Dr. B.K. Khadabadi
Some Glimpses Of His Personal Life
When I joined the Rajaram College, in June, 1947, Dr. Upadhye stayed in the decent and sufficiently large quarters of the Superintendent of the Jaina Boarding (it was just a hostel) situated on the western side of the compound of the Boarding. For many years he resided there only and supervised the affairs of the institution run by the local Jain Society. On the upper story of the building were housed his personal library and study room, well set in a single large hall and a small room attached to the hall. He spent most of his leisure time there only, engaged in study and research. He had a large British model seesam-wood table, which appeared prominent with several books and files piled up on it. To the left side of that table, on another small table there was a typewriter and to the right side of the same big table there was an easy chair. The small room attached to the hall was used by him for rest and relaxation.
If somebody came to see Dr. Upadhye, he or she was instructed by one of his members to go upstairs. When one entered the hall, he would see there a gentle person with rather bulky body, with half bald head, black frame specs, white shirt (with loose sleeves) and Dhoti, absorbed in reading or writing. He used to welcome the visitor with a sweet smile, ask him to take a seat on one of the three or four chairs neatly kept on the front side of his study-table, talked with him or her on the required subject in a soft voice and sent him back with a smile and raised hand. This system continued even when he later shifted to the rented spacious Lingraj building near the Shahu Cloth Mill in the Rajarampuri and permanently settled in his own residence named 'Dhavala' built just a few years earlier to his retirement from the Rajaram College.
He got up early in the morning and attended to his studies and research. Between 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. he took a round in the compound of the boarding, met and talked with the intending students, came back, had his food and by 10.40 a.m. he, duly dressed in full suit, moved to the college on his bicycle.
After returning from the college between 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dr. Upadhye used to have some rest, chit-chat with his children and family members, sat with his mother enquiring about her health and requirements etc., had his food before the sun-set and moved out. At this time he had altogether different dress: white dhoti, shirt, black long coat with close-collar, black broad cap, specs and a walking stick. Starting from his residence, he moved about in the compound of the Boarding, talked smilingly with the wishing students. Then he straight way had a walk upto the Jina Temple in Shahapuri - covering a distance of about half a kilometre. There he offered prayers, talked with the co-devotees and went to the nearby shop of Shri Shantinath Patne, one of his intimate friends in Kolhapur. There he spent some time in stray chit-chats, discussions on socio-economic matters etc. and returned home by 7.30 p.m. Then again he entered his study room and merged himself in his usual work until it was time to go to bed.
Dr. Upadhye lived a simple, calm and contented happy life with his medium sized family consisting of his old mother, becomingly gentle natured wife, three sons and a daughter. He ever extended deep respect to his mother and unassuming love, affection and care to others. As the children had their education in Marathi medium, at home both Kannada and Marathi languages were used and with outsiders they all spoke in their respective languages. As I was staying in the Chitradurga Boarding (also a hostel) which was near the Jaina Boarding and was reading in the Rajaram College with Prakrit (Ardhamagadhi) as my favourite subject. I often used to go to Dr. Upadhye at his residence and, hence, was well acquainted with all his family members. Even after I came to Dharwad, I often used to visit Kolhapur and to go to his Lingraj Building residence at Rajarampuri and his 'Dhavala' residence, for his guidance for my Ph.D. studies and other research problems. Hence, I had several opportunities to know many things in his personal routine life.
Three or four great qualities of Dr. Upadhye had very much impressed on me; his deep love for and devotion to his mother, his firm faith in the Jina, his punctual dedication to study and research in his field and pure, contented and regular life in general. He took personal care of his mother's health and well-being. Whenever he was to go out of station, he offered his pranamas touching her feet. Visiting the Jina temple for prayer every evening also provided him with light exercise, opportunity to meet friends and refresh his mind. Contentment and punctuality in all walks of life, dedication to his work etc. had made his life pure, happy and ideal in others eye.
Dr. Upadhye's routine life in the college also had its own peculiarities. He looked like a true Professor with impressive personality almost like the one of Dr. C.V. Raman, the great scientist and Noble Prize Winner. Anybody could be impressed by his personality with rather bulky body, blackish colour, prominent nose, neatly dressed full suit together with a jacket, well-polished black shoes and white North Karnatak type of turban. In those days the Rajaram Arts College was housed in the beautiful old Palace in the heart of the city. While in the staff room situated on the first floor and facing the central hall, other members of the staff treated him quite respectfully and honoured his seniority. During leisure period he spent time mostly with Prof. K. G. Kundangar, another senior member of the staff and Professor of Kannada and during tea time he talked and discussed with the Principal sitting by his side. Another Professor of Prakrit, Dr. A.M. Ghatge, often came to Dr. Upadhye and talked and discussed with him. If any student waited at the door of the staff room intending to see him, he immediately came out, stood in the corridor, smilingly listened to the student's difficulties or problems, sympathetically suggested solutions and sent him back satisfied. He took his classes punctually, finished his teaching work of the day, moved to the college library, unloaded his leather bag packed with books, put in it freshly selected books, came out, hanged the bag to the handle of his bicycle and slowly moved homewards between 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. This was all the outward picture of his college routine life.
