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• Hukku, the wonder boy

Vol. XVII No. 15 MUSINGS November 16-30, 2007 IsAdyar VPH Riverfront to get a newa la Sabarmati?

(By The Editor)

he presentation that other. It is equally important T Chennai Heritage recently that the other water-bodies, Must be the overuse of sms... the kids are slowly mutating into organised on the work being namely the Cooum and the ‘Emoticons’ themselves! done under the auspices of the , are also not Sabarmati River Front Devel- forgotten. Chennai will emerge opment appears to have had an as a world class city only if all its J Smiley! impact. Madras Musings learns waterways are cleaned up and Are we getting lazy? from Government sources that such activities are not restricted Let’s see. a team has been put together to alone. It’s Deepavali – an ocean of and it has already visited Madras Musings and family, friends, festivity and Ahmedabad to see what is being Chennai Heritage are delighted A typical riverfront in Chennai. feasting. done there. It is understood that that some action is emerging Or so you thought. the is being consid- out of the meeting that was Government may take a long is heartening that the powers Then – they begin. ered for a similar exercise. organised. It is of course early that be are responsive to public No, not visits or phone calls – while before it sees the light of but SMS-es. Returning from Ahmedabad days and such a move by the the day but, at the same time, it initiatives. And some msgs (Sorry, ‘mes- the team lost no time in travel- sages’) go ‘hpy depli’. ling along 11.5 kms of the Not only do some people have Adyar River. Discussions are no time for visits; they obvi- now going on among various Metro for Madras ously don’t even have time to Government departments con- spell – or use capitals. cerned and a plan is likely to be eepavali eve saw the Tamil The Metro project has been However, the success of such The importance of any relation- evolved shortly. It is understood DNadu Cabinet giving the one of many, where successive projects will always be measured is now judged by the an- that the Government is keen nod to the Metro Rail project State Governments have had by how well they serve the pub- swer to the simple, terse that the public be involved as in for Madras that is Chennai. The conflicting views. It was first lic needs. And this will, to a question: “Visit, phone call or SMS?” the Sabarmati exercise and, so, go-ahead has come a full four suggested in 2003 and the Delhi considerable extent, depend on Feeling charitable, you say, “Oh the details will soon be shared years after the idea was first Metro Rail Corporation was the availability of feeder well, at least they got in with the public for fuller under- mooted. asked to prepare a feasibility services (both bus and rail) con- touch.” standing and subsequent discus- The proposal, now estimated report in 2005. The cost of the necting the various points. The True. sions. In a state where Govern- to cost Rs. 9757 crore, aims at entire project was then Mass Rapid Transport System If only they had taken the ment policy changes with par- providing metro rail service estimated at Rs. 5085 crore. In which is already servicing parts trouble to stretch each word ties in power, it is good that over 46.5 km, parts of which 2006, however, the entire plan of the city (mainly towards the out though, instead of creat- public participation is being en- will be underground. The fund- was given up as unsuitable after south) has seen only lukewarm ing the impression that couraged from the beginning. ing will be provided by the State Chennai was classified under response so far, mainly owing to you’re receiving some weird This will ensure that interest in and Central Governments with the seismic risk zone. A mono- difficulty in accessing its sta- code from an alien in outer- the project is sustained irrespec- a Japanese Bank also being in- tions and also lack of connec- outer space. tive of changes in political for- volved. Rail tivity with other forms of trans- As for punctuation ! tunes and alignments. It must Ltd. will be the implementing l by port. The success of Metros in Once defined as “the use of A Staff Reporter marks and signs to clarify also not be forgotten that many agency and the work is ex- cities abroad is because they are meaning in writing”, punc- plans have been announced in pected to commence by 2008 very well linked with surface tuation seems to have the past to clean up the rivers end. The project will involve rail project was then thought of. transport services. The Metro replaced words, even and nothing much has hap- two corridors. The first will be But by February 2006 the project in Chennai will do well smushed-up ones. pened even after heavy expen- from to project was challenged in the to look at this issue at the de- Imagine if you had had this diture. Any new plan is bound Trisulam (airport) via , High Court and the Govern- sign stage itself, failing which it information way back in to be met with scepticism if its Mount Road, , ment was restrained from will remain an isolated service college. viability is not explained to the and . The awarding a final contract for the with limited benefit to the All you’d have needed to public at large. There will also Mount Road-Saidapet section monorail. The succeeding State people. Towards this end, it will categorise tragedies or com- have to be greater accountabil- will be underground. The sec- be good if the powers that be edies was a simple :-( or a :-). Government went back to the If it’s that easy to convey emo- ity on how the funds allocated ond route will be from Fort Sta- Metro proposal and now this consult the report brought out tion, you can’t help brooding will be spent. tion to St. Thomas Mount via appears to be on its way to be- by the Metropolitan Transport a bit over the future of the It is hoped that while this High Road, coming a reality. The decision Corporation in 2006 which greetings-card industry. new exercise gains momentum, , , of the Central Government to identified 490 kms of principal As for the question? the earlier plan to restore the Tirumangalam, , chip in with a 20% subsidy no roads in the city and suggested You choose ‘Yes’, since looking is not lost sight of. Ashok Nagar and . The doubt helped. The ready avail- the formation of an integrated for the shortest cut is now Both these projects are inter- Poonamallee High Road- ability of funds will also be a transport network. It had then obviously a way of life. twined and any development Alandur section will be under- major factor in ensuring speedy planned to have the monorail Ranjitha Ashok along one is bound to affect the ground. completion. (Continued on page 8)

CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS November 16-30, 2007 A suffragette in Madras Canines & Crackers he Man from Madras were distributed, songs sung that appear to have petrified T Musings is of the view that and the children had a hearty into stone and some of the most erhaps the two best known Cousins. Others who served as despite the economic , meal. As the sponsors left the hideous fences have made their PEuropean women to spear- honorary secretaries included the bursting of crackers was place, they had a sense of satis- appearance. The latest excres- head the feminist movement in Malati Patwardhan, Ammu rather muted during the faction. May their tribe in- cences to make themselves India in general and Madras in Swaminathan, Mrs. Dadabhoy Deepavali just gone by. Are crease. manifest are two ornamental particular were and Mrs. Ambujammal. When people becoming more sensi- lamps flanking the Mahatma and Margaret Cousins. Annie Margaret Cousins came in con- tive to the sufferings of infants, Central pre-paid autos Gandhi statue. From afar they Besant is still well remembered. tact with the Independence the aged and the sick from the resemble bunches of grapes and noise caused by crackers? he system continues to when seen closeby they look Margaret Cousins is far less movement, one of her main MMM thinks not, but it does Tbe as badly managed as like the flowers of a banana known. points was to see that women’s appear that the emphasis has ever, according to an acquain- plant. Whatever they are sup- Margaret Cousins was born was on the agenda of begun to shift from mere noise tance of The Man from Madras posed to resemble, their place in Ireland on November 7, the movement. to firework displays. Inciden- Musings. Apparently, those is more in cinema sets and not 1878. A women’s rights activist Margaret Cousins and Dor- tally these displays are much manning the counter have now on the beach. But who is to ex- and educationist, she studied at othy Jinarajadasa guided the more expensive and perhaps introduced a down payment of plain it to those in charge? The the Royal Irish Academy of WIA and publicised its work that does reflect an increase in Rs 2. A ticket with the full fare Man from Madras Musings feels Music in Dublin, got her Uni- through the official journal, Stri spending power. on it is given and then the pas- that it is a pity that beautifica- senger boards the auto. There versity degree in music and be- Dharma. Some early WIA Animals suffer too. MMM tion must involve such alien has read somewhere that dogs is plenty of confusion as the ideas. came a music teacher. members were Muthulakshmi have a hearing power that is place is very poorly lit and auto- Yet another sad develop- In 1903, she married James Reddy, Mangalamma Sada- very sensitive and so they suf- rickshaw drivers pick and ment is the continuous move to Cousins, a poet, artist and au- sivier, Herabai Tata, Dr. Joshi, fer the most. On Deeepavali choose their passengers evict hawkers from the beach. thor. Her life changed when, by Malati Patwardhan, Begum day a friend of MMM’s woke depending on where they are MMM and his ilk, who have chance, she attended a meeting Hasrat Mohani and Sarojini up early in the morning to deaf- bound. As a result, several pas- grown up on a steady diet of that was organised to propagate Naidu, all representing various ening howls. On rushing out he sengers are made to board au- ‘pattani-sundal’, feel that the women’s suffrage. There she Indian regions. discovered a dog, no doubt ter- tos and then wait as the beach will not be the same took a decision to devote her In 1922, Margaret was ap- rified of the noise from crack- vehicles in front, with no pas- without these vendors. But pointed the first woman magis- ers, had tried to escape through sengers in them, need to be what is puzzling MMM is the moved to enable the autos l by trate of Madras. While working the gate and had got its head blind eye being turned towards stuck in it. It was struggling val- behind to come out of the the increasing encroachment of K.R.A. NARASIAH as a magistrate, she joined the iantly but each time it twisted queue. Once the auto leaves the sidewalk from Kannagi satyagraha movement and was itself in order to escape it was the station, the driver begins statue onwards till the Tri- life for the cause of women, arrested in 1932. She was sen- suffering terribly. exhorting the passenger to pay umph of Labour sculpture. both in her country and else- tenced to one-year imprison- where. She joined the Irish ment. She was lodged in Vellore Women’s Suffrage and Local jail where she went on a hun- Government Association. Dur- ger strike, in support of ing the course of her work with Gandhiji’s call. He was himself SHORT ’N’ SNAPPY this organisation, she was im- in jail at the time. She was re- prisoned, which made her leased in October 1933 and re- firmer in her resolve. newed her campaign for It was about this time that women’s rights. She was elected Neighbours swung into ac- more and this harassment con- More and more wheeled carts she and her husband joined the the President of the All-India tion. Some came and fed the tinues till destination. In short, are closing in on this space Theosophical movement. Women’s Conference in recog- dog and gave it water while oth- it is a nerve racking experience. thereby preventing those who Annie Besant who was on her nition of her contribution to the ers tried to calm it down. An want to walk along this prom- way to India, invited them to cause. attempt was made to extricate Rain filled potholes enade from moving freely. join her in Madras, and they The All India Women’s it after covering its neck with a MMM is of the view that there piece of sack but to no avail. he rains lasted a day must be a place earmarked for duly arrived in 1915. After see- Conference was founded in 1927 through her efforts as well The Blue Cross was contacted Tand a half. But the extent vendors where they can ply ing the work going on in India, of destruction they have left be- as of those like the Rani Saheb but there was no response, no their wares in peace. she said, “Within my first year doubt owing to it being a holi- hind on our roads has to be seen of Sangli and Maharani of landing on Indian soil, I was day. A doctor in the to be believed. The poor quality Newspaper headlines dedicated to the service of In- Chimnabai Sahib Gaekwad of neighbourhood offered to se- of road-laying, which is evident dia, i.e. service to that half of Baroda. The AIWC worked on date the dog so that it could for everyone to see even when he Man from Madras India – its womanhood.” She various issues such as getting then be pulled out. By then a the work is going on, ensures T Musings sometimes won- became the first non-Indian the Sarda Act prohibiting child couple of men from the Exnora that the roads resemble ders at those who decide on member of the Indian Women’s marriage and Code came around and they offered moonscapes as soon as the headlines in our city’s newspa- smallest drizzle happens. The pers. There is one that said University in Poona in 1916. Bill passed. Dedicated women to help. Apparently, they ap- plied soap around the neck of Corporation has announced “Rice attacks Kurds”. Some- The next year, she was back such as Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and Renuka Ray were some of the animal and then gently ‘patchwork’, whatever that one was reading it out to MMM in Madras, helping found the means. The Man from Madras and for an instance he thought the prominent workers of the folding its ears in, they man- Women’s Indian Association aged to pull it out. The dog ran Musings suspects that it means it was about a culinary battle. (1917). Among the 70 founder- Association. Women such as away for dear life, but there was filling in the potholes with large Then, what did this other members were Annie Besant Muthulakshmi Reddy of the much cheering and stone pieces and then quickly newspaper mean by saying that and Dorothy Jinarajadasa, the WIA, Mrs. Hamid Ali and Rani backslapping among the topping them up with a thin “Benazir states that Musharraf former becoming the founder- Rajwade from the AIWC, to- neighbours. After all nobody layer of tar. No attention will be is acceptable without his president and the latter, the gether with Sarojini Naidu, likes to see suffering. The next given to whether these patch- uniform”? works are at the same level as founding secretary. Dorothy M. sought universal adult franchise day, MMM’s friend was amazed to see the dog return to the the rest of road. As a result, Printer’s devil Graham, who was to marry in the Indian context. Active leftwing members of the AIWC gate, inspect and sniff it closely many two-wheeler riders will be Jinarajadasa, a Ceylonese The- thrown off their vehicles when n the last issue, The and then trot away. No doubt it IMan from Madras Musings osophist, in 1916, had come to was thanking its stars. they drive at high speeds over India with Besant and Margaret (Continued on page 8) such bumps. And, thanks to the had written about the errors The other Deepavali helmet rule being observed those in charge of road signs A big ‘Thank You’ to 9 of you more in the breach, many casu- make. In it he had said that he here are many ways to alties are bound to happen. thought “Pycrafts Garden Road” took the cake. MMM We publish below the list of donors who have, between 16.10.07 and 15.11.07, Tcelebrate Deepavali, or so The Man from Madras Musings was besieged with phone calls added to the support Chennai Heritage and its voice, Madras Musings, have Beautifying the beach asking what was wrong with the already received. We thank all of them for their support for the causes Chennai learns. The members of the Ro- hoever is in charge of spelling. He had no answer till Heritage espouses. — Chennai Heritage tary Club of Madras South de- cided to spend it with orphans Wbeautifying the Marina he checked the issue and found Rs. 50: Muralidharan, K. who are afflicted with HIV. obviously has plenty of money that those in charge of typeset- Rs. 100: Ramanathan (Dr) J.D., Jambunathan, T.S. MMM learns that crackers are to spend, but suffers from a ting had carefully corrected Rs. 116: Seshadri, R. a strict no-no for such kids as bankruptcy of aesthetic ideas. Pycrafts to Pycrofts. It happens Rs. 200: Vijayalakshmi, K., Seshan Raghavan they have a detrimental effect As a consequence, all kinds of to the best of us. Rs. 400: Satpoorani on their health. New clothes rockeries, stone birds, deers – MMM Rs. 401: Krishnamoorthy Srinivas Rs. 560: Murphy, M.J. (London, UK) November 16-30, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

Conjunctive use of groundwater source

large section of urban residents are not Centre is involved in creating awareness among Aaware that the groundwater they extract al- residents about the conjunctive use of aquifers. most daily from their open and borewells is This terminology, often used in irrigation man- Governance failure nexus between greedy politi- available in two disconnected layers. The top agement, is meant to convey the idea of utilising layer, also known as the shallow aquifer, is what the surface water (in ponds, tanks and lakes) cians, officials and a group he brief write-up by MMM is available above the rocky strata; the other, the first, till it gets exhausted and then switching to called property developers. Ton The Driving Challenge deep aquifer, is the one within the rocky strata. the groundwater source. The same idea, instead There is a lot of money which (MM, October 16th) describes By and large, the quality of water in the of surface and subsoil sources, is used here for can be made on urban lands how it is impossible to drive any former will be better than in the latter, which is the two layers of groundwater, viz. exploit the and what is called “develop- some kind of trapped source and not very easy shallow aquifer immediately after the monsoon vehicle in Madras. Since I travel ment”. That is it! to sustain. Tapping water from the deep aquifer (when it would have got enriched) till it gets a good deal, I know the situa- Go on ECR towards is of a recent origin, when the shallow aquifer exhausted and then switch to the deep borewell. tion is the same in Coimbatore, Mahabalipuram. Can you see went dry and residents were desperately looking For more efficient groundwater manage- Trichy and Madurai. There is, the magnificent ocean even for for an alternative source to meet at least their ment, residents are advised to consider the fol- however, a much larger and non-potable needs. In Chennai, rock is encoun- lowing suggestions. five minutes during a 90-minute shocking failure of the public tered at a depth of 50 ft in some localities and at 1. If a shallow source in the form of an open road journey? Why is it so? The authorities on the one hand and 200 ft in other areas (except in Little Mount and or borewell (yielding or defunct) is available problem is complete failure of the general public, on the other. , where rocky strata starts from 4 ft within the house or flat complex, try to retain or governance throughout India. I will mention two points. below ground level), implying that the shallow repair it and keep it ready or create one. These acquifer is at least that deep. shallow sources, which would have got replen- Firstly, the complete failure D. K. Oza Residents, while switching from tapping the ished by RWH, could be used for a few months of the police to mobilise the 1, First Cross Street shallow aquifer to the deep aquifer in the last immediately after monsoon. Home Guards (both men and Indira Nagar few years, have completely neglected the shal- 2. When the shallow aquifer gets exhausted, women) is surprising. When I Adyar, Chennai 600 020 low aquifer. They have also failed to realise that start exploiting groundwater from the deep was younger, I often saw the Who’ll act? it is the shallow aquifer, which is replenished borewell. Home Guards in uniform on and sustained through the rainwater harvesting 3. Find out from the borewell digger whether duty at festival times, etc. refer to the article by Shobha done in their respective premises complying he has used plain or slotted casing pipe in the Where I live in Adyar, crossing IMenon on with the law that in 2003 made RWH manda- alluvium region (top layer). If it is a plain pipe, the road is difficult most of the dumping (MM, October 16th). tory. This neglect has resulted in an artifical then get it replaced by a slotted pipe to facilitate time because traffic is heavy. It is the duty of the Chennai scarcity of groundwater, viz. the shallow water recharge of the deeper aquifer from the har- sources. On the other hand, while open wells vested rainwater. Community policing is merely Municipal Corporation to attend to the demands made by and shallow tubewells, despite water in them, on paper. I do not see a single are not being tapped, the deep borewells go dry, Sekhar Raghavan person from the Scouts and the Save Pallikaranai Marsh- no longer yielding water. Director, Rain Centre, 4, 3rd Trust Link Street Guides, the Home Guards, the land Forum, especially the one In order to overcome this situation, the Rain Mandavelipakkam, Chennai 600 028 National Cadet Corps, school- for strictly implementing the boys, schoolgirls or anyone else “guidelines and rules under the helping the traffic police. We Municipal Solid Wastes kuppathottees (street litter recep- mented its fleet. However, quite to ‘increase road space’ (since just do not have enough traffic (Management and Handling) tacles) into which people used contrarily, it has reduced its almost all the pavements have constables. Madras is becoming Rules 2000.” Apart from this, it to throw garbage (mostly the operations. It has woefully been done away with for broad- another Bangalore so far as is the duty of Corporation to plantain leaves after meals) neglected its public duty by not ening the roads), increasing the traffic is concerned. At find out who among the which would be cleared by the keeping pace with the increase number of MTC services is the , I hope the residents are responsible for kuppa karans (now euphemisti- in the number of commuters. only alternative. But with the Sethu will come up before the throwing hazardous wastes. cally known as Conservancy The result is that public trans- bus routing diminishing, how do Sethu Samudram Project. The Hazardous Wastes Staff). port having become quite unre- the M.D. and the P.R.O. of Secondly, we are completely (Management and Handling) Suddenly, the powers that be liable, people have had to resort MTC assert that their services losing control over our cities in Rules 1989 applies to the demolished all the kuppathottees to owning their modes of trans- are quite satisfactory? every way — housing, sanita- management and handling of and instructed citizens to parcel port. In MM (September 16th), a tion, water supply, public health 18 categories of wastes includ- their garbage and hand it over Several well-patronised and reader had suggested reintro- problems, unregulated political ing cyanide, metal finishing, to the visiting conservancy well-established longstanding duction of trams. In the present processions, bad roads, water phenols, asbestos. This Central carts. This arrangement worked routes, for instance in Myla- scenario it is quite impossible. stagnation and complete Government Notification well, especially when a small tip pore, 3, 3A, 4-E, 4-F, 12-F, 23- The position was entirely differ- marginalisation of the commu- under Environment (Protec- was added. The Corporation B, 5K, 23-A, 23-E, 23-G etc. ent half a century ago. That lei- nity. It is this larger picture tion) Act 1986 directs that the supervisors used to inspect the have all been unceremoniously surely pace of life can only be which people overlook. We are hazardous wastes “shall be streets and pull up those who withdrawn. The list is only illus- imagined. Though trams were missing the wood for the trees. collected, treated and stored threw litter on the streets. trative and not exhaustive. I am nonpolluting, they were a slow Throughout India, our urban and disposed of only in such Unfortunately, the present sure that this will be the condi- mode of transport. Besides, you areas have been destroyed and facilities as may be authorised dispensation is not strict and tion in other areas also. cannot be sure of uninterrupted are unlivable. This is due to for this purpose”. Chapter XI of people have started throwing Without ensuring proper power supply. The M.E.S. is an- the Tamil Nadu District litter all over the street. Maybe, services to the travelling public, other Government department Municipalities Act, (V of 1920) the kuppathottees should be it is most unfortunate, the which has failed to keep pace with subsequent amendments brought back. M.T.C. is indulging in grandi- with the growth of the city by READABILITY PLEASE deals with instances of nuisance ose schemes like A/C buses, modernising its equipment. C.G. Prasad Dear Readers, conferring powers on the Volvo buses etc. for the cost of Executive Authority to take 9, C.S. Mudali Street Kondithope which more number of ordinary T.M. Sundararaman As letters from readers increase, steps to prevent them. buses could have been added to we are receiving more and more Chennai 600 079 19, Nallappan Street What’s happening in the fleet. hand written letters, many of them Pallikaranai also attracts the in a hand so small and illegible or Not so rosy While it may not be possible Chennai 600 004 large and scrawled as to be provisions of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 and adras Musings, whether by unreadable. Often this leads to our Mdesign or by coincidence, discarding a letter, particularly if its Rules. Will someone act on some part of it is unreadable. the basis of these Acts? has dealt with the traffic pro- blems as well as the M.T.C. in Our Addresses If you wish us to consider your let- P.S. Subrahmanian its issue of September 16th and For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, non-receipt of receipts etc.: ter for publication, please type it ‘Muruganadi’ st Chennai Heritage, 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, West Cott Road, , Chennai with enough space between lines or October 1 . The traffic conges- F-4, Kannika Nivas Apartments 600 014. write it using a medium hand, tion, increasing air pollution, For non-receipt of copies, change of address, and all other circulation clearly dotting the ‘i-s’ and crossing 7, Varadachari Street wear and tear of the roads, in- Ranga Nagar, Srirangam matters: MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., 62/ the ‘t-s’. crease in the number of private 63, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. Trichirapalli 620 006 Many readers also try to fill every vehicles, consequent increase On editorial matters: The Editor, MADRAS MUSINGS, square centimetre of a postcard Garbage then & now in use of fossil fuel, and the C/o Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., 62/63, Greames Road, Chennai space, making reading or editing greenhouse effect, all could be 600 006. impossible. he saying ‘the old order remedied if only our public No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters received will be sent Tchangeth, yielding place to from these addresses every couple of days to the persons concerned and you Please help us to consider your let- transport system is streamlined. will get an answer from them to your queries reasonably quickly. Strange as it ters more favourably by making the new’ often does not work It would appear that in keep- may seem, if you adopt the ‘snail mail’ approach, we will be able to help you them more legible for us. out. From our forefathers’ time ing with the increase in the faster and disappoint you less. all streets in Madras, especially number of road-users, the pub- THE EDITOR – THE EDITOR George Town, used to have lic transport system has aug- 4 MADRAS MUSINGS November 16-30, 2007 November 16-30, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 From Lincolnshire Lift-off Suggested trees

to he glitter hits you in the eye Some cynics go so far as to say for Chennai Tthe minute you walk in. that image matters much more Chandeliers dangle from ceil- than content these days. t last there seems to be gold, as Dick Whittington found 1859, he was slightly wounded by ings, while slightly (but only very (But that’s probably just sour Asome interest in the cem- out the hard way, and life in ru- a blow from a battle axe. He re- slightly) smaller versions dangle grapes, and best ignored.) Nizhal, the NGO spearheading a Grow More Trees drive in Chennai and its suburbs recommends the eteries of Madras, places not of ral areas was even more difficult, mained in India and some time from human ears. There’s shim- Author or Organiser – be following trees for planting: maudlin sentiment but reposito- especially when the harvest was before January 1865 was dis- mer everywhere – on ensembles, warned .the planning of mar- 16. False Rudraksha or Thenpuchi maram ries of history and a record of the poor. The Industrial Revolution charged and transferred to the on footwear keting strategy is even more de- Sandy soils/coastal areas Even the chairs are haute- manding than the actual process (Guazuma ulmifolia) people who lived here. The Brit- was taking a terrible toll of hu- European’s Veteran Establish- 1. Alexandrian Laurel or Pinnai (Calophyllum coutered. of writing. 17. Lasora tree or Mukusheli maram (Cordia ish Association for Cemeteries in man life, much as it is doing to ment in Pallavaram. He re- inophyllum) obliqua) South Asia (BACSA) does its many people in India today, even mained there until his death on For one devastating moment, It begins, not with the book, 2. Cashewnut or Mundiri (Anacardium 18. Rain tree or Toongumoonji* maram best to keep some of these me- while providing them with an in- April 14, 1893 and lies buried in you think you’ve wandered, but the venue which, apparently, occidentale) (Samanea saman) morials alive (how else does one come. Many young men were the Pallavaram Cemetery. His plainfully uninvited, into a Page calls for something rich, exotic, 3. Sausage tree or Siva kundalam (Kigelia Quick, tell me... which book are we launching today?!” put it?) with visits from members dazzled by exotic tales and the name is mis-spelt “Rcikett” on Three party. or both. pinnata) And then you realise – no, Then, the guest list starting 4. Portia tree or Poovarasamaram (Thespesia and financial incentive to the call of adventure, not to mention the medal he was awarded, but that special touch then do pre- Fruit bearing trees there’s been no mistake. The in- with the Chief Guest. No, not you, author. populnea) curators. the lottery syndrome whereby that might not have mattered: pare your team. You must ex- vitation has not deliberately Now, there’s very little point The book. 5. Coconut or Thennai (Cocos nucifera) 1. Jamun or Naval (Syzigium cumini) On a recent visit to England, they would hope to make a for- Anthony Rickett might well plain to excitable shutterbugs been mailed to you. in inviting the intellectual giant Oh, the book sits quietly on a 6. Palmyra palm or Panai (Borassus flabellifer) 2. Amla or Nellikai (Emblica officinalis) I spent a good deal of time with a tune and retire to a life of com- have been illiterate, as were so that abandoning senior celebri- 3. Jackfruit or Pala (Artocarpus heterophylus) It is indeed a book , as who is a complete social dud. table placed discreetly, but obvi- 7. Pongam (Pongamia glabra) cousin and her husband, Joan parative ease back ‘home’. many others at that time. ties in one fell sweep and rushing 8. Neem or Veppam (Azadirachta indica) 4. Bel or Vilvam (Aegle marmelos) declared. Choose celebrities instead, ously, and watches. and Geoff Wild, who have been Before leaving England, I have not been able to find off to greet a younger, brasher 9. Mast tree or Nettilingam* (Polyalthia 5. Mango or Manga (Mangifera indica) It’s this new ish-shtyle that’s even pocket-sized (in terms of Books who’ve come this far of invaluable help to me in my re- Rickett would have been given a out if Rickett married and entry who just happens to be have done their job, carved out longifolia) 6. Mahua or Ilupai (Madhuca indica) got you all mixed up. worth, not girth) ones. 7. Manila tamarind or kodukkapuli search at the British Library and quick training at dilapidated bar- whether a family by that name more in the news is such a no- their destiny. 10. Alangium or Alangi (Alangium salvifolium) Across the milling sea of Of course, such choices can * (Pithecolobium dulce) the National Archives. Geoff is racks near the East India Docks, was known in recent times in no. Abandon the has-beens, by 11. Indian Badam or Naattu Badam (Terminalia glitterati, you discover a few old cause some amount of befuddle- They’ve sought out their cre- catappa) 8. Guava or Koyya* (Psidium guajava) an avid collector of military med- and then put on a ship. Grasping Pallavaram. If he did marry, his all means fame is, after all, (really old) timers propping up ment. Let’s say your book is ators, coaxed form and shape out 9. Wood apple or Vilam (Feronia elephantum) als associated with British India sergeants would have deprived wife could have been a local fleeting but try for some the walls, some with drinks in about the slow socio-economic of them. 10. Sapota (Achras zapota) and Joan, whose mother was a him of his last penny, making ‘country-born’ Englishwoman, subtlety, please! hand, mumbling about the days disintegration of a little known Now, they wait. Small/medium trees 11. Indian Jujube or Elandai (Zizyphus jujuba) Mascarenhas (my grandfather’s him pay for cracked panes of an Anglo-Indian or an Indian 12. Custard apple or Seetha (Annona squamosa) sister), collaborates with me in when a book was a book; not a country, and you’ve chosen an 1. Pongam (Pongamia glabra) 13. Pomegranate or Madulai (Punica granatum) tracing the family history. The minor prop in a mega-event. understandably bemused soul 2. Indian Laburnum or Sarakonrai (Cassia fis- 14. Star Gooseberry or Aranelli* (Cicca acida) very successful methods we em- “How about ? Or ...? Did known for talents that have little tula) 15. Carambola* (Averrhoa carambola) ployed, the fruits of which amply l by SIMEON MASCARENHAS they need all this to be success- to do with reading books. (Not l by RANJITHA ASHOK 3. Indian Coral tree or Kalyana murungai* 16. Tree Sorrel or Bilimbi (Averrhoa bilimbi) backed up the oral history in the ful, or be acknowledged great that there’s anything wrong with (Erythrina indica) Mascarenhas family, provide writers?” they snap. that. Don’t be so horribly pre- 4. Drumstick tree or Murunga maram* enough material for a substantial You shrug your shoulders. sumptuous and judgmental.) (Moringa oleifera) Bird attracting trees glass and chipped china, a ruse woman. However, it is highly im- 5. Temple trees or Perungaali (Plumeria species) article. But first to an individual What do they know? Anyway, rumour has it that Choose your speakers wisely, For the reader to open that that had long been a source of in- probable that, had his wife been 6. Yellow bells or Thanga petti* (Tecoma stans) 1. Guava or Koyya* (Psidium guajava) whom I met via one of Geoff’s They are the kind of people your Chief Guest does know that to avoid disconcerting surprises. first page, and breathe life into come to the unscrupulous ser- Indian, he would have been 7. Peacock Flower tree or Mayil Konnai 2. Curry leaf tree or Karuvepilai (Murraya medals. who still believe that only talent the said country is a little on the Remember, not everyone can each letter. geants. Once on board, a recruit granted quarters in a European (Caesalpinea pulcherrima) koenigii) The Indian Mutiny of 1857 matters. left of the globe if you face it pull off urbane humour, and The learned once spoke of the * like Rickett was obliged to main- establishment, especially at the 8. Govardhanam (Gardenia species) 3. Mast tree or Nettilingam (Polyalthia was the theatre of much violence How quaint, when everyone with a certain nation on your there’s nothing worse than the ‘implied reader’. longifolia) tain all the observances of class end of the Victorian era when 9. Coral jasmine or Parijaatham (Nyctanthes and cruelty, bravery and decora- knows that it’s the splash that right, that is. In any case, your gag that gasps and dies. arbor-tristis) 4. Indian Coral tree or Kalyana murungai* and rank, despite passengers be- British superciliousness was at its That seems to have changed tion. We might be forgiven for counts. celebrity guest displays the pre- And do learn to handle those now to the ‘assumed buyer’. 10. Orchid flower or Mandarai* (Bauhinia (Erythrina indica) ing in close proximity to one an- peak. His birth is recorded in the * assuming that medals were A nice large splash, that will scribed gauntness, so you’re that eternal question-askers. There’s purpurea) 5. Singapore cherry or Nei Pazhamaram other in the small of the National Archives at Kew. His Do some of you still believe * awarded to ‘great’ men for doing say everything about you and, much ahead already. a huge difference between the 11. Oleander or Thanga arali (Thevetia (Prunus salicifolia) day. marriage/s (if any) and death are that the word is the word is the 6. Mulberry or Kambli* (Morus alba) ‘great’ deeds. And so it was. But more important, tailor what the Next – hospitality especially words ‘question’ and ‘speechify- nerifolia) Rickett arrived off the coast of certain to be recorded in the In- word – it’s got groove; it’s got 12. Red Cordia (Cordia sebestena) 7. Mahua or Iluppai (Madhuca indica) great deeds are usually done by world will say about you tomor- food. You can go aggressively ing’. Madras in 1848, to be met by dia Office collection at the Brit- meaning and it’s all about the 13. Chalta or Shenbagam (Michelia champaca) 8. Sapota (Achras zapota) ordinary people in extraordinary row. ethnic or cutely innovative. Ei- As for you, the author, do de- * clamouring natives who were ish Library. Readers are invited way you are feeling? 14. Curry leaf tree or Karuvepilai (Murraya 9. Agasta or Agathi (Sesbania grandiflora) situations. It is their response to If you are still holding on to ther way, just make sure you cide on your look. You have lots * keen to take him ashore on ei- to send in any genuine informa- And do some of you readers koenigili) 10. Fig or Athi (Ficus racemosa) these unusual and challenging the clichéd image of books being make a statement. to choose from – the Earthy Eth- 11. Alangium or Alangi (Alangium salvifolium) ther a masula or a catama- tion that might throw light on believe that you may still find a circumstances that earns them only for socially-challenged Media presence is of para- nic; the Suave Urbanite; the De- ran, each boatman trying to con- this matter. gem hidden within the hoopla – praise and honour. Victoria geeks, or still seeing authors as mount importance – even those liberately Unkempt; or Subtle vince him by dint of physically My cousin, Barry Masca- quietly, but bravely, shining, Large trees Trees with beautiful flowers Crosses are considered by the remote, shy creatures with large publications that draw heavily Simplicity but the last one’s dragging him towards his boat. renhas, now in the USA, who confident of discovery? 1. Soapnut tree or Boondi kottaimaram British the pinnacle of valour, brains, think again. on social shenanigans to fill their only for the truly self-confident 1. Neem or Veppam (Azadirachta indica) His experience is probably best lived with his parents in the Vet- There are still some large paper. Remember, a single lousy amongst you. Remember, several Maybe you are both right. 2. Bulletwood tree or Magizham (Mimusops (Sapindus indicus) but they are not the only described in the words of Lieu- eran Lines in the 1960s, does not elengi) 2. Pride of India/Poo marudhu (Lagerstroemia acknowledgement of bravery in brains around, no question, but picture can ruin many thousands promising careers have been de- Seek, and you both shall cer- tenant Walter Campbell who, on “recall a family named Rickett 3. Silk Cotton tree or Sevvilavu* (Bombax speciosa) battle. A campaign medal I ex- the packaging has changed. of words. stroyed by bad hair, and remote, tainly find. reaching Madras in 1830, was when I lived at Veteran Lines in ceiba) 3. Ashoka (Saraca asoca) amined was given to Bombardier And how? If you’ve decided to pepper brooding intensity or painful shy- But for the rest, it’s the pack- * immediately “beset by hawkers, Pallavaram. There were two areas 4. Persian Lilac or Malai Vembu (Melia 4. Orchid tree or Mandarai (Bauhinia Anthony Rickett for service dur- This world is no longer struc- your guest list with random ness is so, so over and passé. aging that counts, the sort that purpurea) jugglers, snake-chamers, ‘coolies’ where retired military personnel azaderach) ing the Indian Mutiny. It carries tured for shrinking violets or the celebrities a little like ‘drizzling’ Meanwhile, where’s the star can create the illusion of con- 5. Wild Almond or Pinari* (Sterculia foetida) 5. Bauhinia yellow or Thiruvatchi (Bauhinia and mendicants begging for cop- lived: Officers’ Lines and Veterans’ one bar and the inscription ‘Cen- let’s-underplay brigade. salad oil before serving to ensure of the evening? tent. 6. Kapok tree or Ilavan panji* (Ceiba tomentosa) pers... After standing on the beach Lines, separated by a field – “the * tral India Malwa’. The Malwa pentandra) 6. The Flame of the Forest or Palash (Butea for upwards of an hour, braving the Maidan” – where we played * monosperma) Field Force came from Bombay 7. Wodier tree or Odhiyamaram (Lannea fury of a tropical sun and keeping cricket. You seem to remember our ‘renovated’ to look like ghastly, umns and massive pediments. other soldiers who set out to earn a modern nationalist movement coromandlica) 7. Indian Cork Tree or Maramalli* (Millingtonia and changed later into the Cen- our assailants at bay as best we house well – square, sloping tiled cheap, novelty biscuit tins. St. About 15 years ago it was a living in a faraway place, lived a by Indians far better educated 8. Siris or Vaagai (Albezia lebbeck) hortensis) tral Field Force commanded by could, the debarkation of the troops roof and veranda. Excellent Thomas’ Mount and Pallavaram deemed unsafe and vacated, its life of relative comfort in India than he could ever have dreamed 9. Siris white or Kondavaagai (Albezia procera) 8. Indian Laburnum or Sarakonrai (Cassia General Rose. The Saugor Field * was completed and we were memory!” were important military centres fate dependent on an official de- compared to what he might have of becoming, yet decided to live 10. Copperpod or Iyalvagai (Peltophorum Fistula) Force came from Madras. * marched up to Bridge seven miles The European Veterans’ Es- in British India, as they are to- cision. experienced in his native the rest of his days in India. pterocarpum) 9. Cassia Siam or Manja Konnai (Cassia On February 2, 1847, young siamea) from Madras where we found tents tablishment is better known to day, and contain a wealth of his- Rickett was no officer and Falkingham. He saw service in He must have loved the 11. Vathanarayanan (Delonix elata) Anthony Rickett, aged 18, of 12. Soapnut tree or Boondi kottaimaram 10. Cassia Java (Cassia javanica) pitched for our reception, and the many Anglo-Indians who tory. There is also a significant certainly no hero in the noble one of the bloodiest periods of country. He died only 7 years Falkingham, Lincolnshire, en- (Sapindus indicus) 11. Gutel or Naikunjil* (Trewia nudiflora) where we are to remain ten days or lived there as Veteran Lines. amount of colonial architecture, sense of the word: the Mutiny recent Indian history, the before my paternal grandfather * listed for service in the Madras 13. Gongstick tree or Mavukkai (Parkia 12. Gulmohur or Neruppu konrai (Delonix a fortnight to make the necessary Laid out on a very continental much in dire need of serious res- medal he got was one for just Mutiny, and helped to keep an was born, making him far less biglandulosa) regia) Artillery. What drove or inspired preparation for marching up coun- grid pattern, it consists (or used toration, if it still exists. The “being there”, not a campaign uneasy peace in the years that remote than you might imagine. English youths to volunteer for a 14. Al dye tree or Nuna (Morinda tinctoria) try to Bangalore.” to consist) of tidy little cottages handsome old building at the medal for bravery. Geoff Wild followed. He witnessed the It is people like him who, in a 15. Scholar’s tree or Paalai (Alstonia scholaris) * indicates fast growing species job in a hot, dusty country half- During the Mutiny, Rickett’s with sloping tiled roofs, trellised western end of the Parade confirms that “the man who demise of the East India Com- time of almost complete separa- way around the world? The company was attached to the verandas and charming little gar- Ground, once used as the Offic- stormed the battlements and the pany and the birth of Britain as a tion between Indian and British, prime reason was poverty or, at Saugor Field Division and was dens. By the 1980s, several were ers’ Mess and later as offices and man guarding the baggage both got great colonial power, with far- showed some empathy with the Note: Trees like the Peepul or Arasamaram (Ficus religiosa) and Banyan or Aalamaram (Ficus best, bleak prospects of local em- engaged at the attack and cap- in a state of disrepair, like so stores, is an imposing example of the same medal!” We can safely reaching consequences for local population, like the benghalensis) have not been included in any of the above categories. Since these are big trees that ployment. The streets of London require large spaces to grow and spread well, they can be planted only in large open spaces. ture of Banda on April 19, 1858. many heritage Madras dwellings, colonial neo-classical architec- assume that Bombardier An- Indian and Briton alike. He lived earliest Europeans, the Portu- were certainly not paved with At a later action on March 4, and others had been horribly ture, with substantial Doric col- thony Rickett, like so many long enough to see the growth of guese.

CMYK 6 MADRAS MUSINGS November 16-30, 2007 As the Germans saw Cards Tamils 300 years ago for the

or nearly 250 years from glish and the French fought available for hire at the rate of season F1706, Germans were sent as against each other for political four fanams per day. Schultze Manohar and Mahema Devadoss are no strang- missionaries to Tamil Nadu as, and commercial gains, the Ger- says:“...making a new palanquin ers to the regular read- first, the Danish servers, and mans showed great interest in will cost 40 pagodas, including ers of Madras Musings. then by British missions. Their the Tamil language, literature, bamboo, couch beds, pillows Each year, despite her mission, the conversion of the medicine and culture. and Tossels...Six boys were re- quadriplegia of many natives into the Protestant Ziegenbalg watched the cus- quired to carry each palanquin years, Mahema designs faith, was, however, soon over- toms and ceremonies of the at the rate of 5 pagodas per greetings cards using shadowed by their interest in Tamils and also studied them month per boy and this accord- Manohar’s detailed pen other facets of native society. from a particular book, Ashara ing to the Company’s order...” and ink drawings, which Almost all of them were fasci- Kowei. About this book, he ob- In the 13th dialogue, he continues to work on nated by the multifaceted socio- serves: Schultze says that an ordinary despite being near-blind owing to retinitis economic, medical, cultural and “Achara Kowei, a book of house had a big garden. In such pigmentosa. And the other features of the Tamils, hundred poems or verses, gardens 25 kinds of trees, 24 proceeds from the sale and some Germans even set deals with all kinds of ceremo- kinds of flower plants and 14 of the cards go to ser- aside their missionary zeal and nies found to be practised kinds of vegetable plants were vice-minded institutions their unresistive curiosity im- among Malabarians in their grown. such as the Sankara pelled them to learn more about association with Gods and fel- In the second dialogue he re- Nethralaya and the the flora and fauna, medicines, lowmen. The author is called ports that Egmore and Aravind Eye Hospital. diseases, etc. of the tropical Kankattu Maraignana were like thick This year there are Tamil Nadu, which were un- Pandaram... He is venerated jungles. A few wild animals six cards. Three are based on Madras that is known in Europe till then. by the Malabarians as he has were seen at 4 in the afternoon authored, besides this book, Chennai with the near “Ekkimore Castle and The first German Lutheran still many more moral University Centenary missionary Bartholomaeus books...” Trepplekane” villages. Building, the High Ziegenbalg was also the first to Ziegenbalg quotes from it on Schultze describes a wedding Court and the Kapa- see that the European notions dining habits: celebrated in Madras: leeswarar Temple being of the Indians were wrong. He “One must wash the body, “The groom was 15 years the subjects. The other three feature the Chitra clean the feet and also rinse old and the bride, 12 years. wrote: Gopuram, the Pudu the mouth before eating. The The total for the wedding feast “Most Christians in Europe Mandapam and a eating place should be cleaned was merely 900 pagodas (= suppose the Malabarians to be jasmine garden from with water before and after 2700 Rs.). The guest ate Mad- a very barbarous people, but apples, bitter fruits, young figs, Manohar’s native town of Madurai about which he has recently eating. While eating, one brought out a book, Multiple Facets of My Madurai. this arises from the Europeans should at first look at the sky carrots, Samebeets, Kurfara- who have been amongst them The cards are priced depending on the quantity ordered, de- (at the noon position), watch bulbons plants, Nikkubar not understanding their lan- tails of which are: guage, so that they have not 1-499 – Rs. 16.00 per card been able to read their books, 500-999 – Rs. 14.50 per card 1000-1999 – Rs. 12.50 per card but have drawn their conclu- l by Dr. C.S. Mohanavelu 2000 and above – Rs. 12.00 per card. sions from outward appear- ances. I must acknowledge For further details, those interested can contact Manohar and that when I first came no person, speak with none, Knolls, Rampions, goards, Mahema at 2498 2484. The couple has been bringing out these amongst them I could not should not divert and hover chitterlings, fluffing Horns, cards for the past 42 years and did not break the practice even imagine that their language the thought anywhere and cucumbers, peases, French during the year when Mahema met with her fateful accident. Over the years their cards have become a part of Madras had proper rules, or that their concentrate body and soul in beans, Bencouli thorn, berries, tradition. Sadly, physical limitations have made the couple de- life had the laws of civil order, the food. The husbandsman round berries, round bitter should not eat before feeding cide that this will be the last year of their greetings cards project. and took up all sorts of false berries, colecabbages and, be- So this is your last chance to get the cards which have become ideas on their actions as if they his guests, the elders, the sides these, pap, pepper cows, the servants and his collectors’ items. It is also your opportunity to toast the unfailing had neither a civil nor a moral potage, ricepap, with butter, spirit of the couple which has made them bring these cards out children. One should not eat law, but as soon as I had salt cakes, sugarcakes, sugar for so many years. gained a little acquaintance while lying, standing, on the bowls, sugar tarts, cream and with their language and could bed, or below the tree. In a potherbs.” talk to them on various sub- feast, one should not start eat- lesser drumming Barrel, iv) a handsome waistcoat, the tai- jects, I began to have a much ing before the elders, should Schultze then gives a list of guitar, v) one tingling Orb and loring charge was 6 fanams and better opinion of them and, not sit close to them, should fireworks and crackers used for vi) one tabred. With all this for an ordinary making of the when at last I was able to read not get up before them even if this marriage. He says, pomp and merriment, the mar- same 4 fanams. The making their own books, I found that one had finished eating. “Torches, oil-rockets, sky rock- riage party went out on a pro- charge for a cap was 4 douddas. the Malabarians discussed the When one ate, should one ets, tail-weeding sky rockets, cession and the local custom Regarding the items im- same philosophical subjects as drink only thrice, should not flower casting fireworks, star- was that many of their friends ported into Madras, Schultze the Savants of Europe, and spill the food either on the rockets, knick-cracking crack- and relatives offered presents says: Ships that arrived here that they had a regular writ- ground or on the lap. All food ers, fire-belching tree, bone-fire and gifts to the married couple from Bengal brought mainly ten law, wherein all theologi- items, that taste bitter, are tree, match of brimstone light, in such processions. After cal- wheat. Ships from Pegou good for health; and all sweet cal subjects were treated of match of stars, little flower culating the expenses for the brought in “rice, elephant- food items are bad for health. and demonstrated. This sur- rockets, star-casters all these marriage and the income teeth, tin, quicksilver, vermil- prised me extremely...” One should not insert the fin- gers in the mouth more than were used on the day of the through presents and gifts, ion, wax, copper and musk.” German observations on the first section, while eating marriage feast.” Schultze also Schultze says that both would These import items were sold feasts and festivals, legends and (every finger has three sec- makes a bill for the expenses of have been equal. for the following rates: 8 fables, customs and ceremonies, tions). One should not blow fireworks. He says that 100 sky The prices of many com- markall of rice was sold at one manners and habits, rituals and the nose, rub the eyes with fin- rockets cost 1 pagoda; 200 star modities, right from the cartage pagoda; one bag of wheat con- fastings of the Tamil people 300 gers, touch the food with the rockets cost 1 pagoda; 12 knick- charges of palanquins to the taining 10 markall was sold for years ago were all recorded. left hand...” cracking crackers cost 1 pagoda; prices of fuels and grocery, are one pagoda. It is also written From elephants to ants, from Benjamin Schultze, another 2 Bonfire trees cost 1 pagoda; 8 to be found in Schultze’s Ma- that “two garss of nellu will be banyan trees to tiny grass, from German, was the first to found Viss of match of Brimstone- dras Stadt. A first quality water enough for a family for a year” centenarians to new-born in- a mission in Madras. Schultze light cost 1 pagoda and finally was sold at 4 douddas per pot and some people used to store a fants, from the rich riding in wrote Madras Stadt, published 50 star casters also cost 1 pa- and the second quality water at year’s requirement of paddy in palanquins to the poor walking in 1750. In it can be gleaned the goda. Besides, 700 torch bearers 2 douddas per pot. The making granaries of the houses. barefoot, not a single observa- lifestyle of the people in Madras were employed at the rate of 2 charges for the dresses by the We also have the prices of tion escaped the watchful eyes from 30 dialogues. A few of douddas per head. There was tailors are also given. Two certain grocery items sold in the of those Germans, who re- Schultze’s observations are also a music party, observes fanams was the making charge 18th Century Madras. One viss corded all their observations in quoted: Some people in Madras Schultze, which consisted of i) for ordinary shirts and three of pepper cost only 5 fanams. thousands of diaries. While the moved about in palanquins. a Shalmpipe and its Bass, ii) two fanams for “handsome work” Portuguese, the Dutch, the En- These transport vehicles were large drumming Barrels, iii) one for making shirts. For making a (Continued on page 7) November 16-30, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 7 A Lawyer and a Gentleman dance performance (at Music Academy). . Govind Swaminadhan was Bar Association in 1994 con- Sborn with the proverbial sil- ferred on him the title ‘The Liv- November 29: Jungle Bungle — ver spoon in his mouth. His fa- ing Legend of The Law’. The children of Ozone theatre ther, Dr. S. Swaminadhan, a group bring you two plays leading barrister of Madras, An active and busy practice based on the story of animals specialised in Criminal Law. He did not mean lack of other pur- of the jungle: Enormous Croco- also served as Principal of the suits. Govind Swaminadhan dile and Hungry Lion (at Alli- Madras Law College. Govind’s gave cricket commentaries on ance Francaise, 7.00 p.m.). the AIR, was involved with the mother Ammu was a leading December 2-7: Prakriti Founda- Madras Race Club, the Madras Till November 30: In Search of social activist, later becoming a Femininity, an exhibition by tion presents The Park’s New member of the Constituent As- Riding Club and was Comman- Sajitha Gouwry. After her resi- Festival, a six-day festival sembly of India and later an dant of the Home Guards. He dency programme in Paris, showcasing new and emerging MP. Govind was born on Octo- was an active member of the Sajitha comes to Chennai to work in the field of dance, ber 9, 1909. Govind had two sis- Madras Players in its initial exhibit her collection dedi- music and theatre (at Museum ters one of whom is the eminent years and was Founder of the cated to Chandralekha (at the Theatre). dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai. The Consumer Action Group. He Alliance Francaise). was also President of the Bala December 4: Porcelain, a dance other sister is Capt. Lakshmi Till November 30: Display of solo by Preethi Athreya in Sehgal who was a leading light Mandir and Chairman of the digital prints by Dhruva Mistry collaboration with the music of in Netaji Subash Bose’s INA. Vidyodaya School for Girls. (at Gallery Sumukha). Tobias Sturmer and the Prosecutor. One of the early She also contested the previous Nov.24,25,30,Dec.1,2: Voya- artwork of Walter Sturmer, a Presidential election, but with- cases in which he appeared as This eminent personality of 45-minutes presentation. (At defence counsel was the Madras passed away on 30th geur de Minuit by Indianostrum out success. Govind’s brother S. Theatre. Museum Theatre, 6.00 p.m.) Krishna Swaminadhan was a Lakshmikantham murder case. September 2003. senior corporate executive. Some of the trials where he offi- The story of the journey of December 5-23: An exhibition ciated as Crown Prosecutor in- As a fitting tribute to him, a a young man who likes the the- by Pichaya Manet. His paint- Educated initially at St cluded the Alavandar murder book, A Gentleman Lawyer, ed- atre and who plays Alfonsina – ings are singular for his excep- Paul’s, Darjeeling, Govind was case and the City Gardner mur- ited by well-known lawyer a prostitute in a village in tional use of colour and move- ments in depicting the human sent to England at the age of 12, der case. In later years his civil Sriram Panchu and Aparna North India. Rejected by his father, he undertakes a voyage form and for using the canvas where he took his Bachelor’s and constitutional law practice Mukherjee Vasu, has recently been released. The book is a to the South... many meetings much like a stage to visualise degree from Brighton College, became quite substantial. and set scenes. Both these compilation of reminiscences of follow that resemble incarna- his Master’s from Christchurch tions of life, of love, of daring, strengths follow his many years College, Oxford, and the Bar- Swaminadhan himself, several of female emancipation, of of being a Bharata Natyam at-Law from the Inner Temple, of his speeches, recollections by poetry, of resistance, of vio- dancer and choreographer. (At Inns of Court, London. l by friends, colleagues and acquain- lence and of magic... Here Alliance Francaise.) SRIRAM V. tances and tributes from judges Hindi, Khasi, Tamil, English, Returning to India in 1935, and juniors. The book is a de- French, Malayalam, Kannada WORKSHOPS AT he practised under the eminent light to read and a very interest- mix with the strange lights of DAKSHINACHITRA lawyer V.L. Ethiraj, who had, ing feature is the inclusion of a the theatre. Story and Direc- interestingly, begun his career In 1965, he became a Senior collection of drawings by Justice tion by Koumarane Valavane FOR ADULTS under Dr. Swaminadhan. Soon Central Government Standing V. Balasubrahmanyan, taking a (at Alliance Francaise). November 17: Handmade Paper Govind Swaminadhan set up Counsel. In 1969 he became humorous look at life in law. Products. Resource person: November 21-24: Global Ad- Malarvizhi. independent practice. In 1939 Advocate-General of Tamil This collection of drawings, justments’ Exhibition of photo- he married Sulochana Nadu and held that office till graphs by expatriates (at Lalit November 24: Silk Thread which had been presented to Jewellery Making. Resource Santhanam in Lahore and the 1976 when he resigned in pro- Govind Swaminadhan, adds Kala Akademi). couple went on to have four person: Karpagam. test against the Emergency. He colour to the book. December 1 & 2: Glass Jewellery children. Till the 1950s, Govind November 26: Korean National resumed private practice and Theatre — The National Making. Resource person: Swaminadhan was engaged in was active in it till the 1990s. In Proceeds from the sale of Dance Company and the Srinivasa Ragavan. very many criminal cases and recognition of his work in the the book will go to the Bala National Orchestra of Korea (To register, please call also held the office of Crown legal arena, the International Mandir. combine to present a grand 24462435/24918943.) As the Germans saw Tamils 300 years ago

(Continued from page 6) of the Tamils will be a fascinat- boys wrote on palmyra leaves their Ollas while writing. The them, you had to smear a black ing and fathomless phenom- with a metal stylus. Rev. fibre of the leaf guides the pen. paste which filled the grooves. One viss of mace cost 12 fanams enon. Claudius Buchanan, the Vice- This, thought I, is more than The 29th dialogue of and one viss of white sugar cost Ziegenbalg mentions in Provost at the College of Fort some of the students at our Schultze’s Madras Stadt is a fit- 2½ fanams. 1708, “...that the Malabarian William, Calcutta, wrote in his English Universities can do. ting conclusion. Schultze points This aptitude of the people to Standard of education of School Boys had learnt several diary on 2.9.1806: out the ignorance of the Euro- record the words of the the native Tamils, 300 years books by heart...This small “...As Mr. Whitfield, on his peans about the culture of the preacher renders it peculiarly book (Ulaga Needhi) is the first first going to Scotland, was Tamils. “The people in Eu- ago: The educational standard necessary that the priest’s lips of the Tamils, even before the one which the young school surprised at the rustling of the rope,” says Schultze, “thought leaves of the Bible, which took should keep knowledge. An the people in East Indies live on arrival of the Germans, was at a children learnt by heart...” A old rule of the Mission is that place immediately on his pro- leaves of trees and roots of high level. Committing to Tamil school boy, in this period, the sermon of the morning memory whatever they hap- was expected to commit to nouncing his text (so different bushes..” and adds, “...such talk from anything he had seen in should be read to the Schools pened to learn was the method memory Thirukkural, is to be heard in Europe; but his own country), so I was sur- in the evening, by the Ulaganeedhi, Kondrei Wenden, when anybody comes hither, he of study of the Malabarians. prised here at the sound of the Catechist, from his palmyra History records that well be- Nal Vazhi, Needhi Venbha and leaf...” will presently apprehend the iron pen engraving the contrary...” Germans like fore the Nalanda University in Aathichudi and recite them at palmyra leaf. Many persons Written palmleaves, bund- Schultze did much to erase the the northern India, there had request. Thus, moral ethics and had their Ollas (Tamil word led together with a strong string been a “Dichterakademie”, the worldly knowledge were im- for palmleaves) in their hands, through coaxial and equidistant wrong European notion that Sangam in the famous city parted to the Tamil boys first writing the sermon in Tamul perforations, formed the note- the ‘Malabarians were barbar- Madurai, where Tamil scholars and only then grammatical, short-hand! It is well known book of students in those days. ians’. — (From a lecture at Max gathered periodically to exhibit lexical, lyrical and other works that natives of Tanjore and The sharp end of the metal sty- Mueller Bhavan, Chennai, by their talent in verse composing, were taken up for study. Travancore can write fluently lus, in the student’s hand, cre- the author.) prose writing etc. Tracing the Young Tamil boys wrote on what is spoken deliberately. ated a groove-like impression Note: Tamils were referred very evolution of the education sand with their fingers. Older They do not look much at on the palmleaves. To read to as Malabarians. 8 MADRAS MUSINGS November 16-30, 2007 A young cricketer Suffragette in Madras (Continued from page 2) answered by the resolution passed by the Indian National of promise Congress. She was not to leave formed the National Federation anything unquestioned! of Indian Women in 1954. rom a distance, Shikar Harrington. That the innings NFIW worked closely with In 1937, the air was filled F Hukku looks nothing spe- wasn’t a flash in the pan was women from both the rural and with the election process in cial. He is an above average stu- proved when Shikar led his urban sectors on social and eco- which Congress was to prove its dent, happy with his academic school from the front in defeat- nomic issues. For her service to strength. Margaret Cousins pro- performances, watching cricket ing Vidya Mandir’s highly rated the women’s cause, Margaret vided an eyewitness account in matches on television and play- team, to win the City U-13 Shikar Hukku. Cousins was awarded the The Hindu of polling in the ing hours together with his School championships. His 126 Shermadevi general constitu- Thanks to the total under- Founder’s Silver Medal of the friends. not out helped his team win the ency where a woman was the standing by Hukku’s parents, . game by just one run. “It was Congress candidate pitted However, given a pair of Harrington feels that the boy Margaret Cousins was in- one of the memorable matches against several male candidates. gloves and pads and a bat, wonder could be moulded prop- strumental in organising many for me,” says Shikar. That in- She wrote, “For the past six Shikar turns special. Between erly. “Unlike other parents, institutions like the Madras nings helped him to get selected weeks Srimathi Lakshmi the wickets, he is a terror. Hukku (Sr.) doesn’t interfere Seva Sadan and Children’s Aid by the TNCA for the Chennai Ammal (the Congress candi- Bowlers from city schools are with our methods and just lets Society. She was responsible for City School team. His run spree date) and her lieutenants have beginning to worry about their us develop his son,” says organising a women’s deputa- continued with his 128 in the been painting the constituency economy rate when they bowl Harrington. tion to meet E.S. Montagu, Sec- Dr. Rajkumar Memorial yellow. Her opponent was a to him. And the streak of As a gen-next player, Hukku retary of State for India, when Cricket tournament. very wealthy man and the Presi- worry is not confined only to is inspired by Sachin Tendul- he visited Madras. It was here All this adulation, thank- dent of the District Board. But bowlers. kar’s range of shots, though he that the first demand for fran- fully, has not gone to Shikar’s Lakshmi Ammal has the cour- Hukku causes nightmares admits that the lofted straight chise for women in India was head. He still takes his practice age of a lion.” Cousins’ hard even for rival batsmen. Even his shots of Robin Uthappa have made. But, when the report of seriously. He has already been work enabled Lakshmi Ammal medium pace is causing enough captivated him. With the kind Montagu-Chelmsford was re- selected to represent the Tamil to win the election by polling trouble. In the past two seasons, of prodigious talent that he has, leased, there was no mention of Nadu School team for the Na- 21,756 votes to 10,278 secured Hukku has also proved that he it is better that Shikar Hukku is women’s franchise in it. Cous- tional School Games, to be held by her chief rival! Cousins later is a multi-talented player with left to himself to play his own ins did not hesitate to address a in Mumbai later next month. wrote, “In granting women suf- his sharp fielding. His school, natural game, rather than burn- letter directly to Montagu, in Thanks to his coach’s guidance, frage, Indian men showed great St. John’s English School, and ing out by comparing himself her capacity as the secretary of Hukku is no longer just the statesmanship and understand- Junior College, Besant Nagar, with international cricketers the All India Deputation of slam-bang batsman. “He has ing of democratic values, a sym- have already captured the now. If that is taken care of, Women, in which she said that been advising me to watch the pathetic vision of the aspira- TNCA inter-school city cham- Tamil Nadu will be well served. the Commission’s question re- pionships. ball and play it according to its garding the support of the other tions of a woman, and the cour- merit,” says Hukku. – Brahmma Raju organisations had already been age to take a step unknown to All of 13 years, Shikar their previous political history.” Hukku, a Delhi-born boy, has already impressed many a She suffered a paralytic cricket coach in the city. “He is stroke in 1943, but continued to turning out to be a run ma- METRO FOR MADRAS work for women’s rights in In- chine,” says Harrington, cricket dia. We Two Together, a joint coach of the school. “In my 16 (Continued from page 1) oped for Chennai with bus speedy solution to problems as- autobiography with her hus- years of coaching experience, I service covering around 300 routes being linked to the sociated with land acquisition band, was published in Madras have not seen such an overall kms. Even if that plan is now MRTS. The expected date of where necessary. A policy of in 1950. In 1949, the Madras talent at this young age,” he abandoned, the study by itself completion of the Metro project complete transparency involv- Government presented her Rs. adds proudly about his ward. should be worthwhile to go is 2014. However, going by the ing the citizens in planning pro- 5,000 in recognition of her ser- That was amply seen when through as it looks at the trans- fate of recent projects underway cess itself will help in easing vices as a political sufferer for Shikar scored 285 runs in 116 port needs of the city. There is a in the city, such as the IT Ex- such bottlenecks. Madras Indian freedom and, in 1953, balls during a recent tourna- glimmer of hope in this direc- pressway and the flyovers at Musings hopes that the State Prime Minister Pandit Nehru ment against Ashram School. tion with the Union Minister of Padi and Kathipara, it is quite Government will show the sent her a cheque of Rs. 3,000. “More than the runs, the way State for Railways recently an- likely that the completion will way by making this project She died at the Theosophi- he played the innings was an ex- nouncing that an inter-modal depend on availability of road a “people’s activity” from cal Society in Adyar on March ample of his talent,” says transport system will be devel- space to carry on the work and day one. 11, 1954.

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