Registered with the Reg. No. TN/CH(C)/374/09-11 Registrar of Newspapers Licence to post without prepayment for India under R.N.I. 53640/91 Licence No. WPP 506/09-11 Rs. 5 per copy (Annual Subscription: Rs. 100/-) WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS CHENNAI INSIDE • Short ‘N’ Snappy • The rule-book on heritage • A she-fox in Assian-land • Quizzing Quizmaster Navin • Walking with V.K. Iyer

Vol. XXI No. 20 MUSINGS February 1-15, 2012 More fiery requiems for heritage buildings...

(By A Special Correspondent) “Somehow I get the feeling that I have touched upon a touchy subject in arlier last month, when the city was celebrating my speech!” EPongal, a 250-year-old part of its history went up in flames. Historic Chepauk Palace, the first building in the A Touch Touchy? Indo-Saracenic style, was partially gutted by a fire. Years of neglect and poor maintenance had taken their toll, A portion of the Kalas/Khalsa Mahal (above) and a clearer picture of its dome – 63 years, eh? kalasam/kalasa (below). Of being what the dictionary though the authorities naturally denied all such charges. defines as “a state in which the If that was not bad enough, what followed thereafter was supreme power rests in the even worse, clearly indicating that our Government has body of citizens entitled to no policy or action plan when it comes to dealing with vote....” our heritage. And this is at a time when the common Nice. man is waking up to the necessity of protecting our his- But you seem worried over your toric buildings and is demanding action (see related particular allotment of citizens. story). You think they’re increasingly becoming like those ‘mimosa Readers of Madras Musings will be no strangers to the pudica’ plants? poor maintenance at Chepauk. This publication not so Like thotta siningi? long ago carried a detailed article on the subject, There seems to be a lot of touchi- complete with photographs. Piles of files, steel cup- ness around these days. boards, falling windows, squatters under the entrance Here a ‘strong objection’; there a portico, garbage bins situated wherever they may please, ‘taking exception to’; and, arbitrarily constructed toilets, yonder, the media favourite, and shoddy electric wiring, ‘sentiments’ being ‘hurt’.... about sums it all up. Surely all In addition, ‘They’ from ‘There’ this was a perfect recipe for such displaying a distinct need to ... They’re wake-up calls that scoff at a people who, dismally a disaster. Even then it had unable to guarantee basic been reported that a part of the necessities, dare to dream roof had caved in and some of public are responding to grand. Paradoxes – luxury the offices in the precinct had apartments vis-a-vis the home- been relocated. Since then no he last few weeks have That there is a gradual power, always experts at read- less; information desks lacking action was taken on repairing T been gloomy on the heri- strengthening of the heritage ing public opinion, were quick information; cyber cities where the building and the fire came tage front. First, there was the movement is clear from a whole enough to dissociate themselves you can’t get online; oodles of as a convenient excuse for those Chepauk Palace fire, then came host of recent events. The Gov- from the hasty pronouncement cell phones but pathetically few wanting to demolish the struc- toilets – are constantly written the less disastrous fire at ernment, it is learnt, has given of demolition and called for a about. ture and erect a multi-storied Agurchand Mansions, the first the go ahead for the proper res- panel to study Chepauk Palace. Well, constructive criticism vs. edifice in its place. 100-foot building on Mount toration of the Metropolitan That the composition of the mere carping – citizens must Experts had not been called Road. The Madrasa-e-Azam Magistrate’s Court in George committee is questionable is a learn to tell the difference. in and nobody had as yet as- was reported to be in a state of different matter altogether. Learn to accept the former, and sessed the damage when, to near collapse and at the GPO a After the fire at Agurchand ignore the latter. everyone’s surprise, the decision part of the roof caved in. But G by The Editor Mansions, it has emerged that Know something? to demolish was announced by like the proverbial light at the owner and tenants alike have Sometimes resentment is but a the PWD Minister, almost end of the tunnel, it would ap- expressed unanimously their disguised compliment. before the fire, which sadly con- Look, you’re still very young. pear that matters are not all Town. This is being done with desire to restore the heritage And your people are loud, emo- sumed one life, could be put that bad, for the public appears an accredited conservation ex- building. And in the case of the tional, undisciplined and easily out. The heritage lobby, conser- to be waking up to its heritage. pert at the helm. At the Gokhale Hall, the High Court misled – but they care deeply vationists and, above all, the That there is a groundswell in Madrasa-e-Azam, those in has ordered the restoration of for you. Prince of Arcot raised their favour of preservation and res- charge would still like to pre- the building. That this was in Despite a huge chunk of voices against this and a three- toration is now evident from re- serve the place and are looking response to public interest liti- ....er....‘notable’ exceptions, man committee was appointed cent action, but equally clear is for guidance. Restoration at the gation petitions is another there really are heroes within. to go into the question whether that in the absence of proper Victoria Public Hall and Ripon instance of growing heritage More than a billion of them, actu- what remained could be guidelines on what can be done, Building, it is understood, is pro- awareness. ally. preserved and what had been ceeding apace and plans are You, and they, will come through. such enthusiasm may soon What is needed at this stage destroyed could be rebuilt. Here result in misguided action. afoot for formal re-openings in is proper guidance on what can Ranjitha Ashok (Continued on page 6 ) (Also see page 2) the next few months. Those in (Continued on page 3) CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS February 1-15, 2012 What rule-book The old order changeth... hese are days when dance programmme of a other, the drivers exchange says on T heritage buildings are North Indian variety, to be abuse and certainly not vanishing like dew on a sum- performed by a danseuse with greetings. The expressions mer morning. If they don’t a distinctly East Indian name. thus uttered or, should MMM catch fire and then get demol- Members of Parliament, local say, hurled often have to do City’s heritage ished, they simply get demol- leaders, actors and others were with the animal kingdom. ished. And those that survive to be a part of the event, or so People are referred to as dogs are not doing very well either MMM was given to believe, at or pigs and, in case they do not as The Man from Madras least from the plethora of move, as buffaloes. MMM, buildings Musings noted from what is names on the walls. however, feels that all these happening to a particular As the date of the event are inappropriate references, ●Ever since Khalsa/Kalas Mahal was stricken with fire there has structure in Mylapore. drew closer, the posters and for he is yet to see an animal been a focus on the City’s heritage and what we in Chennai are, or The building that MMM other publicity material grew on our roads whose behaviour are not, doing to safeguard it. In this context, these excerpts speaks of was put up by a leg- in number and the encomiums is not exemplary. focussing on the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority’s end. And the edifice matched became more flowery. One of Take the cow for instance. (CMDA’s) role in heritage preservation should have readers asking his stature. With three wings these even welcomed “Her Have you ever seen it block- how much of what it enunciates is acted upon by it. that stand around a common Highness”. There were photos ing a road? It invariably rests area, it was and is a landmark galore of the performer and only on medians or at the peri- our Editor is a member of the Second Master Plan (SMP) Land of the city. Over the years, it even larger ones of those who phery. Ditto the buffalo. As YUse and Environment Committee which, as far as he recalls, has become home to several probably funded the publicity for the dog, MMM has to ad- met three times in 2009 and 2010 and, though not dissolved, has offices, with the legend’s material. Realising full well mit that it frequently crosses not met, to the best of his knowledge, since December 2010. This descendants putting the struc- that D(ance)-Day would have the road, but when it does, ture to commercial use as op- a score of VIPs dancing atten- nobody can accuse it of jay- Committee should have been naming the Heritage Conservation posed to the original purpose tion on her, which meant a walking. It looks to its left, its Committee, but the CMDA officials took it upon themselves to do for which it was built, that line mammoth traffic jam, MMM right and then left again before it and informed the Committee of the list that was being sent to of business long having gone. stayed clear of the venue, pre- it goes to the other side, a Government and the High Court, which had ordered its appoint- Maintenance was always good ferring to read a good book. practice that the two-legged ment. and it was a pleasure to see airy But all the while a question variety rarely adopts. And At the third meeting, an Approach Paper on the preparation of and well-ventilated offices stayed at the back of his mind: when these four-legged crea- Detailed Development Plans (DDP) in the Chennai Metropolitan with good parking facilities to Why all this tamasha over a tures, having crossed midway, Area was presented by the CMDA. The Tamil Nadu Town and boot. name from far away lands. realise that the oncoming traf- Country Planning Act, 1971 states that preparation of DDPs is All that was in the past. The next day, MMM was fic is too much for them, one of the functions of the CMDA. The lengthy presentation With real estate skyrocketing, driving down the same road immediately retrace their it was but a question of time and noticed that several of the steps, something that our four- offered little time for discussion but, among other things, the paper before the descendants began hoardings, what with their wheelers are reluctant to do. stressed that the statutory provisions of the TNTCP Act stated, quarrelling over the division of temporary nature, had begun As for pigs, MMM would inter alia: spoils, their vision not being to bend over, adopting terpsi- think they were doing us all a “As per Section 20 of the Act, a DDP may propose or provide anywhere near that of the favour by scavenging what we for all or any of the following matters, namely: founder of their fortunes indiscriminately throw every- 7 (m) the demarcation of places or objects and buildings of ar- which enabled him to build a SHORT ’N’ where and then wonder as to chaeological or historical interest or natural scenic beauty business from scratch. Conse- how that happened and what or actually used for religious purposes or regarded by the quently, a division of the prop- SNAPPY could be done with it. And public with veneration, or the protection of canal, tank erty was inevitable. The owner have you ever seen any animal of each wing began operating bark, low, snort, moo or roar or river side, coastal areas and other places of natural or independent of the other two. at the traffic? Never, not even landscape beauty; One put up a new storey to his chorean poses. That meant those equipped with horns (n) the imposition of conditions and restrictions in regard to wing, probably without any some of the finer print was (what an awful pun). Do they the character, density, architectural features and height thought about its impact on easier on the eye. And it was ever cover their ears with of buildings, the building or control lines for roads, railway the structure or the pressure it from one of these that MMM muffs or stick plugs into them lines and power supply lines and the purposes to which would bring to bear on com- learnt that Her Highness was while on the roads? No. Are buildings or specified areas may or may not be mon areas and amenities. closely related to one of the they intolerant of anyone else appropriated and the provision and maintenance of Another one doubled the most powerful in the Union on the road? Not at all. Very sufficient open spaces about buildings; number of tenants. A third de- Cabinet. All was clear, as well then, MMM rests his (o) the advance to the owners of land or buildings comprised molished a part of the staircase was the road. MMM drove case. (a classic period piece) to put on. Now who said that within the detailed development plan upon such terms up an elevator shaft, wholly Kolkata is the cultural capi- Photo of the fortnight and conditions as may be provided by the said plan, of uncalled for in a place where tal? the whole or part of the amount required for the erection everyone was able to manage ecently landing at the of buildings or for carrying out the works, alterations or with the steps. The common Animal farm R Chennai Airport, The improvements in accordance with the DDP.” area has since become a gar- Man from Madras Musings was bage dump with nobody being hose coming from pleasantly surprised to note Expanding on what was stated in the TNTCP Act, the paper certain as to who owns it, each Tabroad have often mar- that public transport of some spelt out in greater detail the provisions of the recommended wanting it for him/herself. velled at our traffic. Some kind had been introduced to Detailed Development Plan. The corresponding regulations stated: When MMM visited the have compared it to an ferry passengers to various “17(m) The demarcation of places or objects and buildings of ar- place last week, he was adventure ride, others have spots in the city. What gave shocked to see the building called it a functioning anar- MMM greater pleasure was chaeological or historical interest, of natural scenic chy, and yet others have reading the route chart. beauty or actually used for religious purposes or regarded rapidly going to seed. What had withstood the vagaries of forecast doom just around Whoever put it up certainly by the public with veneration, or the protection of canal, the corner. But then we all knew of Lord Connemara’s tank or river side, coastal areas and other places of natural nature was not proof to plain greed. That is the way the live in hope, and doom has proclivities and the legend of or landscape beauty. cookie crumbles – or is that not yet struck, though it is his wife staying at the epony- (n) the imposition of conditions and restrictions in regard to what happens when the imminent. mous hotel, miffed with his the character, density, architectural features and height healing touch is forgotten. But what strikes The Man dalliances with young damsels. of buildings, the building or control lines for roads, railway from Madras Musings is that As you can see from the lines and power supply lines, and the purpose to which Dance of Royalty road rage has come to stay photograph below. buildings or specified areas may or may not be and when vehicles pass each – MMM appropriated and the provision and maintenance of ur political class is not sufficient open spaces about buildings.” Oexactly known for its pa- tronage of the arts or, at least, It further stated that there would be regulations for enforcing or the classical arts. And when carrying out the provisions of the plan, which would include they do evince interest, they restrictions, if any, as regards: are careful to let it be known (i) the character of buildings to be erected, whether residen- that they prefer the regional variety, most likely with an eye tial, commercial, industrial and others; on votes. Therefore, imagine (ii) the density of buildings, that is the number of dwelling The Man from Madras houses to the hectare or the minimum size of house-sites Musings’ astonishment when or both; and down TTK Road he noticed a (iii) open spaces, recreation grounds and areas where rash of posters, kiosks, (tem- buildings are prohibited.” porary) hoardings and what have you, all announcing a (Continued on page 8) February 1-15, 2012 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

do have the Government Hos- pitals located in prime localities (General Hospital, Royapettah Hospital, Stanley, Egmore, Will hospital design Triplicane Ghosha Hospital Let’s ‘rebuild’ it and many more). These can probably be expanded and ensure all this? t is unfortunate that the Kalas modernised to high standards, IMahal in the Chepauk Palace instead of converting the new ● met with fire accident. The Secretariat and Anna Library The Khalsa/Kalas Mahal fire was the perfect opportunity for the authorities to move affected silver lining, however, is that into hospitals. government offices as well as other offices in Chepauk Palace into the New Secretariat, thus con- verting it into an office block. Further construction could help move all Government offices into this the Chief Minister has directed D. Srinivasan campus – and save the Government a heap of rent. But Government is hell-bent on making the build- that the possibility of restoring 11/6, SBI Colony ing a hospital. Now it finds itself in courts over this. But whatever the eventual court decision, we the structure be examined as Jeevarathnam Nagar publish below an advisory that is also a warning from a veteran doctor with much experience in against the initial recommen- Adyar, Chennai 600 020 hospital development. dation to pull it down. Preventing the mess – THE EDITOR I have a few suggestions. It was thought I should share this said that ‘restoration’ may not ● Hospital design today is driven by technol- was to cater to an entirely different function with the readers. My mother be possible as many of the I ogy, which is progressing at an astounding is a very impractical approach to designing a was quite annoyed with garbage wooden members supporting pace and any design should lend itself to ac- hospital. all over the street. Instead of the structure had rotted/burnt commodate future developments. ● To design a modern hospital to current complaining about it, she away. But if restoration is not ● The hospital will have to incorporate the specifications which could be upgraded for decided to do something about future needs is a challenge to any designer. possible, why not ‘rebuild’ it? latest technologies, including green tech- it. She said that at least we will nologies, to reduce its carbon footprint. ● After all, the foundation should It would be much cheaper, and the final not contribute to this garbage ● It will have to provide for patient safety and product better, if the old building is demol- be very strong. The carved menace. Therefore: comfort, with ready access to all the medical ished and a purpose-built hospital is set up. granite arches and jalis should services available. ● From the larger perspective, the moderni- be safe and intact. So also the 1. We collect all vegetable ● In a multispeciality hospital there should be sation and expansion of the present General ancient bricks. If such a struc- kitchen-waste, pooja flowers and leftover food, if any, and made available state-of-the-art ICUs for Hospital, and allocating more space adjoin- ture could be put up more than ing it, would be a much better option. put them in the pit dug in a various specialities, including operating a hundred years ago, we should theatres and ancillary facilities to service the ● The site of the New Secretariat is not as be able to replicate them now corner of the ground (we live in above, and all of these have to blend in a way easily accessible as the present General with modern technology. More- a flat but there is a small open that they are complementary to each other Hospital, particularly for the poorer sections over, many of the intricate space where we could dig a pit). without unnecessary duplication. of the public. building materials could be sal- 2. All the used paper and ● The infrastructural, logistical support ● While the conversion of the New Secretariat vaged. No doubt, the process paper packing material are kept required to support such a project would be building may appear a political masterstroke, would be expensive and time- in a plastic bag and given to the an architect’s nightmare. I have no doubt the decision will dearly cost consuming, but could be taken old paper collection shop once ● To convert a building whose primary design the proponents. up as a ‘labour of love’ for the a week. Whatever money he sake of heritage. And it has gives is collected and at the end been done elsewhere in the of the year notebooks are My mother is happy that we As compilers of a book of presence, attended by a large world. Abu Simbel in Egypt was bought for our maid’s children. don’t contribute to the mess on alumni reminiscences of the number of alumni. Without his relocated and rebuilt stone by 3. All plastic covers and the streets. Besant Theosophical School, assistance our labour of love, stone, when the Aswan High bottles and glass bottles are Mrs. P.V. Rao Adyar, as it existed before Inde- along with that of other alumni, disposed of at the old things Dam was constructed. 3, 22nd Cross Road pendence, titled South of the would not have seen the light Another immediate move buying shop once a week. Chennai 600 090 Adyar River, we approached the of day for which we shall forever should be to relocate all the of- 4. The water from the Swamigal, also an old student, be morally in his debt. kitchen sink is collected and fices functioning in the Che- Tribute to Swamigal to underwrite its printing and We hope it will encourage pauk Palace complex elsewhere poured into the rain harvesting publishing expenses. other alumni to record their and restore it as a heritage site. area and so the water gets back n MM January 1st issue you He examined the proofs and reminscences, all of which may I think all these offices can be into the ground. Ihave paid Sreelasree Nachi- without a moment’s hesitation add to the social and academic shifted to the new Secretariat 5. Of couse, we all carry appan a much-deserved tribute granted our request for financial history of our country. building. cloth bags with us. We do not to which we would like to add and technical help and the K.R.N. Menon and Additional medical facilities use plastic carry bags; so our our words of remembrance of book was completed and K.V.S. Krishna for Chennai are also a must. We house is almost garbage-free. his generosity. released at Hotel Savera in his Chennai 600 006

OUR ADDRESSES Positive response to wake-up call (Continued from page 1) engineers, technicians and arti- sometimes several owners as For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, non-receipt sans who are qualified to work well, each undertakes restora- of receipts etc.: CHENNAI HERITAGE, 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, be done with heritage buildings. on heritage structures. The av- tion and repair work as per his Westcott Road, Royapettah, Chennai 14. These cover a wide gamut of erage construction professional own light and sometimes these action points – from repair and is quite happy to recommend can be disastrous. Recent fires Madras Musings now has its own email ID. Letters to the restoration to income enhance- demolition, failing which a so- are proof of this. Lastly, nobody editor can be sent via email to [email protected]. ment by way of selling space and lution completely out of place is aware that heritage buildings Those who wish to intimate change of address can also do tourism. None of these is avail- with early building technology can generate income as well. so provided the subscription number is quoted. For non-re- able at present and owners of is suggested. Secondly, there are You only need to see what is ceipt of copies, change of address, and all other circulation heritage structures are left to no guidelines on what can be being done in Europe, the U.S. matters: Madras Musings, C/o Lokavani Southern Printers their own devices, not all of done for maintenance of heri- and Australia where there are tage buildings. In an edifice many towns that survive Pvt. Ltd., 122, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. which result in a happy ending. Firstly, there is the dearth of with multiple tenants and entirely on heritage. On editorial matters: The Editor, Madras Musings, C/o All this and more needs to be Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., 122, Greames Road, the immediate action at hand for the Heritage Conservation Chennai 600 006. MADRAS MUSINGS Committee backed by a Heri- No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters received ON THE WEB tage Act. But that august body will be sent from these addresses every couple of days to the is at present functioning more like a Government department, persons concerned and you will get an answer from them to To reach out to as many readers as possible who share our keen interest in Madras that is Chennai, and in response to having meetings once in a while your queries reasonably quickly. Strange as it may seem, if you requests from many well-wishers – especially from outside with no action to show for it, adopt the ‘snail mail’ approach, we will be able to help you Chennai and abroad who receive their postal copies very late and no one in power is talking faster and disappoint you less. – for an online edition. Madras Musings is now on the web at about that most essential piece www.madras musings.com – THE EDITOR of legislation. If at all there is a THE EDITOR moment to act, this is it. 4 MADRAS MUSINGS February 1-15, 2012 February 1-15, 2012 MADRAS MUSINGS 5

of Luz Church Road was decorated. Ashrama was not electrified and so illumination There’s a she-fox in Walking with was by Chinese lanterns. Krishnaswami Iyer had lost his wife by then and so his second daughter Subbalakshmi received an Assian-land Krishnaswami Iyer Lady Lawley and played hostess. The house was to also receive hile Subramania Bharati tions of social conduct the liber- at least of the most prominent another distinguished visitor, ur walk during the dras Mahajana Sabha on Mount wathi, became a pontiff at a very is best known for his na- alism of Swami Vivekananda. leaders of the movement and a though his arrival did not catch W Mylapore Festival to com- Road. young age, Iyer was worried that O public attention. That was tional, devotional and epic po- “The assertion of his bitter well known Bengali scholar and memorate V. Krishnaswami Iyer Further down the same road, the administration of the mutt Subramania Bharati. He was etry in Tamil, his English writ- hostility to the Central Hindu politician often conspicuous on began at the gates of the and opposite the tank, is Vishwa- would fall into wrong hands who brought there by G.A. Natesan, ings have not been widely read. College, for any cause whatso- its platform, were and still are, I Mylapore Club, which was one of kamal Apartments. This was would manipulate the child a neighbour to Krishnaswami In fact, Bharati was as versatile ever, (is) entirely erroneous. He believe, earnest and convinced his creations. He and his friend where Krishna Vilas, the house of pontiff. He convinced the High Iyer. Krishnaswami Iyer did not in English as in Tamil. Unfor- had always, on the contrary, a Theosophists. P.R. Sundara Iyer had been Dewan Bahadur Raghunatha Court that the mutt needed to be like Bharati’s radical editorials tunately, only some of his English sincere sympathy and admiration “The attitude of these leaders blackballed at the Cosmopolitan Rao, once stood. In 1884 a group administered by the Court of and had formed a negative view works are available and even for Mrs. Besant’s works and for in the present controversy is not Club and so, in 1903, he decided had met here and resolved to Wards till the pontiff attained of the poet without ever meeting these are not widely known. the college as an educational in- known to me but they have cer- to set up a similar facility in begin a political movement. This majority. Greatly upset at the Mrs. Annie Besant. Bust of V. Krishnaswami Iyer at Sanskrit College , Mylapore. him. Bharati was, therefore, not There are two English publica- stitution which he expressed tainly not figured among her as- Mylapore itself. He had earlier culminated in the founding of way Sanskrit hymns and slokas introduced and was merely asked tions of note, one a satire, The clearly enough to Mrs. Besant sailants nor has any ‘great lead- Adding humour to the tale negotiated a hundred-year lease the Congress Party a year later. were being recited at temples, he set up in 1891 by Salem Rama- stood till recent times. On the to sing at a cue from Natesan. He Fox with the Golden Tail, and the herself when he had an interview ers’ of the advanced party inter- Bharati says, “One morning, the for a piece of land belonging to Both Krishnaswami Iyer and had them compiled and publi- swami Mudaliar, C. Sankaran opposite side, as testimony to his was hardly into his second poem Golden Fox discovered to her the Kapaleeswarar Temple. He P.R. Sundara Iyer were to shed at his own expense and other an anthology, Agni, and with her in Calcutta. His opposi- fered on either side in the Theo- Nair, Krishnaswami Iyer and friendship with P.R. Sundara when Krishnaswami Iyer shed intended to build his residence become members of Congress distributed free to shrines all over other Poems, Translations and Es- sophical controversy. This leg- amazement that her personal at- P.R. Sundara Iyer. In later years, Iyer, survives Sree Baugh, the tears at the beauty of what he on it. This land on the southern party. Krishnaswami Iyer was to the Madras Presidency. says (including ‘The Political end will not hold and Mrs Besant tendant had committed a noc- V. Krishnaswami Iyer’s eldest latter’s residence and now the had heard. He was to become a side of Luz Church Road was, be an active volunteer in Leaving the four Mada Evolution in the Madras Presi- must find some other bludgeon turnal burglary and run away son-in-law, R. Narayanaswami property of Amrutanjan. great admirer from then on. The however, made over to what was organising the 1897 Congress Streets behind, we moved on to dency’) published in 1937. There for prostrating her opponents with her golden tail... She now Iyer, was to run it. Another legal Krishnaswami Iyer and Sundara first publication of Bharati’s constituted as the Mylapore Session in Madras. By 1903, Kutchery Road where, in 1905, were also a few Vedic hymns in and critics.” began to humour the Apes, call- association that Krishnaswami Iyer were ardent admirers of songs was funded by Iyer. Club on January 1, 1903. when the next Session in Madras Krishnaswami Iyer established English, and an attempt at Bharati next published the sa- ing them the dearest creatures on Iyer gave a fresh lease of life to Gokhale and it was thanks to It was from Ashrama that By the time the club was was held, he had grown wealthy the Venkataramana Ayurveda Azhwars’ pasurams in English. tirical pamphlet (he called it “a earth and delivering a series of was the Vakils Association. This Gokhale that they came to know Krishnaswami Iyer set out in De- founded, Krishnaswami Iyer had and influential. He embarked on Dispensary to revive the Unfortunately these are not fable with an esoteric signifi- lectures on topics which were was in the 1890s, a time when of the good work done by cember 1911 for Delhi to attend become a patron of the Suguna a whirlwind tour of South India traditional Indian school of available now. cance”) criticising Besant and dear to the Apes’ heart, such as barristers and advocates, Mahadev Govinda Ranade, the Grand Coronation Durbar. Vilasa Sabha, the amateur dra- to collect funds for the Congress. medicine. He endowed the the following: invariably British, looked down whose life in the Bombay With him, to be presented for the The staire had its genesis in a her activities. The 10-page ar- matic society founded by He was of the view that a party institution with a grant of on the native vakil. The last Presidency was in many ways King Emperor, was the George controversy that broke out on ticle was later brought out in a 1. The authority of tail-less Pammal Sambanda Mudaliar groups had to suffer several paralleled that of Krishnaswami Deva Shatakam, a set of 100 January 24, 1911 with a letter to second edition and Bharati says animals over the tailed ones, al- and his friends in the 1890s. Iyer insults, not the least being the Iyer. It was in memory of Ranade verses in Sanskrit on King The Hindu from the then well- in its perface, “The second edi- ways excepting the Foxes. was to initially pour scorn over denial of the privilege to wear that the eponymous library and George V, penned by his friend known physician and popular tion of the Fox is not my seeking the efforts of the Sabha in trans- Looking back with 2. How, even among Foxes, a gowns in court. Krishnaswami reading room were to be built Mahamahopadhyaya Laksh- leader of Mylapore, Dr. M.C. at all. It is, so to speak, forced on lating Shakespeare’s plays into tail-less one is superior to the Iyer was Secretary of the Asso- with donations by the two mana Suri. On December 10, Nanjunda Rao, wherein he me by the importunity of some Tamil and staging them. One of SRIRAM V. rest. ciation from 1889 to 1902. friends. Almost half-a-century 2011 as he prepared to attend questiond the theories and prac- local friends whom the spirit of its most successful efforts was During his tenure, he spear- later, Ranade Hall was to acquire the full-dress rehearsal, his belt tices of Mrs. Annie Besant and the age impels to do something 3. The paramount impor- Virumbiya Vidame (As You Like headed an agitation demanding a first floor, to be named after buckle pierced his stomach. Be- the introduction of J. Krishmna- towards knocking down what tance to Apes and Asses of voy- It). The members felt that a play that represented the common Rs. 20,000 and it functions till equal rights for vakils, and this another public figure – the Rt. ing heavily diabetic, his body murti as a world teacher. He has been aptly described as the ages to Fox-land. with so much of the action set in man should also be funded by today. Walking down Kutchery included the privilege of wearing Hon. V.S. Srinivasa Sastry, could not withstand this and sep- a forest would be better off per- especially pounced on the theory most colossal spiritual fraud of 4. The basest of animals – the him. This was the seed of the Road to Luz Corner, we had to gowns. The Chief Justice, Sir another Krishnaswami Iyer ticaemia soon set in. In an era formed in an open area and of the Mahatmas propagated by the ages. Asses. (A jeremiad against long idea that Gandhi later took to cross the Buckingham Canal. Arthur Collins, believed in equal protégé. It was thanks to the when communications were still hence it was once staged in the Mrs. Besant and asked, if the ex- ears, white noses etc.) great heights – a 25 paise mem- Krishnaswami Iyer had strongly treatment of all and decided in latter that Sastry, then a teacher primitive, the family came to gardens of Government House. istence of the Mahatmas was 5. How to convert an Ass into bership fee from every Indian to opposed its extension across favour of the vakils. at the Hindu High School, was know only from the newspapers Subramania Bharati’s writings in English Then, in 1904, it was staged in true, why was it then that none an Ape. support the Congress. Mylapore in the 1890s. He had During the time when he was brought into public service. that he could not attend the in- the gardens of the Mylapore of the saints of South India, the are looked at by K.R.A. Narasiah Several delegates to the ses- said that it would eventually a struggling lawyer, Krishna- It was from Ashrama’s vestiture. He was brought back 6. How to convert an Ape Club. It was there that Alwars and Nainmars, had men- sions were housed in tents on the wind up as a gutter and a health swami Iyer had spent his surplus grounds that in 1910 a 21-gun to Madras where, after a desper- into a Fox. Etc. etc.” Krishnaswami Iyer saw the play tioned them and why was it that tion at that time was directed “It is admitted on all hands grounds of his vast garden bun- hazard and, sadly, that has come energies in a serious perusal of salute boomed for Sir Arthur ate struggle, he breathed his last and so impressed was he that he the Mahatmas were not present against Mrs. Besant’s now aban- that the ancient Hindus had The pamphlet ends with a galow Ashrama on Luz Church to pass. He was to play a vital role Sanskrit texts. Appalled at the Lawley, Governor of Madras. at his beloved Ashrama, sur- became the President of the to guide the Theosophists at doned scheme of an officially scaled the extreme heights of highly satirical note: “So, she se- Road. His efforts were praised by in saving the Marina too. This way in which several schools of Despite their later disagree- rounded by his six children, on Sabha. Writing of this in his recognised and, therefore, offi- spiritual realisation. But I think, cretly fled away to the Republic Gopal Krishna Gokhale, who was in 1903 when the South In- philosophy, such as the Purva ments, Krishnaswami Iyer and December 28th. The family re- their conventions. memoirs, Natakamedai Ninai- cially controlled University of however, that the Hindus of the of Bees and Ants, where war- was to become a firm friend and dian Railway decided to build a Mimamsa, were dying out, he the Governor were friendly till fused an offer of a state funeral, Bharati joined in the debate vugal, Pammal Sambanda Muda- India and especially for any at- rants from Ass-land could not be who stayed at Ashrama whenever railway line along the beach. The determined in 1905 to set up a early 1911. Shortly after given their orthodoxy. and his criticism of Annie last generation, especially the liar stated that Krishnaswami executed and it is understood he visited Madras. Krishnaswami Corporation gave its sanction Sanskrit College, and this was accepting membership of the Our walk concluded rather Besant was quite fierce in a pam- tempt to include in it the Bengal English educated men, have Iyer began a new tradition at the that she has started a new cult Iyer was to become a Gokhale and work was all set to begin our next stop. This institution Governor’s Executive Council appropriately with coffee at the phlet he brought out. Supporting National College as one of its been the biggest gulls of any age sabha – that all of its presidents follower, thereby being labelled a when, on April 1st, began life in Pelathope and, (following which he resigned his Mylapore Club. He would have Aurobindo against Besant he feeders or centres. or country. And we, of the there whose chief doctrine seems would be elevated to the Bench! Moderate. Krishnaswami Iyer organised a thanks to the munificent dona- post as a Judge, making way for liked our enthusiasm, but of the wrote to The Hindu from “The reason for his ‘hostility’, present generation, are resolved to be that the land of Bees and We moved on to RK Mutt At the corner of RK Mutt massive public protest meeting. tions of several enthusiasts, P.R. Sundara Iyer’s elevation to filth and dirt on Mylapore Pondicherry: “Mr. Arabinda even as regards the University, is that the swindlers shall no longer Asses will become a paradise the Road, where we stopped at the Road and North Mada Street Working along with him was including the founder, it moved the Bench), Iyer hosted a tea streets, I wonder what he would Ghose authorises me to contra- inaccurately stated. Mr. Ghose pursue their trades peacefully in day on which they elect an old entrance to Pelathope, the street stands the second oldest branch George Arbuthnot, the very man to its present location in 1910. It party for Sir Arthur. The whole have had to say. dict on his behalf certain state- never opposed the cooperation our country. And this is the eso- and tail-less she-Fox as president in which several lawyers and of the Indian Bank. Here we re- he would prosecute three years was thanks to Krishnaswami Iyer ments about him made by Mrs. of Europeans and Indians from teric meaning of the fable. of their Republic – a cult to judges lived at one time. It was called Krishnaswami Iyer’s role later! Sensing the public mood, that the College got its library any feeling of racial fanaticism Pondicherry, 24th February which she has given the strange here that Krishnaswami Iyer Besant in her recent letter to the in the investigation of the the Corporation withdrew its with 800 books in the first year. and hostility, but as a temporary 1914, C.S. Bharati.” title of Foxo-Bees-Antism.” lived when he was struggling to Christian Commonwealth which Arbuthnot Crash, the subse- consent. The railway offered all He was also instrumental in necessity in order to deliver the make a name for himself. Oppo- I have brought to his notice. Bharati starts the tale with However, while this pamphlet quent founding of the Indian the standard sops – some of persuading S. Kuppuswami Sastri These allegations are, without Indian mind from long subservi- “Once upon a time there was an was appreciated by many includ- site this street, next to the Bank, and traced his rise in the which are still given out – such to give up all aspirations to rise exception, inaccurate, mislead- ence and habituate it again to old she fox whom her fellow- ing Aurobindo, Bharati himself Tirumayilai MRTS Station, is an legal profession, which saw him as that the stations would not be in the Bar and take to Sanskrit. ing or entirely erroneous. It is self-reliance and capacity for foxes of the Fox-land detested was not happy with it. He de- unfinished structure. This was move from Pelathope to South eyesores, there would be a pro- Sastri became the first Principal misleading to say in connection working out great objects, free very much, for she was very plored the fact that there was no where the office of the South In- Mada Street. It was during the tective hedge that would also of the College. Surrounding the with an attempt to brand as ‘se- from outside control, supervision plain-spoken and proud. And so public to appreciate his Panchali dian National Association once South Mada Street years that hide the track, etc. But Krishna- old building are several new ditious’ and ‘extremist’, the op- or tutorship. they cut off her tail as a sort of stood. Krishnaswami Iyer was to Krishnaswami Iyer learnt how to swami Iyer was to prove structures, all built thanks in the Sabadam. When people praised “I may add that Mrs Besant’s punishment.” He goes on to nar- play an important role in the ride a horse and it was here that implacable. The proposal was main to donations from the position of social orthodoxy to his English pamphlet, he re- idea that her present troubles are rate how the she-fox fixed a association in its early years, he caught a thief single-handed. abandoned and the Marina was descendants and juniors in law of Mrs. Besant’s more recent devel- marked: “The numbskulls. Here a martyrdom for her loyalty to though what exactly it did is not In the shadow of the saved. the founder. opments – that orthodoxy gave golden tail and declared herself I have been minting my heart’s known. It appears to have been Kapaleeswarar Temple gopuram We next went down Kalvi- Our last stop was opposite the Mr. Arabinda Ghose as a leader the Sarkar and the extremists, as as superior to all foxes and other blood in Tamil poetry – distilling one among several socially con- was recollected his role in mat- varu Street to the offices of the Mylapore Club, at the intersec- of the advanced nationalist a party, are persecuting her out animals. He calls the new move- all my soul in Panchali Sabadam – scious associations in which ters of the faith. When the Madras Law Journal. This, the tion of V. Krishnaswami and movement. A convinced Hindu of political animosity is either a ment of the she-fox as ‘Assiatic and (there’s) no one to do it rev- Krishnaswami Iyer took an ac- Paramacharya of Kanchi, oldest surviving publication to Baliah Avenues. This was where in all matters of religious life and fiction or a self-delusion. She has revival’ as she was now in the erence!” tive part, another being the Ma- Chandrasekharendra Saras- report on legal proceedings, was his palatial residence, Ashrama, Sanskrit College, Mylapore faith, Mr. Ghose accepts in ques- forgotten apparently that some land of asses. The pun is obvious. (To be concluded) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS February 1-15, 2012 A way to make a better city

● With all the garbage gathering on the road, with the indifferent manner in which we look at, and look after, public spaces, and with the way we seem to care little for cleanliness and hygiene outside the home, this feature by SARITHA RAI that appeared in The New (Current Affairs questions are Indian Express, Bangalore, should make some of us in Chennai ask ourselves: ‘What can we do to help create a better city?’ from the period January 1st to 15th. Questions 11-20 pertain e litter the streets, spit paan everywhere, paste posters on the city’s Central Business District is looking neat with cheerful to Chennai and Tamil Nadu.) Wempty walls, pee on the streets, and dump garbage around garbage bins, it is the group’s effort. A couple of days before the the corner from our houses. We are ugly Indians. Not every day, Namma Metro was launched, the group “fixed” the MG Road 1. According to a recent news not everyone. But even occasional transgressions can add up to a metro station. item, which South Indian univer- lot in a country of 1.2 billion. The group operates in stealth mode. Once Spotfixing is done, sity offered its Vice-Chancellor’s A faceless, mysterious Bangalore group calling itself ‘The Ugly it details the task in whodunit-like detail through photos and post to Albert Einstein? Indian’ is going about slowly and stealthily changing the dreadful video on its website and Facebook page. 2. In which media group did streets in the city. The group, which proclaims itself a “random, A Spotfix at a narrow but busy street in Bangalore’s Reliance Industries make a huge unorganised” group, is media-averse and operates only through Koramangala neighbourhood began like this first. The Ugly investment recently? an anonymous email address. It has a three language motto Indian spends time observing the spot. “The best time to observe 3. Who recently won FIFA’s “Maalu beda Kelasa madu”, “Kaam chalu mooh band”, “Only a dump is between 7.30 a.m. and 8.30 a.m. – that’s when people Ballon d’Or for best footballer of work, no talk”. generally dump garbage.” The Ugly Indian studies the spot, makes the year for the 3rd consecutive The Ugly Indians seem to be Bangalore’s answer to the Anna a list of possible culprits, but never confronts them. The group time? movement. But rather than pointing out all that is wrong with the pieces together the story of the dumping spot with evidence from 4. Who recently became the first system, the low-key group members are going about simply the dump; approaches the culprits with tact after the clean-up recipient of the Music Academy’s showing how things can be righted. There is no finger-pointing, and, befriending and drafting local retailers and civic agency staff, ‘Natya Kala Acharya’? period. Instead of cribbing about the filth and blaming the lower- helps to keep the place spotless, post the fix. A complete change- rung civic staff, the Ugly Indian has been busy ‘Spotfixing’ in over could take concerted and repeated clean-ups, which could 5. What recent news did WHO Bangalore. Self-funded volunteers who aggregate through the take up to a year. term as ‘India’s greatest public group’s website, e-mail and Facebook page descend on a A financial analyst who volunteered at a Spotfix said she was health achievement’? particularly neglected (read, filthy) corner of the city where they inspired by the group’s philosophy of not telling people what they 6. Whom did Leander Paes part- proceed to plough in and mend the spot. should do but showing people what a sincere group can achieve. ner in his triumph at the Aircel The anonymity of the group has worked in its favour. “No “I didn’t know who they are they didn’t ask me who I was ... we Chennai Open recently? names are exchanged, no introductions are made, no socialising, worked together to clean up and it felt good.” 7. On January 14th, which no networking. Everyone gets it,” the Ugly Indian described in an Bangalore seems to have adopted this faceless, silent African country marked the 1st email to this column. And so the group quietly goes about clearing revolution-in-the-making. The group has thousands of admirers anniversary of a revolution end- garbage, fixing pavements, providing litter bins (quirkily named on Facebook. Hundreds of anonymous people have volunteered ing the Zine El Abidine Ben Ali “tereBin”, designed small to save pavement space and keep stray for clean-up tasks and to sponsor the tereBins. Anonymity has dictatorship and triggered demo- dogs out), painting walls and righting road medians. indeed been the strength of this small initiative. No faces means cracy movements in Africa? The Ugly Indian’s approach is refreshing. The Indian no labels and no critics. The group has rebuffed the media and 8. Which southern State has be- explanation, “We are like that only”, is cute but does not help, refused to meet local politicians, who want to get involved for come the first to put in place the says their website; accepting that “we” are part of the problem obvious reasons, they say. All those who have joined The Ugly ‘Special Tiger Protection Force’? and only “we” can help fix the problem is more like it, they say. Indian movement have been committed to a strict code of In Spotfixing, the group makes over a chunk of a busy conduct. It is “almost like a secret society,” the Ugly Indian said 9. Which of India’s neighbours Bangalore street or corner in a way that engages local in a further email. joined the UN Security Council storekeepers, civic agency cleaning staff and the public, without This is one honest, if mysterious, public-private joint venture as a non-permanent member on apportioning blame or expecting recognition. that seems to work. India needs more Ugly Indians. January 1st? If downtown Bangalore’s restaurant hub Church Street has 10. What record was set by a regained its chic look, it is the handiwork of The Ugly Indian. If –[email protected] species of frog, Paedophryne amauensis, recently discovered in Papua New Guinea? * * * 11. Which bustling area of A fiery requiem for heritage buildings Chennai came up in the 1920s (Continued from page 1) ace has filed its report. It is also vation experts weakens the sta- have begun to abound. One of after draining the Long Tank? again, the team constituted did understood that the report may tus of such a committee. Even which is that the powers-that- 12. Which political organi- have recommended a partial now it is not too late and the be are mulling over a plan to sation’s seeds were sown at not inspire confidence; after all, Dewan Bahadur Raghunatha there was every reason to be- preservation as its solution. Government must look at ap- demolish and build an exact Rao’s home in Mylapore in 1884? lieve that all the members of the This may not be entirely accept- pointing a larger team with, if replica of what was pulled 13. Which academic institution Committee might foe the able, as the study was com- possible, specialists from IITs all down. You only need to look at of repute in Chennai was inaugu- Minister’s line. pleted in less than a week, over the country and the Cen- Singaravelar Maligai on Rajaji rated 50 years ago on Jan. 3rd in What was overlooked in all surely a very short period of tral Institute of Structural En- Salai, constructed after a simi- the Presidency College campus? this is the Heritage Conserva- time for a monument of such gineers. lar assurance while pulling 14. What tradition, synonymous tion Committee (HCC) ap- undoubted historicity. Also, the While the ultimate decision down Bentinck’s Building that with the Tyagaraja Aradhana at pointed by the Government last absence of structural engineers on the palace now rests with the earlier stood there, to be taken Tiruvaiyaru, came about at the year in response to the High and archaeological and conser- Government, the usual stories in by such promises. suggestion of Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar? Court’s judgement on heritage buildings. That the Committee 15. Which famous man was re- has done precious little is open sponsible for the Venkatramana SUBSCRIPTIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS Ayurvedic Dispensary & College, knowledge and not a single member has ever visited G Since Volume XIV, No.1 (April 16, 2003), Madras Musings has been priced at Rs.5 a copy, Kutchery Road, Mylapore? ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: Rs.100/-. Please make out your cheque only to CHENNAI 16. Which Mount Road institu- Chepauk Palace or for that mat- HERITAGE and send it, together with the COUPON, to CHENNAI HERITAGE, 5, Bhattad tion was founded by A.K. ter any of the heritage buildings Tower, 30, Westcott Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014 or C/O LOKAVANI SOUTHERN Ramachandra Iyer, the owner of listed by the Court in its orders. PRINTERS PVT. LTD., 62/63, GREAMES ROAD, CHENNAI 600 006. Midland Theatre and the man Had this been done and had the An ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION of just Rs.100 covers only a part of our costs. Corporate behind brands like Coca Cola and Committee listed guidelines for support and YOUR support will continue to be essential for Chennai Heritage and Madras Parker coming to India? the maintenance of heritage Musings to play a greater role in creating awareness about the city, its heritage and its 17. Which area in Chennai is said buildings for which it surely had environment. We therefore look forward to your sending us your contributions IN ADDITION to get its name from the local enough time, this fire may have TO your subscriptions. term for ‘ruler’s district’? never taken place. That after If in the coming year Chennai Heritage receives repeated support from those of you who 18. What was the name of the the fire the Committee was have already made contributions, and if many more supporters join the bandwagon, we will South’s only ‘Princes’ College’, given a tour of the gutted parts not only be able to keep Madras Musings going, but also be able to continue awareness- which was on Mount Road, oppo- of the palace must be a matter building exercises on on-going projects as well as undertake one or two more such exercises. site where the Kamaraj Memorial was built? of some small satisfaction to its Therefore, please keep your contributions coming IN ADDITION TO YOUR members. However, the com- SUBSCRIPTIONS. If, say, you send in a cheque for Rs.500, we will treat Rs.100 of it towards 19. Which T’Nagar auditorium subscription to Madras Musings for 2011-12 and the remaining Rs.400 as contribution towards owes its name to a pharmacy? plete silence of the Committee since the fire, speaks volumes the causes Chennai Heritage espouses. 20. Narasimhan Road, T’Nagar, We look forward to all readers of Madras Musings, and those newcomers who want to receive once bore the name of a Dada- about its effectiveness. copies, sending in their subscriptions. saheb Phalke awardee. Who? It is now understood that the three-member committee ap- – THE EDITOR (Answers on page 8) pointed to study Chepauk Pal- February 1-15, 2012 MADRAS MUSINGS 7 Setting Quizmaster Navin Thinking

● The Murugappa Group’s connection with Dr. Navin Jayakumar goes back to 1989 when the city was gearing up to commemorate 350 years of Madras. Dr. Jayakumar was invited to host a quiz show as part of the events which were planned for this milestone occasion. The Murugappa Group was the sole official sponsor of what was the first large-scale quiz show ever organised in the city, with the stage set up by Chennai’s famed art director and set designer, Thota Tharani. (Until then quiz competitions were mostly confined to being school and college affairs.) THINK, the house journal of the Murugappa Group, caught up with Dr. Jayakumar for his take on the Dr. Navin Jayakumar seen against the backdrop and stage for the city of Madras, his link with the Murugappa Group and, of course, quizzing as a passion. Murugappa Madras Quotient Quiz 2011.

THINK: A doctor and a Mini Menon of Artig Adverti- ents present in this year’s MMQ Casino Theatre was famous for curiosity to dig deeper into quizmaster – are the two inter- sing who coordinated the event Quiz who had participated as its Peach Melba. In fact we facts. ests at odds? When were you of the Murugappa Group. young college students in the served the actual dish as a For example, Anna Hazare bitten by the quizzing bug? There was also a memorable quiz I had done 22 years ago and quiz question during the at the Ramlila Ground was all Dr. Jayakumar: Actually, two-day trip round the city with had come to accompany their Madras 350 Years Quiz! Sadly the news everywhere. But does quizzing helps me in practising photographer Murali Bhasker children taking part this year. the shop has disappeared into anyone know that the idea of a ophthalmology. The mental ex- shooting pictures for questions That made it two generations history now. public celebration of the burn- ercise keeps you sharp. Quizzing – that was before the days of the that I have quizzed! So that was Moore Market, an iconic ing of the effigies of Ravana, has always been a passion. In internet! We went around tak- a wonderful connect – that the landmark of the city, had mys- Kumbhakarna and Indrajit was college, I would be a regular on ing photographs of various 1989 generation students were teriously burnt down some years promoted by none other than the quiz teams. I would wait ea- landmarks of the city, right from now parents of the 2011 partici- before the Madras 350 Years the last Muhgal Emperor gerly for the Bournvita Quiz the old railway station in pants! Quiz, but we had a nice replica Bahadur Shah Zafar! that was on radio those days. Royapuram in the extreme The difference, of course, is of it in the Central Station I have this little red book I My first encounter on the other North all the way to St. Thomas that the current crop has a lot parking lot that was photo- carry everywhere with me. And side of the microphone hap- Mount in the South. more access to information. graphed as a visual question. the moment I come across any- pened in Madras Medical Col- I referred to Aside magazine Thanks to technology, they are Unfortunately, the city has not thing interesting I jot it down at lege when a senior got me to which is no longer in print. It more clued in. treated even the replica kindly once, which can then become conduct a campus quiz. used to carry many articles THINK: Please tell us a bit and that is in a shambles. the basis of a quiz question. THINK: How about your about Madras. One of the writ- about how quizzing evolved THINK: Has your quizzing THINK: And last, the first external quiz show? ers was Randor Guy who was a here... style or technique itself under- Chennai you love, and the When and how did that come storehouse of information on Dr. Jayakumar: In 1983-84, gone any change? Chennai you love to hate? about? And what was the Tamil cinema. I also spoke to quizzing was restricted to Dr. Jayakumar: I have re- Dr. Jayakumar: The thing Murugappa connection? many friends, relatives, grand- schools and colleges. Modern vamped the format to include about Chennai is that the Dr. Jayakumar: S. Muthiah mothers to get unique insights quizzing started in Calcutta mixed audio-video clips, etc. It people here are a wonderful mix was the driving force and one of on the city. The Hindu helped a with the support of Bata and is a lot slicker, at times taking of being traditional but having the main organisers of the lot with old photographs as well. Round Table. Then Siddhartha cues from the Kaun Banega a modern outlook. Which is events to celebrate 350 years of THINK: And all that hard Basu came up with Quiz Time Crorepati quiz format. also the quality that the Madras in 1989. He asked me if work paid off? on Doordarshan, and that one A first that I have intro- Murugappa Group reflects. I would conduct a quiz as an Dr. Jayakumar: We were programme brought quizzing to duced this time around was the There is an understated el- event. That was my first expo- celebrating a landmark – 350 the drawing rooms. That made Audience SMS Quiz. A soft- egance, the pace of life is not sure to professional quizzing on years of Madras – but the Ma- it accessible, helped to bring in ware tracked audience respon- too frenetic, and while it is not such a big platform. The venue dras 350 Years Quiz as it was sponsorship, and brought it into ses to questions directed at averse to change, it is not mod- was Narada Gana Sabha Hall called itself became a landmark the public fold. them and determined which ern to the point that you throw on TTK Road, and the hall was event! The questions I asked It was very difficult getting member of the audience got the away old values. Also, which packed were brought out as a book, sponsors those days. The first most correct answers in the other city but Chennai has a There were close to 1000 which was also sponsored by the quiz I did had a budget of a least time. So, yes, technology month and a half of music sea- teams that participated over the Murugappa Group. So, yes, the princely sum of Rs. 200! Of has been responsible for the son?! 4-day mega event – 400 college response I got was truly over- which Rs. 80 was used to buy changed nature of the quiz. As for pet peeve, it has to be teams, 300 school teams and whelming! the winner’s shield. The re- THINK: Your advice to the traffic, and especially the the rest were open teams, i.e. THINK: This year you maining money went in posting budding hopefuls in quizzing? autos here. They come at you friends and family members were roped in again... letters, procuring the mike, etc. Dr. Jayakumar: Quizzing from 360 degrees! But I’m an who got together and formed Dr. Jayakumar: It was a case Public acceptance of quizzes stems from an interest in read- optimist at heart. Hopefully teams to participate. It was the of history repeating itself. went up after Siddhartha Basu’s ing, acquiring new information, things will get better. (Cour- first time that a quiz of this scale A. Vellayan, Chairman, Muru- show and parents began to see a natural heightened sense of tesy: THINK) was taking place in the city! So gappa Group, agreed to sponsor it as an intellectual activity to the city’s first major public quiz a quiz on Madras during Madras be encouraged. event ever was the Madras 350 Week and I was called upon to THINK: You have seen the CHENNAI HERITAGE Years Quiz sponsored by the be the quizmaster! 22 years after city closely. Do you see Murugappa Group. All the the first Madras Quiz, I had to changes in all these interim No. 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014 questions had to be related to prepare for the Murugappa Ma- years? I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / Madras. dras Quotient Quiz. I had a Dr. Jayakumar: In the I have just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it THINK: How did you go month to prepare for the quiz course of my research for quiz- hereafter. about preparing the questions which was to be held in August zing, I have seen parts of Ma- G I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Rs. 100 (Rupees One for such a large scale quiz (2011). dras which I would never have hundred) payable to CHENNAI HERITAGE, MADRAS, as subscription to event? THINK: How did the seen otherwise. The city has Madras Musings for the year 2011-12. Dr. Jayakumar: I used MMQ Quiz 2011 compare to changed. Many things have dis- Muthiah’s books as a starting the one you had done all those appeared. G As token of my support for the causes of heritage, environment and a point for the questions. He has years ago? Have you noticed the rail- better city that Madras Musings espouses, I send Chennai Heritage an written so much about Madras. Dr. Jayakumar: This time ings round St. George’s Cathe- additional Rs...... And there were so many topics we restricted the quiz to schools dral on Dr. Radhakrishnan (Rupees ...... ) Please keep / put me on your to cover from the fields of arts, but with a twist. I had 3-mem- Salai? You’ll see they are arrow mailing list. history, literature, geography, ber teams, each consisting of 1 heads. But do you know why? Name : ...... sports, music, movies ... the list adult (teacher or parent) and 2 Because earlier the railings were was endless. students. The idea was to give made of actual arrows collected Address:...... A lot of work went into the it an across-the-generations by the British from the Battle of ...... preparation of questions. I twist – it was a representation Seringapatam where they de- Note: Overseas postage Rs. 550/year extra. Cheques for overseas postage alone wanted to make it an illustrated of the old Madras and the new feated Tipu Sultan! payable to M/s. Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd. All other cheques to ‘Chennai quiz. I spent a lot of time with Chennai. There were some par- Jafar’s Ice Cream Shop near Heritage’. 8 MADRAS MUSINGS February 1-15, 2012 The rule-book on heritage...

(Continued from page 2) Till February 5: Visual Feast, 3rd Krishnaswamy (at Lalit Kala founding members of Chola- Group Show of V. Dakshina- Akademi). mandal Artists’ Village, Senathi- At the same meeting, Dr. A.N. Sachithanandan, former head murthy, A. James Manickam, February 8-17: Memories of a Beau- pathi is also one of the most of the School of Architecture and Town Planning and now with Shalini Geetha, N.K. Radha- tiful Mind, an exhibition on individual figurative painters in MEASI, who had at the previous meeting been requested to suggest manalan, Thimothy Tilak Bamboo Blues, the last dance the- Chennai (at DakshinaChitra). Kumar, N. Muralidharan, S.K. atre performance in India by * * * specific areas of architectural value that require preparation of Rajasekaran, M.P. Balasubra- Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina DakshinaChitra Workshops renewed urban design within the Metropolitan Area, presented a maniyam and P. Devan Bausch, photographed by Dev proposal on ‘Urban Design for CMA’. Dr. Sachithanandan urged Nayak (at Goethe-Institut). For Children Dates Age in his paper that the following, amongst others, be looked into: Nature walk & February 14-21: Earth Matters, an “Regenerative intervention: A city celebrates its growth exhibition of work done by six photography Feb 19 8-14 magnets. The focal crux of Chennai, George Town, has to be For Adults Dates revitalised and regenerated. There is need to reshape its image Lac jewellery Feb 5 between old and new, heritage and contemporary value. There is Silk thread jewellery Feb 18 need also to render this in other areas like Purasai, T’Nagar, Pattachitra on canvas Feb 25-26 Triplicane and Mylapore. Arabic mehendi design Mar 3,4 The artists .... Terracotta jewellery Mar 10, 18 “Memorialisation and redefining the Blue Axis: Preservation Glass-sculpting Mar 10, 11 of open spaces, resources and remnants of pristine, virgin nature Beautiful clay works on display. Palm leaf decorations Mar 24 (marshlands) has to be taken up on a war footing. The Adyar Estuary and Pallikaranai wetlands need to be addressed with Korean artists and six Indian art- Call Ms. Lakshmi at 98417 77779 ists during a month-long Indo- to register. development plans, including cleaning the waterways and creating Korean ceramic residency Terracotta Horses for Singapore waterfront development guidelines. project in Chennai (at Lalit Kala Water bodies should be revived as a conscious step towards ur- Akademi). ban design. Generating waterfront development with its adjunct ... some of their works. February 15-18: Spaces of Chennai, facilities would celebrate the city-nature nexus. 24 hours of documentation, a Thiruvengadam – ‘Young Art- group photo essay led by the “Pride of place – Urban Art: Urban design of Marina, Mount ists’ batch 1982, College of Arts Travelling Lens team that aims Road, Raj Bhavan stretch, Velachery, etc. to be consciously cre- and Crafts, Chennai (at Lalit to activate citywide photogra- ated and nurtured for posterity.” Kala Akademi). phers to participate in a Till February 13: Photography synchronised 24-hour photo What has happened on these presentations since is anyone’s exhibition on Wildlife by Madras project. Photo workshop led by guess. Photographic Society (at Yannick Cormier in association DakshinaChitra). with Travelling Lens (For regis- Till February 15: Eternal Elements, tration mail to prog@chennai. jects has been mastered by the Answers to Quiz traditional potters of this region recent works of A. Viswam (at goethe.org). 1. Travancore University in Focus Art Gallery). February 15-27: Group Show by and remains unique. If you would like to witness a firing session or 1937; 2. TV18 group; 3. Lionel From February 3: Quiet Conver- Vinay Kumar, S. Suresh Kumar, The past few months at Dakshina- Messi; 4. Padma Subrahmanyam; 5. the making of the huge artefacts: sations from the Courtyard, an ex- S. Kaliselvan and V. Saravana Chitra have been very busy for No polio cases in the past one year; hibition of the work of Kim Raghavan (at DakshinaChitra). Ramu Velar and his team – his Call Vishalam at 98414 23149 for 6. Janko Tipsarevic; 7. Tunisia; 8. Kyoungae, Sonatina Mendes, February 22-March 2: 125 Auto son Palani and another family the exact dates. Karnataka; 9. Pakistan; 10. Mea- Malavika Rajnarayan, and Motifs, a photo exhibition that member, also Palani. They are suring just 7 mm long, it has been Karishma D’Souza (at Ashvita). features the work of top interna- from Viriyanipatti in Pudukottai described as the world's smallest February 6-12: Contradicting equi- tional photographers, who take a District and are fulfilling an order vertebrate. librium of the existing senses, an surprising, radical and occasion- given to DakshinaChitra by the * * * exhibition of the work of C. ally challenging look at cars, an Singapore National Parks Board. 11. T’Nagar; 12. Indian Na- invention that first emerged 125 The potters who traditionally tional Congress; 13. Institute of years ago, and has been unstop- made huge terracotta offerings for Mathematical Sciences, or Mat- pable ever since (at Goethe- Ayyanar temples in Tamil Nadu science; 14. Group rendition of the ; 15. V. Krishna- Institut). are making ten horses and two Pancharatnams swami Iyer; 16. Madras Auto March 1-9: Exhibition by elephants (7 ft tall) for the Tamil Services; 17. Royapettah (Raya + Vennimalai (at DakshinaChitra) Nadu section in the horticultural Pettah); 18. Newington College; March 11-18: Art Chennai – M. parks in Singapore. 19. Vani Mahal; 20. B.N. (Bommi- Senathipathi’s works. One of the The art of firing such huge mud ob- Firing at DakshinaChitra. reddy Narasimha) Reddy!

Madras Musings is supported as a public service by the following organisations

Bata India Limited

The Hindu F.L. Smidth Limited Group of Publications

Since 1856, patently leaders UCAL AUTO — A WELLWISHER TVS MOTOR COMPANY PRIVATE LIMITED

PublishedPublished by S. Muthiahby S. Muthiah for ‘Chennai for Heritage’,‘Chennai No.Heritage’, 5, Bhattad 260-A, Tower, TTK 30, WestcottRoad, Chennai Road, Royapettah, 600 018 andChennai printed 600 by014, T printedJ George by T atJ George Lokavani-Hallmark at Lokavani Southern Press Pvt.Printers Ltd., Pvt. 122, Ltd., Greams 122, Greams Road, Road, Chennai Chennai 600 600 006. 006, Edited and edited by S.by MUTHIAH.S. Muthiah.