Registered with the Reg. No. TN/CH(C)/374/15-17 Registrar of Newspapers Licenced to post without prepayment for India under R.N.I. 53640/91 Licence No. TN/PMG(CCR)/WPP-506/15-17 Publication: 15th & 28th of every month Rs. 5 per copy (Annual Subscription: Rs. 100/-) WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS INSIDE • Short ‘N’ Snappy • Lost landmarks of Chennai • Gods of the Holy Koovam • The Ramanujan museum • Forgotten veteran lines

Vol. XXVI No. 23 MUSINGS March 16-31, 2017 No hi-tech answer to thirst?! (By A Special Correspondent) he newspapers recently were full of how the strike by water Ttanker operators had brought Old Mahabalipuram Road aka IT Corridor to its knees. The much-vaunted hi-tech area, with offices developing high-end software solutions for companies abroad, is pretty low-tech when it comes to that precious commod- ity – water. It just needed three days of no supply for the trouble to assume crisis proportions. The statistics are mind-boggling. The Economic Times has it that Birds that three-fourths of ’s Rs 50,000 crore software exports happen from the IT corridor. A day’s shutdown would mean a loss flock to of Rs 100 crore. Several Fortune 500 companies depend on this stretch for their IT solutions and some of India’s biggest software Vedanthangal names operate from here. And believe it or not, they all depend on G The first rays of sunlight dra- tankers for their supply of water! Strange though it may seem, matically capture the roosting Metrowater does not cover the area and so, the companies, IT flocks... and this (on left) is Parks and other precincts here are left to their own devices. And what they look like during the these are the most ancient techniques possible – tapping water day, in the midst of the tank. from wells nearby and getting them supplied by tankers. Pictures were taken by Murali Narayanan during the Annual This has worked well for almost a decade now. However, the Waterbirds’ Count at Vedan- rural wells that hitherto catered to the needs are now under a lot of thangal. (Courtesy: Madras stress. Villages are becoming wary of the water being sucked out Naturalists’ Society.) and many have lodged protests at the way they are being exploited. In 2014, the Panchayat of Solanur on the OMR filed a petition seeking restrictions on commercial establishments in the vicinity sinking bore wells. These were being drilled to a depth of 400 feet, the complainants said, and were depleting the groundwater in the For peace in troubled waters... area quite rapidly. The matter is still sub-judice but it is indicative of what could become a trend. he recent death of a nantly Tamil, fishermen of the owned by private interests, (Continued on page 2) T Rameswaram fisherman in Northern Province found them- turning several traditional fish- Palk Strait waters has once selves free again to fish in the ermen from owners to labou- again brought to the fore the Palk Straits for their livelihood. rers. The trawler lobby certainly thorny problem of Indian Tamil They claim that they are af- plays a role in seeing that the A guide fishermen fishing in these fected by more than 500 trawl- present fishing practices in the waters and, many of them, ers from Tamil Nadu crossing Palk Bay continue. ending up in Sri Lankan jails if the International Maritime To get fishermen to give up to the not worse. These Indian fishers Boundary Line and fishing in trawling and consequent de- have continued to fish in Sri the Sri Lankan side of the Palk structive practices in the sensi- Fort Lankan waters – which they Bay, threatening their liveli- tive waters between India and Madras Musings celebrated claim are traditionally also hood. It is also pointed out that Sri Lanka, getting Tamil Nadu its 25th year and Fort St. theirs – despite both India and fisherman to take to deep-sea Sri Lanka agreeing to stop fishing has been suggested. This George’s 375th year with a G by The Editor year-long series in 2015-16 fishing in each other’s waters. kind of fishing in the open titled Know Your Fort better. The violations continued ocean requires different skills It was a fact-packed series by because fishermen know no Indian mechanised trawlers and better-equipped vessels Sriram V of the Fort’s boundaries and go where the have, after severely damaging capable of spending many days 30-plus major sites which has catch is best. marine resources and the sea out of harbour. The fishers need now been brought out as this The problem has assumed bed on their side of the Palk to be trained for such fishing. guide by Palaniappa Brothers. disturbing proportions from The then Chief Minister of A slim, easy to handle book, a Strait, are now doing the same visitor to the Fort can walk 2009 when peace returned to on the Sri Lankan side. It is fur- Tamil Nadu, J. Jayalalithaa, his/her way around the Fort the Island after the ethnic con- ther stated that most of the with this alone as guide. flict and Sri Lankan, predomi- trawlers from Tamil Nadu are (Continued on page 2) CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS March 16-31, 2017 What’s the answer to IT thirst? Communicating in Govt. ishtyle ave you ever noticed that at the other end was standing had displaced the Lord as the (Continued from page 1) something else altogether. Con- Hour Government is stuck up. Of course, said the voice. principal attraction. Touching sidering that this is the IT hub, in the 17th or there- Saar had been invited and what them, it was once believed, ab- abouts when it comes to its they needed was a second Saar, solved you of all sins. Now, ap- During the height of the where the world’s most creative water tanker strike, with much communication style? Or, which is why the phone call. At parently, the story is that by people are working, surely the rather, ishtyle, as it is pro- this MMM caved in and said touching them you make a of the IT corridor left high and problem can merit some atten- dry, representatives of the nounced by brethren from up ‘yes’. The voice then rung off, killing in real estate. And so tion and solution. Modern North? This aspect was no doubt in order to go and the throng at the lizards’ sanc- software industry met up with toilets that consume less water brought home rather forcefully confabulate with its Saar. tum far outnumbers those the Government and demand- could be a start. Meaningful use to The Man from Madras The letter duly arrived a day wanting to see the Lord. ed a solution to their water of grey water could be another. Musings recently when he was later. In this time and age an Where are the lizards was problems. If the current trend Achieving zero liquid discharge at his desk with nary a thought email would have done the job, the question that was asked in persists, they are of the view could be a third. Many sophisti- in his head, other than this col- but not so in Government. just about any national lan- that the OMR may become cated solutions are now avail- umn, of course. They had spent Rs 20 on send- guage as the faithful charged untenable by 2021. It is to be The phone rang and on ing the letter by speed post. It past MMM. He had not really able across the world for MMM answering it he heard was in a cover that was so thor- planned to see the two reptiles, remembered that many of the minimising the use of water. office and residential complexes an obsequious voice asking if oughly pasted all over that it but with a crowd that re- Certainly, wastage of water is this was Saar speaking. Experi- took quite a while for MMM to sembled the migration of the in the area are yet to be fully something that hardly any ence has taught MMM that cut it open without damaging wildebeest MMM really did occupied and so, the demand developed nation indulges in such beginnings usually mean the paper inside. The envelope not have a choice. He was for water has not yet peaked. today. The IT Corridor ought to a Governmental voice is had all the forbidding stamps pushed into a long cage The Government, it is under- be showing others the way and speaking at the other end, at and seals that make Govern- through which the queue was stood, has promised to look into not demonstrating that it is the peremptory ordering of a ment correspondence so dis- being channelled towards the the matter – which is the backward in the extreme. higher-up, usually a Saar from liked. It had the appearance of lizards. This being the season usual bureaucratese for pigeon- the I Am Superior cadre. a summons or, at the very least, when the black-dhotied and holing. The current crisis is not the MMM replied that indeed it a tax demand. bare-bodied pilgrims are to be What the Government has first to hit the IT Corridor by was and enquired as to what he The letter inside was no bet- seen everywhere, MMM had not asked is as to how many of the way. Water shocks have hit owed the pleasure of this call. ter. It had several reference the pleasure of being rubbed the area in 2011 and 2013. Whereupon the voice said that numbers filled with hyphens, against by plenty of hairy these companies/parks/com- it had been instructed by its obliques, dots and dashes – chests, sweaty underarms and plexes have water-recycling fa- These have seen predictable Saar to call Saar and that its something like gobbledegook outsize paunches in the push cilities in place. The chances responses – delegations waiting Saar would be happy to know no 111/balderdash 323/ into the long vestibule. There- are that very few, if at all, have on Government and an assur- if Saar was free on some forth- 245237b. And it began with after MMM kind of gave up thought of such arrangements. ance that the matter will be coming date as Saar wanted the words “I am to inform and was borne along by the Asking the Government for a looked into. 2017 promises to Saar to come to Saar’s office you…’ The tone improved con- crowd, rather like the strange solution is one thing, working be no different. Well, 2021 is and address some other Saars siderably as the letter pro- device Excelsior. The women, out a sustainable answer is not all that far off. Troubled waters... SHORT ’N’ SNAPPY

(Continued from page 1) awaiting a dole from the Cen- on heritage. To this MMM ceeded and the last words indi- who were in a similar steel tre. wanted to know the name of cated that civilisation was here cage on the other side, did not outlined in 2014 a proposal There are other options. the Saar who had expressed at last – a reply had been re- have it any easier he noticed. which envisaged a processing Norway was responsible for this desire for MMM’s com- quested by email! The mail ID It was all rather extraordinary, park, mother ship for receiving training Kerala and south Sri pany. In his experience, not was of course as confusing as like a passage to a gas cham- catches, pre-processing them Lankan (mainly Sinhalese) fish- many Saars in service have the letter reference. The mis- ber during the Holocaust. before conveying them to the ermen to go deep sea. It also any affection for MMM, they sive ended with the terse leg- The chamber of the lizards on-shore processing park, and helped set up boat-building fa- having labelled him long ago end- Forwarded/By Order. arrived after what appeared to mini vessels with mechanised cilities for such fishing in both as Mischievous Meddlesome MMM wondered if a simple in- be an eternity. The authorities Man. But the moment they lay vite for a presentation needed had thoughtfully provided a trawling facilities for frontline territories. The five Nordi Am- down office and untangle to be worded like a sentence of set of steps for the faithful to fishing operations. Training the bassadors – all representation of themselves from the red tape transportation for life. climb up and touch the rep- fishermen was also a part of the countries with deep sea fishing that makes them stiff and MMM scrolled down to see tiles, one encased in gold and plan. The Chief Minister had expertise – were the first foreign standoffish, they develop a the name of the Saar who had the other in silver. MMM asked for Rs. 1,520 crore from VIPs to interact with the great love for MMM and signed it. Something struck found himself hoisted up the the Central Government to present Chief Minister. Did he grapple him to their hearts him as not quite right as he steps by those that came be- help make this feasible. ask them – particularly Norway with hoops of steel. They then read it. He then went and hind him. Once at the wobbly The former Chief Minister’s with its South Asian experience tend to buttonhole MMM at looked into that day’s newspa- top, MMM tottered for a mo- proposal if implemented, will – for help? all available occasions to tell per. On reading it, MMM ment, his hand raised up to certainly remove a major irri- Another avenue is the him unprintable stories about realised that the Saar who touch the lizards. It was then ministers and colleagues and wrote the letter had been trans- that the man behind decided tant to the relationship between Mudra Bank, which is meant how they did all they could to ferred from this department the to lunge thereby bending India and Sri Lanka. What, precisely for funding small en- save heritage but “you know previous day. We understand MMM’s knee as well. How- then, is holding up the imple- trepreneurs, like fisherfolk, who how vested interested were MMM decided to accept the ever, the crowd ahead of mentation of this scheme? are otherwise unable to meet against it”. invite, he hope, it will provide MMM was so dense that there The State Government con- the capital cost of trawlers and But to get back to today’s him some long-awaited amuse- was no stampede ending with tinues to seek a Central grant. related equipment. To ensure story. On being asked to name ment. MMM’s quick departure to The present Chief Minister has speedy release of funds by this the Saar, the voice sucked in the Land of the Lord. The man asked for Rs.1650 crore. It is source, the State Government its breath in a shocked man- The Lord & the Lizards behind was apologetic. He was obvious that with its own fi- could extend its guarantee, if ner. It was like asking a tradi- trying, he said by way of expla- tional housewife to name her ave you visited the an- nation, to reach for his cell- nances not in particularly good necessary. The State Govern- husband. After some silence it Hcient temple to the Lord phone which was in his shape, it is waiting for a helping ment must also chip in its share repeated its query – Saar of the elephant hill in neigh- pocket, for a selfie with the liz- hand. But must it always seek of meeting the capital and op- would like to know if Saar was bouring silk town? The Man ards and had bent inadvert- Central help even as it doles out erational costs from funds saved free on a particular date for a from Madras Musings had ently. He had he said, prom- freebies without limit? by re-ordering its priorities, cut- presentation concerning heri- visited it as a child and now was ised his mother that he would To correct a livelihood prob- ting down or cutting out the tage. If so, Saar would receive doing so after a long while. He send her a photo of the lizards lem and the safety of its citizens freebies. a letter of invitation. If not, vaguely remembered that this so that she could e-touch as well to ensure it is not the The new Government must could Saar recommend some beautiful shrine had a couple of them. Coming down, MMM cause for an irritant in an inter- other Saar. To this MMM stone carvings of lizards on a looked up at the two lizards. seize this opportunity and win ceiling somewhere. What he national relationship, it is up to the goodwill of the fishing com- asked if the Chief had been Something told him that they invited. The voice took on a did not know was that in the were chuckling. the Tamil Nadu Government to munity, the people of Tamil reverential tone at this. MMM four decades since MMM last get the Jayalalithaa plan under- Nadu and Sri Lankan people – was quite sure that the speaker visited the temple, the lizards – MMM way on a war footing and show thereby enhancing its own im- its commitment to it by not age. March 16-31, 2017 MADRAS MUSINGS 3 LOST LANDMARKS Wanted a Pied Piper walk on the Marina on the well-paved road meant for pedes T’ Nagar has its Itrians who want to go for long walks. It is a recent habit. The OF CHENNAI – SRIRAM V Season, too road is beautifully laid out, straight in long stretches and gently curving at others to relieve the monotony. The architects have hile Mylapore may be the done a splendid job. Wmain hub of the Decem- I reach there a little before the sun sets. The sea is green and ber music and dance festival, light and dark blue in some places and the few clouds above it T’Nagar and surrounding areas are in shades of orange and pink. It is a glorious sight and since are also active players. In addi- the sea is on the east coast, I don’t face the sun directly. The cool breeze keeps blowing all the time. I am told this is the tion to leaders, Sri Krishna second largest beach in the world and, as the sun sets, traffic Gana Sabha (at the Nalli Gana lights on the road come up, a circle of emerald green, breathtak- Vihar hall) and Thyaga Brahma ingly beautiful. There is no other city in the whole of India I Gana Sabha (at Vani Mahal), would rather be in than Chennai because of this wondrous gift Mudra conducts its festival at of Nature to us. the Infosys Hall, Chennai Cul- BUT tural Academy (earlier the well paved road meant for pedestrians is strewn with plastic Nungambakkam Cultural Aca- covers which are blown by the wind from wherever they were demy) at Rama Rao Kalyana thrown. You have to avoid cow dung patches (mercifully not Mandap, Bharat Kalachar at fresh, otherwise you could skid on them). As you walk, a plastic the PSBB School, and Mee- cover might just get wrapped around your foot or fly into your nakshi Sounderarajan Fine Arts face. People eat chips, ground nuts and fried stuff and throw the plastic covers as soon as they have finished eating. Dustbins kept Academy at Meenakshi College at several places are ignored. Coffee, you can have with milk or in Kodambakkam. The Thyaga black, and throw the plastic cup where you want to. Brahma Gana Sabha (1944) On one side of the walk, grass struggles to grow on what The grounded-into- and Sri Krishna Gana Sabha perhaps was meant to be flower beds. Big holes in the ground (1953) are the oldest sabha-s reveal that rats are having a merry time multiplying in hordes organising annual music and with all the leftover food strewn around. If one rat can produce the-ground Pilot dance festivals. 75 rats a year, the number of rats living on the Marina is mind I have always felt that the boggling. If a Pied Piper could be found to entice them to the nd so the theatre has been clear whether the same projec- concerts at these sabha-s receive sea to drown, what a sea of rats would be following him! Ademolished. A flex banner tion could be used for conven- poor media coverage even It is not the poor who dirty the place, but we, the middle at the entrance to the vast com- tional screening but it would though all leading artists per- class, who come there to enjoy the breeze and the ambience. And make a picnic out of the outing. The poor have no money pound has it that “Pilot Theatre appear that Pilot retained the form here, and the quality of to buy coffee, sundal and groundnuts. is demolishing” and then adds, same projection facilities. The music offered is often superb. I am too old to try and do something about this. Will the “Trespasser will be prosecuted,” first screening was on Novem- The Refurbished Vani Mahal readers of MM? thereby indicating that groups ber 15, 1968, the film being The – with its comfortable seats and Radha Padmanabhan are most welcome. But the Ballad of Cable Hogue. Bose speaker system – offers an [email protected] groups or crowds have long Sadly for Sanjivi, his pen enhanced listening experience. ceased coming to Pilot. company did not long outlive Over the last 22 years, The property’s history begins him. It went into liquidation in Mudhra has experimented with What should have been mation of land from the sea varying formats like four-hour with Pilot, that popular brand of 1978. By then, the pens were no thought of was the digging of have all become a reality. concert, one-raga one-kriti con- fountain pens that many of us longer what they had once been new channels and lengthening Newly created water chan- certs, and thematic concerts. Its the existing ones without nels using this technology could grew up with. The Pilot Pen Co – leak-proof and with excellent free webcast of concerts through (India) Pvt Limited, founded by steel or gold-tipped nibs. Chea- hindering the existing infra- well provide intra-city water Paalam TV has attracted a large structure to enhance storm wa- transport systems for ferrying Paranjothi Arockiasami Sanjivi, per plastic had come in and number of rasika-s. ter drainage. cargo and rides for tourists. A a local entrepreneur, was estab- most Pilot pens were known to Grammy Awared winning Buckingham Canal played canal-cum-sea cruise to Maha- lished in 1952. It manufactured leave ink stains – on fingers and ghatam maestro Vikku Vinayak- its humble role despite its poor balipuram could emerge as a pens in Madras, under licence clothes. The arrival of the ball- ram was awarded the Mudhra maintenance during last year’s tourist attraction. Water trans- from Pilot Corporation of Japan point hastened the company’s Award of Excellence on January floods. It was dug in the 19th port is enormously cost effi- and hence the name. The cor- demise. As for Pilot Theatre, 2, 2017. He presented a unique Century as a famine relief mea- cient, fuel efficient and less pol- porate office of the company after being a facility where only programme called Talachakram sure. Planners should now think luting, besides being less acci- was at the Catholic Centre, Ar- the best of English films were specially conceived for the day. of creating more such canals dent prone. A long sea coast has menian Street. The Sanjivi fam- shown, it slowly settled down to The maestro played four gha- just as they think of coming up the potential to serve as a ily being devout Roman Catho- vernacular films and, later, re- tams and many other vidwans with ring roads, by-pass roads source for water during lean pe- lics and the progenitor contrib- runs. Its vast compound was participated in the percussion and highways to accommodate riods. Can Chennai take the uted generously to church- however a great attraction for ensemble. It was an amazing the growing volume of traffic. lead? building activities in Madras. film shoots. It was also a popu- programme for nearly two Engineering technology has Legend has it that the first fac- lar venue for film festivals. hours. grown by leaps and bounds. R. Janakiraman tory for the Pilot Pens, when it Inheritance issues led the Concerts at Meenakshi Col- Tunneling under a live city, 14/16, Gopalapuram Third Streeet was more an assembly opera- successors to seek the assistance lege catering to rasikas in sur- bridges over the seas, and recla- Chennai 600 006 rounding areas like Kodam- tion, stood at the site of the Pi- of the High Court of Madras bakkam, Mahalingapuram, lot Theatre in Royapettah. But and a settlement was reached Rangarajapuram, Trustpuram, even as early as 1961, the works sometime back. The theatre and Ashok Nagar, besides some CHENNAI HERITAGE had shifted to Puzhal, where stopped screenings in 2014 and students and teachers, always even now a vast premises goes with that it was clear that the draw full houses. The acoustics No. 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014 by the name of Pilot Compound curtains were coming down. are good and the concerts are of I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / I and is rented out by other com- Pilot will live in public three hours’ duration allowing have just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it hereafter. mercial entities. memory via Pilot Lane, an im- sufficient time to present qual- G I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Under Sanjivi, Pilot Pens possibly narrow thoroughfare ity music. Rs. 100 (Rupees One hundred) payable to CHENNAI prospered. He then decided to running along the theatre’s C. Ramakrishna HERITAGE, MADRAS, as subscription to Madras Musings get into cinema screening and northern bound. This links for the year 2015-16. put up the Pilot Theatre. Com- Gaudia Mutt and Royapettah Sruti pleted in 1968, it was India’s High Roads and was once a Waterways sought G As token of my support for the causes of heritage, second screening facility with space through which water sup- here is a busy blame game re- environment and a better city that Madras Musings espouses, Cinerama technology, the first ply was made to eastern Roya- Tgarding encroachment of I send Chennai Heritage an additional Rs...... being ’s Kapali. In this pettah. A couple of years ago, a water bodies for human habi- tation. With the expanding po- (Rupees ...... ) Please innovation, three projectors si- signboard painter’s error had keep/put me on your mailing list. multaneously ran three strips of led it to being named Polite pulation, this space is the obvi- ous option for housing as it has the film, all of which synch- Lane and caused much mirth. Name : ...... been vacant for decades with re- ...... ronised on a giant arced screen The residents however were not peated droughts and occasional Address: ...... thereby making for an awesome amused. They now have little heavy rainfall causing floods. visual effect. This was, however, cause for cheer for the lane is a ...... These spaces had virtually All cheques to ‘Chennai Heritage’. DD/Cheque should be sent by not a success and Wikipedia has convenient rubbish dump, a become unauthorised dumping Speed Post only. it that just two films were ever urinal and is forever filled with yards and breeding grounds for made using Cinerama. It is not traffic. insects. 4 MADRAS MUSINGS March 16-31, 2017 March 16-31, 2017 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 The Gods of the Rambling in our museums (1) ... with N.S. Parthasarathy

In a recent interview, Vinod Daniel, internationally known senior conservator and specialist in museum management, Holy Koovam has highlighted the community’s responsibility in preserving the irreplaceable historical and cultural links with its past. Enthused by this interview, N.S. PARTHASARATHY visited Chola kings in the 12-13th Cen- some of the city’s museums and recorded his experiences. he Cooum river means tury of converting brick temples T many things to us in This is the first article in this series. As people do not into stone temples. Such inscrip- generally make repeat visits to museums, or at close Madras, but none are compli- tions are important, since they mentary! Some may remember intervals, these articles, we hope, will be of some use in tell us that the banks of the evoking recollections and inspiring a visit once again. the filth, and others the smell. Cooum were an important and Old-timers talk about boat-rides prosperous part of the Chola em- and even baths, but it’s hard to pire when it was at its height. conjure up these images seeing a The temple at Sivapuram is built dried-up or, even worse, stinking entirely out of stone and has an Evidence of the earliest structural temples seen at the Selliamman temple in Ramanujan waterway. early inscription of Raja Raja Chitrambakkam. (All pictures courtesy Aalayam Kanden). Priya Bhaskaran, based on a Chola. It was called Urogadam in chat with Venkatesh Rama- those days and must have been Varman (669-70 CE). It is to be it. Komaleeswaranpet, we learn krishnan, thought otherwise and one of his earliest all-stone hoped, this slab is well protected that the other name for Cooum remembered over 18 months, with the mem- temples. Mappedu has a rare im- and not cemented over in a fu- was Vriddha Ksheera – Ancient bers of ‘The Cooum – A Cultural age of Hanuman playing the ture restoration. It could have river of Milk. It has rare bronze mong biographical muse- Chennai. The approach lanes Mapping Group’ traced the veena. been on the wall once and is on lamps, and sculptures including river’s path and the temples on Aums, the one focusing on and by-lanes to reach this loca- Pillayarkuppam has a unique the floor now, which means one of Kannagi. The Hazrath the life and achievements of tion are not wide enough to per- its banks. What she found is now ritual called the Vetrilai Kappu, there is greater wear and tear and Syed Moosa Dargah is men- a slim volume*, seeking to inspire Ramanujan fires a visitor’s imagi- mit even one-way traffic but do where an eight feet metal arch its only a matter of years when tioned in Mount Road. The book Ramanujan’s letter – his application for a post in the Madras Port Trust. And on right, one of Hardy’s letters to Ramanujan. the reader to visit the sites armed nation and curiosity the most for allow two-way chaos. You can, (Prabhavali) is stuffed with betel the writing now get completely ends with what is probably the his stranger-than-fiction rise with patience, a couple of gashes Both of them are exhibits in the museum. with information. Cooum now leaves and then taken inside and eroded. The book mentions a newest temple, the Muthu has a good guide that none of our from abject poverty and social re- to the car and damage to the installed within the sanctum. rare Pallava image of a seated Karumari Amman temple, under jection to lasting fame as a math- headlight, just about manage to other rivers have! Chitrambakkam’s Selliam- Vishnu in Aranvoyal that also Napier Bridge where the Cooum tion of his theorems, leapfrogging We start with the Thiruvir- ematician. It is but fitting that a crawl through the congestion to several logical steps to final re- man temple is important for needs better protection and the joins the Bay of Bengal. museum dedicated to him should the museum. A more central and kolam village which has a temple Tamil Nadu and epigraphy.The Janamejayeswara temple in Cenji The book has short, well writ- sults and not explaining the for Thirivirkolanathar. The large be located in Chennai where he prestigious location would have proof that scientific rigour de- temple has a small slab bearing that is in danger of collapse soon. ten notes on all aspects of the spent his early years working for done greater justice to the tank from where the river origi- A Buddha sculpture from an agri- manded to merit acceptance of the earliest evidence available for Temples within Madras are temples. Serious history lovers the Port Trust as a lowly clerk memory of one so distinguished. nates has been famous from cultural field in Koovam village, once a structural temple (as opposed also covered in the book: will find valuable epigraphical the validity and originality of his Chola times. In the 12th Cen- exhibited in the Madras Museum. earning him just enough to avoid The main collection of discoveries. to a cave temple) built by the Koyambedu, Arumbakkam, summaries of findings in each starvation so he could pursue his artefacts, documents and photo- tury, the tank was renamed song number 23, he confines Pallavas during the first regal Chetpet, Kilpauk, Mount Road, temple and lovers of mythology The display of a specimen of Tyagasamudranallur. Nallur life’s passion exploring the ab- graphs are on a first floor non- the front page of the Journal of the himself only to mythological in- year of King Parameswara Chintadripet, all find a place in will find details of the sthala stract world of mathematics and airconditioned hall measuring here indicates a large, agricul- cidents but does mention Bud- puranas of each temple. Most en- Indian Mathematical Society re- ture-based settlement. In its mysteries. about 600 square feet. On this minds us of Ramanujan’s bril- dhists and Jains. The book tells tries have a small photograph Established in 1993, the floor there are over two hundred 1057 CE, the tank was called us that a sculpture of Buddha and useful information at a liant research paper on Bernoulli Tribhuvanmahdevi Pereri and a Ramanujan Museum and Math exhibits and quite a few of them numbers in 1911 published in was discovered here and is held Senji. glance – the name of the deities, originals, ‘preserved’ in feeder canal was dug into it. In at present by the Government the location with a Geo tag, that journal. That was the very 1112, the temple took fishing glass frames and a few first milestone of his becoming Museum, Madras. timings, the name and phone displayed bare. and paddy taxes from the com- A total of 113 temples are number of the priest and a speci- well-known in Madras circles as munity to keep the tank in good Among them are a mathematical genius despite covered in the book. I record a ality. I hope the author and her Ramanujan’s horo- repair. So clearly, in the time of few of the other important ones, team will soon publish the lack of university education. Koova scope in original, his Inside the Ramanujan Museum. the imperial Cholas, the tank was The Deivanayakeswara Swamy Puranam as a companion vol- Ramanujan’s handwritten ap- a large one and the Cooum must handwritten letter from plication – I beg to apply for clerk- Temple in Elumiyankottur has a ume. England, in Tamil Ramanujan’s letter enclosing the Ramanujan had re-discovered have been an important water unique Dakshinamurthy image ship – to the Madras Port Trust source for all villages on its – Pradeep Chakravarthy chain script to his elder stating that he had passed the long list of unproved theorems many theorems not being aware with his hand on the chin mudra brother – Anna – and pleading only for a sympa- of their having been discovered banks. The temple is older for it close to the knot on his sacred Matriculation examination and *The Gods of the Holy Koovam couched in traditional thetic recommendation which already, some a hundred years finds a place in the third thread. An inscription here as was prevented from pursuing – Aalayam Kanden Trust, respectful language would help him get a scholarship earlier. They also found a rare Tirumurai of Sambandar, who is well as in a few other temples in “studies beyond F.A.” (Fellow of Flat A, Nutech Apts, 36, with an opening invo- either from the University or the collection of new ones which dated to the 6th Century. In his this area mention the role of the Arts, in those days) owing to Kripashankari Street, West cation seeking the “several untoward circum- Government for the reason that “exceedingly” interested them. Mambalam, Chennai 600 033. blessings of Sri stances”, is a moving piece on “to preserve my brain I want He was at the doorstep of fame. Ramanujacharya, and a food”. Hardy and Littlewood first But Hardy wanted verifiable Till March 30: Group show by [email protected] display. His biography says that Puducherry artists, L. large framed grainy he was recommended to the job suspected that all this might be a proofs step by step for the scien- Candappane, A. Soucoumarane black and white por- on grounds that “he has a natu- hoax but on rummaging through tific community to accept Sivapuram. P.K. Srinivasan with Dr. Bruce C. Berndt. and Gopal Jayaram (at trait photograph show- ral aptitude for computation and the papers they realised that the Ramanujan’s findings as genu- DakshinaChitra). ing him in formal dress is very quick at figure work”! author was “a mathematician of ine. Robert Kanigel, Ramanu- Education Centre was founded looking down on his memorabilia Hardy’s letter is another in- the highest quality, a man of al- jan’s biographer, highlights this by the late P.K. Srinivasan, edu- stored in an unknown, teresting piece on display. He together exceptional originality peculiar situation, of great dis- cationist. The founder ap- unrecognised corner of the city and Littlewood studied and power”. They found that coveries with no proofs to sub- proached several people for symbolising his own early stantiate them, humorously as space to exhibit the collection. It struggle for recognition of his ex- follows: “Ramanujan said: The was Bose, the present Secretary’s traordinary mathematical in- Butler did it. Hardy was con- father, who offered space in his sights. vinced: The Butler indeed did do building in Somu Chetty 4th The photo of the Town High it. But said Hardy: There is no Street, Royapuram and became School reminds the visitor of proof that the Butler did it!” its co-founder. More by compul- how, while still in school, Apart from celebrating the sion of circumstance than for its Ramanujan came across a copy genius of Ramanujan, the Cen- suitability, the museum came to of Carr’s Synopsis, a compendium tre has special programmes to be housed at this location, not of numerous basic theorems and spread awareness of mathematics very far from Saiva Muthia results in pure mathematics. among children to enable them Mudali Street off Broadway There being no display of a rep- “to seek and understand the Volunteers come to the Madras Literary Society every Saturday to clean up the where Ramanujan lived when he lica of this book is a significant world around them in the stance library. Cognizant has been sending volunteers (minimum 30 of them) every was working as a clerk in the Port omission. For it is this book and of numeracy”. To make this Saturday. With their help, a lot of books which were not in the catalogue list and Trust. It is a narrow street in a its concise style that affected not accessible to members are now available. Join the Saturday volunteers. crowded section of north Ramanujan’s mode of presenta- Kelly and Mary Johnston, visitors from the U.S. to the Ramanujan Museum. (Continued on page 7) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS March 16-31, 2017 NOSTALGIA

(Current Affairs questions are from the period February 16th to 28th. Questions 11 to 20 pertain to Chennai and Tamil Nadu.) 1. Vikas Swarup, India’s new envoy to Canada, is famous for writing the novel ‘Q&A’ that was made into an multiple Oscar-winning flick. Name the film. 2. The new long-distance, fully un- reserved, superfast train service to The author’s refurbished house in Veteran Lines. be operated on dense routes, was flagged off with a service between even the 1980s. Imagine tried its best to take its place. Ernakulam and Howrah on Febru- neighbours coming and going But, as the super-seniors and ary 27th. What is it called? freely, sharing a cuppa here or a seniors will tell you, and even a 3. What was the theme for glass of OT or wine there, or late-comer like I could, the National Science Day 28.2.2017 ? – A forgotten corner even a bottle of Cowl Bazaar’s passing of the PRC was felt by 4. Which movie won the Best Pic- famous home-brewed arrack the old and the young alike. ture award at 89th Academy Awards? of a suburb with a tickle of beef fry or These experiences are now 5.Which State is set to become the vindaloo to aid the process of memories, and even these are first Indian State to have a public o many people have the up in 1935, but the records go imbibing such a potent drink. fading fast because most people registry of sex offenders? S fondest memories of the way back, since it was originally Imagine weekend parties, Sun- nowadays do not know how to 6. Why did a dwarf star named Anglo-Indian pockets of old. attached to St. Thomas’ Garri- day-morning fishing adventures unwind, or “chill”, or even just Trappist-1, 39 light years away, The list of such places is pretty son Church in the Cantonment at the nearby river, the Bingo hang out. Anyway, all you Vet- make news recently? long, but the ones that stand area of St. Thomas Mount. Four evenings, the sing-along nights erans, wherever you are, take 7. Name the world’s first inter- out in Tamil Nadu are Madras, Anglo-Indian women, Mrs. that went on till early morning, heart: a revival is on the cards. operable payment acceptance solu- Golden Rock, Madura, Trichi- Lightfoot, Mrs. Drinkwater, tion, to enable digital payments the songs becoming louder and Veteran Lines was a great without card-swiping machines, nopoly, Villupuram, Arkonam, Mrs. Gomes and Mrs. McKen- smuttier as time rolled by. Imag- place for the young. In those launched by the Government. and Podanur. zie, were instrumental in col- ine the Devotions to the days when TV and computers 8. Geologists have announced dis- Almost all these places have lecting funds for the construc- Mother all through May, in a held little or no attraction, boys covery of a 4.5-million sq km sub- strong connections with the In- tion of the Church, and, much different home each day. Imag- (and sometimes girls) trooped merged continent beneath the SW dian Railways, many as an later, the school was developed ine the whole community in off to the huge military well in Pacific Ocean of which only New Anglo-Indian pocket has fallen around it. There were a few and around meeting the colony, or went to the aban- Zealand and New Caledonia are visible. What’s it been named? by the wayside, for there is mini- doned quarry that was always 9. According to a recent announce- mal Anglo-Indian presence in filled with water. Pallavaram ment, which Asian nation has the railway today. hill often beckoned, the more chalked out plans to build the first Still hanging on, but only adventurous choosing a direct city on Mars by 2117? just, is the non-Railway Anglo- climb up the hill, rather than 10. Following the elevation of N. Indian colony known as using the road to the top. Chandrasekaran as Chairman, Veteran Lines in Pallavaram, Mango season lasted at least Tata Sons, who’s is the new CEO suburban Madras. Tucked away two months and since the man- of TCS? between the Chennai Airport goes next door always tasted * * * runway on the southern and better, midnight raids were fast 11. The Madurai Bench of the Ma- and furious and very seldom did dras High Court recently directed western side, and the hill over- the State Government to enact a looking Trisulam Railway any of the raiders get caught. If special legislation within the next Station, the newly com- the night offered no real enter- St. Stephen’s English Church rebuilt in 1935. couple of months to eliminate missioned Metro and the tainment, there was always re- which offending green foliage from course to the old ‘Kottai’ or cin- modern Airport beyond, on the Protestant families among the at the English Electric grounds the State? ema-house situated in no- opposite side, stands Veteran AIs of Veteran Lines, and there for the Annual “Mini-Olym- 12. Which respected institution, man’s-land, as seasoned ‘Veter- Lines, a haven of peace and are some even today, but the pics”, complete with torch, ban- whose centenary celebrations were ans’ will describe the tract of inaugurated recently by the Presi- tranquility and one of the last Church has a special place in ners and stiff competition be- land between the colony and dent, was founded in May 1917 by bastions of Anglo-Indian com- the hearts of worshipers, espe- tween the four or five rival beyond. The cinema- women’s rights activists such as munity life. cially because, even now, it has teams. Imagine groups of carol- shed has disappeared, but many Annie Besant, Margaret Cousins, The name of the locality is, a serene, homey atmosphere. singers willing to sing more than and Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Anglo-Indians, including my- in itself, quaint. Adjacent to the Veteran Lines today com- half-a-dozen songs at every among others. self, rejoice because its place has Grand Southern Trunk Road prises some sixty to seventy, home and happily partake of 13.Which religious text is said to now been taken by a booze on the Airport side, almost all fairly big-sized houses, a few the refreshments so generously have originated at Tirupperun- shop. thurai or Avudaiyarkoil? the way to what is known vari- spanking new, most of the oth- provided by most families. I am The heyday of Anglo-Indian 14. Former police officer K. Vijay ously as English Electric, GEC, ers in varying degrees of decay. certain that a down-to-earth, life in Veteran Lines had almost Kumar’s recent book detailing his Areva, and Alstom, in Palla- I would not be far off the mark not-so-genteel Jane Austen vanished when I arrived in the capture of Veerappan is titled…? varam, the area known as ‘Of- if I say that, until Indepen- would have reveled in such a late 1980s. Even our very own 15. Thirupachethi village near ficers’ Lines’. Behind this row of dence, there weren’t any other setting, and she would have Usilampetti is known for making bus – Route 52-G – has been large bungalows, beyond the communities living in the area. most surely done more justice to which item of weaponry? taken from us; it plies another barracks and the parade Of course, some properties the place and the people than 16. Name the left-arm seamer who circuitous course. And even the ground, is what could be heaven changed hands, but the buyers yours truly. made news after being picked up for formerly famous (or infamous) on earth – Veteran Lines. were mostly Anglo-Indian. My All these joyous congrega- Rs. 3 crore by Kings XI Punjab at ‘Loafer’s Bridge’ next to the the recent IPL auction. Perusing the records of the own home, long before my time, tions would not have been what School Bus-stand is gone, just a 17. Of the three thoroughfares in iconic St. Stephen’s English was sold to the milkman to they were if not for the bond piece of the culvert’s brick-work Mylapore that connect North Church, I discovered that the settle his dues, but until the that brought everyone together standing mutely by. The nearby Mada Street and Kutchery Road, Cantonment area was the hub 1950s at least, most properties as a single unit – the one and two are Kutchery Lane and mini-hockey field is in a mess of the EAV Company, EAV were owned by Anglo-Indians. only Pallavaram Recreation Mathala Narayanan Street. Name now, abandoned by everyone actually expanding to ‘Euro- Today there are just a dozen Club or PRC, for short. I really the third. today, but it used to be bustling pean Artillery Veterans’. Did families from the community don’t know when the PRC ac- 18. In which respected institution with Anglo-Indians, young and Veteran Lines get its name from who live in and sometimes own tually started functioning, but it of Chennai can you spot a bas-re- old, eager every Sunday for a lief of eight truncated-tusked el- this military company? The properties here and the number was certainly doing wonderfully game, not too long ago. ephants? ‘Officers’ Lines’ in the immedi- has fortunately remained stable well in the 1940s. The trend We always take pride in our 19. After which musical giant is ate vicinity lends weight to this since the late 1980s. continued right through to the musical talents, and Veteran Palace Road in San Thomé now assumption, and the area was Imagine a small (big enough early 1990s, and I must confess named? Lines has had its share of musi- probably peopled by European for us, though), compact com- that I was the last acknowl- 20. Which legendary singer had his cians. There was Cliffy Phillips, under-officers and NCOs, as munity living its own life, at its edged President of the Club. debut when the famous Musiri the lead-guitarist, and Shad well as those from the mixed own pace, in its own inimical When I returned to Pallavaram Subramania Iyer cancelled his per- Bronkhurst, the excellent jazz- formance at the Mylapore Kapalis- race – the Anglo-Indians. way, and you have the essence after a short stint in the Gulf, warar Temple? St. Stephen’s English of life in Veteran Lines in the the PRC had disappeared and (Answers on page 8) Church in Veteran Lines came 1950s, the 1960s, the 1970s and the Anglo-Indian Association (Continued on page 7) March 16-31, 2017 MADRAS MUSINGS 7

ment Press, Mint, with two-sto- ments of the Madras War Re- ried buildings, was sanctioned. view, featuring the activities of Government Press The Printing Section of the the different armed services, Mount Road Branch Press was printing was undertaken in amalgamated with the main 1943-44 for the extensive cam- press in Mint in 1938-39. The paign launched in connection Publication Depot alone, which with the Small Savings Scheme – 185 years old and ‘Grow More Food’ cam- was intended for the sale of Acts and other publications to paigns. The Press was called he Madras Government the Madras Presidency to sup- by the Army Clothing Depot in the public, continued to func- upon to print enormous quanti- T Press was started in 1831. plant manuscript copying at all George Town. Owing to in- tion on Mount Road as a sepa- ties of work with a compara- Prior to that date, Government Collectors’ headquarters. Dis- creasing congestion and the in- rate unit. tively short time. During these printing, by the order of Lord trict Gazettes were issued for the convenient arrangement of the Consequent to the decision War years, printing of several Edward Clive in 1800, was pro- first time in 1856-57. Railway Mint premises, plans for the of Government to discontinue Control Orders and Ration duced by the Madras Male Asy- communications having im- construction of a new Govern- its summer in the Hills, the Cards and forms was also done lum Press, which also published, proved, and the printing of ment Central Press were pre- Branch at Ooty was closed from by this section at comparatively under special arrangement, an forms having been standardised pared and approved in 1912. July 1938, after a small press was short notice. official and general newspaper and systematised, the conve- But about that time, opportu- installed in the office of the In 1948, at the time the au- called the Government Gazette. nience of the district presses di- nity was afforded to acquire, at Military Secretary to His Excel- thor retired, the officer strength In 1831, the monopoly of the minished. Much of the printing a cost of three lakh rupees, the lency for Government House was 9, there were 980 perma- Asylum Press was terminated work was ordered to be centra- plant and premises of the work in Ooty. nent employees and 193 tempo- and Government printing was lised in Madras, and the kind of Lawrence Asylum Press in A salaried system replaced rary ones in the non-composing divided amongst various private materials published in the Dis- Mount Road, and this transac- piecework rates for compositors section, 399 permanent com- firms. The Fort St. George Ga- trict Gazettes restricted. In 1917, tion was completed in prefer- in the hand and machine com- positors and machine operators, zette Press was at the same time as a measure of economy, ence to the construction of a posing sections at this time. 234 temporary ones, 163 opened in the Fort, and the first twenty district presses were new building. To this Mount In 1941-42, a new section ‘casuals’ and 315 convicts work- number of the new Gazette is- closed, and their work trans- Road Branch was transferred was formed, known as the ‘War ing in the Penitentiary Branch sued on January 4, 1832. ferred to the Madras Press. But the sales depot for books and Section’, which took up all Press, 2293 employees in all. In 1859, the press which had the Collectorate Press in Gan- publications, the book work work both in English and Indian been run by the Board of Rev- jam continued on account of its printing and binding sections, a languages, connected with war enue to print its proceedings distance from Madras City and portion of the forms work and propaganda and civil defence. Editor’s Note: We regret we was amalgamated with the Fort its singularity in the use of District Gazettes to equalise Its principal work was the print- have lost the covering letter to St. George Gazette Press. Oriya. The Ootacamund the general pressure and ing of the weekly War Review, this article but recall it came A Commission to investigate Branch Press, opened in 1905, flow of work in the various the Monthly Review, Victory and from a son who found it among public establishments found worked as a district press for the branches. the A.R.P. journal. his father’s papers. The father that better economy was shown greater part of the year; with the In 1912, the Government In addition to the beautifully had retired from Government by printing work in the Govern- temporary transfer of establish- Press started the manufacture illustrated coloured supple- Press in 1948. ment press, and from then work ment/annually, it had to deal of all rubber stamps required for was gradually withdrawn from with Secretariat work while the Government offices. The intro- private firms. Surplus work Government was in the Hills. duction of the Reforms in 1920 which could not be handled In 1868, a small branch press brought very heavy work to the was, in later years, entrusted to was established in the Peniten- Press, especially in the vernacu- Ramanujan the Male Asylum Press, which tiary, convicts being employed. lar sections, and about 15,500 eventually amalgamated with Later Jail Presses were esta- pages of the first electoral rolls, the Lawrence Asylum Press. blished in Vellore, Coimbatore with all other printed election A piece-work scale of pay for and Cannanore, employing matter, was produced for the remembered compositors was introduced in convict labour. first general election. 1861, the Madras press being Up to 1888, the Govern- At the beginning of 1923, (Continued from page 6) donations are an additional the first Government Press to ment Press was located on the the Press was called upon to source and most welcome. Ris- introduce a system afterwards ground floor of the Government take over the major portion of ing costs of maintenance are a adopted by all the principal office in the Fort. More programme interesting and the High Court printing, which, meaningful numerous tools source of concern. The last emi- Government Presses in India. spacious accommodation was from 1862, had been in the have been developed for chil- nent visitor was Dr. Bruce C. Between 1855 and 1859, dis- found that year in a portion of hands of a private contractor. trict presses were established in the old Mint buildings vacated dren, giving full play to their Berndt, Professor of Mathemat- This necessitated the engage- ics, University of Illinois at Ur- ment of additional staff and the sense of curiosity, to manipulate bana-Champaign, USA, in opening of small Branch Press them in different ways and dis- in the High Court buildings for cover meanings. These “math- 1990. VETERAN LINES printing daily cause lists. ematical manipulatives” have The Centre arranges an an- A well ventilated building been designed and developed by nual lecture by an eminent (Continued from page 6) every year. On the very first day the late P.K. Srinivasan. About mathematicians on the occa- of December, the Tree comes exclusively for the Linotype guitarist – guys who have passed 70-80 training camps are con- sion of Ramanujan’s birthday out to be decorated and the Department was constructed in on. We still have the versatile 1925-26 and this relieved some ducted by the Centre at various on December 22nd. Ramanu- Christmas records leave their Raymond Julian, singer, guitar- congestion in the Composing venues where the focus is to jan’s widow’s adopted son used storage place. Over the next ist and composer, his brother Departments. A costing system teach teachers in use of maths to attend the annual function few days the special delicacies Reginald who likes to lend a was also introduced that year. manipulatives. They, in turn, regularly till he passed away re- are prepared – plum cake, seed helping hand, Irwin Netto, the Two years earlier, a scheme are enabled to teach children, cently. cake, rose-cookies (as we knew connoisseur’s lead guitarist, for the training on Indians in thereby multiplying the cover- The museum seems to be run them), kul-kuls, diamond-cuts, Trevor Starr the bass guitarist, Printing, so that they may age. The kits, hundreds of them more by passion than money. murukkus, coconut sweets, John Fernandez on keyboard qualify for superior posts in the in various configurations, dis- Surely it deserves a better venue dhol-dhol, and whatever else. and mouth-organ, Eric Ed- Press, was sanctioned and four played on the upper floor are and a grander display of the Visitors, from India or abroad, monds, singer and keyboard- apprentices were selected. colourful, attractive, durable memories of one of the greatest trickle in, to enjoy the company player, Dave Thomas, singer The remodelling of the Peni- and suitable for sharing among sons of this land. This exhibi- of old friends as well as the fes- and guitarist, and Gerard tentiary Branch Press, which players. tion in memory of the “man tive, yet sedate, atmosphere. D’Nazareth and Kimberley was contemplated for many The kits are made and sold who knew Infinity”, is poorly lit, The days when dances were Daniels, drummers. Once, years, was finally sanctioned in by a separate associate body its collections crowded into a organised in Veteran Lines while some of these guys were 1928 and the remodelled press that pays a royalty to the mu- small space and amateurishly have gone, but a few private was ready to function by Janu- practising in the house next to seum which is a registered non- preserved for want of resources, parties do take place. In the ary 1934. mine (where Raymond was government organisation pro- epitomising the Master’s early past, shows at the Shiraz, In December 1931, Govern- then staying), Deb – my wife – hibited from profit-oriented ac- days of poverty and of his genius Abbotsbury, or Hawk-field ment Press completed its hun- and I could not help taking the tivities. No government aid or craving for the world’s atten- would be thronging with AIs dredth year as a Government floor, which happened to be the support is received and, there- tion. For a full-blown moder- from everywhere, but even Department. Its original pur- newly-laid concrete road in fore, the museum is able to nised exhibition of not only these entertainments have dis- pose was almost solely for the front of our homes. Just think, supplement the royalty on kits artefacts, photos and rare docu- appeared. production of the Gazette. The can you dance in public (yet in to the meagre entrance rev- ments but also for an elaborate But life goes on, as it always original plant consisted of some total privacy) anywhere else in enue, which is Rs. 10 for adults demonstration of Ramanujan’s does; and, of course, good second-hand types, three the world? That is Veteran and free for schoolchildren. The mathematical models, large things always have a knack of presses and a staff of about 10 Lines – Heaven, a real Heaven hands. average daily footfall is hardly 5- space and scientifically de- lingering on, at least in the on earth. 10 with spurts of batches of signed show-cases are needed. memory. (Courtesy: AITW) A fast printing rotary ma- The Christmas season is still chine was installed in 1934-35 schoolchildren on periodic con- Can some organisation help welcomed with zest and fervor – Bryan Oliver Peppin and remodelling of the Govern- ducted study visits. Occasional with both? 8 MADRAS MUSINGS March 16-31, 2017

scored 1,313 runs. He has pouched 51 catches in the Tests A hundred Ranji matches and effected five stumpings and in ODIs held 49 catches and seven. He has played o reaching of a landmark only in 31 Twenty/20 matches Nis an easy achievement. – And still going strong for India. In 152 first class Whether scoring 100 runs or matches, Karthik has scored taking 100 is not in the middle 8,878 runs, 5,006 runs in 186 without pitfalls. The same is List A matches thus far and true with completing 100 daunting task to play against An unnecessary error against viciously slog-swept his Tamil 3,682 runs in 199 Twenty/20 matches. The many who’ve Mumbai in the final then, so Sri Lanka where he failed to Nadu team-mate into the games. In all he’s held 366 achieved this landmark have it was a good hundred. stump Kumara Sangakkara cost stands beyond square leg. catches in first class games and had to go through a lot of sweat There have been a few hun- India heavily and he lost his Once, against Sunrisers Hyde- stumped 40 victims. In List A and toil. dreds, but reaching the final on place in the team. rabad, Karthik reverse-paddled games, he’s held 165 catches, Tamil Nadu -keeper three occasions has been a good Karthik remembers his first medium-pacer Darren Sammy stumped 37 victims. In T/20 Dinesh Karthik’s completion of thing for me. It’s just that we hundred. He got it against Rail- for four off the back of the games, he’s held 121 catches 100 matches is a haven’t been able to cross the ways in 2003-04. “I had to play bat for Delhi Daredevils in and stumped 44. line.” Dubai. case in point. But his 100th out the last ball of the day and Karthik made over 1,000 game was a memorable one Karthik was a 19-year old we were 220 odd for 5 in a tricky All that flash has also got first-class runs in the 2008-09 indeed. He scored the winning when he was selected to play for situation. I stepped out and hit him into trouble. In Tamil season, with five centuries, in- slot – a straight six – as Tamil India in the ICC Champions the last ball of the day for a six,” Nadu’s first game of last cluding a 213, as Tamil Nadu Nadu beat fancied Karnataka at Trophy held in England in he said. “I just felt that I could Deccan’s Ranji Trophy, captain as they reached the Visakhapatnam in a quarter- September 2004. A couple of not defend, so just stepped out Karthik attempted an ambi- semi-finals. For five seasons final Ranji game. months later Karthik made his and hit the ball. That was the tious scoop and perished in a since – barring 2010-11, 2013 It was in 2002 that Karthik debut against the Australians in mindset back then. tense low-scorer. Mumbai won. [when he played only one made his debut for Tamil Nadu the final Test at Mumbai played Several coaches have tried to match] and 2015-16 – he has in the Ranji Trophy in a match on spinning track. India won it wean him off the high-risk-low- maintained a average G against Baroda. S. Suresh was narrowly. by reward shots, but those have above 40. – (Courtesy: Straight also contributed to some of his the team captain and Karthik Not many will forget the Bhaskeran Thomas Bat.) more memorable performances played alongside the likes of sight of Karthik, horizontal too. Sridharan Sriram, J. Madana- on the ground, as he stumped gopal, J. Gokulakrishnan and Michael Vaughan in 2004. “Another hundred was Karthik is now the senior- Answers to Hemang Badani. Now, they’ve It was his first dismissal as a against Baroda when we were most player in the State side. all become coaches. In fact, wicket-keeper for India, but trailing and we won. Even While he was disappointed Quiz Madanagopal and Gokula- his international career never against Railways, this season, that a finger injury coincided krishnan coached Karthik really took off. Around we were behind the eight-ball with India’s hunt for a wicket- 1. Slumdog Millionaire, 2. at Albert TUTI Patriots in and I scored a hundred and we keeper to stand in for Wrid- Antyodaya Express, 3. ‘Science 2010, despite his churning out and Technology for Specially the Tamil Nadu Premier runs in domestic , India won the game.” dhiman Saha in the Test series League. Abled Persons’, 4. ‘Moonlight’, 5. had M.S. Dhoni at the helm It isn’t difficult to see against England, he has learnt Kerala, 6. NASA astronomers Karthik came into the lime- and behind the stumps, so why Karthik feels unchal- to accept such setbacks are claimed to have discovered seven light in 2004. He played for there was very little Karthik lenged. He has all the shots in inevitable. He has learnt to new Earth-sized exoplanets that India Under-19 in the World could do. the book and a few that aren’t move on. may be able to sustain life, 7. Cup that was staged in Bang- in there as well. And that has “It was touch and go -be- Bharat QR, 8. Zealandia, 9. UAE, Karthik’s best phase playing 10. Rajesh Gopinathan. ladesh. Then he scored a for India came in 2007 when he made him a pretty handy lim- tween him (Parthiv Patel) and fabulous 109 in the scored consistently against ited-overs player. me,” he says. “My finger being * * * 2004 Ranji Trophy final at the Bangladesh, England and South In a Champions League T20 injured didn’t help the situa- 11. Seemai karuvelam M.A. Chidambaram Stadium. Africa. In England, under game between Mumbai Indians tion. That’s how life is. Some- (prosopis juliflora), 12. Women’s His performance was taken Rahul Dravid’s captaincy, he and , R. times, I might get an opportu- Indian Association (WIA), 13. note of. opened the and scored Ashwin went around the nity when nobody is expecting Manikavasagar’s Tiruvachakam, 14. Veerappan, Chasing the Brig- Of that hundred against a couple of fifties. He continued wicket, paused in his action, it. I have to take the good with the bad.” and, 15. Aruval-s (sickles), 16. T. Mumbai, Karthik observes: We to play for India till 2010 before and then bowled a quicker one Natarajan, 17. Chengazhuneer were 60-70 for 5, and I got 120- he lost his place. He regained on middle and leg stump. In 23 Tests for India, Karthik Pillayar Koil Street, 18. Theo- odd and we just managed 300. his spot for the 2014 Asia Cup Karthik, having shuffled outside has scored 1,000 runs and in 71 sophical Society, 19. Papanasam Then, they smashed us. It was a that was held in Bangladesh. off, paused as well and then One-Day Internationals he has Sivan, 20. GNB.

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