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Vol. XXII No. 3 MUSINGS May 16-31, 2012 Heritage legislation at last (By The Editor)

e congratulate the Government for introducing in the Legis- Wlature a much-needed heritage conservation Bill that this journal and other heritage lovers have sought from 1999 following a focus on heritage in the City that began in 1977. While welcom- “WeAppa, have you been always asked don’t to walkhave onto ing the Bill, we reserve our comments till we study it. Meanwhile, thedress pavement, up in your but 70’s where clothes is everythe pave- time we trust that it offers an indisputable interpretation of heritage ment?!”you watch the ‘angry young man’ and doesn’t leave Government to view heritage depending on the The historic old church on St. Thomas’ Mount. movies!Run. Don’t walk exigencies of the moment. This kind of flip-flop attitude has in the past caused, and is due to cause, unless the Heritage Bill stops it, Here’s something more to worry further damage to whatever is left in the city that can be classified about. as constituting heritage. We thus have an ironic situation where A recent survey has discovered that this city is practically a centuries-old monuments and buildings are being neglected while non-starter in the pedestrian lakhs are being spent, in the name of heritage, on renovating re- safety department. cent structures that are already showing signs of structural weak- How dreadful is that?! ness. Chennai has done poorly on all Take Rajaji Hall for instance. The Government had in 2008 counts – grade crossing, walk- ability, crossing safety... announced a restoration package for this heritage structure located As for average motorist inside Government Estate. But then the new Assembly came along behaviour? and though the restoration proceeded uninterrupted, the Hall was In a word – pits, apparently. locked up. Last heard, its verandahs were filled with broken What’s worse, no pavements. furniture from the various offices that were demolished to make Quarrying Charnockite next to the historic church. Those that exist are hidden cunningly beneath and behind (Continued on page 2) encroachments, land grabbing Endangered garbage and garbage bins, informal shopping areas, wires, historic holes, uneven slabs, and some- thing that looks like rain- What should be done to space site water...you don’t even want to he St. Thomas’ Mount think of the alternative. beneath flyovers? Tchurch is a landmark Most pavements do not seem to and heritage site. The factor in people in general, let hat appears to be the heart art show or two and, above all, the fencing off of these areas for Church was built by the Por- alone the elderly, small Tof the ongoing debate in space for pedestrians to walk its own use. It has even erected tuguese and, later, improved children, and the wheelchair- the city. With land becoming on. Steps will be taken to pre- offices for its Projects Division by the Armenians. It has bound. many inscriptions and tomb- Some have become little gardens increasingly scarce on what vent illegal use of the area and below one of the flyovers. Mak- were once broad public thor- preserve it as planned. There ing over these areas for public stones of Armenians and – very pretty, adding that Portuguese. Moreover, it has much-needed touch of oughfares, a move to beautify will also be spaces for cycle use will also hinder mainte- the space beneath flyovers has stands, parking facilities for po- nance work, according to the a number of Tamil inscrip- precious green – but they do tions from centuries ago. push walkers into the road run into controversy. On the lice vehicles and ambulances, Department. The church authorities even more, right? one hand, there is a proposal to A third body of opinion are modifying this heritage And you cannot get two more aesthetically enhance these holds the view that the land structure and the Canton- mutually opposing concepts spaces and also provide for G By A Special ought to be given to vendors ment Board, St. Thomas’ than ‘Pedestrian Unfriendly’ some long-felt needs of public Correspondent and small shops. This argument Mount, has permitted the and ‘Chennai’s Fitness Freaks’. conveniences there. On the is based on the fact that when church allowing excavation Statistics, in the habit of pre- other hand, there is the view and the lighting for these spaces flyovers were erected, they took below ground level to a senting horrific facts in the that the area ought to be will be through solar power. over the sidewalks, traditionally depth of 50x80x50 feet adja- blandest manner possible, give cent to the church. you the number of pedestrians utilised for car parking. The Corporation, it is learnt, the space on which these trad- An NGO and a consulting has agreed to the proposal and ers thrived. While not disputing The architectural and who died simply because of a structural integrity of this lack of safe pavements. agency have together submitted plans to implement it on 70 that the land belongs to the heritage site and heritage And you ask: How many deaths a proposal for better utilisation roads and five flyovers. Highways Department, they building is now in danger. will it take till they know that of public spaces. The aim is to The State Highways Depart- feel that they ought to be al- too many people have died? make the use of roads an ment, however, begs to dis- lowed to use it, by way of com- K. Rameshkumar Sadly, the answer is blowing in aesthetic experience. The idea agree. In its view the land be- pensation for what they lost. Secretary the wind... is to use the space for toilets, low the flyovers belongs to it Youth Welfare Association Butt Road, Chennai 600 016 Ranjitha Ashok cold drink vending stations, an and, therefore, it is proposing (Continued on page 2) CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS May 16-31, 2012 Legislation The crisis of domestics at last he Man from Madras the 12th Century that the apprehended and hauled up T Musings was looking farmer is not satisfied with before the awful majesty of forward to going home and farming nor is the beggar with (Continued from page 1) view, only the building is heri- the law. When questioned he eating a well-cooked meal, begging. Things haven’t replied that his master lived tage and sub judice and not the made by a man from up north. changed in all the intervening but two doors away from the way for the new Assembly. And compound space. Whoever has It is quite amazing as to how centuries. politician, and so he thought its interiors were filled with files heard of such logic before? nowadays most of the It was not as though MMM he could take advantage of and papers belonging to some And what happened to the domestics are from up north. had used the vernacular the fact that all traffic signals Government departments that concept of a heritage precinct Wonder what happened to equivalent. It had been in the were being ignored by the the ayahs and the rest from Queen’s English. MMM could have promised to shift them “in and the necessity to prevent convoy. A tight slap modern construction within down south. Apparently, not help thinking of the days stopped him in mid-sen- due course”. After the recent what with all the freebies that when MMM’s grandparents tence. He had in his fire at Chepauk Palace and given close quarters of a heritage building? include television sets, very could get away with referring nervousness forgotten to our history of fires breaking out few feel like working for a to each one in their army of include all the honorifics and in historic buildings, stuffing Even that concept may now living. In short, our State is a servants by even their caste titles of the VVVVVVVVIP Rajaji Hall with paper may not be under threat. In a first of its land of lotus-eaters who feed names. MMM was never while referring to the person be the best of ideas. kind (and it is ironic that our on milk and honey. And as for comfortable with that. But he by name. That, in the view of city which had many glorious the younger lot, they much had never anticipated anyone the investigating officer, was Chepauk Palace’s fate is still prefer working in software being upset with his/her a worse crime. uncertain. It is now more than firsts should also be in the companies. Not that MMM is professional appellation. The two months since the three- forefront of such develop- complaining. If they are man clearly aspired for better Traffic rules ments), the National Monu- man committee (whatever be capable, let them progress. things. aiting for a signal to the merits and demerits of its ments Authority (NMA) has Upward mobility is what Having perpetrated a crisis, Wchange to green gave composition) came out with a reportedly ruled that construc- counts. albeit unknowingly, MMM The Man from Madras report that recommended tion of Metrorail can come But what MMM cannot had to make amends. He was Musings ample time to reflect tolerate is the variety that has reminded of an uncle’s advice. restoration of a mixed kind. within 100 metres of the on the various kinds of ve- Hynmer’s Obelisk, popularly no talent for the desk job and “If in a hospital and needing hicle users. The first category While the debate on whether its brings loads of expectations good attention, refer to the verdict was correct or wrong called the Yale Monument, in never waits at a traffic signal. and frustrations to what they nurse as doctor,” he said. This is usually the Govern- can continue, what cannot be the Law College campus. It has feel are lesser, or menial, MMM has now, therefore, declared that the structure, ment vehicle, often a police denied is that restoration and tasks. This variety is hoping to drawn up a list of alternative car. It can also be escorting a not demolition was the key rec- though more than 300 years old get the salary and perquisites titles for each of the domestics and ‘protected’ by the ASI, is of law-maker or a bureaucrat. ommendation. On the basis of of a white collar job while not in his ostensible employ (in Sometimes it can just be the that, the Government ought to less importance and, in view of bringing even a degree of reality they all swear allegiance driver of any one of the above. have by now moved to inviting the importance of Metrorail, perfection to the task at hand. by She). The cook will hence- What is common to them all And that brings MMM back forth be Nutritionist. The tenders, at least for consul- permission can be granted for tancy. But nothing appears to construction within 100 metres have happened and the skel- of the Monument. All authori- eton of the palace is exposed to ties are completely silent on the vagaries of Nature. Why what happened to the neigh- SHORT ’N’ SNAPPY this delay? bouring Powney Vault, which presumably was flattened with- The Metrorail is a Jugge- out any approvals. It would also to the story that he began maid-of-all-work will go back is their inability to wait. Ur- rnaut of a different kind, which appear that the NMA’s appro- with. to the Victorian era and will be gency is their creed, such be- regularly appears to find heri- Even as MMM opened his an Abigail. The driver will be ing the speed with which they val was a mere formality, for front door he could guess that Pilot. push paper to and fro. tage structures and historic Metrorail had even two months something was amiss. The The second variety pauses parks in its way. They appear to ago put up barricades within good lady, also known as She Games drivers play momentarily, looks to see if be made for each other and aid- 100 metres of the Yale Monu- Who Must Be Obeyed, made alking of drivers, a couple there are any vehicles coming ing this process of sacrificing the ment. What is also baffling is it amply clear in word and Tof friends poured forth from the opposite direction latter for the former is the the complete silence of the ASI gesture that the cook had their woes to The Man from and, if there are none, zooms CMDA which has continuously on this matter. It can only be in- been offended. And it was all Madras Musings. And ironi- off no matter what be the been coming up with creative terpreted that the decision had MMM’s fault. Apparently the cally both incidents had to do traffic signal. These are interpretations of what consti- its full blessings. previous evening MMM had with the convoys of political usually the S(pace) U(sur- tutes heritage. After the P Orr referred to the cook as a cook bigwigs. ping) V(ehicle)s, tourist taxis, & Sons episode, it is now the Contrast all this with the within earshot and this had The first story involved a buses and such like. The last upset the man. He considered driver ferrying two of his named, if belonging to a cor- turn of Bharat Insurance Build- way in which the Namakkal the appellation of cook to be a porate house, often sports a Kavignar Building is being master’s young children. The ing. In response to a letter from pejorative and did not like to car in which they were travel- sanctimonious message to the INTACH reminding Metrorail handled. Everyone, from the be referred to as one. It all ling came into collision with effect that speed governors that the building’s fate is sub ASI to the CMDA, is agreed reminded MMM of an old one of the outlying cars in a have been installed and if the judice and so no construction that, though built in the 1980s, Hindi verse that lamented in political bigwig’s convoy. driver is caught over-speeding, can be taken up there, it constitutes ‘heritage’ and de- Security men promptly complaints can be made at a Metrorail has stated that it only serves restoration! And con- surrounded the vehicle but the certain number which is never proposes construction within trast this further with the fact driver, showing remarkable possible to read especially the compound and not within that 300-year-old structures are repeatedly needs attention! agility, managed to jump out, when the vehicle IS over- not falling down despite fires leap into a passing auto- speeding. the building. It states that in its That’s modern heritage The third variety will wait and neglect, while this building construction for you. rickshaw and vanish to no one (and presumably CMDA’s) knows where. The younger for most of the duration when child burst into tears but the the lights are red. Just a few older one had the presence of seconds before the green mind to summon his father signal they tend to rush off, THE SPACE BENEATH FLYOVERS with a phone call. MMM’s thereby causing the most friend paid for the damages havoc as they narrowly miss and all ended well, though colliding with vehicles in the (Continued from page 1) It may be best that the spaces track record of maintaining what happened to the driver is opposite direction. And lastly, there are the are handed over for utilitarian such ‘beautified’ spots is a bit of a mystery. MMM fully Lastly, you have the lot that waits patiently no matter if ubiquitous car and two-wheeler purposes, which could be pedes- not something we can be expects to see him at a For- trian usage, public conve- proud of. mula 1 race pretty soon. there is no other vehicle in owners who, in the absence of The second story involves a sight. They get roundly abused parking space in their own of- niences and parking of ambu- After much fanfare in inau- lances, police vans and private gurating these projects, we smart alec of a driver who after by everyone else, most often fices and homes, feel these by those in vehicles behind. vehicles. Certainly, beautifica- rarely tend to them afterwards. dropping his master at the air- should be made over for the use port was in a hurry to return Sometimes the policemen also of parking vehicles. tion is the last requirement, What we need is practical home. On the way he found a join in, berating these people In short, there is no dearth especially in a city like ours planning and then effective convoy of cars escorting one of for holding up traffic! Such is of opinions on the subject, all of where the idea of what consti- implementation. If that gets our VVVVVVVVIPs and life. them in conflict with each tutes beautification is strange, going, beautification can then decided to tag along. This was – MMM other. to say the least. Secondly, our follow. soon detected and he was May 16-31, 2012 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

Another happy experience

n continuation of the experience of your call me as soon as it was ready. Meanwhile, I Ireader at the RTO’s office, Anna Nagar, I too gave him the copy of Madras Musings wherein The Birmingham way Mullaperiar dam had a good experience recently. I got the forms the letter of appreciation was published and he for the renewal of my driving licence, filled in all was happy to see it and said that they were doing n a recent visit to Madras he article by A. Moha- the details and got the Medical Fitness the service to the common public with minimum OI had an opportunity to T nakrishnan, Water Re- Certificate for Rs.60 from the ever available doc- hardship to them. understand the disappointment sources Adviser to the Tamil tor behind the office. The lady scrutiniser came A short while later, he himself came to me, noted by S. Viswanathan in his Nadu Government (MM, to her seat exactly at 10 am, checked the forms asked me to check if the entries on the card were article (MM,April 1st) about March 16th) is quite compre- calling the names of persons seated in the queue, correct, then gave it inside for lamination and I the poor state of your rivers and hensive. Possible answers were and sent the forms inside for the officer to got the renewed licence on hand within an hour canals. published in Madras Musings of check. They were returned after about 10-15 in total. He is totally correct to illus- minutes and I paid the prescribed fee of Rs. 350, The only hurdle was the path leading to the January 16-31, 2007. In answer got the receipt, pasted half of it on the appli- doctor’s 2’ x 3’ room behind the RTO’s office. It trate the lost opportunity in not to my suggestions, C. S. Kup- making good use of these facili- cation form and gave it inside the Elcot room, was amidst horrible stench with even some dead puraj, Chartered Civil Engineer where the photo of the applicant was taken. rats and a lot of plastic covers strewn around. ties. In the case of my home and Consultant, former Chief The visitors had to carefully walk over these city, Birmingham, the many Engineer, PWD, wrote to me as The officer who was seated there said it plastic heaps. The foul stench flowed into the would take an hour to complete the process and miles of canals dug over two follows: Elcot room and also the officer’s room. I asked hundred years ago to provide I could go out to attend to any other work and him how he was sitting amidst the bad stench all “I was delighted to see your come after an hour. I told him it would be cum- freight transport capable of in- valuable suggestion in Madras day, he said they were taking steps to ensure bersome to take another round of extra 5 km to such wastes are not dumped in future. dustrial revolution fell into to- Musings (January 16-31, 2007) come again because of the one-ways recently in- tal disrepair after World War II. regarding Mullaperiar tangle. troduced in Anna Nagar. He acknowledged the V. Chinnaswamy By 1950 they had become just This is precisely what I sug- hardship in coming again and asked me to be 1, Jai Nagar 16th Sreet, Arumbakkam stagnant ditches and were al- gested as a second plan of com- seated on the bench and informed that he would Chennai 600106 most imposible to navigate in promise in my article dated some cases. 21.12.2006. more than 1,29,600 to 1, 94,400 Festival, it would be more ap- tended family there. I. Maha- They were ignored by the “A new tunnel with sill at hectare metres, and a great deal propriate for you to meet the devan, former editor of the government departments +80 feet and carrying capacity drains into the 3200 hectare concerned authorities in the Tamil daily Dinamani, was one responsible for them and by the of 3000 cusecs could be con- leased land where the Mulla- Kapaleeswarar Temple and also of his best professional friends in city authorities. Fortunately, a structed (the present tunnel periar dam is. While only 140 meet the top brass in the Police Chennai. group of boating enthusiasts with sill at +104feet leaves 104 MW of power is generated with Department and bring home to NSJ’s nephew, Dr. Vyas, is a took it upon themselves to feet of water as dead storage). the available water at Lower them the manner in which the multifaceted personality – a organise working parties and to A new powerhouse with in- Camp, a lot of surplus water conducting of the festival could medical practitioner, social publicise their work. Bit by bit, stalled capacity of 300 MW can flows over the spillway into the be improved. worker, voracious reader, the responsible landowners be- be built (the present power- Periar River. Tamil Nadu has so As for your article on a mas- thinker and singer. I guess that gan to realise they were sitting house has 140 MW only). far successfully drawn 22 tmcft ter plan for George Town, it will the email to which NSJ refers in close to a valuable resource and “If this is done we can assure of water (1998) which is 3.59 not have any effect at all. I have his article was sent to him by the canals have become fea- the Kerala Government that times the storage of usable wa- my office located in the Catho- none other than Dr. Vyas. tures of significance in their water level in the dam will ter. However, the present pro- lic Centre on Armenian Street. Many of NSJ’s relatives, includ- own right. The work accele- never exceed +136 feet, which posal would divert an additional Armenian Street, which is ing Dr. Vyas, lived in or around rated when it was realised that is what they want.” 3000 cusecs to generate power about 80 ft wide, has hardly any Adyar for many years. NSJ’s buildings with a waterfront or a The question arises why not of 300 MW and let the addi- place even to walk in during any wife Chudamani’s elder sister view of the canals became harness more hydroelectric tional water go for irrigation in part of a week-day, and espe- Rukmini Sampath was one of much more valuable and could power (300 MW) and secure Tamil Nadu, instead of letting cially on every Tuesday and Fri- the founder-members of a generate higher rents. more water for our irrigation it go to the Arabian Sea as at day, when the Church feeds the school that she named Bala Some of the incomes from needs and at the same time sat- present. lepers. About 80 per cent of the Brindivan, which was inaugu- these offices, restaurants and isfy all! The existing water now street is always occupied by cart rated by Rajaji around 1950. buildings are used to keep the The catchment area in irrigates 2.17 lakh acres in the vendors on the one side, and This school has now evolved waterways in good condition Tamil Nadu is 11,400 hectare districts of Theni, Dindigul, parked four-wheelers and two- into the Bala Vidya Mandir in and free from debris and, so, the and in Kerala it is 53,400 Madurai, Sivaganga and Rama- wheelers on the other side. Gandhinagar, Adyar. towpaths are popular for sight- hectare, adding to 64,800 hect- nathapuram. Of this area, it These four-wheelers and two- seers and cyclists. are. With rainfall in that region Dr. S. Suresh benefits 60,000 acres with two wheelers all belong to one par- Peter Green being, say, 200 to 300 cm, the 46, IV Street, Padmanabha Nagar crops per year. The surplus ticular firm. The security guards 62, Buchanan Road total volume of water comes to Adyar, Chennai 600 020 Walsall, WS4 2EN, UK water that may spill into Tamil of this company behave as Nadu at 3,000 cusecs after though the street itself has been generating 300 MW of power bought over by the company! READABILITY OUR ADDRESSES could easily support three crops PLEASE per year in these districts and, R. Balasubramanian For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, non-receipt of maybe, some more dry lands 108, Armenian Street receipts etc.: CHENNAI HERITAGE, 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Chennai 600 001 Dear Readers, Road, Royapettah, Chennai 14. could be converted to wetland. After travelling 247 kilometres, About NSJ As letters from readers increase, Madras Musings now has its own email ID. Letters to the editor can the water reaches the Palk Bay, we are receiving more and more be sent via email to [email protected]. Those who wish .S. Jagannathan(MM, hand written letters, many of to intimate change of address can also do so provided the serving all along the route some subscription number is quoted. For non-receipt of copies, change of 66,000 small farmers. N April 16th) – NSJ, as he them in a hand so small and address, and all other circulation matters: Madras Musings, C/o was affectionately called – spent illegible or large and scrawled as Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., 122, Greames Road, Chennai K.V.S. Krishna the best part of his eventful to be unreadable. Often this 600 006. [email protected] journalism career in New Delhi leads to our discarding a letter, particularly if some part of it is On editorial matters: The Editor, Madras Musings, C/o Lokavani Disappointed reader and his retirement years in Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., 122, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. Bengaluru. My father, A.K. unreadable. No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters received will be have been an ardent reader Sethuraman, was his friend and If you wish us to consider your sent from these addresses every couple of days to the persons Iof your fortnightly journal, colleague and, thus, I had the letter for publication, please type concerned and you will get an answer from them to your queries but do not really know whether privilege of interacting with it with enough space between reasonably quickly. Strange as it may seem, if you adopt the ‘snail mail’ lines or write it using a medium approach, we will be able to help you faster and disappoint you less. there has been any effect at all NSJ right from my school days. of the critical articles brought Many people are not aware hand, clearly dotting the ‘i-s’ and – THE EDITOR out by you to improve Madras. of his Chennai connection. He crossing the ‘t-s’. You need to find a different way is from a leading Chennai-based Many readers also try to fill every MADRAS MUSINGS ON THE WEB to communicate with those family. His ancestral house in square centimetre of a postcard To reach out to as many readers as possible who share our keen concerned with these issues. Adyar was a sprawling heritage space, making reading or editing interest in Madras that is Chennai, and in response to requests from In your April 16th issue, structure where he celebrated impossible. many well-wishers – especially from outside Chennai and abroad both issues raised in the articles his sixtieth birthday in 1983. Please help us to consider your who receive their postal copies very late – for an online edition. published on its first page can- Whether he was in Delhi or letters more favourably by mak- Madras Musings is now on the web at www.madras musings.com not be solved merely by publish- Bengaluru, he would invariably ing them more legible for us. – THE EDITOR travel to Chennai for his holi- ing the articles in your journal. – THE EDITOR In the case of the Mylapore days to spend time with his ex- 4 MADRAS MUSINGS May 16-31, 2012 May 16-31, 2012 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 Tiger, Tiger, burning Birdwatching Notes Destiny’s sightings bright (in Madras) in Kelambakkam’s oday, if you mention the word ‘Tiger’ in Chennai, the chances are that most people would assume you were referring to the Ttwo-legged variety from across the Palk Strait. But there was a time when our own Madras, or at least its environs, had plenty Little Rann of Kutch of the four-legged originals, and not all of them in captivity. Perhaps the first instance is recorded on the base of the monument to Governor Edward Winter, whose tenure in Madras was in the 1600s. The memorial, which is in St Mary’s Church, Battersea, has on its pedestal a carving depicting Winter wrestling with March 10 & 12, 2012: The terrain at Kelambakkam in mid- a tiger on the seashore (Fort St George, Madras by Mrs. Frank Penny, 1900). This was apparently no hyperbole, for a Latin March could be compared to that of the Little Rann of Kutch. The Black-tailed Godwits inscription confirms that it was a true happening in Winter’s life. water had receded and a part of the mudflats sucked dry like a salty st th Next, sample this. “A Detachment of the 1 Battalion of the 15 Regiment lay encamped at a village near Pollevaram hills. On clay desert, a dreadful prequel to our still tense and complaining ham- th the night of the 28 of December, a royal tiger came into the village and seized a bullock. After gorging on his prey, he retired to strings. We inched the kilometre stretch of parched mudflats like The Adyar Estuary’s riches a house on the banks of the river, of the artillery men managed to where and made off with a young desire to do away with Pigot and Surgeon to the Governor of Ma- crouching tigers looking for those unhidden dragons. The extra-fine where he took up his quarters. aim at him. Injured by what is midshipman who was waiting at asked Randall for advice. In re- dras, on a tiger that was kept at sand diligently mud-bathed us. Worry for our cameras... yes...but the April 13, 2012, Adyar Estu- Lieutenant Stuart being in- termed a “fuzli ball”, the animal the table. The officers pursued ply, Randall, rather facetiously, the menagerie in Government ary: The evening was quite formed of it went with a Naig’s was “much irritated” and, in the animal but when it laid its suggested that the Amir ought to greater worry was the scowls we’d get back at home for getting all Park, Madras. The diagnosis was eventful. Around 1,000 plus guard to the place, where they crossing the Mount, managed to victim down prior to killing him make a present of the tiger in the dirty. that the animal died due to “ul- waders – mostly a mixed flock of saw the monster stretched in the injure two natives, “one of whom they dared not shoot for fear of Triplicane Bazaar to Pigot and “if ceration of the intestine caused Setting into a nice vantage point behind the bund, we watched Little Stints and Lesser Sand Plo- cottage! They mounted on the is now lingering with lockjaw injuring the man instead of the his Lordship was pleased to be by undigested bones of sheep”. brown-headed gulls in breeding and non-breeding colours mix with vers. There were about 6 or 7 roof of the adjoining hut, and by while the other was not materi- beast. “On a sudden the hand of intimate and familiar with the Was the tiger in Government Red and Green Shanks... a solitary Curlew Sandpiper piling on. Lesser Sand Plovers in breeding removing the thatch of that ally hurt.” The tiger then crossed the midshipman moved lightly Tyger, he the Tyger, might some- Park the forerunner of the other plumage. Looked quite trans- where he lay, disturbed him and to “the outer Mount” where he across the tawny side of his cap- time or other, accomplish the Whimbrels poked through the sky as all the five terns marked atten- tiger which, together with a formed (with a dazzling white tor; and as the poor youth had Business so desired.” The Amir dance... acrobatic Little Terns, Whiskered Terns in varying plum- cheetah, began the Madras Zoo throat and brilliant orange bib hitherto lain motionless the hor- perhaps did not get the joke for ages, Caspian Terns flashing their orange bills, Gull-billed terns and in 1854 at the Pantheon Com- below and a bandit-like black ror-stricken spectators thought he commented darkly that th one solitary Common tern. The noisy Sentinels (Shanks, Lapwings plex? Clearly, by the late 19 mask on the face from which the … this must be the last convul- Comaro, the Dubash of Benfield, and Stints), though on high alert, surprisingly stayed calm. A flock of Century, the tigers in the zoo had eyes glittered!) from the drab sion before death. The tiger fell “could attend to the task more little Stints gathered five metres away and shutters raced rapidly. Ooh become a major attraction. brown plumage that the birds or- Crows and Little Egrets ‘plomb down’ on the earth, and “Having seen the tiger of the la la... that ended my rant of not getting them Stints all winter. GK dinarily sport. ably long bill into the squelchy Golden Plovers flew overhead. the midshipman leapt forward, world at Madras, all the others and I walked back to the car (quite unwillingly), hoping either of us There were also around mud), around 25-30 Large The crows were all out and ha- waving his bloody dirk in are but shadows,” wrote Andrew By would say, “let’s stake out a little longer...” twenty or so Black Tailed God- Egrets, 4 or 5 Little Egrets, one rassing the Little Egrets and triumph…The youth, it seems, Carnegie in 1879 (Notes of a Trip wits of which quite a few were in Grey Heron and a lone Dab- other birds. It was like an aerial took advantage of his position to Around the World). “Such glaring Back in the car, I asked him, ‘Did you see that Ruddy Shelduck?’ Sriram V. breeding plumage. The Golden chick. There were also four dogfight during wartime! The draw his dirk, felt deliberately for eyes, burning like immense to- and he went ‘Wheeeerreee?’ His eyes popped and jaw hit the floor. It Plovers were also there (around Terek Sandpipers on a tiny banks of the river were full of the brute’s heart and thrust his pazes in his head! His stripes had flown over heads. I had erased 6 out of 8 images that I made of 100 plus) with many of them in mound of earth in the middle of Fiddler Crabs gaily waving their weapon into it, up to the very were glossy black and his coat him, as my memory card read full while shooting Stints! I’ve seen the breeding plumage. the river. pincers with abandon! hilt…” (The Guide to Knowledge easily” by slipping some poison not that sickly tawny colour we Ruddy in the Guindy Zoo, but never in the open. So I kept those two Apart from these, there were * * * Considering that most of the by W. Pinnock, Vol IV, 1836). into Pigot’s dinner! are so familiar with but a light fi- shots; little did I know about its uncommonness... and like provi- a dozen or so Common Red- April 19, 2012, Adyar Estu- birds are getting into breeding Not so lucky was Captain The Illustrated Magazine of ery brown.” Those of us who had dence would have it, that’s the closest sighting to Chennai! shanks (spotted and splotched ary: There were around 20 plus plumage, it must be presumed R.M. Humphreys of Madras. Arts, London (1854), noted that occasion to see the animals at the and in breeding plumage again), that their take-off is imminent. “While hunting a tiger he as- in Madras it was common for same location (People’s Park) a Now, I really wonder if sightings are by chance or are destined – I Brown Headed Gulls at the estu- Tiger hunted by wild dogs (dholes) as illustrated in Samuel Howett & Edward half a dozen Green Shanks, a ary. The Lesser Sand Plovers and Text: Geetha Jaikumar Orme. Published in London 1807. – (Courtesy: Wickipedia.) cended a tree, and on the tiger people to “take round a tiger for hundred years later had a differ- tend to lean more towards destiny. The last three months have really lone Curlew (which kept sticking attacking one of the men, exhibition, with a sheep or an- ent view. The moth-eaten tiger Little Stints were not around. Photographs: Dr. T.P. surprised me with so many rare and record sightings. But one thing the entire length of its consider- However, a flock of Pacific Alaganantham he went out! After a few turns, was attacked by an “inconsider- jumped down, when the infuri- other animal to display its was an anatomist’s delight, for I’m dead sure about is: you see more birds if you sleep with your boots he sprang at the party and settled ate European armed only with a ated beast sprang upon him and strength upon”. This story origi- you could count each of its on! And that’s what we precisely did... on the roof close to them, but an stick” for which he was rewarded killed him on the spot.” (The nally appeared in A History of the bones. Today, the tigers are bet- instantaneous discharge of two by being torn across the face by Gentleman’s Magazine, 1835). Earth and Animated Nature by ter off at Vandalur. On Sunday we woke up with our boots on... word was that Ashy or three firelocks wounded him the paw and severely bitten in By 1878, tigers were consid- Oliver Goldsmith and Others, What chances would a tiger Minivets were playing in the gardens of the Theosophical Society. A and he fell to the ground but im- the thigh. But he managed to ered such a menace in the Presi- 1847. have today if it wandered into break to recuperate before their annual exodus to Northern China mediately got up and made a sec- survive. The animal, however, dency (and not just in the city) As early as in 1835, the Madras? Not much. It would be and around. Thanks to Geetha, that Sunday morning got etched into ond attempt, when finding his had no chance and received sev- that there was a reward of Calcutta Monthly Journal and Reg- run over by a lorry or bus before our memories. efforts ineffectual, he made off eral more “fuzli balls”. Its carcass Rs. 100 for every tiger shot. Five ister had a detailed report on the it crossed Pallavaram. Clearly the under a pandal adjoining the was brought triumphantly into years earlier, a Captain Caulfield post mortem done by Dr. Benza, days of “fuzli balls” are over. –Murugan Mohan Little Tern Golden Plovers Fiddler Crab house he first entered and could the camp and on being measured was appointed ‘Tiger-Slayer’ of not for some time be found…” its length from nose to tail was Madras Presidency and he ap- The story does not end hap- 10 feet, and in height it was 5 plied any method possible from The prancing pily, at least for the tiger. Stuart feet. Last heard, the villagers re- strychnine to shooting. This was other to the Imperial Post. The walked along the edge of the ported that another tiger “said to a temporary assignment and, as- letter box had the British coat of river (most probably the Adyar) be the female associate of the A post-box out of the past arms in bold relief just above the sisted by Inspector Mackenzie mouth of the letter box. Golden Plovers and, at a point where the bank above” was roaming in the vicin- and A. Wedderburn, he man- These letter boxes, each rose steeply by 20 feet, the ani- ity. aged to bring down the numbers he other day I came the reorganisation of states on Tacross this photograph which November 1, 1956.) weighing about 715 kilograms, April 5 & 6, 2012, Kelam- stops me from my lifer that day; a mal sprang at him. Stuart some- Then there’s this from The significantly within the stipu- could take about 3000 letters and bakkam: At seasons bird dozen dozing Grey Plovers how managed to avoid tumbling Old Forest Ranger by Walter fascinated me most. It was taken Cast in iron, the letter box fea- lated time period of six months. by Dr. K. Ramachandiran N, tures prominently the State em- small packets. Both boxes on dis- plumages blossom like floral cuddled up by the edge of a small down the bank and stabbed the Campbell (1842): “A Madras – Journal of the Fine Arts, 1878. Postmaster-General, Tamil Nadu blem, the Conch. A pair of play in the museum have the wonder. Terns in proud, bright puddle. As I clicked away in tiger with his bayonet. The sepoy was killed some years ago Tigers in captivity too were in Circle, for his research program- smaller conches are seen in the words ‘Massey & Co, Madras’ in- abandon, surprise just stepped scribed on them. (This is, how- bills, Grey Plovers in majestic sepoys accompanying him did whilst measuring a tiger which Madras’s 19th Century news. me. panel below. The words black bosoms, Lesser Sand in… into the frame that is. A the rest and Stuart was warmly had just dropped, apparently This 100-cm tall, hexagonal ‘Travancore Anchal’ are em- ever, absent in the Nagercoil let- Apparently, a large tiger was kept ter-box.) Is there a reader who Plovers and Kentish Plovers Pacific Golden Plover paraded its mentioned in despatches. The dead. The expiring brute struck in captivity in the “bazaar in letter box is at the Nagercoil bossed in a smoothly-curving crowned in orange, Little Stints golden inscriptions. Together incident is in the at him, and fractured his skull by Collectorate Post Office. It origi- shape at the centre of which is could throw light on who M/s. Madras Ga- Triplicane”. Henry Davison Massey & Co were, where their carelessly brushed with red… they pranced like horses in a zette, dated February 20, 1802. one blow of his tremendous Love, in his Vestiges of Old Ma- nally belonged to Travancore again a conch. (In Malayalam, Anchal, a postal system main- Anchal means post or mail.) manufacturing unit was located, Kelambakkam was like a bloom- synchronised dance.… A The Literary Panorama (ed. paw.” dras, records the testimony of where their supply network was, ing garden in paradise. memorable image of two plovers Charles Taylor) of 1807 reports There is a record in 1812 of a tained by the erstwhile Two such letter boxes were Capt. William Randall recorded Travancore State. (It may be re- received in 1984 at the postal etc? The mudflats had changed. sharing screen space! of how, on the 1st of October that party of officers, out shooting in during the trial following the membered that the Kanniya- museum in the Postal Training R. Soundararajan Imagine an old, worn out Text and pictures: year, “a royal tyger made its ap- the vicinity of Madras, who had strange death of George, Lord kumari District, with Nagercoil Centre, Mysore, where I was tarpaulin that holds small pearance in the cantonment at sat down in the jungle to dine 1/46, Sivasakti Nagar Murugan Mohan Pigot. Randall swore that while as its headquarters, was within working. One of them belonged South Palpannaicherry pockets of water after a shower. the Mount” in Madras. Given (no doubt in full dinner dress) he was aide to Amir Ul Umrah, the limits of Travancore State till to Travancore Anchal, and the Nagapattinam 611 003 But it felt like a donut sprinkled (Courtesy: Madras Naturalists’ chase by those in the camp, some when a tiger sprang from no- the latter frequently expressed a with fine sugar!! But nothing Society Bulletin) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS May 16-31, 2012 The historical

(Current Affairs questions are legacy... from the period April 16th to 30th. Questions 11 to 20 per- tain to Chennai and Tamil ll records have it as the Periyar project, but Nadu.) Ait is commonly called the Mullai Periyar Dam, as it repre- 1. Which ambitious construction sents the combined storage of the Mullai and Periyar Rivers recently became the tallest building which converged to become the Mullai Periyar. in New York City, overtaking the The dam and reservoir are in Kerala but, through a lease Empire State Building? deed of 1886, the rights of ownership control and property are 2. UNESCO marked the first-ever vested with Tamil Nadu. ‘International Day’ for which popu- The Periyar rises on Sivagiri lar genre of music on April 30th? (6000 ft.) hill in Tamil Nadu. 3. Name the two eminent women After traversing 48 km South to ... of an engineering marvel nominated to the Rajya Sabha along with Sachin Tendulkar. North it joins the Mullai run- concerns about the safety of the The Brar Committee, ap- water level at Mullai Periyar 4. On which river did a ferry cap- ning in a North-South course. size recently leading to more than The Mullai Periyar then turns Mullai Periyar dam. Tamil pointed by the Government of dam to 142 ft. Then, after 100 deaths? 90o westwards, and 11 km from Nadu, in consultation with India, and the Mittal Commit- physical check and review of 5. Which iconic vessel is to be re- there is the dam (at 2700 ft.). Kerala and the Central Water tee, appointed by the Supreme the dam at this stage, steps be built by Australian billionaire, Cement was not manufac- Commission, the statutory au- Court, have found the concerns taken to raise the water level up Clive Palmer, for operations from tured in India when the dam thority for dams in India, agreed about the dam’s safety baseless. to full reservoir level of 152 ft if 2016? was being built and it was, to carry out an extensive retro- Further, the three-judge Bench everything is in order. 6. What ambitious plan was an- therefore, imported in wooden fit of the dam. This was done of the Supreme Court in Febru- Now that the Supreme nounced recently by Planetary Re- casks from England. All draw- with the understanding that as ary 2006 has held that the ret- Court-appointed Empowered sources, a company that has among ings of the project carry nota- an interim measure the water rofitted dam is absolutely safe Committee of 2010, after ex- its investors Oscar-winning film- tions demarcating areas where level would be reduced to 136 and sound. tensive checks and tests, has re- maker James Cameron and Google masonry was done with cement ported back to the Supreme co-founder Larry Page? mortar and where concrete was Court that the Mullai Periyar G The Mullai Periyar dam and Engineer Mohana- 7. Which SAARC country’s Prime used as cement concrete. Dam is in good condition, Minister was found guilty of con- krishnan are invaluable assets of Tamil Nadu. Kerala should accept the fact tempt by his country’s Supreme The possession, ownership Indeed, he is an icon for all of us engineers. and let the Mullai Periyar con- Court but given only a token sen- and property rights of the dam However, his article in Madras Musings (March tence of imprisonment lasting less and reservoir, as well as the 16th) did raise some questions. In this follow-up tinue to function as it did before than a minute? water available therein, were to his article, I offer a different perspective. I also 1979. In the same vein, subject 8. What is India’s latest long-range transferred to Tamil Nadu stress the need for Tamil Nadu and Kerala to to the statutory clearances in- intercontinental ballistic missile (then Madras) through the show wisdom and move towards the future, volved, Tamil Nadu should not successfully launched from 1886 agreement by the Maha- rather than being held hostage to the ghosts of oppose Kerala’s desire to con- Wheeler Island recently? raja of Travancore. The dam the past. struct a new dam of its own 9. On April 27th, one of the most has since then been operated Prof. M. Subramaniam 1300 ft. downstream of the ex- respected sporting team managers, and controlled by Tamil Nadu [email protected] isting Mullai Periyar Dam. As Pep Guardiola, announced that he PWD. The 1886 agreement was will be clear from the explana- would step down after his team, the not in dispute for 116 years tion that follows, by doing so, defending champion, exited from Kerala or Tamil Nadu would his continent’s prestigious club (2002). A three-judge Bench of ft. and, after retrofit, it would be The dam’s age of 100+years competition. Name the club. the Supreme Court in February raised again to full reservoir is a non-issue since, of India’s have no reason in future to have 10. In which Indian city was a 2006 found the matter in favour level of 152 ft. 5150 operational dams, 145 are fears about the existing Mullai ‘Right to Pee’ campaign, deman- of Tamil Nadu and dismissed On completion of the retro- more than 100 years old (rank Periyar Dam. ding better public toilet facilities for the review petition. Later, in fit, Kerala refused to accept the of Mullai Periyar is 38), ten are G The 160 ft. high Mullai women, launched by NGOs? March 2006, Kerala introduced raising of the water level again. more than 300 years, two more Periyar Dam has been found * * * a countervailing provision in its The matter went up to the than 1000 years and one, Kal- safe and sound for 152 ft. wa- 11. What is the name of the temple Irrigation and Water Resources Supreme Court and the Court lannai, more than 2000 years ter. On constructing the new referred to as ‘Allingal’s Pagoda’ in Act, 2003. This introduction by appointed the Mittal Commit- old. dam, the 90 ft. high water the East India Company’s records? Kerala awaits the judgement of tee of experts to go into the A dam’s life cycle is gov- downstream of the Mullai 12. Which hotel, now gone, was a five-judge Constitutional technical issues of safety, etc. erned and determined not by Periyar Dam would act as a built by the M.S. Ramaswami Bench of the Supreme Court as and report back. A three-judge age but by its maintenance and buttress and side support, Chettiar family in the 1950s near these lines are written. Supreme Court Bench, headed upkeep. China has many 1000- which would make the dam Foreshore Estate? From 1958 Kerala had been by the Chief Justice of India, ac- years-old masonry dams still even safer. Any seismic or 13. In the context of music awards, unhappy with the lease rental cepted the expert committee functional and operational. other natural force impact, what distinction did T.V. Subba and the Rs. 300 crore accruing including that of water stor- Rao, T.S. Sabhesha Iyer and M.S. findings, rejected the conten- Around the world there are 70 age in the Mullai Periyar Ramaswamy Iyer have? to Tamil Nadu from fishing and tions of Kerala and ruled in Roman dams more than 2000 Dam up to 152 ft. height, 14. Which ‘rich’ street in Chennai tourism rights. When Tamil favour of Tamil Nadu. It then years old, still functional. The houses the Madras Progressive Nadu wanted to go in for a dismissed the review petition Mullai Periyar’s unique con- would be limited to its top 70 Union School, Hindu Theological hydroelectric power plant, the also. struction concept, design and ft. height and technically School (1889) and the Thondai- request was denied by Kerala. Kerala now wants the work method adopted are those would not be a matter of any mandalam Thruva Vellalar School? When the matter was arbi- present Mullai Periyar Dam de- of a Roman dam, with stone consequence. 15. Which educational institution trated, the two technical arbi- molished and to construct a masonry in Roman lime mortar G Kerala gives to Tamil Nadu came up in the 1940s at the place trators, each representing one new dam 1300feet. down- and Roman lime concrete, the 600 mn.m3 water/year once called Palm Grove on Roya- side, gave a split verdict. The stream. However, no physical only difference being that in- through the Mullai Periyar pettah High Road? third arbitrator and umpire, a water flow would be possible to stead of volcanic ash in both of which irrigates 2.17 lakh 16. How is the freedom fighter High Court Judge of the Tamil Nadu from the new dam, them, the Indian equivalent of acres, provides drinking wa- Theerthagiri Sarkkarai Mandraa- Calcutta High Court, ruled in as its top is 14 ft. below the bed powdered, half burnt clay tiles ter to 60 lakh people, liveli- diyaar, or Theerthagiri Gounder, favour of Kerala. Instead of level of the present intake chan- (surkhi) was used in Mullai hood for 12.5 lakh farmers better known? going on appeal to the Madras nel which takes the water for- Periyar dam. and generates 140 MW Which city was the home of the 17. High Court, Tamil Nadu ward to the tunnel. In recent times, three 100- power (water storage at famous Modern Theatres, started F.R.L. 152 ft.) with gross by T.R. Sundaram in 1937? handed over the Rs. 300 cr. The detailed project report year-plus globally famous dams, benefit of Rs. 660 cr./year. 18. What is the name of Bala- fishing and tourism money to repeatedly states that Tamil the Roosevelt (USA), Joix kumaran’s sequel to Kalki’s Kerala and agreed to pay royalty Nadu has no riparian rights and (France) and Upper Glendoval G Tamil Nadu is scheduled to Ponniyin Selvan? for the water used in hydro- water, if any, will be subject to (UK), have been retrofitted like give 266 MW of power from 19. Which is the only district in the power generation. The under- availability. the Mullai Periyar and made as the Kudankulam Atomic State to have more than ten taluks? standing reached in 1970 was Kerala’s objections are on good as new. Power Plant and 260 MW It has eleven. incorporated as a supplemen- two counts: the first is the safety Tamil Nadu wants Kerala to low cost thermal power from 20. How many zeroes are there in tary corollary and in continua- of the dam and the second is the accept the Supreme Court judg- the Neyveli Lignite Corpora- the Tamil number ‘thollun’? tion of the 1886 agreement. dam being more than 100 years ment and the orders of Febru- (Answers on page 7) Next, in 1979, Kerala raised old. ary 2006 and allow raising the (Continued on page 7) May 16-31, 2012 MADRAS MUSINGS 7 English Theatre returns hennai’s claims to the title who is also an expert in lighting Freddy Koikaran’s (‘Stage- P.C. Ramakrishna Freddy Koikaran Michael Muthu Cof ‘Cultural capital of In- and set design (Michael Mu- fright’) advertisement says it all: dia’ has only meant that it has thu), ‘Boardwalkers’ have cash- “Theatre, Music and more! been the stronghold of Carnatic ed in on these technical stren- Yup, that’s right! Hey, even if enough, though groups have absence of sustained play- music and Bharata Natyam. It gths and event management. you’re just the ‘spectating’ type, found creative ways of doing writing workshops – like is a city of sabha-s – private Meanwhile, ‘The Madras join us!” Since 2001 Ajit more with less. Mumbai’s annual Writer’s Bloc organisations conducting mon- Players’, said to be India’s old- Chitturi has been organising The real problems lie else- (by Rage, in collaboration with thly and annual festivals of clas- est amateur English theatre readings with newcomers, in where. The lack of rigorous, the Royal Court Theatre) sical music and dance. The past group, celebrated its golden ju- the homes of senior theatre per- multi-pronged, years-long train- which helps aspiring play- saw the sabha-s promoting bilee (2005). This group pro- sons, or at youth-friendly ven- ing is evident in every depart- wrights by actually staging what Tamil drama on a large scale – duced, even premiered, some of ues like the Ashvita Gallery. ment of theatre craft. Most they write – is keenly felt. mainly mythological spectacles, the famous New Wave Indian While Neil Simon draws full groups work with actors of dif- And yet, English theatre in ‘social drama’ and plain farce. plays in the 1960s-70s, in addi- house, many groups have ferent levels – from profession- Chennai is alive now as it never English theatre has rarely been tion to its regular fare of started looking for that “spicy als to debuting college students was before, with a growing au- part of mainstream Chennai Shakespeare and Pinter. A re- desi touch”. But plays “we can – resulting in unevenness. dience eager to experience the culture. markable change came with the relate to” are hard to come by. There is little sense of ‘reper- live medium. They are accessed tory’, actors float in and out, through generous previews in In the last ten years, English declaration of 2000 as the ‘Year Rajiv Krishnan (‘Perch’), of the Chennai Playwright’. and V. Balakrishnan (‘Theatre and from one group to another, every English daily, while Email theatre has made its presence with no guide or mentor to give and Facebook have opened felt strongly and insistently, Since then, The Madras Players Nisha’) have tried to push the have found a different kind of envelope in different ways. them purpose and direction. even wider portals. Interest- with theatre groups mushroom- Barring a few, the interest seems ingly, this ticket-buying theatre ing everywhere. Old groups to be on performance rather audience is far more disciplined have been rejuvenated or have G by Gowri Ramnarayan than achieving in-depth, nu- than those at sabha events. The reinvented themselves in new anced excellence. On the tech- mobile phone remains a men- directions. nical side too, sound and light ace, but there is no sauntering Not every group has any par- energy and focus in staging In- With his commitment to long- are often manned by untrained in and out at will or exodus ticular aim beyond the staging dian plays – original and trans- term rehearsals and attention to newcomers who do not stick on part-way as at Carnatic music of plays, or ideas of developing lated scripts – welcoming col- detail, Rajiv has been able to long enough to gain experience. and Bharata Natyam recitals. – a character of its own. “Perform laborations with other groups, create sustained work of quality A major problem is the lack (Courtesy: Sruti). or die” could well be the motto encouraging new writing in En- in content and form. of good theatres like Mumbai’s of most theatre groups in the glish. That is how the oldest Crossing boundaries has Prithvi Theatre and Bangalore’s city. It is not unusual to see amateur company joined the been a major impetus for Ranga Shankara. Imagine what The historic young people trying to patch up youngest group, the Landing Balakrishnan, whose plays and a boon it would be to have a and mount a play of sorts, with Stage, to showcase an enor- workshops in schools, colleges theatre space in Chennai, with legacy nothing but enthusiasm to carry mously successful Swami and and corporate centres have two halls to seat 600 and 200 them through. Friends, an adaptation of R.K. expanded the reach for such persons, equipped with a good (Continued from page 6) A new kind of English the- Narayan’s debut masterpiece. ventures. (if not state-of-the-art) lighting tion generation. The gross atre came to Chennai with the Landing Stage itself attracts Dhritiman Chatterji of and sound system, specially de- cost benefit to Kerala will be professed goal of entertainment a large number of stage-struck Satyajit Ray films fame collabo- signed for mikeless productions! Rs 1913 cr. Tamil Nadu also entrepreneurship when ‘Evam’ young people through multifold rated with me, a journalist-mu- Not to forget the friendly café, sends medicines, vegetables, (2003) devised market strate- theatre-related activities, wid- sician-playwright, to launch theatre bookshop and, yes, milk, meat on hoof, sand etc. gies to promote its packed ening the circle of actors and ‘JustUs Repertory’. We tried to parking space. Theatre stan- (water equivalent of 1700 shows. Young people began to theatre-goers. shape its distinct character by dards will rise by leaps and mn. m3/year) as also a find live theatre a cool place to Every group knows the im- melding classical music and bounds. And if theatre offers a monetary contribution of be in. Chennai watched with portance of offering live theatre dance with contemporary En- professional quality and sus- Rs. 300.20 cr./year towards surprise as Evam (with a core exposure to young audiences. glish theatre, struggling to find tained variety, the same Mullai Periyar waters. team of paid professionals) Krishna Kumar’s ‘Masquerade’ beauty and values in a world of Chennaiites, often blamed for G Kerala’s net benefit accrual found ample sponsorship, de- has produced most of Chennai’s mounting violence. lack of interest or discernment from Tamil Nadu is Rs. 2053 veloping activities including actors, including Kartik Kumar As good as it gets? So it in drama, may become as the- cr. and net water equivalent event management, HR train- and Nikhila Kesavan. His natak sounds. But while Chennai the- atre-friendly as Mumbaikars, transfer by way of produce is ing models, and corporate competitions (sadly defunct) atre has come up with fine pro- Kolkatans, or Bangaloreans. 1080 mn. m3. shows. galvanised colleges into compe- ductions, every group is faced Another problem is that ev- Kerala and Tamil Nadu have titions with prizes for play, script with disheartening problems. With the advantage of being eryone is forced to script and equally benefited through the and sets/lighting. Sponsorship is always never headed by an actor/director adapt texts for the stage. The generations of goodwill arising A big ‘Thank You’ to 68 of you out of the Mullai Periyar Dam CHENNAI HERITAGE and should accept it as their We publish below the list of donors who have, between common historical legacy. No. 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, 16-04-12 to 15-05-12, added to the support Chennai Heritage and Royapettah, Chennai 600 014 its voice, Madras Musings, have already received. We thank all of them for their support for the causes Chennai Heritage espouses. Answers to Quiz I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / Rs. 4900: Adyar Times – Chennai Heritage 1. One World Trade Center I have just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it hereafter. Rs. 1000: Kanti Padmanabhan; Ramanujam N. coming up on the site of the de- G I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Rs. 100 (Rupees One hundred) Rs. 900: Maya Jeyapal; Saxena D.B.; Gopalakrishnan W.S.; Thomas Philip stroyed WTC; 2. Jazz; 3. Actress Rs. 500: Balasubramaniam R.; Anantha Narayanan K.V.; Vasanthi Mathew; Kavitha payable to CHENNAI HERITAGE, MADRAS, as subscription to Madras Musings for the Rekha and industrialist Anu Agha; G.; Muthu Krishnan V. year 2012-13. Rs. 456: Vipradas G.B. 4. Brahmaputra; 5. Titanic; 6. 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o watch Tendulkar bat is to in 73 ODIs and his 200 catches Tbe constantly bowled over in Tests – with almost the same by sheer mastery of technique number in ODIs – make him punctuated by extravagant DRAVID one of the all-rounders of In- stroke play. Laxman is the con- dian cricket. summate artist who makes your Two incidents I happened spirit soar with the effortless- – He fought the good battle every time to witness at close quarters in ness of his caressing blade. perts found Dravid’s backlift make substantial room to cut Chennai revealed glimpses of Ganguly sometimes stunned inadequate for Test cricket. balls turning into him, I wonder Dravid’s qualities of head and you with the sheer effrontery of Though Ganguly’s batting in if he has ever been out while heart to me. The first was dur- his offside magic. But to me, England was a revelation, doing so. He did seem to have a ing one of his appearances for watching Rahul Dravid bat is to converting the skeptic in me, problem in moving his left foot India Cements in a local match live and die with him, as if a Dravid’s batting, backlift and all too far forward to the offside re- when, impressed by the close brother or a son were at the had been something I had sulting in the occasional catch catching ability of a senior first crease. I have never been able admired from Day 1, even to the onside or lbw. class cricketer, he not only con- to be a detached spectator dur- before he made his Test debut. On the last tour of England, sulted him but actually tried out ing his innings, big and small, at I was already familiar with his we first saw him make some se- some of his catching methods. his fluent best or during his rare boy-next-door demeanour and rious adjustments to his tech- This when he already enjoyed moments of doubt and uncer- low-key profile, and so it did not nique – or so it seemed –trying reputation as one of the world’s Rahul Dravid. tainty. I contain my excitement, surprise me that his first two to play beside the ball rather better slip fielders. my elation, with considerable innings of 95 and 84 were not his every pore while he is bat- than get right behind it to ne- The second was during a difficulty when he is on song, accompanied by histrionics. ting. Add to this his grim gotiate short pitched bowling in book release event in the midst but I stop watching when he is The critics were not yet expressin, and you can easily particular, just as his Karnataka of a Test match he was playing scratching around apparently convinced of his ability at the mistake his concentration for senior GR Viswanath did in Chennai in 2002. Some nine beset by self-doubt, as he did to- highest level, but his 148 and 81 anxiety. Nothing could be far- against the West Indies’ battery speakers preceded him at the wards the very end of his distin- in the third Test at Johannes- ther from the truth, for he of fast bowlers of his era. Was it launch; as the star of the guished career. burg against a pace attack that strides to the crease with pur- this very adjustment that evening, he was naturally saved As a first class cricketer, I comprised Allan Donald at his pose and determination but also proved Dravid’s undoing on the for the end. He mixed freely stopped watching cricket for a quickest, Shaun Pollock, Brian confidence in his own ability to subsequent Australian tour, with the guests and, after sitting while after my playing days. The McMillan and Lance Klusener, weather any storm. Much as when he was regularly bowled patiently through the long continuing exploits of the greats proved that here was an Indian Dravid may liken cricket to a by Ben Hilfenhaus? Viswanath speeches, gave a thoughtful talk of the day including a few from batsman who took pride in game (as he did in his brilliant was a true artist with the bat, himself. And it was obvious India – Gavaskar and Viswa- scoring overseas. The backlift while Dravid was more of a from his remarks that he had nath, Amarnath and Veng- worked! While in this game, he master craftsman. The one actually read parts of the book G sarkar – and the advent of Kapil narrowly missed his first by common character trait they in the midst of Test match duty! Dev were the magnets that re- century-in-each-innings, he V. Ramnarayan shared was their unselfishness. That he has a nice, quietly self- charged my love affair with sacrificed at least one similar Rarely did we see a substan- deprecatory sense of humour cricket. With no disrespect to opportunity by throwing his tial innings from Viswanath (or was quite evident from the the many splendid cricketers of second innings wicket away in Don Bradman oration), he Dravid) unless his team requi- Bradman oration. the Kapil Dev generation, how- pursuit of team objectives. He fought the good battle every red one from him. But unlike Just to prove that he is hu- ever, it was the so-called Fab did achieve the feat twice, time he took guard for India or, GRV, who played many a man, Dravid once made an an- Four and their contemporaries including 190 and 103 not out for that matter, Karnataka or match-winning knock, but also gry fist towards someone in the who revived the dying flame of against New Zealand. his club side. occasionally seemed to squan- pavilion after completing a one- the romance of cricket all over Though he never struck you His poise in his easy stance der his wicket, Dravid ensured day hundred. If I was shocked again for me. as a natural athlete, Dravid was only matched by the sure- the safety of his team long after by that gesture so atypical of How many of us knew back obviously worked extremely ness of his footwork, going for- crossing a personal milestone or him, another, somewhat differ- in 1996 that Ganguly and hard at his fitness. His is a rare ward or backward. I wonder if denying himself one. ent, image of him is perma- Dravid who made splendid de- case of a player who did not either he or Tendulkar has As captain, he did not ask of nently etched in my mind – his buts in England would go on to look older in his last Test than found his equal in front foot his players anything he was not joyous celebration after India attain great heights in world he did in his first, and I am play against genuine pace, espe- prepared to do in the team’s won the Adelaide Test in De- cricket? (Would their progress reasonably sure he weighs the cially in defence. In addition to cause, including opening the in- cember 2003. Dravid’s contri- have been slower had they de- same today as he did in 1996. his ability to drive so elegantly nings unperturbed by fear of bution was 233 and 72 not out. buted in Australia or South Af- His physical fitness seems to on the offside and to pick the failure. He did that under other That was Rahul Dravid at his rica?) Before the tour began, have improved over the years, gap in the midwicket region, captains too, as he did as late as very best – a cricketer who de- many believed that Ganguly though we learn he is prone to Dravid must be among the the last England tour, keeping rived great pride from perform- was in the Indian squad because dehydration – unsurprisingly so, fiercest cutters as well as the wicket as well when Dhoni de- ing with intensity even in hos- he was Jagmohan Dalmiya’s judging by the sheer volume of most nimble pullers in the cided to bowl. His heroic accep- tile conditions away from home. boy, and self-proclaimed ex- sweat that tends to pour from game. And though he tends to tance of the wicketkeeper’s job – (Courtesy: Straight Bat).

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