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Vol. XVII No. 07 MUSINGS July 16-31, 2007 Turbulence ahead – in the murky waters of the ? (by A Staff Reporter) atters in the Adyar Creek Matters took a sudden turn “Can you please stop honking Marea once again appear to last month when the Govern- now? We are inside our compound!” be heading for a confrontation ment requested the Court to between the Government and permit the recognition of the Sound sense environmentalists. TNUIFL as the agency for the A traffic signal. To recap, the conversion of development of the Park and The digital clock changes shape the wetland area had been chal- that it must also be allowed to every second. lenged by the Consumer Action select the consultants respon- 40 seconds 30 seconds Group (CAG) in the Court dur- sible for the work. It also re- then, 25 seconds (seconds, ing the building of the quested that the TNUIFL be al- mind you) to go. Ambedkar Memorial and, in lowed to reconstruct any build- And the horns begin to blare. 2000, the High Court had ing within the Adyar Creek and Loud, intrusive – and senseless. directed the State Government Estuary. The CAG has ques- These horn-blowers seem to to preserve the wetland. On think that if they don’t raise December 22, 2003 the State (Continued on page 2) A part of the Adyar Creek. hell, the drivers up ahead will Government handed over 58 drift into deep, poetic slum- acres of this wetland to the ber. Traffic signals are per- city’s Corporation to develop an fect, right? To park and think eco park modelled on Tezo- long, beautiful thoughts? Northward Ho! zomac of Mexico. The budget The noise-obsessed are obvi- ously VVIPs in a great hurry, for creating the park, Rs. 60 for whom concepts like cour- crore, was passed in 2005. New development planned in tesy, queues, and signals are In 2006, the Tamil Nadu Ur- akin to dust. ban Infrastructure Financial a long-forgotten part of Chennai They should consider helicop- Services Limited (TNUIFL) ters then, or really large car- was appointed the co- fter rapid, completely (By A Special ever, expected that the accom- rier pigeons. ordinating agency and an Adyar Achaotic and somewhat un- Correspondent) modation that will come up Agreed, there are tense mo- Poonga Trust was set up in No- planned development in other here will be for the lower to ments when a warning blast vember 2006 with the Chief parts of the city, resulting in cially for those who commute to middle income groups, with the helps avoid unpleasantness. Secretary as the Chairman, and But most vehicle-users have skyrocketing land costs, it is the city on a daily basis. target segment being the blue Secretaries of Highways, For- now the turn of . THIRDLY, with the ring collar workers of the industrial a “Have Horn, Will Use” ests, Fisheries, Municipal Ad- philosophy unique unto Reports speak of two massive road planned to run very close belt. Plots of 1800 to 2400 sq. themselves. ministration & Water Supply, investments in land by property to these areas, commuting by feet, which can accommodate How else do you explain horns and Finance as members. Ironi- developers in Gummidipoondi, other modes will also be easier. houses of 750 sq. ft, are ex- going on on empty roads? Or cally, many of the members of and surrounding areas. In addition, there is a National pected to sell at Rs. 15 to 20 insistent cacophony when the Trust were those who had Parcels of land in Tiruvotriyur Highway very close by. lakh. the vehicle ahead has obvi- appeared for the Government and Manali are also reportedly LASTLY, North Chennai With large-scale develop- ously slowed, or halted, for a when the CAG had challenged being looked at. has gained attention with major ment like this, it is expected that good reason? Or someone its actions in Court. CAG was The logic behind these projects being announced, in- North Chennai will soon be- who honks at you when you not made part of the body. The moves is that there are a num- cluding the SEZ, come attractive to multiplexes are nowhere near his vehicle, Trust brought in consultants ber of pluses in looking at resi- Ennore Port expansion, and an and malls. It must be remem- and are, actually, proceeding from Auroville as advisers. in a different direction? dential development in these India-Singapore economic zone bered that North Chennai has Environmentalists have all areas. for investors from Singapore. already got a rich selection of Those vehicles with those along questioned how only 58 cheerful “Sound Horn” mes- FIRSTLY, property prices In a reversal of logic to the schools and, so, education, sages on their behinds cer- acres of the Creek could be re- are still relatively low and, Hosur experiment, where an in- which is an important deciding tainly have a mass following. stored without linking such res- therefore, it is possible to pur- dustrial township was set up factor when it comes to choice of If only various car manufactur- toration with the preservation chase land at around Rs. 35 to close to so that housing, is already taken care of. ers would take horn use in of the entire riverine system. Rs. 40 lakh an acre in Gummidi- people living in that city could Experts on environment and this country into account, In 2007/8, an increased bud- poondi, and around Rs. 1.5 commute easily to work, the some city planners, however, with a little thought and co- get, of Rs. 100 crore, was passed crore an acre near Minjur in developers here feel that the view all this as a mixed blessing. operation between them, the for the work. The same amount North Chennai. Compare this proximity to Andhra Pradesh’s They feel that it is not correct vehicles could create grand was allocated the previous year with prices which are ten times Tada, where Special Economic to refer to the recent plans of symphonies on the roads. as well and it is not clear as to these values in other parts of the Zones and industrial projects developers as North Chennai - And we shall have music wher- how much of it was spent and are coming up, would make resi- ever we go. city. based projects. The very defini- on what activities concerning SECONDLY, this area is dential properties in North Ranjitha Ashok the eco-park. well connected by rail, espe- Chennai attractive. It is, how- (Continued on page 2)

CMYK 2 July 16-31, 2007 Turbulence ahead? (Continued from page 1) vagueness of the definition that Celebrations – the TNEB way is causing concern. tioned these moves of the aking a cue from the tures. Then it claimed that it searching questions about par- Government. Madras Musings learns that TNUIFL is very keen to put TState’s political leadership, was unable to find any agency ents, children, marriages etc at The TNUIFL is a financial the Tamil Nadu Electricity keen on taking up the demoli- the first meeting itself. Yet an- into action what it feels are the Board decided to celebrate its tion. This, as The Man from other problem is lack of aware- and largely facilitating organi- right steps to develop the area. sation. What are its capabilities golden jubilee according to cur- Madras Musings once noted, in ness of such products as de- The consultant from Auroville, rent norms. Huge synthetic a city where there are enter- odorants and breath freshen- in developing an ecological whose initial mandate was to park? The earlier understanding banners stretched across prises that are advertising ers. There is also the problem come up with a master plan for hastily erected casuarina scaf- themselves as experts in bring- of bringing in heavily spiced was that the Chennai Corpora- development which could then foldings came up outside every ing down buildings within 48 food for lunch which, in a tion would be doing this work. be defined in a bid for tender TNEB office in Madras that is hours! The latest excuse, how- closed office, leaves behind a It is not clear as to what has from interested parties, has Chennai. The Man from Ma- ever, takes the cake. Appar- lingering smell. A lot of train- brought about this attempt to been asked to “demonstrate” dras Musings noticed that these ently, all these buildings are ing time is spent in handling transfer its mandate to the steps by means of planting of obstructed sidewalks, blocked now fully occupied and so it has these issues. If Indians over- TNUIFL. traffic lights, and tilted alarm- become difficult to demolish come these habits, said the saplings, laying of electricity ingly on to the roads – just as them! speaker, they would have come Secondly, the terms of refer- lines, building accommodation political party banners do. What was the CMDA doing a long way. But do we want to? ence regarding the “reconstruc- for workers who will develop There were photographs of when building permissions Is a rasam in Madras not worth tion of any building” in the area the park, and fencing off the leaders and a line or two on were applied for, when permis- more than a ravioli in New are very vague. The Govern- area under water to prevent ac- whatever had been achieved in sion was granted, when con- York? ment has not specified what is cess to buffaloes. The CAG the past 50 years. struction went on and, finally, meant by area. Is it the 58 acres feels that this will create an in- The TNEB is usually a mod- when occupants moved in? Presidential polls planned for development or is it built bias in favour of the con- est organisation (with much to Was it watching lamely or was he Man from Madras the entire Creek area? Environ- sultant when it comes to the fi- be modest about?), but this it turning a blind eye? MMM T mentalists are concerned that if time it decided to splurge. wonders if CMDA stands for Musings should be par- nal tendering process. The ab- doned for thinking that it was it means the latter, then it could There were full page advertise- Chennai’s Most Debilitated sence of the promised master ments and a slew of power Authority. an assembly election. At least open an entire Pandora’s Box, plan is also puzzling. The CAG projects was announced, which one of the candidates has added for the area will then include is clear that the Court has not is to be welcomed as the load- Building safety to the medley of posters, hoard- the fishing hamlet of Srini- asked for any development and shedding that goes on in the ings and banners that are al- vasapuram. It is a well known has only ordered the preserva- districts is truly alarming. This ith the real estate ready blighting the city. To add fact that this area is being tion. This only requires defini- apparently is not owing to lack W boom on, all kinds of to the verisimilitude, there was viewed as prime real estate and tion of the year of reference and of power generation but due to new business opportunities a political rally as well, with the have sprung up. A colleague of public being asked to answer there have been attempts in the if that is clear, then the Govern- terrible transmission losses past, especially in 2002/3, to against which consumers are The Man from Madras Musings, boldly as to whom they would ment only needs to restore the a possessor of a mobile phone, like to see seated in the old “Shanghai” it into a modern not guaranteed in any way. area to the status in which it was MMM, who had hoped that the Viceregal chair. downtown with highrises, malls in that year. This could at the jubilee would witness some This being a rally of the gen- and the rest – which is already most mean minimum work and soul-searching and also arrival tler sex, there was a lot less hul- happening in a nearby area that not on the mammoth scale in of plans to plug loopholes, was SHORT labaloo, less lumpenism, and was one part of the proposed which the Government feels it disappointed. ’N’ less traffic hurdles. But what Adyar Sanctuary. needs to do things. If that was not enough, what was amusing was that many of Environmentalists feel that The Court has posted the was done to the rather charm- SNAPPY those who had ostensibly matter for hearing on August ing but battered façade of the “come on their own to the city any permission to develop or re- to participate in the rally” had 2nd and has asked the Govern- TNEB station on Nungam- construct must be viewed bakkam High Road was truly no clue as to why they had against this backdrop and ment to submit its total plan tragic. Most of the art deco recently received this sms: come. MMM, who spoke to guidelines on what is permis- before hearing the case. Matters ornamentation was scraped out “Have u ever diagnose ur build- some of the participants, was sible must be clearly notified. rest there as of now. and the usual coat of cream ing 4 safe? we do by Non-De- tickled pink when one of the The ambitions of the Govern- Worldwide, it has generally paint was covered with a structive Test also building ma- respondents said she had come ment with respect to the area been the practice to leave re- chocolate brown which has terial testing. Call ——” to vote for the President! are vaguely stated and perhaps serve forests and natural habitats made the building completely Now, is this not directly it feels that it is best to keep alone without any reconstruc- drab. Of course, it was illumi- working against the interests of Chennai on top those who are experts in de- them that way so that interpre- tion or development to suit ur- nated for a few days with serial lights, even as a banner erected molishing any building within et another first for the tations can be made depending ban aesthetics. Wetland experts 48 hours? What happens in a Ycity! And one for which it have opined that re-establishing across the entrance swayed to on commercial reality rather and fro threatening to fall on city like ours where any heri- has long worked! Something than environmental concern. the interface between the Creek passing vehicles. Similar was tage building is first declared that its citizens have contrib- To give the Government the and the estuary/sea is of prime the fate of the TNEB office on unsafe and then demolished? uted to and for which they have benefit of doubt, by the term ‘re- importance, as also removing Westcott Road, another 1950s Also, is any building in the city a natural aptitude! Amazingly, construction’ it could simply debris and pollutants. Grandiose building with a simple architec- safe, when its real value is only even the politicians and gov- have meant the old fisheries reconstruction plans for what ture. The TNEB office in when it is razed to the ground ernment officials have played a building which it planned to Nature has wrought appear to be (the old tramshed) and the land sold to developers? role in this success! What is more, it looks like no other city convert into an information most unnecessary, according to went a step further. Having And, again, how does this agency diagnose a building 4, can hope to achieve anything centre. However, it is the the environmentalists. painted its compound walls in cream and ochre and put up er... for safe? Is it safety from even remotely like what we notices discouraging the stick- neglect? Or from land sharks? have. Even that upstart on the ing of bills, it went on to paste Or from the fire that suddenly same latitude, Bangalore, can NORTHWARD HO! sweeps through old buildings in only look on in envy. And (Continued from page 1) its own posters lauding those in oping, according to these power and commending the the city? MMM is curious to when The Man from Madras tion of North Chennai, accord- sources. Board’s performance! With know more, but not through Musings realised that this ing to them, is vague in CMDA Experts are also concerned this being one of the few long sms; MMM doesn’t have a mo- unique honour has come just as records, for it includes every- about the environmental im- stretches of compound wall on bile phone. Madras Week is around the thing from Red Hills to the pact of such development. The this road, it is used as a urinal corner, words failed him. by passers-by and, soon, MMM Passage from India The truth is this. MMM was High Road to areas in which these projects are recently with a visitor from and . All being planned are really fertile feels, the wall will go back to its old colours. he Man from Madras abroad. This man (the visitor these areas, according to them, land and it will be a pity if these T Musings recently attended and not The Man from Madras strictly constitute what should are consumed by real estate Pleading inability a programme where the chief Musings) had recently been to be designated Northwest greed. They also question the speaker was the head honcho several cities in India and his Chennai, and the area that de- absence of any planned deve- hat is what the Chennai of an organisation that helps last stop was Madras that is serves being referred to as lopment in these areas and the TMetropolitan Develop- expatriates adjust to India and, Chennai. MMM naturally North Chennai is really George lack of safeguards for environ- ment Authority appears to be in a sense, therefore, asked him about his views on expert at. Earlier, it pleaded in- tropicalises them. What was the cities he had seen. The visi- Town, and their ment in what is already a con- ability to demolish illegal struc- environs. Here property devel- siderably polluted area. more interesting to MMM, tor immediately said that there tures in the city as there was a however, was the training that was one aspect in which opment has simply not taken North Chennai and its envi- court stay. When that was va- is given to Indians going Chennai stood out and that was place and land values continue rons have always been victims cated, it pleaded inability owing abroad. Apparently, according traffic INDISCIPLINE! Aha! to remain low. Very poor plan- of haphazard development. to threats by those in occupa- to the honcho, Indians get too What an honour! ning and a complete lack of Will the pressure on real estate tion when the CMDA’s team personal upfront and ask their civic maintenance are the only add to this chaos? Only went to demolish the struc- overseas colleagues all kinds of – MMM causes for these areas not devel- time will tell. July 16-31, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

l Elliot’s Beach Asking for answers oncerned about the plans of Chennai However, what is gratifying is that the whole CCorporation to implement the beautifica- project is only in the planning stage as yet, Sinned against and made long for the ‘good old tion project in Elliot’s Beach, I sent a letter to though it is stated that the Government Order Chennai Corporation expressing my apprehen- has been issued. n flight behaviour – Indian days’ when such erudite scholar-writers were making our sions about the project. Since the scheme is under the planning ‘I style’ (MM, June 1st) was As no acknowledgement or reply was re- stage only, necessary corrective steps can still good reading with most of what lives more worthwhile. They ceived from the Corporation, I sought specific be taken on the project. is stated being true. But there not only wrote humorously but information about the Elliot’s Beach beautifi- Perhaps, the Corporation should also recon- are other things too that airlines also inculcated in us the good cation project from the Corporation under the sider whether this project is necessary at all. should look into. values of life by portraying the Right to Information Act. Many persons think that what is required is All the airlines, in their de- characters in a good light. The Corporation has now provided a reply only a clean beach, which would then give it to me. From the reply it is clear that Corpora- back its original beauty. On the other hand, any sire to earn more revenue, have The heroine of Pratapa Mudaliar Charitram, Gananam- tion has not carried out any study on the pre- attempt to beautify Nature would be futile. arranged seats in the most vailing practices in developed countries or else- Chennai Corporation should seek more cramped manner possible, caus- bal, was an epitome of woman- hood and a role-model. Those where on beautifying a beach. Such a study consultations by appointing an expert commit- ing great discomfort. Passengers would have enabled the Corporation to learn tee immediately, including environmentalists in the window seats cause harm who read this book would try to from earlier experiences. Obviously, the Cor- in it. The project should be redesigned based to the knees of the passengers emulate the example set by this poration is going ahead with the project in its on the recommendations of the committee, and next to them every time they character. Similarly, S.V.V., own way, without conducting any study from not as a political and bureaucratic exercise. who wrote in , was move out of their seats. the point of view of ecology or public percep- N.S. Venkataraman persuaded by S.S. Vasan and tions or based on the experience of any other Many of the air hostesses or M-60/1, 4th Cross Street stewards in several of the air- Kalki to write for Vikatan. country (particularly developed countries). It has also not carried out any Environmental Besant Nagar, Chennai 600 090 lines seldom smile and are usu- S.V.V’s stories were not only value-based, packed with Impact Assessment Study. P.S.: Some of the information sought (I) ally very curt in their answers to Further, it is strange to hear from the Cor- and responses given (R) were: queries by the passengers. The humour, but also gave an in- sight into the lifestyle of earlier poration that there is no need to get any con- I. What is the estimated cost of the project? quality of the food served is also sent from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control R. This project is in planning and investiga- not upto the mark. generation. In his book Gopalan Board for the project. This does not seem cor- tion stage. Estimates will be prepared after The chaos at Chennai air- I.C.S. he brought out the es- rect to me, since there are apprehensions that finalisation of plans. port is not because of the pas- sence of the Gita, besides giving the beautification of the beach may cause an us an excellent story. Readers I. Has the project work commenced? sengers but due to the lack of in- ecological imbalance in several ways. It would R. It is in the planning stage. frastructure and the very few cannot but feel most nostalgic be better for the Corporation to get consent about the olden days, especially from the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, I. What is the present state of the project? immigration counters. The han- as the TNPCB is a statutory body of the Gov- R. Surveying and preparation of plans are in dling of the baggage is when he describes vividly life in the area, which was ernment of Tamil Nadu and has knowledge and progress. heartrending, especially to expertise in the field. once a ‘retired men’s paradise’. I. If consultative meetings with the public have those who are using new suit- With regard to the consultative process with taken place, please let me know as to how cases. How peaceful and pleasant life the residents of Chennai, the Corporation says many persons participated in the meetings was then! Even after Kalki that it conducted two meetings but is unable The time differences for in- other than the officials? started his own magazine, to indicate how many members of the public ternational travellers naturally R. Exact number of persons is not known, but S.V.V. continued to write for actually participated in the meetings. I under- leads to sleeplessness and irrita- many persons have participated. tion. The passengers are more Vikatan only. stand that the meetings were not adequately sinned against than sinning. T.K.C’s Kambar Tharum publicised beforehand and only a few people I. What are expected benefits of the project? Kaatchi, serialised in Kalki, was attended. Many of those sitting in the meetings R. Facilities like modern conveniences, G.V. Raman a very lucid exposition, of were officials. Further, several letters sent to children’s playfields, and parks etc. are Executive Chairman Kambar Ramayanam. Rajaji’s Corporation on this issue from the public have some of the benefits to the users of the Shriram Group Companies Chakravarthi Thirumagan and not been acknowledged or replied to. Beach. Mookambika Complex Mahabaratam are all in very No. 4, Lady Desika Road simple language, as he meant vague memory that he also writers among lawyers (MM, Ve. Narayanan (F/o Sruti N. Chennai 600 004 them for children. How nice wrote some skits, perhaps in En- June 1st), how is it that he for- Pattabhiraman) has rendered Good old writing would it be if the present gen- glish. got to mention K. Chandra- invaluable service to the cause eration is exposed to these writ- When you think of P.N. sekharan (Sahrudaya) who of Tamil and Sanskrit through eader M.R. Pillai’s ings! Appuswamy Iyer, S. Vaiyapuri wrote beautiful stories/articles his work like Sri Vishnu Rilluminating letter ‘Tamil Pillai’s name automatically in Tamil, and Y. Mahalinga Sahasranama-Saankera Bhashya writers among lawyers’ (MM, T.M. Sundararaman comes to mind, as they both col- Sastri of the lineage of Appayya in lucid Tamil. There may be June, 1st) stirred old memories 19, Nallapan Street laborated in their writings. Dikshitar, well-known for his still many more writers among , Chennai 600 004 Vaiyapuri Pillai was also a quali- unoftending, soft humour. And lawyers unknown to the present fied lawyer, but devoted most of then there was N. Raghunatha Tamil literary world. READABILITY Those lawyer-writers–I Iyer who adorned the editorial his time to producing the Tamil S.N. Dikshit PLEASE desk of The Hindu for four de- n ‘Tamil writers among Lexicon while serving in the Sri Kamakoti cades. His Rasikanin Kathaigal- Dear Readers, Ilawyers’ (MM, June 1st), in the 29-30, Akshaya Colony there is a very minor but factual Tamil Department. Katturaigal are a feast to any av- Padi, Chennai 600 050 As letters from readers increase, error. V.C. Gopalaratnam, the In recent times, ‘Cho’ erage Tanjorian even today. we are receiving more and more eminent lawyer, was not only an Ramaswamy who, happily, hand written letters, many of them amateur actor but also a drama- amongst us, is well-known for in a hand so small and illegible or tist whose forte was hilarious his thought-provoking satirical large and scrawled as to be comedy. The humorous play Our Addresses unreadable. Often this leads to our plays. He also happens to be a discarding a letter, particularly if written by him and cited by lawyer, though more devoted to reader Pillai was not For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, non-receipt of receipts some part of it is unreadable. writing for and editing Thuglak. etc.: Chennai Heritage, 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, West Cott Road, Sattampillai, Sub-Assistant Mag- There may be many more If you wish us to consider your let- Royapettah Chennai 600 014. ter for publication, please type it istrate but Sultanpet Sub-Assis- lawyers-turned writers and I with enough space between lines or tant Magistrate. I am not sure look forward to more informa- For non-receipt of copies, change of address, and all other circulation write it using a medium hand, whether it was serialised in tion from readers on this topic. matters: MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., clearly dotting the ‘i-s’ and crossing Ananda Vikatan or Kalki, but I 62/63, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. the ‘t-s’. vividly remember the illustra- K.S. Krishnaswamy On editorial matters: The Editor, MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o Lokavani B-1, ‘Ashok Suparna’ Many readers also try to fill every tive caricatures of the charac- Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., 62/63, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. square centimetre of a postcard ters involved – especially of the 27, Third Main Road space, making reading or editing court room scene spread across Kasturbanagar, Adyar No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters received will be impossible. two pages. Chennai 600 020 sent from these addresses every couple of days to the persons concerned and you will get an answer from them to your queries reasonably quickly. Please help us to consider your let- V.C. Gopalaratnam’s father- ters more favourably by making Strange as it may seem, if you adopt the ‘snail mail’ approach, we will be in-law, V.V. Srinvasa Iyengar, a Those lawyer-writers–II them more legible for us. able to help you faster and disappoint you less. legal luminary himself, was also hen reader M.R. Pillai – THE EDITOR a stage enthusiast and I have a Wreminisces on Tamil THE EDITOR 4 MADRAS MUSINGS July 16-31, 2007 July 16-31, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 5

l The third part of a series of articles on the pluses and minuses Chennai’s like that – today! Conservation of the draft Second Master Plan for Chennai. hey head out of Chennai at And yet, the minute they de- of ancient Tvarious points of time in a cide to move into an apartment, The way forward for the CMDAyear, primarily to the US (al- the Mothers feel everything will though you hear mention of collapse if they are not there to Strategic planning is worth- sections dealing with, for in- tification of land for setting up a families to these areas outside the other nations these days). ‘help’. monuments less – unless there is first a stra- stance, allocation of space for terminal market in Chennai to city. No schools exist in these ar- They are determined; they are You can’t blame the Mothers. tegic vision. schooling needs, vocational process and market fruits and eas and so the children leave armed with packets; they are – John Naisbitt training needs, and playgrounds? vegetables), the Fisheries De- home at 5.30 am or 6.30 am (the They are, after all, victims of cen- he history of conservation used as washing stones, drain symbols of foresight and fore- turies of typecasting. Tof ancient monuments in coverings, stone benches, etc. American businessman Similarly, the data shows that 12- partment (that discusses several only buses available) to get to the thought; and they are prepared The kids, endlessly under- India is a little more than 150 due to ignorance. However, 13 per cent of Chennai’s popula- fisheries infrastructure projects school in time. If the planners for every domestic contin- he draft Second Master standing as always, roll their eyes, years old. The principles and there are innumerable instances tion is above 55 years. Why are along the CMA coastline), the were in possession of this detail gency TPlan (SMP) for Chennai but tell the Moms to come on methods to be adopted in con- where the monuments have been its needs not discussed, let alone Tourism Department (that pro- of data, they could, potentially, They are – The Mothers. that has been developed by the over. That’s easier than receiving serving the ancient edifices are brought to a state of disrepair due provided for, in any section of poses to lease government land address the multiple issues of re- The March of the Amma Bri- Chennai Metropolitan Develop- 150 instructions sent either by e- well defined in the Conservation to intentional human vandalism. the draft SMP? Further, the within the CMA, seeks to pro- location of slums, lack of school- gade becomes particularly ment Authority (CMDA) mail or over cell phones every Manual (Calcutta, 1923) written I recall some examples. The number of families in Chennai is mote ‘Bed and Breakfast’ ing opportunities in Semanchery energised when their young ones thankfully does acknowledge a few hours. by Sir John Marshall. The prin- ancient temple at Thodiyur in absent from the data provided. schemes in Chennai to generate and Kannagi Nagar and inad- announce: “I am moving into my vision. The draft SMP’s Vision The entire population is arrayed employment, and also seeks to equate transportation options. ciples and methods prescribed by Pudukottai District, datable to own apartment.” They figure that it is best that Marshall are still being adopted 13th Century A.D. and built by 2026 seeks to “make Chennai a in numbers of male and female provide tourists additional trans- Similarly, road planning suf- Emotions are already on a Mom gets hysterical under their This is a child who has slept And so the Mothers take by the Archaeological Survey of the Pandya rulers, is an example prime metropolis which will be individuals, though everyone portation options using the pub- fers if the CMDA does not de- high, thanks to a life-pattern that supervision. on questionable bare floors after flights, armed with enough podis India to conserve monumnets of a changed environment affect- more livable, economically vi- knows that when you are plan- lic transport system), the School scend from its macro-CMA ap- requires you to live here, but di- Let her have her moment, and umpteen rock concerts you know and ‘instant’ stuff to cater to a declared by the Central Govern- ing a monument and pushing it brant and environmentally sus- ning for housing needs, water Education Department (that dis- proach. How can a city planner vide your mind and heart into after she takes off, they can al- nothing about. South Indian wedding of the ment as Monuments of National into a condition of disrepair. The tainable and with better assets and sewerage needs, electricity cusses land for the setting up of a only identify the arterial roads As for all the racket about XXL size, packed with particu- Importance. These are under the embankment of the tank for the future generations” (em- needs, etc., the unit you would ‘book park’ in Chennai) etc. The and the ring roads? The scurry- laundry – imagine a life where larly big eaters. Only to find that protection of the ASI which breached and led to damage of phasis mine). The four aims of need is not that of an individual, CMDA will do well to obtain a ing of ants in a random, unguided you put everything away neatly your baby has created some looks after more than 5000 the temple complex. This has the Plan are therefore: but that of a family. Simply put, list of all such laws and policies and chaotic manner is only vis- only to take it all out again. pretty ingenious dishes which are monuments all over India. In ad- now been strengthened, so that (a) to enhance the quality of life; the section on demography, from the State and National ible when you get close to them. Mum’s What’s the point? easy and quick to prepare. dition, every State Government the temple complex will not suf- (b) to strengthen economic ac- though informative, does not governments and realign its The various problems identified You have to admit that does As the days progress, it be- has its own Department or Ar- fer due to the recurrence of the tivity; link with any other section of chapters and recommendations in the chapter on ‘Traffic and make a weird kind of sense. comes clear that the most non- chaeology. The State Depart- problem. The whole temple com- (c) to ensure that the growth and the draft to ensure Transportation’ typically happen Now you don’t want to be chalant person is the one who is ments follow the principles and plex also has been conserved ac- development is environmen- SMP. A thor- compatibility at a neighbourhood level – where l by Bharath Jairaj sexist, categorise people and actually moving. methods adopted by the Survey. cording to the principles of con- tally sustainable; and ough review Director with those roads are laid out without plan- the word! traits, especially in these enlight- In your secret heart, you pray It is easier to build a new servation. (d) to ensure inter-generational of its poten- documents. ning, leading to repeated ad hoc Citizen consumer and ened days of blurring gender you won’t hear the dreaded monument than to conserve an A classic example that the equity is maintained by creat- tial is ur- THEresponses, including converting civic Action Group (CAG) lines. words: “Chill, Ma. I can manage ancient one, for conservation is area in and around a monument ing long-term assets for future gently needed THIRD is the the roads to one-ways, new thor- equal-sized portions that then ways change things back the way But there is such a thing as on my own.” generations. and the draft scale of infor- oughfares, etc. proceed to live between ‘here’ they like them. basic nature...put it down to the And, of course, you do. These four pillars of SMP needs to be brought in mation provided in the draft There is, therefore, a huge re- and various ‘there-s’. Except – in these days of the shape of individual heads, if you That’s like running into a Chennai’s proposed Plan are in- l by B. Narasimhaiah line with this chapter. SMP. At present, all the informa- sponsibility on the CMDA to And the thought of your little sometimes inconvenient web- like. solid wall, because it means that deed progressive and laudable. THE SECOND is the need to tion pertains to the Chennai prepare and share Detailed De- fledgling getting all set to build cam, they have to make sure re- Let’s face it – some varieties you now have to re-define your l Retired Superintending Archaeologist of ASI, who worked with In previous issues of Madras link the draft SMP to existing Metropolitan Area (CMA), velopment Plans (DDPs) – its own nest sends the maternal changes stay out of camera of the species are more forthcom- role in your child’s life. the team constituted to preserve the monuments in Hampi, Musings, various aspects and at- policies and laws of the State and which comprises the Chennai conducted village-to-village surveys in Tamil Nadu for antiquar- which may still be inadequate instinct into overdrive. range. ing and clearer about their re- Is this a sort of ‘Last Hurrah’ tributes of the draft SMP were National governments. For in- City Corporation, 16 Municipali- ian remains, and led for three seasons the conservation team of the for some specific aspects of This applies even to those And so the organising begins quirements than others. for the Mothers? discussed and it was argued that stance, the Municipal Solid ties, 20 Town Panchayats and ASI to Angkor Wat in Cambodia that was given the task of planning, but will at least be mothers whose kids have been – everything from ‘vessels’ to cur- (Not that it makes them any Perhaps. the positives need to be further Waste Management law, 2001, 214 villages. Data and informa- conserving the biggest temple in the world. more realistic and useful than a on their own for years – battling tains, cushion covers, and must easier to please, though.) Somewhere inside, you know fortified and the shortcomings which places the responsibility of tion at this macro level can only CMA-type Master Plan. DDPs ill-equipped hostels right here on have-s for that one tiny little But at least you know where that Time has declared war on overcome. This article and the waste management on the gen- identify macro issues and provide will provide an opportunity to the subcontinent. bathroom. you are heading, from colour you, whizzing by, grinning mock- next, the concluding parts of my erator of the waste (i.e. the citi- macro solutions. While this is neither restoration nor renova- should be brought to its original provide local level designs and These kids have cheerfully ingly. review of the SMP, seek to point zen) and requires him to segre- necessary and important for sev- tion nor reconstruction of a working level, before carrying solutions to several specific chal- waxed and waned in blazing heat l by RANJITHA ASHOK This is probably your last monument. It is strengthening of out any conservation, is the Bell out what else needs further clari- gate the waste at home, finds no eral macro activities – including lenges in a city plan. By not pro- and chilling cold; weathered chance to have a say in their en- the edifice to withstand the va- Tower (probably built in the fication and revision in the draft mention in the draft SMP. Simi- planning arterial roads, rail viding information at the DDP- power shut-downs, canteen food, vironment, bringing your choices garies of time, enabling it to live 16th Century by the Nayak rul- SMP if it is to become a docu- larly, the National Street Vend- routes, airports and, perhaps, score, the CMDA is denying it- You insist that ‘equipping’ a schemes to apartment can’t-do- water-challenged bathrooms, and your own unique touches to for many centuries. In the pro- ers) in the Palace Complex at ment that lives up to its stated ing Policy, 2004, identified by the even common facilities like self and the citizens the opportu- kitchen is essential. Your child, a withouts. and lopsided tables in tiny, dark, it. cess of conservation, the original Thanjavur. Incidentally, the ASI Vision 2026. Government of India as a “major burial grounds and crematoria – nity of finding several such solu- veteran now of toss-together- But if your conversation with cubby-holes they so proudly Actually, ‘The Move’ began features, styles and construction as Civil Deposit Work conserved THE FIRST is a review of the initiative for urban poverty alle- it has a limited utility below this tions. For instance, neighbour- and-eat-in-anything-that- your young hopeful goes: called ‘my room’. that day your child, returning methods are not lost – they are the Bell Tower for the Govern- entire section on demography. viation”, is missing from the level of planning. Several other hood level solutions to waste doesn’t-have-a-hole can’t under- “Hi!!” They have caught buses, from play-school, showed you kept intact. Therefore, it is said ment in 1994. The monument The draft SMP provides all sorts Economy section of the draft planning choices are determined management are possible at a stand what the fuss is about, and “Hi.” trains with strange names, and that first ‘drawing’ and said, that the conservation expert was in a dilapidated condition of tables and charts about SMP, despite this section stating at a more local level of informa- DDP-level, and this will in turn points out that formal dinners lie “How are you?” whimsical flights – all on their “Miss said I was very good,” mak- should have the patience and before it was taken for conserva- Chennai’s population – the num- that “eradication of poverty is a tion, determined largely by the reduce the dependence on the years ahead in the future. “Okay.” own – making it home for the ing it abundantly clear that the dexterity of a surgeon, devotion tion. In the process of conserva- ber of births and deaths, the rate major objective of planning.” population and its needs. Plan- and And why bother with this pro- “Hmm about your apart- holidays. They have then winged whole morning had not been of a saint and the skill of an ar- tion, it was found that the Bell of migration into the city, the Curiously, the draft SMP ning for schooling, to take one dumpsites or the need to identify fusion of bedsheets, bedcovers, ment I was thinking ” their way to foreign lands, han- spent weeping for you. chitect with a good knowledge in Tower was not an isolated edi- growth in population and trends, makes recommendations that go example, will depend on the de- another large piece of land to pillowcases, vis-à-vis ‘pillow “Uh-uh.” dling all those scary-looking You just missed it, being ancient architecture. fice, but was in a large palace the literacy rates, sex ratio, and against these laws and policies. mography of specific neighbour- convert into a dumpsite. Simi- shams’, blankets, quilts, counter- “Do you need..?” documents and distinctly hostile caught up in the whole routine Once a particular monument complex. It was a part of the Au- the age profiles. Excellent infor- For instance, its plan on solid hoods and their needs. The ab- larly, land for housing the EWS panes... “Na.” formalities with ease. of turning your child into an in- is taken for conservation, the dience Hall which was intended mation, but why is this informa- waste management, if imple- sence of this data presents the (economically weaker sections) Then those who are listening dependent grown-up. Talk about person in charge of the work to be a Hawa Mahal; the tion not put to use? Despite pos- mented, will violate the provi- planners at CMDA a one-dimen- may be easier to find at a DDP- are pretty clear which particular your efforts coming right back to should read all the available lit- Saraswati Mahal was, in fact, a sessing and sharing all this infor- sions of the law. Similarly, its rec- sional perspective of the situa- level, since we will not need A big ‘Thank You’ to 15 of you variety you are blessed with. bite you in the well you erature on it. In addition, he harem of the king. mation, the CMDA appears to ommendation that “ad hoc use of tion. For instance, a study con- large, 50-acre plots of land, but Amazing, isn’t it? We publish below the list of donors who have, between 16.6.07 and 15.7.07, added to know. should make his own study of it The drainage system of the have overlooked the utility of carriageways and footpaths” be ducted by a colleague, Sumitra smaller pieces of land where These are the same people the support Chennai Heritage and its voice, Madras Musings, have already received. But you will make the trip, to know intimately all aspects of Brihadeeswara Temple at this information as being the “addressed” immediately can be Gautama, in a school in Besant housing can be provided for who can scream their heads off We thank all of them for their support for the causes Chennai Heritage espouses. anyway. the monument. Ancient monu- Thanjavur (Rajaraja Chola, A.D. base, indeed the foundation, of interpreted as violating the man- Nagar that caters to children families closer to their places of while watching a sports — Chennai Heritage And, go on, admit it, isn’t part ments have fallen into a state of 985-1012) had a unique system its planning. For instance, the date of the National Street from lower income homes, re- work. It will also be easier to en- Rs. 50: Gowreesan, V.S. programme, wax eloquence on of the excitement the fact that, disrepair due to many reasons. in ancient times. The builders data on age profile of Chennai’s Vending Policy. vealed that more than 15 per gage citizens on a discussion on Rs. 100: Muthu Damodaran, G.; Pillai, M.R.; Ram Ganeshan, R.; the relative merits of Ferrari and after years of settled routine, it’s But the most widely active con- had thought of harvesting rain- population suggests that majority There are other Policy Notes cent of the students came from specifics on the DDP than the Shantha Krishnan (Bangalore); Gopal, T.S. Macaren, and spend hours on nice to be able to play ‘house’ tributing agencies are human water. This water was collected of the population is below 30 of the State government too – homes in Semanchery and draft SMP, as the CMDA must Rs. 150: Pitchai, R. the phone – as long as it isn’t a again – just like old times? and natural ones. Among the and drained into the Sivaganga years. Shouldn’t the draft SMP the Industries Department (that Kannagi Nagar – nearly 30 km have realised during its various Rs. 200: Balakrishna Bhatt, M.; Menon, K.R.N. blood relative on the other side, You are tempted to ask who two, the former is more danger- Tank, situated a little away from aggregate this data spatially to talks about the setting up of vari- away from the school. These public meetings. Rs. 400: Swaminathan, M.S.; Mohanakrishnan, A.; Leila Diraviam; especially the ones who are, at understand where these specific ous industries in the CMA), the children used to live in low in- Money, K.S. this point, still paying their bills the actual beneficiary of this trip ous. We all know that a familiar the northwest of the complex. populations are? Shouldn’t this Agriculture Department (that come houses near the school ear- (This part to be Rs. 900: Gomathi Narayanan – and who were the ones most in- is, and then decide that some sight in many villages is beautiful This ancient system was discov- then be reflected in the land use specifically talks about the iden- lier, but were relocated with their concluded) Rs. 1000: Prakash, NSP volved in their particular births. questions are better left alone. architectural members being (Continued on page 6)

CMYK 6 MADRAS MUSINGS July 16-31, 2007 A wedding beneath the banyan tree NOSTALGIA (Current Affairs questions are from the period June 16th to n 1923, a wedding took place The school in Benares was ing Kamacha, my father saw spreading banyan tree in the 30th. Questions 11 to 20 per- Iunder the banyan tree in the the Theosophical School in Jaya ‘running in the rain’ and gardens of the Theosophical tain to Tamil Nadu and Theosophical Society in Adyar. Kamacha. It was a rocky start for decided that this was the girl he Society. Chennai.) It was between Jayalakshmi, my mother who was fresh out of wanted to marry. All his life he Education was an important daughter of Ranganatha Muda- Kurnool and spoke neither wore an enamelled ring in the aspect of Theosophical work in 1. Which bustling place in Asia liar of Arcot, and Bhagat Ram Hindi nor English. But she was shape of a shell with a blue band India in the early 20th Century. observed the 10th anniversary of Kumar, son of Hukum Chand determined to stay, she later told in the centre, with JAYA on it With some breaks over the its reunion with China? Kumar of Quetta. The bride us, because she hated her teacher in gold letters. As a girl, I loved years, my father’s working life as 2. Which bird, the U.S. national was 19, the bridegroom 26. It in Kurnool so much! The next this romantic slant to the way an educator was in association symbol, has been removed from was in July, traditionally an ‘aus- ten formative years were spent at my father and mother had come with the Besant Theosophical the endangered list? picious’ month for weddings in Kamacha in the Theosophical together. My mother was more College in Madanapalle, for 3. Who recently became the first South India, so undoubtedly School and College. Undoubt- circumspect. Questioning her, I most of the time as Principal. In writer from the Indian subconti- there must have been many edly they were a very special part always embarrassed her, and this role he succeeded eminent nent to be knighted? weddings being celebrated on of her life, for she never ceased she always brushed off my at- educationists like Ernest Wood that day. telling us tales of her school tempts to flush out the story. 4. Name the Chennai-based firm (the founder), Dr. Cousins and But this one was different, friends, teachers and escapades. This dichotomy in their charac- C.S. Trilokekar. The College, responsible for the ‘white’ for the bride was South Indian She was troop leader of the Girl ters was a part of our family am- Rajnikanth in Sivaji? founded in 1915, celebrated and the bridegroom was from ninety years as an educational 5. Which Indian complex is the the North. Contrary to what institution recently. latest to be put on UNESCO’s might be expected, given the l by GANGA POWELL My mother, during the early World Heritage list? social mores in India at the years of her marriage, went to time, it was not a runaway af- 6. Who is the new Prime Minis- Santiniketan where she studied ter of the United Kingdom? fair. It had the blessings, indeed Guides when Lady Baden- bience: my father, the stereo- painting under Nanda Lal Bose. had been arranged by the fa- Powell visited. She and her class- typical ‘sentimental’ Punjabi, 7. Japan has changed the name She later completed the thers, who were both Theoso- mates, who were a heady mix of my mother the more ‘down-to- of Iwo Jima, made famous during Montessori Teachers’ course phists. There were no mothers, Bengalis, Biharis, Burmese Indi- earth’ Tamilian. Their shared World War II, to its original under Dr. Maria Montessori in for both the bride and the bride- ans, Kashmiris, Mahrattas, Benares experience and Theo- name. Name it. Adyar. My memory of her role groom had lost their mothers Punjabis, Sindhis and other sophical background were a in Madanapalle is as the mover 8. In which African nation, when young. Many leading South Indians, would have been bond resulting in shared inter- and shaker behind cultural recently rocked by political un- Theosophists were there to one of the earliest groups of ests. For both, friendships events. She conducted painting rest, did the inflation touch bless the couple, including Mrs. women graduates in India. forged in school were lifelong 9,000%, the highest in the world, classes on campus, organised Annie Besant and Dr. George S. My father would have been ties and these friends often vis- recently? exhibitions and produced plays Arundale. Mrs. Besant gave six years ahead – and that is a big ited our home. when she was not running the 9. Which Asian nation is to buy them an ornate silver vase as a difference when one is still in The marriage, if not quite as girls’ hostel or supervising the the famed Queen Elizabeth 2, one wedding present and Dr. school. He never recalled my romantic as I imagined, was College gardens. of the world’s most majestic Arundale a clock. mother from these years. By the nevertheless groundbreaking. It cruise liners, for $100 million? Looking back on the event time he completed high school, was an ‘arranged marriage’ but The banyan tree is a potent 10. Of the six in Grade ‘A’ of now, it occurs to me that both he was one of a select group of an arranged marriage, pre- symbol of continuity, change BCCI’s new list of contracted mothers, by dying, had set in young Indians who were chosen empted by a young man who and regeneration. My parents’ players, who is the new face? motion the events leading up to by Dr. Arundale to be sent to had fallen in love after a passing union lasted sixty years. The * * * this union. For, Jayalakshmi was England for higher studies. The glance. The wedding broke con- family that started with Jaya and 11. Name the well-known sent to study in far-off Benares group included, amongst others, ventions of caste, religion (my Bhagat now includes Andhras, santoor artiste, nephew of the leg- (as it was then known) when J. Krishnamurti and his brother father was a Sikh), and the re- Konkans, Mahrattas and endary G.N. Balasubramaniam, she was eight years old because Nithya. They left India in 1913. strictions of geographic region. Tamilians as well as Americans, who passed away recently. she was a motherless child; My father went to Oxford. There were not many such mar- Australians, Chinese and Cana- dians, and is spread over five 12. Who founded Dakshina- Bhagat Ram likewise was sent World War I intervened and riages in India at the time. One Chitra, the centre for arts, craft to Benares for schooling be- most of them did not return till of the handful of places, where countries. — (Courtesy : South and architecture, on the East cause, it was hinted, his step- 1918. it could possibly have hap- of the by K.R.M. Coast Road? mother was not good to him. Around 1922, upon re-visit- pened, was Adyar under the Menon and K.V.S. Krishna.) 13. Which scheduled tribe or community is known to be ex- perts in “smoking out” rats from CONSERVATION OF ANCIENT MONUMENTS paddy fields and catching poison- ous snakes to extract venom? (Continued from page 5) conserved by introducing I sec- the world, in Cambodia (an- When a monument is taken 14. Who compiled and wrote ered when an effort was made tion girders and steel rods inside cient Kambujadesha). The up for conservation, its method Periya Puranam? to understand the system the broken beams and pillars. temple, built by Suryavarma II of contruction should be under- 15. Where is Lord Shiva wor- adopted by the builders. Now, The Piravathaneeswara who ruled Kambujadesha from stood thoroughly. This infor- shipped as ‘Amritakateshwarar’? this system has been revived Temple, Kancheepuram, is of 1112 to 1152 A.D., was called mation not only helps in future early 8th Century A.D. Pallava Vishnuloka and was dedicated conservation, but also gives an 16. How many chapters are and, needless to say, it has im- proved the source of water in architecture. This temple was in to Lord Vishnu. It was a intimate understanding of the there in the second book (on a state of disrepair due to heavy Herculean task to conserve a engineering knowledge and skill Porul) in Tirukkurual? the tank. The Jalakanteswara Temple, vegetation growth. The founda- monument as massive as of the ancient builders. For ex- 17. Who was the first non-Con- Vellore, had suffered heavily tion of the structure had been Angkor Wat, which harmoni- ample, it is known from the ex- gress Chief Minister of Tamil due to waterlogging and vegeta- disturbed in many places. The ously blends monumentality perience in India that ancient Nadu after independence? tion growth. The ASI, after walls of the temple had bulged with artistic details. The temples were provided with 18. Namakkal and Rasipuram conserving almost all other out in some places. Therefore, it temples had no foundation foundations of more than suffi- are taluks in which district of the parts of the temple, had left the was decided to dismantle the problem and only had errors in cient strength. Therefore, the State? temple Kalayana Mandapa temple structure, including the the original construction, which temples had no problem with 19. For which work did Kanna- unconserved. The reason for foundation, and reconstruct it pushed the monument into a their foundations. The conser- dasan win the Sahitya Akademi not taking the work of this after documenting every bit. condition of disrepair. Angkor vator who is entrusted with a Translation Prize? mandapa was the fact that no This was done after meticulous Wat is one of the best examples monument should not execute planning of the conservation ef- to show how this factor can a particular work if he thinks 20. K. Viswanath’s acclaimed perfect, time-tested method was fort, resulting in the temple get- destablise a monument. In spite that the problem is beyond his Telugu film Swathi Muthyam, known to solve the conserva- starring Kamal Hassan, was re- tion problem faced there. When ting its original shape. of many tensions and hurdles, comprehension. The problem leased in Tamil proved a big suc- ASI acquired knowledge in the There was much planning the ASI successfully carried out should be left for the future to cess. Name it. 1990s to solve such problems, while conserving Angkor Wat, the Angkor Wat conservation be solved. — (Courtesy: HRD the biggest temple complex in work. Times.) (Answers on page 7) the Kalyana Mandapam was July 16-31, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 7

invariably full of lawyers and apprentices listening to him The tram was his with close attention. Once, Sir Maurice Gwyer, a judge of the Federal Court in (the predecessor of the study room Supreme Court) and later the first Chief Justice of India, was presiding over an appeal being adras has produced sev- ing colours as a lawyer. In those prentice under Sir Alladi. The argued by Sir Alladi, who fin- Meral brilliant lawyers over days, a law graduate had to un- writer’s grandfather Madabhu- ished his arguments before the the years .... Eardley Norton, dergo a year-long period of ap- shi Narasimhachariar, an earlier lunch break. The famous Brit- Nugent Grant, V. L. Ethiraj, Sir prenticeship in the chambers of leader of the Nellore Bar, was a ish barrister and later Lord V. Bhashyam Iyengar, V. Krish- a senior lawyer and Alladi classmate of Alladi’s at law Chancellor of England, Sir John naswami Iyer, V. V. Srinivasa Krishnaswami joined the cham- school, and both of them, poor Simon (of ‘Go back Simon’ Iyengar, Sir S. Subramania Iyer, bers of the famed Mylapore law- boys, shared a small room in fame! ) was in Delhi and visited Sir P. S. Sivaswami Iyer, S. Sree- yer, P. R. Sundara Iyer, respect- during their college the Federal Court after lunch. nivasa Iyengar and, perhaps, the fully known as ‘Iyerval’. Sun- days. The two swabbed it every Alladi Krishnaswami Iyer. Having heard of Sir Alladi’s le- most brilliant of them all, Sir dara Iyer enjoyed a fabulous night by turn so that they could gal brilliance, Sir John was ea- his chambers, he would have Alladi Krishnaswami Iyer. practice at the Madras High sleep in clean surroundings!) ger to listen to his arguments heated discussions with his dis- Sir Alladi was one of the ar- Court and later became a High Setting up practice at the and expressed his desire to Sir ciples and listen even to the sil- chitects of the Indian Constitu- Court judge. In those days, on the Ap- Maurice with whom he was liest of arguments and most ab- tion. It is sad that, when the struggling juniors and appren- pellate side, Alladi quickly seated on the Bench. The Chief surd points of view. If a junior founding fathers of the Con- tices chose to live in George made a mark. He had an inter- Justice specially requested Sir put forth an opposite view, he stituent Assembly were recently Town because of the low rents esting method of preparing his Alladi to argue his case again! would go after him tooth and remembered and feted in Delhi, and the proximity to the High cases. Most lawyers would read (To use a cinematic idiom, it nail, probing deep into the no mention was made of Sir was ‘Take Two’ for Sir Alladi!) disciple’s arguments. All this Alladi. If the Indian Constitu- The Madras genius was only too helped him to anticipate the at- tion has till today stood the test happy to oblige Lord Simon PERSONALITIES OUT OF THE PAST tack of the other side in court. of time, a major share of the who was visibly impressed by his l No wonder Alladi was rarely credit should go to the unsung An occasional series by RANDOR GUY forensic peroration. When Sir taken by surprise! genius, Sir Alladi, the master John visited Madras, a similar His clientele was large and lawyer from Mylapore. event took place at the Madras much of it was wealthy. But the Sir Alladi’s life is a rag-to- Court. As a junior, Alladi lived a case file in chronological or- High Court. sweet smell of success and his riches tale and his phenomenal in Krishnappa Naicken Agra- der, but Alladi would concen- fabulous earnings did not * * * success was as much due to his haram in George Town. trate on the minus points in his change the man. He never for- Sir Alladi was invited to brilliant mind as his amazing Every morning, he would case, and the points against him got his early poverty and adorn the Bench of the Madras capacity for hard, ceaseless toil. catch an electric tram in George and for him, and the pitfalls Town to get to Iyerval’s cham- ahead of his client. He would struggles and remained a High Court more than once, * * * bers in Mylapore. The studious pick these papers from the file humble human being. He ex- but he refused the offer every Alladi Krishnaswami Iyer Alladi made excellent use of the and concentrate on them to tended a helping hand silently, time. When the Federal Court was from a modest Saivite Brah- slow tram journey to study legal work out his legal strategy. Such offering monetary help to poor was established in Delhi after min family in Nellore District. texts and the reports of leading study would lead him to other students to pursue their studies. the passing of the Government He belonged to a subsect, the cases. The tram became his points and, thus, he would in No poor person seeking his help of India Act of 1935, three Pudur Dravidas, found only in study room! He had an excel- time have read the entire for education ever left his home judges had to be appointed to that district. The Pudur Dra- lent memory and whatever he bundle! He had a habit of mark- with an empty pocket. the Court. Sir Maurice Gwyer vidas were known as ‘Iyahs’ and studied on the tram was stored ing the important points in pen- In recognition of his success, was chosen as the Chief Justice included the famous historian in his memory bank, proving cil in the margins of a page. He and legal genius, he was ap- and Sir Mohammed Zafrullah and scholar Mamidipudi most useful in later years when would also write down the more pointed the Advocate-General, Khan (later a Pakistan diplo- Venkatarangaiah, Alladi Maha- he was the uncrowned king of important aspects in his legal Madras, an office which he held mat) was one of the two judges devaiah and others. Later, after the South Indian Bar. No won- notebook, never writing more for 17 years, a record indeed! In appointed. It was decided by the their migration to Madras and der Sir Alladi had a soft spot for than ten lines on a foolscap appreciation of his services to Government to choose the elevation in society, they called the Mylapore tram and often sheet. Before standing up to ar- the State and community as a third judge from Madras and le- themselves ‘Iyers’. spoke about it in grateful terms gue his case, he would go lawyer, a knighthood was con- gal circles expected Sir Alladi to As a boy, Alladi had to to his juniors and apprentices. through those lines and would ferred on him. be appointed. He too had ex- struggle hard to educate him- (This writer heard it all from need no further reference to the * * * pectations of the high office but, self. Overcoming considerable for some reason, he was over- his father, a member of the case file. When Sir Alladi was in ac- difficulties, he qualified with fly- looked, much to his disappoint- Nellore Bar, who was an ap- While preparing his case in tion in court, the chamber was ment. Sir S. Varadachariar, an- other great legal mind of Ma- dras, was chosen. Subscriptions and CHENNAI HERITAGE Later, however, when the contributions Indian Constitution was being 260-A T.T.K. ROAD, , CHENNAI 600 018. formulated and written, Sir l Since Volume XIV, No.1 (April 16, 2003), Madras Musings has been Alladi was an automatic choice priced at Rs.5 a copy, ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: Rs.100/-. Please make I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / to draft it. His knowledge of out your cheque only to CHENNAI HERITAGE and send it, together with the COUPON BELOW, to CHENNAI HERITAGE, 260-A, TTK ROAD, I have just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it hereafter. law, wide experience, and eru- CHENNAI 600 018 or C/O LOKAVANI SOUTHERN PRINTERS PVT. dition in international constitu- LTD., 122, GREAMS ROAD, CHENNAI 600 006. l I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Rs. 100 (Rupees One hun- tional law proved of great value. An ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION of just Rs.100 covers only a part of dred) payable to CHENNAI HERITAGE, MADRAS, as subscription to Madras our costs. Corporate support and YOUR support will continue to be Musings for the year 2006-07. essential for Chennai Heritage and Madras Musings to play a greater Answers to role in creating awareness about the city, its heritage and its l As token of my support for the causes of heritage, environment environment. We therefore look forward to your sending us your con- and a better city that Madras Musings espouses, I send Chennai tributions IN ADDITION TO your subscriptions. Quiz eritage an additional Rs...... (Rupees ...... ) If in the coming year Chennai Heritage receives repeated support from those of you who have already made contributions, and if many Please keep / put me on your mailing list. 1. Hong Kong; 2. Bald eagle; 3. more supporters join the bandwagon, we will not only be able to keep Salman Rushdie; 4. Indian Arts; 5. Madras Musings going, but also be able to continue awareness-build- Name : ...... The Red Fort complex; 6. Gordon ing exercises on on-going projects as well as undertake one or two Address: ...... Brown; 7. Iwo To; 8. Zimbabwe; 9. more such exercises. Dubai; 10. M.S. Dhoni. Therefore, please keep your contributions coming IN ADDITION ...... TO YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS. If, say, you send in a cheque for Rs.500, * * * we will treat Rs.100 of it towards subscription to Madras Musings for ...... 2006-07 and the remaining Rs.400 as contribution towards the causes 11. R. Visweswaran; 12. Chennai Heritage espouses. Deborah Thiagarajan; 13. The We look forward to all readers of Madras Musings, and those Note: Overseas postage Rs. 550/year extra. Cheques for overseas postage Irulas; 14. Sekkizhar; 15. newcomers who want to receive copies, sending in their alone payable to M/s. Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd. All other cheques Tirukadayur; 16. Seventy; 17. C.N. subscriptions. We are indeed sorry we can no longer remain a free Annadurai; 18. Namakkal; 19. mailer. to ‘Chennai Heritage’. Cheraman Kadali; 20. Sippikkul — The Editor Muthu. 8 MADRAS MUSINGS July 16-31, 2007

12 noon. (At Don Bosco finalised. Sriram V. will take School.) participants on a heritage tour Till July 24: Figurative, an exhibi- Madras Week of High Road, tion of paintings by S. Jayaraj (at from My Ladye’s Gardens to the 6.30 p.m. at Lakshana Museum , at of Arts.) th July 19-25: Installation, an exhibi- ahead 6.30 am on the 19 of August. tion by Davide Grazioli (at On the 26th, it will be a walk to Artworld). (By A Staff Reporter) commemorate 80 years of the Anti-Nautch movement and July 21-30: Vinnyasa’s Collection t is that time of the year again August 25: Randor Guy on of paintings and sculptures (at will cover the residences of Iwhen we celebrate Madras Three great murders of Madras Vinnyasa Art Gallery). some of the prominent Week. As regular readers of August 26: The Madras July 21-30: Ayyanar and Adi- Devadasis of the past. The fee is Madras Musings will know, Au- Book Club discusses two books perukku – Karagam folk perfor- Rs 300 and those interested may gust 22nd, is for it Madaraspatnam by KRA mances throughout the day, sow- contact 98400 24200. In addi- ing of the navadanyam (9 cere- was on that date in 1639 that Narasiah and Chennai, Not Ma- tion to the above, Vincent D’ als), and the Ayyanar procession the city was founded. As in the dras, a collection of essays on Souza of Mylapore Times will be on July 30th. Master potter last few years, Madras Musings the city compiled by Dr AR planning a few walks, details of Ramu Velar has made two and Chennai Heritage will team Venkatachalapathy (in the which are awaited. terracotta cows for the tradi- with Mylapore Times, Adyar morning) tional offering to the Ayyanar August 19-26: The Forum Times and others to catalyse a August 26: Mohan Raman deity during the Ayyanar proces- Art Gallery (57, 5th Street, week-long celebration making on Madras as a backdrop in films, sion. (At DakshinaChitra.) One of Jayaraj’s exhibits. Padmanabha Nagar, Adyar) it a Madras Week. an audio-visual presentation (in July 21-August 10: Exhibition of will be organising an exhibition Here is a curtain raiser on the evening). paintings by Devendra Shukla July 28: Sing Along with Pied Piper showcasing the Madras-fo- what is being planned: All are welcome to attend and Mun J.H. Shukla. (At presented by Reach Out with cussed works of nearly 35 art- Forum Art Gallery.) Krishna Iyer and Jeeva Raghu- Madras Musings will organise these talks and the venues will ists, both emerging and estab- July 21: Mati Kahe, a compilation nath. A mini musical with 40 its series of talks at various loca- be announced in Madras lished, three photographers and of seven songs written by Mati children on stage. (At Music tions in association with organi- Musings on August 1st. two cartoonists, all living and Kahe literally means “The earth Academy, 6.30 p.m.) sations such as the Taj Coro- August 19: S. Muthiah, edi- practising in Chennai. says”. seven mystic saints from July 30-August 4: Painting Exhi- mandel, Goethe Institute-Max tor of Madras Musings, will the Bhakti movement between The Roja Muthiah Library, bition of Dhanasekaran’s work Mueller Bhavan, Chamiers, speak on “Madras, the Gracious the 13th and 17th Centuries. (at Lalit Kala Akademi). Taramani, is working on setting Prakriti Foundation, the City” under the auspices of Vedhanth Baradwaj has set the July 30-August 3: Tranz,a mento- up an exhibition of early publi- Madras Book Club and others. Ramu Endowments at the Tag songs in a mixture of Hindustani ring programme for dancers and cations, periodicals and maga- The final schedule is still in the Centre in the morning. Entry is classical and other styles, lending movement artistes conceived zines of the city. This is likely to the songs a ‘young’ touch (at and directed by Anita R Ratnam, making but we are looking at by invitation only. A few passes begin on the 15th of August and Alliance Francaise, 6.30p.m.). will bring young dancers from the following speakers: for this will be available on a continue till the 26th. July 22 and July 29: Workshops by the worlds of classical and con- August 19: Gowri Ramna- first come first served basis, for There is talk of a food festi- Madhav Chari – India’s foremost temporary dance, yoga, medita- rayan on Music in Madras which those interested need to val at the and jazz musician. On the 22nd, The tive and martial arts to present August 20: Geetha Doctor contact chari@tagcorporation. French and Indian Jazz Connec- also an exhibition of vintage their new and unfinished work on Eating out in the city net tion, a brief overview of the before a nurturing panel of men- photographs of the city at the August 21: Dr Bautze, a August 20: Muthiah will French connection to jazz music. tors. The artistes will take the Piano Lounge in the Taj. scholar from Germany, on Re- also be speaking on Madras, the On the 29th, The African Heart- daily feedback from the panel These are still in the planning constructing Remembrance – The American Connection at 6.30 pm beat, the African roots of jazz and work towards a small show- stage. Emden, Madras and after at the Taj Coromandel, under music. African culture and mu- ing at the end of the five-day ses- In addition, there will be quiz sic in the Americas, Argentina sion (at Alliance Francaise, 9 August 22: KRA Narasiah the auspices of the Indo-Ameri- contests and activities for chil- (Tango), Brazil (Samba), Cuba a.m.-1 p.m. daily). on Ramanujan, his legacy can Association. Entry is dren organised by the Heritage (afro-Cuban music), United Till August 20: Children’s Mela on August 23: Dr Bautze on restricted to members of the Clubs in various schools. States. (at the Alliance Fran- the theme ‘Rain’: Mazhe Jaatre Reconstructing Remembrance – Association and their guests. Details will be posted on the caise, 11 a.m. - 12.30 p.m.) supplements the annual Adi- Klein and Peyerl, Photographers There will also be heritage July 22: Five Point Someone – Evam perukku festival. Thematic web site www.themadrasday.in of Madras walks organised on the two presents a Madras Players’ Pro- exhibits and displays on less- as and when events get August 24: Sriram V. on Sundays, 19th and 26th. duction of a stage adaptation of known facts about the mon- finalised. Organisations wishing The Devadasis of Madras Programmes for two of them are Chetan Bhagat’s bestseller Five soons, traditional games, to conduct events connected Point Someone. The play is about shadow-puppet shows, folk mu- with Madras Day are requested love and life at IIT. (At Music sic and dance performances, live to contact 98405 44629 Academy, 7.30 p.m.) demos of artisans at work, and much more (at Dakshina 12: Making a chessboard July 22: Vintage Car Rally organised foodstalls that serve traditional Chitra). For Adults (Revathi R) and 98410 49155 by the Madras Heritage Motor- delicacies of the rainy season, the DakshinaChitra workshops July 21 & 22: Wheel pottery; (Vincent D’ Souza ) for assis- ing Club in association with “My Marundu Kadai, an exhibition of For children August 4 & 5: Gujarati tance. TVS”. Around 70 vehicles will traditional medicine to tide over July 21: Catapult making; August thoranam; August 11 & 12: Meanwhile, watch this be on display from 8 a.m. until the rainy season in good health, 4: Block printing; August 11 & Glass jewellery making. space!

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Published by S. Muthiah forfor ‘Chennai‘Chennai Heritage’,Heritage’, 260-A,260-A, TTK TTK Road, Road, Chennai Chennai 600 600 018 018 and and printed printed by by T TJ JGeorge George at atLokavani Lokavani-Hallmark Southern Printers Press Pvt.Pvt. Ltd.,Ltd., 62/63,122, Greams Greams Road, Road, Chennai Chennai 600600 006.006. EditedEdited byby S.S. MUTHIAH.MUTHIAH.