Alasinga Perumal, M. C. (1865-1909)—Professor Mandam Chakravarty Alasinga Perumal, South Indian Brahmin youth, ardent devotee of Swami Vivekananda and one of the principal organizers of his trip to Chicago who safeguarded the interest of Swamiji’s work in South India. Born at Chikmagalur in Mysore in a Vaishnava family, son of Narsimhacharya. Graduated from Madras Christian College and studied law for some time. At first Headmaster of a school, then professor of Science at Pachaiyappa’s College. His family constituted of his parents, wife and four children. Met Swamiji at Manmathanath Bhattacharya’s house at Mylapore (December 1892). From his uncle Parthasarathy Iyengar (connected with the Hindu League in America) he learned of the imminent Parliament of Religions at Chicago and moved heaven and earth to send Swamiji there to represent Hinduism. President of the committee formed by the South Indian devotees to raise funds for the purpose, Alasinga had gone to Bombay to see Swamiji off (May 1893) and had boarded the ship along with Jagmohan. Initiated all the activities in support of Swamiji in South India. Swamiji maintained a regular correspondence with him from America, enthusing him to undertake various activities, instructing him and keeping him abreast of his own movements. These letters form a substantial part of Swamiji’s correspondence, famed for its literary flavour. Alasinga was the editor of the fortnightly English journal Brahmavadin published from Madras with motivation and financial assistance from Swamiji. Alasinga displayed a fine, realistic approach in forming the committee of distinguished persons from all walks of life who were to receive Swamiji on his return to Madras from America in 1897. At that time he accompanied Swamiji to Alambazar Math and went to Darjeeling with him. On Swamiji’s second trip to America, Alasinga met the ship at Madras port, but unable to discuss with Swamiji matters pertaining to projects then under way, travelled with him up to Colombo. Swamiji’s comments: “Alasinga had hurriedly bought a ticket and boarded the ship barefooted. He says he wears shoes now and then…. Alasinga, the editor of the Brahmavadin, who is a Mysore Brahmin of the Ramanuja sect, having a fondness for rasam, with shaven head and forehead overspread with the caste-mark of the Tengale sect, has brought with him with great care, as his provision for the voyage, two small bundles, in one of which there is fried flattened rice, and in another popped rice and fried peas! His idea is to live upon these during the voyage to Ceylon, so that his caste may remain intact…. However, one rarely finds men like our Alasinga in this world—one so unselfish, so hard-working and devoted to his Guru, and such an obedient disciple is indeed very rare on earth…” (Life, Vol. I. pp. 333-34). Swamiji used to call him “Achinga” affectionately. He was also fond of M. C. Krishnamachar, younger brother of Alasinga, whom he called “Chichinga”. Alasinga died of cancer on 11.5.1909.