Registered with the Reg. No. TN/CH(C)/374/12-14 Registrar of Newspapers Licenced to post without prepayment for India under R.N.I. 53640/91 Licence No. TN/PMG(CCR)/WPP-506/12-14 Rs. 5 per copy (Annual Subscription: Rs. 100/-) WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS CHENNAI INSIDE • Short ‘N’ Snappy • Bharati’s open letter • In-Sight and eye-sight • A life of service • 3 contributors to industry

Vol. XXII No. 18 MUSINGS January 1-15, 2013 How about a Festival of Chennai?

he December festival these days does not begin from Decem Tber 15th and end on January 1st as it did a couple of decades ago. It now spans the period mid-November to the middle of January, signing off with the end of the Pongal festivities. And then there’s the Tourist Fair. With the weather being tolerable at this time of the year in our city, it has become a season for tourists and NRIs as well. All this makes it an ideal festival package to market and it is heartening to see that the Chief Minister, during her inaugural speech at the Music Academy’s festival, has called on the organisation to come up with plans to make this a world-class festival and promised all help from the Government’s side. Are things moving again Such a proposal is not new. An earlier attempt discussed by the Confederation of Indian Industry’s local tourism committee did not go beyond a few tea sessions largely because there was no at- in the Poonga? tempt at getting the event a broader base and wider public and he high profile Adyar tures on the site. There was also ing 300 acres. They have also trade participation. The idea was once again revived in 2005 with T Poonga project which, af- considerable opposition to asked for the construction of ter the completion of its first planting alien species of trees. A toilets on the premises. Metro- phase, seemed to have gone further worry was the Govern- water has committed to cons- G by The Editor into limbo, has suddenly been ment’s commitment then to tructing additional stormwater revived, with a meeting recently work on only 58 acres, which drains to ensure that water is held among the various were separated from the water diverted to the park. This, it is Government departments and by the remaining 300 acres. It expected, will restore tidal flow the Music Academy being called to work out plans. Once again agencies involved. It is under- was feared that such isolated into the protected area. A sew- matters ended there. The Chennai Sangamam was thought to be stood that it was agreed that preservation would cut off the age treatment plant is also on an alternative but with changed political scenario, that appears to work on the second phase of the water from the park. But work the anvil. Once this is done, it have gone into hibernation. What is needed is a Government project, involving 300 acres as went ahead nevertheless and is expected that the Govern- policy to promote the season no matter who is in power. And as to opposed to the first phase’s 58 the first phase of the work was ment will allow the general pub- the actual nitty-gritty, Madras Musings is of the view that this is acres, will begin soon. This is a declared complete in 2010. lic ingress into the park. still a do-able scheme. We had written on how to go about it in welcome development. What happened after that While all this is to the good, February 2002 and quote below what we had said: The Adyar Poonga was the has never been fully explained. it is absolutely necessary that ● An art, heritage and theatre festival on Pantheon Road. The outcome of the Consumer Ac- the Government speeds up its Museum Complex, with the Art Gallery and the Museum The- tion Group’s, (CAG’s) spirited G by A Special execution. Four years have fight against the continued deg- gone by with very little to show atre, will be a perfect venue for this. Shopping and eating out Correspondent will be added attractions here. radation of the Adyar Creek, for it. In the meanwhile the once a sylvan natural habitat environment is getting increas- ● Cathedral Road-Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai-Edward Elliot’s Road that sadly became a dumping For some reason, the park was ingly degraded. The site is a is a stretch for a food and music festival. The stretch has some ground for garbage and, worse, declared out of bounds for any- convenient spot of the illegal of the best and most frequented hotels, restaurants and food unplanned construction activ- one other than groups of school dumping of construction debris, stores in town. The Music Academy can serve as the venue for ity. Following a High Court or- children. There were rumours which is detrimental for natural music concerts and visitors can move about the long stretch to der in 2008, the Government that the landscape architect in- growth and vegetation. If this is savour the food of their choice. entrusted the project to the volved was never paid his dues. not curtailed in a hurry, lots Tamil Nadu Urban Infra- And with a change in Govern- more money will need to be ● A beach festival on Kamarajar Salai with the Marina as the structure Financial Services ment it appeared that priorities spent in removing the debris backdrop. Limited. Following the direc- had shifted to other projects. and also restoring the soil. Sec- Madras Musings also stressed that it should be looked at as a tives of the Court, a monitoring Happily that would appear ondly, given the way our gov- shopping and food festival with discounts by stores and restaurants committee was set up, which not to be so. At the recently ernments work, the land can al- as well as by hotels for longer stays. had on it, among others, repre- held meeting, it is learnt, offi- ways be hijacked for some other sentatives of CAG. cials in charge of the Adyar project. So the sooner the en- All these suggestions hold good even today and what is more The progress of the work was Poonga have urged the Cor- tire 358 acres are transformed as they can be implemented fairly easily if only some thought is given not smooth. The CAG conti- poration to take steps to stop a natural preserve, the better for to the methodology. nuously opposed any attempt at the dumping of waste and con- everyone including, of course, (Continued on page 2) constructing permanent struc- struction debris on the remain- the citizens of Chennai.

CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS January 1-15, 2013 A Festival Enjoying the Season ach Music Season, The And so MMM did. As he EMan from Madras Mus- prepared to leave, the tough of Chennai? ings and his good lady add on informed MMM that he had quite a bit of avoirdupois and (of Food) been repeatedly requesting (Continued from page 1) spend the rest of the year try- of the gravy was prepared for the local municipal office to ing to slough it off. That is the evening feed. come and correct the sign- because the Music Season is All this did not appear to board and they were yet to The Government on its part will have to facilitate the conduct also the season of food, what deter anyone (MMM inclu- comply. of the cultural season by providing infrastructure and that would with several canteens oper- ded). Feasting at all hours Back in office, MMM mean some of the following things: ated by some of Chennai’s was the motto and some- checked the camera to only best caterers coming up at where up above there must find that something was ● A common inauguration of the festival on the beach: Today the sabhas. MMM agrees be a God who likes people wrong with its innards and it is quite common to see sabha after sabha holding an inaugu- with Swami Vivekananda who like their food. For, Kandasamy Lean was lost to ration with the same tired dignitaries making the same speeches who once famously said that there has never been a single posterity. He rushed back to and handing out awards all of which sound and look alike. Why philosophy cannot be prea- instance of a canteen that the site only to find a man ched to an audience with an can’t the cultural season have a common inauguration at a makes people fall ill. Whe- with paint and brush, busy as empty stomach. The same a bee. The tough was no- venue such as Senate House or, if larger crowds are expected, at ther there are any lingering applies to music as well. And after-effects, manifesting where to be seen. So MMM the beachfront? This would not only avoid repetition, but also MMM usually attends con- only after a certain number sidled up to the painter and bring about a focus to the festival. certs on an overfull stomach. of Seasons, MMM is unable asked him what he was up to. Like Napoleon’s armies, To which he received the re- ● Better transport arrangements: Let’s face it. Today, the idea to say. He is no doctor, but MMM marches from sabha he can assure you that if ply that news had come of everyone driving up to popular cultural events is a thing of to sabha on his stomach. there is such an impact, he around that someone from the past thanks to our traffic. The government which in the Having said that, MMM should know for he has, for a one of these good-for-no- 1970s ran special buses to the Music Academy and the Tamil would also like to add that number of Seasons now, thing newspapers had been Isai Sangam will have to look at reviving the arrangement with not everything is hunky dory been actively browsing and nosing around for a story, some modifications. These buses must be airconditioned, bat- on the food front. And by sluicing. had discovered a spelling that the inevitable fallouts of mistake, and was threatening tery operated and also be accessible to senior citizens and the indigestion and adipose to blow the issue out of pro- physically challenged. Pick-up and drop arrangements could alone are not meant. The Street signboards portion. And so the local of- be at schools where car parking facilities can be organised and canteens themselves have he present administra- fice had sent the painter public transport accessed. For those who prefer to walk, the gone the way of liberalisation Ttion is on a street-name around to correct it before it least the state authorities can do would be to ensure footpaths and that means they are painting spree. No doubt, became big. And Ichabod! and exclusive pedestrian areas at least during the period of the readily sacrificing core val- eminence personage hailed The deed had been done. festival. ues. All that may seem too as a second Lincoln in post- And so Kandasamy Lean had deeply philosophical for a ers has demanded that any- become Kandasamy Lane. ● Becoming tourist friendly: “What tourists want is clean and column like this, written thing that is a vestige of the It was a disheartened comfortable accommodation in clean surroundings, friendly largely with the idea of previous regime needs to be MMM who returned to service with warmth and a smile, good food that in its variety spreading sweetness and done away with. Consequen- work. But you can never light. And, so, before you tly, several of the rather well- keep a good man down. That still takes into consideration visitors’ tastes, and absence of move away, let MMM assure very evening MMM dis- harassment at tourist sites” is what we stated in February 2002. you that this liberalisation covered this gem. And he These are all aspects that the city administration needs to look has also resulted in some captured it with two cameras into before it can market the festival. Yes, the requirements of amusing sidelights. SHORT ’N’ just to make sure. This was the upper class tourist are met by star hotels. But what about The menu, for one, has SNAPPY Pilot Lane at one time, runn- those of the budget class tourist? And what about tourists who gone international. So you ing alongside the eponymous have a number of North In- would like to live with Indian families and soak in the atmo- theatre. See what it has be- dian and Chinese dishes. come. May it make our city sphere? The Government could take a leaf out of Mylapore And these are proudly prin- designed luminous sign- more courteous. Times’ Season Guide and begin publishing information of homes ted on the cards, without any boards put by the Artiste and that would like to take in visitors, with the rates and facilities care for correct spelling. his party have become con- clearly stated in advance. And while we are on the subject, How else do you explain venient places for pasting posters (of the modern day what about some special season maps? dishes such as kulsa (kulcha), thagi papti (dahi papdi), dhai Lincoln II). The present re- ● Inducing the trade to participate: Whatever little partici- puri (dahi puri) and, above gime has also gone back to pation there is today by the trade in terms of hotels and shop- all, that child of Gopi and painting road names on com- ping, is mainly due to private initiative. And very often this Manju – Gopi Manjurian? All pound walls at least those that are not covered with depends on the man in the decision-taking seat in corporates it needs is babaghanouj spelt as Babuganesh! posters of Lincoln II and Ar- and this could change at his whim and fancy. The Government Another pet peeve is the tiste that is. And there is needs to think up schemes and chalk out incentives for en- average sense of hygiene. ample scope for much fun Sabha toilets and laughter if you just fol- couraging participation in the festival. This will definitely give Most canteen regulars ap- hat is a vast subject, low the painter’s progress, as the season a fillip and possibly open it up to more sponsorship. pear immune, but not needing perhaps a full The Man from Madras T MMM. Thus at one sabha, it story with sabhas needing to ● Broad base the event: The Season should not be seen as a Musings has been doing. is only at peak feeding time be graded on the basis of the classical music and dance festival alone. It will have to bring in How else do you explain that a man appears, opens a conveniences they provide. Kandasamy Lean? That it is films, history, exhibitions, theatre and folk art. The Other Fes- manhole cover, peers in and, But The Man from Madras a narrow alley notwithstand- tival, which showcases a diverse set of talents, has been a suc- then, having shaken his Musings could not help over- ing, surely someone ought to cess in the city. The Mylapore Festival too has brought in head, leaves the cover open hearing a dancer complain to have seen that it was a lane? and goes off somewhere. a sabha secretary about the plenty of folk art and this trend needs to be encouraged. An- MMM had barely espied this Having left the eaters to in- appalling conditions of the other aspect is to get more localities other than Mylapore and and was busy capturing it hale the aroma wafting from sabha’s toilets. To which the T’Nagar to participate in the season. At least four areas, namely with a camera when along the open drain for some society Maama simply re- came a local tough and de- Triplicane, Egmore, Kilpauk and George Town have to be time, he returns with a long plied that the dancer had manded to know what brought into the gamut of the festival failing which such an pole which he now proceeds better relieve herself at home MMM was up to. Wiser by effort will simply not take off. For a start, the Government to put in. He then stirs what- before coming over. Now, experience, MMM immedia- ever is simmering in the how would it be if the same could think of opening up the renovated Victoria Public Hall. tely said that he represented bowels of the building. sabha’s audiences decided to Similarly it could ask the organisations controlling the Memo- a newspaper that has for its Whatever he does appears eat well before coming over rial Hall, the Gokhale Hall and the Pachaiyappa’s Hall to make name a majority community effective, for after some time and thereby avoid patronage in this secular land of ours. them available for season-related events. Many temples and he closes the lid and walks of the canteen? Or perhaps That did the trick. The churches would prove ideal venues. Such a move would not away. Every evening this decided to take the custom tough immediately softened, only ignite interest in these buildings but also make the areas drama is repeated without elsewhere for music and patted MMM on the shoul- fail. Not the most appetising dance as well? The secretary come alive. der and said that MMM’s of sights and MMM was fur- may do well to think that ● newspaper was his favourite. International Publicity: Initially in the countries of the Indian ther traumatised when a fel- over. Ocean littoral and later, further afield. low feeder remarked in jest He also asked MMM to take that that was the way most whatever photo he wanted. – MMM There is a lot more that can be done if there is a will to do it. Is anyone listening? January 1-15, 2013 MADRAS MUSINGS 3 Those Island days... Public conveniences hat the public convenien- read with great interest the article titled ‘Radio Vadhyar’ My grand-aunt Muthulakshmi, who was physically disabled Tces are to be made free of I(MM, December 1st), which was brought to my notice by my and could not walk after an unfortunate accident, took a lot of charge (MM December 1st) is mother Meena Venkateswaran who grew up in Colombo and interest in music and was responsible for teaching Carnatic music great news for stretched blad- studied at the Holy Family Convent on Galle Road there. to all my aunts there, as well as to my mother. In fact, it was she ders, but it is also true that if no who noticed that I liked playing the drum and got me to learn the My great grandfather, the late Sankara Iyer from mridangam in Colombo, when we used to visit there for our an- charge is levied the place will Ambasamudram, decided in the early 20th Century to try his luck become unusable. Unfortuna- nual school holidays. Sivapathasundaram and his wife were great in Colombo (or ‘Kozhumbu’ as we used to then refer to it). After friends of my mother and visited our family home very often. tely, there cannot be a ‘Pee a few years of struggle, he joined Lever Brothers as a clerk and now, pay later’ arrangement. rose in stature in the organisation due to what we call these days After the War, Lever Brothers’ organisation returned to Co- Some agency like Sulabh should as ‘marketing savvy’. lombo and offered a Director’s position to my grand-uncle be contracted and their services Mahadevan (who took it up) and to my grandfather Narasimhan When World War II broke out, the Englishmen who were who refused it on the moral ground that his younger brother subsidised. running Lever Brothers wanted to hand over the Company to a Apart from pedestrians, mo- Annaswami was not offered the position for some reason. The reliable person and thus was born Sankar Iyer and Sons started fact that Annaswami had an entrepreneurial streak in him is an- torists also face this problem by my great-grandfather. That firm was completely in charge of when traffic is held up for long other story; he went on to start his own manufacturing business marketing Lever Brothers’ products (those days all imported) all in Kelaniya (on the outskirts of Colombo) making wood screws, periods and the airconditioning over Ceylon. (In fact, many old-timers from Ceylon know him as wire nails and barbed wire products. This factory was burned to induces micturition. In future, ‘Kozhumbu’ Sankara Iyer.) Sankara Iyer did a remarkable job the ground in 1982/83 when the Tamil-Sinhalese conflict erupted cars should have factory-fitted and set up a fine distribution network to sell soaps, detergents all over the beautiful island. septic tanks. Also every petrol and many such household products. filling station should have a My mother remembers quite a few things about the past and It was around that time that the Sivapathasundarams came becomes most excited and nostalgic about the great clean loo so that when the car’s into contact with our family due to the fact that my mother was a Sivapathasundaram who was a regular visitor to all our homes tank is being filled, the passen- good singer. Radio Ceylon featured her in a lot of Classical even when he lived for some time in Madras. He was loved by all ger can void his. kutcheris and also used her as a singer of jingles. In fact, my mother of us. We are so lucky to have had so many such great influences C.G. Prasad was known to many people in Colombo as Vayathu Vali Akka, in our lives. 9, C. S. Mudali Street since she sang a famous jingle advertising a health product to Kondithope, Chennai 600 079 overcome stomach pain and other ailments. As a postscript, I do sorely miss Ranjitha Ashok and Biswajit and hope to see them soon in Madras Musings. Omission Sankara Iyer unfortunately died at a very young age. He left behind three sons, S. Mahadevan, S. Narasimhan and S. V. Nilakantan( Nilu) he article titled ‘Animal Annaswami, and five daughters, Janaki, Maragatham, New No. 27, Old No.14, Chinniah Road TFarm – Version 2’ that ap- Muthulakshmi, Savithri and Lalitha. Opp. Kamaraj Memorial,Tirumalai Pillai Road. peared in the last issue of Ma- T’ Nagar, Chennai 600 017 dras Musings was by Ranjitha Ashok. We regret leaving out her name. – The Editor

strengthening Lord Pentland’s In an open letter... hands in rendering me justice, and in withdrawing measures adopted against me on the strength of in- credible, absurd and unscrupulous Bharati complains reports.” This letter figured in a dis- cussion in the then Madras Leg- islative Assembly, the issue hav- about the Police ing been brought up by the well- known advocate and member n February 10, 1914, an ment was felt by some high placed on the sands of the Madras Beach of the Assembly, P.V. Narasim- Oopen letter was published officials at their inability to find three years before must be at the ha Iyer, on April 2, 1914. He in The Hindu under the heading something which would enable bottom of the whole thing; for, had asked if the letter was brought Police Rule In India. It was writ- them to send me to prison and that they not shown their bias for dis- to the attention of the Govern- ten by C. Subramania Bharati, the Police were trying to fabricate regarding the law by refusing to ment and if so what the result and addressed to James Ramsay false evidence against me. An swallow the benefits of that angelic C. Subramania Bharati. was. MacDonald, Leader of the Brit- impartial and thorough student of Section 124-A of the Indian Pe- Bharati says, “After the arrival of But the Government as ish Labour Party. the history of our times like your- nal Code as interpreted by the Lord Pentland as Governor of usual replied that the letter was In his letter, Bharati detailed self could not but be aware how Pinheys of the day? Madras, I noticed a partial an appeal and was, therefore, as how he was hounded by the mercilessly and deliberately the “During the trial of the Ashe change in the atmosphere of the per rules sent to the legal wing British police, their informers, peaceful nationalist movement murder case at the Madras High local post office and concluded, and action could be taken only and spies during his stay in was suppressed in that year, thus rightly, that the influence of the if Bharati, considered a fugitive, Pondicherry. making room for what neither the spies on the postal service had gone returned to British Indian ter- It was a long letter and stated Government nor the Nationalists G by down considerably. This encour- ritory and appealed again. In among other things, really wanted, viz. terrorist vio- K.R.A. Narasiah aged me to write a long appeal to fact the Government added “Dear Sir, From the middle of lence.” H.E. Pentland and and send it by that since there were other the year 1906 to the month of Au- In the letter Bharati re- post. In that appeal, I narrated all cases against Bharati, they gust 1908, I was working as a spe- counts the Ashe murder Court, I could get some glimpses the facts of my case, also append- would have to be inquired into, cial contributor to a weekly Tamil incident and says, “. . . as though into the sort of ‘evidence’ which ing copies of certain documents too. Journal, India by name, which to encourage the inventive skill of made the Police suspect me as a which, I felt sure, would give His Learning about this, Bharati was published in Madras. In the the Madras Police, Vanchi Iyer possible abettor.” Excellency insight into the charac- wrote a letter to The Editor, latter year, the Government committed suicide, leaving no clue Bharati continues, after ter of the lower Police and their The Hindu, published on April thought it fit to prosecute that jour- whatsoever as to the possible stating a few more facts, “The happy freedom from all notions of 8, 1914: In that letter he asked nal for sedition. abettors.” only charge which the Police could legality and moral rectitude...” at the end, “I have made certain “I was not the person He continues with a touch of maintain against these acquitted Bharati concludes with an definite charges against the Ma- responsible for the conduct of the humour, “The lower Police, to men was that they were found in earnest appeal, “I make this ap- dras Police. Is my presence essen- Journal and so, of course, they whom, by the way, political mo- possession of books published by peal to you, Sir, who, as chief of tial in British India for the Gov- sent another man to gaol. tives and political crimes were, and me! And, of course, I was guilty the Labour Party and as very so- ernment to hold an enquiry into “I quit Madras a few days af- still are, as strange and unfamiliar because they had my books! ber and thoughtful statesman, the conduct of the police?” ter the India prosecution com- as Differential Calculus, at once Q.E.D.” wields a considerable influence for All this fell on the deaf ears menced, as many of my friends imagined that the newspapermen After talking about censor- good on English public opinion, to of the British Government in informed me that keen disappoint- who had been talking ‘Swadeshi’ ship by the postal services, do all that you can in the way of India! 4 MADRAS MUSINGS January 1-15, 2013 January 1-15, 2013 MADRAS MUSINGS 5

The Public Health Centre, Mambalam In-Sight into ensuring Real service, not better eye-sight A memorial to projecting himself f there is one man who is Reddy, who was to found Apollo galow in the heart of the city in A bachelor, he opted to live Iidentified with Chennai’s su- Hospitals, but who had at the Nungambakkam for a price in a frugal rented accommoda- per-speciality eye hospital time joined H.M. after returning brought down by Rs.6 lakh from a life of service tion throughout his life. When Sankara Nethralaya, it is Dr. from the US. Their friendship the Rs.14 lakh it was being of- friends secretly arranged to Sengamedu Srinivasa Badrinath. continues to this day. After three fered in the market. There was Born in a low-income Brah- build a small residential annexe But, as he himself would have it, years at H.M. Hospital, Dr. all-round support for the hospi- to his favourite haunt, the min family of Tiruvannamalai in “Its story is the story of my col- Badrinath moved to Vijaya Hos- tal, including from the Agarwal PHC, he refused to move in North Arcot District, Subrah- leagues who stood by me, the pital, Vadapalani, but continued Eye Institute. In fact, Dr. (Mrs) and arranged, instead, to find manyam lost his father at an story of millions of patients who as a consultant to VHS and T. Agarwal cut the ribbon to in- public use for the space. Dr. Badrinath examining an elderly patient in the early days of the hospital. early age, and was raised by his reposed trust in us, and a be- H.M. Hospital. During those augurate it. In 1998, the legal lu- ‘MC’ retired from the Sun- mother and aunt in Madras. nevolent society that supported early years, Dr. Badrinath treated minary, Nani A. Palkhiwala, do- goes to Dr. Badrinath and Dr. and it will be difficult for you.’’ day Express after a stint in the During his tenure at the Government’s Information us.” former Finance Minister TTK nated Rs.12 crore to help Vasanthi Badrinath. All the On MGR’s insistence, Dr TSS Muthialpet High School, he was Department. During his last That story is told in In-Sight, and the doyenne of Carnatic Sankara Nethralaya take over other couples have both been reluctantly prescribed the lenses. ‘MC’ influenced by his teacher, the years, he moved on to edit The the chronicle of Sankara (Good- music MS, among other VIPs. the Lady Willingdon Hospital in doctors with the exception of Dr. Later, while attending a confer- n a crowd, MC was shy, self- Vedic exponent and Aurobindo Indian Review. He was known doer) Nethralaya (Temple of the 1974 was a landmark year in the same neighbourhood, so that T.S. Surendran and Jayanti ence in Chicago, the doctor dis- effacing, withdrawn and scholar, T.V. Kapali Shastri. I for his writing skills and his use Eye). The tag line ‘Sankara Dr. Badrinath’s career. He was it could expand. Then Ratan Surendran, a senior administra- covered Monovision, an optical unobtrusive. Though its of simple language for commu- Finding the youngster joining a Nethralaya’s Passion for Com- called upon to treat his spiritual Tata donated Rs.5.5 crore. tor. means of correction of presbyo- founder and general secretary, nication. Besides being a sound group of students who were pro- passion’ lets you into what’s in guru, Sri Chandrasekharendra When the hospital was Dr. Tarun Sharma, who has pia, where one eye is corrected he seldom projected himself on political and social thinker, he testing against the repressive store. Saraswathi Swamigal. One of the started, Dr. Badrinath did not been with the institution for for distance vision and the other any PHC platform or in any was a good cooperator too – the Simon Commission and, there- publication nor did he pose for Badrinath’s tryst with his call- Guru’s eyes, previously treated qualify to be on top of the list of more than 25 years, sees an in- eye is corrected for near vision Mambalam Cooperative Stores fore, not attending school, a photograph. ‘Real service and concept was begun by him! A ing came at age four when he for cataract, had got infected and employees, but the honour went visible divide in Nethralaya’s using different lenses. So much Shastri is believed to have dis- no exhibitionism’ was his dedicated Congressman, he was observed the plight of a relative the Swamigal had lost vision in to his driver, A. Arumugam. Dr. work ethic – the pre-incentive for MGR’s insights into medicine Minister C. Ponnaian inaugurating the PHC’s 25th anniversary celebrations. creetly enquired from the School motto. MC believed in the also deeply spiritual, and drawn blind in both eyes. This experi- that eye. Now, the other eye too S. Bhaskaran, who calls himself and post-incentive eras. ‘‘The and health. Also seen in the picture are ‘MC’ and T.T. Vasu, the Chairman of the PHC Office whether the examination dignity of labour and would of- to Ramana Maharshi, Sri ence seems to have stayed with ten manually clear the choked Trust. fee had been paid by Aurobindo and the Mother of him, and the decision to become drains and stagnant sewers Pondicherry. Subrahmanyam. Learning that an eye specialist was made when n October 28, 2012, at a other than Gandhiji has had a himself. Bits of paper and He was 92 years old when he the payment had not been made, he stood first in Ophthalmology health centre in a busy year-long celebration of his cotton carelessly strewn around passed away on May 2, 1993 O he paid the fee out of his own in his MBBS university exams West Mambalam locality there birth… it just shows MC’s con- would be picked up by him and and, according to his own pocket to make sure that his put in dust bins. He used to while passing out of Madras was delivered a letter all the way tinuing influence on the people wishes, the PHC worked as favourite student did not miss settle every bill for any treat- Medical College. For his post- from Seattle, USA (just one of of this area, and the volunteers.” usual even on the day of his out on the examinations! ment availed of by him at the death. graduate studies, he flew to the many similar others!). It was a From its thatched shed begin- After his BA in Literature, PHC! S.M. US and interned at Grasslands note ‘of appreciation and grati- nings in a slum over-run area, it Subrahmanyam went on to a ca- Hospital near New York. Then tude’, thanking ‘the wonderful was a struggle to put up the first reer in journalism. Then, follow- came a six-month study of basic team of doctors, for the excellent permanent buildings and get full- ing stints in several media books, etc. in hand. At the grounds of waterlogged porom- sciences in ophthalmology in attention and care given to my time staff. The help from the organisations, he joined the PHC’s formal opening on Sep- boke land was allotted by the Manhattan’s New York Univer- mother during her stay there. TTK and TVS institutions and, State Government as Informa- tember 20, 1953, present was C. then Chief Minister Kamaraj. sity Post Graduate Medical The staff is polite, efficient and tion Officer. It was while T.T. Rajagopalachari, then Chief The In-Patient Block, the PHC’s School. Later, Dr. Badrinath works with a smile which makes Krishnamachari was campaig- Minister of Madras. first permanent building, was worked with retinal surgeon Dr. a big difference to the patients G by ning in West Mambalam in the The present Honorary Secre- opened by G.B. Pant, then Fred Gottlieb at the Brooklyn and their families. Our good early 1950s that the Central tary, T.A. Subramaniam, was Union Home Minister, on De- Eye and Ear Infirmary. Here he wishes to the family of the Public Shobha Menon Minister, who was to grace many around 18 years old when he first cember 21, 1958. honed his skills in detachment The Maneckjis’ bungalow in College Road where Nethralaya commenced A ward in the 17-bed hospital that was the start. Health Centre (PHC) for the a portfolio, expressed his dismay got involved with the PHC. In 1960, Sir C.P. Ramaswami surgery, a procedure which re- operations. continued saga of care and ser- at this little corner of India that “When the Centre began, it was Aiyer inaugurated the clinical stores sight to a blind person. His vice to humanity.’ To think such later, the service organisations, seemed to lack every amenity in 1000 sq ft of leased accommo- lab. A surgical ward and theatre mentor encouraged him to move required cataract surgery. Dr. an ‘early bird’ in the institution change unfortunately goes In accordance with the man- unstinted and warm praise is for besides the generosity of numer- you could think of, most of all dation in a thatched shed. Its were supported by Ramnath to Boston to work with Dr. Badrinath and his wife would joined in 1979-80. Dr. Badrinath against the grain of Sankara tra of the super-speciality eye a health centre that began in a ous specialists and doctors who medical facilities. Among the honorary doctors were Lakshmi Goenka’s donation of Rs. 10,000 Charles L. Schepens, who was wake up daily at 3 a.m. for two was keen, when it was not the Nethralaya’s philosophy that hospital, for the society by the soci- tiny thatched shed 60 years ago! freely gave of their time and en- journalists listening to him was Chaturvedi, N. Ramanathan, (with all surgical and laboratory considered the ‘father of modern months and go to Kanchee- norm 35 years ago, to put his pa- work is worship,’’ he adds. ety, several opinion leaders have It started as an attempt by M.C. abled the PHC to meet the needs MC, and he began to act on the S.K. Raghuraman and Thirumal equipment provided by the TVS retinal surgery’. After a year and puram to nurse their guru. And tients coming to him for eye sur- In-Sight has been authored by offered their take on the larger Subrahmanyam, a Gandhian ac- of a growing community, have idea! Rao. ‘Mixtures’ and tablets were family, T.S. Krishna in particu- a half with Dr. Schepens at the the guru reciprocated by not wet- gery through a thorough physical V.V. Ranganathan, George role of social enterprises. Gopal- tivist, to institutionalise the con- been considerable. But the more Besides accepting donations given at the Centre at an aver- lar) and opened in 1963-64. By Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infir- ting his hair for some days after examination, and so he enlisted Skaria and Meera Prasad. krishna Gandhi, A.M. Naik, Dr. cept of a community health cen- inspiring story of MC and the from the well-to-do, MC wanted age price of Re. 1!” With the 1966-67, construction of a new mary, and, soon after passing his the surgery in deference to the the services of Dr. Bhaskaran, a Former President A.P.J. Abdul Vasanthi Badrinath, N. Murali, tre run by the public for the pub- PHC is all about how a small West Mambalam to participate PHC becoming more and more OP and Investigation Block had FRCS (Canada) and diplomate surgeon’s wishes because, he cardiologist, who is today the Di- Kalam has written the Foreword, Mallika Srinivasan, Rahul Bajaj, lic! And how it has succeeded! group of volunteers with little in joyfully in building its own health popular, demand for in-patient begun and it was inaugurated in of the American Board of Oph- said, ‘‘He is a doctor. If I develop rector, Internal Medicine, and and Dr. Badrinath has a message Rakesh Bharti Mittal, Dr. A household name in West their purses, but determined centre and his band of volunteer admission (particularly for ma- 1969. The total area by then was thalmology in 1970, he returned complications, it will only spoil Chairman of the Foundation. in it. The book itself is dedicated Prathap C. Reddy and Deepak S. Mambalam and surrounding ar- commitment in their hearts, pro- friends went from house to house ternity cases) increased. The about 5000 sq ft, but space con- to Madras. In mid-1970 Dr. his name and standing as an eye Among the other doctors who to ‘All those who bring in a sense Parekh have put down their eas, the hospital is well known in vided, first, basic medical ser- on a funds mobilisation drive, Madras Government was ap- straints continued to be felt. The Badrinath started his practice at surgeon.’’ were absorbed fresh out of col- of belonging to our country.’ perspectives on the role of not- other parts of the city too for its vices, then more sophisticated with brochures, proper receipt proached for some land and 4½ Government provided another the Voluntary Health Services The next year, Sri Jayendra lege and still continue there is The book offers personal de- for-profit organisations in the homely atmosphere, its humane ones for a needy community. two grounds! (VHS), Taramani. He was paid Saraswathi addressed a group of Dr. Prema Padmanabhan, who tails of the rise into eminence of context of the successful track approach, expert medical atten- The PHC bought an adjoin- Rs.250, a token amount to cover 50 influential doctors in Madras, heads the Corneal and Refrac- Dr. Badrinath and his colleagues, record of Sankara Nethralaya. tion, and affordable cost. ‘MC’, ing two grounds from a private his travel expenses. But the hos- exhorting them to treat India’s tive Surgery Department. Then the teamwork in front of and be- The chronicle also comprises as he was affectionately called, owner, extended the IP Block pital imported with German poor patients with the best medi- came Dr. Lingam Gopal and Dr. hind the scenes, and anecdotes stand-alone shaded pages of in- was the quietly fiery spirit behind and named it the TTK Block. It funds a xenon-arc photo-coagu- care and with missionary zeal. L. Vijaya, a couple, who have about well-known and unknown teresting information like ‘Key this now modern multidiscip- was opened by Sardar Swaran lator on Dr. Badrinath’s recom- This was instrumental in Dr. spent more than two decades at patients. milestones’ of Sankara linary integrated hospital comp- Singh in 1976. T.A. Subra- mendation to treat patients with Badrinath starting Sankara Nethralaya, and Dr. Jyotirmay One anecdote is about Chief Nethralaya, ‘Eyes are disease de- lex. Seldom has there been a per- manian recounts, “The invita- diabetic retinopathy, a major Nethralaya under the auspices of Biswas who has been in Minister MGR in 1980 asking tectors’ followed by what makes son who did more for an institu- tion for the function was printed cause of blindness in India. the Medical Research Founda- Nethralaya for 26 years. The au- Dr. T.S. Surendran of Sankara the ‘Human eye work’, ‘Bionic tion or spent more time in it, yet with the timings of the opening Patients from all over the tion (MRF) in September 1978 thors point out that since the Nethralaya to prescribe one lens Eyes,’ ‘Visual acuity demystified,’ wanted to be less known for his of the Doraiswamy railway gate country thronged the VHS to with the help of a group of phi- personal and professional lives of for distance vision for one eye and ‘Gandhiji’s spectacles’. contribution to it and its growth! to facilitate movement of guests. consult Dr. Badrinath. lanthropists. Among them were the doctors were often inter- and another lens for near vision This particular social The PHC’s celebration of MC’s When TTK, then the Finance Towards the end of 1970, Dr. industrialist and star fund-raiser twined, 19 couples have been on for the other eye. When told that enterprise has, from its humble birth centenary was a year-long Minister, received his invitation, Badrinath started evening prac- V.D. Swamy, leather merchant the rolls of the institution in its it may cause trouble, MGR asked beginnings as a 17-bed hospital, tribute that concluded last he found that the level crossing tice at the H.M. (Hirendra C.U. Shah, who donated Rs.10 journey of 30 years. Of course, him, ‘‘Trouble for you or for me?’’ one ophthalmologist and six month and, as Dr. M.K. Sriniva- was closed for the major part of Mehta) Hospital in Abhirama- lakh, and the Maneckjis’ who the credit of being the ‘First Dr. TSS said, ‘‘Trouble for you, san, its present President and Portrait of the late Dr. Lakshmi Chaturvedi, the first volunteer Picture of the early volunteers during the 1950s. sold two acres of land with a bun- Couple’ of Sankara Nethralaya Sir, because it can confuse you Medical Director, says, “None puram. Here he met Dr. P.C. (Continued on page 8) doctor unveilled in 2002. (Continued on page 8) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS January 1-15, 2013

G facture steel drums, kegs and Centenary recollections cans for packaging. His math- ematical brain and his expertise in getting the best out of leather skins and clothing helped him Three pioneers of emerge quickly as a leader in this business. Companies like MRF and Addison Paints be- came his prized customers and, industrialisation in less than a decade, his unit in Guindy emerged a leader in packaging materials. nancing options offered by SFL ping Corporation Ltd. which SSN had an innovative and backed by the trust built by acquired six ships. He should spirit. I remember his designing TVS for fair dealings. SFL have been inspired by Dr. transformers for his factory, all emerged in quick time a leader Jayanti Dharma Teja in negoti- on his own. He was equally at in transport finance. ating the purchase with zero TSS... ease experimenting with indig- TSS’s foray into insurance down payment! He named enous herbs and country ingre- .S. Santhanam, one of the suffered when the general insur- them in Tamil with such names dients for the preparation of ex- Tfive sons of the founder of ance sector was nationalised in as Chennai Oakkam, Chennai otic indigenous medicines. the TVS Group, T.V. Sundram 1974. But TSS bounced back Perumal, and Chennai Sadanai. In the 1960s, he opted to re- Iyengar, is remembered for his once the sector was again With K.S. Narayanan, he also tire and closed down the flour- pioneering contribution to the opened up in 2000 and Royal identified the prospects of ishing unit. He rewarded his transport sector. For over six Sundaram General Insurance manufacture of PVC based on employees handsomely, be- decades he was closely involved was set up. agro-chemicals: Chemicals and queathing the machines and cli- with the development of the TSS was closely involved in Plastics India Ltd. soon entele to them. transport industry in the South. the evolution of the country’s emerged as a pioneer in this Worried over the numerous T.V. Sundram Iyengar pio- transport policy. He was asso- area. obstacles in running a business, neered the public bus transport ciated with several committees swamy made a rich contribution TSN was the public face of he desired his two sons to opt service a hundred years ago in set up by the Government on to the industrial development of Industry. He was actively in- for service. The elder one, Madurai. His sons, T.S. Rajam, transport development, such as Tamil Nadu. I remember a volved in the successful con- Vasudevan, after his postgra- T.S. Krishna, T.S. Santhanam the Indian Roads and Transport document, ‘Progressive Madras duct of the World Tamil Con- duation in commerce, joined and T.S. Srinivasan (the other Development Association, and State’, produced by him for the ference and the National the Indian Air Force. SSN’s son T.S. Duraiswamy died those by dealers, such as the Hindustan Chamber of Com- Games hosted by Tamil Nadu younger son Seetharaman early), worked together to ex- Federation of Automobile merce in the mid-1960s, as an Government. qualified as a mechanical engi- pand the base laid by the Dealers’ Association. excellent record of the state of TSN died suddenly in early neer. He had an irrepressible founder. I remember TSS taking the development of the State and 1968 at the age of 57. Some two desire to set up an engineering The growth of TVS group initiative to organise a State- an outline of a route map for its decades later, TSN’s son N. unit on his own. was organic: from bus service to wide meeting of transport op- future. Srinivasan took control of ICL. parcel service, body-building, Those were the years when a SSN’s interests were wide- tyre retreading, dealership of new generation of entrepre- ranging, from Carnatic music to healthcare and social service. vehicles, distribution of auto G by S. Viswanathan neurs surfaced in Tamil Nadu components and, from 1962, with nothing other than their He was President of the Social manufacture of auto compo- rich intellectual capital to offer. Service Centre, Mambalam. A nents, parts, sub-assemblies and These enterprising men, stron- close friend of M.C. Subrah- erators in 1968. M. Karuna- manyam, he liberally donated two-wheelers. nidhi, then Minister of Tran- gly supported by the State Gov- The first two of the Padi ernment and the Centre, and funds to the Public Health Cen- sport of the DMK Government, tre. units – Wheels India Ltd. and proposed nationalisation of the with its visionary leaders like Brakes India Ltd. – were man- Rajaji, K. Kamaraj, R. Venkata- Keenly aware of the hard- passenger transport services. At ships suffered by middle class aged by TSS. Axles India Ltd the massively attended meeting raman and C. Subramaniam, was added to this later. These helped the State emerge strong households, SSN set up the at the SGS Sabha Hall in Shankar Benevolent Founda- companies together evolved as T’Nagar, TSS made a firm plea in economic development. a strong Tier I supplier for the TSN showed his mettle at tion with his own funds. SBF for a fair deal to the operators funds higher education for booming automobile industry. who had worked hard to de- the Indo-Commercial Bank T.S. Santhanam moved to headed by S.N.N. Sankaralinga meritorious students, irrespec- velop the industry over several ... and SSN tive of caste and creed. So far Chennai in 1936 and spear- decades. Southern Roadways Iyer of Tirunelveli. His suavity, . Sankaranarayanan (SSN), over 300 students have received headed the Group’s entry into bus service in Madurai was untiring energy and rich capa- a multifaceted personality, SBF’s scholarships to complete the automobile spare parts naturally among the most bility for networking and inter- S boldly experimented with a va- collegiate education. At any trade. Madras Auto Service and prized of the State’s acquisi- action with policymakers were riety of businesses. and thus given time over 30 students re- India Motor Parts & Access- tions. TSS, reconciled to the great assets. With his mentor, Super Auto Forge (SAF) sprou- ceive scholarships. The corpus ories emerged as large and reli- inevitable, made sure that the Sankaralinga Iyer, TSN boldly ted on the base created by him. is expanded with munificent able distributors and dealers of terms of nationalisation were ventured into the manufacture Born in Rajamadam, SSN contributions from SBF. The a vast range of auto compo- fair and honourable. The base of cement. They mobilised re- did his Maths (Honours) at grateful beneficiaries not only nents. TVS & Sons and Sunda- laid by the private operators had sources of around Rs. 5 crore (a Bishop Heber College, Tiruchi. return the amounts funded, but ram Motors emerged with a enabled the State Bus Trans- pretty large sum in those days), He opted for self-employment also liberally contribute to the strong reputation as dealers of port Corporations to grow rap- through widely dispersed share- and experimented with a vari- corpus. Several of them are to- utility vehicles, trucks, buses idly. 45 years later, even today, holders and set up a plant at ety of businesses that ranged day in top executive positions in and cars. Tamil Nadu maintains a fair Tazhaiyuthu in southern Mad- from selling footwear to tailor- India and abroad. At a very early stage, TSS reputation for widespread bus ras. Iyer’s son K.S. Narayanan ing, civil contracts, printing, SBF’s average annual spend identified the need for financ- service. tied up technology collabo- leather tanning and manufac- is around Rs. 15 lakh. In addi- ing vehicles and insuring them. TSS will also always be re- ration with Denmark, and India ture of drum and kegs for pack- tion to this, SBF directly con- And so emerged Sundaram Fi- membered for setting up the Cements Ltd. (ICL) soon aging. tributes around Rs. 20 lakh a nance Ltd. (SFL) and Madras Sundaram Medical Foundation emerged as the largest producer During the war years, SSN year to some of the well-run Motor and General Insurance (SMF) as a community multi- of cement in the South. supplied clothing for the Army health centres in and around Co Ltd. (MMGI). Through his speciality hospital in Anna TSN looked for opportuni- through two units in Salem and Chennai. To mark the birth personal involvement, TSS en- Nagar. Liberally funded by the ties in various other directions Madras, and followed this centenary of SSN this year, SBF couraged thousands of aspiring Sundaram Finance Group of and worked closely with several through civil contracts in asso- and SAF together have planned young men to acquire vehicles Companies, SMF has evolved other business leaders of the re- ciation with his brother-in-law to donate around Rs. 100 lakh on their own, using the easy fi- as a boon for the sprawling com- gion to embark on a wide range G.R. Narayanaswamy. In the during this financial year. munity in the western part of of enterprises. following years , he set up a Vasudevan has been managing the city, offering quality medi- In the production and distri- Our quizmaster V.V. bution of calcium carbide, he printing unit. This was followed this benevolent work initiated care at modest prices. more than three decades ago. Ramanan is on a quizzing involved V.D. Swami. Working by import of barks for leather tanning. This business, how- To think that this initiative round. His column will closely with K.S. Narayanan, ... TSN C.S. Loganatha Mudaliar and ever, collapsed due to a crash in was taken up way ahead of the resume on his return. prices. focus on CSR that’s so widely or two decades from the J.H. Tarapore, he set up the first In the early 1950s, SSN set discussed today! – (Courtesy: – The Editor mid-1940s, T.S. Narayana- major shipping company in the F South, the South India Ship- up a unit in Guindy to manu- Industrial Economist). January 1-15, 2013 MADRAS MUSINGS 7 18th Century Madras Lockyer saw n Account of the Trade in side were found and this made Sea Gate. The proceeds were AIndia (1711) is a wonderful it pleasant for those who other- divided amongst the creditors. travelogue containing accounts wise would have had to walk in The effects of the Debtors who of the journey undertaken by the sun. Out of the five gates of ran away were dealt with in the Charles Lockyer to various the Fort, viz. Sea, St.Thomas, same manner. Besides these, coastal settlements in India and Water, Choultry and Middle five justices of the Choultry elsewhere. Not much is known gate, the St.Thomas and from the Council or chief citi- about him, except that he sailed Choultry gates were opened for zens presided over controversies from England on the East India travellers at any time of the concerning Indians. These ses- Company’s ship Streetham in night “if unsuspected”, but the sions were held twice a week. Dr. John Fryer’s sketch map of Fort St. George (1673). 1703. He stayed in Madras till other three were closed at 6 The customs duty on goods May 1704, when he left for p.m. The other public buildings imported and exported formed included two junior merchants the court was the plaster room Acheen. His account of Fort mentioned in the Fort are the a major portion of the revenue. at £30 each, five Factors at £15 and at the other, the St.George is one of the early de- Town Hall, St.Mary’s Church, The Sea Gate customs was 5 per each and 10 Writers at £5 each. apothecary’s shop. The scriptions of the settlement. College, New House and Hos- cent on all goods brought by There was also one judge at Governor’s lodgings took up Fort St.George, Lockyer pital. sea. The fee for goods valued at £100, while the Attorney Gen- one third of the inner fort. The notes, was a port “of greatest Lockyer then gives an ac- not more than 20 pagodas was eral was employed at 50 building was three storeys high, consequence” to the East India count of the early judicial sys- three fanams while it was six pagodas a year. with the accountants’ and the Company for its strength, tem in force. According to the fanams for goods valued be- St.Mary’s Church is de- secretary’s offices being one wealth and the returns made in City Charter, by which the tween 20 and 1000 pagodas. For scribed as a “large pile of arched storey up. The Consultation Calico and Muslin. He de- Corporation came into exist- goods valued more than that, building, adorned with curious room was a storey higher. scribes The Citadel or the Inner carved work, a stately altar, Or- The inhabitants, Lockyer Fort as lying N.N.E. and S.S.W. gans, a white copper candle- notes, “enjoy as perfect health stick, very large windows etc.”, as they could do in England,” In the middle of the English G by Karthik A. Bhatt Town, with four large bastions which “rendered it inferior to with only the heat in summer marking the corners on which the Churches of London in being the greatest inconven- with the curtains were 56 guns nothing but bells”. ience. The Governor during the and a mortar. The two gates, ence in 1688, the Mayor and the fee was twelve fanams. The The Church funds included hot winds retired to the Western or the Main Guard the Aldermen exercised the ul- fees collected were divided Orphans’ money, which was Company’s new garden for re- gate and the Eastern gate, were timate authority. A court of six amongst the Custom Master, money bequeathed by wealthy freshment, which was a delight- manned by thirty soldiers, and Aldermen was held twice a the Head Searcher and the Re- dying parents to their children ful place with its “costly gates, six soldiers and a corporal re- week in the Town Hall, which ceiver. A duty drawback of 10 while making the Church as bowling green, spacious walks spectively. The keys were every decided quarrels, small debts per cent in respect of goods their guardians. The Church and teal pond”. night delivered to the Governor and other businesses. When such as wine, beer, looking loans out this money and The Governor, Lockyer or, in his absence, to the Chief Europeans were not satisfied glasses and flint was also al- earned about 7 per cent a year notes, seldom went abroad with in Council. The Black City with the Mayor’s justice, they lowed to owners who produced which was then distributed to less than “three or fourscore Pe- called ‘Madrass’ and sometimes appealed to a higher court. their invoices and paid customs the beneficiaries in proportion ons armed, besides his English by the Moors as ‘Chinnepatam’ Here, a judge appointed by the duty for the quantity men- to their estates. The Church guards to attend on him.” Two joined the Fort northwards. Company presided, and, on the tioned therein without exami- undertook prayers twice a day, Union flags were also carried The streets were straight and report of a jury, gave a final de- nation. The Land Customs rate with Sunday worship being and the entire retinue was “ac- wide, paved with brick on either cree. When a man died in debt, was 2.5 per cent on all goods most seriously observed. Be- companied by Country music side, but the middle was deep his goods were seized by the brought in from the Country. tween 8 AM and 9 AM, the Bell enough to frighten a stranger sand for carts to pass through. Court of Admiralty and auc- They suffered 2.5 per cent duty was rung, announcing that the into belief!” Two Dubashes Where there were no houses, tioned off after due notice of the again at the time of export from hour of prayer was drawing also accompanied him to fan causeways with trees on either same was given by a Bill at the the Sea Gate. Goods which paid near, hearing which the entire him and drive away the flies the full duty of 5 per cent in this Company of soldiers assembled which were the greatest nui- process were exempt from pay- at the Church door. The sance. ing duty at other English ports Church also ran a free school, Most of the gun powder in in India under a certificate from where children could learn to use in the garrison was made at CHENNAI HERITAGE the Custom Master. The hire read and write. the Island. The powder, how- No. 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, charges for the masulah boats The College, which was the ever, did not have the force of Royapettah, Chennai 600 014 used to transport the goods old hospital, was the residence the ones manufactured in En- from the Madras Roads to the of “seven or eight hopeful gland. The reason for this, ac- I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / Madras landing places were six gentlemen”. Amongst them, cording to Lockyer, was not as I have just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it fanams (or eighteen pence) a the Governor made the one much the quality of the ingredi- trip. hereafter. with the greatest experience ents available as the lack of The Company earned a rent and merit as the Overseer, skilled people to carry out the G I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Rs. 100 of 1100 pagodas a year from let- whose duty it was to regulate all job. The Company, Lockyer (Rupees One hundred) payable to CHENNAI HERITAGE, ting out the village of Egmore, disturbances. The building was notes, did not have “a single MADRAS, as subscription to Madras Musings for the year 120 pagodas a year on letting two storeys high with a paved English carpenter, smith, joiner 2012-13. out the Old Gardens and 250 court, two large verandas and or other artificer in the city who G As token of my support for the causes of heritage, environment pagodas a year from Quit Rent. about sixteen small rooms. The knew half his trade” and had to and a better city that Madras Musings espouses, I send Chennai Other profitable sources of in- New House was the soldiers’ depend on the natives of Black come for the Company were the Heritage an additional Rs...... lodgings and, according to Town. ‘Tobacco, Beetle and the Lockyer, the “scene of many a The arrival of a European (Rupees ...... ) Please keep / put me Arrack farms.’ The Tobacco drunken frolick”. It fronted the ship brought about lots of on your mailing list. and Beetle farms were let out on Main Guard and had a strong people thronging about the Sea Name : ...... lease for eight thousand pago- Battery on the other side. One Gate, some laying wagers, oth- ...... das a year while the income Company at a time slept in it, of ers waiting for masters and oth- from the licence of the Arrack whom one Corporal and two ers there just to satisfy their cu- Address: ...... farm was 3600 pagodas a year. soldiers walked the streets every riosity. The goods were seldom ...... The Governor was paid a sal- hour in the night to suppress cleared on the first day, which ary of £200 a year with a gratu- disorders and apprehend “any was sufficient only to secure the ...... ity provision of £100. The Chief who cannot give a satisfactory ship, send the Company’s pack- amongst the six councillors was account of themselves”. ets ashore, and get refresh- Note: Overseas postage Rs. 550/year extra. Cheques for over- paid £100 a year, the third of The Hospital, which joined ments for the men. The goods seas postage alone payable to M/s. Lokavani Southern Printers the place £70, the fourth £50 the New House by the Water that were the best received were Pvt. Ltd. All other cheques to ‘Chennai Heritage’. and the rest, designated as Gate to the Northward, was a lead, wine and beer in casks and DD/Cheque should be sent by Speed Post only. Senior Merchants, were paid long building with a paved bottles, ale, cheese, cloth hats, £40. Other Company servants court before it. At one end of etc. 8 MADRAS MUSINGS January 1-15, 2013

aid from philanthropists and commitment of the employees and volunteers. Spread over A memorial to around 16 grounds, the Centre today boasts of well-maintained wards and exclusive speciality Till January 7: Exhibition of departments. At present there paintings by Ashok (at a life of service are 60 consultant in different DakshinaChitra). disciplines, visiting on different Till January 7: Urumu or ‘thun- days. (Continued from page 5) tension of the In-Patient area against his wishes… he never der dance’ of Andhra Pradesh. Managed by an elected gov- The Urumu is a percussion through several donations. By wanted any statue of himself, no erning body, the PHC on an av- then, there were 34 visiting photos. We chose to violate his instrument made of brass or each hour. At that time, the erage day treats around 350 pa- bell metal with its sides covered Railway Budget was being com- honorary specialists, 18 duty wishes.” tients in the OP Department with goat skin. The dance is piled and he had immediate doctors and about 150 para- The Cardiac Block or N. and admits 20 patients in the IP performed to please the deity construction of a subway here medical staff besides supervising Teeka Singh Block was opened department. It has around 55 Akkamma (at Dakshina- included in it. Work began on staff! with cardiac surgical facilities, normal deliveries and around Chitra). an ‘urgency certificate’ and was The PHC’s popular Paedia- OP cardiology, and state-of- 150 surgeries under various January 9-13: Thudumbattam, a completed within record time. tric Department, founded in the the-art Cath Lab in January branches a month. traditional folk dance of Tamil So was born the Doraiswamy early 1980s, has been recog- 2012. At the valedictory function Nadu, performed using a per- Road Subway!” nised by UNICEF for its best C.R. Hariharan, a retired of the birth centenary celebra- cussion instrument called Another portion of the OP practices followed! The hund- employee from LIC who under- tions of MC (12.12.2012), Dr. ‘Thudumbu’. It is made out of Block was opened by M.S. reds who flock to the Centre went a bypass surgery shortly the hide of cattle and is be- R. Radhakrishnan, IAS, Health lieved to have been used by the Subbulakshmi on February 3, daily for its brand of care attest afterwards, says, “The average Secretary of Tamil Nadu, re- 1980, with Governor of Tamil to the superior treatment they cost of a surgery is less than a tribals to drive away wild ani- membered with gratitude the mals (at DakshinaChitra). Nadu Prabhudas Patwari presi- receive. third it costs in other hospitals, care his own grandmother re- ding. In 1982, when a defunct On October 18, 2004, at the and the medical and nursing ceived in the 1950s, “in this January 14-17: Poikkal Kudirai, social service organisation golden jubilee celebrations of care is exemplary. Charges for friendly neighbourhood hospi- Mayilattam and Karagam, all handed over two grounds on the PHC, Chief Guest P.S. various investigations, like Lab, tal, with care given in the best traditional dances of Tamil Thambiah Reddy Road, the Ramamohan Rao, Governor of X-ray, Scan and Surgeries are Nadu, to celebrate Pongal (at Mambalam traditions!” DakshinaChitra). PHC began a school for men- Tamil Nadu, commended “the not even 50 per cent of other Even today, the Public tally and physically challenged splendid and pioneering volun- private hospital rates.” Health Centre continues to be January 18-24: Theyyam, a children, with 25 children ini- tary services of the PHC and What started with a rudi- a role model of effective social hugely popular folk perfor- tially. hailed the fact that the history mentary structure has now ex- change, through a combination mance from the North Malabar The BVSN Murthy Training of the PHC is essentially the bi- panded to a moderate-sized, region of Kerala (at Dakshina- of bold vision and strong values. Chitra). Centre for special children ography of M.C. Subrah- non-commercial, non-profit It is a standing tribute to the (physically/mentally chal- manyam”. In this context, T.A. hospital catering to the needs of commitment and passion of January 25-31: The Kangilu of lenged) now trains 60 children Subramaniam remembers, “The people from the lower and exemplary individuals, who Karnataka is a dance performed a year. In 1984, the Neuro OP Consultation Block was middle income classes. This has continue in the steps of their to the rhythm of the Dolu drum Block was constructed as an ex- named the MC Block, much been achieved solely through extraordinary leader, MC! in honour of the deity to drive out evil from a village (at DakshinaChitra). A big ‘Thank You’ to 34 of you Till January 31: Village Heritage We publish below the list of donors who have, between Festival, featuring the rhythms, IN-SIGHT INTO 16-10-12 to 15-12-12, added to the support Chennai Heritage and its movements and colours of the voice, Madras Musings, have already received. We thank all of them for different folk dances of South their support for the causes Chennai Heritage espouses. India (at DakshinaChitra). EYE-SIGHT Rs. 1901: R Krishnan – Chennai Heritage (Continued from page 4) patient services and almost 43 Rs. 1000: K V Srinivasan February 2-12: ConCurrenCe, a Rs. 900: Mohana Krishnan comprehensive exhibition of employees, grown into 12 per cent of its surgeries are to- Rs. 400: C V Nagarathnam; P Murali; A Meenakshi Sundaram; Dr. Krishnamurthy; artwork ranging from paintings centres across the country, tally free. All this and more is Mrs. Aparna; NV.Pundarikanthan; Saraswathy Gopalakrishnan; T.Anantha Narayanan and sculptures to digital prints 1400 employees, 82 ophthalmic detailed in In-Sight brought out by Lone Tree without any rec- Rs. 301: O R Divakaran by emerging and established consultants, more than 100 re- Rs. 200: S Venkatesan; Patrick Yesudian; Ishwar Lal Sharma; A.Monohardas; artists. They span several stylis- search students, more than ompense. It is a moving book TG.Ramamurthi tic genres, ranging from pure about dedicated service to Rs. 150: L Jagadeswar 1000 alumni and treats 450,000 Rs. 100: S Kanthamani; C K Vijayaraghavan; P S Ramamurti; K P Subramanian; abstraction to figuration with patients a year. people. M Kandaswami;Jayanthi Rayappa; Sarasa David; A Venugopal; P J Sanjeeva Raj; the focus on contemporaneity Nearly 50 per cent of its out- T G Gopalakrishnan; D K Oza; HAS. Sounder Rajan; KR.Baliga; M.Balakrishnan; (at Forum Art Gallery). T.K. Srinivasa Chari BE.Rajendran Rs. 50: M Kalidas

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PublishedPublished by S. Muthiahby S. Muthiahfor ‘Chennai for Heritage’,‘Chennai No. Heritage’, 5, Bhattad 260-A, Tower, TTK 30, WestcottRoad, Chennai Road, Royapettah, 600 018 Chennaiand printed 600 014, by Tprinted J George by Anu at Varghese Lokavani-Hallmark at Lokavani Southern Press Pvt. Printers Ltd., Pvt. 122, Ltd., Greams 122, Greams Road, Road, Chennai Chennai 600 600 006. 006, Edited and edited by S.by MUTHIAH.S. Muthiah.