Professor Mahendra Pal Singh, a distinguished legal scholar and authority on constitutional law, passed away on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Respected in India and abroad as a teacher of repute, his pioneering contributions in the field of legal theory have inspired new generations of legal scholars and practitioners. He believed in fraternity and community as a way of developing contextual understandings of law in practice, as opposed to transplanted approaches.Professor Singh’s explorations in the field of law and social inequality have helped develop newer understandings in a multidisciplinary manner. He held distinguished positions in legal academia, including Professor Emeritus at Delhi University, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Delhi University, Vice Chancellor of NUJS Kolkata, and visiting professorships in many universities abroad. His passing marks the end of an era in Indian legal scholarship, just as his life is a celebration of the quiet joys of teaching and research.In memory of my teacher, Prof M.P. Singh, I have penned this poem to celebrate his life and the generations of students he inspired.The Man who knew DignityHe stood tall and knew the value of dignityAsking us to remember this is a poor countrySpeaking of equality like a companionSaying liberty is not enoughIf we do not care about who gets what.Quoting Ambedkar, but diving deeperInto texts which stressed substantive equalityAnd not just the formal right to vote.He wore a stately grace, and smiled often.Of mild manners, and his voice never roseBeyond the furthest bench.Once in a class of one, he saw the empty seatsThe one student in front with book openAnd carried on from the previous day’s lessonWithout a word of regret.He liked comparing legal traditions – civil and common lawWere just different ways to find justice.Law is experience not logic and there is more to itThan just a bundle of cases.In later years he read poetry, appreciated musicAnd told me my work weighed more than a thesis.He listened to the birds of his village homeWhere he returned, once class was over.A school for the future, where girls are free to dreamA winter sun scattering the light of things to come.The light in the text a single word, in the word a thoughtIn the thought a feeling that comes to his table late at nightWhen the stars are sleeping.And remembering that feeling in the morningWhen the students are back in class.(for Prof M.P. Singh)