NBGES traces its roots to 1869 with the founding of Lady Sivaswami Ayyar Girls’ School. Over the decades, new institutions were added, and the society evolved into its current form.
From a rented room in Mylapore to a legacy 150+ years strong
The Vizianagaram Maharaja’s Hindu Girls’ School was founded by His Highness Sri Vijayaram Gajapathi Maharaja of Vizianagaram in a small rented house on North Mada Street, Mylapore. Classes were held only up to Standard II.
After the school was renamed 'The Mylapore Girls' School', the committee acquired a new site. Plans were set in motion to move to its own building.
The school moved to its permanent building. It was renamed “The Vizianagaram Rani’s School”.
Taken over by Theosophical Education Trust, Dr. Annie Besant took the school under her care. Dr. Sarojini Naidu renamed it “The National Girls’ School”. The school began expanding rapidly under their guidance.
Land adjacent to the school was acquired to support growth and expansion of facilities.
1920: Recognized as Elementary School (Classes I-V)
1922: Recognized as Lower Secondary School
1924-25: Became a full-fledged High School
1926: First SSLC batch presented for exams
Note: Picture used here is from 2023 and has been changed to B/W to depict event thematically for this timeline.
Management Transferred to Sir P. S. Sivaswami Ayyar. A new committee was formed under his presidency. The school received a renewed vision and direction.
The society was registered as “The National Girls’ Education Society” under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 on 24th November 1930.
Sir P. S. Sivaswami Ayyar sold his own residence 'Sudharma' to fund the school and lived in a modest rented house thereafter. To honour Sir Sivaswami and his wife Smt. Kalyani Sivaswami Ayyar, the school was renamed after them as “Lady Sivaswami Ayyar Girls’ High School”.
The retired headmaster of Hindu Theological High School Sri K. Rangaswami Aiyangar joined the management, introducing methods that balanced academics with co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, while fostering a culture of self-discipline.
The school launched a free mid-day meal program, ensuring students had access to healthy food.
Note: Picture used here is from 2026 and has been changed to B/W to depict event thematically for this timeline.
A free medical aid initiative was introduced, providing healthcare support to students in need.
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, President of India, laid the foundation stone for the Sir P. S. Sivaswami Ayyar Birth Centenary Memorial Building.
To mark the occasion of the birth centenary of Sir P.S.Sivaswami Ayyar, sheds of the primary section were replaced with a new building named “Sudharma.”
A commemorative pillar 'Jayasthambham' was installed and inaugurated by Sri P. Raju, great-great-grandson of the founder, celebrating 100 years of the school.
The Teachers’ Union, in honour of retiring Headmistress Smt. S. Chellam, founded Chellammal Bala Vidyalaya and handed its management to the Chellammal Education Society. She continued to serve as Secretary.
Lady Sivaswami Ayyar Girls’ School was upgraded to a Higher Secondary School.
On Sir Sivaswami Ayyar’s 125th birth anniversary, a new co-educational CBSE school – Sir Sivaswami Kalalaya Senior Secondary School – was established in ‘Sudharma’. The society was renamed The National Boys’ and Girls’ Education Society.
Sir Sivaswami Kalalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School opened at West Circular Road, Mandaveli for classes 11 and 12 and was located there till it was shifted to it current location at East Mada Street.
To support expansion of lower classes, the Matriculation school was shifted near Lady Sivaswami School.
The previous SSK Matric campus at Mandaveli was transformed into the Radha Swamy Centre of Excellence on December 5, 2022, and was inaugurated by Governor R. N. Ravi. The facility utilises its multiple floors for various activities, including Indic games, table tennis, an auditorium, and special training classes.
We celebrated the Silver Jubilee of Sir Sivaswami Kalalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School.
The Vizianagaram Maharaja’s Hindu Girls’ School was founded by His Highness Sri Vijayaram Gajapathi Maharaja of Vizianagaram in a small rented house on North Mada Street, Mylapore. Classes were held only up to Standard II.
After the school was renamed 'The Mylapore Girls' School', the committee acquired a new site. Plans were set in motion to move to its own building.
The school moved to its permanent building. It was renamed “The Vizianagaram Rani’s School”.
Taken over by Theosophical Education Trust, Dr. Annie Besant took the school under her care. Dr. Sarojini Naidu renamed it “The National Girls’ School”. The school began expanding rapidly under their guidance.
Land adjacent to the school was acquired to support growth and expansion of facilities.
1920: Recognized as Elementary School (Classes I-V)
1922: Recognized as Lower Secondary School
1924-25: Became a full-fledged High School
1926: First SSLC batch presented for exams
Note: Picture used here is from 2023 and has been changed to B/W to depict event thematically for this timeline.
Management Transferred to Sir P. S. Sivaswami Ayyar. A new committee was formed under his presidency. The school received a renewed vision and direction.
The society was registered as “The National Girls’ Education Society” under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 on 24th November 1930.
Sir P. S. Sivaswami Ayyar sold his own residence 'Sudharma' to fund the school and lived in a modest rented house thereafter. To honour Sir Sivaswami and his wife Smt. Kalyani Sivaswami Ayyar, the school was renamed after them as “Lady Sivaswami Ayyar Girls’ High School”.
The retired headmaster of Hindu Theological High School Sri K. Rangaswami Aiyangar joined the management, introducing methods that balanced academics with co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, while fostering a culture of self-discipline.
The school launched a free mid-day meal program, ensuring students had access to healthy food.
Note: Picture used here is from 2026 and has been changed to B/W to depict event thematically for this timeline.
A free medical aid initiative was introduced, providing healthcare support to students in need.
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, President of India, laid the foundation stone for the Sir P. S. Sivaswami Ayyar Birth Centenary Memorial Building.
To mark the occasion of the birth centenary of Sir P.S.Sivaswami Ayyar, sheds of the primary section were replaced with a new building named “Sudharma.”
A commemorative pillar 'Jayasthambham' was installed and inaugurated by Sri P. Raju, great-great-grandson of the founder, celebrating 100 years of the school.
The Teachers’ Union, in honour of retiring Headmistress Smt. S. Chellam, founded Chellammal Bala Vidyalaya and handed its management to the Chellammal Education Society. She continued to serve as Secretary.
Lady Sivaswami Ayyar Girls’ School was upgraded to a Higher Secondary School.
On Sir Sivaswami Ayyar’s 125th birth anniversary, a new co-educational CBSE school – Sir Sivaswami Kalalaya Senior Secondary School – was established in ‘Sudharma’. The society was renamed The National Boys’ and Girls’ Education Society.
Sir Sivaswami Kalalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School opened at West Circular Road, Mandaveli for classes 11 and 12 and was located there till it was shifted to it's current location at East Mada Street.
To support expansion of lower classes, the Matriculation school was shifted near Lady Sivaswami School.
The previous SSK Matric campus at Mandaveli was transformed into the Radha Swamy Centre of Excellence on December 5, 2022, and was inaugurated by Governor R. N. Ravi. The facility utilises its multiple floors for various activities, including Indic games, table tennis, an auditorium, and special training classes.
We celebrated the Silver Jubilee of Sir Sivaswami Kalalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School.