOLL HOUSE AND MASTER BUILDERS; and Oliver Smith’s SHE STOOPS
TO CONQUER into kannada language.
12. Online physical culture
museum, Sandow and golden age of Iron men.
13. Recently released book
YOGA BODY by Mark Singleton (an Oxford release).
14. Adonis Male physique
pin-up --1870 to 1940 --by David Chapman.
15. Sandow, the magnificent
and Beginning of body building -by David Chapman.
16. History of Freedom movement in Kannada volume
2, 1964 by MVK Rao and Halappa.
17. Report on Modern Yoga
Workshop 21-23 2006 April By Benjamin smith (university of Cambridge).
18. Body building and muscle
control in India.
19
Physical training Mark Berry Milo Barbell 1936.
20 Muscular Development, an article
by John C. Gremec, June 1980 A Tribute to India’s
Most Outstanding Body Builder,
In the year 1934, Iyer wrote a small
book on SURYANAMASKAR. In this book,
he has given scientific explanation in detail for each and every movement of
the yogic postures involved. In this traditional and unique Suryanamaskara
system, there are just ten steps or postures and with this method it is very
difficult to do more than 21 sets. By just doing 18 sets of these
Suryanamaskara, one can really keep fit. It will be of great use for those who
want to keep fit at any age that, the maximum time taken to do these 18 sets is
between 20 and 25 minutes!
The transformation of Iyer’s simple
education status to that of a Professor is a profound tale of sheer wisdom of
the man and the awe that he held. In the year 1938, Iyer wrote a book called CHEMICAL CHANGES IN PHYSICAL EXERCISES, in English, without
realizing the profundity of his own work. In the year 1940, he was aptly
awarded The Doctorate degree from MISSOURIE University. This was how Iyer
became Prof. Iyer. In this book, he
writes about the standards and secrets of physical fitness, muscle anatomy,
chemical composition of muscle, mechanism of muscular work and protein
metabolism, demand of oxygen during exercise, influence of muscular exercise on
oxygen intake, physical and chemical changes in the muscle during exercise,
chemical changes in respiration during
exercise, frequency and depth of breathing, capacity of the lung, oxygen
reserve, effects on sugar contents of blood, effects of regular exercise, types
of fatigue and a whole lot of related topics.
In the year 1940, Prof. Iyer wrote
another book by name PHYSIQUE AND FIGURE
and dedicated this book to HIS HIGHNESS
SRI KRISHNARAJENDRA WADIYAR BAHADUR,
the then king of MYSORE. In this wonderful book, Prof. Iyer, explains A COMPLETE COURSE OF DUMB-BELL EXERCISES,
in 160 pages, with a lot of actual photographs of Prof. Iyer himself performing
the said exercises. While explaining the exercise procedure, he makes specific
points about precautions to be taken while doing these 18 different types of
exercises and suggestions on the weekly routine schedule that one can easily
follow. This book covers topics like connection between the body and mind,
general health, vitality and vigour, the difference between solid dumb-bells and
spring-grip dumb bells, importance of bath, rest and recuperation, dietary
regimen, constituents of normal food stuffs, hints on routine to be followed
before, during and after exercising and certain do’s and don’ts about
exercising, and the duration of daily exercises for each person. Prof. Iyer has
gone on to explain further, about the very important symmetry in physique
building, which talks about a well developed chest, lungs and its functions,
physical and chemical aspects of respiration, different types of breathing,
super expansion of the chest and the physical carriage of the upper body. Prof. Iyer wrote two more books- MUSCLE CULT a PRO-EM TO MY SYSTEM and PERFECT PHYSIQUE – which are available
on Google search.
Prof. Iyer has another book to his
credit called SAMUDYATA - a collection of 14 short stories.
He also wrote a novel called NATYARANI SHANTALA which is based on a
historic episode, going back to 11th
century and this was a text book for the university students. This book was
written in the year 1954 and has been translated into 7 languages and has been his most successful commercial literary
venture, ever. Even today it is in great demand.
Prof. Iyer wrote one more great novel called ROOPADARSHI and its an awesome novel. ITS A MUST READ FOR EVERY KANNADIGA.......here is a small note of the novel....
Synopsis of RUPADARSHI-
This poignant semi-fiction is written in a
backdrop of old Italy where the traditions and family values run high. Ernesto
is the main protagonist, around whom the first half of the story revolves. In
the second half, the hero is a physically mutilated character, by name
Garibaldi. Another central character is none other than one of the most
celebrated artists of that century, Michelangelo, who succeeds in bringing
together the two main heroes, at the very end of the story, giving it the most
unexpected finale.
The story begins where Michelangelo is
requested by the concerned authorities to paint and showcase the entire life of
Jesus Christ on the inside walls of Sistine Chapel of Florence, Italy. After an
extensive search, a young, orphan boy, Ernesto, who is being brought up by his
grandmother at Pisa, is chosen by Michelangelo, to be his model for the boy-Christ. In his own enthusiasm, Michelangelo comes
across to be an angel, when he promises the world to the impoverished family. He
even succeeds in fulfilling their dreams.
Life goes on in a very predictable way for
Michelangelo, until one day, he is summoned by the authoritative Pope at France.
He is forced to leave his work unfinished at Florence, to bow down to him. He
spends a long time there, nearly two decades, sacrificing his youth and vigor,
doing the paintings and sculptures there.
When the time comes for him to finish the
work at Florence, he goes in search of a model for the depiction of the traitor,
Judas, all over once again, despite his growing age and ignoring his aches and
pains. After an extensive search, he finds a drunkard-hooligan, Garibaldi, who
in all ways, suits his own imagination of Judas, in a God-forsaken town,
Empoli. Again, in his fervor to complete his work at Florence, he entices the
reluctant Garibaldi with a huge sum, to model for him.
When Michelangelo actually brings Garibaldi
to Florence, a lot of things start happening and he is forced to face a few
dark truths of life, something that the pious Michelangelo had never imagined,
not even in his wildest dreams.
The novel takes a very interesting turn,
when the fierce and brutal Garibaldi’s memory returns on seeing the old
paintings at the church, and he declares that he is none other than Ernesto,
whom Michelangelo found very to be
cherubic, pious, affectionate and promising, eons ago.
How did Ernesto turn into Garibaldi? Why on
earth does he blame Michelangelo for this complete transformation? How is the
pious Michael actually responsible for it? Is Garibaldi telling the truth,
after all? The rest of the novel is all about Michel finding answers for these
and more, as Garibaldi unravels his tale of misery and wretchedness.
A
SMALL ARTICLE ON PROF. K.V. IYER,
BY DAVID CHAPMAN
GALLERY
OF IRON MEN
Professor Iyer
by David Chapman
India has an ancient tradition of strength building. On the other hand, it also has the poverty, ignorance, and poor health that plague most third world nations. In spite of the many problems which beset the subcontinent, there have been many fine Indian strongmen who have brought glory to the land of their birth. One of the best of these was Professor K.V. Iyer.
Professor Iyer attracted world acclaim when his photographs began appearing in British and American magazines in the mid-1930s. His physique studies were as muscular as they were dramatically posed. It was quickly obvious that Iyer possessed one of the finest, most symmetrical bodies of his generation. He was like a bronze temple God that had somehow come to life.
In his prime, Iyer was considered by several authorities to be one of the ten most perfectly developed men in the world. Although they might be judged unremarkable by contemporary standards, his measurements reveal a finely tuned, tight physique. He was 5 feet 7½ inches tall and weighed 160 pounds. He had a 44-inch chest and a 30-inch waist. His 23-inch thigh and 17½-inch biceps completed his well balanced body. Although his pictures caused an immediate sensation in the West, the Indian athlete had not shown up magically on the world stage. He had, in fact, served a long apprenticeship in his own country. He had established the Hercules Gymnasium in Bangalore City in 1935, and soon had a membership that reached several hundreds. In those days, this was the largest membership of any body building gymnasium in the world.
Professor Iyer
by David Chapman
India has an ancient tradition of strength building. On the other hand, it also has the poverty, ignorance, and poor health that plague most third world nations. In spite of the many problems which beset the subcontinent, there have been many fine Indian strongmen who have brought glory to the land of their birth. One of the best of these was Professor K.V. Iyer.
Professor Iyer attracted world acclaim when his photographs began appearing in British and American magazines in the mid-1930s. His physique studies were as muscular as they were dramatically posed. It was quickly obvious that Iyer possessed one of the finest, most symmetrical bodies of his generation. He was like a bronze temple God that had somehow come to life.
In his prime, Iyer was considered by several authorities to be one of the ten most perfectly developed men in the world. Although they might be judged unremarkable by contemporary standards, his measurements reveal a finely tuned, tight physique. He was 5 feet 7½ inches tall and weighed 160 pounds. He had a 44-inch chest and a 30-inch waist. His 23-inch thigh and 17½-inch biceps completed his well balanced body. Although his pictures caused an immediate sensation in the West, the Indian athlete had not shown up magically on the world stage. He had, in fact, served a long apprenticeship in his own country. He had established the Hercules Gymnasium in Bangalore City in 1935, and soon had a membership that reached several hundreds. In those days, this was the largest membership of any body building gymnasium in the world.
Iyer was a pioneer in other fields, too. He Initiated India's first physical culture
correspondence course which was reported
to be one of the best in the world.
Iyer was a strict vegetarian and he enjoyed explaining his nutritional theories to anyone who would listen. Like other Hindus, he refused to eat beef, but when queried on the subject of diet, he attempted to put a scientific reason behind his philosophy. The Professor's theory of nutrition proposed that meat in the diet includes too much fat and waste. Iyer suggested substituting beans or other vegetables since they contain all the protein, with none of the fat associated with meat. Despite his personal doctrines, however, Iyer never tried to impose his ideas on others. "I am not a faddist," he wrote in 1939, adding, "Tolerance is the keynote of my outlook on life and the living world around me."
Iyer was a strict vegetarian and he enjoyed explaining his nutritional theories to anyone who would listen. Like other Hindus, he refused to eat beef, but when queried on the subject of diet, he attempted to put a scientific reason behind his philosophy. The Professor's theory of nutrition proposed that meat in the diet includes too much fat and waste. Iyer suggested substituting beans or other vegetables since they contain all the protein, with none of the fat associated with meat. Despite his personal doctrines, however, Iyer never tried to impose his ideas on others. "I am not a faddist," he wrote in 1939, adding, "Tolerance is the keynote of my outlook on life and the living world around me."
