Registered with the Reg. No. TN/PMG (CCR) /814/06-08 Registrar of Newspapers Licence to post without prepayment for India under R.N.I. 53640/91 Licence No. WPP 506/06-08 Rs. 5 per copy (Annual Subscription: Rs. 100/-) WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS CHENNAI INSIDE

• Short ‘N’ Snappy • Poor governance • India & Satyamurti MADRAS • Manikkodi’s role • ‘I’ for ‘Incomprehensible’ ge

Vol. XVIII No. 5 MUSINGS June 16-30, 2008 Is VPH to get a new

It’s really over... even the shouting. Over the last 15 days, the sub- continent, a large part of it anyway, has been engaged in re-establishing contact Are too many cooks within entire lives lost for six weeks, thanks to the Sport-that-tops-all-others. Families are talking to each other again – hesitantly – spoiling Adyar broth? using words other than “runs”, “wickets”, “cheer- (By A Special Correspondent) leaders”, and the slightly riper language used when he Adyar River is continu- Poonga Project, is being imple- walkways and an artificial hill- along this stretch in 2007, but expectations are not met. Tously in the news. If it is not mented by the Tamil Nadu Ur- ock as well. All this will be along after this little has been heard a restoration of the Creek to its ban Infrastructure Financial the Adyar Creek which is about this project. Environmen- Bitter disappointments, and pristine state, it is a proposed Services Limited (TNUIFSL). bounded by the sea, Santhome talists have cried foul over this quarrels, are slowly healing, six-lane road along its banks. The total cost of the project is High Road and South Canal attempt to build a road. It is in this re-established atmo- Add a couple of parks, a plan for Rs. 100 crore and the first of two Bank Road. It is significant that feared that the logical align- sphere of calm restraint. completely developing the parts of the restoration will cost the Poonga is not connected to ment of this road will be along Those soap addicts who had riverfront like that of the River Rs. 19.7 crore. The contract for the Adyar Creek itself, without the Creek and it will cut off the deflected for a while, or per- Sabarmati in Ahmadabad and the first part has been awarded which its sustainability will be a wetland from the high tide haps had the TV hijacked you get the general picture. But to a consultant and will involve question. which is a major source of water by a stronger faction, are reality on the ground is that the the creation of a natural park 58 The Highways Department to it. busy catching up, noting river is as filthy as it has been acres in extent. There are ambi- has in the meantime been given Meanwhile, TNUIFSL has that the Third Daughter-in- for some time. Are the multiple tious plans to bring back native the go ahead to build a six-lane also decided to take up an Law now sports another agencies involved, each with its trees, set up nesting platforms road along the river from the Adyar River Front Project as face, indicating that the cre- own plan and most of them in for birds, colonies for animals Adyar Bridge to Saidapet via the first part of a Rs. 2,300-crore ators have resorted to the conflict, responsible for this? and an education centre for Kotturpuram. This is to decon- Chennai Circular Corridor. The old plastic-surgery ploy to The Adyar Creek Eco Sys- children. There will be butterfly gest Sardar Patel Road. En- deal with an out-of-control tem restoration, or the Adyar gardens, medicinal gardens, croachments were removed (Continued on page 8) storyline...once again. Old Second Cousin has changed her hair, while Left-Side Neighbour, going Are development plans threatening a bit further, has changed partners yet again; and let’s ven as the city’s Egmore landholders. And what it pos- not even get started on EStation celebrates its cente- sesses carries much more than Grand Aunt Hooknose’s nary, heritage lovers and others Railway heritage? mere commercial value. How- ever, a recent debate in one of short-term memory mess... concerned about the city are (By A Special Correspondent) but who had time to notice wondering what threats to the city’s dailies may well high- when knights, devils, chal- Singara Chennai there may be offices and bungalows, in addi- are across the country. 109 plots light the attitude of the Railways lengers and kings clashed from the Railways’ ambitious tion to the vacant land in its of land have been handed over over its properties. At the heart mightily with each other? plans to commercially exploit its possession. to it and the Authority is now of the matter is the façade of the Egmore Station which is practi- Slowly, life is returning to land. The Railway Land Develop- proceeding with the task of cally hidden by commercial ‘normal’... whatever that is. With massive investment ment Authority was set up in appointing a real estate consult- being mentioned to build its 2006 by a special amendment to ant to evaluate the possibilities hoardings. On being told of this, But do not rejoice too soon. infrastructure (at least one the Indian Railways Act of Par- of maximising revenue through the Railways’ spokesperson has Some brightly coloured uni- account puts it at Rs. 280,000 liament. So far, this authority, development of this acreage. It said that such hoardings do not forms were noticed kicking crore during the 11th Plan which will be the special pur- is significant that the areas in any way damage the structure a ball around a few days ago. period), Indian Railways has pose vehicle to commercially identified for development have but, more importantly, they gen- And so it goes on. decided to meet the cost by exploit real estate, has concen- not yet been made public. erate revenue, so what is the developing its properties. These trated on vacant spaces and has In cities such as Chennai, the problem? Ranjitha Ashok could include station buildings, identified a total of 43,000 hect- Railways is among the largest (Continued on page 7) CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS June 16-30, 2008 Precedence for MMM discovers the hazards poor governance of property-buying he Man from Madras quite sure that they have prom- praying for the day when it will at Elliot’s Beach T Musings is always on the ised the exact opposite to the be declared unsafe and then look-out for a place to call his seller. pulled down to make way for own and in the process of this Then, when MMM makes an ill-ventilated, ugly and largely futile search, has ac- bold to ask for the layout plan badly-maintained modern – CAG quired considerable experience and enquires if it is approved, monstrosity. The second vari- on how the real estate market matters and tone change. A ety is one which is housed in a eaders are already ac- posing the activity, have all functions in this city of ours. good deal of chin scratching dark and dingy, old, low-ceil- R quainted with the bunga- been ignored and the construc- Firstly, most of those in the goes on at this stage. A few ing building and is maintained low that is being constructed on tion continues unabated. business are agents and, rather bright ones will state that the badly. This is the kind where the beach for the Governor. It is revealed from the copy like multi-level marketing com- lay-out is approved and, when lizards, cockroaches and rats Both the Government’s reluc- of the CRZ clearance granted panies that are always in the probed further, will say that the hold court and if you raise tance to share information and that several irregularities exist. news when their proprietors seller has approved it but the your arm to take an oath you the procedural flaws of the The CRZ clearance for renova- are forcibly made to take a statutory authority (panchayat/ will brush a few cobwebs off construction, reflected in break by the law, the whole corporation) is yet to do so and the ceiling. The new govern- tion or modernisation has been property business works in the go-ahead from that august ment buildings are of two responses to RTIs filed by obtained only after the CAG, leave much to be many layers. MMM assumes body is expected at any time. kinds again. The first is a vast, construction had begun. This is that there are kingpins in this Then, if a few like MMM may ugly, ill-ventilated modern desired. evidenced by the dates of corre- business who run vast offices baulk at the idea of buying monstrosity and the second is It is appalling to note the in- spondence of CAG with the with plush interiors, but the something that is not approved, a hole in the corner, covered adequacy of the responses and Governor’s office and media dirty work is done by the agents the agent will look pityingly at in asbestos and a veritable the failure to share all relevant reports based on civil society who operate in a rather compli- MMM and say that the land is downsized version of an in- information. This secrecy over action. cated world full of its own a hot cake and many have ferno. It was to this last vari- the ‘renovation’ activity is terms, language and modus op- snapped up the neighbouring ety that MMM went. This post-facto clearance erandi. plots, approval or no approval. The man who was to assist strongly condemned and in a places conditionalities which All agents carry cell phones “Be bold, Sar,” one agent made MMM in going through the participatory democracy such appear to have been violated. which are the lifelines of their bold to say and even poked motions was late and MMM an approach is uncalled for. While the clearance for renova- trade. If like MMM you don’t MMM in the ribs, all the while had plenty of time to observe Making matters worse, mislead- tion or modernisation only have a cell phone, then you are winking roguishly. “Which those dealing with the proceed- ing information has been sup- allows for any proposed addi- outlawed straightaway from the purchase has been rejected so ings, surly men and women at plied by the Public Department tions/alterations on the land- business. Introductions are far?” desks that stood in danger of in an earlier instance, demon- ward side of the existing build- given through the ‘missed call The story does not end here. being covered in an avalanche strating a clear lack of convic- technology’, which means the That last is to do with the of rotting files at any moment. ing, it appears that this building agent will call you on your mo- The supplicants were expected tion to share information, leav- has been clearly extended to- ing citizens to resort to the RTI bile and you are not to answer SHORT ’N’ to stand respectfully around in wards the seaward side through but merely store his number. SNAPPY a ring which kept closing in on as the only tool to address infor- the construction of a compound All agents promise the earth the desks, whereupon an offi- mation requirements about wall. (which is, after all, what they cious voice would bellow an or- colour of the money. In the US government proposals. trade in), but there are many der to retreat and the ring they may call it greenback, but Also, while applying the stat- pitfalls (Oh dear, yet another would fall back again. This Even assuming that there here there are two colours, as utes of the CRZ notification, it dreadful pun in the same sen- ritual was interrupted by one or was a need for such a building we all know. For some reason, is evident that the validity of tence) in dealing with them and two people stepping up to the for the Governor, it has to be the colour black (rather like the clearance provided itself is if you are not careful you may desk in answer to summons examined in the light of the cur- Tamil film song that made bite the dust (worse and worse) and, amidst much swearing in questionable since while only waves a few years ago) is the rent developments along the and dig your grave (this is re- and swearing at, the deeds were the Secretary (Environment) or favourite and if it is a mixed coast. A strong voice of the fish- ally the pits). Most of these registered. MMM’s escort ar- State Coastal Zone Manage- transaction, black outweighs ing community demanding middlemen will quote figures to rived and none too soon, for ment Authority is empowered the white by leaps and bounds. rights and provision for housing you without mentioning the what with the temperature in Now who said South Indians to provide clearances and take units and, to MMM, who the lower forties, MMM had along coastal areas; a public de- hanker for a white complexion? action against violation, the prides himself on his engineer- reached a trance-like state with mand for open spaces for leisure When MMM said that he had clearance in this case has been ing background, the lack of nothing much registering. and recreation; demands of no access to black, he was im- granted by the District Coastal units is anathema. Once MMM Presently, MMM was elected representatives such as mediately shunned and cast Zone Management Committee, made bold to ask for them and asked to step forward and a S.Ve. Shekar, MLA, represent- into the outer darkness. An was fixed in the eye with a gla- man lunged at him and a subcommittee that does not apartheid of a different sort. ing the area, to stop the activ- cial stare and told that all fig- grasped MMM’s left hand with have such powers. In short, buying property is ity; and a petition signed by at ures quoted are in Cs which to what appeared to be the sole a hazardous process and it is no least 500 citizens of the area op- Interestingly, CAG’s re- the uninitiated means crores. L aim of wrenching off the wonder that the chicken- search on the CRZ, protection and Thou have obviously long thumb. MMM, in shock, hearted ones such as MMM will fallen by the wayside. stepped back only to tread on of CRZ I zones in particular, re- continue for ever to hanker for Viewing properties is a one of those forming the cer- veals that a lot is desired in a place to call their own but may CRZ-I Category rather quaint ceremony. emonial ring that kept moving terms of identifying and pro- never take the plunge to make Rather like beating the bounds in and out. “Be still and coop- as under the CRZ tecting areas of “outstanding it a reality. natural beauty”, which we be- in a village parish, a custom erate,” hissed MMM’s escort Notification 1991 practised in Ye Olde Blighty, and before MMM knew it, his lieve should include areas such the prospective buyer is taken At the Registrar’s left thumb had been pressed CRZ 1 areas include as beaches. Till such time the to the middle of a vast expanse he Man from Madras on a stamp-pad that smeared those falling between the low fate of Elliot’s Beach and other of land and told that the land T Musings is one of those it with black ink. The thumb tide line and high tide line stretches of beaches hangs in that he is interested in buying who gives government offices a was then dragged over a sheet and areas that are ecologi- the balance. When the dust is bound on one side by the wide berth. As far as possible, of paper and the deed was cally sensitive or important – settles, yet another bad prece- hayrick, the other side being MMM prefers sending others to done. In keeping with the sur- including areas rich in eco- dence on governance would earmarked by the cloud in the deal with activities that involve roundings, MMM looked logical diversity, areas close have been set. But whether or sky, while the third side is filling forms in triplicate with around for a rag to wipe his to breeding and spawning not lessons on good governance marked by a dried up rivulet details such as father’s name, thumb when, surprise! the grounds of fish and other and the fourth is where the buf- caste, colour and other wholly man in charge produced a are learnt, society will have to falo is grazing. Agents are at irrelevant information. But scented wet wipe and gave it marine life, areas of out- tolerate yet another incursion standing natural beauty / his- their best during such sessions, then he can never abdicate from to MMM with the air of one torical / heritage areas, and into its public space. Such inci- waving their hands a good deal such responsibilities and, occa- rewarding a novice for having areas rich in genetic diver- dents only indicate that trans- and generally giving MMM and sionally, has to make the pil- successfully gone through an sity. parency, accountability and his ilk the feeling that they are grimage as a form of penance. initiation rite. public participation, essential monarchs of all that they sur- The latest visit involved the reg- While MMM is all praise The CRZ notification elements of any democracy, vey. Very often two touts will istration of a power of attorney. for the thought process that identifies these areas as have gone out of the realm of meet on the same piece of Government offices are of went into getting the wipes, he highly sensitive and talks functioning of government. green and each will claim the various kinds. There are old wishes the registration process ones which fall into two catego- about affording extensive (Courtesy: Public Newsense, the land is under his exclusive con- was more civilised. In this era protection through the tract to sell. Each one will as- ries. The first kind is a vast airy of hi-tech, can there not be prohibition of various activi- journal of the Citizen consumer sure the prospect that his sole mansion set in enormous electronic fingerprint readers ties in such areas. and civic Action Group aim is to get the land sold at a grounds and is maintained so installed? (CAG). reasonable price. MMM is badly that everyone within is – MMM June 16-30, 2008 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

The danger to our coast

he Chennai coast is increasingly and trees and sacred groves, rare biodiversity and Thaphazardly being intruded on with a grassroots level people like fisherfolk, variety of developmental interventions, farmers, tribals (Irulas) and Dalits living in No postal response Tiruvanmiyur. We must feel jeopardising the pristine Coromandel Coastal five hamlets, would all be rendered develop- very happy that the dates in the Ecosystems, their eco-balances with the long- mental victims on their own native soil. refer to MMM’s item ‘A seals we clear so that a com- established coastal inhabitants, and pressurising delivery problem’ (MM, May 5. The shipbuilding industry with its metal I plaint could at all be made. Nor- their harmonious lifestyles. 16th) and send you my com- scrap, rust, paints with lead and other toxic mally there is no date stamp at The simple question is, why should all these chemicals, and noise pollution would add to plaint to the Secretary to the the delivery office or the dates polluting ‘developmental eggs’ be put into one the inshore ecological crises that have Department of Posts and Chair- are not at all clear. Probably it is and the same vulnerable ‘environmental basket’, already been destroying the fisheries, marine man, Postal Services Board, purposely done to avoid com- that of the Chennai Coast alone? biodiversity and their breeding habitats on New Delhi, of March 5th, to plaints about the dates. Consider the following: the ‘Ennore Shoals’, off the Ennore Coast. which no reply is received till With the stamping sincerely From Sriharikota in the north upto Kalpak- May 20th. 1. For a smooth functioning of the prestigious done, we know that it has taken kam in the south, the ancient Coromandel What was once a highly ef- Ennore Port Limited (EPL), no other struc- 4 days to travel from Anna Salai Coastal ecosystem has been totally destroyed ficient department, delivering ture projecting into the sea should come up by diverse unsustainable developmental ‘ to Tiruvanmiyur. Why? Was north of it. Because, following the general letters from Chennai to Delhi interventions, without any ‘Master Plan’ for the letter retained at Anna rule, accretion of beach-sand south of such a the next day seems to have gone the coast. Salai Post Office or in Tiruvan- structure may clog the entrance to the EPL to the dogs – you may kindly see The beach belongs basically to traditional miyur? The authorities should (though it is south-facing). Even the Ennore from the enclosed cover that a fisherfolk, who catch 80% of our table fish, explain. Creek itself may get clogged, permanently. letter posted on Feb. 5th at but they are being decimated all along the In the days immediately af- 2. Beach-erosion north of such a projecting Jammi Building P.O. on east coast, rendering them disgruntled ter Independence, a letter structure will surely intensify along the Royapettah High Road was de- communities. posted in Delhi reached Madras Koraikuppum beach, opening the sea into livered in Delhi on Feb. 28th. I 6. Finally, what about the ‘spillover effect’ of the next day. A person travel- the backwaters and bringing about major have heard similar complaints. geographic and ecological changes in the all these industrial effluents on the beautiful ing by train (G.T. Express, the Increase in the volume of ancient Pulicat Lake ecosystem and affect- beaches of Chennai? The quality of coastal only train at the time) could waters as well as of the beach-sands so mail may be an excuse, but the ing its one lakh fisherfolk. post a letter about his travel at contaminated will surely have a damaging increase in e-mails and letters Delhi station and his relative 3. The vast area of land required for develop- effect on the skin and eyes of the thousands through couriers is much more. ing a shipyard is not available in small would he at Central to receive of waders and swimmers in our inshore Perhaps your department is Kaattupalli island nor in its SEZ hinterland, him. This is only a dream now. waters every evening. The long and clean concentrating only upon because it is bound by the Buckingham beaches of Chennai may, thus, be destroyed We have Express Delivery sys- Speed-posts and registered let- Canal and the Ennore Lake (backwaters) on by people sooner than later. tem, Mobile Post Office in ters and is ignoring the “aam the west and north, which flow northwards Chennai, despatch and delivery into the vast Pulicat Lake, while the Ennore Development should go on, but not at the aadmi”. risk of the environmental and human capital of letters even on Sundays, etc. Port is in the south. I shall be grateful, if you of coastal Chennai. Isn’t it possible for the postal au- could kindly arrange to enquire 4. The pristine ecosystem of the Kaattupalli thorities to see that letters island, with its high and rare sand-dunes, into this delay and let me know Professor Sanjeeva Raj posted for any city are delivered Tropical Dry Evergreen Forests, ancient the outcome in due course. Chennai 600 040 the next day? Incidentally, my experience’ with a courier is excellent. He R. Rajagoplan Vivek, having a bath in the the invitations were sent by to a British Dominion (S. Af- delivers the next day of posting C-1 (First Floor), Vaishnavi Flats Cooum in a Tamil film)! book-post. (Ed. Note: They rica) to set up practice. He to all metros in the country with 22 (New), Muthu Mohammed were not.) If they had been sent would have continued and Ramesh Kumaar, C.B. computer tracking. I think Street, Puzhuthivakkam as a closed letter at an extra cost prospered had it not been for [email protected] there is a proposal to spoil this Chennai 600 091 of Re. 1, they would have that impetuous policeman who by a legislation! Welcome humour Today’s delays reached in time. Pilferage of pushed him out of the compart- G. Sundaram, IAS (RTD) stamps from letters posted in ment, leading to a patriotic th his letter is prompted by “Burma House”, 33/18, 9 Street have been reading your bulk is, I would think, rare in rash!” MMM’s comments (MM, Dr. Radhakrishnan Road journal for a long time. Usu- T the metros. Couriers charge N. Dharmeshwaran I May 16th) on the fate of some Chennai 600 004 ally most of your articles are twice the cost of an ordinary let- 11/5, First Cross Street invitation cards. I have spent quite serious and there is not ter but generally deliver the Bharath Nagar Let’s be grateful several years in the U.S. in the much humour found in Madras next day or, at worst, on the sec- Madipakkam early 1960s and have also trav- n “A delivery problem” Musings. An exception was ond day. Chennai 600 091 th eled widely in Europe. From I (MM, May 16 ) it was stated Short ‘N’ Snappy (MM, June Readers may keep these facts personal experience, I can state that an invitation stamped 1st). I particularly loved the last in mind. th that the Indian Postal system is April 18 at Anna Salai Post bit, Cooum hazards. How well Anonymous READABILITY PLEASE nd still the most reliable, account- Office was stamped April 22 children know things (May be (name and address received) Dear Readers, at the delivery office in they would have seen actor able and economical in the Chennai 600 017 world, in spite of its decline in As letters from readers efficiency over the last four Of heritage… & Gandhiji increase, we are receiving more and more hand written letters, OUR ADDRESSES decades. eader Ravindran (MM, many of them in a hand so small For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, non-receipt of In the past, a letter as well as May 16th) should realise any material sent by book-post R and illegible or large and receipts etc.: Chennai Heritage, 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott that life is not a carnival of used to be delivered the next scrawled as to be unreadable. Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014. health, wealth and happiness day within the city. A letter to but a concoction of disease, Often this leads to our Madras Musings now has its own email ID. Letters to the any of the four metros used to poverty and misery as well. But discarding a letter, particularly if editor can be sent via email to [email protected]. be delivered on the second day does this stop us from taking some part of it is unreadable. Those who wish to intimate change of address can also do so to the addressee. Today, a local food, wearing nice clothes and If you wish us to consider your provided the subscription number is quoted. letter takes 3 to 4 days to reach enjoying ourselves though we letter for publication, please the addressee. Material sent by For non-receipt of copies, change of address, and all other see others in an unenviable situ- type it with enough space circulation matters: MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o Lokavani Southern book-post nowadays is given the ation? Thus, preservation of last priority in handling and between lines or write it using a Printers Pvt. Ltd., 62/63, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. heritage and taking care of the medium hand, clearly dotting takes anywhere from 4 to 7 days poor are not mutually exclusive. On editorial matters: The Editor, MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o to reach a local address and the ‘i-s’ and crossing the ‘t-s’. Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., 62/63, Greames Road, more days to reach other * * * Many readers also try to fill Chennai 600 006. metros. This is because of the Regarding Ramunni Men- every square centimetre of a No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters received phenomenal increase in the vol- on’s views on Gandhiji’s fast postcard space, making read- will be sent from these addresses every couple of days to the ume of material to be handled. (MM, June 1st), I recently came ing or editing impossible. persons concerned and you will get an answer from them to your Personal experience has across this really plainspeak Please help us to consider queries reasonably quickly. Strange as it may seem, if you adopt shown that a book-post reaches about Gandhiji: “Gandhiji’s fa- your letters more favourably by the ‘snail mail’ approach, we will be able to help you faster and Mumbai from Chennai in a few ther served at least two princely making them more legible for disappoint you less. days, but is delivered only 10 or states quite faithfully; he sent us. more days thereafter. his son for Law studies to En- THE EDITOR THE EDITOR In this case, my guess is that gland; on return, the son went 4 MADRAS MUSINGS June 16-30, 2008 Trying to sell India to Satyamurti?

25 May, 2008 in our population is itself a sign ers. Eight more of the IRS series ost Respected Sir, of one signal success: the spec- take pictures of what resources tacular fall in our death rate, lie on and beneath the ground – Gopalkrishna Gandhi How else am I to address M largely due to our immunisation a benediction for our Planning you, in English? programme. As a perceptive process. And we now have an lakshmi Reddy and Rukmini I could switch to Tamil and man explained, India’s popula- exciting mission that is ex- Devi, would applaud this call you ‘Maama’. But that tion is huge not because we pected to take a spacecraft later achievement. When a girl-child would make you a son-equiva- “breed like rabbits” but because this year 386,000 km away from becomes a wife and a mother lent to CR. And you were “we do not die like flies any earth on to the surface of the before she is a woman, a prom- certainly not that! more.’ Moon. Chandrayaana I will ise is drowned. When a young woman, with choices made con- So it would be best to stay reach the Moon in 5½ days and Life-expectancy has more sensually, faces the world on her with English! In doing so I remote-sense it for us. If the than doubled since Swaraj – a terms, a promise is redeemed. would only be following CR’s formidable achievement which mission succeeds, we will move sound advice: Hold fast to your we should celebrate more than on to, in 2011-12, when we will India’s women are doing bril- mother tongues but never give we do. Visually, this translates S. Satyamurti be marking 125 years of your liantly, Sir; they are doing us up on English. “Without En- birth, to Chandrayaana II. proud. You should see the new into our public spaces teeming million km of roads, connecting glish” (in his words) “India will sense of confidence among with people, people, people – cities with towns, towns with We also make missiles, Sir, become an archipelago of na- them. After centuries, they are masses upon masses of them, villages. You will not recognise to defend our sovereignty. tions in a non-navigable sea”. coming into their own in India moving in a never-ending pro- the inside of our railways either. Agni, Prithvi, Trishul, Akash CR had a way with metaphors. – in professions one would not cession, from everywhere to ev- Travelling in the cheapest class, and Nag, with Agni as the There was none like him for have associated them with, such erywhere. we sit or sleep today on cush- work-horse, are meant to pro- strength of conviction. I once as piloting aircraft, as rocket sci- They look startlingly differ- ioned berths. tect us from aggression. Agni-5 asked him about his style of entists, as sports champions, as writing. CR said, “Write as you elected representatives. speak, speak as you think, and When Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Governor of West Bengal and grandson of Gandhiji Elections see them at their think clearly.” I can see you best. They have not yet got a nodding in vigorous approval of and Rajagopalachari, recently released in Chennai The Satyamurti Letters*, proportionate share of seats in my reverential admiration for he did so in unique fashion, reading a letter he had written to S. Satyamurti our legislatures. But, thanks to CR, though your politics and a Constitutional Amendment CR’s diverged. Both you and he for the occasion. Both letter and its presentation held his listeners in thrall. you would have enthusiastically knew that life is larger than poli- But, more importantly, the views he candidly expressed in it on India supported, there are no less tics. than 1,000,000 women elected When you were born in the yesterday, today, and tomorrow struck your Editor as so pertinent that we are to our Panchayati Raj institu- hill-fort town of Tirumayam in publishing the complete text of the letter in three parts. tions, constituting some 37 per- 1887, Mohandas, then 18 years cent of all those elected. Bihar old, was preparing to leave is often unfairly described. The Rajkot for London to become a percentage of women in Pan- barrister. CR – Rajan to his fam- ent from what they did in 1947 Thanks to the ingenuity and could reach targets up to chayat Raj institutions in Bihar, ily – was nine years old. Jawa- when you saw from on High our adaptiveness of the Indian peas- 5000 km. which has 50 per cent reserva- harlal Nehru was yet to arrive Swaraj. Almost no one in our ant, the vision of C. Subrama- Our GDP has grown phe- tions for women legislated by in the world. towns and cities is without foot- niam and M. S. Swaminathan nomenally, standing at the present Assembly there, is wear; very few are without and the back-up given by indus- The first was destined to be Rs. 3,760,285 crore for 2006- as high as 54 per cent. wrist-watches, almost all of In- try and the infrastructure of 2007; our amazing services hailed as the Father of the Na- Not just when they win but dian make. And, yes! If you roads, power and irrigation, our sector, our industrial vigour and tion, Desapita. The second was even when they lose, Sir, India’s were to come into our midst to- land now produces a quantity of our buoyant corporate sector to become India’s one and only women can be most impressive. day, you would wonder why so grain – over 200 million tons – have changed our rate of Indian Governor-General. The Your daughter, Lakshmi, has many of them hold their hand you would not believe could growth. ‘The Unbelievable Bull third was to become our first known electoral failure. But, close to their ears, like Gangu- ever be grown in India. Run’ refers now not to the Prime Minister. Sir, she wears her electoral de- bai Hangal used to while sing- It is not just on land that In- jallikkattu that you knew in But when these great fulfil- feat like a badge of honour. ing. They are carrying that dia surges forward. We now Pudukkottai but to our stock- ments took place, Sir, you were More, she has done the most marvel – the mobile telephone. have 2 million square km of market’s Sensex journey rang- gone. I would like to believe selfless work to spread aware- Of the ‘fixed’ phone which you what is India’s own Exclusive ing from 1,000 in 1990 to there is a life after death and ness of rights and duties among knew of as a luxury, we have Economic Zone in our seas, 19,000 in 2007. that, overcoming your regret at electors at the grassroots. Be some 45 million. But of the mar- followed by another 1 to 1.5 not being present in 1947, you You will feel proud to see proud, Sir. vellous mobile phones, we have million square km of continen- yet rejoiced from on High. You these wonderful strengths and more than 245 million! 245 mil- tal shelf. We do not realise this, ‘Tamil India’, as you loved to rejoiced because the goal of achievements. lion Indians talking to each but there is an Oceanic India describe it, is in the forefront of Swaraj had been reached. other endlessly, restlessly, on But if you were to ask me to the country’s progress, particu- which is almost the same size of name one single change as the And well you may rejoice their mobiles is a signature India’s landmass. We navigate larly against illiteracy and for a now, again, when our Swaraj cameo for today’s India, the greatest change and achieve- higher life expectancy at birth. in that zone and use that ocean ment in post-independence In- has crossed its sixtieth year, for India of the IT and the ICT age. territory of ours heaving with You can be proud of your India at 60 is astir with life, with dia, I would, with our distin- Because of the crowds on rich deposits, for the advance- Province too, Sir. energy, with drive. guished anthropologist and so- them, you will not recognise the ment of our national wealth. ciologist Andre Beteille, point There are those who worry Now, I can read a question roads you knew. But there is The skies are not allocated, to what lies not on land, water, in your thoughts. ‘Are you try- over the population question, of another reason why you will not yet. But we can now zoom air or in the stockmarket, but on course. And they are not wrong ing to sell India to me – you do recognise the roads – they are through the firmament. Our ex- an altogether different field: the not need to!’ to do so. India’s population at not what they were as you knew panding space programmes are heart of our society. This 1100 million plus, 17% of the them. Our roads now are wider, subtly but surely transforming achievement may seem undra- Well, as you know, Sir, I am world’s total, is huge and is smoother, with fly-overs, on life for us. India has launched 50 matic but is of profound impor- of Bania stock. I am saying all growing. This places daunting which the great wheels of our satellites, 45 of them made tance to the structure of our so- this only to be sure our good pressures on land, on food, and progress turn. When you left us, within India. Eleven of them – ciety – it is the rise in the aver- news reaches you, for you have livelihood security. But the rise we had a total of about 300,000 in the INSAT series for broad- age age of marriage for India’s always been a positive man. km of roads in the whole of In- casting – inform us and also women. In this, choice gets to But let me balance the book. dia, from the big to the small. caution us about the weather, a assess opportunity. Your fellow- * Two volumes, Pearson. Now we have more than 3.5 boon for our farmers and fish- Pudukkottaiyans, Muthu- (To be continued) June 16-30, 2008 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 Manikkodi – The journal that seeded a Tamil literary awakening talin’ Srinivasan (thus Va. Raa. were contributing. T. the journal and discuss it. ‘S named by Nehru himself, S. Chokkalingam was the assis- While opponents might attack after the Stalin-style moustache tant editor of Dr. Varadrajulu the journal, friends would sus- Srinivasan sported) founded Naidu’s Thamizh Naadu. tain it. They said, “Manikkodi Manikkodi, that famous Tamil Manikkodi got its name on is an attempt. Time will give its literary journal of the 1930s, the sands of the beach near the final verdict. Manikkodi her- and Va. Raa. assumed editorial Madras High Court. While the alds a new life. Its life and responsibility with T. S. Chok- three of them discussed possible growth lie in our ideal, in your kalingam looking after the ad- names one evening on the abiding affection and, above ministration. The first issue beach, they saw the Union Jack all, Divine Grace.” came out on September 17, being lowered in Fort St. All of them were English 1933; the day was also, by a George. Their thoughts went scholars and, therefore, in- strange coincidence, Va. Raa’s back to the scene where tended to have pages like those birthday. Kamban describes the fluttering found in famous English jour- Srinivasan had earlier been in of the flags in Mithila as Rama nals. A. G. Gardiner, under London reporting news for the and Lakshmana entered the city the psedonym ‘Alpha the Free Press Journal, Bombay, and with sage Viswamithra. An- Plough’ wrote sketches of per- returned to India in 1933. He other thought their struck them sonalities, both common and lofty, in a popular English jour- nal. Following this lead, Va. The brief history Raa., writing under the name ‘Nadaichithirangal’ wrote on of Manikkodi Cook Sama, Market Manickam, Dasi Kokilambal, The first page of the first issue of Manikkodi. G Publication of Manikkodi started on September 17, 1933, and the journal folded in 1939. Though it existed less than Priest Saravanan, Hotel Mani, was of the firm opinion that responded to the invitation that six years, it had made an impact. While K. Srinivasan had Constable Subbiah, and Dhobi appreciation was the staple food was inherent in the pages of the made Va. Raa. (V. Ramaswami Iyengar) its editor, T.S. Nagappan – in all 40 characters. on which literary enthusiasm journal. Dubbed by Va. Raa. as Chhokkalingam, who was managing the business, had prob- The Hindu welcomed Mani- throve and he saw to it that the twins after a pair of medi- lems with Va. Raa. within a year. kkodi thus: “We have received beginners got it in full measure.” eval Tamil poets, these two When Va.Raa. was engaged in spreading the Congress a copy of the first issue of Mani- The soil in which Va. Raa. contributed a rich horde of story message, touring the Coimbatore area, the Manikkodi issue kkodi, a new Tamil weekly sowed the seeds of literary writing. The telling style of Va. dated October 21, 1934 carried this message: “It is published edited by Mr. K. Srinivasan and awakening was rich and the Raa, reflecting all the nuances in the Press that Manikkodi editor Sri Ramaswami Iyengar published every Sunday from fertilising influence of Manik- of the language, found worthy spoke in many places. This is wrong statement. We wish to No. 35, Sembudoss Street, kodi soon bore good results. The succession in the work of T. J. inform that there is no connection whatsoever between Sri Madras. A glance at the issue eternal flame of Bharati’s poetry Ranganathan who handled Ramaswami Iyengar and Manikkodi – Editor”. reveals that it is a pioneer in Tamil as deftly in the short story weekly journalism in Tamil and As Chitti remarked later, the incident, which disturbed G as in the essay. N. Picha- many writers like Chitti, was never explained and the trio is planned on the lines of such by murthy’s technique never who started the journal never met to discuss it. It was obvi- Sunday newspapers in England K.R.A. NARASIAH depended on extraneous ous that clash of egos was at the bottom of the whole affair. as the Sunday Times and The devices like peculiarities of In October 1934, Va.Raa. took over the editorship of Observer. It contains selected language or choice of unusual Veerakesari, published from Colombo. T.S. Chokkalingam news items with well-written burnt steadily in the verses of themes; a robust faith in human joined the Dinamani, as its Editor, and K. Srinivasan left for and well-reasoned articles on Bharatidasan who used his destiny combined with an Bombay to assist Swaminath Sadanand again with his Free subjects of topical and cultural poems much as Va. Raa. used unfailing sense of proportion Press Journal. interest. Cartoons and quips his prose. Stalwarts in the field gave a quality of deathlessness In March 1935, B.S. Ramaiah took over as the Editor of add the necessary spice to the of short story, like B. S. Ramai- to his short stories. Manikkodi and converted the weekly, which was being pub- fare thus provided. The price ah, whose gift for narration was Manikkodi gave a new life to lished every Thursday, to a bi-monthly, mainly for short sto- per copy is one Anna and unique, and Pudumaippi- the language and a new forum ries, with an occasional political essay thrown in. P. Rama- the annual subscription is ththan, with his passion for re- to talented aspirants. Most swami assumed charge of publishing. But a financial crisis Rs. 3-8-0.” alism, joined the ranks of this names in modern Tamil writing made the publication to cease in 1939. The number of short The impact of the journal on avante garde magazine. N. that are today synonymous with stories written by star writers of that day in Manikkodi’s 46 the profession of Tamil journal- Pichamurthy and and Ku. Pa. creative writing were part of this issues was B.S. Ramaiah (20), N. Pichamurthy (11), ism was vividly described by B. Rajagopalan, who were building distinguished coterie. Pudumaippithan (S. Vridhachalam) (17), Ku. Pa. S. Ramaiah in his book on the their literary nests on the banks Rajagopalan (6), Chitti (12), C.S. Chellappa (12), N. Manikkodi era (Manikkodi of the Kaveri in Kumbakonam, (To be concluded) Chidambara Subramanian (10), Mouni (8), T.J. Ranganathan Kaalam). Ramaiah was the ear- liest outside contributor to (1), Sangu Subramanian (3), K.N. Subramaniam (Ka. Naa. A big ‘Thank You’ Su.) (4), Ke. Raa. (17), P.M. Kannan (8), Sundha (Meenak- Manikkodi. According to him, shi Sundaram) (8), M. V. Venkatram (9). within an hour of the issue com- to 40 of you ing out, Kalki Krishnamurthi, K.R.A.N We publish below the list of donors who have, between 16.4.08 and 15.05.08, editor of the then most popular added to the support Chennai Heritage and its voice, Madras Musings, have had seen some literary journals was about Bharati’s song on weekly Ananda Vikatan, con- already received. We thank all of them for their support for the causes Chennai in the UK and wanted to have India’s national flag. Bharati tacted Srinivasan and told him, Heritage espouses. — CHENNAI HERITAGE something like them in Madras. had called the national standard “This is the ideal journal. The At the time, Tandukuri Praka- the Manikkodi, meaning beauti- writings are unmatched by any Rs. 51: Suresh, D.; Rajagopalan, V.; Vidya Sankaran, M.S.; Dharam, B. sam, the Congress leader, was ful flag in Tamil. And so they other publication!” Rs.100: Shantha Venkataraman; Panchanathan, S.; Rangaswamy, M.; Duraisamy running a magazine, Swarajya, decided to name their new jour- It became evident within a Janakiraman; Rajagopalan, R.; Ganesan Chidambar; Ratnam, G.; Raman, G.V.; to which both Srinivasan and nal Manikkodi. short period of Manikkodi’s ex- Gupta, L.K. The first editorial, signed by Rs.150: Raghunathan, T.M. istence that with it there was Rs. 200: Menon, M.A.; Pillai, C.; Vijayaraghavan, C.K.; Raghavan, S.S. AUTHOR’S NOTE: All the three pioneers, promised a the beginning of a literary re- Rs. 300: Sharma, K.S.V.; Vipradas, G.B. material culled from my Sadha- new and healthy trend in Tamil vival. In ‘Chitti’ Sundararajan’s Rs. 400: Padmanabhan, M.S.; Saroj A Menon; Ramaswami, V.; Kumar, R.; rana Manithan, a biography of journalism where language words, “The diffidence of new- Radhakrishnan, CK.S.; Balasubramaniyan, T.S.; Raghavan, S.V.; Lalita, P.; Chitti P.G. Sundararajan, and would come into its own, to comers was soon dispelled by Namasivayam, M.; Dhathathreyan, K.S.; Rajan, H.T.; Mahendran, S.; Gabriel, S.; from the blog Chitti recollects in convey ideas of growth and Va. Raa’s encouragement. He Radhakrishnan, S.; Raghavan, M.S.; Nirmala Chandrahasan the net sponsored by Korea progress. They expressed the was generous to a fault in his Rs. 500: Saraswathy Gopalakrishnan; Muthukrishnan, V.; Ananthanarayanan, K.V. N. Kannan. hope that people would notice recognition of new talent. He Rs. 900: Balasubramanian, R. 6 MADRAS MUSINGS June 16-30, 2008 The ‘Sandow’ who (Current Affairs questions are from the period May 16th to 31st. Questions 11 to 20 pertain to Chennai and Tamil Nadu.) made a studio 1. Name the double-amputee sprinter who has won an appeal to hile A. Narayanan and Bombay. As a distributor he had films produced under this ban- compete in the Beijing Olympics. WR. Prakash continued to developed contacts there and to ner. He directed most of them 2. What first was achieved by dominate the film field in the help him he sought the services and played the lead role in all of observing SN 2007uy in the spiral late 1920s, another person, of a friend, a different kind of them. galaxy NGC 2770? soon to emerge as their serious pioneer, S.K. Vasagam. This films produced here 3. Who scored in regular time in competitor, was making his Vasagam was a Madras- were: Anaadhai Penn (1929), the Champions League final that way. This was R. Padmanabhan. based journalist who wrote written and directed by Raja was won by Manchester United af- Like Narayanan, Padmanabhan about foreign and Indian cin- Sandow, with Leela as heroine. ter a penalty shootout? was also born – in 1986 – in the ema. As journalism did not give A buxom young woman, she 4. In what time did Usain Bolt zamindari town Sivaganga. He him enough to live on well, he played both heroine and vamp blaze to the world record in the entered the infant industry with had earlier worked as manager with some success in the early Raja Sandow men’s 100m sprint? 5. Which Asian country became his firm, Oriental Film Service. in a film distribution company decades of Madras cinema. Off the world’s latest “secular, federal Under this banner he imported in Calcutta. These he tried to screen she was intimately in- was directed by P.V. Rao, with democratic republic” on May 28th? foreign films, arc light carbons run a film journal as a spare time volved with Raja Sandow. Devil Raja Sandow, Leela, and T.P. 6. What is the value of the World and such accessories. He also activity and burnt his fingers. and the Damsel (1930) was also Rajalakshmi in the cast. Bank programme created on May bought films made in Bombay Back in Madras, he tried again, written and directed by Raja Sathaaram (1931) had been 29th to fight the global food crisis, and other film production cen- establishing in 1928 the first Sandow and again had Leela as a popular folk tale that was a including $200 million given in tres in northern India for distri- film magazine of South India, heroine. stage success. As usual, Raja grants to poor countries facing the bution in the South. He did Movie Mirror, a monthly in Nandanar (1930), the popu- Sandow and Leela romped direst needs? well, whereupon he opted for English. He covered Hollywood lar folkmyth tale of Nandan, a through the film successfully. 7. After which famous naturalist production. and India, providing interesting low-born farmhand and ardent In 1931, a new talent made has a fossil ‘placoderm’ fish, a 380- Soon, he promoted a firm fare to readers. His own col- devotee of Lord Nataraja of its bow in the South Indian million-year-old specimen uncov- named Associated Films. He umn, ‘Overheard in Broadway’, Chidambaram. This story was movie world; K. Subramanyam ered in Australia and now consid- had a financial backer, a wrote the story and screenplay ered the oldest-known example of wealthy lawyer from the port for Signet Ring, with Raja San- a mother giving birth to live young, town of Negapatam (Nagapatti- dow and Leela playing their been named? nam). K. S. Venkatarama Iyer Round the City’s old studios now familiar roles behind and in 8. Which world-famous European had dabbled in many things be- front of the camera. structure has now ‘stabilised’ and sides his legal practice and ac- with RANDOR GUY The final film from the stu- should remain so for at least an- quired enough riches to jump dio came out in 1931. It was other 200 years after a 26 million into film production. With Iyer Euros project? Taranhar, written by K. Subra- was popular and soon Movie filmed several times both as a si- 9. What genetic first did research- came his grandson-in-law, also manyam and directed by Raja ers at Leiden University Medical a lawyer, Krishnaswamy Subra- Mirror established itself as a lent film as well as a talkie. Sandow with Sandow and Leela Centre in the Netherlands an- maniam. “Director K. Subrama- force on the movie horizon. There were two silent versions in the lead roles. nounce on May 27th? niam”, as he chose to call him- Film folks, one of them being and in this 1930 version Raja The studio went out of exist- 10. Name NASA’s robotic space- self, was to rise to great heights Padmanabhan, sought his Sandow played Nandan’s role. ence when movies began to talk craft that achieved the sixth suc- in Indian cinema. friendship and help to obtain N. Viswanatha Iyer, a wealthy in 1931 with Kalidas, and Raja cessful landing on Mars on May Padmanabhan produced his talent. man with interest in movies, Sandow took off to Bombay 25th. films at his studio, Associated Padmanabhan and Vasagam played the Brahmin landlord where he played a significant * * * Films Studio, on Wallajah travelled to Bombay where, under whom Nandan worked. role in films made in many lan- 11. The new Chief Justice of Ma- Road. After a few years of hec- thanks to Vasagam, Padma- Rajeswari (1930), again writ- guages. dras High Court is… tic activity the studio closed its nabhan succeeded in hiring a ten and directed by Raja Not many are aware that 12. What important civic position shutters and on its spacious site man to direct his first film. Al- Sandow, had besides Leela, a even after movies began to talk for Chennai did R. Sekar assume years later a cinema named ready popular as a silent film pioneer of Tamil cinema, the in 1931, silent films continued on May 31st? ‘Paragon’ came up. For some hero, director and skilled tech- stage, silent film and Tamil film to be made in Madras until 13. According to the revised fare, years this cinema screened films nician, this man with the novel star of the early decades T.P. 1934. During those three years, how much will it cost to travel from successfully, but in due course name ‘Raja Sandow’ was one of Rajalakshmi. movie houses which were not the airport to Central Station in its as popularity waned and it the most colourful figures of Usha Sundari (1930) fea- equipped with sound projection Chennai in an air-conditioned closed down a few years ago. Indian cinema and deserves a tured the same team, besides continued to play silent films, MTC bus? Padmanabhan knew that fuller study. P.V. Rao, an actor and director while movie houses which had 14. Name the two stations on Bombay was more active in film Between 1929 and 1931, As- who attained notoriety for Chennai’s MRTS named after sound projection facilities sociated Films was fairly active many reasons in his later career, women. production than Madras. Films added a suffix to their names, 15. Name the “three old towns” in made there seemed better in al- in the production of silent films leading to his early decline. ‘Talkies’. It is a word that baffles Chennai which were purchased by most all aspects. So he decided in its studio. Raja Sandow was Bhaktha Vatsal (a.k.a. Dur- visitors to this part of the coun- Madras Governor Elihu Yale in the to import his talent from the key person in all the nine vasa Garva Bhangham (1930) try, including Americans! late 17th Century from the Mughal Viceroy, Nawab Zulfiqar Khan, and rented out to prospective ten- Subscriptions and contributions CHENNAI HERITAGE ants. G Since Volume XIV, No.1 (April 16, 2003), Madras Musings has been priced at Rs.5 No. 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014 16. At which institution in a copy, ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: Rs.100/-. Please make out your cheque only to I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / I have Chennai did Dr. Andrew Bell’s CHENNAI HERITAGE and send it, together with the COUPON, to CHENNAI Monitorial System of education HERITAGE, 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014 or just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it hereafter. C/O LOKAVANI SOUTHERN PRINTERS PVT. LTD., 62/63, GREAMES ROAD, originate? G I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for CHENNAI 600 006. 17. Which library in Chennai Rs. 100 (Rupees One hundred) payable to CHENNAI HERITAGE, MADRAS, serves as a depository library for the An ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION of just Rs.100 covers only a part of our costs. as subscription to Madras Musings for the year 2007-08. Corporate support and YOUR support will continue to be essential for Chennai UN? G As token of my support for the causes of heritage, environment and a better 18. Where in Chennai can you see Heritage and Madras Musings to play a greater role in creating awareness about the city, its heritage and its environment. We therefore look forward to your send- city that Madras Musings espouses, I send Chennai Heritage an additional a statue of Venus, Prosperity, a ing us your contributions IN ADDITION TO your subscriptions. Rs...... woman writing a letter and a If in the coming year Chennai Heritage receives repeated support from those (Rupees ...... ) former Municipal Commissioner of of you who have already made contributions, and if many more supporters join the Please keep / put me on your mailing list. Chennai? bandwagon, we will not only be able to keep Madras Musings going, but also be 19. Which historic edifice’s facade able to continue awareness-building exercises on on-going projects as well as Name : ...... in Madurai did eminent builder undertake one or two more such exercises...... R.F. Chisholm describe as a Therefore, please keep your contributions coming IN ADDITION TO YOUR SUB- Address: ...... ‘Saracenic arcade with a Hindoo SCRIPTIONS. If, say, you send in a cheque for Rs.500, we will treat Rs.100 of it cornice’? towards subscription to Madras Musings for 2008-09 and the remaining Rs.400 as ...... contribution towards the causes Chennai Heritage espouses. 20. How is Kinema Central, later ...... Sri Murugan Talkies, part of Tamil We look forward to all readers of Madras Musings, and those newcomers who want to receive copies, sending in their subscriptions. Note: Overseas postage Rs. 550/year extra. Cheques for overseas postage alone payable film history? to M/s. Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd. All other cheques to ‘Chennai Heritage’. (Answers on page 7) — The Editor June 16-30, 2008 MADRAS MUSINGS 7 Press ‘I’ for ‘Incomprehensible’ omputer’s out again? The technical world obvi- And then the dance begins. C And you have no clue ously likes to be prepared for as You: The internet isn’t what to do? many contingencies as possible. working. Now, in the old days, a sharp But, while you can under- Voice: Can you tell me what whack on the side of an errant stand the need not to sound like you see on the screen before appliance proved astonishingly a sombre voice speaking from a you? effective in getting things to particularly dark tomb, this ex- You: It’s all black. start working again. cessively upbeat Mary-Poppins Small silence. You can’t do that any more. tone – like a kindergarten Voice: Er…yes, M’am. Everything’s become too highly- teacher talking to a bunch of Now, I want you to go to the strung and over-bred. unresponsive 5-year-olds – can left… Voice: Unplug the reactor- to your level): The big black At the same time, like doc- throw you off a bit. You: Whose left? pender. plug. tors making house calls becom- Cursing a bit more, you try Voice: Er….yours, M’am; You: What the hell is a You: Oh that. Why didn’t ing a rare phenomenon, getting to remember which number the the left of the screen, and click reactorwhatsit? you say so in the first place? techies to come home to repair dratted voice asked you to on the X icon. Voice: M’am, if you look be- Conversation then ends on stuff is becoming an outdated ‘press’, and comply. Small pause. hind the screen, you’ll see… an irritated note, with the Voice practice. ‘Walking’ the user You think you’ll talk to a hu- Voice (tentatively): M’am? You (gasping): Dear God, obviously trying to keep both through the repairing process is, man then? You (equally polite): Yes? you won’t believe the dust here. employment, and your age, in however, getting to be the or- No chance. Voice: Did you click? Does no one clean anything mind, and resisting the tempta- der of the day. You: Yes, and nothing hap- anymore? tion to somehow magically If you are one of those who pened. A small silence. travel down the cables and G cannot talk to an answering by Voice: Try again, M’am. Voice: Er…yes, M’am. But throw something heavy on your machine without hyperventi- RANJITHA ASHOK You (suddenly excited): I to resume. If you look at the head. lating, you’d better pray that did, and a whole lot of letters bedinger, you’ll see the flexobus It never fails. nothing, ever, ever goes wrong and signs have appeared. next to the thingamative… There is so much techie- with anything in your house. Voice (now sounding cheer- then… gloss, but it is honestly getting Because the whole exercise of “Consumer number,” the ful, possibly seeing the end in You (staring at an array that tougher to handle when things following the instructions voice smiles winningly at you. sight): Great. I mean, very looks like it could launch the turn up their toes and go bzzzt crisply delivered by a tech-sup- You rattle off the first combina- good, M’am. Now, go to the end Shuttle, and starting to get a bit on you. port team can be flustering – tion you can think of, and then of the line that says pxsp, and hysterical): Then what? Double When will the getting-up- and can certainly give you a realise you’ve given your cook- add a semi-colon. it? dated process end? huge complex. ing gas number by mistake. You: What? Here’s an idea. Stunned silence for a second. To get back to your rebel- You cannot help it – you Voice: pxsp. Given that they love options, lious computer – after pressing have become a series of diverse You: What pxsp? I don’t see Voice (tentatively): M’am? here’s one more. a few keys and cursing a bit, you numbers for so many different any pxsp. I only see a wrtc. You (telling yourself not to Eerily Happy Voice (after suddenly remember the emer- organisations, it is hard to keep Voice (starting to sound get jittery, and therefore silly): going through the whole ‘Press gency number provided pre- up. older): That’s the previous line, Sorry, all these technical terms number so-and-so’ routine): cisely for such situations. Finally, after a long drawn M’am. If you scroll down, you’ll tend to play havoc on the old And finally, if you saw Sholay You make the call. The ring out symphony with the phone see a…. nervous system. Keep going. the very first time around; if you is answered; you launch into keys, you finally get to (drum You: Oh. Oh, yes, sorry, I Voice (sounding more and know all the words to Stairway your complaint, then realise roll, please!) a human being. just saw it. Now what? more unsure): M’am, if you look to Heaven, and if you can re- that you are talking – like it From the voice, it is clear Voice: Like I said, add a beyond the thingamative, you’ll member a time when balcony happens all the time these days that this person is younger than semi-colon with no space. see a yellow plug and a red plug. tickets were under Rs. 5 – Press – to a disembodied voice, who, your youngest child, and you are You: No space where? Remove them, re-attach and 10, leave your number and ad- with carefully orchestrated unable to prevent a distinctly ir- switch on the fuselodon. dress, and a tech-team will be cheerfulness, tells you to ‘Press ritated Mom-tone from creep- And so it goes on. You (desperately juggling sent over at once. Thank you 1, if you need information; Press ing in, just stopping short of It gets even better when they things around): The whate- sssooo much for calling.” 2 for complaints…..”. The list is snapping: “Sort this out at once, tell you to unplug things and lodon? Now that’s service – with be- long and impressive. and no backchat.” move stuff around. Voice (suddenly descending ing kind to elders thrown in. Answers to Plans threatening Railways’ heritage Quiz 1. Oscar Pistorius; 2. NASA (Continued from page 1) Railways is looking at the area ready congested road front. What kind of shopper, apart astronomers, using the Swift satel- The present condition of next to the parcel office for the Also, can the Railways run from the commuter, would lite, caught the first Supernova in several heritage bungalows be- creation of an elevation above hotels? Do they have the exper- brave the dingy access areas of the act of exploding; 3. Cristiano longing to the Railways in the the circulating area of passen- tise for it? The worldover, areas the MRTS stations to purchase Ronaldo for Manchester U and Perambur area also adds suspi- gers. This will have rooms for surrounding railway stations his/her requirements is open to Frank Lampard for Chelsea; cion to the thought that some passengers at nominal rates. If it have plenty of hotels, but the question. 4. 9.72s; 5. Nepal; 6. $1.2 billion; other plans may be afoot for is going to be a highrise, it will station proper never has them, Thus far, the Railways has 7. Sir David Attenborough (Mater- them. Some of them are in vast violate the uniform skyline that though it does have shops and been known to have worked piscis attenboroughi); 8. The Leaning unkempt gardens and a few stretches from Ripon Buildings dormitories. Even when hotels with an eye on heritage and Tower of Pisa; 9. The first sequencing of an individual have been uninhabited for some to General Hospital. In no other adjoin station buildings, these urban aesthetics to as great an woman’s DNA; 10. Phoenix. time. Is the Railways planning country would this be permitted. are run by hotel chains of repute. extent as possible, given the * * * to do away with these bunga- It is also learnt that the land at Shopping malls are also be- huge traffic it handles. A good 11. Justice A.K. Ganguly; lows and construct highrises on the rear of Central, close to the ing planned at the MRTS sta- example is the façade of the new 12. Chennai Police Commissioner; the sites? A couple of years ago, Sir Ashley Biggs Institute’s tions which are, anyway, far too extension to the Central Sta- 13. Minimum of Rs. 25 during the the Railways had clearly stated Moore Pavilion (another heri- big for the kind of traffic they tion which blends completely day and Rs. 50 at night, excluding that surplus and unutilised land tage building condemned for draw. These enormous struc- with that of the old. But it baggage charges of Rs. 10 per piece in Villivakkam and Perambur demolition after poor mainte- tures are intended to be sites for appears that there is a complete of luggage; 14. Kasturba Nagar and would be developed. Perhaps nance had laid it low) is to be put outdoor advertising and also change of heart in the recent Indira Nagar; 15. Egmore, Purasa- walkam and Tondiarpet; 16. Mili- this includes the grounds of the to alternative use. At Chennai’s destinations for shoppers, there- past, with someone’s eye solely tary Male Orphan Asylum, bungalows also. Egmore terminal the Railways is by adding to the Railways’ fixed on the bottomline. But Egmore; 17. Connemara Public What of the main stations, planning a mid-segment hotel coffers. It is learnt that the Rail- with that attitude prevailing all Library; 18. My Ladye’s Garden; viz. Central and Egmore? Here with 200-300 rooms. This again ways hopes to garner Rs. 100 over the city and the country, 19. The Tirumalai Nayak Palace; the plans get even more grandi- will violate a heritage precinct crore annually from this kind of can we blame the Railways 20. It screened the first Tamil ose. At Chennai Central, the and also put pressure on an al- advertising in Chennai city. alone? talkie, Kalidas, in October 1931. 8 MADRAS MUSINGS June 16-30, 2008

Nostalgia ricket commentary dur- What an experience it was, Cing the 1960s and 70s was a great experience for us. We were students of Government Arts College in 1961 and five listening to cricket! of us who were studying in fective. He would say that the taries was a thrill in those days. ence, but it pains me to see PUC there were cricket cost of the valve was Rs. 5 and Nowadays, cricket can be Cricket ‘Bytes’ Vikku Vinayaga Ram play his fanatics. we used to forego our lunch watched from the drawing mong other things which venerable ghatam in that We wanted India to win all and part with the money. He room, but we can never forget Ahave undergone sea ‘galata’. The newspapers are matches, but India was almost would then say that he was the golden voices of John (she?) change in Chennai is also catching the festive fever always at the receiving end. hungry and we would get him Arlott and Brian Johnston of the atmosphere at the cricket and shaking loose. Pankaj Roy and Vinoo masala dosai from nearby England, Michael Charlton ground and the behaviour of Mankad used to open the In- Swamy’s Cafe in Mount Road. and Alan McGilvary of the spectator. In the old days S.K. dian batting, facing the speed After all this, he would switch Australlia, Dicky Rutnagur All these years, the agreed Gurunathan used to give staid of Gilchrist and Hall without on the radio and we would from the West Indies and the accounts of the day’s play. helmets. Mind you Roy was purpose of watching a cricket hear Vizzy narrating the game likes of Berry, Ananda Rao, match live was just that – to Now the papers are saying that bespectacled and was never in his own style. Once, India Balu Alaganan and Narottam Dhoni has been smitten by hurt! Such was the technique watch cricket. Not any more. lost both openers cheaply and Puri of India. The joke is that a fellow was Lakshmi and Lakshmi has with which they played the one down was Vijay Manjere- been bitten by Dhoni. It is all Cricket commentary was shopping for a pair of power- game in those days! kar and 2 down Vijay Hazare very confusing. Thank God, the golden aspect of the audio ful binoculars at P.Orr & There was no TV in those and 3 down Polly Umrigar there is TV to avoid the mad- revolution and even TV can- Sons. The shopkeeper asked if days and we were dependent who were all our for a paltry ding crowd. not beat. it was to watch the IPL mat- on the radio. During college 25. Vizzy exclaimed, ‘Vina- working days we used to go to ches at Chepauk. The young C.G. Prasad chakala Vibaritha Buddhi’ S. Venugopalan a small radio shop to listen to man truthfully answered, ‘No, 9, C.S. Mudali Street meaning ‘misfortune never 7A, Prasanthi Apartments TMM the commentary. The shop to watch the cheerleaders’! Kondithope comes single!’ St Vannathurai owner would switch off the set Sivamani’s drums sort of Chennai 600 079 and tell us one valve was de- Listening to radio commen- Chennai 600 041 blend into the carnival ambi-

(Continued from page 1) financial services firm has de- Are too many cooks spoiling Adyar broth? cided to clean up the Adyar, use mallee, the BRTS would be on for international consultants to Creek! Where does the road public. But this proposal has the Adyar Creek, and build a an elevated corridor that would draw up a feasibility plan. and a bus transport system help been under wraps ever since. dedicated carriageway on both connect with the Chennai by- Rather strangely, tenders for as- in ecological restoration? Clearly, there are many ideas sides of the river for a Bus Rapid pass (Maduravoyal to Manali). sessing the feasibility of this The third development be- for the development of the land Transport System (BRTS) to The TNUIFSL has brought out have been called for by the longs to the PWD. Five acres of along the river. But what of the reduce traffic congestion. From a 10-minute video to promote Adyar Poonga Trust which was land opposite the Madras Club water? The Controller and Ramapuram to Porur-Poona- this project and has also asked supposed to restore the Adyar is being worked upon by the Auditor General of India’s agency to facilitate the planting reports of 2006 came down Contact: www.citizensrun.org. of trees with the help of an sharply on the local government June 20-26: Photo stories from thou- NGO. The idea is to develop for spending crores of rupees on sand lights, a photography work- shop, organised by Max Muller this as a tree park with walks in the water with nothing to show Bhavan and Tara Publishers (at it. for it. Untreated sewage from Metrowater continues to be Till June 20: Art Axis, an exhibi- Max Muller Bhavan). Chennai Heritage and Ma- tion of paintings and sculptures June 21: Bead Jewellery Workshop dras Musings had organised a discharged into this river with by artists from all over India, and (at DakshinaChitra. For details: presentation of Ahmadabad’s impunity. Intriguingly, the an exhibition of paintings by G. 2446 2435, 2491 8943 or Sabarmati Riverfront Develop- Metrowater Chief is also head of Suvedha (at Vinnyasa Premier Lakshmi: 98417 77779.) ment Project last year and this the TNUISFL and the Adyar Art Gallery). June 21: Fete de la Musiq: Rock- was followed up by a visit to that Poonga Trust! Till June 25: An exhibition by up- part of Citizens’ Run you will Funk-Blues-Jazz concerts by city by a high-powered Govern- So where does this leave the coming artists of Chennai (at have to buy its T-shirt and put it young Indian bands from 11 a.m. ment delegation. It was learnt at river? Much the same as it has on to join the run. The money to 11 p.m. (at Alliance Fran- Prakrit Arts). that time that the Government been. So many government June 20: Citizens’ Run, a run that from the T-shirt sales goes to- caise). was mulling over a similar plan during the past ten years has wards the NGO funds. The tar- June 28 and 29: Roo-Ba-Roo The- agencies with conflicting aims raised funds for various NGOs get for this year’s run is 10,000 atre Group (at the Alliance for a 12-km stretch in the Adyar and ideas working on the water- across the city. This year, to be a people. Francaise). and would soon make its plans body does not bode well for it.

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