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Vol. XXV No. 11 MUSINGS September 16-30, 2015 What’s heritage, Know your Fort and what’s not... better he past few years have seen lity is only enhanced by those earlier structure even then. It is Ta spate of writings on heri- who, even if in a well-meaning this 54-year-old structure that tage, accompanied by a lot of fashion, brand any reasonably the Government proposes to re- media attention. This has natu- old structure as heritage and place with a modern building. rally resulted in a huge amount begin questioning its removal. What is the heritage value of of interest concerning old build- This makes any heritage activ- the existing structure? None ings, especially among the ity appear obstructionist. The probably. And whatever there reading public, though this has latest in this series is a newspa- was earlier probably vanished admittedly not resulted in much with the demolition in 1961. action on the ground. It has, of What cannot be denied, course, created an enormous by The Editor however, is that a police station dislike among the bureaucracy has existed in the area since about what it terms ‘heritage per article that mourns the pro- 1856. This needs to be com- activism’. That body of officials posed pulling down of the Es- memorated. The Tamil Nadu The ECHS Hospital (Picture: Ramakrishnan Mohan). would be most happy if there planade police station. Police has in the past displayed was no opposition to the com- A careful reading between a sense of history – it has not G We have in the last two episodes focussed on two principal plete demolition of all heritage the lines would reveal that the only preserved its headquarters buildings on Charles Street – the Great aka Admiralty aka Clive structures, to facilitate their structure in question was built by the beach, it has also re- House and Wellesley House. This extremely broad thoroughfare has replacement with modern high- only in 1961. It is a modern tained the old bungalow in very few buildings on it today. Between Clive’s and Wellesley’s rise. Unfortunately, this hosti- PWD building that replaced an (Continued on page 2) houses is a large edifice belonging to the army and accessed through an arched gateway. This must have in its time been an important building. On the opposite, i.e. the eastern, side runs a long colon- naded building for most of the street’s length. This is today the Ex- ...but must people live Servicemen’s Contributory Health Service (ECHS) Centre of the Fort, but in its long years of existence has served several functions, most notable of which is that of the Town Hall for Madras. This in fear of it? was where the important residents of the Fort met to discuss and decide on important matters concerning the city. But this was not here are three reactions to residential purposes. The sale the ASI were informed that the the only building to serve this role in the Fort. It was also till re- Theritage – some love it, and deeds were all registered as per issue of NOCs could be consid- cently the embarkation headquarters for the Southern Command these are most often those who due process. But when the pur- ered only after the ASI con- of the Indian Army. have no stake in it; the second chasers began making plans to ducted a joint survey of the area Charles Street ends at the San Thome Gate of the Fort, an variety is completely indiffer- construct houses, they were along with the revenue officials arched structure with alternating bands of white and black. This is ent, this is largely the Govern- asked to get No Objection Cer- of the Kancheepuram District. today closed to the public but gets its name from the fact that it is ment that sadly controls most of tificates (NOC) from the ‘ap- A date was fixed for this in 2011 the southern entrance to the Fort, the pathway from it leading it; and some would rather wish propriate authority’ which in but matters made no headway along the sea to the once Portuguese settlement on San Thomè. In it away, these are the private this case is the Archaeological as the residents, not under- its time it must have been a busy thoroughfare with much comings property owners who find them- Survey of India (ASI) as the standing clearly as to what this and goings between the two settlements, of which, of course, San selves saddled with something land falls under the Ancient implied, protested and pre- Thomè was the older and bigger. But by the time Fort St. George they do not want and, more im- Monuments and Archaeologi- vented the survey from happen- began growing, this once prosperous Portuguese settlement had portantly, something they can- cal Sites and Remains (Amend- ing. Matters have been hanging seen better days and many of its residents began moving into the not profit from. Last month saw fire since then and the residents British town where they settled at the northern end, a place that matters coming to a head at G By A Special approached the High Court of came to be called Portuguese Square and which we shall deal with Pallavaram where residents pro- Madras, which in March this in detail later. Others commuted from San Thomè every day to tested against the heritage sta- Correspondent year ruled that it was necessary work in the Fort or visit relatives. This influx of people must have tus that they feel has been im- for the joint survey to be done. happened via the San Thomé Gate. posed on their neighbourhood. ment and Validation) Act The Court directed the peti- Today there may be only so many visible reminders of the A lot can be done by the Gov- 2010. tioners to file a request before historicity of Charles Street, but in its time this was a very busy ernment to dispel any fears, but The entire area, according to the Collector of Kancheepuram thoroughfare. While we wander along it, it may be worthwhile to by keeping silent, it is only flam- the ASI, is a centrally protected who, on receipt of such a re- pause a while and reflect on the various buildings that do not exist. ing discontent with heritage be- site, with ‘megalithic cairns and quest, was to organise a meet- But before that the broad width of the street also has a history. ing the ultimate victim. cists, showing clear structural ing of the revenue officials and This was once two parallel streets running north to south, from This matter in Pallavaram postures’. However, as to what the ASI. This has not happened Parade Square to the San Thomé Gate. The western one was has been pending for over seven this actually implies has not thus far. Charles Street and its eastern counterpart was James Street. These, years now. It was in 2007 that been spelt out clearly by the It would appear that the and the easternmost street of the Fort, named after St Thomas, plots of land were sold to ASI and the organisation has Government is missing a golden were all connected at the northern end by the church of St Mary’s people, all of them having pur- done precious little by way of opportunity to promote private and at the southern end by road across which lay San Thomé Gate. chased properties with the in- actually protecting the place. participation in heritage. What tention of developing them for The owners on approaching (Continued on page 2) (Continued on page 12) CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS September 16-30, 2015 What’s heritage, and what’s not Looking back on (Continued from page 1) has been splendidly restored, ironically when all heritage Mad Rush Week Egmore that served as the Po- buildings surrounding it – Gov- lice Commissioner’s Office even ernment House, Cooum House, et another successful edi- These too were disgorged after immune to it all. On and on he after a multi-storeyed building the bandmaster’s house, Gandhi Ytion of Madras Week has the good lady had bestowed her went. This was until someone came up alongside for the same. Illam and Kalaivanar Arangam – wound to a close and everyone X Ray vision on the modern dropped something or the It is to be hoped that when it were all demolished! is singing its praise. From day Raffles. other with quite a loud noise in constructs a new police station Hanging fire is the fate of the Ambattur to Zion Colony, Sad though such occur- the vicinity. The speaker at the Esplanade, the depart- Royapettah station which was Madras Week is the buzz. The rences are, MMM would go paused and MMM, realising Man from Madras Musings also with the Chief’s point of view, that this was where he did ment will put up a plaque com- also slated for demolition but joins in this raucous chorus of namely that such events are some good to society at large, memorating the history of the has not yet gone under. Also joy. organised for everyone, irre- prised the microphone from place. That would be more than facing an uncertain future is the MMM and his good lady spective of their table manners, the budding Demosthenes, sufficient. Harbour station. Both these (also known as She Who Must to participate and so it cannot thanked him profusely and While on the subject of new buildings are undoubtedly heri- be Obeyed) did the rounds of be just for those who know brought the event to a close. buildings for old, it must be tage structures that date to over the events and it must be how to behave like gentle folk. A similar situation was wit- pointed out that the Police has a hundred years. They certainly acknowledged that the audi- And let MMM tell you here nessed by MMM at another a chequered history when it need to be preserved. If the Po- ence numbers are growing, that some of the latter too are event, which focussed on the comes to their stations. The one lice needs to expand its activi- year after year. While MMM not above helping themselves Emergency of the 1970s. Here at Flower Bazaar made way for restricted his role to chiefly gu- to a coaster or two when it too was a heckler of sorts, into ties in these two stations, it bernatorial tasks – shaking takes their fancy. whose soul the iron appeared a tasteless piece of modernity. would be better off looking for hands, smiling graciously and, to have entered in a big way. The Mount Road station was new buildings in the surround- if strictly demanded by duty, Other stories Halfway through a rather demolished but replaced by a ing areas rather than demolish occasionally kissing babies – erudite summing up of the new structure that vaguely re- these two to make way for his good lady was more the ho would have thought Emergency by two senior calls the architecture of the old highrise. While the Royapettah careful observer and possess- Wour own stinky river journalists, he stood up and Spencer’s showroom. The station is in use, the Harbour ing as she does an eye like would emerge the hero of began to deride them for not Grame’s Road station was re- one is at great risk. It has been Mars, to threaten and com- Madras Week? Yet, this was mentioning anything about the tained in full, as there was suffi- cordoned off and is now devoid mand, little escaped her atten- undoubtedly so. Journalists death during the Emergency of jotted entries on it, talkers cient space to the rear, where a of maintenance for over five tion. ‘Sitty Babu, sitting yumpee’. It Chief among these was the talked, walkers walked and took quite a while before new building has come up. The years. The media would be bet- behaviour of some of the cyclists cycled along its banks, MMM realised that the man most fortunate among all of ter off highlighting the plight of people who came to eat at the was referred to a sitting legisla- them is the Triplicane Station these buildings rather than rais- lectures that ye olde journal tor who died under rather on Wallajah Road. This heri- ing a hue and cry over struc- Madras Musings organised. As SHORT ’N’ strange circumstances during tage structure, once the langar- tures that are of dubious heri- to their eating habits and plate SNAPPY the Emergency. khana of the Nawabs of Arcot, tage value at best. grabbing tactics MMM will say But all this paled into insig- little, as he has waxed eloquent nificance besides the behaviour on the subject in the past to all with a view to bringing focus of the wife of a retired bureau- very little effect beyond a let- on its pathetic condition. It crat. One of the programmes, ter or two from irate readers only now remains for a film star involving a famed actress, who BEING AFRAID who consider such mass feed- or two to adopt parts of it. was present in person to hear ings to be among the publica- Success will then be assured in an actor-turned-film historian tion’s activities. If the highest its clean up. Presently, The speak on her film career, was OF HERITAGE? in the land can offer subsidised Man from Madras Musings is of scheduled to begin at 7.00 pm. food in their names, why can the view that it was those who The hall had filled up by 6.30. Madras Musings not give it free were tasked with the clean-up The better half of the retired (Continued from page 1) struction. The affected owners is their opinion. MMM does who cleaned up big. How else bureaucrat walked up to MMM – whose interests need to be not wish to quarrel with them do you explain the complete and demanded that the event met with and their concerns as- on this and respects them for lack of results as far as the river begin at once. She had to go for is happening is that the owners suaged – can either be offered their views. is concerned? dinner she said at 7.15 and so are getting increasingly frus- land elsewhere or they can be But to get back to the point But let us pigeon-hole the it would be good if MMM trated over the continued permitted to construct on parts at issue, namely what the good Cooum clean-up for the nonce. advanced the starting time so stonewalling. What is on the of their properties that do not lady saw. Hovering around the What MMM wanted to write that she could hear a good part other hand required is a public have these remains. Lastly, the food riots that were happening about was an event that was of the presentation and yet be meeting to be called so that the entire colony ought to be taught at a venue, she found one at- held at one of the oldest libra- home in time to receive guests tendee doing rather well with when they arrived. MMM process of the joint survey and the importance of the pre-his- ries of the city, which also the liquid refreshments. And stands on the banks of the refused politely and the event what it proposes to find can be toric finds and how they need by that MMM does not mean river. The speaker for the began as scheduled. What explained to the stakeholders. to be proud of what they pos- the bar, for we at Madras evening was a person whom intrigued MMM was that the This is to make the latter a part sess. The residents can be made Musings stay clear of the stuff MMM had known practically lady in question stayed on till of the survey, which ought then a part of a committee that ad- that cheers, but plain water from the cradle, and so MMM 9.00 pm when the programme to be undertaken without delay. ministers these sites and helps bottles. The hotel that hosted too was present. The weather ended. What happened to her The findings of this need to be promote tourism in the area. that evening’s programme had was sultry and during much of guests is what MMM would published immediately thereaf- Revenues from such activities opted to put out bottled water the presentation MMM’s like to know. ter. can be used for improving the instead of filling glasses and friend sweated profusely. At one of the guests had decided What is likely to emerge locality and maintaining the the end of it all he asked the T’Nagar style that this was where he should audience if they had any ques- from this is that not every prop- relics. stock up a month’s supply. He tions when an elderly gent, he banner reproduced be- erty owner is sitting on a mega- All this calls for some was loading the bottles into a who had all along been rather Tlow was put up with good in- lithic cairn or cist. Those that enlightened thinking. Can we rather capacious bag while restless, stood up and launched tentions, but MMM was are not affected ought to be al- expect this from our Govern- MMM’s good lady chanced into what promised to be a long amused by the Madrasian lowed to get on with their con- ment – and citizens? upon him. Not a word was ex- story on the life of a famed English. changed as MMM was later dubash who after death – MMM given to understand by those became a philanthropist. It al- present, but such was the most gave MMM MADRAS MUSINGS ON THE WEB power of MMM’s good lady’s the feeling that eye that the man meekly put all there were two To reach out to as many readers as possible who share the bottles back on the rack speakers that our keen interest in Madras that is Chennai, and in re- and sauntered off, no doubt to evening. It was in sponse to requests from many well-wishers – espe- focus on the knives and forks. vain that the The next evening featured organisers tried cially from outside Chennai and abroad who receive yet another event, at a differ- to catch the pre- their postal copies very late – for an online edition. ent venue. This time, too, tender’s eye and Madras Musings is now on the web at www. MMM and his good lady were get him to sit in attendance. And this time, madrasmusings.com down. But he, she caught another man, stuff- like the Ancient THE EDITOR ing his bag with tea bags! Mariner, was September 16-30, 2015 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

G An occasional column by a British freelance writer on her eight years in Madras

t’s early morning in Kotturpuram and the residents All these expansions begin to take their toll on Iof my street are beginning to stir. Security guards, the environment. More people need more electricity roused from sleep, drag reluctant pedigree pooches and water. Although we regularly have recourse to around the block, watched by street dogs who raise a our generator, for the first time in nine years our well desultory eyelid, and then return to slumber. The has run dry and we are forced to buy water from dawn mosquitoes square their shoulders in prepara- tankers. tion for the first walkers and from the nearby mosque Progress has been slow in other less financially the muezzin proclaims the greatness of his god. remunerative areas. The street we live on is still a mass Babblers, little birds that fly in tightly packed of potholes and has never been properly made. In the groups, twitter and follow each other like insecure monsoon the drains overflow and the road becomes a teenagers flitting from hedge to lawn as the sun rises small lake and a breeding ground for mosquitoes. on another pile of garbage in our street. Unperturbed, In 1989, a dreamer called M.B. Nirmal founded a a cow on the corner grazes on plastic bags and crisp Street Life non-government environmental service called packets from the pile of litter cascading out of the Exnora. The word derived from Excellent, Novel and bins. is a government that is not prepared to pay the price Radical and it was designed to solve environmental A man wanders the street crying “Peepers!” For for a clean city. The steady decline in cleaner streets and civic problems by involving those who caused many years I thought he was selling something until I was obvious when one cleaning firm’s contract was ter- them. There is no longer an Exnora in my district. As realised that he collected old newspapers and was call- minated in exchange for a cheaper deal some years ago. always in India, sustainability became an issue. I imag- ing out ‘Papers’ in the local accent. This is recycling Time moves on and the overture of car horns be- ine that enquiries to local government councils would Indian style, and one man’s rubbish is another man’s gins, gradually reaching a crescendo as the school op- be a bumpy road in itself! living. posite opens its gates. Impatient drivers and harassed As the morning progresses, the heat rises. Two girls Likewise, a barefoot old crone sifts through the parents late for work hurry to drop off children. What stroll down the road carrying tiffin boxes in a basket. contents of the bin extracting cardboards which she was once a large house and lush peaceful garden is now They are dressed in beautiful pink and orange sarees, folds into neat bundles and carts away on her head. A the concrete school playground where instructions are their hair adorned with jasmine. A street dog jogs skinny urchin picks out plastic bottles and, packing barked out through a loudspeaker and the children are jauntily past them. Taking care to avoid the cow, the them into a tattered jute bag, strolls off to find the marched into class to the accompaniment of a bass dog has a quick sniff at the garbage and enjoys the next rich pickings. drum and whistle blowing. freedom its pedigreed descendants behind gates might But things are changing. The more affluent inhab- Next door to our house, the mali sweeps the leaves envy. itants of our street are fed up with the piles of litter, from an immaculate, verdant lawn and washes the dust the cows, the smells, the crows and the recycling ur- off the mock-Grecian statuary that adorns the luxuri- The chai seller comes on his bicycle, stops for a chins. The idea is that all the houses have bins, a blue ant garden. For many years this was a field where chat with a security guard, and gives the old lady sit- one for ‘dry goods’, and a turquoise one for ‘wet people relieved themselves and the only inhabitants ting half naked on the curb a paper mug of tea. Chil- goods’. These are put out early in the morning and were a family of cobras. It is now a super swanky pad, dren from the slum around the corner contrive to turn collected daily. The head of the project tells me: the inhabitants of which are rarely seen; its Le a rag into a blindfold and play at pirates with the in- “It is the big houses that are the worst offenders, Corbuisier style concrete blocks dominate the skyline. ventive creativity of the poor. The paper collector they leave it to their staff to do the segregating and Down the road another empty plot develops into a takes away a pile of our newspapers and bottles to re- put out the bins and the staff do not understand so block of flats. Adjacent to a slum around the corner, cycle somewhere and keep his family fed. The day they do not do it.” so-called “dream apartments” are mushrooming. drifts on. But all improvements start with education. It is Houses are no longer financially viable when land is so I love this street, this district, and this crazy city. good to hear that children in Madras are now being valuable and I hear that, eventually, when we leave, For all the physical changes, good and bad, it is still taught about harm of littering and the impact it has our house is destined to become a casualty of develop- Madras and its people, the essence, steeped in tradi- on the ecosystem, but thwarting those improvements ment. tion, will, I think, be slow to change.

healthy fascination with all things British, from forts to Such men should be remembered... buildings to erstwhile rulers, is Forgive me for saying this: I feel dejected that position of an academic-research scientist at his seen as a threat not so much to our fellow citizens of Madras take pride in alma mater, the IARI, and was closely associ- national identity, as to regional Question of identity celebrating the birthdays of movie stars. I do ated with the internationally famous rose identity. The renaming of cities not wish to find fault with that. But in that enthusiast and geneticist Bipin Peary Pal, reek history started with and now of streets is an attempt process they forget and even ignore the whom Swaminathan sees as his mentor- Gthe City-States of Athens to reinforce this identity. immense and prolific contributions made by teacher. The rest of Swaminathan’s story is well and Sparta and the birth of Ma- The danger lies in the fact great men and women, such as M.S. known to most of us. dras is as good a reference point that while history is non-threat- Swaminathan. At least journals like Madras He rose to be the Director of IARI, sub- as any to celebrate the history ening, a sense of identity can get of our city including the older narrower and narrower, break- Musings must think of such great men and sequently the Director-General of the Indian villages which it comprise. The ing down into caste, sub-caste, remember them with gratitude. Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), slur on Madras Week, targeted community, language, etc. scientist of remarkable calibre, a distin- concurrently holding the position of Secretary, as anti-national has more to do When this happens the regional Aguished son of India, a great and clear Department of Agriculture, Government of with identity than with history. and, in extension, a national thinker and most importantly, a Madras India. Later, he moved to the International Identity and self-respect are identity, and the Indian psyche resident, Monkombu Sambasiva Swaminathan Rice Research Institute, Manila, as its Direc- closely linked, hence the cre- itself, gets fragmented and it is (b. August 7, 1925), completed 90 years of age tor-General. As the Director-General of ICAR, ation of linguistic states after not the celebration of history recently. Scientists all over the world have he pioneered reforming and enabling ailing Independence or, for that mat- that is a threat to nationalism. celebrated, and are celebrating, this event by Indian agriculture by marshalling and extend- ter, the creation of Pakistan. showering tributes and encomiums on this ing Norman Borlaug’s concept of the Green The history of colonial Ma- Dr. Beatrix D’Souza peerless agricultural scientist of India. Revolution, teaming with the dynamic Central dras, what some see as an un- [email protected] It will be too hard to recall all of Swamina- Minister for Food, Chidambaram Subrama- than’s achievements in this space. Most of us niam, and his Secretary, Sivaraman. This know that he is one of the few men of science association indeed changed the complexion of CHENNAI HERITAGE who made great impacts on the science and Indian agriculture dramatically in the next few No. 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014 management of Indian agriculture. It is a great years. I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / I fortune for us – citizens of Madras – that he After his stint on Manila, he decided to have just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it hereafter. decided to live in Madras and establish his establish the M.S. Swaminathan Research G I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Rs. 100 research institute. Foundation in Madras, which, since then, has (Rupees One hundred) payable to CHENNAI HERITAGE, Born in Kumbakonam, the son of M.K. been rendering yeoman service to Indian MADRAS, as subscription to Madras Musings for the year Sambasivan and Parvati Thangammal, farmers and farming by spreading the message 2015-16. Swaminathan made great strides as a student of eco-friendly farming tactics and offering G As token of my support for the causes of heritage, environment of crop genetics in the late 1940s-early 1950s. education in no small measure. and a better city that Madras Musings espouses, I send Chennai He earned a B.Sc. (Agriculture) as his second The whole world salutes this gentle giant for Heritage an additional Rs...... (Rupees ...... ) Please keep/ degree studying at the Madras Agricultural his substantial contributions to Indian agricul- put me on your mailing list. College (now Tamil Nadu Agricultural Univer- ture. We need to take pride in the fact that Name : ...... sity), Coimbatore, and subsequently moved to Swaminathan is a fellow citizen of Madras, ...... the Indian Agricultural Research Institute whose presence and work have added an inimi- Address: ...... (IARI), New Delhi, for his Master’s. table sparkle to the city and the State. Let us ...... Swaminathan expounded the genetics of salute Swaminathan wishing him many more ...... Solanum (potato is a Solanum) for his doctoral years of achievement. All cheques to ‘Chennai Heritage’. DD/Cheque should be sent by degree at the University of Cambridge. He – Dr. A. Raman Speed Post only. returned to India soon after to accept the [email protected] 4 MADRAS MUSINGS September 16-30, 2015 The Leather King

he book* is a fitting celebra- moved into its own building in Ttion of the legacy of A. 1958, the India Leather Man- Nagappa Chettiar, a pioneer of sion at Davidson Street. The of- the leather industry in India. fice also housed an electric bal- Nagappa Chettiar, it is sur- ing press, electric hoists, a test- prising to find, was not even a ing laboratory, an exhibition of matriculate and “spoke halt- products of EI tanned leather, a ingly in English”, to quote technical library and a canteen. retired IAS officer Dr. G. Sun- Nagappa Chettiar appointed daram, and yet was a trailblazer agents for ILC in France, of the leather industry. The dis- Belgium, Italy, Germany, USA tinct look of Chettiar, always and Japan. ILC offices were clad in white shirt and white A. Nagappa Chettiar. opened in London, Paris, dhoti, even in the presence of Milan, Madrid, Frankfurt, New suited-and-booted foreign visi- ies under the independent man- York and Tokyo. The com- tors, subtly speaks of his convic- agement of its directors were es- pany’s activities also expanded tion to stick to his roots. tablished in Salem, Pallavaram, beyond Madras state into Co- Born in Melsivapuri in Vellore, Trichy, Madhavaram lombo, Calcutta and Cudda- Pudukottai district on August and Red Hills near Madras and pah. He was hailed as the 6, 1915, Nagappan lost his fa- Gudiyatham. ILC also bought a ‘Leather King’ by his customers ther very early. As was usual transport company in Banga- abroad. with Nattukottai Chettiars, he lore to meet its transportation Next, in a bold move, ILC in joined the banking business of needs. 1965 bought the ailing Chrome M. Narayanan Chettiar in The first major break- Leather Company (CLC), Ceylon, when he was just 15. In through that Nagappa Chettiar, which had a large estate and an 1937, he launched out on his as Managing Director of ILC, integrated leather centre. This Nagappa Chettiar with R. Venkataraman at ILC Stall, Paris. own into leather trading. A achieved was convincing the company of repute had been tannery was operated from Japanese to buy higher grade of started by the British and was rented premises in 1938. The leather in place of their low being managed by Ida Cham- Institute are visible even today. industry, persuaded the Gov- leather industry was in a na- grade imports. This was during bers, an Australian and a mem- It was he who mooted the idea ernment of India to institute a scent stage in Ceylon at the his visit to Japan in 1953. As a ber of the founding family. He of International Leather Fair in Leather Export Promotion time and Nagappa Chettiar and result, ILC was supplying one- turned around the company, Madras and was successful in Council (LEPC) which took his partner adopted a scientific third of all Japanese leather but due to Reserve Bank of organising the first fair at the shape in 1956 at Marble Hall in method of processing leather needs in the 1950s. He also vis- India’s policies, lines of credit CLRI premises in 1964 with Periamet, Madras. Dr. G. Sun- using vegetable tanning with ited the UK and Europe to es- for the company began to expire able support from Nayudamma. daram, IAS, was Secretary of wattle bark extract to save cost The Tanners’ Get-Together, LEPC from 1971 to 1974. He and time. Building on quality which started at the fair, has pays handsome tribute to Nag- and timely delivery, the firm become the Leather Industry appa Chettiar who was Chair- created an export market de- Get-Together (LERIG) from man of LEPC at that time, mand for its products. The rise 1991. The international fair pointing out that Chettiar had of his business was meteoric and fashion show, which is a a sharp mind despite lack of for- and, by 1943, a new tannery was part of the fair, has since mal education. Many important built in Himbutuwelgoda near 1986 been organised by Indian changes took place when the Colombo. During World War Trade Promotion Organisation Chettiar-Sundaram combine II, his firm supplied raw mate- (ITPO), Government of India. encouraged switching from rial to be used in boots for the Chettiar donated Rs. 51,000 semi-finished leather to finished Army. to set up the Footwear Research leather for export. Necessary Acting on the suggestion of Centre inside the CLRI campus clearances for acquiring ma- the then Indian Agent in in 1972. It has morphed into the chinery were also streamlined. Ceylon, M.S. Aney, to set up shoe Design and Development Despite his towering achie- operations in India considering Centre (SDDC) today and un- vements, Chettiar remained the future political scenarios, dertakes consultancy services to humble. Always clad in khadi Nagappa Chettiar, along with the industry. He also donated an a true Gandhian, he always other directors, established an Rs. 1 lakh to set up a Leather recalled Mahatma Gandhi’s la- agency, Palaniappa Chettiar & Museum inside the CLRI cam- ment in The Harijan as early as Co. in Madras and also tanner- pus. Although the building is 1934 – that hides worth Rs. 9 ies in Pallavaram and Dindugal. complete, it is yet to see the crore exported from the coun- At that time, East India ideal of Nagappa Chettiar ful- try returned as manufactured tanned hides and skins (known filled. But it is fitting that his articles, representing a material as EI tanned leathers), pro- statue was installed in the as well as intellectual drain. duced through tanning using Institute’s premises near the This inspired Chettiar to look vegetable materials and indig- museum in 1988. for ways to improve the situa- tion. He donated liberally to enous barks and, later, wattle His significant contribution educational causes and also to extract, were in high demand by to the leather industry is chang- temples. the British for export to the UK A historic institution Nagappa Chettiar acquired. ing the paradigm from export- A postcard from Buenos from India. After Indepen- ing wet skins and hides of lower Aires to his daughter (addressed dence, sensing that the demand tablish direct contact with buy- by 1972. Nagappa Chettiar quality and semi-finished lea- as Miss Yegu Nagappan) in for tanned leather from India ers. Buyers in Europe were get- nevertheless sustained the com- ther into fully finished leather 1961, featured in the book, re- would grow considerably, Nag- ting their leather through auc- pany. and value-added leather pro- veals his concern for her and his appa Chettiar along with other tions in the UK. What Nagappa Nagappa Chettiar was close- ducts to other countries. His wife from far afar when instant directors from his community Chettiar did changed the for- ly associated with the Central collaboration with academia communication was star years established the India Leather tunes of the leather industry in Leather Research Institute enabled him to look for innova- away. In the Foreword to the Corporation Private Limited India. Instead of going through since its inception in 1948. He tive ways to improve the quality book, Yegammai says his father (ILC) in 1948. Under this the auction system, he directly was Chairman of the Institute’s of leather. He was awarded always found time for the family company’s name, many tanner- reached out to the buyers. ILC’s Governing Council and also a Padma Shri by Government of despite his pressing business in- exports exceeded Rs. 2.5 crores member of the research council India in 1967 for his contribu- terests. This pioneer of leather by 1957 and ILC became the at various time periods. He tions to the leather industry. trade in India breathed his last largest single foreign exchange enjoyed a good rapport with its Apart from product innova- * J. Prasad Davids, Leather King Padma in 1982, aged 67. His death was earner in the Southern Region illustrious director, Dr. Y. tion, Nagappa Chettiar was also Shri A. Nagappa Chettiar: Inspiring a great loss to ear industry in in the 1950s. Nayudamma, in the 1960s, and instrumental in bringing the Legacy of His Success – in Management, particular. Public and Personal Life, Nagappan As export market demand the directors who followed him. leather industry together. He, Foundation, Chennai, 2015. for leather increased, ILC His lasting contributions to the along with his colleagues in the – K. Venkatesh September 16-30, 2015 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 A 4-page special feature on Madras Week The Justice Party in Triplicane t was documentary film- I maker and photographer S. Anwar who first introduced me – A walk during to Govi Lenin of Nakkeeran publications and his associate Madras Week Prince Ennares Periyar. They were greatly interested in doing of the registrants safely in bed. Mudaliar (1875-1937), the a walk connected with the But a few of us made it and were founder of the Non-Brahmin Justice Party, he said, and glad that we did, for the tour led movement. He was a prominent wanted to know if Madras by Govi Lenin brought to light medical practitioner of the city Lenin (second from left) at the Subramania Bharati’s house. Musings would lend its name to several nuggets of Madras his- and in 1912 helped found the thoroughfare that commemo- two in the interests of the non- it. I had a meeting with them tory, long forgotten. We began Madras United League that fo- rates the Gramani community, Brahmin movement. The two and found that they had two at the City Centre Mall, cussed on improving the lit- several of whose members were came together by 1914 and, routes in mind – one around Radhakrishnan Road. This was eracy of non-Brahmins in the followers of the Justice Party. from then on, worked closely in T’Nagar where many of that once Raju Gramani Thottam Presidency. Though sidelined in Ma. Po. Sivagnanam (1906- the Justice Party. Dr. Nair went party’s leaders are commemo- and it was here that the Non- 1995), the Tamil scholar and to England in 1919 to represent rated by name, and the other Brahmin Manifesto of the also a Gramani, lived here. He the non-Brahmin interests at through Triplicane, where South Indian Liberation Front G by played an important role in the the Houses of Parliament and much of the party’s history ac- aka Justice Party was released in Sriram V. agitation that led to Madras be- died suddenly during his travel. tually took place. After a brief 1916. This year, therefore, ing retained as part of Madras One of the earliest moves by discussion we decided on the marks the centenary of Dravi- State (later Tamil Nadu), dur- the Madras United League un- latter route for August 16th and dian politics, for it was with that later years, it cannot be denied ing the linguistic division that der Dr. Natesa Mudaliar was agreed that it would be one of party that the movement began. that much of the initial impetus led to the formation of Andhra. the establishment of a hostel for the walks done by Madras We walked down Natesa for the movement came from Ma Po Si was a Gandhian but non-Brahmin students. There Musings for Madras Week. Mudaliar Road, which connects him. in 1967, successfully contested had existed no such facility The morning of the walk saw Mylapore to Triplicane. This is Natesa Mudaliar Road leads the Assembly elections on a prior to this and its creation was a fine drizzle, which kept many named after Dr. C. Natesa to Irusappa Gramani Street, a DMK ticket, winning from the to greatly encourage many non- T’ Nagar constituency. Brahmins from the mofussil to Our next stop was the house enrol in the colleges of Madras. of Subramania Bharati (1882- We, therefore, travelled next to 1921), on Tulasinga Perumal Akbar Sahib Street, where Street. Now a well-maintained Natesa Mudaliar’s hostel once museum, this was an apt place existed but is untraceable now. to consider Bharati’s view of the A coffee break en route at Justice Party movement. Adyar Ananda Bhavan was a Though he was a revolutionary good spot for a discussion on in his strong dislike for the caste the electoral fortunes of the Jus- system, Bharati opined that the tice Party. It came to power fol- Justice Party, focussing as it did lowing the Montagu- only on the local political move- Chelmsford reforms that al- ment, diverted attention from lowed for a limited electoral the greater good – the national- franchise for the Legislative ist movement and the freedom Councils. The Congress opted struggle. The Justice Party to stay out, citing Mahatma when it came to power in the Gandhi’s non-cooperation prin- mid-1920s, would ban his ciples but it spawned several works, a proscription that outfits such as the Swarajists would end only in 1948. who contested the elections. From Tulasing Perumal The Justice Party came to Street we went to the Trip- power in 1920 with A. licane Tank. The waters of this Subbarayulu Reddiar becoming tank and their maintenance the first Premier of Madras. He was to see a bitter debate in the resigned shortly thereafter, early 1900s in the Madras Cor- making way for the Rajah of poration. In his capacity as Panagal under whose leadership Councillor for Triplicane, Dr. several landmark legislations T.M. Nair (1868-1919) ordered were to be passed. The Commu- that washing of clothes in the nal GO of 1921 introduced pro- tank should be stopped forth- portional reservation of jobs on with and that the locals be the basis of caste and religion taxed for the maintenance of and can be considered the be- the water. This was strongly op- ginning of the reservation posed by Sir Pitti Theagaroya policy in the whole of India. Chetty (1852-1925) and in the The Hindu Religious and vote that ensued, Dr. Nair was Charitable Endowments Board defeated. He resigned from the was set up and took over the ad- Corporation and this was to ministration of all temple lands. embitter his relations with Sir This was opposed by the ortho- Theagaroya. Matters would dox elements but received ‘Mylapore and the Freedom Movement’ was the theme of a walk led by Sriram V during Madras Week. The walk have remained thus and there wholehearted support from the included stops at C.P. Ramaswami Aiyar’s residence in Alwarpet (top) and the Andhra Mahila Sabha campus where the had not Dr. C. Natesa Mudaliar Paramacharya of Kanchi. The walkers paused at the statue of its founder Durgabai Deshmukh. brokered peace between the (Continued on page 6) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS September 16-30, 2015 A walk in the rain at Kelambakkam... he Madras Naturalists’ Spot-billed Pelican; Painted winged Stilt; House Crow; TSociety’s Kelambakkam Stork; Asian Openbill; Little Large-billed Crow; Red-wattled Nature Walk, a part of Madras Grebe; Spot-billed Duck; Lapwing; Ashy Prinia; Com- Week 2015 celebrations, pro- Fulvous Whistling-duck; Com- mon Myna; Indian Pond vided participants sightings of mon Coot; Large Egret; Little Heron; Common Moorhen; 43 different birds: Despite Egret; Cattle Egret; Grey Black Drongo; Pied Kingfisher; heavy rain before and during Heron; Black-crowned Night White-breasted Kingfisher; the first half of the Walk, there Heron; Striated Heron; Black Red-vented Bulbul; Spotted were 21 ‘bravehearts’ who Bittern; Whiskered Tern; Dove; Blue Rock Pigeon; Little Cormorant; Great Cormorant; The Kelambakkam walk ... in the rain. throughly enjoyed both the rain Black-headed Ibis; Glossy Ibis; and the sightings, the big bonus Greater Flamingo; Green Bee- Shikra; and Tailor Bird. being the three Greater Flamin- eater; Purple Swamphen; Pied Vijay The Justice Party in gos in all their glory. Sivkumar Crested Cuckoo; Eurasian Cur- Madras Naturalists’ Society Hariharan led the walk: The lew; Snipe sp.; Common Reds- Triplicane Bird List of sightings is: hank; Little Stint; Black- (Continued from page 5) in 1949 and become Chief Min- party, though outside office but ister of Madras in 1967. He lending support to Dr. P. would legislate to have the ... & on a search for butterflies Subbaroyan’s ministry in 1927, State’s name changed to Tamil Nadu and the rest is a story we he ‘Butterfly Walk’ at the Adyar played a crucial role in helping TTholkappiar Poonga during Ma- Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy table all know. Periyar may have been an dras Week was the first one ever con- her anti-nautch Bill in Legisla- ducted by the Madras Naturalists’ Soci- ture. atheist but this was something that many of the Dravidian ety. It was led by Dr. R. Bhanumathi, We then moved to what is Environmental Educationist. The walk today Sangeetha Café on politicians chose to be ambiva- lent about. It was perhaps ap- began with an introduction on butter- Bharati (Pycroft’s) Road. This flies, morphology, role in our environ- was once Murali Café that propriate that our breakfast, which saw an animated discus- ment and tips on watching in the wild. proudly sported a board that The 25 participants were taken around claimed that entry was only for sion on the future of Dravidian politics, was at Saravana Bha- the Poonga in small groups and intro- Brahmins. Those of other castes duced to spotting butterflies with their could take away food but could van, where we ate surrounded by pictures of Murugan, the identification marks, wing patterns and not eat there. This was where flight behaviour. The two-hour walk re- we remembered the role of Tamil deity, and of his – ardent devotee Kripananda Variyar. sulted in spotting and identifying 24 Periyar E.V. Ramaswami Naic- species of butterflies (listed below) ker (1879-1973) in the history including the not-so-common ones like of the Justice Party. He left the Congress in 1925 and by 1934 was firmly in the Justice Party’s fold. By then the party’s great Winners all! days were over. It was steadily losing to the Congress and it was Periyar who transformed it into the Self-Respect move- ment, launching the Dravida Black Rajah. Common Grass Kazhagam. The Justice Party Dart. faded away thereafter. In the the Black Rajah, Common 1950s, Periyar was to get his Grass Dart and Bush Hopper. followers to agitate against the The butterflies spotted were: Brahmin tag of Murali Cafe. A year-long legal battle, picketing Common Mormon (Papilio and violence was to follow. It polytes); Lime Butterfly was the Paramacharya of (Papilio demoleus); Crimson Kanchi who finally convinced Rose (Atrophaneura hector); the owner of the hotel to Small Grass Yellow (Eurema remove the offending word. brigitta); Common Emigrant That ended the matter. (Catopsilia Pomona); Small Our next stop was the house Salmon Arab (Colotis amata); of Chinna Kuthoosi aka R. Common Albatross (Appias Thyagarajan (1934-2011) at ... at the Tamil Medium Quiz... albino); Psyche (Leptosia Vallabha Agraharam, opposite The annual Madras Quiz for Tamil medium city schools was held on August 22nd at a hall in the P.S. School campus, nina); Blue Tiger (Tirumala the erstwhile Star Talkies. Mylapore. The quiz master was R. Revathi. The first prize was won by the team from Rani Meiyamnai Girls’ School, R.A. limniace); Striped Tiger Though a Brahmin, he was to Puram – S. Aishwarya, M. Suganya. The second place was the team from St. Antony's Girls’ School and 3rd was the (Danaus genutia); Plain Tiger be a staunch member of the team from Raja Mutaiah School, R.A. Puram. (Danaus chrysippus); Com- Self-Respect movement. He mon Crow (Euploea core); was a journalist and ideologue, Black Rajah (Charaxes solon); who was widely respected by all ... and at the Tawny Coster (Acraea violae); elements in Dravidian politics. power point Common Leopard (Phalanta We ended the walk outside The phalantha); Common Sailer Hindu’s old office at 100 Mount presentation... (Neptis hylas); Chocolate Road. From there, you get a Pansy (Junonia iphita); Lemon good view of Periyar’s statue Kombai S. Anwar, documen- Pansy (Junonia lemonias); and also that of C.N. tary film-maker and photo- Forget-me-not (Catochrysops Annadurai (1909-1969). The journalist, presented the first prize strbo); Lime Blue (Chilades latter, a staunch follower of to the PSBB, T.P. Road, T. Nagar team, which won the lajus); Common Banded Awl Periyar, would break away from annual Madras Day Power Point (Hasora chromus); Common him and his DK on account of Presentation Contest at Sastri Grass Dart (Taractrocera Periyar’s decision to marry Hall, Luz. The theme this year maevius); Bush Hopper Maniammai, a woman several was Heritage Churches of (Ampittia dioscorides); years his junior. Anna’s split Madras. Mylapore Times Parnara Swift (Parnana bada) would see him launch the DMK organised this event too. September 16-30, 2015 MADRAS MUSINGS 7

At the Madras Christian College exhibition... explaining exhibits and interacting with the visitors ... and the crowd to see how the trains run. Vestiges of Madras at MCC

he Department of History, ology, Government of Tamil Nalli Kuppuswamy Chetti, Tone of the oldest depart- Nadu, Department of History, Chairman Nalli Silks, while in- ment in Madras Christian Col- MCC, Government Museum, augurating the exhibition, lege, organised a two-day exhi- Chennai, Indian Air Force Sta- shared with a sense of nostalgia, bition, “Vestiges of Madras”, to tion, Tambaram; Integral his experiences of the city, par- celebrate Madras Week. Taking Coach Factory, Chennai, MCC ticularly of T’Nagar. S. Muthiah place in early September, the Archives, and Madras Veteri- delivered the valedictory ad- Highlighting built exhibition helped make it what nary College, Chennai, all had dress and hoped the exhibition may be called a Madras Month. contributed a variety of exhib- would have made visitors proud Exhibits, diverse in character, its. The most attractive features of Madras’s history. heritage showcased the growth of Ma- of the exhibition were a running The target group of the ex- The billboards on the Marina with which Inner Wheelers 323 highlighted the dras from its founding. On dis- model from the railways, a hibition was students and, as city’s built heritage during Madras Day. play were personal collections model of a Mirage 2000 from expected, it drew a lot of visi- of maps, portraits, stamps, rare the IAF, a speaking canon from tors from schools in the books, etc. of Dwaraknath the Fort Museum, and ship neighbourhood. Student from Reddy, Managing Director, models from Port Trust. over 20 schools (about 2000 Nippo Batteries, D.H. Rao, Special lectures were deliv- students) enjoyed the exhibits Winston A. Henry and Roland ered by D.H. Rao and Winston which some called a lifetime ex- Nelson. Henry on Buckingham Canal perience. Students and staff The Archaeological Survey and Tramways in Madras, re- from Madras Christian College of India – Fort Museum, spectively. A food court with a and other city colleges also had Chennai Circle – Chennai Port variety of traditional cuisines the same view. Trust, Department of Archae- was also organised. On the trail of nuns & temples A walk themed on the ‘Irish nuns in George Town’ (on right) was led by Vincent D’ Souza (in cap on right) during Madras Week. * * * Andhra Bank, Mylapore branch, organised a ‘Seven Sivan Temples’ tour in the Mylapore area to mark Madras Week (below).

Exhibiting the past Students and faculty of the Sociology Dept of Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Arts and Science College for Women, Audiappa Naicken Street, George Town, hosted a half-day Madras Day exhibition of old photographs and home accessories used in years gone by. It also featured photographs of Kotwal Chawadi and the Sowcarpet/Mint area shot by the students. A few traders from the Moore Market/Lily Pondy complex also displayed old coins, gramophones, vinyl records, etc. 8 MADRAS MUSINGS September 16-30, 2015 The Story of Madras he Marina was indeed the years of research Muthiah ings, old images, photographs Tperfect setting for the speaks as well as he writes and and portraits to make the story screening of the documentary narrates the commentary in a come alive. Although it was re- The story of Madras....Chennai chatty, conversational style. leased last year on Madras Day on the evening of August 22nd. For someone like me who had at the Amir Mahal by the Prince As the waves lashed the shore been a Journalism student of of Arcot, Mohammed Abdul and the stars twinkled that Muthiah at Bharatiya Vidya Ali (the first copy was received night (the rain Gods were mer- Bhavan it was a throwback to by Mrs Y.G. Parthasarathy, ciful) history came alive for the those days when he would hold Founder, Dean and Director duration of the film. For wasn’t students in thrall with his lec- Padma Seshadri Bala Bhavan on an extension of this sandy tures and have them hanging Senior Secondary School, and stretch that Francis Day of the on to his every word. It was a copies distributed to several East India Company arrived wealth of information that he schools) the film has unlimited 376 years ago to found a new recalled so effortlessly that left shelf life and is a great watch at settlement. After braving the many a viewer dumbstruck. any time. The visuals (Bhagat arduous journey by ship and an “Imagine he has put in more Singh and R Murali) and the even more treacherous masula music blended neatly and added boat ride, Day arrived in what G By A Special value and meaning to the film. journalist, author, and well- Talking of the crowd response known chronicler of Madras S. Correspondent Sujatha Shankar describes it in Muthiah calls no man’s than thirty years of research to one word, “awesome. Around sand.!!!!! give us this and that in a day seven hundred people watched The film, which has been and age when there were no it during the screening on Au- produced by the INTACH computers, no Google, no gust 22nd, and inspired by the Chennai Chapter was an idea internet, gushed a viewer. A overwhelming response a sec- conceived by its Convenor Ar- motley crowd of history buffs, ond screening was also held the chitect Sujatha Shankar a few heritage lovers, architects, stu- same evening. Since copies of years ago. The major highlight dents, bureaucrats and other the film had been to several of the film is the commentary by VIPs happily sat cross ¨Clegged schools, those institutions too S. Muthiah. It encapsulates on the sands and watched the screened it for their students. over 300 years of history deftly film. A Heritage map of Madras and neatly, tells us about the Talking about the making of designed by Sujatha Shankar many firsts that Madras scored, the film, Sujatha Shankar dis- was also released on the occa- its institutions, its buildings and closes that the original plan was sion by Dr Rani Vedamuthu Madras that is Chennai and It gives plenty of reasons to let its glorious heritage and much to record the commentary in a Chairperson, School of Archi- have some time to spare, the our hearts swell with pride for, more. No matter how many studio, but Muthiah preferred tecture and Planning, Anna map will help you explore the after all, wasn’t it in Madras books on Madras you read there to talk to a live audience .Thus University, and the first copy vicinity, Sujatha says that the seeds of modern India is simply nothing like hearing it it was that the talk which was was received by the Prince of The film is a must watch for were sown .Such initiatives are from Muthiah, a man who delivered at Madras Club to its Arcot, Mohammed Abdul Ali. heritage lovers, history buffs, indeed laudable as they help to knows the city best and who has members was seamlessly con- The map which was made pos- students of architecture and keep alive, preserve and protect history at his finger tips. Bring- verted into a documentary by sible by TTK Healthcare is a history and anyone who cares our natural heritage and built ing to bear his knowledge and Sujatha with intelligent inter- foldable, pocket-sized map. about Madras that is Chennai.. heritage. expertise honed by years and spersing of visuals map draw- “When you are somewhere in OUR ADDRESSES For matters regarding subscrip- tions, donations, non-receipt of receipts etc.: CHENNAI HERITAGE, 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, Royapettah, Chennai 14. Madras Musings now has its own email ID. Letters to the editor can be sent via email to [email protected]. Those who wish to intimate change of address can also do so provided the subscription number is quoted. For non-receipt of copies, change of address, and all other circulation matters: Madras Musings, C/o Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., 122, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. On editorial matters: The Editor, Madras Musings, No. 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014. No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters received will be sent from these addresses every couple of days to the persons concerned and you will get an an- swer from them to your queries reasonably quickly. Strange as it may seem, if you adopt the ësnail mailí approach, we will be able to help you faster and disappoint you less. ñ THE EDITOR September 16-30, 2015 MADRAS MUSINGS 9 Story of Madras Cotton otton (qut’n, qujun – Four cotton farms of 400 factories for the spinning of long C Arabic, cotoun – Anglo- acres each were established in cloths and salampores in the Norman, coton – old French, Tinnevelly, Coimbatore, Masu- southern districts of the Madras karparsa – Sanskrit) has been a lipatnam, and Visakhapatnam. Presidency. Unreliable rain pat- part of Indian heritage for long. The produce from Coimbatore, tern in the southern parts of The earliest reference to cotton 500 bales of 300 lb each, ship- Madras Presidency influenced occurs in the Srauta Sutra of ped by Heath to England, were the price of finished cotton to Asvalayanã (estimated 8th sent to China for sale. rise and, therefore, cotton ma- Century BCE), in which the One vital issue for Indian terials from southern Madras cotton fibre is compared with cotton was its inability to match Presidency were dearer than other fibrous materials used American cotton in quality. Be- those from the northern dis- by humans, such as silk and cause the cotton wool produced tricts (the Circars). Gossypium hemp. Herodotus (c. 450 BCE) in India included seeds, the barbadense and Brazil cotton indicates that cotton material Court of Directors of the East were cultivated by East India is the customary wear of Indi- India Company obtained pat- Company servants and by a few ans: ‘India has wild trees that terns of the most popular ma- private residents in Tinnevelly. bear fleeces as their fruits ... of chines that were in use in Geor- By the late 1830s the de- this the Indians make their gia and Carolina in America for mand for cotton fabric was in- clothes.’ separating cotton wool from tense in Britain; in the words of Shrub Cotton (Gossypium Barbadense) Marco Polo, the Venetian seeds. They engaged an Ameri- the Minute writer, importers that the boat Great Western had cotton in the Madras Presi- traveller who travelled in India can, Bernard Metcalfe, in 1813, were “almost bent on storming aboard seven experienced cot- dency. After his return to the in the 13th Century, refers to who for some years had worked India House unless a supply of ton planters from South Caro- UK in 1853, Wight published a Masulipatnam cotton material as a cotton-cleaner in Georgia, cotton were immediately ob- lina, Georgia, and Mississippi, series of short articles in as the finest and most elegant to work on this, but Metcalfe, tained from India.” who had been engaged by Gardener’s Chronicle and Agri- fabric known in any part of the after working in the southern The Court of Directors of Bayles and were proceeding to cultural Gazette of London refer- world. districts of Madras Presidency the East India Company, be- India. The same newspaper also ring to his cotton experiments The bulk of the cotton (Tinnevelly?) for some time, cause of repeated previous fail- indicated that three more were in Madras, and also a book re- fabrics imported into Europe to follow with cotton seeds, ferring in detail to his Madras from India in the 18th Century gins, and agricultural imple- experiments in 1862. Fierce sci- bore hand-printed floral de- ment. entific debates occurred be- signs. White cotton materials tween the American cotton with prominent floral motifs Between 1848 and 1858, the soil types suitable for cotton planter Thomas Finnie, then lo- particularly were popular, espe- cated in Tinnevelly, and Robert cially among the wealthy. Flo- cultivation were scientifically established in the Districts of Wight in Coimbatore. ral ‘sprig’ designs with tiny mo- Although I have referred tifs on pastel backgrounds were Cuddapah, Madura, Tinnevelly and Coimbatore. A general here to Wight’s experiments cheap and, therefore, were with cotton, we need to recog- popular among the less wealthy consensus was reached that the North and South American va- nise that a significant section of Europeans. In France, these these experiments was carried printed fabrics were generally rieties were of superior quality to Indian native cottons in out by the American farmers called ‘les Indiennes’ (‘the Indi- (planters, seed cleaners), who ans’). In England and in the terms of staple length and soft- ness of fibres. While referring to were recruited for this purpose American colonies, similar by the East India Company. terms prevailed: calico, derived the highly-prized long stapled G. barbadense (South Sea Island During the governorship of from Calicut, was a general The traditional l8th Century Indian method of deseeding. Lord Elphinstone, cotton ex- name for Indian cotton fabric, variety), Talboys-Wheeler re- found that his efforts to encour- ures with cotton cultivation in perimental farms were esta- including plain, printed, stain- blished in Madras. American ed, dyed, woven with coloured age Indians to use American Madras (and after other parts of G ‘Pages from History’ cotton was cultivated and stripes or checks, and chintz machines were futile and re- India), decided that the intro- turned to America. duction of American cotton by DR. A. RAMAN American saw gins were trialled was from the Hindustani for their efficiency, under the ‘chint’. The Northern Circars (mod- and procuring information on Charles Sturt University ern districts of Godavari, Visa- the cultivation of cotton in the Orange, New South Wales superintendence of Wight at Historical references to cot- the Coimbatore experimental ton in India speak of ‘tree’ cot- khapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, Southern States of America was Australia and Ganjam in Orissa) on the the solution. They deputed farm. Finnie, in Tinnevelly, ton, which should be Gossypium continually evaluated the reac- arboreum. Throughout the Coromandel Coast was long the Captain Thomas Bayles of the marks: “...very beautiful muslins seat of extensive production of Madras Army, who was then on are still manufactured by the tions of local farmers to his cot- world, three other economically ton cultivation trials and inter- useful species of Gossypium are cotton fabric, which was popu- furlough in Britain, to proceed native weavers at Dacca and larly known as ‘calico’ (the ‘Ma- to America to secure cotton Arnee.” Whereas Dacca muslin preted how each year’s crop per- known: barbadense, hirsutum, formed. He concluded that the and herbaceum. From the early dras’ long cloth) until the seeds and details of cultivation, is well-known, a note on Arnee 1830s. In Masulipatnam, dyed with an intent to engage people would be in order here. Arni American cotton varieties decades of the 19th Century, would never perform desirably from the time of the governor- handkerchiefs and scarves were qualified for the purpose of in- (Arnee) is a township in Tiru- produced for sale in Africa and structing and superintending vannamalai District about in this part of India. On the ship of Thomas Munro (1761- contrary, Wight considered the 1827), the Government of Ma- in the West Indies. The dyed Indians in the cultivation of 140 km southwest of Madras. fabric from Masulipatnam suf- cotton and the proper methods From the days of James Ander- climatic factors of Mexico, the dras was determined to culti- original home of the New vate G. barbadense (the bour- fered a setback in the 1830s, of cleaning it by machinery. son in Madras, who experi- because of the finished cotton This mission entrusted to mented with silkwork produc- Orleans cotton. He could see a bon cotton) in Salem and substantial level of similarity in Coimbatore, and entrusted the that was mass produced in Bayles was committed to se- tion and mulberry cultivation in Manchester and Glasgow. Be- crecy. Bayles was instructed to Madras in the 18th Century, climate between Mexico and responsibility to J.M. Heath, India. Hence he strongly advo- Commercial Resident in cause the cotton grown in the recruit 8 planters and 12 super- Arni has been in the limelight Northern Circars was neither visors (for cleaning and pack- for the manufacture of silk cated continuation of experi- Coimbatore. Heath communi- ments. Nevertheless the yields cated with George Arthur abundant nor good, the weav- ing) from America and they fabrics, which were of a unique ers depended on raw material were to arrive in India no later quality, known popularly as were unimpressive and the Hughes in Tinnevelly who had farmers could not be convinced been engaged in the cultivation brought by the nomadic people than December 1839. One of Arni silk and this township from the Mahratta land (mod- them was Thomas James retains its reputation to this to grow American cotton. of G. barbadense there for long. These unsuccessful out- Heath, having obtained in- ern Maharashtra), where better Finnie. The outlay for this day. quality raw cotton of better project was £100,000. The Tas- comes matched with the suc- structions from Hughes, suc- Around the same period, cession of Henry Pottinger to ceeded in growing G. barbadense staple length grew. The East In- manian newspaper Courier of Robert Wight extensively ex- in Coimbatore. dia Company had established October 13 (1840) reported perimented with cultivating (Continued from page 12) 10 MADRAS MUSINGS September 16-30, 2015 Committed to creating Two pages Champions (Current Affairs questions are from the period August 16 to t is a long drive to the Parry’s 31. Questions 11 to 20 pertain IBus Terminus. The buses do to Chennai and Tamil Nadu.) not seem so huge out on the road, but there in the neighbour- 1. On August 18th, which hood, we feel small and helpless southern Indian city’s airport as the big guys roll past! Just as became the first in the world to operate completely on solar one loses hope of finding the des- power? tination, a signboard is visible and we enter the compound that 2. Name the respected Kannada writer and Sahitya Akademi award encloses the Prime Sports Acad- recipient who was tragically shot emy. dead recently. It is early in the afternoon 3. Who was awarded the Rajiv and the sun shines straight into Gandhi Khel Ratna on August the eyes , but some of the young, 29th? prospective athletes of India are 4. Name the ‘Waterman of India’ already at it – some doing short conferred with the prestigious and brisk run-ups alternated 2015 Stockholm Water Prize on with long-stride walking; some August 26th. hang inverted from bars and do 5. The Union Government’s new stomach crunches and still oth- telemedicine initiative, in ers stretch their muscles in Getting of the blocks...while training. collaboration with Apollo preparation for the day’s train- of his last 24 years trying to make a Superintendent. The passion According to Coach Nagaraj, Hospitals, to provide healthcare ing. The brightly coloured jer- facilities in rural areas is called...? seys emblazoned with their team the difference and ten of those for athletics soon transformed the most crucial aspect of sports years were spent here at Prime into a passion for coaching. He training is understanding the 6. According to scientists or school names add a splash of Sports Academy that he formalised this by completing a physical attributes and psyche of belonging to various research colour to the dusty running organisations, gene THSD7A has tracks. It is not noisy and throb- founded. The Academy has seen 10-month Diploma in coaching the trainees and what to expect been identified as primarily bing with energy; quite the con- a few athletes who have held from the National Institute of from them in terms of technique. responsible for what worrying trary, the youngsters work but at national records and around 40 Sports, Patiala, and began his ca- He begins by saying that the health condition in Indians? an almost meditative pace; then athlets who have competed in reer in coaching with the SBOA body is a framework related to a 7. Which famous road in New there is a sudden burst of speed international meets. PSA is a College and School. He has been certain genetic make-up; the Delhi, named after a Mughal and all eyes turn to the clay track private coaching academy a favourite among athletes of best sport suited to one body emperor, has been renamed after in the centre, as two sprinters funded entirely by St. Joseph’s schools like Velammal and type may not be suited to an- a former President of India, A.P.J. race, raising a load of dust, and Engineering College which also Pachaiappa’s College Higher other – “simply said, a middle Abdul Kalam? just as abruptly ends with some pays the rent for the training Secondary School, some of distance runner cannot hope to 8. Name the micro-finance verbal exchanges, hand-shaking ground besides maintaining it. whom continue training with be a sprinter.” What is of prime company that recently became the and some good-natured back- Most of the trainees here are him at PSA. Some of his re- importance is the field or cat- first in India to start operations as slapping. The atmosphere of from the weaker sections of the nowned trainees include K.N. egory under which one is likely a full-fledged scheduled mentorship and mutual admira- society and can ill-afford to pay Priya and Revathi of St. Joseph’s to perform best, and where there commercial bank. tion brings a smile to the lips of for the coaching, much less af- Engineering College; Shanthi is a better likelihood of winning 9. Who on August 21st was spectators. There is such joy in medals. This, he says, requires sworn-in as the Prime Minister of sports! tremendous understanding. It is Sri Lanka for a fourth time? Far enough from the dust and now provided by research on 10. What is the aim of grime is a small cluster of trees human biodiversity. Apart from www.vidyalakshmi.co.in launched under whose shades sits a group the information, the athlete by the Government recently? of dedicated fathers and moth- must trust his coach who knows * * * ers. Snacks boxes and coffee from experience! He laments the 11. Which striking edifice in Fort flasks do the round, as do tips on fact that with the arrival of the St. George was built by Coja Nazar healthy diet, fads in running internet, information is available Jan, a rich Armenian, in the early shoes and some snippets of infor- to one and all which has led to 18th Century? mation on the latest in the field the deterioration of the coach- 12. Where in Mylapore did the of athletics. The one thing that trainee trust – in such cases, un- Justice Party release its first non- these parents have common is hurried diplomacy to communi- Brahmin manifesto in 1916? the dream they cherish of seeing cate with youngsters is another 13. Which institution had its their young one competing in aspect that influences coach- genesis in the Madras Handloom various athletic meets and one trainee bond. Weavers’ Provincial Co- day representing the country. “Training for athletics and Operative Society? And the man who has brought P. Nagarajan training athletes are two very 14. Which respected industrialist together all these people, hot ford high quality running and and Neelaveni were identified different things and, believe me, of Chennai is the author of summer notwithstanding, is the training gear. Nevertheless, from schools in rural belts and it takes a lot of mental strength T Nagar, Andrum Indrum, a boot founder of Prime Sports Acad- to be objective as a coach; body on the bustling locality? there are those who do pay a brought to Chennai by coach emy – Coach P. Nagarajan. princely sum of rupees fifty to- Nagaraj and went on to repre- constitutions being different, 15. Which distinctly-coloured The St. Joseph’s College bus wards membership. With a sent India at the Common- people perform very differently structure on Mount Road was in varied climatic conditions,” once called Lawley Hall? rolls in and we are joined shortly fairly large network of talent- wealth Games. These girls have by the coach himself. A few steps hunters, especially in the rural since passed out of college and he says. Both trainers and train- 16. What did Cochin House, near behind him is the college Track ees need to have a good rapport Egmore, become in the 1960s? belts, the numbers are ever in- are grateful for his guidance. and Field team and greetings creasing. The alumni of PSA Similarly, Kumaravel Premku- and trust in one another, in or- What was held for the first 17. and pleasantaries are ex- der to give the best. He explains, time in Spur Tank, Chetpet, too play an active part in keep- mar of Thanjavur too found his changed. Coach rattles out a few ing the academy going – proof way into Coach Nagarajan’s fold citing the example of athletes between December 26 and 31, from mountainous regions like 1927? instructions to his boys and then of this is seen on the Facebook and has since competed in the directs his attention towards the Sikkim, having trained under 18. Whose motto is Swadharme page of the academy. long jump event at international non-college trainees. He echoes Coach Nagarajan was born meets. He won the bronze in the low oxygen conditions even in Nidhanam Shreyaha (It is a glory to their peak physical and mental die doing one’s duty)? the same thought, “There is such in Arundavapuram in Thanja- indoor category at the Asian joy in sports!”, but in the same vur district. Born into an agrar- Athletic Championship in fitness, how they fail to deliver 19. If Vippore became Vepery, in the plains where the oxygen which was Kiliyur anglicised to? breath rues the fact that India’s ian community, he did not find China in 2012 and the silver in accomplishments in the Olym- too much support among family the same event last year in Pune. concentration is high. 20. Which church in Madras is pic arena do not match the tal- In recent years, he has seen dedicated to Our Lady of Health? members, though his sports- G. Gayathri and Dipika are ent that is available. skill did fetch him a career in current favourites in the sprint cultural differences play havoc (Answers on page 12) He has spent every moment Central Excise where he is now hurdle events. with his own athletes. His star September 16-30, 2015 MADRAS MUSINGS 11

Biomechanics, Physiotheraphy piring in the recent England- and Psychology. “Strike while New Zealand Test at Lord’s and the iron is hot!” he says. An elite umpire Leeds “wonderful.” He found “so of Sport Sportspersons should also be much importance for traditions given performance incentives and values. Umpiring in England like aid to study sports-related from Madras can be hard because of the subjects where they can con- weather and late swing.” tinue to contribute even after Ravi is among four Indian hurdler was to train at a camp in their prime. This is something he t’s been nearly 12 years since umpires – Vineet Kulkarni, C. Punjab and then in the US. Her is very passionate about and an Indian was on the Inter- I Shamshuddin and Anil Chau- metabolism that worked around hopes to bring about some posi- national Cricket Council’s dhary being the other three – rice and lentil or, in other words, tive change with the help of his (ICC) panel of Elite Umpires. who are serving on the ICC’s in- a moderate protein diet, did not wife Dr. Mrs. Grace Helina, who One of the country’s, and more ternational panel of umpires, the co-operate with a differed pro- is the Vice-Chancellor of Tamil specially Chennai’s, distin- level immediately below the elite tein-rich diet followed by strenu- Nadu Physical Education and guished cricketers-turned-um- panel. He is now convinced that ous weight training. Coach Sports University. His next mile- pire Srinivas Venkataraghavan more people can make the grade Nagaraj says that, though di- stone is to start a sports academy was the last Indian on that and credits the experience of of- ploma programmes for coaches that would offer short term cer- prestigious panel. Now, coinci- ficiating in the IPL over the last mention this in theory, tificate courses in the above- dentally, a second Chennai um- few years as the reason for im- sensitisation to these aspects of mentioned categories in addi- pire has been chosen from India proved umpiring standards. “In training is something that takes tion to Sports Administration. to be on the ICC’s elite panel. the last five-six years, Indian time to acquire. In this respect, “Those who know the pain and He is the 49-year-old S. Ravi, a umpires get to work with elite he says that there is need for tears that go into training will former club and university crick- umpires and referees from differ- understand the disappointment eter. ent countries. They get to inter- of rejection at boot-camps on ac- A post-graduate from Pachai- act with international players, count of poor administration. As Umpire S. Ravi. G by A Special yappa’s College, cricket was al- coaches, support staff and other for others who have no prospects ways a part of his life. An open- human being.” The one thing stakeholders. All these things Correspondent after their performing days are ing bat and a left-arm spinner, he that umpiring had taught him have made Indian umpires bet- over, we have to bring about a represented the Universities. He was to be humble. ter. A couple of them (Indian huge change.” also became a respected crick- But that does not mean that umpires) are now nominated for “Each and everyone of us has eter in the TNCA first division the World T20 qualifiers in more regional institutes like NIS league. He first played for YMA, he meekly submits to senior Patiala so that athletes can work been put in this world with an players on the field. He told a Scotland and Ireland. That’s a intent and purpose. We have then switched to ICF before big tournament for them. If they closer home and in more suitable moving to Reserve Bank, playing bewildered England fast bowler training conditions. been given unique talents to ful- James Anderson, who had do well, they can get on to the fil this purpose. We just need to first division from 1983 to 1991. emerging panel and move up the G. Gayathri, who completed Those were some of the stron- crossed 400 Test wickets at her MBA two years ago, has still search within ourselves to iden- Headingleys, pointedly how he ladder.” tify this and go after it! We can gest teams of the period. not found job-placement and was treading on the “danger Ravi has stood in six each be leaders in our own By 1991, Ravi had qualified says with resignation, “Those area” of the playing surface. Tests, including the recently right,” he says with great confi- as an umpire and was appointed who interview me on account of Television replays showed how completed series between dence and is an exemplar of this. my qualification feel my sport England and New Zealand, 24 P. Nagarajan, with his unrelent- pursuits may oveshadow my ODIs three of which were during ing work as a coach, mentor and contribution to their business. the 2015 World Cup – and 12 one who is trying to bring about G Perhaps they are correct!” With by A Sports Correspondent T20s. regard to this, Coach says that in a mass transformation in the at- training centres the world over, titude towards sport, is a fitting The experience gained from there is intense specialisation champion of Chennai. – Cour- these high-profile assignments tesy: Champions of Chennai, KSA to supervise games in the First correct Ravi was. But the has made him realise that and technological advancement Division. “When I umpired in warning was given to the player in the field of Sports Medicine, Trust). intense scrutiny comes with the first division here in 1992-93,” with serenity and calmness and territory. Ravi recalls, “the standard was Alastair Cook, the England cap- so high that it almost matched tain was forced to change ends “As umpires, who are umpir- that of the Ranji Trophy. for Anderson. ing at the highest level of the Umpiring in those matches Use of technology does put game, we are bound to be Till September 30: Reflections of An made my transition to first class more pressure on umpires, scrutinised by the media, the Autumn Sun: an exhibition of cicket easy.” according to Ravi. “You have to players, and the captains,” he paintings by JMS Mani, known Ravi umpired his first Ranji be focussed and learn to take says. “We should be prepared for for his impressionistic style and that. If you make an error, it will Till September 30: in/between the i game in 1999. Along the way, he things in your stride. There will the Badami series (at Apparao In- was guided by two former first be days when you may make a be highlighted, technology will exhibition of paintings and/Instal- finity) expose you at some stage or the lation by Thryambaka Karthik (at Till September 30: Everywhere, Ev- class umpires from the city, R. couple of errors. You can analyse DakshinaChitra Museum). Radhakrishnan and R.V. them after the match and get other. You should be prepared eryday, an exhibition of artworks for that, learn from that error Till September 30: A series of exhi- by different artists who explore Ramani. better. There will be times when bitions by five artists were chosen the five elements of nature and its everything goes your way too.” and move on. You can’t do Ravi has had interactions much about it.” and curated from the Ostkreuz relationship to the five senses of with Venkat who had taught Ravi agrees that instinct does School of Photography, Berlin, the human body (at The Leela play a part in umpiring as there He has a lot of “respect and Galleria). him to be relaxed while being at and will be presented at the are times when there is a lot of regard” for the late David Shep- Goethe Institut in the forthcom- the centre of the pitch and * * * ing months. The first two artists advised him to give decisions noise on the ground and you herd of England, who officiated 92 Tests and 172 ODIs over his and their works are: September 20-24: The Park’s New “with conviction and confi- have to take the cricketer’s body Arkanuam by Aras Gokten, fo- Festival 2015 organised by dence.” This was evident in the language into account. This is two-decade career. “He was a cusing on the relation of human Prakriti Foundation. Second Test at Headingleys particularly in the sub-conti- great umpire and great personal- beings to their urban environ- September 20: Book release: Leeds, when England played nent, where there is a lot of noise ity,” Ravi says, “The way he con- ment and architecture. Until the Lions by Karthika Nair New Zealand. Ravi came up and appeals for catches close to ducted himself and had such a Aus der Nacht tiefdunklem (at Alliance Francaise, 7 p.m.) with a decision endorsed appre- the wicket. good relationship with the play- Schatten by Katharina Ira September 22: AP ciatively by Third Umpire According to Ravi, fitness is ers is something fantastic.” Allenberg. The work is about Ensemble’s The Colliding Worlds Marais Erasmus who remarked: essential for an umpire as he has dreams, distant realities and On his job commitments, Project. Musical dialogue between “Great decision Ravi!” to stand on all five days of a Test. memories of them. With the Indian classical and folk with jazz Ravi will now need more time off visualisation of these thoughts, Ravi has spent sessions with “I do some gym work, running to from his day job as Special Assis- and hip-hop (at Sansara. The keep fit,” he adds. she immerses herself into a world Park, 8 p.m.). celebrated Australian umpire tant at the Reserve Bank of In- which seems to be far from real- September 23: EnFlighten- Simon Taufel which has also had On preparations for a match dia, where he has worked since ism (at Goethe-Institut). ment – A devised piece of physi- a huge influence on him. De- or a series, Ravi looks at a lot of 1989. “The bank has been kind Till September 30: Dancing cal comedy by Rupesh Till (at scribing Taufel as his mentor things like the venues of to me so far,” he smiles. And seaweeds, an exhibition by Sansara, The Park, 8 p.m.). and coach for the last three matches, the conditions to be what about his dream Catherine Lenior. Featured will September 24: Torobaka – A years, Ravi adds: “He is my idol expected, the teams and the assignment now that he finds be her etchings and paintings on dance duet by Akram Khan and as an umpire.” As an ICC Train- players. “And the weather, of himself among the world’s top seaweeds and classical dance Israel Galvan (at Sir Mutha ing Manager, Taufel had advised course. I factor in these elements umpires? “An Ashes Test match forms (at DakshinaChitra Venkata Subbarao Auditorium, 7 Ravi that in order to be a good and have a fair idea on what to at Lord’s,” he admits – (Cour- museum). p.m.) umpire, “you had to be a good expect,” he says. Ravi found um- tesy: Straight Bat). 12 MADRAS MUSINGS September 16-30, 2015

On the same side as the ‘Great KNOW YOUR House’, but shown as standing further south of it, which means it stood where Parade Square is today, was another FORT BETTER stately building. This was by the 1790s owned by Andrew Ross, Secretary to the (Continued from page 1) Government. With its front on Charles Sometime in the 18th Century, James Street vanished Street and its rear on Palace Street, it was – the buildings that separated it from Charles Street described as having ‘offices, the were demolished and the two roads became one broad accommodation of a family, and large thoroughfare – known in early years as Charles and spaces of Ground (all of which open into James Street and, then, just Charles Street. Perhaps this the Back Street where the Arsenal was an early instance of renaming streets, something stands, as well as into the street in Front)’ our city specialises in – in the early 18th Century, King and was offered on rent of 80 pagodas a Charles II was revered in public memory but not his month for housing the new Courts of Jus- successor King James II, who had been deposed in a San Thome Gate (Picture: Mukund Vedapudi). tice. This office later moved to the bloodless coup in 1688! James Streets. It appears to have been there in 1734 Choultry Gate Street, which then came In the early years, when the Fort was nothing more and vanished by the 1750s, most probably brought to be known as Court House Street. than the present area occupied by the Assembly and down by the French. The principal cloth godowns of Standing on Charles Street today, all this hustle and Secretariat, Charles Street had the Elambore River the Company were also on Charles Street, the one at bustle can only be imagined. But in its peace and quiet, flowing along its western periphery. Difficult though it the corner belonging to Thambu Chetty. Another we can easily conjure the procession that went down it may now be to believe, there was once a river wharf on dubash who owned a godown here was Tepperumal on July 24, 1727, to the accompaniment of “civic this street, with eight small guns mounted on it. This Chetty. These buildings were organised by function and authorities, a foot company and with all English was constructed in 1740, following a petition by the bore names such as Calico or Sorting Godown, the musick.” This was to celebrate the firman of the street’s residents. The river not being perennial “left Embaling godown and the Import Warehouse. Missing Mughal Emperor Farrukhsiyar granting the English the shallow grounds,” they said and added, “low swamps today is also Jearsey House, a stately residence with a continued use of Madras. which, by the heat of the sun, became a nuisance to the long history. Built in the 1640s by Agent Greenhill and – Sriram V Town. Your petitioners, at very great expense and used as his residence, this was in 1699 acquired by the trouble, have effectually prevented and remedied these Company for its Calico Beating Godown and Granary. mischiefs by building a Wharf Wall upon a foundation By then, it had passed through several hands. William of brick wells and filled up with lime stones and other Jearsey had bought it from Greenhill and enlarged it. A materials for cement. Your petitioners have also faced consortium of which Elihu Yale was a member later the said Wharf Wall with Iron Stone, and raised owned this building. In 1692, Sir John Goldsborough Madras Cotton thereon Brick Pallisades, to the great Ornamentation arrived in Madras to investigate charges against Yale. of the River and Beautifying the Prospect of the Town.” He was sworn in as President in Council (the equiva- (Continued from page 9) Today, not a trace of the river or the wall survives. lent of Governor), and eight months later, after a full the gubernatorial position in 1849 and marked disaster Also not traceable are several prominent landmarks investigation, exonerated Yale. He then embarked on to Wight and his cotton experiments in Coimbatore. that keep surfacing in Company records. The most a tour of Cuddalore and Bengal, leaving his wife and The Court of Directors of the EIC approved termina- curious is ‘A Statue of the Goddess of Commerce’ children as tenants of Jearsey House. Six months later tion of Finnie’s Madras contract, but directed Pottinger which was set up in a rectangle between Charles and he was dead and his family moved out. By the 1710s, the building had become a Charity School. All we know that Wight be reinstated as the superintendent of cot- of this house today is that it stood close to the ‘Great ton trials. Finally, in 1853, the experiment was closed Answers to Quiz House on Charles Street’. and Wight returned to the UK, retiring from active ser- 1. Cochin International Airport; 2. Dr. M.M. Kalburgi; Among the most important residents of Charles vice. The Madras Government withdrew support to 3. Sania Mirza; 4. Rajendra Singh; 5. Sehat; 6. Obesity; Street was the Nawab of Arcot himself. In 1758, shortly cultivating American cotton and the use of imported 7. Aurangzeb; 8. Bandhan Bank; 9. Ranil Wick- before the French unsuccessfully laid siege to Madras, machinery (e.g. saw gins). The experiments ceased. remesinghe; 10. To help students seeking educational Muhammad Ali Wallajah petitioned his friend and However, cultivation of American seed was not loans and ensure no student misses out on higher educa- withdrawn completely. In the early decades of the 20th tion due to lack of funds. Governor, Pigot, for a house in White Town, where he might “lay in a stock of provisions and himself retire Century, cotton cultivation in Madras Presidency had * * * stabilised with substantial effort made by generating 11. Admiralty House, 12. Raju Gramani Thottam near thither in case of necessity.” The house assigned to him new hybrids, particularly using what was then known the present day Citi Centre mall, 13. Co-Optex, 14. Nalli was at the southern corner of Charles Street, once Kuuppuswami Chetty, 15. The red Indo-Saracenic build- occupied by a Dr. Munro. On the approach of the as the Cambodia cotton. The most critical weakness in ing on Mount Road that houses the India Silk House French in December that year, Wallajah shifted in and managing the industry was that the co-operative credit showroom, 16. Asan Memorial School, 17. The All India remained there for some time. By the 1770s, with Fort societies in Madras were insufficiently developed to Music Conference that led to the birth of the December House being in a deplorable condition, Du Pre, the take up agricultural work; the envisaged improvement season, 18. The Madras Regiment, 19. Kelly’s, 20. Little would be if the Department of Agriculture sold selected Mount Church. Governor of Madras, shifted to Charles Street, as did his successor Rumbold. seeds on credit to farmers.

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