A Tribute to Mr. I. P. Santiago: A Visionary Educator
​Mr. I. P. Santiago was far more than a teacher at Cathedral High School and Composite Pre University College; he was a transformative force who did not flinch from speaking truth to power. In the 1990s, while I was a student at cathedrals, he dismissed traditional pedagogy and  shone as an out-of-the-box thinker, directing his students towards a holistic and compassionate education. He viewed English literature not as a static subject, but as a living, breathing mirror to our context.
​As a post-colonial critic, he dismantled old narratives, replaced them with intellectual rigor, and encouraged his students to develop hermeneutics of suspicion. His classroom was a sanctuary for creative engagement with the world, reflecting his life as a vocal crusader for the poor, an advocate for environmental ethics and a tireless animal rights activist.
​He didn’t just teach Geography or English; he taught how to inhabit the world with creativity, conscience and courage.

Mr Santiago: may his tribe increase!

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Mr Iswara Prasad Santiago was my go-to friend, philosopher and guide. I could knock on his door any time of the day, or night, and he would make time to break down life for me. Right from martial arts, to metaphysical thought, to theology, spirituality, ecology and even love, I went to his doorstep for all my queries and he had answers for me.In life, I tried to emulate him and failed miserably. But I try…For me, there was just one Mr Santiago, but I hope and pray that the seeds he’s sown take strong root and provide the same shade, shelter, support, comfort and conscience to many a young seeker who’s trying desperately to make sense of it all.

May his tribe increase!

One July evening, when a drizzle lasted the whole day! You finished your Karate classes and waited with me for dad to pick me up. We walked around the school ground picking the smallest stone to the largest rock I could carry. You asked me to lay them from small to big and taught me the relevance of eternity, our stance and humility.

You answered my "Why's" & "Why Not's".. When we were leaving you told me for the millionth time "Don't call me Thatha and make me old" to which I replied "Okay Thatha, bye Thatha." You laughed and told my Dad, "She is a bigger rebel than you Christy!"

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My most favourite memory of us sir.

The Renaissance Guide: A Teacher Beyond Classrooms
In the quiet hum of a classroom that felt more like a universe unfolding, there stood a teacher who wove worlds together with effortless grace. He wasn’t just an educator; he was a cartographer of the soul, charting paths through English literature’s emerald hills, geography’s vast terrains, karate’s disciplined strikes, and the profound mysteries of life’s true meaning.
His English lessons breathed life into words, turning sonnets into symphonies and novels into mirrors of our hidden selves. He’d pause mid-verse, eyes sparkling, to unravel Shakespeare’s whispers or Dickinson’s defiant blooms, making us feel the pulse of human emotion in every syllable.
Then came geography, where maps became portals. With a sweep of his hand over crumpled atlases, he transported us from Bengaluru’s bustling streets to the whispering winds of the Sahara or the icy fjords of Norway. He taught us not just borders and rivers, but how the earth’s stories shape our own—lessons in resilience drawn from monsoons and migrations.
But it was on the dojo mats where his spirit truly ignited. Clad in crisp gi, he embodied karate’s poetry of power: precise katas that demanded focus, sparring that built unbreakable poise.

“Strength isn’t in the fist,” he’d say, mid-punch, “it’s in the stillness before.”

Those sessions forged not just bodies, but warriors of the will. Above all, he unveiled the meaning of life—not in grand philosophies, but in stolen moments: a shared laugh over a botched block, a quiet talk under starlit skies about dreams deferred, the courage to question and the wisdom to listen. He showed us that life is a dojo of the heart—equal parts discipline, exploration, and unyielding kindness.
 

Today, years later, his lessons echo in every page I turn, every path I tread, every stance I take. He didn’t just teach subjects; he taught us to live them.

To my teacher, the eternal sensei of the extraordinary ordinary—thank you for mapping my world.

"He Could Teach"-

There was no barriers or no breaks. Lessons to him weren't at stake. He'd grill, roast and fry; I don't mean the food- I'm talking of our minds. All in elegance and grace; He was that kind- His meekness still irreplaceable. No voice he'd raise. But walk in and conquered his space. His talent and intelligence was one of a kind.
"He knew his work, like a man that knew his machine." He'd teach in a classroom and out; with no limitations at bay- That was master Santiago, if you didn't know.
He was calm, gentle, confident and kind.
"A man with an iron body but the gentle kind."
We'd long for his class, he was just the different kind!
There was no stress or tension at the base but with curiosity and in calmness we'd engage. Waiting and watching out for Mr Santiago- He had the power to capture NOT just the space.

Our remarkable master Santiago- To Sir with Love......

Teaching Beyond Books

I still remember the first day I saw him, who knew that a frail, thin, tall, subtle, humble looking meek man would become a powerhouse of such versatile topics and experiences that shaped the present successful me, I had no clue that his words could cast such a deep impact, that I would begin to carry the weight of his teachings throughout my life, without my own knowledge.

I turned out, pretty good myself. No, I am not referring to a fancy designation or lifestyle or accolades, it's about the quality and the sensitivity towards a true and valued education, healthy lifestyle and our beautiful planet, Mother Earth, it's eco system, the flora and fauna, the world we know and it's magical reserves, the stars and skies, the very existence of life itself, from the most minute living organisms to the extinct species. Everything under the sun was up for discussion, awareness and the urge to make a difference to this world was deeply embedded. Even to this day, consciously or subconsciously, I follow his footsteps, all my actions reflect him.  Inculcating energy conservation, waste management, spreading awareness, teaching kids and gatherings are a part of my hobby today. I see him everyday in what I do. My kids and all family know him. So great was his influence on me. Well, I'm not a public figure, but in my own way I continue to thread on his path and take the road not taken.

He was my teacher, my mentor, my guiding star, my core source of inspiration, my portal to knowledge and beyond, who made imagination limitless, and every thing appear so simple and doable. He was an extremely conspicuous personality and continues to live in my head and heart.