Pranam
SLATE WHY SLATE AND CHALK DISAPPEARED
In the nineteenth century, schoolchildren *used slates* to practice
handwriting and arithmetic without wasting precious paper. *Slate pencils* were
made of soapstone or softer pieces of *slate* rock, sometimes wrapped in
paper like this one. Many students remember the sound of the *slate pencil* --
like nails on a chalkboard. Eating *slate pencil* can cause abdominal pain,
nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhoea. Since it is made from the dust,
it may cause eye irritation, and isn't good for your lungs. Some kinds of
chalk may contain toxic additives. Determine and address the nutritional
deficiency that is causing you to eat chalk. KR IRS 3121
On Sun, 3 Jan 2021 at 08:56, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123 <
[email protected]> wrote:
> *MY SLATE*
>
> Dear friends,
>
> I was using slate regularly even in 1992’s while preparing for IETE
> Examination. At that time I was working as lecturer in Trivandrum Training
> center. The slate I purchased and used is safe with me along with a few
> colour slate pencils even today. The slate was very handy to make out
> drawings, write down equations while making self-preparations.
>
> While I wanted to purchase slate and asked whether it will be in
> stationary shops or small shops, my colleague intimated better in small
> shops. A good slate with frame cost me Rs 15-00 about 20 years back. Let me
> go in to interesting information about slate.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Gopala Krishnan 30-8-2010.
>
> *Re-posted on 3-1-2021 after editing and updating information. R. Gopala
> Krishnan.*
>
> 1. Para, Pana
>
> When I was sent to Mulavana variam to study after Vidyarambahm, I was
> asked to sit in Varandha and to write on sand spread in front of us. Along
> with me another three children were there. When I was able to write
> somewhat better it was time for school admission and I was admitted to
> school. I had my first slate when I started my 1st class itself. I could
> recollect my carrying slate, pencil, Mazhithandu (A tender plant on
> pressing oozing water) for cleaning and a Malayalam book. These were put in
> a bag. I am not sure whether it was LG Perumkaya sanchi.
>
> On those days Perumkaya sanchi was very common and especially with iyers.
> An iyer with his papers, food pack in Peumkaya sanchi with umbrella was
> a common scene. I could recollect every day my father taking one more
> perumkaya sanchi to bring provisional items on his return from work.
>
> I had a teacher by name karthyayani amma who taught me Para, Pana.. Easy
> letters to start with.
>
> 1.1 Slate sizes
>
> Slate used to be oblong in size about 14 inches in length and 7 inches in
> breadth. Slate stone is cut from a type of rock like marble, granite from
> Cudappah. Slate rock was mostly available in Andhra. The rock is further
> cut in to thin slabs and made to size. The plain surface is obtained by
> polishing either side. Slate used to be of about 3 mm-5mm thick. Slates
> more thick was sturdy and used to cost more. Sized slate slab had a wooden
> framing. It was very convenient to hold on the frames and write. Slightly
> smaller and bigger from the said sizes were also available.
>
> 1.2 Mazhi thundu
>
> After writing for erasing either water or a cleaning bit cloth had to be
> used or the plant Mazhi thundu. Mazhi thundu was more convenient, but its
> availability was a problem. Some used to apply saliva and teachers used to
> warn them and ensured they would well clean the slate and come next day.
>
> 1.3 Examination
>
> While studying up to 4th class examination was Semi oral. Questions will
> be asked by teacher and again repeated. The student had to answer in
> slate. After writing the answer, teacher will see each and every student,
> award marks with chalk piece on the other side of the slate. Student should
> not use chalk or erase the other side.
>
> After the examination the marks will be totaled and put by teacher with in
> a round. Total marks gained out of 50 will be indicated.
>
> Since our parents will be eager to see the marks, one furlong away we used
> to take the slate out of the bag and hold. It was interesting for us to
> show the marks to those asking the queries about exam walking in the roads.
>
> 2. Slate during B.Sc. Study
>
> Though bringing of slate to school was limited up to 4th class and all
> writing in notebooks from 5th class, slate was used in the home for study
> to write down things by most. Slates were freely available in shops till
> 1964’s when I completed my college education in Kerala. I do recollect
> the working out of so many theorems and problems in my slate during my
> college days. Paper was scarce and costly and not affordable also for rough
> works. The slate helped me to gain 100% in subsidiary Mathematics.*The
> first thing the professor told was to have a good slate at home to write
> and study.*
>
> 3. Slate pencil and slate blacking
>
> Normal slate pencil used to be grey in colour and slate used to be black
> or blackish grey in colour. On aging reading would become difficult in the
> slate. As a remedy it was a common method to rub the slate with black
> charcoal stick, and then wash. Slate will have a new appearance like a
> repainted home.
>
> Colour slate pencils started appearing. It gave more clarity but was not
> sturdy. It was more costly also. Normally for 10 Paise we could get one
> pencil on those days.
>
> 4. Cleaning the frame
>
> The wooden frame on aging use to get faded. So once a fortnight at least
> it was a practice to clean the frame, washing with Sun light soap. It used
> to give a better appearance. On those days only three soaps were common-
> Sunlight, Life Buoy and Lux along with local washing soaps.
>
> Update- Sunlight soap had disappeared from the field for very long time
> and reappeared one or two years back as seen from their advertisements.
>
> 5. Breaking of slate
>
> Since it is thin stone polished, the breaking of slate was common on
> falling down repeatedly. The frame could with stand small fallings. But 60%
> of students used to have broken slates at some parts. Affordability of
> purchasing new slate was a problem. Once the frame had damaged the survival
> of slate was limited.
>
> However it was a practice for parents to purchase new slate on reopening
> of school. Being small children most of the parents used to give new books,
> new slate, and a new shirt and nickers on school opening. If any student
> not having a new shirt and nicker, he was looked strange. I recollect
> sitting late evening to get my shirt stitched from the tailor, since he
> used to keep my items in last priority. (He knew he would get payment
> late from my father).
>
> 6. Metal slates
>
> During 1955- 60’s there was the appearance of Metal slates. In this case a
> thin metal sheet is framed and the sheet was given a colour. The sheet had
> a rough surface. This slate had the advantage of no breaking. But the
> disadvantage was after a few months erasing was felt not much effective.
> The slates almost lost market.
>
> Update- Now many merchants use that slate to display rate of vegetable,
> meat etc. They fix a hook to slate and suspend before the item. Some keep
> the slate before the item with rate.
>
> 7. Polythene /Plastic framed slates
>
> Slates with plastic and polythene frames also appeared in the market.
> These too could not make any popularity in the market. But these slates are
> available today.
>
> 8. Slate – use by others
>
> Slate was a common item among merchants for their use. They use to make
> all calculations in the slate. Till 1990’s all jewelers shops sales men had
> a slate with them. It was very handy for them to make calculations.
>
> Update- Now everywhere small computers /calculators are used
>
> Along with astrologers always a good slate was there. It was the day of
> manual calculations.
>
> 9. Big slate to write Sanku chakram.
>
> My son was admitted to 1st standard when I was in Tutucorin in 1976. I
> purchased and brought a good slate to him. He was not happy at the size. He
> started crying-“I want a big slate to write sankhu chakram”. As normal my
> wife suspected I would have purchased a smaller one to save money!!. I was
> having a hand to mouth existence on those days with meagre salary.
>
> Finally after searching all shops by her too we could get no bigger slate.
> Finally the teacher pacified him showing other smaller slates and he
> stopped crying. I felt a sigh of relief…
>
> 10. Magic slate
>
> About 2 years back my grandson through daughter brought with him a magic
> slate purchased from Dubai. It was an indispensable item with him. (Today
> too. Always he will be keeping the magic slate, write some thing or draw
> something at times. It should be by his side always. While he go to bed he
> make sure it is safely kept). He could erase by pushing a slider.
>
> The fancy of the magic slate attracted my grandson through son. You can
> write with marker, simply move a slider, it will be erased. Occasional
> cleaning with a cloth bit to remove the ink. My wife made a search and got
> one at Spencer plaza, and got him a bigger one. The smile on the face of
> the kid could not match with anything. Later I went through my credit card
> statement. The cost of magic slate was Rs1200-00.
>
> 11. Today scenario
>
> I am not sure why the slate has disappeared practically from schools. Now
> a day only Books and pen. Any type of slate is used mostly by vegetable or
> provision merchants and that too for displays. Today a child may find
> difficult to write and erase in the Traditional slate.
>
> No Jyotish too now a day use it. Local astrologers use pen and paper.
> You can see astrologers like Attukal Radha Krishnan with his latest laptop
> in Asianet TV during Anatham- Anjatham or Professor Krishna kumar too with
> similar appearance in Soorya TV in Rasi chakram with sophisticated
> software and just looking at the display answering your questions-by
> getting just date of birth and time from you.!!.
>
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