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Short ‘N’ Snappy Manohar Devadoss T.V. Antony Nani Palkhivala Bapu Nadkarni
www.madrasmusings.com WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS CHENNAI Vol. XXIX No. 20 February 1-15, 2020 Making a sham HERITAGE WATCH of heritage conservation
hat makes for heritage option, just short of outright Savalai Ramaswami Mudaliar Wconservation if a struc- demolition, would be to leave Choultry that stands just op- ture is generally believed to the façade standing and paint posite the Central Station (see be of ‘aesthetic, architectural it regularly so that it looks HeritageWatch alongisde). and cultural merit’? The best well preserved. And yet this Constructed in 1888 by the would be for the edifice to be eponymous businessman and preserved in its entirety and philanthropist, the precinct put to adaptive reuse. The by The Editor was meant to provide tran- next best would be for it to sit accommodation for peo- be retained and turned into a ple who arrived in the city museum of some kind, though is precisely the kind of ‘plastic by train. The land was leased this is really not a viable option conservation’ that our State from the Government and the in India where countless badly appears to specialise in, and the facility, housed in a beautiful run museums proliferate with most recent example is what Indo Saracenic structure, was hardly any footfalls. The worst has happened to the Raja Sir (Continued on page 8) City traffic and ways Our OLD dating to 1928 is of the RSRM Choultry in all its glory, just 40 years after it was built. Our NOT SO NEW dates to 2008, when the building was run as a hotel, and was to keep it in control well‑maintained, all its wings in full use. Our NEW, dating to 2020 and taken by Rahul Jaywant Bhise, f God were to offer one gift by A Special Correspondent a student of the Asian College of Journalism, shows the façade Irelating to our city, to be in all its glory but now a hollow shell, with the rest of the building granted instantly upon asking, was given to the Police depart- of abandoned vehicles was having been done away with. there is a high probability that ment for improving road con- meant to remove this imped- many of us would want a noise- The E. Padmanabhan Committee Report classified this build‑ ditions and traffic discipline. iment to commencing re- ing (no 156, page 243) as belonging to category 2a – a structure free, pollution-free, smooth Such a drive is commendable construction work. There is movement of traffic and pedes- possessing aesthetic, cultural and architectural merit. Sadly only and should not remain a one- no mention of modernising the façade has been considered worthy of retention. trians on the roads. A sample of time activity as, by itself, it will pedestrian sidewalks as part of such peace on the roads can be not check continued dumping. the road reconstruction pro- experienced on the days of flash Preventive measures backed by gramme. It is now an opportune strikes by auto-rickshaws. That enforcement are necessary to time to construct walking paths is some indication of the role of stop such vandalism. Without and bicycle tracks and protect autos in traffic chaos. a centralised recycling hub – them from encroachment by It feels good to see the on-go- where old vehicles are shred- vehicles and road-side vendors. ing activity of the Chennai ded, their spare parts stripped The residual space should be Corporation and the Police and remaining shells cubed set aside for vehicular traffic authorities to clear the streets – people may not know how even if such order of priority to make them safer. Nearly to dispose of their unwanted calls for re-directing traffic flow 11,000 abandoned vehicles, vehicles. A recycling centre and identifying more one-way which were no longer in work- that charges a fee for its services stretches. ing condition but were occu- would remove that excuse. Fines have now been raised pying public space, have been The re-laying of 33,000 in- substantially to increase the cleared. The resultant sales terior roads and 471 bus routes proceeds of over Rs. 3 crores seems imminent as the clearing (Continued on page 2) 2 MADRAS MUSINGS February 1-15, 2020 Controlling city traffic (Continued from page 1) public transport services, there Lotus awards times is little hope of Chennai see- t seems as though it was only lotus awards has added insult namely I, J & K for which no cost of traffic violations. These ing peace on the roads. The Ithe other day that the Man to injury. For weeks on end, so permission had been taken now attract a fine of Rs. 500 Metro could be the answer. from Madras Musings wrote MMM understands, dancers from the CMDA (or is it the against the old penalty of Rs. The Metro’s moves to increase about the national awards, you have been scanning the horizon COC, MMM forgets which). 100. Disobeying orders given by daily ridership has seen some know the ones he is referring for the arrival of the beloved, Anyway, the appropriate au- the traffic police now attracts a response. Traffic did improve to to – India Jewel, Lotus Be- namely the intimation on the thority saw red over this flout- fine of Rs. 2,000; the old penal- a little over one lakh a day, but jewel, Lotus Jewel and Lotus award. And what they got was ing of rules and refused to ty was Rs. 500. Though this may this is nowhere near the daily Wealth. And here we are, a a lemon. The build up towards permit the opening of these initially have some effect, in the capacity of even the present year later, with yet another this anti-climax has been as three stands, namely I, J & K. longer run, chronic violators limited stretch. Surface traffic instalment of the awards, with, predictable as any dance perfor- For years it has been the as a fallout, even more materi- mance – the hopefuls queued practice for cricket match- will find out that the high fine of two and three-wheelers must al for MMM to ponder over. up in Delhi, sent messages es to happen without these is “real” only if it is enforced. be the target segment of focus Firstly, MMM is delighted (read voluminous curriculum three stands being opened up They will also understand that for the Metro. The Metro’s that his dear friend, Man of vitae) via companion, cloud, and there matters rested. Not higher fines will not eliminate pricing must aim at equating, if Drawings (MD), has been parrot, swan and peacock, that Chennai has really been bribes but raise the bribe rate possible, or, being slightly high- conferred with Lotus Wealth. pined away in anticipation and a hot favourite for the stag- correspondingly while retain- er, if unavoidable, to the cost MMM’s happiness would have were tormented by the moon’s ing of matches even though ing it as a cheaper alterna- of commuting for two-wheeler been double had MD’s good rays, the humming of the bees the CSK team is a popular tive to paying the fine. Higher users. This pricing strategy will lady, Milady Delightful had and the song of the nightingale. one in the IPL sweepstakes. fines and, therefore, higher rapidly increase ridership and been around to witness this They pushed away food and There have been controver- fill the bogies, increasing total but then one cannot have ev- milk untasted and wasted away sies over featuring players bribes are more attractive for erything in life. The two MDs, until their watch straps could from Sri Lanka and then, the dishonest ones among the revenue and improving Metro’s man and woman, were exem- be used as belts. Now, alas, all when that matter was rather policemen. They might look for bottom line. Besides matching plars of positive thinking, who of this has been to no avail. unsatisfactorily resolved, a more opportunities to “book” current commuting costs, there made a success of their lives de- MMM also understands that superstar now in some hot violators. Booking more viola- must be some form of certainty spite all the obstacles placed in rage and disappointment was water raked up the Cauvery tors may seem like fulfilling the to two-wheeler users that their their way, and yet had enough writ large on some celebrities water issue and ensured that objective of deterring violations Metro rates would continue cheer left over to spread joy who took to slavishly prais- matches were held elsewhere. – except that the revenue goes to be protected, consistent all around. To MMM, MD Now it appears that there to individuals of the police force with fuel costs. They need this & MD were India Jewels but SHORT ’N’ is a rethink. The Govt. of and not to the government. So assurance to take an investment the Lotus Wealth is still great. TN and its arm, namely the Now having sung of saint- SNAPPY CMDA or is it the COC, what, if the deterrent effect is decision – take back the capital ly humans, let MMM come has softened and offered that achieved? After all, proceeds by discarding the vehicle, or down to the prosaic. A scan of panacea for all ills, namely ing the Prime Minister and of fines are not meant to be a save capital by not buying one. the list of the Lotus Adorned the process of regularization. his second-in-command on major revenue source to the If this plan succeeds, and when reveals that many unsung Yes, it is true that the TNCA social media in the hope that government. In that case, why the full network of the Metro heroes and heroines have did not take permission for someone would bring these made it and for that MMM the construction of stands I, J not regularise this practice is completed speedily, we could paeans to his august notice and expresses his congrats to the &K but who does not err, and and pluck out its moral con- see a massive shift of two-wheel- thereby promote their chances powers that be behind the is it not true that to forgive is tent? At one time, Karnataka er and auto users to the Metro, for the lotus. But that too has selection. MMM also sees that divine? And as always, there experimented with a coupon resulting in a sea change on the not worked. MMM hopes that the colour of the clothes that is a sacrificial offering to be roads. Two-wheeler manufac- these sycophants realize that system. Policemen levy fines people wear has not made a made. MMM understands that much thought has gone into which go to the credit of a turers may encounter a falling difference – which is all to the this is the neighbouring MCC, the selection of most awardees police welfare fund. High fines demand. A dire picture of a good. Yes, MMM would have which it appears will be entire- and many of the recipients were tend to make private settlement economic slow-down will be been happier had there been ly brought down and rebuilt so really not the kind who lob- attractive; so, reducing the painted. This shift is a step in more musicians, especially of that the stands I, J & K can be bied. It is quite likely that that the right direction to a more the South Indian kind but he regularized. To MMM it all ap- fines and introducing the police era of lobbying is really over. does acknowledge that the two pears to be a rather convoluted welfare system seems an option cost and time effective way of That message has however duos who received the Lotus way of sorting matters out but deserving considersation. commuting for most people, not penetrated. MMM hears Wealth, making it a quartet then he realizes that there was If traffic reform is to have giving rise to better reach for from sources in the corridors of of sorts, are most deserving. no other way either. The new a material and lasting impact, job opportunities, more savings, power that lobbying has begun MMM however learns that design for the MCC, MMM is hard for Lotus 2021. And given it must correct certain critical more free time and less pollu- those of the terpsichorean informed, is very good. But he the number of posthumous impediments. tion. world are not happy. Hell will still miss some of the old awardees this year, many of One: A rational lane allo- Three: The image of the hath no fury like the dancer spots when they make way in those vying for the recognition cation must be in position. En- policeman needs a makeover. If scorned. The mood, so MMM the larger interests of I, J &K. are reportedly prepared to forcing the present system – ev- the service at the local Primary understands, was not happy Perhaps the powers that be consider dying for it as well. to start with what with some at the TNCA and the MCC ery lane for every type of vehicle Health Centre or teaching in In the meanwhile, the snob- low-life individual circulating could have left matters as it – would only institutionalise the government school is poor, bery among the lotus-ed peo- an email in which he/she had is and administered stands I, chaos. The original time-tested people, thankfully, have the ple continues – the bejeweled listed what he/she felt were J &K as a Union Territory of system must be revived – bicy- option of going to a private looks down on the jeweled who all the evil practices of the sorts. But that is just an idle source. For traffic management in turn sneer at the wealth. cles and pedestrians on the left dance world. The Government thought. Here is to the robust In the eyes of the bejeweled most lane, duly protected, the services, there is no private ignoring these artistes for the future of the new MCC and and the jeweled the wealth next lane to its right for two source. So, we must make the to the filling up of stands I, J are to be ‘cast into the outer and three wheelers, the next for policemen effective. Decades & K. And may we see more darkness where there is weep- buses and trucks and the last for ago, the policeman was used cricket – tests, ODI and IPLs. by mothers to frighten children ization weaken the police force ing and gnashing of teeth’ to cars, combining the last two on quote from the good book. narrow roads. This is a ratio- into eating properly or doing day by day. Police must be able Tailpiece nal, universally adopted order the homework in time. Now, to book offenders without fear of precedence for the right of his image is changed to that of a or favour. To have a deterrent Taking a Bat to an he Man from Madras Mus- effect, he must be authorised Tings mourned the passing road-space. It was followed in dud or bribe taker. Traffic viola- Alphabet Soup of TV Antony, senior civil Chennai until it got deformed tions of every rule happen right to dispense punishment for he Man from Madras Mus- servant and administrator over the years. It allots lane under their noses every day, breach in a transparent manner. par excellence. He was a man This can happen only with the Tings learns from reliable space according to speed and everywhere. People know that sources that matters are afoot with a sense of humour and chassis occupancy of road space the police dare not book viola- recognition that policemen once again in the piece of once told MMM the circum- and avoids mixing slow and fast tions when party flags and in- are the arm of Law, placed at hallowed green where many a stances in which he, namely vehicles or narrow and broad fluential connections are there the very frontline in the battle cricket match was played in our Mr Antony, was shunted out vehicles. to over-rule the policeman to for conformity with rules and city. For years now, as is well from one post to another – the Two: In Chennai, there “protect” offenders. Another that they are there to protect known, this glorious turf has Chief Minister of the time us from chaos on city roads. A remained silent chiefly because had a speech impediment and are about 50 lakh motorised common excuse for disregard asked for his TV antennae vehicles with 8-10 per cent of the police is that they are respectable image of the police of some misunderstandings over the alphabet. The TNCA to be moved. This he said, new ones added every year. corrupt. This is the refrain of as a protective force is a basic was misunderstood, and he requisite for a civilised society. which is responsible for the Of this, about 75 per cent are taxi and auto drivers who use place had built its new stadium found himself shown the door. motorised two-wheelers. That that as a justification for dese- Infrastructure, equipment and and was so confident of itself is a virtual explosion of traffic crating traffic norms. Political rules do not work by themselves that it built three extra stands, – MMM density every year. Until the interference, indiscriminate to manage traffic or maintain day two-wheeler users adopt post-action probes and demon- law and order. February 1-15, 2020 MADRAS MUSINGS 3
during 1944-54 and resided for ‘Mr. Palkhivala is a lawyer.’ The MMM’s sense of humor. The a while in Vellala Street. well-read audience who knew last issue regarding old calendar As a reader/contributor to Pakhivala to be a renowned cardboards which are never Madras Musings, I see more lawyer laughed out loud at his thrown away because they have of history and forays into the statement. Cho stood unper- Divine pictures on them, and past. Please do also give space turbed and when the crowd how they are left with nails for the present and a peep into calmed down, said with a after the daily sheets are torn the future. mischievous smile, ‘I am also off is true of almost every South a lawyer!’ The crowd went into Indian household. The issue of S. Viswanathan Bharanidharan-Marina and the raptures and it took a long time audience participation at music More focus on the present Editor & Publisher other comparing the audiences Industrial Economist for their clapping to stop. festivals is again enjoyable and please for music and for dance in the very true. Cho at his best Tharcius S. Fernando am writing this to record my MMM column; hilarious and so 10, First Street Such articles of simple day-to- Ienjoyment and appreciation true! Look for more! he article Nani Palkhivala AVM Nagar day happenings tinged with of two of your brilliant pieces The Bharanidharan piece Tin Madras (MM, January Virugambakkam humor will make the reader in the recent issue of Madras struck a chord in me: I was 16‑31, 2020) brought back Chennai 600 092 feel a sense of participation with Musings – one on Sridhar- a resident of Purasawakkam nostalgic memories of a meet- the magazine as we can relate to these incidents better. Hope ing I had attended. When the Humurous & interesting meeting commenced, Cho MMM keeps it up. l Pavithra’s Perspective Ramaswami was to present agree with what Mr. Srikanth Prema Raman Palkhivala to the audience. Ihas expressed in his letter to 88, Harrington Road, Chetput Cho took the mike and said, the Editor, regarding the new Chennai 600 031 Chariot of the Gods When a neighbourhood celebrates The annual Sundaram Fi- stopped but the nance Mylapore Festival was artistes weren’t held between January 9-12, despondent; 2020. Given below are some of they got into the programmes that took place the groove when during the event. things were set Concerts at the Park right. Through the weekend, Carnatic music concerts at there were a the Nageswara Rao Park in Luz string of recitals by students of Sruthilaya School One of the park concerts held during the Mylapore from 5.30 p.m. Festival. set the ball rolling for the 2020 onwards. The Inside the school, some 50 edition. Though the dew dis- highlights included a malkhamb participants were busy playing appeared earlier than it has of display on Sunday and two late and the sunshine crept into Daya Kattam. Seniors especially this verdant park, the group of were very hap- vocalists and instrumentalists, py to take part all in their teens and dressed in the contest in traditional attire started the that was held concert on the dot of seven. at the school’s They sang for an hour as prayer hall. Said family and friends and some Nagalakshmi, Mylaporeans who take walks or a 75-year-old exercise in this park stopped by Mylaporean, to listen to the music. Hot cups “No matter of coffee were passed around to whatever com- rasikas who sat around the stage mitments I at Chess Square. Street lined with kolams. have, I keep everything aside Cultural shows on main Bharatanatyam dance produc- and make sure to participate in the Daya kattam contest every stage tions each evening. Hundreds of people enjoyed year.” The stage shows that were the food street (Sundareswarar held in Sannithi Street quad- Vintage Pelathope bunga- Swamy Street) zone during the low hosts talks rangle drew a large audience. Mylapore Festival 2020. On the I was fascinated the first time I saw Valluvar Kottam. Well, Various open-air performances A one-hundred years old wouldn’t you be, if as a nine-year-old you saw a giant chariot? As roadside, the narikurava com- were held over two evenings. munity spread colorful beaded house in Pelathope in Mylapore it was, I was spellbound by regular-sized chariots at temple festivals From folk music and dance to was the venue for two public and this one was humongous, with steps that people could climb and chains. Balloons, panjumittai classical music and choir, these and Delhi appalam seemed to talks. On Saturday, January 11, explore within. Despite aching legs and exhaustion, I enjoyed myself recitals have led from one to Jaishri P. Rao gave a talk on the thoroughly. be favourites among children the other ending with the main as well as adults. From jigart- histories, heritage and cuisine A few years later, I learnt that it had been the brainchild of the show – a Bharatanatyam dance handa to mangalore bonda and of the small Thanjavur Maha- then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi in drama. pidi kollukattai, the food stalls rashtrian community. Rao re- the 1970s, built by the legendary Ganapati Sthapati and had been On Friday January 10th, offered a variety of delicacies cently published a book on this inaugurated in April 1976; that the entire chariot itself was a massive when the Telengana folk troupe that people loved. subject and her talk was based replica of another famed chariot, one in Thiruvarur; that it contained came back for a second recital, Outside the gate of Lady on material she has collected all 1330 couplets of the Thirukkural in the Kural Mandapam; and their spirited dance to recorded Sivaswamy Ayyar Girls’ Higher over time. On Sunday, January that the wheels alone were 11 feet in diameter and 2 feet in thickness. music set feet tapping. The Secondary School, volunteers 12, Padmapriya Baskaran whose music may have spluttered and When I decided to draw Madras’s famed sights, it was one of of NGO Bhumi conducted fun passion has been to detail on- the first attractions I chose. I had a whale of a time with the details, games to create line hundreds of significant but especially the roof. But perhaps the best part was the tiny man trying awareness on forgotten temples/ shrines of to “push” the chariot. Perspective, you see. I wonder if he knew that waste segrega- Tamil Nadu talked on ‘Gods of it was stationary and couldn’t ever be moved? tion and distrib- the Holy Koovam River’. Pad- uted cloth bags. mapriya has published a book PS: Of course he was imaginary! On January 12, on this subject. Vishal, a volun- The Fest featured over 30 Details about the miniature: Black and White; Pen and Ink. events across four days. – Cour- Dimensions: Approximately: 5.5” X 2.5” teer of Bhumi distributed seed tesy: Mylapore Times. Pictures courtesy: Sundaram Finance l Pavithra Srinivasan is a writer, journalist, artist, translator, balls. Limited columnist, editor and is fascinated with History. Folk Dance by the students of Department of Natya, MGR Janaki College of Arts and Science. 4 MADRAS MUSINGS February 1-15, 2020 February 1-15, 2020 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 The inner vision Achieving with a quiet passion – Remembering T.V. Antony who passed away last week “Without passion man is a mere the seashore for this purpose. ent States in the achievement of gets recognised latent force.” After these investigations, T.V. national targets on population .V. Antony, a celebrated civil Antony was convinced that the regulation and stabilization. In The Lord Mayor of Madras Tservant, joined the Indian top priorities for the nation, if this area, Kerala and Tamil Nadu ne of the significant positions among many that T.V. Antony Administrative Service in 1956 the incidence of poverty is to be are in the forefront. Oheld was that of Special Officer in charge of the Madras with a Padmashri and was allotted to the Tam- reduced in the country, should In view of his experience and Corporation. It came to him in a dramatic fashion when following il Nadu cadre. His passionate be (a) population regulation and expertise, he was much in de- the Muster Roll Scandal, the Corporation Council was sus- commitment, pioneering and stabilization and (b) agricultural mand in several States to advice pended, several officers were dismissed and the administration of the city was taken over directly by the State Government. n her celebrated poem Tran- After graduating in 1956, they accepted what was meted exemplary work, primarily in the development. Career opportuni- on the most suitable strategy to A few years ago I was working on a book on the Corporation of Iscience Sarojini Naidu says, he shifted to the then Madras, out to them with a rare kind of important areas of Population ties, both in the State and in the be adopted in these areas. Chennai, which never saw the light of day. But during the course Nay, do not grieve tho’ life be full where he joined a chemical firm dignity that saw Mano emerge Stabilization, as well as Agri- Union enabled him to pursue The citation for PADMA of the research I met TV Antony and enjoyed the interactions with of sadness, that specialized in making elec- as writer as well. He would also culture, earned him the civilian these priorities with missionary BHUSHAN reads, “Shri Antony him. “I was merrily coasting along in the IAS when the then Chief Dawn will not veil her splendour tric lamps for miners replacing sketch on the spot while his wife The indefatigable Manohar-Mahema. award of Padma Bhushan in June zeal and commitment, much is best known for his contribu- Minister M Karunanidhi called me to his chamber and declared that for your grief, Davy’s safety lamps. His first art read to him. 2004. beyond the call of duty. tion to the very steep fall in the I was the Lord Mayor of Madras,” he remembered with amusement. Nor spring deny their bright, ap- work was a Christmas greeting His first book was Green Well T.V. Antony, born in 1933, In the area of population Crude Birth Rate of Tamil Nadu seems to freeze time itself with For he’s bewitched forever who pointed beauty to lotus blossom card that he made for his boss, Years, an autobiographical ac- was the son of another legend- regulation and stabilization, age- from 28/1000 to 19/1000 during his work. has seen, and Ashoka leaf. who was highly impressed. His count and in effect, a tribute ary civil servant, T.A. Varghese old mindsets had to be changed the decade 1984-1994. As Col- One is reminded of Vita Sack- Not with his eyes but with his The indefatigable Mahe- company sent him to London to the city he loved the most of the old Indian Civil Ser- to accept the two children per lector of Thanjavur, he created ville-West when she sang: vision, ma-Manohar couple proved for three months in 1962 to en- – Madurai. The book featured vice. Both father and son served family norm. Not an easy task. the concept of the “Mass Family “The country habit has me by the Spring flow down the woods and the essence of the sentiment hance his technical skills, where festivals in Madurai like Chthirai Tamilnadu with great distinction Undaunted, T.V. Antony mount- Planning Camps” in 1971-72, heart, stipple leaves with sun.” expressed in her poem. on his own he visited museums, Thiruvizha etc. Mahema pro- and both of them retired as Chief ed a massive publicity and pro- which was later adopted all over Manohar was born and raised listened to western classical vided the text for his sketches. Secretary of Tamil Nadu. paganda program, mainly in the State. This was also repeated in Madurai, the city that he music and went around with That was followed by his second After graduating from Loyola Madras City and in the Districts in Madras later, when he was Ad- loved and continues to admire, his English friends. He quipped book, almost a documentation College, Madras with B.Sc. where he was Collector, enlisting ministrator (1974-76) for which and graduated in Chemistry from that the England-returned tag of Mahema’s life, titled Dreams, (Hons) in Chemistry and from the support of the media (print, Madras received a National American College in 1957. His improved his marriage pros- Seasons & Promises. Mano went the Madras Law College with a radio and television), several Award, the “for the Sake of Hon- father, fond of music and fine pects! Back in Madras, he met on to publish his third work, A B.L. degree, Antony succeeded non-government organizations, our” from the Rotary.” arts, made Mano learn to play Mahema, a graduate in fine arts in passing the Central Services After superannuation, T.V. the piano, which he was quite from Stella Maris. The meeting Competitive Examination with Antony was invited to be a We at Madras Musings good at. However, Mano loved bloomed into genuine love and a high rank, which merited his by Member, Chairman or Advisor the fine arts and liked to draw. soon they were married. In 1969, are delighted that inclusion in the Indian Admin- in the following organizations In a meeting in February 2018 Mano went to Oberlin Universi- Manohar Devadoss has istrative Service in May 1956. In S.P. Ambrose connected with Population and at the Madras Literary Society ty in the US to pursue his Mas- been conferred the Padma Tamil Nadu, T.V. Antony worked ias retd. Family Welfare: T.V. Antony as Special Officer of the Madras Corporation interacting with Shri by the Government in several important posts. He l Member, State Planning Library, when he was in a near- ters degree and Mahema joined slum dwellers in the 1970s. total-blind condition, it was him. He says that 1970-1972 of India. We offer our was Collector of three districts, besides government and local Commission, Government of felicitations through this bodies to effectively spread the awesome to watch him make a were the best years of his life. viz Madurai, Tirunelveli and Tamil Nadu. In 1973, the Corporation was superseded by Government due PowerPoint presentation on his Back in Madras, he continued article on him by historian Thanjavur, Special Officer of message of the advantages of a l Member, National Institute of to what became called the “Muster Roll Scandal”. This happened life with a fine touch of humour with his Company and retired as K.R.A. Narasiah. the Corporation of Chennai, small family. Simultaneously, he Health and Family Welfare. following disclosures of serious financial and administrative and an inimitable grace innate its technical director. Secretary (Planning), Chairman, implemented a broad strategy for l Member, State Population irregularities and misappropriation of large sums of civic funds, in to him. He said that he enjoyed During early 1960s, Manohar Poem to Courage, a life sketch of State Planning Commission, population regulation and stabi- Commission. which members of the Council, former Mayors and officials were drawing pictures from his early was diagnosed with retinitis pig- Mahema and in 2007 published Chairman, Electricity Board and lization, which was not limited l Member, Population Founda- all involved. Many of them were charge sheeted and convictions childhood, and that the subjects mentosa, a progressive incurable Multiple Facets of My Madurai, in Chief Secretary. In the Central to surgical procedures and con- tion of India, New Delhi. followed. As a senior IAS officer TV Antony, was appointed as Special Officer to exercise the functions of the Council, of the art he created kept chang- degenerative eye-condition, which every page had a sketch Government, he worked under traceptive devices, but also to l National Advisor for Popula- ing as he grew in years. When he which leads to total blindness. and an explanation by the side. the Ministry of Commerce as literacy, empowerment of wom- tion Stabilization, Health and the Mayor and the Standing Committees (except the Taxation He published a tribute to Director, Export Promotion in en, marriageable age, spacing be- Family Welfare Ministry Appeals Committee) – in effect he became the Corporation itself. was in the American College, he Manohar was forced to expe- The Executive Officer (Commissioner) continued to function. tween children, and nutrition for l was struck by the dignity of the rience the limits of vision, but Mahema in 2010 titled Mahema Brussels, Belgium, and as Joint Member, National Population The Administration Report of the following years (1973- brick building in the campus and this did not lead him to give and the Butterfly with colour- Secretary, Ministry of Health and pregnant and lactating mothers. Commission under Chairman- 74) records the then Commissioner V.Karuppan’s remarks, “A ful sketches. The couple spent Above and below: Family Welfare. Through official intervention he ship of the Prime Minister. made a pen and ink drawing of up his passion. While this was Sketches made by significant fact of this year is that the oldest Corporation of spread the message for a small l the college Chapel which drew bad enough, worse was yet to decades carrying each other’s Manohar Devadoss An amiable officer of integrity Member, Rajasthan State the Country was superseded from December 1, 1973 on the the attention of college authori- happen. On December 30, 1972 burdens: Manohar taking care with very minute details. and humility, T.V. Antony had family in the marriage halls, as Co-ordination Committee for grounds that the council, the Civic body failed to safeguard ties as well as the students. – three days after the couple of her physical and emotional the ability to easily communicate well as through mid-day meal Empowerment of Women. the interest of public money and came under the Administra- It was then he realised that celebrated their ninth wedding needs, despite his progressively with all sections of people, par- centres. As Joint Secretary in the l Member, National Rural tive Control of the Special Officer who replaced the Mayor, he had a feel for architectural anniversary – a road accident failing eyesight and Mahema ticularly those below the poverty Ministry of Health and Family Health Mission. Standing Committee and Council…….. His correctional methods brought out a good deal of discipline in the rank and file of the entities. He says, “I had a good turned Mahema into a quadri- helping him sketch and paint line to exchange information and Welfare, New Delhi, T.V. Ant- l Member, Central Council of ony, with experience of popula- staff and the financial control was very effective”. A High-lev- comprehension of perspective plegic. Shattered dreams did and write books by being his eyes. ideas, mainly to crystallize his Health and Family Welfare. el Committee instituted in 1977 sought to further improve and a natural flair for pen and not suppress the couple’s noble It is remarkable that the couple thoughts on the problems faced tion regulation and stabilization The Rajasthan State Govern- efficiency and reform the structure of the Madras Corporation. ink drawings.” life. As sung by Sarojini Naidu, did not allow the debilitating by these persons and their needs. was in a position to formulate ment conferred the State Award In the event Antony’s record as Special Officer was to lead to a tragedy to spoil their colourful He often visited slums along and influence policy, and also “for his outstanding contribu- series of successor officers under whom the Corporation was admin- and meaningful life. Until Mahe- river banks and “kuppams” along review the progress in the differ- tions to the State in the field istered till 1996. It then got an elected body but that too is now a mat- ma’s death in March 2008, they of Population Stabilization and ter of the past. The city is once again administered by bureaucrats. made postcards for charity, with Women Empowerment.” – Sriram V Manohar doing the sketches and It was in Thanjavur district, she providing the text. Their the ‘rice bowl’ of Tamil Nadu sense of humour and sincerity of that T.V. Antony, who had listed rice varieties, to ensure the use such social visits with a brief purpose in life earned them many Agricultural Development as the of correct agricultural practices, check on civic amenities in the admirers and more friends. second national priority, exerted to ensure abundant supply of neighbourhood, and if necessary His latest work co-authored himself ceaselessly to maximize inputs and to install more than arrange for remedial action. with architect Sujatha Shankar agricultural production. I can adequate marketing facilities.” Invariably, he made these visits titled Inked, has 61 sketches by do no better than quoting the T.V. Antony was a warm on a bicycle for the purpose of Manohar, including two by his citation from the Padma Bhu- hearted friend with a quiet sense exercise, and this habit contin- spirited wife Mahema. Descrip- shan Award, which says, “Shri of humour and a ready smile. ued till he was physically unable tions of 42 subjects by Sujatha Antony’s contributions have He used to knock on the doors to use the bicycle. interspersed with his own not- been primarily in the areas of of friends’ houses, particularly Mr. T.V. Antony will ever be ings is to be shortly published. Agriculture and in Population those who were not in the best remembered for his services to The book narrates the story of Regulation. In 1969 – 1972, he of health, without prior notice India, especially Tamil Nadu. the city’s metamorphosis in an galvanized the extension mech- and cheer them with humorous He achieved much with quiet Basking in the company of his old friends: S. Muthiah, Sujatha Shankar, K.R.A. evocative manner and Mano anism to popularize high yielding Narasiah and Sriram V. T.V. Antony at a health facility. anecdotes. He used to combine passion. 6 MADRAS MUSINGS February 1-15, 2020 Nani Palkhivala in Madras – II (Continued from sending in my visiting card, I cious function and the marriage Madras. He always loved and last fortnight) gave the invitation for the bud- party might only arrive between had great hopes for the young- get speech, asking Mahendran 2 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. I wasted er generation of the country. Palkhivala and to inform Cho that we wanted no time in seeking the person As I recall those events, more Cho Ramaswami him to attend it. Mahendran who had booked the hall for his memories of the 1973 Abbots- o account of my remi- went in and after giving him the daughter’s wedding. Fortuitous- bury speech come back. An Nniscences of Palkhivala invite, came out and told me ly, he was the Branch Manager interesting incident concerns in Madras will be complete that Cho wanted to meet me. of ACC and Palkhivala was the late J. Jayalalitha, former without mentioning the mu- I went in and met him. He had the Chairman of ACC! Over- Chief Minister of Tamilnadu. tual respect and admiration not yet lost the hair on his body. whelmed, the gentleman readily She was then a busy film star. It that Cho Ramaswami and he He had also not yet adopted consented to let us use the hall is well-known that she wanted had for each other. I have the the familiar green attire, which in the morning. I assured him to become a lawyer but circum- fond recollection and pride became a habit in more recent that the pandhakal (an auspi- stances led her into the film of bringing them together on times. His response impressed cious pole forming part of the industry. She held Palkhivala in a public platform for the first me, “Mr. Gopal, thank you for wedding ritual) will be protected high esteem and wanted to at- time. Their appearance in the inviting me. Palkhivala is a by our volunteers and I would tend the speech at Abbotsbury. same event used to attract great man, an icon for all of us. be happy to provide seats for Sometime before the event, she enormous crowds. Whenever But my presence would only him and the groom’s family at called up Cho, who was her back without any passenger, Palkhivala shared the platform be a distraction. People should the event. It had thus happened good friend, and asked him if while Palkhivala, who later vis- with Cho, one could see that come to listen to him, not gaze that we not only got the venue a seat could be reserved for her ited the Aurobindo Ashram at he was visibly infected by Cho’s at me.” But I was insistent. I but also got it free of cost! The at the venue because she might Pondicherry, went to Delhi by humour. Once he invited Cho assured him that I will wait for Sunday arrived and the audi- arrive late. Cho asked me on a commercial flight. His arrival to preside over his meeting his arrival, take him to the stage ence overflowed the hall. Many her behalf but I firmly declined at Madras by a private aircraft in Matunga, Bombay, and for and seat him away from public stood outside the hall, under the request. Normally seats were caused an interesting titbit to breakfast at his home which gaze. He attended the speech not reserved for anybody and appear in Ananda Vikatan. Bala, who was on the editorial staff of faced the Oval maidan. In the at R. R. Sabha and as quietly as I was not willing to make an by the magazine, was a close friend story of Palkhivala’s association he slipped in, he left after the T.S. Gopal exception for Jayalalitha. But I with Madras, I regard the com- event. Later that evening, at a must add that we used to have of Cho. I used to chat with him ing together of Cho and him as dinner hosted by A. Sivasailam, volunteers sitting in rows other while waiting to meet Cho at a landmark event. Palkhivala, the famous industrialist, I told the scorching sun to hear Cho than the first row, and they the Ananda Vikatan office. At who was well-known among the Palkhivala about Cho’s incon- and Palkhivala. Cho’s introduc- would give up their seats for Abbotsbury, while we were intellectual class and the upper spicuous visit. He immediately tory remarks were so witty that VIPs if needed. I also felt that chatting before the speech, I echelons, became enormously became curious to meet him. I Palkhivala said, “Rarely have a popular film actress arriving said to him that Palkhivala had popular among the middle class then rang up Cho, and Palkh- I seen the Chairman outshine late would be an unwelcome to arrive by a private plane. Im- and the younger generation in ivala spoke to him on the phone the speaker in advance.” This distraction at the venue. When pressed by the public adulation Madras after Cho’s association and expressed a desire to meet was also the occasion when Cho conveyed my decision to that he witnessed at the event, with him, especially after a him. It was then 9.30 p.m. Cho Palkhivala said with a broad her, she was understandably he caused a box item to appear speech at Abbotsbury in which arrived at Sivasailam’s house smile as to why he thought the upset and did not attend the in Ananda Vikatan that read Cho presided. Of that speech, I by 9.45 p.m. Palkhivala and he organisers had invited Cho to speech. This coincided with the ‘Palkhivala came by a private have vivid recollections, which held a conversation for a little preside, using the anecdote of a time when she was writing some Tata plane especially for this I will share later. Cho – I am more than half an hour. In the waitress in a U.S. railway restau- of her reminiscences as a series speech’. The same piece also sure everyone knows – was following issue of Thuglak, Cho rant, who served the customer in Thuglak. After that unhappy carried a facsimile of the initials not only a journalist but also carried synopses of Palkhivala’s two eggs, “in case one turned incident, the series came to an ‘NAP’ written by Palkhivala a film actor and a playwright. speech at R. R. Sabha and their out bad.” Among the numerous abrupt end. As if he held me to with the caption, ‘This is how Through his Thuglak writings, conversation. From that time people who attended the event, blame for it, Cho said in a lighter he signs’. Appearing in Ananda he was immensely popular with onwards, Palkhivala became there were distinguished per- vein, “Gopal, because of you she Vikatan, which had always been the middle class, of which Ma- more popular among the middle sonalities such as A. Sivasailam stopped writing her reminis- quite popular among Tamil dras has always had a consid- class in Madras. and D.C. Kothari, well-known cences!” Another interesting readers, was unexpected public- erable number. The first time industrialists, J.H. Tarapore, memory relating to the speech ity for us. I sent the clippings to I got Cho to meet Palkhivala A speech at Abbotsbury the famous architect, Justice at Abbotsbury is that Palkhivala Palkhivala. He was pleased to was later in the evening af- In 1973, I arranged Palkh- Narayanaswamy Mudaliar, K.S. came to Madras by a Tata owned see them and felt flattered like ter the budget speech at R.R. ivala’s speech, presided by Cho, Venkataraman I.C.S. (Retd.), private aircraft – it was ‘Cessna’ a child. Cho’s presiding over Sabha in 1970. While making at Abbotsbury. In the Thuglak M.S. Subbulakshmi and T. Sa- if my recollection is correct the speech at Abbotsbury and arrangements for this speech, issue immediately preceding dasivam. Making arrangements – because his busy schedule that piece in Ananda Vikatan I was exploring ways of getting this event, Cho had published for this speech, successfully prevented him from catching a made him a household name in the youth and the common man a small note signed by him, in despite the initial hurdle, gave commercial airline flight from Madras. in Madras to attend Palkhiva- which he invited the readers me immense satisfaction as this Bombay in good time. The la’s speeches. Since Palkhivala to attend it, not because he event brought Palkhivala in plane landed in Madras two (To be continued and Cho belonged to the same was presiding but to hear the close contact with the youth of hours before the event and flew next fortnight) profession – Cho was then the man who was championing the legal advisor to the TTK Group common man’s cause! – and were deeply concerned I believe that if I was in- about the welfare of the com- variably successful in arranging mon man, I wanted them to Palkhivala’s budget speech- meet and possibly come togeth- es in Madras, it was due to a er on public platforms. Cho was divine intervention on many at his satiric best and I believed occasions, including the one at that his immense popularity Abbotsbury in 1973. Palkhivala with the middle class would only found time to give that help attract them to Palkhiva- speech on 4 February 1973, a la’s speeches. A week before Sunday. But Abbotsbury was the speech at R.R. Sabha, on booked for a wedding on that a late evening, I went to Cho’s particular Sunday. Since Cho office. It was then located in was presiding, we could not the Ananda Vikatan offices find any other auditorium large near Indian Overseas Bank’s enough for the expected crowd. Head Office on Mount Road. I spent sleepless nights trying to Mahendran, who later became work other options. A solution a famous film director, was then presented itself when my moth- an assistant editor of Thuglak er looked up the almanac and and he was sitting at the front said that that Sunday morning A full house at Abbotsbury to listen to Palkhivala. Among those that can be made out are A. Sivasailam, office. Rather than customarily was not suitable for any auspi- M.S. Subbulakshmi, T. Sadasivam and Justice K.S. Venkataraman, ICS. February 1-15, 2020 MADRAS MUSINGS 7 Marble-like chunnam in 18th- and 19th-Century Madras Presidency
ime (calcined limestone), curs in extensive quantities Lreferred as çûnam (‘chûn- among the boundary hills, nam’) was used in the Indi- and is accessible during an subcontinent for ages. In the rains, from whence it the Tamizh country, lime was is transported by the inland referred as çûnnãmpu. Thomas navigation to the most dis- Lehmann explained the ety- tant parts of Bengal; but mology of çûnnãmpu as follows: it is greatly inferior to the ‘The word çûnnãmpu beautiful shell-chunam of is first attested in the 12th Madras. A commerce in century war poem Kalin- chunam, wax, ivory, and gathu-p-parani According other articles, is carried to the Tamil Lexicon of on with the Cosseahs2 and the University of Madras other mountaineers on the çûnnãmpu is derived from eastern frontiers of Bengal.’ çûnnã (Prakrit). It is possible Maria Callcott, a popular that the word çûnnãmpu British writer and traveller of was in use before the 12th the 19th Century and one who Century. lived in Madras and Bombay The nature and quality of in 1809–1811, describes in her chûnnam used in the Madras book The Essays towards the His- Above: Ornate chûnnam work on Inside view of Madras-terrace roof. Wooden rafters hold the diagonally-laid Presidency are formally record- tory of Painting (1836, p. 220): the sikarã of the vimãnã of a temple 3 baked, slender, red half-bricks (arai-k-kal) plastered along their left–right ed in various published reports ‘Panænus (the brother in the Madras presidency (Source: by the British either living in or of Phidias) used a plaster and front–back faces (Source: https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/36697306- 9635001123). Rãz 1834, plate xxvi. Lithograph visiting Madras from the 18th or stucco in the Temple of by William Day and Louis Haghe, Century. All of them consis- Minerva at Elis, Southern London.Artist not identified). Below: are thatched. Persons of tently remark that the quality Greece, mixed with milk. (MTR). Before the popularity Neerazhi mandapam(the hall in the even moderate wealth of this material used in building This should be something of MTR in the 18th Century, middle of the temple tank) adjacent build themselves terraced human residences and other like the beautiful mar- houses of middle- and low-in- to the Chithira Sabai of Tiru-k-ku- or tiled houses. Terraced buildings was superior than ble-like stucco or chu- come earners were essentially tralanãthar temple management, houses are rare in Namak- that used for the same purpose nam-work of India. I once thatch roofed,using interwo- Courtallam. The 3-storey tower kal and Udaiyarpalaiyam elsewhere in India. saw a floor laid at Madras, ven sun-dried plant materials bears beautiful çunnãmpu sculptures. taluks, where tiles are gen- James Anderson of Hermis- among the materials of (e.g., grasses and palm foliage) Estimated construction was either erally used. Terraced hous- ton comments in an article on which were jaggree (jag- during the Vijayanagara Empire es, in many other districts, chûnnam (1799, p. 7): gery) or coarse sugar, water (14th–17th Centuries) or during are usually owned only ‘No cement for building and milk.’ the reign of the Madurai Nayak-s by the wealthy. Two-sto- hath as yet been discovered Because of its quality and (16th–17th Centuries). Recently co- by ried houses are perhaps in Europe that can be com- shine, the Madras chûnnam lour-washed because of a festive event more common in this than pared with the fine Chu- was preferentially chosen for Dr. A. Raman in the Tiru-k-kutralanãthar temple. in most other districts. nam of India for closeness, use in several buildings in Sin- (Photo: A. Raman, July 2018.) toughness, durability, and gapore in the mid-19th Centu- Thatch is made of plaited beauty. It sets as quickly ry. The Government House and cocoanut leaves covered as stucco, and at the same St. Andrew’s Cathedral are two laid tightly on bamboo frames. with straw of various kinds. time acquires a hardness classic examples. To carry out MTRs were constructed using Occasionally a loft or mud greatly superior to our best this task, convicts deported baked, red bricks plastered with terrace called kurangumac- lime mortar, and is alike from Madras, who were familiar lime mortar, placed diagonally chu (a kind of mezzanine) proper for works underwa- with the technology, were used over 30–45 cm apart-wooden is built beneath the roof. ter, as for those that are ex- as labour. rafters. If considered necessary, Houses are generally ob- posed to the air; so that it the MTRs were supported by long in shape.’ supersedes the use alike of The Madras Terrace Roofs, unique construc- wooden pillars. Engineer John Thomas gypsum and of puzzuolana, Frederick Hemingway or terras.’ tion using chûnnam (Collector and Magistrate of Smith and the Lime Mor- Reverend James Cordiner, Madras chûnnam was used Trichnopoly[Tiruchirapalli]), tar of Madras a teacher at the Male Military both for fixing bricks and plas- comments on the houses in the John Smith (1805–1882), Orphan Asylum in Madras tering wall exteriors. A popular district Tiruchirapalli in the chief engineer with the Ma- between June 1798 and April component of human resi- first decade of the 20th Century dras Engineers Corps (MEC), 1799, and later Chaplain at the dences from the early decades (1907, p. 81): is immortalised in Madras for Government House, Colombo of the 18th Century Madras ‘The houses of the poor designing and building the (Sri Lanka), while returning was the ‘Madras terrace roof’ Grecian-Doric column light- to Britain in 1802 from Co- house in 1838–1839. Smith lombo via Madras, comments explored the science of limes 1. Jaggery is the unbleached, raw appreciatively on the quality and lime mortar used as build- sugar from sugarcane juice (Saccha- of chûnnam used in the then ing material. Many of the classy rum officinarum, Poaceae). Jaggery newly constructed Banqueting engineering papers and reports Hall and a few other new build- is also made from Asian Palmyra submitted to the government (Borassus flabellifer, Arecaceae) by ings in Madras. He also clarifies at Fort St. George (Madras) by extracting and boiling the sap that that the sparkling chûnnam was MEC staff were published in oozes from the cut end of either the made by mixing lime and unre- the Reports, Correspondence and 1 shoot bud or the inflorescence. It is fined sugar – the jaggery – in Original Papers on Various Profes- the most abundantly available sugar particular proportions, so that sional Subjects Connected with the source widely used by the less well- the chûnnam-finished walls Duties of the Corps of Engineers off rural people of India (Playne et were beautiful, enduring and Madras Presidency,edited and al., 1914–1915). sparkled like marble. published by him from 1839. 2. Cosseahs — people belonging Walter Hamilton in his trav- These papers enlighten us on elogue – the Geographical, Sta- to the Khasi Hills of the Shillong some of the remarkable science Plateau, Meghalaya (Nongsiej tistical, and Historical Description that flourished in Madras. 2002). of Hindostan, and the Adjacent Countries (1820) says (p. 193): Mortar mill used while building the Government House, Singapore. (to be continued 3. Panænus: a painter in ancient Chunam, or lime, oc- (Source: McNair and Bayliss, 1899) next fortnight) Greece (c. 500 BC) (Leake 1821). 8 MADRAS MUSINGS February 1-15, 2020 Establishing a world-record in Madras anuary 12, 1964 dawned along to finish the day at 235 goal was to eat into the time. mained a world record – this Jbright and clear. It was clearly for four. The most boring part But amidst all this, the bored included a long spell of 131 balls a lovely day for cricket and the came during the fourth wicket spectators did witness a world without conceding a run. By the huge Sunday holiday crowd as- partnership between Barrington record. time England were all out for sembled at the Corporation sta- and Brian Bolus, the opening The Indian left-arm spinner 317 on the fourth morning, Na- dium in Madras, eagerly looking batsman who resumed his in- Bapu Nadkarni was well known dkarni had the mind-boggling forward to an action-packed nings. The two added 119 runs for his accuracy, but on this day and eye-rubbing figures of 32- third day’s play in the first Test in nearly five hours – a sure cure he was so parsimonious that 27-5-0. In the second innings, between India and England. for insomnia for the spectators. as England made a brave bid to They had watched two eventful There was a reason behind reach a target of 293 runs in 265 days, with India having de- England’s dawdling. Parks and by minutes, Nadkarni curbed their clared at 457 for seven and En- Stewart had taken ill and were Partab Ramchand charge with two quick wickets, gland replying with 63 for two not in a position to bat. If they finishing with the figures of England in January 1962, he at stumps the day before. The could be kept away from the he set a world record. Taking 6-4-6-2 as the Test meandered and Farokh Engineer figured in third day promised to be en- crease that day, there was ample runs off him was like squeezing to a draw. an eighth wicket stand of 101, grossing with the expected duel time for them to recover as the the proverbial water out of a Just nine months later at the which was India’s first century between Ken Barrington, Jim following day was the rest day. stone. Over after over, he kept same venue, Nadkarni enjoyed partnership for this wicket, Na- Parks and Micky Stewart and So Bolus and Barrington just wheeling them down on the the best match of his 41-Test ca- dkarni’s share being 63. Three the Indian spinners led by Salim blocked and blocked, eking out same good length spot and the reer, picking up five for 31 and years later, the same pair broke Durrani and Chandu Borde. only 27 runs in the two-hour two batsmen just played the ball six for 91 against Australia. In- that record by sharing an eighth But the packed crowd saw period between lunch and tea. dead at their feet. Ultimately, deed, Nadkarni reserved some wicket partnership of 143 runs one of the dullest days of Test Gathering runs was of the least he sent down 21 successive of his best batting feats too for against New Zealand, Nadkarni cricket as England dawdled interest to the duo as their maiden overs which has re- the Madras crowd. Against scoring 75. Making a sham of heritage conservation
(Continued from page 1) Madras which ordered the State pret that the Padmanabhan It is safe to assume that no only what is left of the RSRM administered by a private trust Government to explore the Committee report was intend- scientific study on structural choultry but also all the other which in the 1970s made way necessity to protect around 400 ed only for facades and had stability was ever done in any heritage buildings in the vi- for the Official Trustee of the heritage structures in the city nothing to with other parts of of these instances, given that cinity – Central Station, the High Court who managed the with the formation of a Heri- heritage buildings. That was many of these buildings were railway headquarters, Siddique space with a descendant of the tage Conservation Committee in the P Orr & Sons case and quite sound at their core. Serai, Ripon Buildings and founder as a co-trustee. By then to oversee the task and also this was exactly the kind of The RSRM Choultry was Victoria Public Hall. This will the need for a choultry having pass a heritage act for the State. loophole that bureaucracy was handed over the Metro Rail be a monstrosity that will de- faded, the place was leased out While the State Government waiting for. Thereafter, any in 2014 and the latter body stroy what was for long a very to a hotel. dithered over the matter, taking heritage conservation, barring assured the High Court that harmonious skyline. But then In 2006, the building its own time to pass the Act, some prestigious edifices such it would protect the structure. when it comes to ‘development’ was included in the Justice setting up a toothless Con- as Chepauk Palace and Ripon What it has done is to retain in India, aesthetics has always E. Padmanabhan Committee vservation Committee in the Buildings, has come to mean the façade, in keeping with the taken a backseat. report that listed out struc- interim, disbanding the same a coat of paint to a peeling High Court’s 2010 guideline In the middle of all this the tures that could not be hidden later and never forming a new exterior. Private buildings have and done away with the rest façade of the RSRM choultry behind large public hoardings one thereafter, the High Court, fared even worse – many listed of the building. Work has now will survive, with no connection in the city. The same report with all due respect to it, wa- in the 2006 judgement have begun in the rear on Chennai to its surroundings. But yes, we became the basis of the 2006 tered down its 2006 judgement since been demolished citing Metro Square – a 33-storey did save it did we not? judgement of the High Court of in 2010 by choosing to inter- dilapidation and public safety. structure that will dwarf not
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