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WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS CHENNAI

Vol. XXVIII No. 14 November 1-15, 2018 A nod or two for restoration (by The Associate Editor)

t is not often that we at Madras Musings have occasion to celebrate when it comes Ito heritage. Most of our stories are gloom and doom, chiefly documenting official apathy and wilful neglect that results in various grandiose edifices biting the dust. But in this festive season, we do have a reason to rejoice. We, a few days ago, saw the low profile restoration of the Second World War shelter that had for long The Connemara Hotel, Madras’s oldest and now the Taj Connemara, celebrates a 2-year restoration (see page 5). remained neglected by the seashore at Kasimedu. This marked the culmination of some concerted action by several agencies and we are glad to report that Madras Musings too played a role in it. The concrete air-raid shelter, also known as the pillbox owing to its design, was one of several put up all along the seacoast by the administration of Sir Arthur Hope, during the first three years of the WWII. Weighing several hundred tonnes, it was probably cast in-situ and apart from its massive walls, it also has evidences of metal plating on the inside. Narrow windows provide a lookout and also enable the positioning of anti-aircraft guns. Records on these shelters are non-existent today and, indeed, there is no proof of ownership either. The last named was a bane and a boon, when it came to the recent restoration of this particular shelter, the last survivor of its kind. It had remained neglected for years and served among other things as a dwelling, a public convenience and a rubbish dump. It would have gone on that way, hardly noticed by passersby had it not been for it lying plumb in the middle of the route for a proposed pipeline of the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). That necessi- tated bringing down the shelter and demolition work began in October 2017. That was when Madras Musings was alerted about this and carried an article in its issue The pillbox in Kasimedu after restoration by the Indian Oil Corporation. But note the litter dated December 16, 2017. The Hindu, one of the supporters of Madras Musings, already around it. (Pictures by R. Raja Pandiyan.) followed up and the city news quality of life? desk published a detailed story. When the area was expanded That got the IOCL interested to 1,189 sq.km, Government rea- and they willingly suspended Are conditions for ‘Ease of Living’ soned that a large area was the demolition. needed to find the best possible The Corporation of Chennai location for employment, afford- was kind enough to offer its healthy practice is in place poor in State? survey shows that most things able housing and relocation of services for shifting the struc- Aover the last three years or are bad in most places and most slums and developing connecti- ture to the Museum if the latter so to measure the efficacy of things in most places must be scores are assigned and aggre- out of a field of 111. The overall vity. This was primarily to be was willing to host it and, more public services in terms of out- improved. Didn’t we know this gated to rank cities for perfor- score is set against a maximum achieved by creating satellite importantly, if the owner of the comes. The latest one in the already? mance. of 100 and Chennai scores towns and peripheral ring roads. shelter had no objection. A series is the Ease of Living Index Often physical data, in terms On a prima facie reading of 47.24. This is not a high score. Of five proposed towns, only scramble began on establishing at the initiative of the Ministry of numbers, reflect a good pic- scores/ranks, Tamil Nadu’s per- Pune is declared the best city for two – Manali and Maraimalai ownership over the bunker. of Housing and Urban Affairs, ture while actual experience of formance is as follows. No ease of living, but with a score Nagar – were accomplished. This The ASI and the Army had no of the Central Government. beneficiaries turns out to be of only 58.11. It is a sad has not been adequate to arrest records. Strictly speaking, the The survey, commenced in disappointing because of poor commentary that for Ease of the rising overcrowding in structure was poromboke, for it January 2018, is a bit too early delivery. The outcome must, G by A Special Living in the country the best Chennai city. The object of stood on public land and to test the status of Ease of therefore, be evaluated by Correspondent score is only 58. This means making housing in suburbs an nobody had a claim over it. The Living when governments are direct access to a large enough that the country, as a whole, is attractive option has not been IOCL then offered to retain the still grappling with this problem sample of beneficiaries to deter- not doing well for Ease of realised. Reports from residents shelter at site and, what’s more, of many ramifications. mine whether numerical Living. Chennai can console in outlying areas indicate that decided to repair whatever The survey covers 111 cities Tamil Nadu city has made it to compliance matches beneficiary the top ten out of the 111 cities itself by claiming that its score local roads have not been put in damage had been done by way in the country, the evaluation satisfaction. This part of the assessed. Among the first 50 of 47.24 is as high as 81% of the place nor has the supply of of demolition. based on four pillars, as they are evaluation is important to know best performer! Another doubt- serviced land for middle and This was soon attended to, called, namely, institutional, cities ranked, 12 Tamil Nadu the “real” situation and must be social, economic and physical cities have come in, but that ful consolation is that Chennai highlighted in future reports. the quick action being possible is Number 2 in position among chiefly because there were no facilities. Under this main may not be saying much. Only The survey, being in the Tiruchirappalli and Chennai larger cities with over 4 million conflicting Government depart- classification there are 15 early stages, suffers from inad- parameters and 78 indicators. are in ranks 12 and 14 respec- population, below Greater equate data. Some of the Based on data received for these tively, which is some consola- Mumbai at number 1 with a (Continued on page 2) main and sub-main parameters tion, ranking within the first 15 score of as low as 57.78. The (Continued on page 2) CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS November 1-15, 2018 ‘EASE OF LIVING’ IN TAMIL NADU Rain, rain, where art thou? (Continued from page 1) water supply, waste water man- he Man from Madras and babies were rocked to sleep may, the smell-free inspection agement, solid waste manage- T Musings looks out via the – all very domestic and a scene does open up possibilities. Per- respondent cities were unpre- ment and reduced pollution. window even as he types this. that MMM did not complain haps there are agencies that of- pared to provide the necessary Some of these are the focus of In the sky above, there is not a about. But he did have second fer personnel who are free important initiatives like cloud and yet this was the date thoughts when the workers, from BO. data. Those who did not give that the weathermen/women and babies used the garden as ‘IF YOU NEED GOOD data, penalised by zero mark, AMRUT (Atal Mission for had given out for the arrival of an open toilet as well. In these FRIEND IN YOUR AREA are losing in the race. It is quite Rejuvenation and Urban the monsoon. The rains have days of Swacch Bharath, CALL ME OR WHATS UP probable that good performers, Transformation) which covers tricked the Met Office twice MMM can only hope the ME’ ran a second one. It made who did not have data to water, sewerage, stormwater over – the first time in mid women found some toilet to MMM wonder as to how the provide, have been relegated as drainage, public transport and October when the combina- use. The offer to use a servant’s sender knew the area where poor performers in the findings. amenities, the Smart Cities tion of two cyclones, one on toilet in the house did not meet MMM lived. Also, the sender Delhi ranks 65 because of its Mission with covering redevel- the east coast and the other on with encouraging response. must be a really gregarious failure to provide data. Delhi’s opment, green-field develop- the west was cited as enough These are people who prefer person, if friends could be ments and pan-city application reason for an early onset of the the wide open spaces. rustled up from any area and rank would, arithmetically, monsoon, and the second be- At the end of the day, three for any area. Truly, some have been surely better had of smart solutions, Pradhan ing this glorious sunshine- huge craters had opened up, all people are really friendly. they provided the data. Mantri Awas Yojana, envision- filled day at end October. of which made entry and exit In the meanwhile there is The results of this survey are ing housing for all by 2022, and Now, so MMM learns from a from chez MMM quite a chal- no let up when it comes to of limited practical value at this Swachh Bharat Mission for bet- news release, the weather lenge. On day two, when ac- messages from massage stage as States are still trying to ter sanitation. Future reports of people are saying the rains are cording to the supervisor, the parlours. The latest offers are clear the cobwebs of the past. the Ease of Living Survey would just five days away. stormwater channels were to from what claims to be a newly throw more meaningful infor- Chennai residents are un- be laid, there was deathly si- opened spa. It specialises in Ease of Living calls for reforms derstandably worried. Last lence, with not a worker in wine massages, whatever that in many areas that touch our mation on the progress of these major initiatives. fortnight’s water-tanker strike sight, even as sewage filled the means, done by ‘3 female daily needs – gas connection, showed what havoc shortage of pits. The workers are yet to therapist’. MMM assumes that power supply, clean water Such a survey, carried out water can cause to highrises come back as this column goes the expression ‘sic’ is to be supply, driving licence renewal, annually, would highlight good and IT Parks, all of which are to press. But the stagnant wa- added after that one. An added school vicinity, school admis- and bad performances, acting as striking proofs of our city be- ter in the caverns is a perfect attraction is that the same spa sion, condition of our own a mirror to city administrations. ing well on its way to becom- breeding ground for mosqui- offers a diamond facial for free street, sanitation, bank access, The National Achievement ing Chenngapore. But then not toes. if we avail of its wine massage mobility, play space, sense of Survey 2017, based on a study everyone is concerned. The MMM now realises that the by 3 female therapist. As to of education in 700 districts in Chennai Metrowater and Sew- workers, when they said they what a diamond facial is, security and so on. Building the erage Board is delighted for it needed three days to complete MMM has no clue. He has data base over such a vast range the country, the 2017 Report of has just embarked on what the task, did not mean three read somewhere that the dia- of services is a task that states Swachh Survekhsan by the promises to be a rather long consecutive days. What they mond is among the hardest are grappling with. Ministry of Housing and Urban Of all the sub-indexes of this Affairs (MoHUA), and the survey, the physical component Social Progress Index by the is the most important and has Institute for Social Competi- SHORT ’N’ SNAPPY been rightly assigned a tiveness, India, are other studies weightage of 45 per cent. The focusing on different aspects of Report on the internet does not welfare. All of them should be coordinated to avoid duplica- and leisurely dig all around the had meant were three working substances known and, so, provide break-up of perfor- city. Everywhere you go you days interspersed with several whatever this is, it is bound to mance in respect of 46 indica- tion and should adopt a common consistent yardstick. find mysterious bags filled long breaks. MMM is now left be painful. But all that is noth- tors on the physical supports for with soil lining the footpaths wondering if an early onset of ing compared to this one – Ease of Living. These should To the question – Are con- even as gangs of workmen monsoon is such a good thing Best relaxing ful body pain re- also be provided for city admini- ditions for Ease of Living poor crush the concrete, asphalt after all. lief massage! Oil, Thai, Aroma strations to recognise specific in Tamil Nadu? – the answer is and whatever else that goes Massage Avl! Dne by wel deficiencies in performance. ‘yes’, but we are in the company into defining that narrow Eats, Shoots and trained South and North FE- The physical component of low performers all round, re- sliver of space that is allotted MALES! encompasses housing and inclu- flecting a countrywide need for to the pedestrians. Closer en- Leaves And then there are those siveness, power supply, trans- accelerating measures to make quiry reveals that these are for resorts that are running empty improving the stormwater hat if you recollect was the when our legislators are not portation and mobility, assured Living Easier. drains so that as and when Ttitle of a best-selling book staying in them. The latest of- (and if and when as well) it that dealt with punctuation er- fer from these is Rs 4,000 rains, we ought to be ready for rors. The Man from Madras worth VIP Cracker Box, if you a swift clearing away of the Musings was reminded of this stay there for eight days. Two nods for surface water. when he recently came across MMM assumes that the VIP Ask any of the supervisors several interesting messages, in Cracker is the only instrument as to why the great dig had to print and sent via telephone. by means of which you can restoration begin just when the monsoons “Offer 10% Pest Control evict a legislator from a resort. are (hopefully) around the Services for Cockroaches, Ter- That is apart from an adverse (Continued from page 1) Gokhale Hall, or the SBI corner and you have them mites, Bedbugs with out smell High Court judgement of thought of what could be done flummoxed. They blush, they FREE INSPECTION at UR course. ments squabbling over it. The twiddle their thumbs and ad- home or Office” ran the first to its magnificent First Line one and it made MMM wonder shelter was given a coat of paint Beach office or the LIC pon- mit that you have a point Tailpiece there. But what can be done, as to whether the service of- as well and gleams now. The dered over Bharat Insurance fered was for the benefit of the IOCL has cordoned off the they go on to ask, for such is ovetailing with all the Building the same way, the fu- pests listed. In which case, it above is a poster that The structure and also offered to put the tendering process and the D ture of heritage in Chennai speed at which it is gone would eliminate the humans Man from Madras Musings es- up a plaque on it, explaining its could be a lot brighter. through that work can begin that coexisted with these in- pied on all the pillars of our history. The route of the sects. The other question that Editor’s Note: Your Editor only when the rains are just Metrorail down Pallavaram proposed pipeline has been MMM had was about ‘Smell way. “To Let: Bachelor, Fam- being of Word War II vintage, arriving. changed so that the shelter The curse came upon Free Inspection’. Most service ily, Office, Godown” it ran. remains undisturbed. The has a rather different view MMM a fortnight or so ago, personnel who come to attend MMM was really intrigued at to household or office repairs IOCL will also hopefully main- about air raid shelters and when gangs of workmen and the number of ways in which pillboxes/bunkers. The latter women arrived at his doorstep smell to the high heavens, what people are making money. He tain the structure. with our spice-rich diet, plenty It is rather ironic that while were meant as ‘mini-forts’ for and began breaking the foot- never knew bachelors and of honest sweat, a tendency to families are available on hire. several edifices of the city have defensive purposes, in this case, path. The work would be com- coastal defence. Machine guns pleted in three days flat, they smoke like chimneys and a If that be so, why is the bach- bitten the dust or continue to fondness for polyester fibre in were their main weaponry. Air said, even as they went about elor not hiring the family and crumble, the humble pillbox has their task. These toilers move clothes, thereby leaving behind vice versa? On that happy proved a survivor, almost like raid shelters were ‘civilian’ a rich aroma long after they spaces, meant to be shelters for around en-famille and so the note, here is to a great Cinderella. It was thanks to have left. MMM is no snob, but Deepavali, filled with light but the local public during an air children made themselves coordinated effort among comfortable in MMM’s front there are days when he does not crackers, in keeping with various agencies that there was raid. Would be glad to hear the garden. Hammocks were sus- wonder if these people would Supreme Court norms. views of someone from the pended from tree branches not have been better off invest- –MMM success. Now if only the YMIA ing in a deodorant. Be that as it read this and began focusing on Army. November 1-15, 2018 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

ast have been dashed. Today, Park is all of 16 acres of water 2. Mitchell, J., 1856, ‘De- nine months down the line, and land-spread ringed by a 1.2 scription of a plain or, waxed more trees, visible to residents km walkers’ path. The park also paper process in photography’, living around the park, have abounds in greenery. At a time Madras Journal of Literature & said their last goodbyes. when there’s a sense of urgency Science, 1 (N.S.), issue 1, pages Waking up to the dangers of about preserving and maintain- 71-81. the commercialisation of the ing water bodies and open Both articles are freely avail- park, we, the residents ran a sig- spaces, will our need for trans- able on the Internet. nature campaign, met CMRL portation ride rough shod over Notable that Tripe had sent among those who were silent and Chennai Corporation offi- the cause of the environment ? the above communication to be Endangered parks cials, the MP and MLA and read at one of the ordinary witnesses to CMRL’s takeover T.K. Srinivas Chari he implications of Geeta of the circular 9-acre Thiru-Vi- posted a petition to the Chief 2A, Mithila meetings of the Madras Photo- TDoctor’s passing mention Ka Park in Shenoy Nagar where Minister. To seek clarity, we 4/39, East II Cross Street graphic Society (MPS), while of the CMRL’s plans for an un- I have been staying for a little filed a petition under the RTI to Shenoy Nagar he was in his last phase of Chennai 600 030 derground line/station (MM, over 40 years. There were which we have got no response. service in India, attached to the officially put up notice boards While, we continue talking to 12th Regiment, Native Infan- October 1, 2018), has me all Photo printing knotted up. Much as I would outside the covered park carry- anyone who would care to try, Bangalore. This paper was like to shut my eyes to the fact, ing the break-up of the number listen, contractors are busy at have since found two read at an MPS meeting by J.D. soil testing aka ‘Geotechnical’ of trees (believed to be 300) in work in the 9-acre site where Ipapers published in the 1856 Scott, Madras Artillary. In this testing, is indeed going on the park, number to be trans- once stood the Thiru-Vi-Ka volume of the Madras Journal article, Tripe indicates that his within the Chetpet Eco Park planted, those that were to face Park. As for the CMRL’s latest of Literature & Science, one by formula was developed on that which lies alongside the existing the axe and trees that would see plans for the Park restoration, Tripe and another by Jesse then popularised by Thomas Central-Kilpauk-Airport Metro the light of day in the ‘restored’ residents like me have our Mitchell on printing of photo- Sutton of Jersey, which line. The Kilpauk Metro station park. But here’s the rub. Post- doubts about any newfangled graphs. I provide below the involved the use of gold is a minute or two walk from the May 2017, after the Metro replacement. complete bibliographic details hyposulphite as the toning Park. So, what does the new station was inaugurated, the Back to my question on the of both, the Tripe and agent. Metro plan propose? And, to authorities have had better fate of the Eco Park. Mind you, Mitchell articles: These details shall interest cut to the chase, will it be the ideas than restoring the park. the word ‘park’, developed at a 1. Tripe, L., 1856, ‘On a and benefit those interested in beginning of the end of the Eco With headlines like 21K sq.ft cost of Rs 42 crore, pays no photographic printing process’, the evolution of photography in Park ? underground facility to come up justice to what is definitely an Madras Journal of Literature & Madras. My impatience and fears are at Shenoy metro’ hopes of old- environmental model. Reduced Science, 1 (N.S.), issue 1, pages Dr. A. Raman not unfounded. In 2011, I was timers and every green enthusi- to its bare minimum, the Eco 166-170. [email protected]

Printer’s Devil leaves story unfinished

G The Printer’s Devil was at work Subbu, also a Mylaporean: Mowbray’s Road, was Farm was Mahalingam, a pioneer by whose statue stands in front of on the last issue of Madras Mylapore Vakkeelaatthu Maattu- House, the residence of Kasturi his own right, living in his mod- the General Hospital. Dr. Musings (October 16th) and ponnaavaen! Gopalan and Kasturi Srini- est apartment. He was a sales Rangachari was known for his rather unfortunately forgot to Edward Elliot’s Road marked vasan, owners of India’s premier executive of George Oakes, an compassion and treatment of deliver on his commitment to the northern boundary of newspaper, The Hindu. Also English company that imported the poor. Doctors of repute, continue on page 6 what he had promised on page 5: to continue Mylapore. This one road could adjacent was the spacious com- luxury cars. Almost all cars then such as Narayanaswamy and the last portion of the Jagdish boast of many luminaries –T.R. pound called Dare House that owned by the elite of south Sankaran, would make home shop story. We regret the care- Venkatrama Sastri (jurist), Rt. was residence of the Butchi Madras were bought through visits at request. They would lessness and make good the Hon. Srinivasa Sastri (whose Babu family that produced Mali who used to bring differ- come, dressed in spotless white, omission, starting from what mastery of the English language some of the naturally gifted ent models to the door-step of in a Morris Minor or Standard might be considered the begin- astonished the British), Sir P.S. sports persons in tennis, cricket the high and the mighty for Eight with their kit carried by ning of a second part of the story. Sivaswamy Iyer (lawyer), E.V. and golf. them to try before buying. In an accompanying assistant. –The Editor Srinivasan (opthamologist, who Jagdish’s shop was outside motor car marketing, Mali was Prescriptions, that were recipes was seen in his Rolls Royce), the charmed Mylapore bound- much ahead of his time. He for a liquid mixture of appropri- ylapore was not a geo- C. Rajam (founder of Madras ary, lying, as it did, on the wrong made owning a second-hand ate drugs in required propor- M graphical spot. It was a Institute of Technology) and side of the dividing Edward car respectable and put this tion, would be compounded by social phenomenon. It was lesser known, but no less distin- qualified pharmacists in a India’s legal brain and centre of guished, Chief Engineer nearby medical shop. Ready- culture comprising music, Ramasundaram who made a G by made patented and branded dance, temples, colourful festi- name for himself for building N.S. Parthasarathy tablets, capsules and liquids had vals, early morning marghazhi several airstrips in the country not come in to vogue. The bhajans and a school of consid- in record time to prepare India mixtures, however, did the erable repute that produced against possible external attack trick. India’s senior civil servants. during the Second World War. Elliot’s Road (now Radha- status symbol within reach of Although this stretch Mylapore also provided consti- Rajam lived in a palatial house krishnan Saalai). This fringe the emerging professional upper around Jagdish’s shop in south tutional architects, Supreme called India House, at the junc- was the last outpost of middle class. In the automobile Royapettah had enough to Court judges, great jurists, a tion of Mowbray’s Road. Bus Mylaporeanism. As if Mylapore business, Mali is still a name boast about, the residents still silver-tongued orator reputed to conductors would shout India was at a loss to find space for all recalled with respect; the com- preferred the prestigious have known all the words in the House! with extra gusto perhaps its famous citizens, the surplus pany in his name, even today, Mylapore badge. No one in the Oxford Dictionary, freedom to express their awe of the eminence overflowed on to dominates the car market area would want to call oneself fighters, musicologists, compos- imposing bungalow, to alert southern part of Royapettah presided over successfully by a Royapettan. The shadow of ers, poets. Mastery of Law was passengers desiring to disem- which accounts for the impor- another Mali, grandson of the Mylapore was enough to claim the speciality. If you were born bark in that area. India House tance of Jagdish’s location. original. pedigree. Mylapore had its aura in Mylapore you could not have was later acquired by Around Jagdish’s shop, within a It is difficult to overlook and magic and willingly cast its helped being an eminent S.S. Vasan, celebrated as mile radius, were Raja Iyer, Ad- mention of Rangachari Home embrace over the southern lawyer. Every girl of marriage- India’s Cecil B. de Mille as he vocate General, A.V. Raman, and Ranga Nursing Home both fringe of Royapettah. But, over able age aspired to marry into a was the forerunner in producing civil servant of the English era in this area run by Dr. Nara- the decades, the uniqueness, Mylapore lawyer’s family. The movies with spectacular set- and close associate of Rajaji, yanaswamy and Dr. Sankaran, leisure and simple charm are heroine, Miss Malini, in a movie tings at costs running to several and C.R. Srinivasan and Khasa respectively. They were senior gone and with them the of that title, sang the lyrics com- lakhs at the then value. Some- Subba Rao, both nationally physicians who worked with the sprightly little social symbols posed by Kothamangalam what diagonally opposite, on known Journalists. And there legendary Dr. Rangachari like Jagdish’s shop. 4 MADRAS MUSINGS November 1-15, 2018 November 1-15, 2018 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 All that’s left ... And one LOST LANDMARKS OF CHENNAI alive and is a road and – SRIRAM V preening

ike the legendary Phoenix, an area name LChennai’s iconic hotel, now last wife, Ida, and Roy Edwin, his called the Taj Connemara, has son through his second wife, who gone through as many transfor- inherited the business. The two mations as the City itself. t gave its name to an entire come up with schemes and he, did not see eye to eye and even- It started as a garden house Isuburban district of our city – after due study, suggested several tually it was Ida who ran CLC, built by John Binny, a surgeon Chromepet. But of the factory or alternatives, including pencil leaving Roy Edwin to other pur- attached to the Nawab of the several acres it occupied at manufacture, soap making, alu- suits, though he did not relin- Wallajah’s court. When Binny one time, there is not a trace. In minium processing and chrome quish or sell his share in the busi- The Connemara Hotel main block before remodelling began in 1934. Jackson and Barker’s sketch of what the remodelled Connemara (1930s) became the Sheriff in the early its time, it was a well-known em- tanning. In all of this he was ness. Ida, by all accounts was a was expected to look like when completed. 19thCentury, the Nawab gave ployer of the city and its products strongly opposed by the Madras tough character, who stayed on him the land on which he built a found a ready market in India Chamber, which abhorred the in India post-Independence and suitably grand mansion. In sub- her “sinking feeling” between 3 and abroad. idea of Indians taking to busi- managed CLC, seeing it through ness. And within the Chamber, sequent years the house passed pm and 5 pm at the Lady The Chrome Leather Works many labour troubles and other Tea-time at the Connemara Lounge, but the it was Chambers who stridently through different hands to be- was founded by George problems that plagued enter- criticised Chatterton’s attempts come the Imperial Hotel, (1867- Prince of Arcot, the old Nawab Alexander Chambers in 1913. prises in the 1950s and 1960s. In at chrome tanning. He was of the 1886), the Albany (1886-1891) of Wallajah. What he makes of He was an old Madras hand, this she was helped considerably view that the process was un- and finally the Hotel Connemara the salmon sandwiches, the having first come here in 1894, by M Subbaraya Iyer, the famed suited to Indian conditions and in 1891 when it was purchased Connemara again scones, the jam and clotted lawyer, who was her advisor. at the age of 26. For ten years by M/s Spencer & Co. cream is hard to say. Maybe he predicted that Chatterton’s When he won a tough labour prior to this, he had worked in Lord Connemara was the As S. Muthiah has had the this day. There were variations oasis of sage greens and pale would thoroughly approve of the scheme was doomed. But reality case for her, he requested that his the leather trade in London. Ar- Governor of Madras from 1886- pleasure of recounting in the when Geoffrey Bawa took over magnolia set in a drawing room specially plucked and decanted turned out otherwise. fee be given as donation to a pet riving in Madras, he worked his 1890 and has left his stamp and past; “It was not Oakshott repre- the renovation with the addition that Lady Anna Maria Russell, brews of a single estate tea from project of his – the Vidya Mandir way up in a private company It was a bitter pill, especially his name on other well-known senting the Spencer’s who of a new residential wing in the 7thDuchess of Bedford, would Valparai, or the coffee from the School. An entire wing was whose name is not known and, because Chatterton had enticed landmarks of the City. bought the property, but style that he popularised as have enjoyed. As the Menu card Yanagundi estate in Coorg. For, named after her in gratitude. in 1903, opted to branch out on a key employee of Chambers to It’s however Lady Oakshott himself. The land he “Tropical Modernism”. reminds the guest she was the more than anything else, the his own. This was a trading en- prove that chrome tanning was By 1965, Roy Edwin and Ida Connemara’s spirit that walks bought from Triplicane one who felt the need to assuage Nawab was someone who en- tity and he exported hides and workable. The Government was reached an agreement to sell the corridors of the hotel even Ruthnavaloo Moodelliar in April what she called ‘that sinking feel- joyed sharing the good life with skins. But his heart was in setting delighted and Chatterton was after the long passage of time. As 1891 was 6 cawnies for 21 ½ ing’ between lunch and dinner, his guests. CLC. The Company was pur- G up a tannery of his own and, knighted in recognition of sev- chased by A Nagappa Chettiar, the second wife of the honorable grounds in extent, a bit less than by by inventing a ritual called the As Ahmar Siddiqui the af- within a few months of being in eral of his pioneering efforts. But leather baron extraordinary who Governor, she created a minor 9 acres.” It was sold to Spencer’s Geeta Doctor “Afternoon Tea”. fable GM who stood by and business, he managed to cobble it was Chambers who made did much to make Tamil Nadu a scandal by leaving the in 1913. It was also a time at the height watched the renovation of the the necessary capital to set up money out of chrome tanning. major in this sector. Ida Cham- Governor’s residence and taking In between the war years, it of the Victorian era to display Taj Connemara Hotel from the such a facility in Pallavaram, He worked with a convert’s zeal bers bequeathed most of her rooms at the hotel then known became the leading establish- Sue Freeman, the British de- the avant-garde style of ground upwards through a long then “12 miles distant from Ma- and, by 1913, set up the Chrome share of the money to charity be- as the Albany. One of the de- ment with separate quarters for signer who has nurtured the ho- Darjeeling tea served in exquis- period of 22 months, confided, dras”. Here he pioneered the Leather Company (CLC) in 25 fore dying in 1968 in a road acci- lightful aspects of the newly Families and Bachelors, boasting tel in the past, has created a ite porcelain with a silver service, “It’s been a great experience for process of chrome tanning in the acres of land in Pallavaram, at a dent. Nagappa Chettiar, in the renovated hotel are a set of pub- of a Tennis Court and a well laid charming medley of all these dif- embroidered linens and, of me to have been a part of the his- country. site that was described as possess- meanwhile, made a success of the lic spaces named after her — the out garden where tea and light ferent aspects in her cool and el- course, a Butler to serve the tea tory of this grand old hotel that ing “a good elevation, and with The firm of Simpson & Co CLC, introducing leather boards Lady Connemara Bar and refreshments were served. The egant approach to the latest re- cakes and crustless sandwiches. is connected so intimately with excellent water.” It is pertinent became interested, for this was out of cuttings and also develop- Lounge that together replenish Art Deco style that was in vogue invention of the Connemara. It’s not Lady Bedford who the history of the City. It’s some- to note that the area, which be- an era when they were into mak- ing leather washers. It appeared the spirits and the romance of became a design feature of the It’s probably seen at its best in stares down at the modern-day thing I will treasure for the rest came Chromepet, does not have ing custom-designed carriages the past with style. Hotel that has been continued to the Lady Connemara Lounge, an guest who needs to satisfy his or of my life.” either attribute today. The old and needed leather for the seats. (Continued on page 7) Chambers & Co became the They entered into a collabora- Managing Agent for the CLC, its tion with Chambers and the new tannery in Tondiarpet having entity, with a tannery in closed owing to an outbreak of Tondiarpet, came into existence malaria in that area. The best little bird sanctuary under the name of Brown & Co. This, however, did not prosper World War I saw demand for f you went to school in a dozen species of waterbirds – and when Simpson’s withdrew, Indian leather soar and Cham- I Chennai, chances are you cormorants, egrets, storks, dart- Chambers agreed to take over bers prospered, with the CLC have visited the Vedanthangal ers and herons among them – the assets of the company. It was employing over 400 workers by Bird Sanctuary, some 75 will arrive to raise their families renamed Chambers & Co and 1916. A showroom for the kilometres south of the city. As in these treetops. The fortress- became one of the principal Company’s finished products was an eighth grader, I went there on like setting gives the birds pri- members of the British-domi- set up “on the Mount Road, fac- an excursion. Oblivious to the vacy to breed, the “moat” is full nated Madras Chamber of Com- ing Neill’s statue and near the birds in the distance, my friends of frogs, fish, and insects for rav- merce, then a powerful represen- Madras Club.” Over 100 people and I sat in a circle, chattering enous chicks. Everything is lush tative body for trade and manu- laboured away in producing away over a picnic lunch. That and green. facturing interests across the en- hand-made footwear. Exports day trip did not make a birder of tire Presidency. were made to “South and East me but I now travel to remote G by Pelican. Black-headed Ibis. Africa, Abyssinia, Aden, the Per- areas to spot rare endemics. And Vijaysree counting the migrants. Even bar- The chief cause of failure of to irrigate the adjoining paddy sian Gulf, Mauritius, Burma, each winter, when I visit the old Venkatraman headed geese, which fly over the Brown & Co had been Cham- fields. Ceylon and parts of the Far hometown, I am eager for an an- Himalaya to escape the bitter bers’ inability to make chrome History records that, in the East.” nual rendezvous with my feath- This sets the stage for some winters of Central Asia, have tanning a commercial proposi- late 1700s, the villagers asked the ered friends in southern India’s great birding between November been spotted here. tion and he became bitterly op- By the 1930s however, com- Collector of Chengalpattu to oldest bird sanctuary. and March. Because space is Local farmers have always posed to the process itself, pre- petition blunted CLC’s edge, give them a document assigning With the onset of monsoons tight in this colony, different spe- been good hosts to the nesting ferring to revert to traditional what with several British compa- the area protected status. No in October, the compact 74-acre cies take up residence on the birds, trusty suppliers of organic methods. In the mid-1900s, the nies jumping into leather and shooting or snaring of birds. Per- haven comes to life. Good rains same treetop. Walking along the fertiliser. Fledglings are known to Government of Madras began many Indians being attracted to haps, they needed to wave this fill up the seasonal lake at the long tank bund, you can see the eat more than their body-weight pondering over ways and means it as well. Nevertheless, CLC re- piece of paper at Europeans who heart of the sanctuary, almost motley bunch of waterbirds in of food each day. After all this to create an industrial appetite mained a name to contend with. showed up for the hunting submerging the mini-groves of this rare, mixed rookery. Apart feeding, the birds, both parents among Indians in the Presidency. George Chambers died on No- season. But there is a reason to Barringtonia trees that dot the from this, there are close to a and chicks, drop guano, right It appointed Alfred Chatterton vember 16, 1937. He had mar- believe that Vedanthangal has lake bed. Only the crown hundred different species of into the seasonal lake below. of the College of Engineering to ried three times, and it was his Painted Storks Spoonbill. branches don’t go under. At least birds in this sanctuary, not Farmers use the enriched water (Continued on page 6) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS November 1-15, 2018

heavy social opposition. Along with a few others, he founded From India’s Digital Archives the Indian Social Reformer, a – Karthik Bhatt weekly devoted to moral and (Quizmaster V.V. Ramanan’s social reforms, and subse- questions are from October 1st to quently the Madras Social 15th. Questions 11 to 20 relate to The Digital Library of India Reform Association. Chennai and Tamil Nadu.) (DLI) project, an initiative of the After eight years with The 1. Name the present CJI sworn in Central Government, aims at Revived Hindu, Subba Rao quit to join on October 3. digitising significant artistic, the Mysore Services. The shift 2. Which famous type of mango literary and scientific works and in the profession came about from Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg, making them available over the thanks to, in his own words “a Palghar, Thane and Raigad Dis- Internet for education and memories of tricts of Maharashtra got a research. Begun in 2000 by the dismal financial horizon”. G. Geographical Indication (GI) Office of the Principal Scientific Subramania Aiyer was, how- recently? Advisor to the Government of ever, not too keen to let him go 3. Which Nobel Prize has been India and later taken over by the a journalist and even left the door open for jointly shared by Denis Mukwege Ministry of Electronics and his return until the time the and Nadia Murad? Information Technology, it has straints in the family thanks to income that would help the Mysore Services had confirmed 4. According to the 2018 Henley to date scanned nearly 5.5 lakh his father being relegated to the family finances, which had fur- his appointment. There was, Index, which country has the books, predominantly in Indian position of a Taluk Sheristedar ther plummeted following his however, no looking back, but most powerful passport with its languages. the association with The Hindu holders enjoying visa-free access on the insistence of a rather father’s summary dismissal from to 190 destinations? unscrupulous Collector, H.S. the services along with 18 was renewed when, in 1924, he 5. Arkady Dvorkovich is the new his month’s book is Revived Thomas. others on the recommendations wrote a series of articles docu- president of which sporting body TMemories by K. Subba Rao Subba Rao notes that it was of the Board of Revenue for the menting his life and association in which India has produced a (Ganesh and Co. 1933). It is around this time that demand Tanjore Remissions inquiry. He with several public personali- five-time World Champion? credited with being one of the was being felt for the opening of joined the offices of The Hindu ties, which form the basis for 6. Name the maverick English earliest autobiographies of an Native High Schools across following an interview with this book. artist, whose painting ‘Girl with Indian journalist. Starting his Southern India following the G. Subramania Aiyer, its The book is a valuable docu- Balloon’ self-destructed through career as an educationist, Subba success of the one in founder and Editor who had mentation of public life and a built-in shredder hidden in the Rao later joined The Hindu and Kumbakonam. On receiving been in occasional correspon- several notable incidents of the frame after selling for $1.4 million late 19th and early 20th century at an auction. was also involved with the several representations from his dence with him and was posted in the Madras Presidency. The 7. Google recently announced Indian Social Reformer as its friends in Coimbatore, he as its Madurai Correspondent. that it is shutting down which Joint Editor. He then shifted to moved there and started the He arrived in Madurai just as short biographical accounts of offering after seven years due to government administration by Coimbatore Native High the Government was in the the various people Subba Rao ‘very low usage’ and a software joining the Mysore Services. School in 1882. The school midst of active damage control was in close contact with, such error? The book is a fascinating grew against all odds (including following its defeat in the as Sir T. Muthuswami Iyer, G. 8. Which Indian State has been account of his life and interac- obstacles in obtaining recog- famous Garstin Dacoity Case Subramania Aiyer, Sir K. named the world’s first totally or- tions with several notable nition, primarily as the teach- which had resulted in the Seshadri Iyer (Dewan of ganic agriculture state? personalities of his times. ers, though dedicated, had not acquittal of the Zamindar of Mysore), and Srinivasa 9. Name the new word added to Subba Rao was born in passed through the Training Bodinayakanur, who had been Raghava Iyengar (Dewan of the Oxford Dictionary which re- Tanjore in the 1860s. His College), producing excellent named as chief accused. Subba Baroda) do justice to the re- fers to a society consisting of or father, Krishna Rao, held results in a short span of time. Rao’s work as an investigative markable personalities they governed by people characterised were, without coming across as as idiots or a government formed several positions in the Govern- Following its success, a similar reporter reporting on the confi- of people considered stupid. ment, starting as a Munshi in school was established in Erode. dential enquiry commission being hagiographical. 10. In which State capital is the Deputy Collector’s Office in While at Coimbatore, Subba found acclaim with his employ- In his Foreword to the book, India’s and Asia’s first Dolphin Tanjore and rising to become Rao also started nurturing an ers and thus began a nearly the Rt Hon’ble V.S. Srinivasa Research Centre to come up Sub-Magistrate of Vedaranyam. interest he had long harboured, decade long association. Sastri commends the book as soon? The family was originally from that of becoming a journalist. Subba Rao was an active being a “good specimen of its * * * Coimbatore. In 1876, Subba He started to contribute letters member of the Social Reform class” and makes a special 11. Who has been the most fa- Rao joined the Government to The Hindu and after several movement. In the book, he nar- mention of how Subba Rao has mous resident of 75 (new 67) College in Kumbakonam, then rejections became regularly rates three incidents of widow steered clear of making ugly Thulasinga Perumal Kovil Street considered as the Cambridge of accepted. remarriage that he was closely disclosures and destroying repu- in Triplicane? South India. He was, however, Subba Rao moved to Madras involved with (the first one tations. A fine line of humour 12. Which legendary film- forced to discontinue his educa- in 1886 in search of a job that being that of G. Subramania throughout the narrative adds maker’s family’s house was at the tion following financial con- would earn him a steadier Aiyer’s daughter) in the face of value to this must-read book. place where the present Dominic Savio School is located in San Thomé? 13. Parasakthi, which saw the de- but of Sivaji Ganesan, was made based on whose stage play? 14. In August 1777, Moinudeen The best little bird sanctuary Mahomed Abu Baker became the first to officially hold which post specific to his religion? (Continued from page 5) between 6 pm and 8 pm, to buy- cellent resource though it has some well-produced nature 15. Which cricketer from ers who specifically sought wild no color photographs. documentary, but it is some- Chennai has the distinction of been a haven for birds even fowl. The rest went to local res- The keen-eyed can see fair- thing to experience. scoring a century on his Test de- before. Why else would they ask taurants and cheaper eateries sized waterbirds from a dis- but for India? the Collector for that docu- near liquor shops. tance. Don’t let a lack of bin- On one of my trips, I saw an 16. What is the surname of the ment? Was it the goodness of Barring news of this disturb- oculars bother you, you can rent elderly local woman burst into English civil servant with the the people, or was it the guano ing development, you’ll find all them just outside the sanctuary. spontaneous applause at the Christian names George Town- that made them want to protect this information about the There is a spotting scope at the beauty of it all. With the send who has a famous thorough- orange-violet sky of dusk as the fare named after him in T. Nagar? the nesting birds? It doesn’t sanctuary, and more, in a slim watch tower inside the sanctu- matter, because it has been a book called The Vedanthangal ary. On the walls, there are backdrop, the waterbirds made 17. Which famous sabha was one last appearance before re- founded by Manni Thirumala- win-win situation for both birds Water Sanctuary for Birds writ- painted pictures with descrip- chariar in 1900? and farmers all along. ten and illustrated by naturalist tions, to help you identify birds. tiring for the night. There were pouch-mouthed pelicans, 18. Which school in Mylapore, Now, a national highway M. Krishnan. Issued in 1960 You don’t even have to get started in 1937 by V.N. Sharma provides easy access to this and priced at less than a rupee, there bright and early. Show up black-headed ibis, and spoon- and his German wife Ellen, was once-sleepy village and tradi- it should have found a place in a good hour before the winter bills that looked like they were one of the city’s first Montessori tions in the region appear to be every school library. The beau- sunset. Take a leisurely stroll, making off with a chemistry lab Schools? changing. A study from the Na- tiful prose and the precise de- look for some migrants or spatula each. And my favorites, 19. What is the name of the au- tional Conservation Founda- tails about the natural history of colourful locals like the copper- the painted storks with their ro- ditorium in Kalakshetra that is tion indicates that the hunting the place could have turned smith barbet, flamebacks, the seate tutus. I saw them all, and built in the Kerala style? of waterbirds has gone up in this some students into birders. Indian Roller, and wait for the for a few glorious moments, I 20. Which big medical facility in (Such awareness could have big event of the day – did think to myself – what a that began functioning in 1961 district in recent times. Re- searchers reported that the also kept children in the area waterbirds coming home to wonderful world! – (Photos by Adyar was the brainchild of Dr. G.V. Balasubramanian – an K.S. Sanjivi? meat from medium-sized from eating wild fowl later in roost. This is not the bright- (Answers on page 8) waterbirds was sold in the area, life.) The book remains an ex- colored spectacle you will see in avid birder.) November 1-15, 2018 MADRAS MUSINGS 7 From staid to daring

rowing up in Delhi in the changes, or society being influ- in Tamil script). “Sooper” Gpost-Independence years, I enced by media depictions? It’s (again, written in Tamil letters, learned to read my mother a moot point. Strangely enough, in place of what would have tongue, Tamil, only through alongside the ‘progress’ in terms been 50 years ago, Sari (all magazines like Ananda Vikatan of modernity and ‘liberation’ right) or Pramaadam (super). and Kalki, two popular weeklies that the magazines reflect to- Worlds like naatla, veetla, and Once upon a time... that my mother subscribed to. day, there is also evident, a roadla, which would have been Legendary Tamil writers like more daring manifestation of naattil, veettil and theruvil origi- gious and sinful for Hindu of writers like Sivasankari and Kalki (Krishnamurthy), sexism (which ‘modernity’ nally, have taken on new, women other than widows; as ‘Sujatha’ (whose serialised fic- Lakshmi, R. Choodamani, and frowns upon). ‘modern’ inflections. for showing leg – only women tion commanded a huge fan fol- Jayakanthan had their novels The language, for one – Appadi illanga (it is not like of loose morals did. lowing and turned them into serialised in these magazines, grammar and adherence to lin- that), a film director says now, The magazines would have social icons). Their novels were and I remember Alai Osai, promptly lost circulation and gripping and were enjoyed for Ponniyin Selvan, Pareesukku Po readership with such depic- the plots’ conception rather and other long stories that G If Tamil publications of the 1950s had a staid tions, during my mother’s time. than literary merit. Nonethe- enjoyed avid readership. Some and decorously clad Bharatiya nari (Indian Now, perhaps, these are the im- less, the language still remained were social novels, some histori- woman), or a conscientious, God-fearing ages that sell. Even salwar- largely uncorrupted, and faith- cal, but the language was middle-class man on their covers, today’s kameez was not acceptable once ful to the South Indian ethos. uniformly gripping and – and feature a typical, fashion-conscious, daringly (I used to wear salwar-kameez to That has changed dramatically, more to the point – grammati- clad college girl leading a ‘fast’ life. Is the play tennis, and that was sup- in the New Millennium. cally pure and correct. media reflecting social changes, or society posed to be scandalous in the There are still a few Tamil Vikatan’s cover always had a being influenced by media depictions? It’s a South, even during the late literary magazines, untouched nice cartoon illustrating a joke; moot point. Strangely enough, alongside the 1950s when I entered college.) by these trends, but they are by there was very little about ‘progress’ in terms of modernity and The recipe page offers chaat no means ‘mainstream’ or popu- cinema or film actors and ac- (unknown in the South, at one lar in the sense of wide reader- ‘liberation’ that the magazines reflect today, tresses. Illustrations were often time) and pizza as ‘special’ ship. Which is perhaps true of there is also evident, a more daring by the gifted ‘Silpi’, who created treats. The titles and subtitles other languages too (including masterpiece reproductions of manifestation of sexism, which ‘modernity’ for features are ‘In box’ (written English). Is that a good thing? temple sculptures and intricate frowns upon, says Sakuntala Narasimhan of an in Tamil script of course) and Had one of today’s issues of depictions of historical figures unbelievable metamorphosis. ‘Visual corner’. ‘TV corner’ is Ananda Vikatan been available to match a story’s narrative. the title of one section (my when I was in school, trying to Half a century later, when I mother-in-law would not have learn Tamil, I would have been pick up current issues of these guistic norms, go for a toss. Not in an interview, the way a lower understood the word corner). confused by the hybridisation of magazines, I am struck by the just colloquialism, but down- class, semi-literate person “Lights on’ is the title for the written word – part English, changes, in content, layout, right hybrid ‘masala mixtures’, would say it; that would have another section (on filmi part colloquial, and part a choice of subjects and general call it a textual equivalent of been, correctly, Appadi illai, in a gossip). English words prolifer- genetically modified version of get-up. If the publications of the chaat-masala and pani-puri (not magazine of yesteryear. ate. One article is on Beyonce regional writing. 1950s had a staid and deco- part of South Indian cuisine Paaraattitta ought to be (that’s globalisation for you) A requiem for something rously called Bharatiya nari originally, but even wedding paaraatti vittaal. And so on. with a picture that would have wholesome that is gone, or a (Indian woman), or a conscien- receptions offer these North Kondaaduranga (they are never been seen in these maga- hailing of something more in tious, God-fearing middle-class Indian imports today, in the celebrating) would have been zines half a century ago. keeping with today’s confused man, today’s feature a typical, name of ‘trendiness’). previously Kondaadugiraargal. A recent issue of Kumudam, times? That brings us back, fashion-conscious, daringly clad Here’s a sampling of sen- Partly, it is perhaps a dilution of another popular weekly, has then, to that earlier question: college girl leading a ‘fast life’. tences from today’s pages: Brahminical-literary styles, in ‘Women who smoke’ as its lead Do publications reflect the Is the media reflecting social “Okay vaa?” (Is it okay, written favour of commonly spoken, story, with a young woman on times or mould them through caste-less phrases. Partly, it is the cover to match, with saree what the older generation also a reflection of the carefully pulled down to expose would call a ‘corruption’ of ‘anglicisation’ of urban lifestyles a breast. language, themes and presen- CHENNAI HERITAGE and speech. ‘Creativity illai’ The trend started perhaps tation? (Courtesy: RIND (there is no creativity), one three decades ago, with the rise Survey.) phrase says. Isn’t there a word No. 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, for creativity in Tamil? Royapettah, Chennai 600 014 Curiously, there is no ‘Hindi- I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List isation’ or admixture, in tandem All that’s left is a road with the Anglicisation – No...... ) / I have just seen Madras Musings whereas even ads for national and would like to receive it hereafter. entities like the Life Insurance and an area name G I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Corporation, or multinationals, (Continued from page 4) Rs. 100 (Rupees One hundred) payable to CHENNAI routinely use Hindi phrases like CLC stood became far more HERITAGE, MADRAS, as subscription to Madras valuable than any promise its aap ke liye and jawaab nahin in that his golden touch had Musings for the year 2018-19. erstwhile leather business had their ads. Interesting! There’s worked at the CLC as well, but G held. In 1993, much of the As token of my support for the causes of heritage, grist here, for political/social/ that was not to be. In 1972, shares of the Company were ac- environment and a better city that Madras Musings North-South research… India suffered a major credit quired by a private trust that espouses, I send Chennai Heritage an additional Then the pictures – women crunch and export financing was into education. It conse- Rs...... in shorts, short skirts, knee- was withdrawn. The CLC suf- (Rupees ...... ) quently took over the assets and length boots, striking sexy fered enormously as a conse- Please keep/put me on your mailing list. began selling them piecemeal. poses, with hair left open and quence. Nagappa Chettiar’s The gateway and the com- Name : ...... no pottu (bindi) on the cover – health too declined around the pound walls of CLC stood for not done, just not done, in a same time and the Company long and have now vanished as ...... ‘family magazine’ commanding faced difficult times. The banks well. A warren of shops and fac- a wide circulation (including stepped in after prolonged Address: ...... tories has come up there. The South Indian readers settled in negotiations in 1981. thoroughfare leading to this ...... the north). Two generations ago, decent females did not This was the decade when maze is still CLC Works Road...... leave their hair open, much less Chromepet began developing That, and the name All cheques to ‘Chennai Heritage’. DD/Cheque should be sent by Speed cut it, and being without a bindi fast as a residential and indus- Chromepet, stand testimony to Post only. was, well, considered sacrile- trial area. The land on which a pioneering leather enterprise. 8 MADRAS MUSINGS November 1-15, 2018 Surprise TNPL winners

he 2018 Tamil Nadu batted with confidence, hitting TPremier League threw a 51. Nevertheles, the Dragons surprise when the unfancied were bowled out for just 117 Siechem Madurai Panthers beat with just one delivery left. the tournament favourites Panthers’ right-arm seamer Dindigul Dragons in a near one- Abhishek Tanwar used the sided contest. The hero of the wicket and the conditions well winners was opening batsman claiming four for 30. His right- Arun Karthik who finished the arm seam partner T.D. Lokesh The Siechem Madurai Panthers. game with a scintillating un- Raj who was playing only his down before opening out skill- runs in tournament which in- stream career in Sri Lanka, beaten 75. With this score, third TNPL game claimed three fully as he hit four fours and four cluded six half centuries. where he represented Karthik also emerged as the wickets for 31 runs. Leg spinner sixes facing 50 balls for his un- The 32-year old wicket- Radureliya Sports Club for one tournament’s highest run-getter Varun Chakravarthy picked up beaten 75. Shujit Chandran (38 keeper batsman who turns out season. He was the leading run- with an aggregate of 472 which two wickets for just nine runs not out off 49 deliveries) gave for Assam in the Indian domes- scorer for his club, with 213 included six half centuries. off his four overs, one of which excellent support as the pair but tic cricketing tournament re- runs in nine games in the 50- The final played at the M.A. was a maiden over. on an unbroken 117-run part- served his best for the qualifier over tournament. Chidambaram Stadium, was It was surprising that Drag- nership for the fourth wicket game and the finals and pro- Why was Karthik not under bowler-friendly despite what ons, who scored 203 for six in and carried Panthers safely pelled his team to success. consideration of the Tamil the commentators said before the first qualifier and dismissed home. Karthik signaled the win Karthik had been adept at Nadu team selection, com- the start of the game that it was Panthers for just 128, were with a splendid off-driven six off turning games into his side’s for- pelled him to play for Assam. an easy track and would pro- bowled out cheaply. The Pan- paceman Mohammed. tunes many times in the past. But he has since then been the duce plenty of runs. thers, after their splendid show Coming to mind is his game for Northeastern State team’s bat- Unhesitatingly, the Panthers on in the second qualifier, hit peak the Royal Challengers Banga- ting mainstays. He enjoyed a winning the toss sent the Drag- form just in time. G by A Special lore in the 2011Champions great Ranji season for Tamil ons to bat first. The move The Madurai team was in for Correspondent League game against the South Nadu in 2009-10, scoring 573 clicked as the latter struggled a shock when it began chasing Australian Redbacks. He Ranji runs at 53.19. for runs right from the start los- its small target losing three initially had an IPL contract While Karthik played for ing half their wickets for just 21. wickets for just two runs to left- Karthik was duly. named with Chennai Super Kings and Assam for three seasons, from Narayan Jagadeesan, who arm spinner Silambarasan who Player-of-the-Match and was bought by RCB that season. 2014-15 to 2016-17, he accu- took over the Dragons’ cap- took the new ball. All the three Player-of-the-Tournament and That move paid off quite spec- mulated over 1,300 runs. He taincy after Ravichandran dismissed batsmen, failed to fully deserved the accolades for tacularly in the Champions played for Kerala in the 2017- Ashwin’s departure for England score. However, the reliable his splendid displays throughout League later that year, when his 18 season and aggregated 332 to join the Indian team, alone Karthik played with his head this edition of TNPL. Tanwar’s last-ball six against South Aus- runs. His performances in the wicket tally in the tournament tralia took Royal Challengers to just-concluded TNPL season went to 15 following his splen- the semi-finals. bear testimony to the fact that did bowling in the final. Originally a right-handed Karthik is still a prolific run-get- Answers to Quiz A cursory glance at Karthik’s top-order batsman and occa- ter. Tamil Nadu could recon- tournament statistics clearly 1. Ranjan Gogoi, 2. Alphonso, 3. Peace Prize, 4. Japan, 5. FIDE (Chess), sional opener, Karthik began sider its selection policy and in- shows the value of his presence his first-class career with 149 on duct Karthik into the team 6. Banksy, 7. Google +, 8. Sikkim, 9. Idiocracy, 10. Patna. at the top of the batting order. * * * debut against Karnataka in again as the State side badly The Panthers triumphed when- 2008-09. He was part of a strong needs some experience in the 11. Subramania Bharathi, 12. K. Subrahmanyam, 13. Pavalar ever Karthik scored and this he Balasundaram, 14. Chief Kazi of Madras, 15. A.G. Milkha Singh, 16. Boag, Tamil Nadu batting line up that middle order. – (Courtesy: 17. Sri Parthasarathy Swami Sabha, 18. Children’s Garden School, 19. did with cricketing precision season, scoring 344 runs in four Straight Bat.) Koothambalam, 20. Voluntary Health Services Hospital. which helped him amass 472 games. Karthik began his main-

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PublishedPublished by S. by Muthiah S. Muthiah for Chennai for ëChennai Heritage, Heritageí, No. 9, Cathedral 260-A, TTK Road, Road, Chennai Chennai 600 600086, 018printed and by printed Anu Varghese by T J George at Lokavani at Lokavani-Hallmark Southern Printers Press Pvt. Ltd., Pvt. 122,Ltd., Greames 122, Greams Road, Road, Chennai Chennai 600 006, 600 edited 006. Editedby S. Muthiah,by S. MUTHIAH. 2-F, 1st Cross Street, Vijayaraghava Road, T’Nagar, Chennai 600 017, and owned by Chennai Heritage, Regd. Office No. 9, Cathedral Road, Chennai 600 086.