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Vol. XXII No. 6 MUSINGS July 1-15, 2012 Still no solutions to

The Stat(us)E of being woes caused You open your email. Let’s see now....delete, delete, boorrring, delete immedia- tely. Your eyes stray to the left hand by parking corner. Wow – lots of green. You (By A Special Correspondent) obviously know a whole Appa,bunch you of always cyber-space don’t have goof- to hennai adds around 400 new vehicles each day to its roads. While this may be dress off-ers.up in your 70’s clothes every time Cheartening for those who consider it an index of prosperity, it is a matter of worry youThen watch you seethe it.‘angry young man’ for those concerned with congestion and its accompanying problems of pollution. movies!A ‘status’ message peeping out And above all, there is the issue of parking, for which there appears to be no solution from under a name, stating: in sight. The Government has once again dusted and put out its idea of multi-level ‘Stepping on eggshells of thin parking at five spots in the city. But is this to be followed up with action? Past expe- ice...’ rience does not indicate this. Offered such delightful hokum, A recent meeting of town planners saw discussion on the subject and it is reliably you abandon email for this learnt that a consulting firm, which has been involved with many infrastructure far more promising avenue projects in the city, has recommended revival of the multi-level parking schemes. for imaginative speculation. These are to be located at the How to cross a road! Status messages can be such fun MUC Ground, the Broadway – and intriguing. Bus Stand, Government Estate, Like the one that goes: ‘I’m the T’Nagar and Gandhi Nagar. How do we curb cell-phone lost cause I was warned The last two will be single-level about...’ parking lots while the others A line like that offers some fasci- will vary between five and seven use on the roads? nating opportunities to re- floors. Overall, these will have think long held opinions, o country has taken to the the cell-phone can cause and The imbalance caused to cycles especially of people you think capacity to accommodate you know. around 1500 cars and 600 two- Ncell-phone the way India see what can be done to avert and motor-cycles when the user has. And it would be no exag- such tragic happenings in the is trying to cradle a phone and Another preaches: ‘Reach for the wheelers. It is a mere drop in the moon, you may at least bag ocean when you compare it geration to say that Chennai is future. talk into it is a very common some stars'. with the number of vehicles ply- a true representative of that The rules are all in place. reason for accidents. It is also Hmm....this has addicted-to-self- ing in the city. trend. It has been a great con- The Madras Motor Vehicles very often seen that those driv- help-books all over it. What is more, there is no venience leading to its rapidly Act, Rule 250A, clearly states ing two-wheelers hide their A martyred one sniffles: ‘I’m guarantee that these projects penetrating all strata of society. that usage of cell-phones while phones inside their helmets and going just so you’ll miss me.’ will ever take off. The Broadway But at the same time, it has driving is a cognisable offence continue talking into it. The Now that’s just sad – silly sad, at parking facility saw the tender proved to be one of the major that can be penalised by the most recent trend is the use of that. process being repeated four causes of road accidents. The RTO. The Motor Vehicles headphones. There is a view Status messages may have begun times over as many years and temptation to answer a call, no Amendment Act of 2007, en- that this is safe enough. But as a mere means of instant successive relaxing of norms be- matter in what situation a per- acted by Parliament, enhanced what is overlooked is that the indicators, but they’re fore a bidder emerged. There son is, appears to be irresistible, the fine for usage of cell-phone volume of sound is often set turning into an art form. are considerable doubts over resulting in mishaps which have very high and this drowns out G Is it a little like peeping into the commercial viability of such on several occasions caused By A Special the warning signals that are someone’s mind? lots. However, there has been avoidable casualties. Correspondent coming from surrounding ve- Or offering people deliberately some progress in the past couple This report is, of course, hicles. This is also the reason tantalising glimpses of your of months with soil-testing be- prompted by the recent top- while driving to Rs 500 for a why pedestrians overlook life? ing concluded and work ex- pling over of a bus as it rounded first-time offence. Subsequent speeding vehicles and walk Perhaps. pected to begin shortly. a curve on the Gemini Flyover. offences were to be fined at right into them. But hey – it’s a whole new world In a related development, While the exact cause of the rates varying from Rs 2000 to The police have been doing of ‘speaking’, ‘seeing’ and the CMDA relaxed its norms accident is yet to be established, Rs 5000. Yet, there appears to what they can to curb the men- ‘talking’ these days....and for multi-level parking spaces in rumours are flying thick and fast be no abatement in the usage of ace. Campaigns have been con- ‘reaching out to touch some- highrises. The concession to that the driver had a cell-phone phones while on the go. ducted. Counselling sessions at one’. build multi-level parking which in one hand while trying to steer What is interesting is that street corners after apprehen- the bus round a sharp curve at ding a certain number of defaul- Ranjitha Ashok was available for IT buildings this is done by users across the has now been extended to all high speed. This may not be whole cross-section of society. ters is a common sight across highrises and this constructed true, but the likelihood is quite Car drivers are perhaps the the city. But none of these has space will not be included in high, given the past record of most visible offenders as are had the desired effect. There As Biswajit, our cartoonist, is calculation of FSI. This has several accidents in the city. It probably two-wheeler users. appears to be a general feeling out of town, his cartoon does is time to take stock of what among individuals that such not appear this fortnight. damage irresponsible usage of (Continued on page 7) (Also see page 3) (Continued on page 8) CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS July 1-15, 2012 It’s fascinating to catch up with Of turmeric baths, nuptials & birthdays he Man from Madras ground. Some photographer is dinner, MMM’s pal replied T Musings is not a snob. He clearly laughing all the way to that he and his brood had believes in mingling with the the bank and a couple has just taken to living at the Club un- local history prols (short for proletariat) as made a complete ass of itself. til his household acquired its often as he can and when they Too often these pictures are domestic staff, the earlier in- very summer, I am coaxed to take a group of holiday makers on invite him for events, he usu- then compiled into an album cumbents having exited en Ea tour. A summer of 40 plus degrees is certainly not the best ally makes it a point to attend. which is brought and exhibited masse. Apparently it all started time of the year to go on picnic tours. But then the outdoors always But of late, given the kind of to those who did not attend the with the cook and the maid beckon you when it is holiday time for young people. invitations that do land on his event in person. who did not see eye-to-eye. This year my offer was a tour of the neighbourhood forts. And desk, MMM has been sending From the wedding to babies Both quit at the same time, out regrets left, right and cen- is but a hop, assuming the but not before the cook though history is not everybody’s favourite subject, my theme tre. For, there is much in the bride had her turmeric bath at publicly accused the maid of seemed to delight the group. conduct of these events that the right time Babies means er... going out regularly with There are a string of forts you can explore from a base in our MMM objects to. ear-piercing ceremonies and the chauffeur, who immedia- city if you set aside a weekend for this tour. The first concerns an ob- birthdays and these too have tely felt it necessary to resign, Start in the north, with a tour of Pulicat to explore the rem- noxious anachronism that is become big events. Cakes are not out of any sense of hon- nants of Dutch history, with traces of Portuguese presence here. referred to rather euphemis- cut, posters pasted in the sur- our, but out of fear that his A cemetery, churches, old houses and a huge waterbody by the tically as the ‘turmeric bath’. rounding areas, raucous music wife, who was not on the rolls, sea are must-see places in Pulicat. This is celebrated when a girl is played, and banners invok- would get to know of it from Fort St. George in north Madras is Stop No. 2. To me this is a attains puberty. MMM is ing the proud father’s favourite the watchman who was within always at a loss to understand film star/political leader are earshot. That cleared the fascinating place waiting to be explored many times over and it is as to why he is invited for put up. The last-named some- place of all the staff barring the best done on a Sunday. This was the seat of the English East India what is evidently a women’s times attribute the birth of the watchman in whose custody Company and the fort of the British. event. And when he does pass child to the film star/political the house was placed even as San Thomé is Stop No. 3. In the 16th Century, it was the hub by venues where such events leader! A Freudian slip? everyone moved into the of the trading Portuguese and they built their own little fort look- are held, MMM does notice Club. ing out on to the sea. Nothing remains since the British flattened that there are many men in Crisis of domestics We live in difficult times. the place to end all headaches of challengers. But if you sneak in attendance. the sea side of the Leith Castle area, you may be lucky to see fragile But is it really anyone’s he Man from Madras Such road names! remnants of what must have been the walls of a fort. event? Does a girl’s physical Musings believes in cast- T egulars of Madras Mus- The campus of Taj Vivanta Fisherman’s Cove in Covelong off process of growth need to be ing his bread on the waters. He celebrated with such public does not expect them to be re- Rings will doubtless recall the ECR preserves a slice of a wall of what was once a little fort. gusto? What does the child the Chief and some of his Further south, Stop No.4 has to be Sadras, a fort of the Dutch turned. That is his attitude, at feel like to see her photo put least as far as the pieces he assistants putting up a case for and another trading post. Located on the seaside, it lies in the vil- lage at the end of a road that branches off from the ECR in the Kalpakkam Atomic Power Plant region. Chambers, tombstones, tablets and the ramparts must be explored here. And if you still have the energy, then your final stop can be Fort SHORT ’N’ SNAPPY Alambarai, some 40 minutes from the Kalpakkam point on the ECR. Muck, tourist waste and massive fortified walls greet you. The fort, built in the 17th Century and in the Mughal era, was gifted to the French for services rendered by them to the local up on outsize banners around writes for this column are con- retaining some street names Nawab but was demolished by the British after they defeated the the venue announcing to the cerned.maid-of-all-work Some, which willhe feels go that commemorate our erst- French. world that she has come of backwill seeto thea flood Victorian of rejoinders, era and while British masters. That It offers spectacular views of the sea that washes into a lagoon age? MMM put this question willare bemet an with Abigail. stony The silences. driver plea was heard and the names will be Pilot. and the local kuppam. to some of his close friends Others that he just shoots off remained. But none can pro- There are lots of places to explore in our city and on its fringe. and the stock reply was that the cuff, hoping nobody will tect them from the mangling the child probably delights in Gamesnotice, sometimes drivers playraise the they undergo at the hands of Basic info and how-to-do guides and rough guide tips on the Web the attention. MMM begs to hacklesalking of of or drivers, touch aa couple ready the Electricity Board. That are required for the wanna-be city travellers. differ. He also strongly objects Tchordof withfriends some poured of the forthfaith- august body publishes its to the invariable positioning theirful and woes then to the The letters Man neverfrom power shutdown schedule in * * * of the photos of leading politi- Madrascease until Musings. the Chief And appliesironi- the dailies and The Man from arasingapuram is a small colony off Mount Road, now called cal figures just above the pic- callythe guillotine both incidents by way had of a tostony do Madras Musings reads the list Anna Salai. ture of the heroine of the hour withstatement the convoys to the effect of political that all just to get a good laugh out of N bigwigs. Its more famous landmark is Ritchie Street. Once the biggest in all the banners. And some- correspondence on the topic the names. And so have you times, there is even a line willThe cease first thereafter. story involved a heard of the following? radio market, it is now a buzzing hub of the electronics, computers which attributes the girl’s driverIn recent ferrying days, two one of topic his Makkees Gardens – and peripherals trade. coming of age to the politi- master’sthat has youngcaught children. the fancy The of Mackay’s Gardens Prof. Paul Montgomery from the UK is keen to know lots more cian! Wonder how our leaders carmany in iswhich the shortage they were of domes-travel- Prathapat Road – about Narasingapuram because he has an Anglo-Indian ancestry feel about this prowess that lingtic servants. came into MMM collision, if you with rec- Breithaupt Road and this will be part of his book on his family. they are credited with? In oneollect, of wrotethe outlying about it.cars Several in a Tadandar Nagar – One thread in his genealogical spread leads to this little colony their position, MMM would politicalpeople, varying bigwig’s from convoy.captains Todhunter Nagar which has been over-run by the computers market. have squirmed and vanished Securityof industry ensconcedmen promptly in their surrounded the vehicle but the Jermaiya Road – Prof. Montgomery assumes that the lady who married a Scots from public sight. But that is corner offices to the lowly be- Jeremiah Road soldier, the male progenitor, must have been born in why MMM is not in politics. driver,ing who showing drives his remarkable own car to agility, managed to jump out, Everady Colony – 'Nursingpooram' and that her dad got pensions from the FINS From the turmeric bath to work, have expressed their the nuptials was but a step in leapfeelings into on a thepassing subject. auto- All Eveready Colony (Friend in Need Society), located on the busy Poonamallee High the old days. Thankfully, that rickshawagree that and the vanish domestics to no oneare Cirucular Road – Road. has now changed. But these knowsnow rising where. above The their younger stations Circular Road FINS is yet another vintage institution of our city. Started in days, weddings have become childand soonburst ainto time tears will but come the Ammer John Street – 1822 by the merchants and community leaders of the city for the grander and noisier than ever olderwhen onethe hadaverage the presenceChennaiite of Ameer Jan Street less abled, it has provided shelter to mostly Anglo-Indians. and those who are of finan- mindwill have to summon to perform his his/herfather Stingkar Road – FINS and the Anglo-Indians who once resided in cially straitened means invari- withown adomestic phone call.chores. MMM The’s Stringer’s Street Narasingapuram may provide leads for the professor's research. ably have the most garish and friendonly task paid that for willthe bedamages spared Iron Manga Street – And since I had written about Narasingapuram in an earlier sound-filled bashes. MMM andwill beall that ended of mowing well, thethough lawn Ironmonger’s Street what happened to the driver is column, the World Wide Web made the connection and I have often wonders as to where the and tending to the garden and Border Thorram – finance comes from. Cards get athat bit isof becausea mystery. of theMMM fact fully that Borders Thottam been relooking at a colony that was once my backyard. bigger and bigger and, as for expectsthere won’t to seebe anyhim lawn at aor For- gar- Revisiting the past in small neighbourhoods can be a fascinat- the venue, unless it is decked muladen, what1 race with pretty our soon. construct- Also have you heard of the ing exercise. out in the best cinematic tra- ingThe highrises second on story every involves available a Pachchayappa’s Thrush? To help the UK professor, I will also make a trip to Christ dition, everyone is dis- smartplot. alec of a driver who after Must be quite a bird! Church and try to delve into the wedding registration records appointed. A recent trend is droppingBut to his come master back at theto air-the And so on… The list (and there. the putting up of pictures of portsubject. was Thein a other hurry day, to returnMMM the humour) is practically endless. Let this be a lesson to This Church, which has for its neighbours the Devi Cinemas the betrothed and to-be-weds home.was at Onhis theClub way and he perceived found a in all kinds of suggestive and convoya fellow-member of cars escorting who was one driv- of you, Chief, to let them well complex (it celebrated its 42nd anniversary in May) and Cosmo- alone. politan Club, also has a unique history. intimate postures, set against ouring upVVVVVVVVIPs en famille. Upon beingand an impossibly sylvan back- decidedasked as to to tag whether along. itThis was was for – MMM soon detected and he was (Continued on page 6) July 1-15, 2012 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

The cell phone culture is something that well-meaning people should fight against. N.S. Venkataraman Only true in parts M 60/1, 4th Cross Street Cell-phone menace Besant Nagar In MM, April 16th, you reproduced what the late batch of IRAS, the 1955 batch, consisted of 19 Chennai 600 090 N.S. Jagannnathna had forwarded on Tamil Brah- officers. It had a highly skewed linguistic distri- t is gratifying that the Tamil mins. When I first came across this a few months ago. bution. It consisted of six Punjabis, a Kashmiri, Nadu Legislative Assembly Auto answers? I sent it to my friend S. Krishnan, himself a a Sindhi, a Bihari, an Oriya, a Keralite, an I Tambrahm and who was the former Director of Andhraite and six Tamils. has banned the use of cell he letter in MM, June 1st, phones by MLAs in the Assem- Finance, BEL. He, while acknowledging the contri- Like so many of us, I too had been fed several Tcontains commendable bution of Tambrahms, cautioned against sterotyped bly premises. This has been long prejudices based on the supposed qualities of suggestions towards solving the charaterisation of communities by narrating his own particular linguistic groups. I was told that overdue and others should current autorickshaw impasse. experience when he joined the Railway Accounts Punjabis were go-getters but often tended to sac- emulate this example. However, two of the sugges- Service. He has approved its publication. rifice scruples in their quest for success. I had The cell phone has become tions evoke some comments. Captain S. Prabhala also an impression that they were not as religious a menace. Its use in workspots The suggestion to compel 9/8, Haudin Road as some other groups. (I found that my own including factories and offices is the sale of autos to drivers is Bangalore 560 042 group, the Tamils, were no angels in others’ affecting the smooth flow of impractical. Why should the eyes. We were supposed to be a bit more cun- he Tambrahms article is interesting. As is ning and calculating than others!) work and work culture. Even in present owners kill their goose, Tusual with such articles, it is only true in places of worship, where people which lays them golden eggs parts. But my experience with the fellow members of my batch exploded these myths. I found that are supposed to go and pray to when, on a single outlay, they Regarding the discussion about intelligence get mental solace, the use of cell and intellect, I would only point out a few facts. Ved Prakash Dang, with whom I shared my are gaining a sizeable (tax free) lodging at Calcutta, was perhaps the most up- phone is increasing at an alarm- cash return year after year? Of the four Indians who have won Nobel Prizes in Science, three are Tambrahms. The only right one among us. And when I accompanied ing rate. The priests doing There is no legislation/authority the mother of Prithpal Singh Bami to the poojas in temples and homes are to compel them to do so. Indian who figures in the list of the world’s greatest mathematicians is a Tambrahm. The Harmandir Sahib almost every day during my often seen suspending the poojas Second, the suggested cons- week’s stay at Amritsar, I was moved by her in the middle to attend to their only Indian who has won the world champion- titution of the 6-member Em- ship in Chess (and that too in all its three genuine devotion and her transparent goodness. cell phone calls, causing great powered Fare Fixing Board, different formats) is a Tambrahm. And the My Bengali friends had led me to believe that distress to the devotees. Some widely variant in its member- Indian who was ranked highest in the world in the Oriyas did not have particularly great artis- places of worship have now put ship as suggested, does not lend Tennis (No.3) was a Tambrahm. I think that tic and aesthetic sensibilities. But when Nimai up notices that cell phones are itself to frequent meetings to for a community that is 0.01% of India’s Charan Mohapatra revealed to me the sublime banned. Before commencing population, that is a fantastic record. beauties of Gita Govinda and the spiritual change rates. heights of Sri Aurobindo during a long moon- meetings and workshops, re- Having said that, this appar- Another fact that is relevant is the overlap between Tamil Brahmins and Telugu Brahmins light walk by the riverside at Garden Reach, I quests are made to switch off ently elusive problem that has felt ashamed that I should have allowed my mind the cell phone. But, people and between Tamil Brahmins and Kerala been plaguing the aam admi all (specifically Palghat) Brahmins. There is so to be polluted by baseless prejudice. rarely listen. During meetings these years (including frequent I can go on and on about this subject but I and conferences, chatting over much intermingling that it is difficult to octogenarian auto-users like pinpoint the foci of excellence, particularly in think I have made my point. In the very first cell phone is not uncommon, yours truly) is not insoluble. the Arts. For example, two out of the three session I take while teaching any course for disturbing the proceedings. I The solution lies only or mainly members of the Carnatic Music Trinity are MBA students I make it a point to tell the stu- wonder what these cell phone with the government. Telugu Brahmins. While the Telugu pedigree dents that if they wanted to become good as well enthusiasts did in earlier days As a first step, with resolute of Tyagaraja is well known, not many are aware as successful managers, they should not allow when cell phones were not determination, it should, in of the Telugu pedigree of Shyama Sastry. That stereotyped group prejudices to influence them available! is because of the dates of immigration of their at any time in their career. I would tell them that consultation with auto drivers’ they would be interacting with Banerjis, Zahiras There is no difference be- associations and the public (in- families. Here is an article I had written for the IRAS and Johnsons in their career, not with Bengalis, tween the educated and the not cluding the suggested 6-mem- Muslims or Christians and each one of them was so educated, the rich and the Golden Jubilee Souvenir. It gives my views on ber Fare Fixing Board, if neces- the subject of ethnic stereotypes. as likely to have the virtues and vices they them- not so rich people, men and sary), fix reasonable rates, tak- selves had in them. women, the young and the not ing into consideration the cur- ‘The Unified Gauge of IRAS This awareness, I think, is the greatest gift so young. All use cell phones rent living costs and reasonable I would like to highlight an aspect of IRAS that IRAS has given to me. I also feel that it is of without bothering about the lo- returns to the auto drivers/own- that is perhaps not unique to it but is neverthe- special relevance, particularly for our post nine- cation, unmindful of circum- ers, acceptable to all. Having less of great importance to me personally. My eleven and post seven-seven world. stances, causing disturbance to done so, the law enforcement ’ those around. agencies, including traffic po- to book by taking the trouble of for their behind-the-screen sup- Sangam texts has nothing to do It is not as if unavoidable dis- lice and magisterial authorities, reporting the violations port for auto drivers. Strong with elephants. cussions take place. Most of the should then regularly monitor promptly to the enforcing bod- government machinery alone 4. No Sangam text to date calls are for trivial matters and and rigidly enforce compliance ies. can make auto drivers behave has been corroborated by any exchanging pleasantries which by the auto drivers with a warn- It is only thus that this long- better. copper plate grant! can well be postponed. ing of stringent penalties, in- pending vexatious issue of fleec- 5. John Sullivan, Collector of The conditions have deteri- cluding suspension of driving li- S.R. Rajagopal ing by auto drivers can be Coimbatore (which then in- orated to such an extent that cences and auto permits. A few 7/12, Peters Colony solved. If trouble-free, honest cluded the Nilgiris), in one of many organisations think that examples, to start with, will Royapettah metering can work in other his notes (1821) has distin- disciplinary proceedings should help bring offenders quickly to Chennai 600 014 metros, why can it not be made guished between South Indian be initiated against employees book. A responsibility also vests to do so here with some efforts Yaanais in Sangam times elephants and the Ceylon ones. who use cell phones during of- with the user-public, who must by the authorities? fice hours and in workspots. not fail to help bring violators propos the review article Rev. Philip K. Mulley The other suggestions of the Aon Elephants (MM, June St Luke’s Church writer are worthy of implemen- 1st), I wish to point out the fol- Kotagiri 643 217, The Nilgiris tation. OUR ADDRESSES lowing: K.P. Mahalingam 1. It is incorrect to say that Another overlooked For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, non-receipt of 6-B, The Peninsula aanai of Tamil Sangam times our pieces on Iyengars and receipts etc.: CHENNAI HERITAGE, 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott 778, Poonamalle High Road has become yaanai of contem- cricket seem to have over- Road, Royapettah, Chennai 14. Y Chennai 600 010 porary usage. Sangam texts ac- looked the granddaddy of them Madras Musings now has its own email ID. Letters to the editor can tually contain no less than 350 be sent via email to [email protected]. Those who wish Implementation needed all – K. Seshachari who was the clear references to yaanai. Sepa- wicket-keeper of the Indian to intimate change of address can also do so provided the eader K.R. Baliga (MM, rate references to kaliru (male subscription number is quoted. For non-receipt of copies, change of team that went on an unofficial address, and all other circulation matters: Madras Musings, C/o RJune 1st) has scripted rules pachyderm) and to pidi (female tour of England in 1911. T.V. Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., 122, Greames Road, Chennai for Chennai autos. We have pachyderm) have not been in- Parthasarathy kept wicket for 600 006. enough ordinances to keep auto cluded in this count. India in the Calcutta Test On editorial matters: The Editor, Madras Musings, C/o Lokavani drivers in check. But there is 2. One particular Sangam against the Australian Services Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., 122, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. hardly any implementation. text (Akam 169) is of some team captained by A.L. Hassett No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters received will be ‘Meter podu’ is a non-entity in interest.The text says that the that toured India in 1945 after sent from these addresses every couple of days to the persons Chennai. left-over flesh of an elephant af- the World War. While I am not concerned and you will get an answer from them to your queries When fuel costs are diffe- ter being devoured by a tiger is reasonably quickly. Strange as it may seem, if you adopt the ‘snail mail’ sure, he too was probably an rent, Government must fix rates said to have been carried away Iyengar. approach, we will be able to help you faster and disappoint you less. according to fuel utility and en- by the Maravar of Paalai zone – THE EDITOR force them. Corrupt traffic po- for their own consumption. K.V. Ramanathan lice personnel must be booked 3. The veryattu referred to in [email protected] 4 MADRAS MUSINGS July 1-15, 2012

G Looking back A newcomer’s search for a home

(Continued from Devaraj (CTD), proprietor of not prepared to give us the NOC last fortnight) Jayalakshmi Industries at even for this building. In fact, we Basudev Street, T’Nagar. He were sent running from pillar to rom 1953 to 1957 I was very had been the Private Secretary post. We felt that someone must busy with the foundation low in St. Thomas’ Mount. spoke about the ingenuity of F of S.B. Athithan (founder of be causing trouble for us! work for ALVITONE, the Twenty years later, it moved Nadar making such machinery the Dina Thanthi group of pub- Eventually, we met Chief brainchild of Thangaraj Nadar, into its own building in even though he was not a tech- lications), when the latter was Minister Kamaraj. Thangaraj a person from the rural interior Pallavaram, next to Lakshmi nically qualified person! in Singapore. Athithan was a told him that he was completely who brought out a food product Talkies and opposite TTK’s Nadar’s lack of knowledge of strict disciplinarian and had all engrossed in the work of commis- Maps and Atlases. English and any other language equivalent to Ovaltine! details with him whenever he sioning the various equipment of Thangaraj Nadar’s interest To the great relief of Than- except Tamil, was no great im- visited a Government office! the laboratory and that garaj Nadar, Govindaswamy, pediment for him! He was a in establishing an energy bever- Devaraj was trained by him. Theetharappan, who contacted age factory was due to an un- Naidu and Theetharappan, the regular visitor to the Kirana Devaraj’s father, C. Thangavel officials and private concerns, happy incident in his life. In VIPs from the Area Comman- Merchants’ Association at Mudaliar, was in Singapore would provide full details. I 1952, when one of his children der’s Office and St. Thomas’ Sowcarpet to make purchases during the 1940s. They had a pointed out that we had applied was seriously ill, he went to pur- Mount Cantonment on reach- of raw materials for house in Arcot Mudali Street for a Trade Mark on 23.7.1955 chase a tin of and ing ALVITONE Laboratories ALVITONE manufacture. Ovaltine in T’Nagar, next to the late and had been given the No.170, couldn’t get one as the product immediately went up to Chief The kirana merchants in the MGR’s house. The AIADMK 133. We also provided all the test was in short supply. A friend Minister Kamaraj and stated 1950s were all North Indians party was inaugurated in reports, including those from the suggested that if he were to visit that the relevant NOCs from and the main languages they Devaraj’s house. CTD had a Central Food Technological Re- the Area Commander’s Office spoke were Hindi and Gujarati. Spencer’s he could get a tin. On number of industries in Ma- search Institute, Mysore. I then reaching Spencer’s (the old and the Cantonment Office But Nadar had no problems building), which started with a would reach ALVITONE Labs communicating with them. Post Office on the eastern side in a couple of days. Kamaraj had Nadar, till his death at 62, and ended on the western side G V. THEETHARAPPAN advised us to also invite the dis- was constantly on the go, look- with the Bakery Section, he tributors of rival product, and ing for new opportunities. hesitated to enter the complex recalls his days with ALVITONE they all attended and went Footnote: In the middle of and stood by the Post Office. A around the factory along with 1956, when ALVITONE was person who came out of the VIPs! doing well, my father, for no Spencer’s enquired why he was dras and in Dindigul. He pur- mentioned that we felt represen- In those days there were bev- reason at all, decided to sell our waiting and on hearing what he chased a big unit owned by tatives of rival products in India erages like Bournvita, Oval- Orme’s Road bungalow and needed informed him that if he K.C.P. Ltd. in Virugam- were influencing the Canton- tine, Barlova, Nestomalt, asked me to resign from the were to give him the amount he bakkam, developed a mini- ment authorities to refuse us the Ovomalt, Potsum and a few partnership of ALVITONE would procure a tin for him industrial estate in the land NOC for a building. Kamaraj more. Except Ovomalt, all the Laboratory. I tried my best to from the relevant department. that came with it and called it promised to help and advised us others were imported products. convince him that ALVIT- Nadar gave him ten rupees and Paramount Gardens. He also “to distribute the invitations for Ovomalt was manufactured by ONE would be a success and it was told to wait for an hour or had a big nursery in this the inauguration of the factory.” one Ramanujam of Omalur (Sa- would be better if I were to con- so when he would return with garden. He was our mentor. Before setting out to distrib- lem) and each batch of the tinue. When Father attended a the product. After waiting for We contacted two brothers ute the invitations, we had lunch product took nearly a month to function at Dasaprakash, M. over an hour, Nadar realised in Triplicane who had a pala- at Geetha Café in T’Nagar, then manufacture as it used fer- Bhakthavatsalam, then the that he had been duped by the tial building in St. Thomas’ the leading café there. Those mented pulses and the process PWD Minister, to whom I had trickster. He returned home de- Mount Cantonment just op- days, Geetha Café would always of the germination took nearly mentioned about Father’s de- jected, but immediately vowed posite the Area Commander’s be full of Telugu film personali- a month. It was indeed a very cision, advised Father to let me to start a small factory to manu- Quarters. We applied for ties. After lunch we went to good energy beverage, but as stay on with ALVITONE. facture a product similar to NOC permission to the Can- Jayalakshmi Industries to meet Ramanujam had certain diffi- Later, during one of his meet- Ovaltine. tonment Board but our appli- our mentor, CTD, and briefed culties, a leading press baron ings with Kamaraj, Thangaraj Kamaraj, the then Chief cation was rejected. Then, him on developments and got his took over his concern, but Nadar told him about Father’s Minister of Madras State, did near the Asarkhana Corner in advice for our future actions! somehow failed to make a go of decision. A couple of days later his best to help us start Alvitone St. Thomas’ Mount, we found ALVITONE Laboratories was it. The foreign products were Kamaraj surprised Father by Laboratories. So did C.T. a big building with a large open inaugurated by Kamaraj on July costly and were also in short calling on him. My parents and area. The Cantonment was 7, 1957 at Asarkhana, a bunga- supply. The Defence Minister of a cousin, S.T. Thiagarajan India at the time, N. Gopala- (Secretary of the George Town swami Aiyengar, helped Ovo- Co-Operative Bank) were as- malt and ALVITONE find a tonished by this sudden visit. Search for another formula place in the Defence Depart- Before broaching the subject ment Stores as they were the which he wanted to speak with nce, Thangaraj Nadar and I, after inspect- I also recall that on Bunder Street in George only Swadeshi products in the Father on, he enquired from Oing some work at P. Natesan & Co Town, there used to be a small kiosk (during the energy beverage category! Thiagarajan about P. Natesan’s (Triplicane), drove to Egmore Station so that 1950s) where a portly middle-aged man used to It took from 1954 to 1957 for method of working as Bank’s Nadar could travel to St. Thomas’ Mount. On sell a very tasteful yellow-coloured cool drink Alvitone Laboratories to be in- President. Dr. Natesan was a our way, we stopped at Shama Bhatt’s Udipi from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Many of the British firms augurated after all the stum- leading venereologist in the Hotel, which was next to the old Egmore Post on First Line and Second Line Beach, Thambu bling blocks in its way were State and was a prominent fig- Office and the then famous Account Test Chetty and nearby streets used to send their or- overcome. ure in the co-operative move- Institute on Commander-in-Chief Road, to derlies (mostly Telugus who used to be always have our breakfast. Shama Bhatt’s restaurant busy with their thakkalis drawing out cotton When the first Director of ment also. A few decades later was famous for its Mangalore bonda and thread from balls of cotton during their spare the Central Food Technological the State Co-Operative Train- Mangalore khashayam. I had known Shama time) to this shop to bring them the yellow milk Research Institute, Mysore, V. ing Institute at Anna Nagar Bhatt during my school days, in the early 1940s, in flasks. Thangaraj Nadar knew this vendor Subramaniam, along with a few was named after him. But when when he had a very small restaurant near the well, as they used to meet at the Kirana Mer- scientists, visited Alvitone he returned to the main matter Madras Veterinary College (Periamet). Later, chants’ Association when they went to purchase Laboratories at St. Thomas’ for which he was visiting us, he shifted to Commander-in-Chief Road and their raw products. Mount, Nadar took them Kamaraj was not successful then he built handsome premises on Egmore Nadar tried his best to get the secret formula around the laboratory and ex- with Father (who was a few High Road, which housed the restaurant called behind the yellow drink from the vendor but, plained to them in Tamil the years older than him) who Matsya. Most of the Udipi and Palghat Brah- despite all his cajoling, failed. The vendor, due min restaurants served the khashayam drink in to his ill-health, closed the shop in 1962 or so, salient features of the machin- bluntly refused to allow me to the mornings. and a wonderful secret was lost. ery (all made by him). When I continue with ALVITONE – V.T. accompanied them to Central Lab. Station after their visit, they (Concluded) July 1-15, 2012 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 When Madras went on the AIR

he first regular broad- service to broadcasting in as education, T casting station in the world Madras. health, hygiene, is believed to have opened in Madras Province’s second home remedies, Pittsburgh, USA, in 1920. In station was the Trichinopoly sports, science England, programmes were suc- Station opened by C. Rajago- and cookery. cessfully broadcast by the palachari, Prime Minister of Music les- Marconi Co. from Chelmsford Madras, on May 18, 1939. sons were on February 23, 1920. In He inaugurated the station broadcast two November 1922, the BBC, with with the following announce- or three days a John Reith as its managing di- ment: “Good morning, week, with rector, went on the air with Trichinopoly. This is Rajaji. many stalwarts taking classes. ted the Ministry to issue that regular programmes. You are hearing the first broad- In order to help interested order is not known. In 1946 the The Madras Presidency cast of AIR from Trichinopoly.” listeners follow the teaching, all DG received a letter from G.T. Radio Club was formed less The station functioned out of a the details of the song – its raga, Sastri, Station Director, Trichy, than two years later, on May 16, single room on William’s Road arohana avarohana, tala, requesting that ‘Vanoli Nila- 1924, by a group of dedicated in the Cantonment area. Dur- notations, the lyrics – and also yam’ be allowed to be used to amateurs led by C.V. Krishna- ing its initial days, the station names of the composer, teacher identify and describe his station. swamy Chetty. It broadcast Victor Paranjoti covered just 20 km and trans- and the students were given in The matter seems to have rested there. daily programmes from July 31, When AIR started its station mitted only for a few hours a Vanoli for the corresponding In December 1957, the DG 1924, using a 40 watt trans- in Madras it had the good for- day, with a five KW medium period. Noted litterateur conveyed the view of the Min- mitter. It was later replaced by a tune to have Victor Paranjoti as wave transmitter. Chitti edited Vanoli for several istry to use ‘Akashvani’ in all 200 watt one, with which a 2½ its first director. He had a good The first director of the years. announcements in Hindi and hour programme of music and knowledge of Western music. Tirchy station was S. Gopalan. * * * other Indian languages, and to talks was broadcast every even- He introduced Western music P.G. Sounderrajan, better retain ‘All India Radio’ only for ing (with a special morning in the programme, mostly known as ‘Chitti’, worked in the A few words about how AIR use in programmes (and an- transmission on Sundays and played by members of the Tirchy station during its initial came about. In March 1926, the nouncements) in English. The holidays). The Club was located Anglo-Indian community. This period. He described Gopalan Government of India entered Trichy Station Director in- in Holloway’s Garden, Egmore. was before Handel Manuel as follows: “The station director into an agreement with a formed the DG that the order When it had to close down joined AIR. Paranjoti was res- Gopalan had trained himself in private company called the had been complied with, but in October 1927 due to fina- ponsible for developing broad- wireless by sheer genius… The Indian Broadcasting Co. Ltd. pointed out that there were ncial difficulties, the trans- cast in its totality. workers there proudly equated (IBC) to operate two radio vehement and violent agita- mitter was presented to the Paranjoti was deeply com- him with Marconi. Though stations – in Bombay and tions, and even hunger strikes, Madras Corporation which mitted to the cause of music there was an engineering sec- Calcutta. against the use of Akashvani in launched a regular service on and to the maintenance of high tion with a chief as its head, When the Government Madras Province. It was then April 1, 1930 from Ripon Build- standards. He used to visit the Gopalan’s technical expertise decided to draft the services of ing. The Corporation Radio Sta- experienced personnel from clarified to the Trichy Station tion broadcast entertainment BBC to run these stations, Director that the word ‘Akash- programmes every day between G Excerpts from an article by Lionel Fielden assumed charge vani’ had been taken from 5.30 and 7.30 p.m. In addition, as Controller of Broadcasting in Kannada – the Mysore station it also aired music lessons and S. SANKARANARAYANAN August 1935. Within a short which, when started, was origi- stories from 4 to 4.30 p.m. for time he took complete control nally known as ‘Akashvani’. children on school days. ‘Gra- of the Company and he persua- The matter went up to the level mophone music’ was broadcast homes of many listeners to get made him an ideal boss.” ded the Viceroy, Lord Linlith- of Union Home Minister from 10 to 11 a.m. on Sundays their feedback. In those days, Gopalan later served as sta- gow, to discard the name Indian Govind Vallabh Pant who and holidays, and ‘European listeners used to throng places tion director in Madras and State Broadcasting Service and spoke to Madras Chief Minister music’ on one Monday every like Mylapore beach, T’Nagar then Calcutta. He retired as adopt the name ‘All India Ra- K. Kamaraj in this regard. Even- month from 5.30 to 7.30 p.m. Park and the Marina opposite Deputy Director General of All dio’. In spite of vehement oppo- tually, the Ministry communi- Six loudspeakers were instal- the Fort to listen to AIR India Radio. sition from his own Secretariat, cated that it had no objection led at the Marina, Robinson broadcasting through kiosks. When AIR took over the the Viceroy accepted the name to the use of ‘Vanoli’ to denote Park, People’s Park and the Paranjoti would frequent even Madras Corporation Radio and with effect from June 8, 1936. It radio. High Court Beach, to be opera- these places to get listeners’ started its own broadcasting, became the official date of birth The touchy issue was raked ted in the evenings. Small feedback! Such was his devo- the Madras station began bring- of All India Radio. up again in May 1982 by the indoor receiving sets were also tion and commitment to his ing out two programme journals According to one version, Hindi Advisory Committee of provided in 14 Corporation work. – Vanoli in Tamil and Vani in the signature tune of All India the Ministry of Information and schools. This service continued AIR had an audition system Telugu. Vani was discontinued Radio was composed by John Broadcasting which recom- till June 16, 1938, on which in place as early as the 1940s. after six issues, but was re- Foulds, Director of Western mended that the name All In- date the station was taken over Music supervisors were appoin- started on May 22, 1949. Un- Music in Delhi, together with dia Radio be changed to Akash- by AIR on its starting its opera- ted “to assist the station direc- fortunately, these journals Walter Kaufmann, his counter- vani in all its non-Hindi and tions. The AIR station, located tors in auditions, rehearsals and ceased publication on April 1, part in Bombay. Another ver- English programmes as well. on Marshall’s Road, Egmore, training of artistes”. According 1987. sion had it that it was composed Unaware of the earlier stormy was inaugurated by Lord Ers- to that scheme, Vidwan S. Raj- Each issue of Vanoli covered only by John Foulds. It is also history, Minister of Information kine, the then Governor of Ma- am held that position in Madras the programmes relating to a said that it was played by noted and Broadcasting Vasant Sathe dras Province. Nagaswara mae- from 1944 till his retirement in fortnight – one issue for the pe- violinist V.G. Jog. The instru- accepted the recommendation. stro Tiruvengadu Subramania 1977. riod 1st to 15th and the second ments played were the tambura Anticipating serious trouble in Pillai gave the inaugural con- AIR was shifted to its own for the period 16th to 30th/31st of and violin. , Chief Minister cert. newly constructed building on the month. It gave detailed in- On October 24, 1941, AIR M.G. Ramachandran took up The Madras station on that South Beach Road (now Kama- formation on the programmes was placed under the newly cre- the issue with Prime Minister inaugural day also had a concert rajar Salai) near San Thomé on for Chennai A and Chennai B, ated Ministry of Information Indira Gandhi who was then by D.K. Pattammal. S. Rajam July 11, 1954. The programmes Tirchy and Pondicherry, besides and Broadcasting. In February abroad. And she promptly rang gave a concert on the second in the first transmission on that giving highlights of programmes 1943, AIR moved to Broad- up Sathe and countermanded day, with Govindasami Naicker day from the new studios com- of some other stations in the casting House on Parliament his orders, restoring the status (violin) and Madras A. Kannan menced at 6.55 a.m. with a South. It also devoted two or Street. quo! (mridangam). He gave a con- short alapana in Todi by T.N. three pages to provide brief On April 25, 1942, the Di- Tamil Nadu stations con- cert on AIR’s golden jubilee cel- Rajaratnam Pillai. At the silver information on important rector General (DG) of AIR is- tinue to say ‘All India Radio’ ebration with the same accom- jubilee celebration of AIR in programmes, the text of talks sued instructions to all stations and ‘Vanoli Nilayam’ – for ex- panists. And, as desired by AIR, 1961, Krishnaswamy Chetty re- given on the radio, and several that ‘All India Radio’ should ample, “All India Radiovin he sang the same items he had ceived a commemoration award interesting articles on com- not be translated into any of the Chennai Vanoli Nilayam.” – sung 50 years earlier. in recognition of his pioneering munity and family welfare, such Indian languages. What promp- (Courtesy: Sruti) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS July 1-15, 2012 Growing from Our Cars, 1962-2011 1960-61 Update for 2010-11 (Current Affairs questions are Total production from the period June 1st to of automobiles 54,800 2.9 million 15th. Questions 11 to 20 per- the Suzuki tain to Chennai and Tamil Commerical vehicles 28,200 566,600 Nadu.) Cars, Jeep & Land 1. Which African nation’s ousted Rovers 26,600 2,335,100 President was sentenced to life im- to the boom prisonment on June 2nd for his Two-wheelers 900 10,510,300 complicity in the killing of demon- Tractors NA 383,400 strators in the 2011 revolution? (Continued from last Omni. Each time the collection 2. For what occasion was a flotilla fortnight) was a staggering Rs. 140 crore. of 1000 ships seen on the Thames emerge as a significant producer the USA 12 per cent of sales, it The frenzy hit the roof when on June 3rd, the largest on the of automobiles (that was the was a piddling 2 per cent in In- river in 350 years? Maruti opened bookings for the G time Ford Motor Company an- dia. When the car market was Maruti 1000 cc cars: 250,000 3. On June 4th, which sports per- nounced its interest to set up a Dr. Hegeman wouldn’t be- opened up to foreigners, applications each with a deposit sonality was sworn in a Member of production facility in India and lieve it. He said: “This looks like the Rajya Sabha? there was a flood. Ford, of Rs. 25,000 aggregating to Rs. other global players too were coffee expenses!” I reaffirmed 4. The last such instance of which Hyundai, Honda, raced 625 crore! thinking on similar lines). that in the previous year Maruti astronomical event in the 21st True, many bookings were into India with FDI money. Dr. Hegeman pointed to the spent around Rs. 800 million on Century was witnessed between speculative, with banks offering Today, they are perceived low level of production in India employee costs on a turnover of June 5th and June 6th? the deposit monies at attractive as being more Indian than and to the absence of a strong around Rs. 42 billion. 5. Name the celebrated author of rates of interest! the good old sturdy R&D. He was right: at that After 2000, India witnessed such Science Fiction classics as Finance managemnet at The Martian Chronicles and Fahr- Amabassador. time: total prodcution of auto- a rapid growth of its automobile Maruti was of a top class. The enheit 451, who passed away re- mobiles, including cars and industry riding on the prosper- company paid around 7 per cent cently. commercial vehicles, was less ity enjoyed by the middle class anjay Gandhi, once heir to on the deposits but lent it to 6. Which country has become the than 0.25 million, while the US and on facile financing by banks second country after the UK in the the throne, may have been public sector corporations at 15 S was consuming around 15 mil- and finance companies. Japa- world, to introduce binding targets guilty on several scores. But he per cent. S. Natarajan, then Di- lion cars annually. nese, Korean, American and on climate change? wasn’t guilty of lacking in rector – Finance, Maruti, joked: But I pointed out to him the European car manufacturers set 7. What aviation feat was vision. Thanks to him, the first “For several years in the begin- cost advantages which would up shop in quick time and ex- achieved by Solar Impulse on June major break came in the 1980s. ning, the company made more 6th? make India extremely competi- panded volumes. Today, India He dreamt of a small car with produces around 3 millin ve- 8. The size of which coveted cen- high volumes. Enter Maruti. tury-old global award is being re- hicles annually and is slated to The dream did not make much duced by 20 per cent in order to G Driving Down Memory Lane double this over the next five progress. After his untimely avoid an undermining of its capi- years. death, Indira Gandhi entrusted tal from a long-term perspective? with A welcome feature of this is the task to V. Krishnamurthy 9. Whose record of six titles at the attention paid by Indian Roland Garros did Rafael Nadal (VK). S. VISWANATHAN manufacturers to research, de- overtake by winning his seventh In collaboration with Japa- velopment and innovation. The French Open title recently? nese Suzuki Motor Company, volumes gained and the stiff 10. Oxford University researchers VK raced ahead in setting up money by financial engineering tive: “Look at the factors of pro- competition have aided this. have dated to the first century AD production facilities for 100,000 the remains in Bulgaria of which than on product sales!” duction: land and building costs Tata Motors and Mahindra & 800 cc small cars. Like influential Biblical character? VK and the leaders from in India are far lower than those Mahindra have focussed on de- E. Sridharan for Delhi Metro * * * Japanese Suzuki transferred the in developed countries and signing, engineering and pro- later, VK was given a carte 11. Who is credited with compil- Japanese work culture, produc- capital equipment costs have ducing newer models of cars blanche on liberal foreign ex- ing Tevaram which comprised the tion systems and productivity become comparable after India and commercial vehicles that change for imports and wide first seven volumes of the 12-vol- norms that helped in a Hanu- liberalised and permitted im- help them compete effectively ume Tirumurai during the 12th discretionary powers. VK, with man-like jump in automobile ports even at zero duty on with reputed global manufac- Century? his hand-picked team of bril- technology. The 1980s also wit- promise of export.” Prior to turers. Ashok Leyland has as- 12. Sujatha’s Kandalur Vasantha liant managers, many from nessed the advent of the Japa- 1991, import duties were so sembled a team of over 1500 Kumaran Kathai deals with which BHEL, delivered on the prom- nese LCVs – Nissan, Toyota hefty. Finance costs became engineers and scientists to work incident in Chola history? ise of releasing the 800 cc car by and Mazda and the European comparable when foreign com- on newer designs and products. 13. What sensational incident December 1983, under three Eicher. These products also panies were permitted to make And components manufac- took place on General Collins years. Road in Vepery on November 8, marked a big jump in tech- 100 per cent FDI with repatria- turers, particularly in Chennai, With it, India truly entered 1944? nology. The Indian consumer tion benefits. Most important are thriving. (Courtesy: the era of contemporary auto- 14. If Azim Jah Bahadur was the started looking for better qual- was the low costs of labour. Industrial Economist) mobile technology. first in the 1850s, then who is the ity and service in automobiles. While in Europe these stood at In an interview with VK in current one? 20-30 per cent of sales and in (Concluded) 15. Which edifice in Chennai was early 1994, I asked what gave * * * originally built for Whiteaway, him the confidence to market Laidlaw & Company? an additional 100,000 cars The 1990s heralded liberali- 16. Where in Chennai is the Na- when the annual Indian car sation. After some initial hesi- LOCAL HISTORY tional Centre for Ultra-Fast Pro- sales were just around 40,000. tation, global leaders seized the cesses, meant for ‘the use of re- His reply was classic: “The opportunity to enter India with searchers in academic institutions (Continued from page 2) Maruti 800 is priced Rs. 47,000. 100 per cent ownership. Except for time resolved emission and ab- Tatas and the Mahindras today, sorption studies in the pico-second The car will be very low on maintenance. The owner can the industry is dominated by the It was built in the 1850s on land which housed the stables of time scale’? Englishman Waller when the Eurasians (later called Anglo-Indi- save at least Rs. 1000 per month leading manufacturers of the 17. Name the holding company of ans) sought a church for the growing community of Protestants in on maintenance. Thus, in 48 world. I recall the reservations Simpson & Company and nearly the Mount Road area. 40 other group companies? months, he will save the price expressed by a foreign expert. 18. Which initiative on the out- of a car and will go for a replace- In 1995, I spent a few weeks Christ Church also shared space for an Anglo-Indian school skirts of Chennai has been de- ment!” Brave words, well said. looking at several manufac- which survives today. For youngsters who lived in this area, the scribed by National Geographic How true it proved to be! turing units in the US, includ- ‘must do’ thing at this school in the 60s and 70s was to attend the magazine as “...probably the only There was an unprecedented ing the Boeing plant at Seattle annual Shakespeare play put up by its senior students. successful example of the sustain- and Ford headquarters at Will any of these past students provide a link that the UK pro- able use of a wild species in India”? scramble when bookings were Dearborn. At the Bank of fessor will be glad to have? 19. By dropping which rowdy’s opened with a deposit of name does Cho make his entry in Rs. 10,000. 130,000 applicants Baroda office in New York I had For me, though, revisiting these places and jotting down fasci- the play Madras by Night? deposited around Rs. 130 crore. an interesting discussion with nating threads of people is engaging. Dr. Robert B. Hegeman, a se- 20.Where can you watch a perfor- The experience was repeated Would it not be a worthwhile effort if a small group in each nior economist advising the mance in the quaintly designed when the company opened locality recorded local histories? (Courtesy: Mylapore Times) Koothambalam? bookings a second time for Bank. He expressed surprise (Answers on page 8) Maruti 800 and later for Maruti over the plans of India to – Vincent D’Souza July 1-15, 2012 MADRAS MUSINGS 7 The actor in the shadows

an anyone claim to ers when they were imprisoned Paramakudi and even appeared “C have seen a film 100 during the Indian freedom against his father in a case. times? I do,’’ said lawyer and struggle. In 1957 he moved a bail plea actor Charuhasan referring to The second in the family is for the All India Forward Bloc the 1959 film Kalathur Kanna- Chandrahasan (born 1936, six leader, the iconic Muthurama- mma. The film had brought his years after Charu) who acted in linga Thevar, in a case conse- much younger brother Kamal the 1981 film Raja Paarvai as quent to followed the murder of Haasan (Charu is older than the hero Kamal Hassan’s father. Dalit leader Immanuel She- Kamal by a good 24 years and Kamal plays a blind violinist in karan. He had represented th Charuhasan with brother . was married before Kamal was the film. The film was the 100 Immanuel in an earlier case too. born) into the limelight as the film of Kamal and the first pro- During Charu’s days of legal district. Providence proved him wife. The pension finally ar- slightly precocious but well-be- duction of the Haasan brothers. practice, rebelling against his right. Later, when Charuhasan rives, but Tabara’s wife dies. haved 4-year-old son of actors Nalini, the only sister (born parents’ mindset, he was attrac- was 46, he was sent to Madras Tabara berates the staff of the Savithri and 1946) of the Hassan brothers, is ted by the honesty of the iconic by his father to assist the actor- post office and others for the in the AVM production. And, the sibling immediately older atheist leader Periyar E.V. sibling. A few years earlier, delay and the loss of his only in real life, following the success than Kamal, the youngest of the Ramasamy Naicker who used to Charuhasan did get a chance to companion. The movie made of the film it was given to four, who was born in 1954. refer to Charu as his sishyan. influence Kamal when he an all-India impact when it was Charuhasan, as a father figure, Now in his eighties, Charu- Meanwhile, while Charu was dissuaded him from turning a telecast on the National Door- to escort the child actor to the hasan recalls that he was an av- building a practice, their father, full-time writer and director at channel. It is said that theatres around the State the age of 20. At 17, Kamal R.K. Hegde, who was then the where, during the intermission, Hassan worked as an assistant Chief Minister of Karnataka, the audiences could see the director in the film Annai influenced by the film which child ‘star’ in flesh and blood. Velankani in which he also won eight State awards, passed Recently, speaking with a acted in the role of Jesus Christ. a law cutting red tape and hint of humour on the ‘suppor- Charuhasan’s debut in films hastening the process for retired ting role’ he has played to his came when he was 49, in the government employees to get family members over the years, 1979 film Udiripookal made by their pensions. Charuhasan said at a film the acclaimed director Charuhasan has directed awards function in the city that, J. based on a story two movies, IPC 215 (as he was as a junior lawyer in Parama- by Pudhumaipithan. During the against this law) and Puthiya kudi in 1952, he was introduced shoot, a not-so-confident Sangamam. As an actor, he has as the son of advocate D. Charu was not sure if his role played roles in more than 120 Srinivasan and, then, in 1959 as would see the light of day, but films in six languages, including the brother of child actor Kamal that was not to be. Incidentally, two English films. Charuhasan Haasan, still later, in 1980, as the same director helmed the has had more than his share of the father of National Award film Nenjathai Killathey which surgeries, including more than winning actress Suhasini, then won for Charuhasan’s daughter, one he had to undergo when he as the father-in-law of noted di- Suhasini, the National Best Ac- rolled down 39 steps of a build- rector Mani Rathnam, and A still from Kalathur Kannamma (1960) with Kamal Haasan, Gemini tress Award. ing in Paris. When health per- now, after 2008, as grandfather Ganesan and Savithri. In the 1987 Kannada film mits, he drives to the Chennai of Nandan who released a Tabarane Kathe, directed by beach at 5 a.m. for his constitu- pamphlet Contours of Leninism erage student, joining Class 5 Srinivasan, decided that the 14- noted director Girish Kasara- tional, stopping at the Hotel at a CPI(M) summit! directly at the age of nine with- year-old Kamal would join mov- valli, Charu’s role won him the Saravana Bhavan on the way It is not as if Charuhasan out being schooled in the basics. ies, discontinuing his studies, National Award for Best Actor, for a coffee. himself has no claims to fame. He started studying law in 1949 notwithstanding Charu’s view and the movie won the Best Others in the Hassan family He is the eldest of the sons with and was one among the few that Kamal should qualify for National Film Award. The story to make a mark in films are Anu the Hassan suffix which their youngsters in a group of 200 the IAS. Between 1962 and ’63, is about the struggle of a watch- Hassan, Chandrahasan’s father D. Srinivasan gave them working people in class in the the child Kamal acted in five man, Tabara, who is seeking his daughter, who also hosts the to remember his jail-mate then Bombay State. After quali- films including one in pension dues from Government TV show Koffee, and Kamal Yakoub Hassan who saved him fying as a lawyer in 1951, he Malayalam and one each of to treat his suffering wife. To- Hassan’s elder daughter Shruti from the blows of fellow-prison- started practising law in MGR’s and Sivaji’s films. wards the climax, he runs to the who has starred in Hindi, Srinivasan felt that as an actor local butcher for help in ampu- Telugu and Tamil films. tating the diabetes- and his son Kamal would earn more – T.K. Srinivas Chari fame than as the Collector of a gangerene-affected foot of his SUBSCRIPTIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

G Since Volume XIV, No.1 (April 16, 2003), Madras Musings has been priced at No answers to parking woes Rs.5 a copy, ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: Rs.100/-. Please make out your cheque only to CHENNAI HERITAGE and send it, together with the COUPON, to CHENNAI HERITAGE, 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014 (Continued from page 1) few meters that do work have stringent norm will ever be or C/O LOKAVANI SOUTHERN PRINTERS PVT. LTD., 62/63, GREAMES ROAD, not been upgraded to accept followed. CHENNAI 600 006. the new coins in circulation. All Another option would be to An ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION of just Rs.100 covers only a part of our costs. been hailed by the real estate this is not indicative of an increase parking fees to a much Corporate support and YOUR support will continue to be essential for Chennai lobby as a major step forward, administration keen on solving higher amount by way of a Heritage and Madras Musings to play a greater role in creating awareness about but what about the buildings its parking woes. congestion surcharge. This too the city, its heritage and its environment. We therefore look forward to your sending that have already been us your contributions IN ADDITION TO your subscriptions. Perhaps what is needed is would prove a deterrent for constructed with hardly any some tough measures akin to people to travel in private If in the coming year Chennai Heritage receives repeated support from those of space around and for which what the Rajasthan High Court vehicles for destinations that you who have already made contributions, and if many more supporters join the there is no scope of any new bandwagon, we will not only be able to keep Madras Musings going, but also be has decreed. It has said that cars could be covered by public able to continue awareness-building exercises on on-going projects as well as construction? cannot be sold to those who do transport or on foot. undertake one or two more such exercises. Lastly, there was the much- not have allocated parking Ultimately, the best solution Therefore, please keep your contributions coming IN ADDITION TO YOUR hyped unveiling of automated space for their vehicles. would be to improve the quality SUBSCRIPTIONS. If, say, you send in a cheque for Rs.500, we will treat Rs.100 of parking meters at select loca- Chennai would do well to of public transport and provide it towards subscription to Madras Musings for 2012-13 and the remaining Rs.400 tions in the city. Two years consider such an option. It will better conditions for walking – as contribution towards the causes Chennai Heritage espouses. later, several of these do not depress vehicle sales, but it may easily the healthiest option. We look forward to all readers of Madras Musings, and those newcomers who work, and there are no punitive go a long way in improving Can we look at some out-of- want to receive copies, sending in their subscriptions. measures for those who simply – The Editor the quality of life. Of course, the-box solutions in that do not pay and, above all, the it is unlikely that such a direction? 8 MADRAS MUSINGS July 1-15, 2012 There’s urgent need to list

July: Sakti Burman Retrospective, a travelling show by Apparao heritage in 800 towns Gallery on Sakti Burman, a well- known contemporary artist who NTACH Chairman L.K. Mehta announced the estab- several systemic constraints. plans, analysis of cultural land- was born in India and lives in France. There will be over 100 I Gupta recently told Union lishment of the Conservation The Minister also pointed out scapes, display of art objects and paintings, water colours, Minister for Culture, Kumari and Heritage Management In- the many gaps that needed to be museum management, inter- drawings and lithographs (at Selja, about the urgent atten- stitute proposed to be set up in filled, like absence of heritage disciplinary studies, documen- DakshinaChitra). tion needed by thousands of New Delhi. It will train a cadre management professionals in tation methodologies, intan- unprotected sites and monu- of skilled professionals to ad- most 2/3 tier-cites, and the lack gible cultural heritage, etc. thus Till July 16: The Interior Landscape, ments in the 800-plus cities and dress the issue of current na- of Master Management Plan filling up a major lacuna an exhibition of selections from the collection and drawings by towns of India, in only 152 of tional knowledge and skills defi- even for the majority of India’s exisiting in the educational sys- American artist Grace Weaver. which documentation of their cits which are negating the sus- 28 World Heritage Sites. The tem, and facilitating creation of She is a young figurative artist heritage assets has been done to tainable development of India’s bulk of 65,000 heritage sites new job streams. visiting from the United States. date, “which is like the tip of an cultural resources. The Centre, listed by INTACH remain un- The Minister for Culture, re- During her time at Dakshina- iceberg.” Unless more sites are the Minister stated, will boost protected, except for 3675 sponding, said, “The more you Chitra, she has assembled notified and heritage regula- INTACH efforts to sensitise monuments and 41 museums discover, the more you realise eclectic selection of folk art tions put in place, most of these objects from the Museum’s how much remains to be done collection, and responded to precious sites are bound to dis- in the heritage field.” She reit- appear over time, he said. He INTACH to set up them in charcoal drawings and erated her full support for collages (at DakshinaChitra). requested the Minister to con- INTACH activities. sider making it obligatory for Conservation & Heritage A month later, addressing a every State to list its heritage take, i.e. listing and Conveners’ Conference, the properties and involve local documentation of built and Management Institute Chairman shared his thoughts communities in their manage- natural heritage, utilising local on the major issues that he had ment effectively. Protection of volunteers and architectural and involve a large national au- looked after by ASI, and an ad- come across during his past 16- heritage – not for the people, college students; protecting dience in conserving, protec- ditional 3500 administered by 17 years’ association with but with the people – he intangible heritage that ting and documenting the State Governments. Most Chapters, like inadequate emphasised, could be a new promotes arts and crafts, country’s precious heritage. An States do not even have urban involvement of members and policy approach to managing tourism, and rejuvenates local NGO like INTACH, with its heritage protection laws, nor communities in Chapter India’s vast heritage repository economy; and, being the eyes extended network of Chapters are they governed by any discussions and activities. He more effectively. and ears of INTACH, reporting across States, is well positioned heritage regulations. That also stressed the basic work that heritage at risk. (Courtesy: During the Minister’s visit to to reach out to the people more includes even the capital city all new Chapters must under- INTACH Virasat) INTACH’s Central Office, effectively than Government Delhi where flood plains are Vice-Chairman Tasneem bodies which function under being ravaged by the land lobby. The proposed INTACH CURBING CELL-PHONE USERS Answers to Quiz Training Centre will colla- borate with the University of (Continued from page 1) which we are not known as a 1. Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak; 2. Diamond Jubilee of the reign of Queen York and the Staatliche nation. At the same time, the Elizabeth II; 3. Sachin Tendulkar; 4. Transit of Venus; 5. Ray Kunstsammlungen Dresden police need to be more active in Bradbury; 6. Mexico; 7. It became the first solar-powered plane to com- Museum. It is planning to offer accidents happen to other bringing to book offenders and plete the world’s first intercontinental flight; 8. Nobel Prize; 9. Bjorn short-term courses, field work, people only. What is over- not letting them off with a light Borg; 10. John the Baptist. research and internships under looked is that by diverting penalty or warning. Given the * * * a faculty comprising national attention, injuries or even risks involved, it may be best to 11. Nambi Andar Nambi; 12. The situations leading Raja Raja scholars and visiting inter- death can be caused to inno- resort to something drastic such Chola to invade Kandalur, a sea port; 13. The murder of the ‘yellow national teachers to create a journalist’ Lakshmikantham; 14. Mohammad Abdul Ali, the eighth cent bystanders for no fault of as the cancelling of driving Prince of Arcot; 15. VGP’s Victory House in Mount Road; 16. Univer- pool of trained professionals in theirs. licences. But in the end, it is sity of Madras campus in Taramani; 17. Amalgamations Group; 18. the field of heritage conser- Clearly, need for some voluntary adherence to the rule The Irula Snake Catchers Industrial Cooperative Society (ISCICS); vation. The courses will cover introspection and self-discipline that is ideal. And that is up to 19. ‘Jambajaar Jaggu’; 20. Kalakshetra. preparation of management is indicated, something for us, the people.

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