Registered with the Reg. No. TN/CH(C)/374/09-11 Registrar of Newspapers Licence to post without prepayment for India under R.N.I. 53640/91 Licence No. WPP 506/09-11 Rs. 5 per copy (Annual Subscription: Rs. 100/-) WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS INSIDE • Short ‘N’ Snappy • Stop that pedestrian! • Berkshire’s Madras Nabobs • 150-year-old High Court • Wildlife of Chennai

Vol. XXI No. 17 MUSINGS December 16-31, 2011 A High Court need – To gift its building

It’s good times, Son. The NRIs will land up here like the migratory birds new life and you will have a full supply of sweet, fresh blood. It will be easy to (By The Editor) spot them with their weird, uncoordi- he High Court of Madras, one of the three nated sense of dressing and their Orange-breasted green pigeon. Dark-sided flycatcher. ‘American-Tanglish’ accents!” Tcourts of judicature established by royal charter, the other two being Calcutta and Bombay, turns 150 this year. It is a memorable milestone in the life of a ’Tis The Season landmark institution, set in a landmark campus. A year-long series of celebrations has been planned. You know it’s That Time of the Year again when you start get- The first of these was held in November with a foun- ting hyper over how dusty dust dation stone laid for the construction of a museum has become in the last one within the campus. While this is a welcome move, it year; over how mosquitoes would perhaps also be appropriate if the restoration seem to be breeding whole of the 120-year-old building, arguably one of nations in a day; or find Chennai’s best recognised heritage structures, is yourself wishing potholes and taken up on a priority basis. garbage would stop co-conspir- The High Court of Madras has always been a The whistling duck...... and its ducklings. ing to let us down. supporter of heritage. Landmark judgements have You switch smoothly to mineral- been made in the past few years on issues concerning water-buying mode, and start historic buildings – the DGP Office on Beach Road hoarding as many bug repel- Rare sightings was saved thanks to the Court. Judgements also lants and hand sanitisers as you ildlife photographer P. Ramanan recently had two rare sightings of prevented the demolition of Bharat Insurance Build- can lay your....er... hands on. birds in Chennai. The first was on the morning of August 31st, when ing and , though these have now been W Then, slowly, you notice a slight he spotted the Orange-breasted Green Pigeon at Nanmangalam RF. This hill appealed against and these appeals are pending in the but distinct increase in last bird is usually seen only in the evergreen forests of the Western and Eastern year’s hem lines and choli (Continued on page 7) Ghats. styles flitting about the The second sighting was at around 3.30 p.m. on November 3rd in the cityscape, and realise ... (Also see page 5) backyard of his house in Shastri Nagar, Adyar. The arboreal bird sighted was Yep – they’re baaaack... The NRIs... the Dark-sided Flycatcher perched on a rain tree, busily pecking at insects. Soon, they’re everywhere... a few New roads for old “The Dark-sided Flycatcher is a long-distance migrant; it breeds in Siberia, are wearing their mosquito Mongolia and travels to the western and eastern Himalaya during winter,” bites even redder this season, – Concrete or bitumen? says Ramanan. and you can’t help feeling (By A Special Correspondent) Each of the sightings has been confirmed as a first-of-its-kind in Chennai. sorry... especially for the he recent monsoons have been as intensive as * * * younger ones. Tthose of the past six years, if not more so. And o birdwatcher Gnanaskandan’s surprise, ducks which were believed to It’s wonderful to have them over, the first casualties have been the roads of the city. Of Tbe just visitors have started breeding in Chennai. He recently spotted a no question. course, it is a matter of no surprise, given the quality pair of Fulvous Whistling Ducks with 3 ducklings (3-4 weeks old) near the Even that constant undercurrent of road-laying that is adopted. It is an open secret end of Marsh. The same family was spotted and of worrying – praying – viruses that not all the money allocated for such activities photographed by John Joseph around end-November. play good sports and refrain ever gets spent on what it is intended for and con- from ruining holidays; that Due to heavy rains, the Marsh was completely flooded and the ducklings you’ve remembered all the tractors need to perforce cut corners if they need to were forced into a small rainwater harvesting ditch close to the Marsh. After various food allergies; hoping make a profit. And given the steadily increasing the water in the ditch receded, the ducklings found themselves trapped in it family loose cannons traffic, these substandard roads are being put to and the parents were helpless. Gnanaskandan was on his regular patrol and don’t choose to act up on the greater pressure and very few roads manage to stand the whistling cry of the adults caught his attention. After almost an hour of night of the big dinner... is the strain. In the light of this, the new administration running in the ditch, he carefully caught the ducklings one by one and re- worth it. in the City Corporation has announced that it would leased them in water. The re-union of the family was a great sight to watch Except – in all this pursuit of per- be looking at concrete roads as the panacea. and this turned out to be his best-ever sighting so far, he claims. “I whistled fection, you could miss what The announcement was made after the usual along with the Whistlers,” he muses. –(Courtesy: Madras Naturalists’ Society matters. accusations (now customary whenever there is a Bulletin.) It all goes by so quickly... and regime change in the State) about the previous (Also see page 8) they’re gone, so soon, along regime having allowed the use of substandard mate- with all the home-food packets. rials. And it is now understood that within the next Until next year, then. wishes its readers five years, Rs 2500 crore will be spent on laying ‘A Very Happy New Year’ Ranjitha Ashok (Continued on page 6 ) CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS December 16-31, 2011

Stop that (Not so) Musical Musings

ecember is here and that another Carnatic contribution will smile at the award-recipi- Dmeans The (music) Sea- to our lexicon); a ‘sponsorer’ is ent, thoroughly mispronounce pedestrian son. The Man from Madras a sponsor who contributes to a his name, and say that it was Musings has already given in- Carnatic music event), the au- all very appropriate that so- dications of this in his last dience (even if there is only and-so was being given the few columns. And to those of one person who, as a wag put award. He will then give his you who are not musically it, qualifies thereby as an version of the musician’s bio- – if he’s using inclined (which includes the ‘audien’) and, above all, the data, also taken from Google. Chief), MMM must extend a caterer. The thanking of the Once again, it will be the heartfelt apology for harping last named is usually greeted musician alone who will be a mobile phone! (pun intended) on the sub- with great applause. listening to all this in delight. ject. But come December, Now in case you thought Then comes the principal and MMM finds it difficult to that is it, let MMM assure you event of the day – namely the ccording to a report of the some of the findings are as remain silent. He repeatedly that you have not heard the swaddling of musician and AMinistry of Road Trans- follows: clears his throat and warbles half of it. Next, the president chief guest in shawls, the con- port and Highways, Govern- i. Mobile phone users while songs that he has heard in will go on to speak on why the ferment of the award and the ment of India, the number of crossing the road are so music seasons in past. Occa- award was being conferred on handing over of citation and road accidents in the country engrossed in talking or lis- sionally he bursts forth into a particular musician. In this medallion. MMM can claim has more than quadrupled from tening to music that they a one-man chorus, only to he will recite the curriculum only hearsay knowledge of 114,100 to 484,704 during the miss salient objects and even subside to barely audible vitae of the musician and while this, for this event is witnessed period 1970-2008. Road fatali- obstructions in their envi- humming, subdued by the this is being done, the chief only by a battery of photogra- ties shot up eight-fold from ronment. stern gaze of MMM’s good guest will wake up with a ner- phers who crowd around the 14,500 to 119,860, while inju- ii. They are so lost in their con- lady, also known as She Who vous start, for he just then ‘dias’ (sorry, dais) at this cli- Must Be Obeyed. realises that the president has mactic moment. No doubt it is ries increased more than seven- versation/music that they But there is a flip side to already pinched the content of a Masonic ceremony of sorts. fold from 70,100 to 523,193. are oblivious to sounds any good thing and, in the most of his speech. The musi- When it is done and the pho- These figures do not reflect the around. Thus, the sound of a case of The Season, it is the cian to be awarded, however, tographers apart, you see chief actual severity as, according to horn or the sound of a near- inaugural event at each of is delighted and listens to the guest, musician and president this report, there is under-re- ing vehicle does not alert the the sabhas. These inaugural CV as though he/she is hear- all smiling, with the musician porting of road accidents, fatali- pedestrian. programmes belong to the ing it for the first time. The clutching the citation, no ties and injuries. iii. These phone-users do not realm of monotony. Which is president then moves on to doubt praying that he should This alarming aspect of the understand the fact that at- rather surprising, given the how he has known the award not let it fall and smash his road safety problem is not tention being paid to what is high quality of music that fol- recipient for years. He then toes. lows over the month. And if goes on to thank the chief The compere then returns viewed seriously by the authori- being heard on their mobile you have attended one of the guest. A fairly long narrative of with more wisecracks and ties and the public in the coun- phones reduces situation inaugurals, you have been to thereafter proceeds to read the try. What is most surprising is awareness, increases unsafe them all. All of them follow a bio-data of the musician that even though pedestrians behaviour and, above all, set pattern and MMM, which, if you recollect (and if are the most vulnerable road- puts them in danger. whose painful task it is to be SHORT ’N’ you are still awake), has users, accounting for about 50 iv. In the case of mobile phone present at least at some of already been read twice be- per cent of the road fatalities in users, the safe reaction time, them, wonders whether SNAPPY fore, as parts of president and these are beyond redemption chief guest’s speeches. The of any sort. musician then speaks, and this G by Prof. N.S. Srinivasan is usually a rehash of the bio- Speeches galore data. Just before this speech, Chairman, Transport Advisory Forum, Chennai the CG’s successes in the the chief guest (lucky guy), n case you are the kind world will follow. The time claiming to have another en- Ithat has never been to a schedule would have by now gagement, will quickly collect the country, they move on the which is generally 1.5 sec- sabha inaugural, let MMM been shot to pieces but who his shawl, bouquet and gar- road carelessly, risking their onds, is on a considerably assure you that you have not can stop the president when land and make a fairly noisy lives all the time. higher side. Thus, the pro- missed anything. The inau- he is in full flow? exit, usually accompanied by Studies have revealed that cess of perceiving the dan- gurals invariably begin with a But at sometime all good several others who, MMM 80 per cent of the pedestrians ger, understanding the situ- prayer sung by a nervous things will have to come to strongly suspects, were just injured or killed are struck ation, decision-making and child or two. In case the child an end. Yes, the president, looking for an excuse to run is missing, it is by the sabha after an appeal to all well- away. After this, at the more whilst crossing the road. The reacting to the situation to secretary, who is an occa- wishers for funds that will go accident risk of pedestrians avert accidents takes a much malevolent sabhas you will be sional bathroom singer of towards building a corpus to treated to what is called crossing at places other than longer time, minimising the some ability and who is not enable the sabha to acquire “felicitations of awardee”. controlled pedestrian crossing is possibility of avoiding colli- above grabbing the mike and its own property and con- Friends of the award-recipient over three times that of pedes- sion. belting out a song invoking struct an auditorium, will will climb on to the stage and trians crossing at controlled pe- v. Switching off their brain the Almighty. Then we have wind down and take his seat. begin wrapping him/her in destrian crossing. The risk of from the surroundings a speech of welcome. No, Next, the compere for the shawls, throwing garlands crossing the road at night has causes danger to themselves hang on a sec, MMM is not show, after making some around his/her neck and offer- been found to be 2-3 times that and also to others. giving you a blow-by-blow inane wisecracks, will pro- ing bouquets. If the compere account. The event usually ceed to introduce the chief of crossing the road during the Voluntary organisations and is particularly half-witted, he kicks off with a request to all guest. This will involve a will invite some of them to say day. the authorities concerned dignitaries off the ‘dias’ (yes, slightly more formalised ver- All these studies show that should organise an intensive a “few words” and that means that is how it is pronounced) sion of what the president several versions of the same pedestrians for their own safety nationwide campaign to make to come on the (you guessed had said about the chief bio-data, no doubt all taken should give their undivided at- people refrain from using mo- it right) ‘dias’. These digni- guest. Then it will be time from Google. tention while crossing the road bile phones while moving on taries usually comprise the for the CG to make his and should not rely on the the road, especially while cross- sabha president, the principal speech. The CG, to be fair to Vote of thanks judgement and reaction of the ing it. Such a campaign should awardee of the season for him, will usually begin by drivers of vehicles. Unfortu- highlight the vulnerability of that sabha and a chief guest. confessing to being an igno- y the time the mayhem nately, it is now common to see pedestrians to road accidents The last named is usually se- ramus in the world of music. Bcaused by these felici- lected on the basis of who he/ He will then also wonder young and old alike glued to the and also the importance of be- tations has lessened to an she is and not because of any aloud as to why he has been extent, someone will give a mobile phone while crossing the ing constantly alert while walk- affinity for music. Conse- invited for this event. By quick glance at the clock and road, unmindful of the great ing on the road. quently, it is easy to identify which time, MMM and oth- realise that the programme has danger they are exposed to. According to the rules intro- the chief guest – yes, that is ers of his kind would also be gone beyond schedule by a few They seem to be always in a duced by the Government of the person with a “where am wondering the same. But hours and those still seated, hurry, they swerve in and out India, mobile phones should I” kind of look, seated right after this show of humility, like The Man from Madras through traffic, and at the same not be used while driving. It is in the front. the CG will then surprise Musings, are on edge. The time they stay glued to their suggested that steps should be Once the dignitaries are everyone by quoting copi- sabha secretary will then de- mobiles, thus endangering taken to ban using mobile on the dais, the prayer is duly ously from slokas and Tamil liver the vote of thanks. If you sung. Then the sabha presi- verses, all usually taken from themselves. phone while walking on the are interested in its contents, dent makes a speech, Google and lasting a good you just have to read the Several studies have been road. The authorities con- wherein he thanks everyone, half-an-hour. Then, having president’s speech. conducted to investigate the cerned should not allow pedes- the artistes, the organisers, reduced the audience to a behaviour of pedestrians trians to use mobile phone, es- the sponsorers (yes, that is state of bored resignation, he – MMM using the mobile phone, and pecially while crossing the road. December 16-31, 2011 MADRAS MUSINGS 3 The semblance to Tamil refer to the subject of words used in one or Tamil used in the islands of the Pacific should Imore dialects in Papua New Guinea (PNG) be of recent origin. (MM, December 1st). I have heard the late M.R. Adaikkalasamy Whereas the listed words used in PNG may (Lecturer in Tamil), when I was studying in have a Tamil semblance (possibly even links), Loyala College (Madras), saying that one key my guess is that they should be of recent intro- factor that dictates the choice and use of words duction. By stating recent, I refer to the labour by common people – especially those who are at Anna’s view Having said that, I feel that, migration to work in sugarcane plantations in ease with more than one language – is brevity, from what Madras Musings has this part of the world in the late 19th and early meaning that less the syllables to say, the more he late lamented Anna in detailed, it could be converted 20th Centuries. preferred they were. Adaikkalasamy used to cite one of his broadcasts over the use of ‘chair’ for narkali and poo for ‘flower’ T with the library into an India Of course, we know that the later Cholas All India Radio in 1948 stressed in Madras. The logic behind this, Adaikalasamy International Centre as in were seafarers and the ‘Hindu’ influence in Bali the need for library in every used to argue, is the innate laziness of humans. Delhi, with a food court (al- is an outcome of the conquest of Bali and home. In his address while par- Applying this logic, I infer that the listed ready available, I believe), high- nearby islands (now part of Indonesia) by them. ticipating in the 2nd anniversary words could have been picked up by residents of tech conference rooms where (In this context, I would be contented in using celebrations of Pothigai in PNG and elsewhere in the Pacific from migrants associations like the Book Club the term ‘Hindu’ rather than Tamil, because the Madras on 23.1.1950 under the in recent times. and Indo-American Centre present Bali, more strikingly, displays features veteran Tamil scholar Thiru Vi Dr. A. Raman could meet, a few rooms for resembling Malayali traditions rather than those Ka, he laid emphasis on the im- of the Tamil people.) However, we have no Charles Sturt University visiting scholars to stay in, etc. perative need for libraries to records of conquest of lands by the Cholas be- Orange, NSW 2800, Australia It could expand vertically or understand men and matters yond modern Indonesia. Under such a circum- (Editor’s Note: This correspondence is now horizontally and the member- around the globe and stated stance, my thinking is that the words akin to closed.) ship could be free or against a that intensive reading is an in- nominal amount so that tegral part of the development students could come. of the human personality. It is Editor’s Note: Weddings, Stopping noise service roads, greatly disturbing In fact, I once wrote to food, etc. are all part of social the peace of students and unfortunate that a political t is reported that Madras has former President R. Venkata- and cultural history as well as of elders. party bearing Anna’s name and been identified as the noisiest raman that such a facility was a our heritage. A little attention I No wonder Madras road his picture on its flag plans such city. That every five years there long-felt need of Chennai. paid to recording them might fatalities are the highest in the a controversial step in the is an incremental noise load of However, I hasten to add that prove its worth to a social his- country, nay, in the world! “Knowledge Capital” of India. 10 decibels and that the present the need for a paediatric hospi- tory enthusiast searching the Instead of routinely sanc- level is 85 decibels! So says an S. Masilamani tal cannot be gainsaid. archives decades later. tioning solatiums to the victims study. 174/5, Kurinji Colony with sympathetic words, the Shanthi Colony, Dr. G. Sundaram, IAS (RTD) The reasons are not far to Quick operations government would do better to Chennai 600 040 A-601, ‘Dugar Apartments’ seek. For example: Keshavperumal Puram egarding the surgical skill of use the funds to take preventive 1. Every auto in the city plys International centre? Dr. Rangachari, I recall measures. Many precious lives R with impunity after removing Chennai 600 028 that, when I was working at the could be saved. hile paeans are sung for the silencer. Ordnance Factory, Varangaon Stricter enforcement of the Anna Library (MM, Wasting space? 2. Though there is a High W (Maharashtra), there was existing laws will suffice. No November 16th) it also has its Court ban prohibiting air horn mention of a Dr. Bhirud great big study is required ! shortcomings. I went to the Li- he frequent write-ups on use in the city, all educational sprinkling chloroform on a brary about seven or eight Twedding receptions pub- institutions’ yellow buses speed N.P. Andavan lished earlier and the ones on clean handkerchief, throwing it months ago looking for a con- using air horns nonchalantly [email protected] on the face of a poor solidated computerised cata- the quality of Grand Sweets (schools are supposed to teach rickshaw-puller who met with Omission logue but I was told that it (MM, November 1st) do not students to reduce decibel lev- an accident near his Nursing would take a few months more. deserve the precious space of els). Private sector company he article ‘Heritage Desti- Home at Bhusawal, and operat- Ironically, on the day the Gov- Madras Musings, a journal buses (including IT companies) nation – ’ and the ing on him as the services of an T ernment took the decision to devoted to the heritage and cul- do exactly the same (a good ex- pictures that appeared with it in anaesthetist were not available, shift the Library, I was again ture of Madras, that is Chennai. ample of corporate social Madras Musings, December 1st while time was the essence! there looking for the same cata- S. Krishna responsibilty). Even two-wheel- were by Karthik Bhatt. We logue. I was again told that it 81/2, Fourth Main Road N. Dharmeshwaran ers are using air and musical regret inadvertently leaving out was still under preparation and Gandhi Nagar, Adyar 21, horns, and these air horns are his name. would take a few more months! Chennai 600 020 Guduvancherry 603 202 also used in congested and – The Editor

CHENNAI HERITAGE A big ‘Thank You’ to 27 of you READABILITY PLEASE No. 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, , Chennai 600 014 We publish below the list of donors who have, between 14.11.11 and 15.12.11, added to the support Chennai Dear Readers, I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List Heritage and its voice, Madras Musings, have already As letters from readers No...... ) /I have just seen Madras Musings and received. We thank all of them for their support for the increase, we are receiving would like to receive it hereafter. causes Chennai Heritage espouses. more and more hand written G I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Rs. – Chennai Heritage letters, many of them in a 100 (Rupees One hundred) payable to CHENNAI hand so small and illegible or Rs.100: Krishnaswamy, KS.; Meena Koilpillai; Prakash HERITAGE, MADRAS, as subscription to Madras large and scrawled as to be Madhavan; Rangarajan, PK.; Sheriff, TQ.; Narayan, KS.; Indira Musings for the year 2011-12. unreadable. Often this leads Jayakrishnan; Rajasekar, KV. to our discarding a letter, G As token of my support for the causes of heritage, Rs.200: Pattabiraman, S.; Manohardas, A.; Srivastava, A.; particularly if some part of it environment and a better city that Madras Musings Rajan, R. is unreadable. espouses, I send Chennai Heritage an additional Rs.400: Malathi Ramachandran; Ramaswami, MS.; Lakshmi If you wish us to consider Srinivasan; Jaishankar, B.; Usha Kumar; Nandini Arun; Rs...... your letter for publication, Sarangapani, MC.; Srinivasan, V.; Shankar, S. (Rupees ...... ) please type it with enough Rs.500: Narayanan, SN. Please keep / put me on your mailing list. space between lines or write Rs.900: Ramachandran, CK.; Kamal Sheriff, T.; it using a medium hand, Name : ...... Rs.940: Narayanan, Dr. S. clearly dotting the ‘i-s’ and Rs.1000: Ramnath C Dore; Prabhu, P. Address: ...... crossing the ‘t-s’. Many readers also try to fill ...... MADRAS MUSINGS ON THE WEB every square centimetre of a ...... postcard space, making To reach out to as many readers as possible who share our keen reading or editing impossible. interest in Madras that is Chennai, and in response to requests from Please help us to consider Note: Overseas postage Rs. 550/year extra. Cheques for many well-wishers – especially from outside Chennai and abroad overseas postage alone payable to M/s. Lokavani Southern who receive their postal copies very late – for an online edition. your letters more favourably by making them more legible Printers Pvt. Ltd. All other cheques to ‘Chennai Heritage’. Madras Musings is now on the web at www.madras musings.com for us. THE EDITOR – THE EDITOR 4 MADRAS MUSINGS December 16-31, 2011 December 16-31, 2011 MADRAS MUSINGS 5

several of his personal posses- sions. Father, son and grandson were all called Richard Benyon The Madras and they all had connections with Madras. Richard the first was ap- pointed Governor in 1735. He returned with a fortune of £ 7.5 Nabobs of million in today’s terms – and he was considered an honest Gov- ernor. Raw silk and diamonds were the objects of private trade Berkshire he indulged in. He just avoided the French siege of Madras, but nglish has absorbed many Indian words. How many of us would guess in his time had to contend with Ethat ‘snob’ is one of them? ‘Snob’, or ‘nob’, is a shortened version of the armies of Hyderabad, Gol- ‘Nabob’, which itself was anglicised from the Arabic word ‘Na’ib’, meaning conda etc. He is said to have deputy. A Nabob was an employee of the East India Company who lived in developed good relationships in Obverse and reverse sides of the ‘1911 Rupee’ with the enlarged ‘pig’. India, made his fortune (legally or/and illegally) and returned to England Englefield House in the 18th Century. Englefield House today. Madras, especially with (usually the county of Berkshire, Company had a remarkable tractive and thereafter com- travelled to India to find spouses. Nawab of Arcot was also lucra- or married into powerful Nabob Coja Petrus Uscan, a leading not far from London) to spend it. knack for, in some ways, sticking menced the hunt for land on the Greedy Nabobs like Clive tive for Madras merchants, since families. Peter Vansittart (1651- Armenian merchant, who built You get a fascinating glimpse to its core purpose of trade while Coromandel Coast. Madras was could make several millions his credit was so low and his need 1705) founded the English the first bridge across the Adyar into the lives of the Nabobs and also going beyond that into poli- founded – and had the advan- without breaching Indian law for money great. He paid 25 per branch of the family. Henry mar- River. Benyon also hosted the A footnote on the Centenary their methods of making money, tics. It also had an ability to tage of being the closest port to and honest Nabobs who did per- cent interest to attract new funds ried the daughter of Nicholas Nawab of Arcot’s family in 1741 a part of our history we don’t of- weather (with varying levels of the Company’s trading posts in sonal trade but, like Warren and Smith invested £ 6 million Moore, Governor of Madras and an account gives us a glimpse ten read about, in the book success) several local rulers, the Far East and China. After Hastings, could make as much as in today’s money with the Nawab (1744-6). Another descendant, into some of the jewellery the of the Coronation Durbar Nawab and the family wore! Nabobs of Berkshire (2010), competition from other coun- the English Civil War, the Com- minimum £ 8 million by today’s in 1764. He represented the Amelia (1758-1788), married ing George V was crowned Emperor of India Soon after its issue, the Muslim community took privately published by Clive pany was allowed by Charles II to standards in 1786. Positions that creditors of the Nawab, who Edward Parry. Another Henry Benyon’s trading partner, a Kon June 22, 1911. Another crowning cer- exception to the design of the tiny elephant on the Williams in the UK, which traces fortify settlements and two-year offered possibilities of fortunes were terrified that their loans was a close confidant of Clive in Cashia (Kasi?) Chittee(Chetti?) emony was gone through at the Durbar held in mail of the royal bust. With its short trunk, which the history and lives of these terms were created for the Gov- were those of the Sheriff, Law- would not be repaid. He was in the military action against Fort Andepra, made his own fortune Delhi when he visited India in December the appeared like a snout, and its short legs it looked Nabobs who lived in India and ernors, Deputy Governors and yers, Clergymen, Ship’s captains England for a short period and David, Cuddalore. Most other of more than £ 2 million in same year. It is recorded that about 96,000 silver more like a pig! With the nightmare of the Sepoy returned home the richer. Directors, some of whom had and Military officers. Trade was, returned to India but seems to members of the family were dis- today’s money! rupees were melted at the Calcutta Mint to cast Mutiny of 1857 still vivid in the minds of the But, for every Nabob who strong connections with Madras. however, the most common way. have been mostly in Bengal. He tinguished Company employees I hope that the author of the two silver thrones for use of the King and Queen rulers, the issue was promptly withdrawn from made several million pounds, book will in a subsequent volume Mary at the Durbar. circulation. It is reported out of 9.4 million pieces After Governor Pitt, it was Contracts were another way, returned to England in 1770, in West Bengal. All the coins of King George V bear his of the ‘1911 Rupee’ struck at both the Royal and there were many who died a pre- Robert Clive’s policies that had with even as much as £ 6 million aged 36, with a fortune of £ 20- Warfield Park no longer look at the country homes of Nabobs across the UK, beyond crowned bust on the obverse (front). The reverse Calcutta Mints, only 700,000 pieces were issued; mature death. In Calcutta, or in the Company getting involved in in today’s money being made 30 billion in today’s money. stands. It was for a while occu- of the silver coins, however, calls for special the remainder, and those withdrawn from the islands of Indonesia, it was politics. from a single important contract. Much of this was gambled away. pied by Col. John Walsh (1726- Berkshire. Those like Sezincote, attention. The floral wreath surrounding the circulation, were melted down. Subsequent rupee not uncommon to attend the fu- Joining the Company was ex- As difficult to make a fortune as Swallowfield Park was owned 95). Much of his life was spent in unlike the ones covered in the inscriptions represented the three floral emblems coins, struck from 1912 onward from a redesigned neral of a man you just had pensive – only a dozen or so were was to ship it back, smart Nabobs by Thomas Pitt and by several Bengal, but he was born in Ma- book, were not only built by Na- of the United Kingdom – the Rose of England, obverse die, showed the elephant with a propor- breakfast with in the morning! recruited and even to enter the did it over a long period when Nabobs after him. He was one of dras in 1726. bobs but were also designed to the Thistle of Scotland and the Shamrock of tionate trunk. Among all the East India posses- competition, an applicant had to they were in India, taking advan- the earliest Nabobs and started Englefield House was the home look like Indian palaces with Ireland, all surmounted by the Lotus – the floral The ‘1911 Rupee’, commonly referred to as the sions, Madras seems to have had Governor Richard Benyon spend as much as £ 50,000 in tage of bills, exchange rates and life as an interloper who of Richard Benyon and although many ornaments in the house emblem of India. ‘pig rupee’, is much sought after by coin collectors. the most congenial climate, tries, and employees with varying and gardens copied/inspired by An unfortunate representation, however, today’s money! After that, if he security. Some also chose the breached the Company’s mono- it is not owned by the family now, spoilt the first issue of the rupee coin in 1911. D. Chakravarty thanks to its location on the levels of probity and efficiency! survived the health risks, there riskier option of trusting their poly but eventually became a his descendants continue to own Indian themes. Coins of India coast. Both Bombay and Behind all of this was solid eco- staunch Company man. Pitt be- Calcutta had malarial swamps or nomics and price arbitration. came a Company employee dur- warring Maratha kings to con- Ten pounds of nutmeg that cost G by Pradeep Chakravarthy ing his second India visit in 1695. tend with. Perhaps this is why so a penny in Indonesia sold for £2- He was Governor of Madras and many of our current institutions 10 in London, a mark-up of a it was in 1702 that he purchased The of modern India owe their gen- mindboggling 60,000 per cent. was enough opportunity to make successor to send back the diamond named after him ueen Victoria by Letters 15, 1862. The newly-appointed esis to Madras. Cloves and pepper were also a fortune by legitimate, dubious, instalments when they them- and now in the Louvre. He Patent of June 26, 1862, Q Chief Justice and the Puisne The book can be divided into similar temptations. This meant and illegitimate (or combina- selves returned home. brought this from Jamchund for and published in the Fort St. Judges were present. The Judges three parts. Part One is an excel- all the households who could af- tions thereof) means but there Back in England, the Nabobs, £ 2.4 million in today’s money. George Gazette of August 19, – 150 years old walked into the Court hall about lently written history of the East ford spices and tea actually kept were expenses as well. Nabobs the nouveau riche that they Pitt was also a great diplomat and 1862, established in Madras “for half an hour after noon, and took India Company, Part Two looks them locked away in safes that had large retinues of servants. were, wanted to be as close to narrowly avoided a war in Ma- the Presidency of Madras... a High Court Buildings – North view. their seats on the Bench. The at the life of the Nabobs and how could still be seen in many of the Even minor Nabobs had as many London and Royalty (in dras with the Nawab of Arcot by High Court of Judicature (to) be Master and the Sheriff took their they made their money, and Part homes of those days in the UK. as 60 employees; some of them Windsor) as possible. Of the 31 giving him gifts of oranges! Pitt called the High Court of Judica- seats on either side of the Bench. Three is a detailed history of all The Company had little success received commissions from the Nabobs who came back to live in also on occasion had to resolve ture at Madras... (to) consist of a The Chief Justice spoke as fol- the Nabobs and the country in the East Indies and gave in to Nabob on his business transac- Berkshire, some had strong Ma- the caste disputes between the Chief Justice and Five Judges, lows: “The Supreme and Sudder houses they built for themselves the Dutch, but was successful in tions. dras connections. Clive Williams Right Hand and the Left Hand the first Chief Justice being Sir Courts have ceased to exist, and in Berkshire. India, where it differed from the Entertainment consisted of talks of a few of them in his book castes. The Right Hand castes Colley Harman Scotland, Kt., the jurisdiction exercised by the The Honourable East India Portuguese who had strong mis- gambling (the Company on sev- that has me wanting to go and decided to leave Madras and Pitt and the five Judges, being Sir Courts is now amalgamated and Company was established in De- sionary aims and the Dutch who eral occasions deplored the high visit these homes. was dissuaded from sending the Adam Bittleston, Kt., William transferred to Her Majesty’s cember 1600 during the reign of were not always popular traders stakes even women had played Chiltern or Chiltern Lodge near army to bring them back (to en- Ambrose Morehead, Esq., Tho- High Court of Judicature of this Elizabeth I. It received its final for their excessive use of fire- for), hunting, racing, gaming and Hungerford is a house built on sure life functioned normally mas Lumsden Strange, Esq., Presidency. A little time will be death blow in 1858 when, by arms. The Company’s first suc- animal fights. While in the early the site of an older house that since the castes were divided also Henry Dominic Phillips, Esq., necessary to make the arrange- royal proclamation, Victoria be- cess was in the Mughal port of period the English were allowed was owned by two Nabobs, one on occupations) and agreed to and Hatley Frere, Esq.”*...The ments and alterations required came the Empress of India. Dur- Surat but, after 1630-31, to marry Indians, as time pro- of whom, General Richard Smith allow the Armenians, Persians High Court was given the power ing those 250 years and more, the Masulipatam became more at- gressed many English women (1734-1803), had strong connec- and Muslims to mediate success- “to approve, admit, and enrol * Sir Colley Scotland had been the last tions with Madras. We know fully. Pitt’s most famous act for such and so many Advocates as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court SUBSCRIPTIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS little of his origins except that he Madras was his survey of the to the ... High Court shall seem and Sir A. Bittleston had been a G Since Volume XIV, No.1 (April 16, 2003), Madras Musings has been priced at Rs.5 a copy, ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: Rs.100/-. was the son of a cheese-monger town and, fortunately, the map meet, who shall be... authorized “shall be a Court of Appeal from dras was constituted a Court of were provided to the Privy Puisne Justice of the Supreme Court Please make out your cheque only to CHENNAI HERITAGE and send it, together with the COUPON, to CHENNAI HERITAGE, 5, and this was something he hated still survives. For the Company, to appear and plead for the suit- the Civil Courts of the Presi- appeal from the Criminal courts Council; in civil matters the at Madras from 1858. The four Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014 or C/O LOKAVANI SOUTHERN PRINTERS PVT. LTD., 62/63, being mentioned. He arrived in he shipped home new neck ors of the ... High Court, subject dency of Madras, and from all of the Presidency. The Court was value of the appeal should be Judges, T.L. Strange, W.A. More- GREAMES ROAD, CHENNAI 600 006. Madras in 1752. Although in the clothes and chintzes. On his re- other Courts, whether within or provided with Admiralty and above ten thousand rupees, fail- head, H. Frere and H.D. Phillips, to the Rules and directions of were all Indian Civil Servants; T.L. An ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION of just Rs.100 covers only a part of our costs. Corporate support and YOUR support will continue Army, he was not involved in the turn, he purchased Swallowfield without the said Presidency” ... Vice-Admiralty jurisdiction, ing which the High Court should to be essential for Chennai Heritage and Madras Musings to play a greater role in creating awareness about the city, its heritage and such Court.” Also, the Court was Strange and H. Frere had been its environment. We therefore look forward to your sending us your contributions IN ADDITION TO your subscriptions. Battle of Plassey, but he led his where he lived for the last eight authorized to enrol Vakeels and On the Criminal Side: (a) a point Testamentary and Intestate ju- declare that the case was a fit one Puisne Judges of the Court of Sudder If in the coming year Chennai Heritage receives repeated support from those of you who have already made contributions, and if troops across the flooded years of his life. Attorneys-at-Law. The Vakeels worth noting is that there was no risdiction and Matrimonial juris- for appeal; in criminal cases it and Foujdari Adawlut; W.A. many more supporters join the bandwagon, we will not only be able to keep Madras Musings going, but also be able to continue Coleroon in Tanjore. Shottesbrooke Park, Bisham could “appear, plead and act for provision for an appeal in crimi- diction. The Code of Civil Pro- was necessary for the High Court Morehead had been the Chief Judge awareness-building exercises on on-going projects as well as undertake one or two more such exercises. He married a wealthy Abbey and Foxley Manor are all the suitors” while the Attorneys- nal trial before the Courts of cedure and the Code of Criminal to declare that the case was a fit of the Court of Sudder and Foujdari Therefore, please keep your contributions coming IN ADDITION TO YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS. If, say, you send in a cheque for Captain’s daughter and made associated in various ways with at-Law could only “appear and original criminal jurisdiction Procedure were made to regulate one for such appeal. Adawlut; and H.D. Phillips had acted Rs.500, we will treat Rs.100 of it towards subscription to Madras Musings for 2011-12 and the remaining Rs.400 as contribution much of his fortune from the the Vansittarts. They were the act.”... constituted by one or more proceedings in Civil and Crimi- * * * as Puisne Judge of the Court of towards the causes Chennai Heritage espouses. We look forward to all readers of Madras Musings, and those newcomers who want military and trade in Madras at largest of all the Nabob families. Judges of the High Court. The nal cases respectively. In civil The new High Court was for- Sudder and Foujdari Adawlut. to receive copies, sending in their subscriptions. It was ordained that the High – The Editor the time. Lending money to the More than twenty were Nabobs Court of Judicature at Madras High Court of Judicature at Ma- and criminal matters appeals mally opened on Friday, August (Continued on page 7) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS December 16-31, 2011 A scholar, artist

(Current Affairs questions are & art authority from the period November 16th anskrit scholar, art-histo- to 30th. Questions 11 to 20 per- rian, epigraphist, sculptor, tain to Chennai and Tamil S archaeologist, linguist and mu- Nadu.) 1. Name the former President of sician – Cadambur Sivarama- murti was all these and much the Philippines who was recently Cadambur Sivaramamurti arrested for electoral fraud. more. Born on July 11, 1909 in the lineage of Appayya to sketch inscriptions found on 2. Which country recently tested the walls of temples! a new hypersonic weapon system, Dikshitar, a great philosopher and polymath of the 16th Cen- He was awarded the capable of striking targets 3,700 Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship in km away in under 30 minutes? tury, he completed his B.A. (Hons) in Presidency College, 1968 and the outcome of his 3. What is unique about the or- prodigious research on the ico- chid Bulbophyllum nocturnum, dis- Madras, having had the privi- lege of studying Philosophy and nography of the Nataraja image covered recently off the coast of was his magnum opus Nataraja Papua New Guinea? Sanskrit, with two doyens, Prof. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and in Art, Thought and Literature. It 4. The most capable machine Prof. Mahamahopadhyaya was first published in 1974 and ever built to land on Mars was dedicated to Pandit Jawaharlal launched recently. It is called…? Kuppuswami Sastri, respec- tively. He went on to complete Nehru “as a mark of affection, 5. Name the world’s fourth larg- his Master’s degree in Sanskrit esteem and gratitude.” This est airlines that has filed for from Presidency and became tome, which focusses on the de- Chapter 11 bankruptcy. the Curator of the Government piction of this deity in painting, 6. Name the footballer, Wales’ Museum in Madras, which was sculpture, epigraphy, music and coach and the first player to make then one of the premier centres dance, was given an UNESCO 500 Premier League appearances, of cultural and archaeological award of recognition and is who committed suicide recently, much treasured by art histori- shocking fans and fellow-players. studies, under the leadership of Dr. F.H. Gravely, its Superin- ans, archaeologists, musicians 7. Dr. Conrad Murray, who re- tendent. and dancers. ceived four years prison sentence He later joined the Archaeo- This distinguished scholar for involuntary manslaughter, was Sketch of Nataraja by C.Sivaramamurti was invited by the Lalit Kala the personal physician of which logical Survey of India as Super- of the Art Purchase Committee. celebrated Sanskrit poet, Akademi, New Delhi, to write a deceased super entertainer? intendent (Archaeological Sec- tion) of the Indian Museum in Sivaramamurti was the au- Kalidasa. He was equally at book on the bronze images of 8. Which popular actor has been Calcutta. He was appointed as thor of numerous books and re- home writing about little- South India on which subject appointed UNICEF Ambassador search articles, some of which known monuments as may be he was an authority. The result for promoting child rights and Keeper, National Museum, are, sadly, out of print today. judged from the title of another was another monumental work, nutrition? Delhi, and became the Assis- tant Director and, finally, Di- The subjects of his research book Kalugumalai and Early South Indian Bronzes.. The book 9. According to a list by global rector of that well-known insti- covered a very wide range. Stud- Pandyan Rock-Cut Shrines. deals in depth with the metal consultancy firm Mercer, which is tution. Sivaramamurti was de- ies in the Art and Culture of Java; Many of his books and articles images produced in ancient and the best Indian city to live in? puted by the Government of In- Birds and Animals in Indian are illustrated with fine line- medieval South India, espe- 10. Name the 1967 documentary dia to join the Cultural Mission Sculpture; Approach to Nature in drawings by him; he was a tal- cially of the Chola era and now shot by the late painter M.F. to Indonesia. He subsequently Indian Art and Thought; and ented artist, who showed a flair housed in museums. Many of Husian that was showcased at the wrote a book, Panorama of Jaina Art are some for sketching and sculpting the bronzes described in this 42nd International Film Festival Art of Borobodur, of his monographs. In his even at an early age. He had tome are in the Government of India after many a protest. which was published in France. After his retirement, he was re- Epigraphical Echoes of Kalidasa, spent countless hours at various Museum, Madras. * * * he has shown that composers of monuments, some in remote ar- One among the many titles 11. Who is the new Commis- quested by Indira Gandhi to inscriptions over the centuries eas, sketching sculptures, not conferred on him was sioner of Chennai Corporation? serve as Honorary Adviser on Museology to the Government in various parts of India were missing even the minutest de- Vichitrachitta (a Sanskrit word 12. What is the title of the 3D of India and to be the Chairman profoundly influenced by the tails. He even had the patience meaning ‘one with an unique film that is to be superstar Rajini- mind’) by Sri Sankaracharya of kanth’s next release? the Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham. 13. Where are the head offices of It was a title originally held by the proposed three regions in the NEW ROADS FOR OLD the Pallava King Mahendra- expanded Chennai Corporation varman I of the 7th Century planned to be located? (Continued from page 1) The avoidance of such road-digging entails C.E., who too was a lover of the 14. Name the Hyderabad-based proper planning before the roads are laid, with painting, art and architecture, company that has been given the 1100 km of concrete roads in Greater Chennai. ducts for drains and cables that can be indepen- and music and who contributed conservancy work contract in This will be a long-term solution, says the Gov- dently accessed. Past experience (MRTS et al) to all these arts. Sivaramamurti three zones (, Kodam- ernment, claiming that concrete roads have an has shown our officialdom of being completely was awarded the Padma Shri in bakkam and Adyar), replacing average lifespan of at least 25 years. The roads to incapable of such coordinated activity. 1968 and the Padma Bhushan Neel Metal Fanalca. be thus relaid will be of international standard, Thirdly, is concrete road a solution for a city in 1976. He was the only Indian 15. What is the language, a blend promises the Government. like ours? These roads have no dust absorption of his time to be made an Hon- of Tamil and Arabic, that is spo- The advantages of switching over to concrete capacity and, so, they will only increase the par- orary Fellow of the Royal ken in the Pulicat area? roads are many. Apart from their long life, they ticulate content in the atmosphere. Also, con- Asiatic Society of Great Britain 16. Name the Italian confec- also save on fuel, provide for better driving com- crete being white in colour these roads will radi- and Ireland. The Asiatic Soci- tioner to whom Giacomo fort and will use cement, a plentifully available ate heat, causing the ambient temperature to go ety of Bombay posthumously D’Angelis sold Hotel D’Angelis commodity in the country. Maintenance costs up. Is this desirable in a city that is already wit- awarded him a special Campbell and what was its new name? will also be lower. nessing a steady increase in temperatures during Memorial Gold Medal in 1981 17. Which place did Thanjavur’s But there are several drawbacks as well. summer? in recognition of his great ser- King Raghunatha grant to the Firstly, concrete roads require a considerably It would be good if the Government ponders vices to Oriental Research. This Danes in 1620 to establish a trad- longer period for laying and setting – as much as over these aspects before jumping headlong into was received by his son ing settlement? 28 days for a one-km stretch as opposed to a bitu- this new technology. But given the speed at C. Sundararamamurti. 18. What was established by Dr. men topped road that requires one fourth that which matters are moving, it appears that the Prof. K.V. Raman, former Alexander Hunter on Poona- time. And during the time they are being laid, minds of the powers-that-be are already made up. Professor and Head, Depart- mallee High Road in the 1850s? the roads will have to be completely closed to traf- In the immediate short-term, patchwork has be- ment of Ancient History and 19. What trophy does the 2nd fic, something that is unthinkable in this city gun on the roads that have been battered by the Archaeology, University of Ma- Division cricket league champion where work on the Metro is already putting com- recent rains. It would do our officers and minis- dras, says that C. Sivarama- get from the TNCA? muters to great hardships. Bitumen roads also ters a world of good to drive around and see what murti’s pan-Indian views and 20. What first in cost only one-fourth of the outlay for concrete is the ground reality. Once they see the fashion his ability to co-relate literature was introduced in Padma Jyoti, roads. in which patchwork is done and the quality of and art were some of the signifi- made by T.R. Sundaram’s Mod- Secondly, there is the impossibility of ever dig- what has been laid earlier, they may pause to cant highlights of his lectures ern Theatres in 1937? ging of concrete roads to access drains and cables, think over whether concrete roads may not be and writings. He was invited by (Answers on page 8) something that is common practice in our city. complicating an already difficult situation. (Continued on page 8) December 16-31, 2011 MADRAS MUSINGS 7

trained under KCS Paniker, Roy Chowdury, Dhanapal and others (at DakshinaChitra). A building that needs new life December 31: Last date for sub- (Continued from page 1) no plan for work to be taken up however, allowed to go mission of DVDs for Moksha on the building. through, with holes being made Moola, a video film competi- Supreme Court. As many as 400 Till December 26: Madhya The campus, described by in the walls and unsightly ducts tion in cooperation with LV or so heritage buildings now en- Lord Wenlock, Governor of covering most of the ceilings. Pradesha Darshan: Festival of Prasad Film & TV Academy. Madhya Pradesh (at Dakshina- Open to anyone living in Tamil joy a modicum of protection Madras at the time of its inau- The proliferation of coal dust, Chitra) Nadu and under 23 years. thanks to the Court declaring guration in 1892, as leaving thanks to the presence of the Highlights of the festival ‘Seeking a Space called Peace’ them as structures worthy of nothing to be desired in beauty Port close by, is an added prob- Folk dance forms (Gudum is the overriding theme and the preservation and ensuring that of design or perfection of execu- lem. Most of the historic por- Baja, Karma Saila, Malwa video should not exceed 60 the Government set up a Heri- tion, has been showing signs of traits are covered with grime Nrithya and Matki dance perfor- seconds in duration, excluding tage Conservation Committee stress in the last few years. The and cry for restoration. mances) the titles (For details: Max to look after their welfare. number of people in the pre- If this is the condition of the Master craftsmen from Mueller Bhavan, Chennai). The High Court is also mises has gone up exponentially High Court, the situation in Madhya Pradesh will work and exhibit their works (Gond art, * * * deeply conscious of its own his- and so has the corresponding subordinate courts is said to be bamboo craft, terracotta ware, Tamil Heritage Trust programmes tory. A functional museum – a demand for public conve- far worse. Newspapers have and stone craft). There will also at Ragha Sudha Hall in pleasure to visit – is already in niences and vehicle parking been repeatedly highlighting be a display of Maheshwari saris, , near Nageswara Rao place within the main building spaces. The response to these the problems and litigants and batik and Bagh print textiles. Park. All talks will be at 10 a.m. and has a curator. The proposed has been haphazard. Toilets lawyers have been asking for Photo exhibition and docu- and in Tamil. museum building will no doubt have come up at all available improvements. But with the mentary films on Madhya December 23: Kurunthokai – A be a larger structure, worthy of spots with no concern for the PWD invariably in-charge, Pradesh. gateway to Tamil poetry tradition a 150-year-old institution. Early well-being of the historic build- work has not been in keeping For information contact: by writer B. Jeyamohan. December 24: Arjunan Tapas – A in 2007 the High Court also set ing. with the heritage nature of the 95511 66889, 2491 8943, 2446 up a Heritage and Environment 2435 new interpretation of Mamalla- The PWD, which is in structures. * * * puram sculptural composition by Committee under the then charge of maintenance, has It is in the light of the above December 27-31: Marghazhi Prof. S. Balusamy. Chief Justice. Comprising been wanting in its care. A few that the Heritage and Environ- Festival. Kurumba artistes’ December 25: Indian Sacred Art judges, lawyers and INTACH months ago, a massive pillar ment Committee needs to be tribal performance from the Tradition by Acharya K.P. members, the Committee was supporting the main structure revived immediately. It has to Nilgris (at DakshinaChitra). Umapathy Acharya. to undertake a phased restora- was drilled halfway, with no be given a clear-cut and time- December 26: The History and Art Till January 31: A retrospective of tion of the building, to be com- thought to the possible long- bound mandate for completion of Gangaikonda Cholapuram by pleted by 2012 when the 150th term effect. This was objected of its work, so that the High P. Perumal’s paintings and draw- Dr. Kudavayil Balasubramanian. ings. Perumal is an important December 27: Life of Raghunatha year would end. However, after to by heritage enthusiasts Court’s building stands out as painter who emerged from the Nayaka – An audio-visual presen- the initial enthusiasm, the among the judiciary and the an example of what a heritage Madras College of Arts and tation by famous dancer Swarna- working of the Committee work was stopped. The installa- structure can be like, if cared for Crafts in the 1960s, having malya Ganesh. slowed down and there is as yet tion of airconditioning was, well. THE FOUNDING OF THE MADRAS HIGH COURT (Continued from page 5) On August 28, 1862, the Lautour, which had been the the Governor, who, after ac- many years to come, with the Chief Justice and the Puisne residence of the sons of Tippu cepting the key, delivered it to full knowledge and full satisfac- for the conduct of the business Judges framed rules relating to Sultan when they were hostages the keeping of the Chief Justice. tion that the best years of your and practice of the High Court Advocates, Vakeels and Attor- in British hands, had been The Governor stated that lives will be devoted to carrying in respect of both the original neys, and also a set of tempo- rented to house the Supreme the work on the building had on one of the noblest of works, and appellate jurisdiction under rary rules for regulating the Court. In 1817, there was a started in 1888, and that the the uninterrupted administra- the several provisions of the practice of the Court. By the change in the abode of the Su- cost of the building was well tion of Justice.” Charter, and to issue new tables latter it was provided among preme Court. It was moved into near thriteen lakhs of rupees. The key was received by His of fees... All the Officers of the other things that the ordinary a building “on the site of Ma- “The style of the building,” de- Lordship the Chief Justice, who late Supreme and Sudder original civil jurisdiction may be rine Yard” near the Custom clared the Governor, “is Hindu- said in solemn gravity, “I fer- Courts will continue in the dis- exercised by one Judge, or by a House (Bentinck’s Building), Saracenic, freely treated ac- vently hope that long after you charge of their duties as at division of two Judges; that the where the Judges sat in dignity cording to local requirements.” and I, Your Excellency, have present for four months... Until extraordinary original civil ju- on daintily-carved wooden The novelty was the lighthouse passed away to that undiscov- new rules have been made, the risdiction shall be exercised by chairs, many of which de- tower. A thing of interest was ered country, of which we know rules of practice of the late Su- a Division Court composed of scended as heirlooms to the the fact “that almost all the ma- so little, there may also con- preme Court will extend as far two or more Judges; that the or- High Court. When the High terial used in the construction tinue to be found men of ability as applicable to the ordinary dinary and extraordinary origi- Court was established in 1862, of the building, with the excep- and courage, who will adminis- original jurisdiction of the High nal criminal jurisdiction shall be the old Supreme Court was lo- tion of the heavy steel girders to ter the law in these Courts with- Court (civil and criminal), if exercised by one Judge; that a cated in the First Line Beach, carry the floor, and roof, and out distinction of class, creed or not contrary to the Letters single Judge may in his discre- and the Sudder Courts were some ornamental tiling, was race.” Generations of Judges Patent or the Act authorising tion refer any matter before him functioning at the Sudder Gar- manufactured locally.” The and Lawyers who have since them or the Code of Civil Pro- for the decision of a Court com- dens in Luz. Government brickfields had succeeded, have fulfilled, in not cedure... With reference to the posed of two Judges; that all ap- July 12, 1892 was a memo- supplied all the bricks, and a unworthy measure, the fond Practitioners of the High Court, peals from the decisions of two rable day for the High Court of large quantity of the flooring- hope the Chief Justice, Sir the Barristers or Advocates and Judges shall be heard and deter- Madras. It was on that day that tiles. Arthur Collins, expressed in the Solicitors and Attorneys mined by a Court composed of the great and imposing building, While handing over the key, that speech. who were admitted and on the not less than three Judges; that which houses the High Court at the Governor concluded with * * * rolls of the late Supreme Court, when the Court consists of two present, was formally pro- the words, “And now, my Lord FOOTNOTE: A historical and the Vakeels of the Sudder Judges, the Chief Justice or Se- claimed open by the Governor Chief Justice, I have pleasure in fact, which may also be viewed Court will be admitted and en- nior Judge shall in case of differ- of Madras. The Governor ar- handing you the key, as a token as a beautiful coincidence, is rolled as Advocates, Vakeels ence of opinion have a double rived at the main entrance of that the building has been en- that within the very area of the and Attorneys respectively of or casting voice; and that lists the building to a salute of sev- trusted to your hands by the present High Court buildings the High Court. The Advocates shall be made of the appellate enteen guns, and was received Government, in full confidence and enclosures, the old Temple will be entitled to appear and business ready for hearing, and by the then Chief Justice, Sir that the adminitration of justice of Chennakesava appears to plead in all business before the that the cases shall be called in Arthur Collins, the Puisne will be carried on with the abil- have stood till about 1762, Court. The Vakeels will be en- its order in the list for the day. Judges and others. There was a ity and integrity that has always when the Company made an titled to appear and plead and * * * procession which passed marked the Madras High equivalent grant of land South act for the suitors in such appel- In the old days, the Courts through “the Courts” and ar- Court. To you, my Lord, and to of China Bazaar and the late and other business as would had to struggle for proper places rived at one of the principal the other gentlemen who hold Chennaikesava and Chennai have been within the jurisdic- to sit. The Supreme Court, on Courts where a dais had been with you the high position of Malleswarar Temples were tion of the late Sudder Court, its formation at the beginning of prepared. The British National Judges of the High Court, and erected there. The edifice of but not in any matter of ordi- the 19th Century, had found Anthem was played before the to those gentlemen who occupy jutice thus rests on consecrated nary original jurisdiction. The the Old Court House in distinguished visitors took their themselves in the Honourable ground. Attorneys will be admitted to Choultry Gate Street in decay, seats on the dais. Then the Sec- and learned profession of law, in appear and act for the Suitors as it had been “undermined by retary to Government in the all your hands the administra- (Excerpts from the Cente- in all business before the bandicoots.” Then a commod- Public Works Department of- tion of justice may be safely left, nary Volume of the Madras High Court.”... ious house belonging to one fered the key of the building to and we may look forward, for Court – 1862-1962.) 8 MADRAS MUSINGS December 16-31, 2011

hat is Chennai now was Of a different category of Wonce an integral part of water corridors are the under- the vast Tropical Dry Evergreen ground sewage and stormwater Forest (scrub jungle) of the drains. They harbour cock- Coromandel Coast. Chennai roaches, rats and bandicoots, all today is the only city in India to categorised as ‘Vermin’. Some have a national park ( parts of the city get Sewage National Park) in its midst. Worms, Blood Worms and even Hence, wildlife like the Chital tiny Snail-Leeches through (Spotted Deer), Slender Loris, their drinking water taps, per- Palm Civet (Toddy Cat), Star Slender Loris Peacock, after shedding tail Civet Cat Great Horned Owl. haps through contamination Tortoise and snakes straying Photo: A. Lakshmikantan feathers. Photo: T. Photo: A. Lakshmikantan Photo: T. Murugavel from Hyacinth – or algae – in- into the city should be no won- Murugavel fested tanks. der. An “innate (instinctive) af- The scrub jungle of the finity of humans to all other liv- (GNP) Chennai wildlife ing beings” has been recognised and the contiguous Indian In- ards, 18 species of snakes, Star- Chennai today are attracting four major rivers, 14 smaller by scientists. This could be a re- stitute of Technology (IIT) tortoises, Pangolins, Honey Rock Pigeons. rivulets, two large lagoons and ciprocal affinity too, as we see campus are remnants of the in dogs, cats, squirrels, house badgers, Slender Loris, Bonnet Chennai’s waterways are several backwaters on the Coro- original Evergreen Forest. To- Macaques, Civet cats, Palm mandel Coast, and disperses sparrows, rock pigeons and day, the Blackbuck is indeed a natural or habitual corridors for painted storks etc. a craving for Civets (Toddy Cats), Hedge- wildlife migration. Its grid of their biodiversity – as well as flagship species of these two re- hogs, and occasional Hyena, their pollutants. proximity to human habitats. serves. The other remnant of waterways opening into the Bay (Courtesy: Eco News, the jour- Leopard Cat and even Leopard of Bengal contributes to a rich A 5-foot Salt Water Cro- this fragmented scrub jungle is are some of the wildlife on the codile which intruded into the nal of CPR Environmental Edu- the campus of Madras Christian and diverse aquatic biodiver- cation Centre) MCC campus and the adjacent sity. The 1933-36 foundation , near College (MCC) in . Mylapore, in June 1997 was un- Indian Air Force campus. survey of the brackish water – Prof. P.J. Sanjeeva Raj Wildlife in both these pock- Spotted Deer since 1982 and fauna of the Adyar Estuary fortunately killed by the pan- ets is identical, but it is richer, Peafowls since 2005 are new showed about 140 species of icked hut-dwellers on the canal more diverse, and ever-chang- additions. Koels and Peacocks aquatic fauna, including 55 spe- banks. In December 2006, a 4- ing in the MCC scrub, because calling melodiously at dawn, cies of fish and five species of foot Marsh Crocodile (Mugger) A scholar and of the broad, dense corridor in Nightjars screeching at dusk rare Sea Anemones, three of that strayed into a house in artist the south leading to the and Jackals howling all through which were new to science in Peerkankaranai near Tam- Reserve Forest. The the night on the MCC campus 1936. But do they still exist in baram was, however, success- (Continued from page 6) rare Hammerhead worms, make you feel, while you are in the Adyar Estuary? A 1982-83 fully rescued and rehabilitated House centipedes, Sun spiders, bed, as if you are sleeping in a study of the Cooum shows by the Forest Department. the as a Giant forest scorpions, Whip wildlife sanctuary! heavy pollution. Does any People should be advised to Visiting Professor to give a se- ries of lectures on Indian Art for scorpions, Tail-less whip scorpi- aquatic fauna survive in it? contact the Wildlife Rescue ons, Chameleons, Monitor liz- The thickly vegetated cam- and Rehabilitation Centres in the Department of Archaeol- puses of the Theosophical Soci- Having two estuaries co-ex- Chennai (Tel: 2220 0335). ogy. ety (TS) and the Kalakshethra isting within a city is another The Pallikaranai Marsh in This Indologist of inter- Answers to Quiz Colony on the east coast in rare feature in Chennai, but the midst of the city is another national stature died on Febru- Chennai are well developed and their mouth-openings into the wildlife reserve, but it is a closed ary 6, 1983 in a manner charac- 1. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; 2. managed habitats, to which ar- sea must be permanently kept aquatic ecosystem without any teristic of the way he lived. He USA; 3. It is the only one known to boreal (tree-dwelling) wildlife open, in order to be more pro- inlet or outlet waterways, so passed away immediately after flower at night; 4. Curiosity; 5. like the Bonnet Macaque, Slen- ductive. Satellite imageries of there is no exchange of flora attending a meeting of the Arts American Airlines; 6. Gary Speed; der Loris, Palm Civet (Toddy Greater Chennai reveal the Purchase Committee in the pre- 7. Michael Jackson; 8. Aamir and fauna and consequent en- Cat), Flying Fox, Vine Snake, connectivities of the vegetated richment of its biodiversity. mises of the National Museum, Khan; 9. Bangalore; 10. Through New Delhi, where he signed a The Eyes of A Painter. Bronzeback Tree Snake, all patches and waterways, serving However, the water lilies in the * * * scrub birds, and butterflies from as wildlife reserves and corri- Pallikaranai Marsh and in the cheque for Rs. 40,000 for the 11. P.W.C. Davidar; 12. the GNP-IIT Reserves migrate. dors. Along the corridors of the Jheel are the purchase of a rare image of Lord Kochadaiyaan; 13. Basin Bridge (for Nanmangalam scrub in the waterways, jackals migrate at breeding sites for those rare and Siva. 2009 has passed, and so have North), (Central) south is another small wildlife night, foraging for shore-crabs beautiful birds, the jacanas. two more years, without any and (South); 14. Ramky reserve, particularly for birds, and scavenging for carcasses, if Even from a drying-up private event to mark the birth cente- Enviro Engineers Ltd. (REEL); 15. but the rocky cliffs and caverns any. pond like the Mermaid Pond in Arwi; 16. Bosotto, who renamed it nary of this outstanding as Hotel Bosotto Brothers; 17. of the granite quarries provide a The Buckingham Canal the YWCA campus, an incredi- Indologist. Another landmark Tranquebar; 18. The Madras unique breeding niche for the (East Coast Canal) is the best ble number of 287 Pond Terra- date has sadly gone unnoticed. School of Arts; 19. C.P. Johnstone rare Great Horned Owl. Simi- example of a water grid and wa- pins were rescued in March Shield; 20. Animation. larly, the highrise buildings in ter corridor in India, as it links 2004! – Dr. Chithra Madhavan

Madras Musings is supported as a public service by the following organisations

Bata India Limited

The Hindu F.L. Smidth Limited Group of Publications

Since 1856, patently leaders UCAL AUTO — A WELLWISHER TVS MOTOR COMPANY PRIVATE LIMITED

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., Greams122, Greams Road, Road, Chennai Chennai 600 600 006. 006, Edited and edited by S.by MUTHIAH.S. Muthiah.