Life in India
Following graduation and her return to India, Kamala Cornelius (later Asirvatham) stayed in very close contact with her PCW friends, sending regular letters that were published in the Alumnae Recorder. These letters chart her career as a social worker and as an educator at the Women’s Christian College in Madras, at a United Free Church Mission of Scotland school in Madras, at a Hindu Girl’s School in Lucknow, and at an American Baptist Mission Girl’s High School in Nellore.
Her letters to the alumnae community describe an implementation of a class color system inspired by the class color system at Chatham, whereby graduating classes pass along their colors to a younger, sister class. She also describes establishing “girl guide companies” modeled after the Girl Scout programs in the United states.
Updates included news of her marriage to Dr. Eddy Asirvatham, the birth of four daughters, and her work at Lucknow University’s Boy’s Home.
Her letter of March 24, 1938 describes Christmas celebrations she
hosted for Lucknow University students unable to return to their homes for the holiday. She also describes her numerous social service efforts, which include teaching night school for working men and women, leading daytime classes for poor children, and supervising a social service school for Purdah women and children.
Updates in the Alumnae Recorder describer her work to co-author a cookbook for the United Provinces Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition. The cookbook, which is held in the Harvard Schlesinger Library (link here) contains examples of British, French, and Indian cuisines and provides a unique view into the intersection between colonialism and regional foodways.