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 Short ‘N’ Snappy  Remembering N. Venkataramani  The travails of two cities  An eminent son of Pondicherry

www.madrasmusings.com WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS Vol. XXX No. 5 August 16-31, 2020 Mega plans for mega HERITAGE WATCH streets project, with Where Governors once resided ­outstation architects­ ou have to hand it to our is now busying itself with the Adyar and . As part Ycity’s Corporation. It is for- Mega Streets project. of this grand scheme, Mylapore ever in the process of launching This is to make sure that has been taken up as pilot and some mega scheme or the our roadways and streets are the project has been awarded other. The last few years saw obstruction free for a seam- to an architectural firm in much noise over the Smart less commute by pedestrians, Ahmedabad. City initiatives and you had non-motorised vehicles and of While this is in no way a consultants literally popping course cars, buses, autos and comment on the abilities of the out of every second building selected entity and we are sure Government House, left and Banqueting Hall right, from a 19th Century in the city. One of the most due process has been followed print.  visible outcomes of this was by The Editor by the civic body, it does come It was in 2008 that the High Court of Madras decreed a very wide footpath on Sir as a surprise that no local firm that around 400 buildings of the city merited heritage status. Theyagaroya Road in T. Nagar, was considered suitable for two-wheelers. On the anvil A Heritage Conservation Committee was formed under the which narrowed the space for executing a project in an area auspices of the CMDA and it was mandated to come out with an vehicles considerably. Since is a plan to invite consultant that is viewed as a cultural architects to submit proposals action plan to protect these structures. Bureaucracy managed then not much has been heard, heartland by many residents of to stifle all the noble intents in that judgement while on paper presumably because attention on an area-wise basis. Phase 1 Chennai. Many local architects fulfilling every requirement in it. The entire HCC was populated has been diverted owing to the will focus on 110 km of roads have over the years developed with bureaucrats and those with Government affiliations. The pandemic. But that has not in , , Committee hardly ever met and after several delays managed deterred our civic body, which , , (Continued on page 2) to send out letters to the owners of the listed buildings, all of which stated that they could do nothing with the structures in their possession. Many were quite happy to oblige, for they could that way give up bare maintenance as well and wait for Schooling in the ‘New the buildings to collapse. The State Government had a bigger agenda. That was when the new Assembly cum Secretariat was being planned Normal’ – Part 2 and in the Government Estate, which was the site, there were (Continued from last the treasurer at the MWA around 1,600 children under as many as six individual structures listed in the judgement. fortnight) ­Matriculation Higher Second- its wing, most of whom are con- Five of these were demolished, leaving Rajaji (Banqueting) ary School, estimates that more tinuing to receive education Hall the sole survivor. The biggest loss was of Government hen the lockdown de- than half of her school students through digital mediums even House, once the city residence of the Governors of Madras, Wscended on the city in later used as an MLAs hostel and finally with the police. A * are struggling financially. “Most in the lockdown, thanks to the March, Raju felt the eco- of the children in my school hard work of the 60 teachers building that held within it over 250 years of Madras history, nomic pinch immediately. An are first or second generation on the rolls. The staff depend for it was acquired from the Madra family that owned it in the auto driver, he suddenly found learners,” she explained. “The 1750s, it was quickly done away with. The new Secretariat did himself without any patronage. families live hand to mouth, come up, but was used very briefly as such, for a succeeding With savings quickly dissolving  by A Staff some of the mothers keep their Correspondent Government changed it into a hospital. to meet living expenses, he families afloat by working as Most ironically, the High Court judgement classified faced an unprecedented situ- housemaids.” A bird’s eye view Government House under grade 1 – of national importance and ation – he didn’t have enough on their professional income to of the situation would under- a prime landmark. But what do you do when the Government make a living too, like everyone in the kitty to pay his childrens’ standably lead the layman to else. Making the best of the drives the bulldozer? school fees. Raju isn’t alone; recommend waiving school situation, Nikhath’s school has many working class parents are fees for struggling parents. But taken to requesting parents to struggling through the same the matter is more complicated pay as much as they can and is state of affairs. than that, especially for schools Madras Week in the process of inviting public To gain a better understand- like Nikhath’s and Radha’s, who donations to offer scholarships ing of the situation, Madras have to balance the needs of the This is that time of the year when under normal to families who simply can- Musings spoke to Nikhath students as well as the staff. ­circumstances, Madras Musings will be neck deep not meet the expense. The ­Suhail and Radha Vasudevan, “We are not an aided school. in putting together its quota of programmes, talks teachers have taken a 20 per whose schools deliver education We don’t have a trust fund built and walks for Madras Week. This year, owing to the cent pay cut in salaries as well, to children from economically­ from donations, either. How ongoing Covid pandemic, we have decided to abstain counting their blessings that unprivileged backgrounds. can we take care of our teach- from organising any events. We wish all our readers they have retained their jobs. Nikhath, who serves as ers?” Nikhath points out. It’s a a healthy and safe Madras Week and Madras Month. But the school is walking a fair question. Her school has – Editor Name changed. (Continued on page 2) 2 MADRAS MUSINGS August 16-31, 2020 MEGA PLANS FOR MEGA STREETS PROJECT The strange lure of (Continued from page 1) of the same ilk – upper-class, English speaking and forever expertise and knowledge as dreaming of an Acropolis like ­unhappiness and frustration far as Mylapore is concerned solution for Mylapore, none of and it is a wonder that the those who eventually will have he Woman from Madras downs when they fell all the Women have it tricky in award had to go to someone in power to make or mar the proj- TMusings is beginning to way down to square one. And other ways, too. Most are Ahmedabad. Handling a space ect were visible. And in this we think that, in general, people everybody – even the players, accustomed to sporting well- like Mylapore demands being include the elected Member are more attracted to things (Wo)MMM thinks – absolutely shaped eyebrows and facial aware of the local idiom and of the Legislative Assembly, that are ominous or frustrating loved it. The kicker? It was a features free of whiskers and culture and this may be hugely officials of the civic body, local than happy and pleasant. Take paid game, which meant that moustaches. This hasn’t been absent when outstation archi- residents, the temple admin- for instance, the Covid situa- the players actually had to possible to maintain in the tects are chosen. istrators, representatives of tion in Chennai. When mat- shell out hard-earned money lockdown and men across A brief interaction with the the shops and establishments ters were grim a month ago, to experience such exquisite the city have been stumbling with the rapid rise of infections frustration. (Wo)MMM is cer- across feminine secrets that team did not reveal anything in the area and above all, the out of the ordinary. There in the city, much attention tain that the crafty developer the gentler sex has largely hawkers. If these people do was given to daily statistics, behind the game earned a fat sought to suppress for most of were the usual plans – to clear not get to see what is being lockdown regulation mea- sum out of all this. history – for instance, while the space of hawkers, cre- proposed, to what effect then sures, medical infrastructure And so, the (Wo)MMM has it is common knowledge that ate broad footpaths, parking such consultations? analyses and so on. There were come to the conclusion that we are also capable of growing spaces, repositioning of the Over the years, various some chaps that (Wo)MMM pleasant, informative content moustaches, we have largely hurdles people normally face schemes such as this have knew, who would log onto is not as saleable as dark or been able to hide how lux- while walking, and regulated been mooted, partially exe- the Aarogya Setu app for the frustrating content. Which is a urious some of our ‘staches shopping zones. Of course, it cuted and then abandoned. express purpose of seeing how pity, because (Wo)MMM truly can be. many unfortunates in their feels that while a naive outlook (Wo)MMM finds the whole may still be early days and a The general chaos and sense plan that is satisfactory to all vicinity had contracted the can render one to foolishness, situation most amusing since of co-existence that passes for coronavirus; others seemed a scrutiny of the silver linings she personally doesn’t think may eventually surface, for quality of life in all Indian cities to rather enjoy their sandbox can always help solve a prob- that her friends, family and which much will depend on prevails here too. Even if this speeches detailing gloom and lem or make the best of a bad acquaintances look all that how much weight the local plan were to succeed, making doom and incredible conspir- situation. different in these parlour-de- representatives of the archi- a showpiece out of Mylapore acy theories. Today, our city prived times – beauty tru- tects carry. Will their voices be is not going to have a great is arguably in a better position Hair Apparent ly does lie in the eye of the heard? And in what way is this impact on the city as a whole. against this enemy virus; dou- beholder. The better half’s initiative any different from the bling time has gone up and the he Woman from Madras hair admittedly looks more It will be a hollow scheme, as Musings has noticed that Smart City plan? If this project cosmetic as the repeated beach number of containment zones T enthusiastic than usual, hav- and the death rate seem to be even though the city’s beauty ing found itself with the un- is indeed under the umbrella of beautification projects we have parlours and salons have re- that latter scheme, it did not slowing down. One can be precedented liberty to grow lived through. Unless the in- forgiven for imagining that the sumed services, patronage has at will; but it has always been appear so in the consultations discipline and corruption that armchair experts who showed reduced with many still reluc- curly and a stern combing that happened. pervades civic administration a fervent interest in the spread tant to brave a visit in these does the trick quite well. The The consultation process in all aspects gets cleaned up of the pandemic would display times, especially senior citizens matter is a non-issue with the also revealed the fundamental across the city, the impact of at least an equal, if not greater, mater, who looks her usual weakness in such discussions. the mega project will remain enthusiasm in its halt, given lovely self; actually, not dye- While those called in were all micro. that it is no mean achieve- SHORT ’N’ ing her hair has given her a ment. Curiously, (Wo)MMM new dimension of beauty. As has heard nothing but radio SNAPPY for herself, the (Wo)MMM silence at their end. One feels has rather grown to like her Schooling in the ‘New Normal’ that even the morbid pastime or those with vulnerable family little moustache, and while it (Continued from page 1) of publishing premature obitu- members at home. And so, leaves the playing field wide tion, “If unaided institutions aries – as the inimitable MMM open for family and friends to narrow financial edge. “Every people are trying to figure out are prohibited from collecting has observed and dissected in how to take care of their own crack highly original ‘meesai month is a challenge,” said a even minimum fees, how will the past – is an example of this haircuts and hair dyes and so aanalum manaivi’ jokes, (Wo) worried Nikath. they pay salary, that too when strange predilection for pathos. on. This has, as expected, given MMM feels it gives off a regal, Radha, who runs a school in almost all such institutions are It’s not just the pandemic, rise to many interesting situa- Frida Kahlo-esque appearance Ashok Nagar, underlined the conducting online classes?” you know. A couple of months tions in homes across the city. that she is quite enjoying at the importance of paying teachers Easing the woes of TN’s pri- back, (Wo)MMM came across First, the haircut. When sa- moment. by pointing out that some of a mobile game that was doing lons first shut down in March, Personally, (Wo)MMM is vate educational institutions, the rounds on the internet. convinced that we’d all be bet- them are the sole breadwinners the issued it was the lure of a professional The aim of the game was haircut that tempted many to ter off living in a world which in their families at the moment. a directive in July permitting to help the protagonist, who frequents parlours not out of “With the lockdown, some of them to collect 40 per ent of sin against the lockdown mea- was doomed to be stuck in a sures. But much experience embarrassment, but self-love – their husbands have been laid the annual fee before the end pot with no equipment but has been gained since then, and hygiene, of course. Here’s off. Households which were of August. The state has also a long hammer in his hands, with some enterprising hair- hoping that this restricted financially healthy before the provisionally fixed this year’s climb very strange obstacles dressers offering consultation access to salons sows the first lockdown are finding them- fee as 75 per cent of last year’s. like trees, mountains, and services via video call to help seeds of this mindset! selves in trouble, since it’s While this clarifies one side towering piles of truly weird people cut their own hair or been a good 4 months since of the problem, the state must objects, ranging from rocks that of a loved one. At least and bricks to waterslides. It Trending the men stopped working,” she also consider the way forward one attempt that (Wo)MMM he Woman from Madras seemed to be an incredibly ­personally knows of turned explained. Her school is in a in supporting parents who frustrating game, as one can TMusings was highly amused slightly better position than simply cannot make the fee into a real-life depiction of to note that the hashtag #Sub- imagine. (Wo)MMM spent a fable­ that was a childhood most, relying on savings that payments to the unaided pri- an evening watching online missionDeadlines was briefly favourite – the well-meaning trending last week in Chennai. can carry them for another vate schools their children videos of players attempting to missus kept reducing the length three months. They haven’t attend. It’s not an easy problem finish the game, most of whom The messages didn’t seem to of her husband’s hair to make be about any particular topic; had the necessity to cut teach- to solve, but it’s not one that’s dissolved into raging melt- it even until he gave up and er salaries yet. going to go away anytime soon. it appears that a bunch of peo- shaved his head. While ple urgently needed to inform Complicating matters fur- While the state mulls the issue, there hasn’t been much the world at large that they’re ther, the state administration citizens, generous as always, ­research on this topic, all racing to meet submission had, earlier in June, issued an have been stepping in to bear (Wo)MMM is confident­ deadlines in their respective order to take action against the cost of scholarships for that there must be others projects. While (Wo)MMM private schools asking parents children in need. While we in our fair city who can sympathized with the whole share similar anecdotes. to make the fee payments. For look to our government to lot, she couldn’t help but won- Frankly, (Wo)MMM der if logging off social media unaided private schools like devise a fair solution to this imagines that the prob- Nikhath’s who have little sav- complex problem, it is probably might be a better strategy lem is arguably­ worse for than making impassioned an- ings to rely on, this was an in- worthwhile to take a minute to women, who cannot take credibly tricky pass to cross. The nouncements and cursing the rejoice in our community spirit, drastic measures like this flow of time. Madras High Court stepped in which rises wonderfully to the enterprising gentleman for their cause, with Justice R. occasion each time our fellow did. – (Wo)MMM Mahadevan raising the ques- citizens need help.

Tailpiece The lead article in this issue of Madras Musings, on the manner in which our city’s civic body is barricading people afflicted with Covid brings to the mind of the Man from Madras Musings another aspect of it. Usually, people would give such houses a miss and stay far from it. Not so however those who paste posters. They have been using these barricades as convenient surfaces for their trade. And the most common ones to be pasted are the handbills adver- tising the telecom services of a man who even in these times has managed to become the fifth richest in the world. There is no holding down some people. August 16-31, 2020 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

enjoyed their games on the but unfortunately they left it be- tennis field. hind them here in Bharat, and I have only one grouse – our those who had even a smidgen l Our website had quite a ikodi, which was based in this tennis stars, including Leander, of education before they left our few comments, which we town, and which marked the have not been recognised by country lock, stock and barrel, are publishing below: advent of a new chapter in The unsung heroes of our government to the extent still stick to it like a limpet. Tamil literature in the 1930s. Tennis they should have been for their BTW, I have the faintest idea It’s time SBI remem- It soon became a platform for ratab Ramchand has rightly excellent performance, like the as to what they carried in that bered Dr. Anderson a number of creative writ- Pbrought out the greatness of way our heroes of cricket have barrel. Where was I? (Vol. XXVI No. 19, January ers to express their literary Leander Paes and his intimate been honoured. They should Ah yes, in her column, (Wo) 16-31, 2017) sensibilities. With their rich have been decorated more, as MMM mentions that once she socio-ethical values, these tidings with Chennai, the then Anderson House used to be tennis is a game of individual had to “eat her words” (how writers churned out great Madras (MM, July 16, 2020). the residence of the General performance or at the most of did they taste? Can I have a humanistic works that capti- He has bagged 54 ATP Tour Manager (then known as the that of just two, while games plateful, please?) when she was vated Tamil readers. doubles titles and 18 Grand Deputy Secretary & Treasur- like cricket are of collective having an argument with the – Ranganathan Sivakumar Slam doubles titles, unmatched er) of the Madras Local Head performance. better half on some issue (not [email protected] by anyone in Indian tennis. It Office of the State Bank of Even now it is not too late. children, anyway, I am relieved is not an easy feat. It evidences India. During 1962-1965, my Are the concerned people to learn). Now, in our country, it * * * the amount of hard work he father R.K. Talwar (who went listening? is usually the men who concede has put in, his perseverance on to become the Chairman Chennai’s First Trade the ‘better’ status in the neatly and the ‘come what may, I Tharcius S. Fernando of SBI in 1968) held this Centre apportioned fifty-fifty parts of will achieve’ attitude that has 10, First Street, AVM Nagar position. And this house was ((Vol. XXIX No. 1, April 16- the sacred union to the sagad- crowned him with this success. , Chennai 600 092 where I lived for 3 yrs with 30, 2019)) As someone who has closely harmini or the dharmapatni my parents as an 8-10 year I was then 11 years. I vis- watched the growth of the Better half or the lady. Here is our (Wo) old boy. I have my fondest ited the exhibition (09-03- Amritraj brothers in their early am happy that MMM now MMM graciously referring to memories of this house. 1968), and was thrilled to go grooming days of tennis, and as has a co-contributor, that too her husband as the better half. I round the venue. As the day one of their teachers in Loyola a (Wo)MMM, to write the fort- There lies a great secret for suc- Pavan K. Talwar was too hot, I couldn’t con- College, I used to closely follow nightly column Short n Snappy, cessful marriage, I guess, each [email protected] tinue visiting different stalls. the way they excelled in their though many readers like me partner conceding the honour * * * offered a free matches in the international may wonder whether every item to the other. bus service to go round the arena with awe and happiness therein is really s and s. Manikkodi – A magazine C.G. Rishikesh exhibition area, in different as a tennis fan too. Later, I con- Be that as it may – I don’t A5, Madhurmia which brought many open body builds, like chariot, tinued to do this with young know whether the English peo- 32, Conran Smith Road young writers to the fore ship, temple tower etc. After Leander and Mahesh and have ple use this phrase any longer Gopalapuram Chennai 600086 (Vol. XXX No. 3, the visit we returned home July 16-31, 2020) to T Nagar where my rela- The article on Manikodi tive lived, at Melony Street magazine by K.R.A. Nara- opposite Dakshina Bharatha Thought process of Senior siah made for interesting Hindi Sabha. I got a fever reading. Tamil literature is and went to bed as soon as indeed deeply entrenched in I reached. The same night, I ­Citizens in Covid Time Kumbakonam, a town that received the shocking news of everal scholars around the world have with the instrument that the volunteer carries. nurtured literary giants such my father’s demise. I returned Sunambiguously pointed out that humanity It is pathetic to see the senior citizens subject- as Thi. Janakiraman, Na. home without visiting the is the same all over the world, irrespective ing themselves to such tests by semi-educated Pichamoorthy, and Ka.Na. exhibition again. of the regions in which people live. This volunteers and shivering as to what would be implies that under similar circumstances, the results and heave a sigh of great relief when Subramaniam. Many were – Srinivas V Pandit people around the world react almost in the they are told that the temperature is normal. closely associated with Man- [email protected] same way. The present ongoing COVID crisis Added to this, the statement released by the has proved this contention beyond doubt. governments every day on the COVID scenario All over the world, people belonging to not only indicate the number of people who died the younger generation generally think that due to COVID but also reveal the age groups they still have a long period to live and are, to which they belong and state the percentage therefore, focused on improving their career of people who are senior citizens. One gets an and business prospects, acquiring wealth, impression that the government appears to lay Thank you, bringing up the family and seeking pleasure. stress that amongst those who die, the senior cit- Though they are aware of the fact that the end izens form a big chunk of them, which certainly of life would inevitably happen, they mostly creates a sense of fear amongst senior citizens. assume that such an end day is far off and they The advocacy of the government that senior­ Donors need not be concerned at the present time. citizens should particularly take care of their However, the thought process of aged health conditions and confine themselves We today, publish donations received with thanks. ­people is markedly different from those of the to the home throughout the day and all day – The Editor younger ones, as the people passing through long, clearly conveys the view of the medical old age are glaringly aware that their end day practitioners and government that senior Rs. 100: M. Kasilingam, S. Aswin, M. Mahaveer, R.M. ­Veerappan, may not be far off, even though they too are ­citizens are particularly vulnerable to COVID S. Ravi, Soora Chandra Mauleeswaran, C.B. Hari, Gautham tempted to think or conveniently assume­ virus, much more than the younger people. Kulothungan that such day would be some time away. These days, many senior citizens live The present COVID crisis has brought about alone with their dear and near ones living Rs. 150: M. Fazal, V. Srinivasan a significant change in the thought process, par- in other cities or abroad. With travel se- ticularly of the senior people who are constantly verely curtailed internationally and even Rs. 200: Er. A. Meenakshisundaram, K.B. Baskaran, O.S. made to think that their end day could be not within the nation and cities, senior citizens Vivekanandhan too far off. This is particularly due to the fact are helplessly conscious of the fact and are Rs. 250: Sujatha Vijayaraghavan that the medical professionals say that immu- worried that they would not be able to see nity level of the individuals is the best barrier their dear and near ones and neither­ the Rs. 300: H. Ramani for the COVID virus and it is known that the near and dear ones can see them, in case Rs. 400: N. Anantharam, S. Rajalakshmi, S. Padmanabhan, immunity level of aged people is inevitably low. they would become victim of COVID virus In such circumstances, the senior citizens or are hospitalised due to COVID attack. A.P. Palanisamy, H. Mohandas Pai, A. Gauri Sankar, are undergoing mental stress. Every time they While several sections of the peo- G. Dasarathy, Lakshmi Srinivasan, T.N.C. Venkatarangan, sneeze or cough or get a sore throat or slight ple are suffering due to joblessness, loss H.D. Dhunjeebhoy, Gita Gopalkrishnan, K. Yatheendra feverish feeling, they start worrying as to wheth- of income and such matters are much dis- Prabhu er the virus has attacked them. Not only the cussed, the plight of the ­senior citizens who senior citizens but even the younger ones who undergo the mental crisis due to COVID Rs. 600: Thomas Tharu, A. Raman see the senior citizens sneezing or coughing 19 does not seem to have been adequately Rs. 900: T.K. Srinivas Chari, Dadha Pharma Pvt. Ltd., Chitra conclude that they could be COVID patients. understood or appreciated or discussed. Suresh, V. Sankaranarayanan, K. Ravi, Mary Alexander, Now, in several places, governments insist T.V. Sivakumaran that the day-to-day testing of the people is N.S. Venkataraman necessary to ensure that they are not COVID Trustee Rs. 1000: C.K. Gopalakrishnan, I. Jairaj patients. In some places, the government spon- Nandini voice for the Deprived sored volunteers visit every house every day M 60/1, 4th Cross Street Rs. 1500: N.S. Parthasarathy and ask the inmates, particularly the senior Besant Nagar Rs. 1750: K.R.A. Narasiah citizens, to undergo a temperature check up Chennai 600 090 Rs. 3000: Sekhar Raghavan

Tailpiece The lead article in this issue of Madras Musings, on the manner in which our city’s civic body is barricading people afflicted with Covid brings to the mind of the Man from Madras Musings another aspect of it. Usually, people would give such houses a miss and stay far from it. Not so however those who paste posters. They have been using these barricades as convenient surfaces for their trade. And the most common ones to be pasted are the handbills adver- tising the telecom services of a man who even in these times has managed to become the fifth richest in the world. There is no holding down some people. 4 MADRAS MUSINGS August 16-31, 2020 August 16-31, 2020 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 Master of Express Estates N. Venkataramani – a life TRIBUTE

he old man in the Kamaraj Chandrasekhar gave me, and Tkhadi shirt and veshti, a some football copy which Mr. fading namam on his forehead Nair helped me with, taking ­dedicated to Industry and Sports (with no air conditioning in time off his reporting duties. the sweltering newsroom, the Master encouraged me to go red mark lasted no more than out and report, so I covered a In the passing last fortnight much grace and some humour happening in the auto indus- a couple of hours), and wisps few football matches, with the of N. Venkataramani, as well. In fact, most Unions try from then on, more action of grey hair making a token cricket season in a mid-sea- Vice Chairman of the came to regard him as a model followed – a JV with Mahle presence on his otherwise bald son lull peculiar to Madras. Amalgamations Group, employer and this was reflected in 2007 and new factories in head, looked forbiddingly at me My knowledge of soccer was India and more importantly, in his serving at the helm of the in 1998 and 2001. historic Employers’ Federation He also oversaw IPL preparing as I handed him my resume and only marginally better than my Chennai and , tried to impress him with the knowledge of horse racing, but I of South India and later the Em- itself for BS6 readiness. Within lost a corporate chief ployers’ Federation of India also. the Amalgamations Group, he sterling attributes I was offering sailed through the MFA league who in his quiet way did the newspaper under his watch. matches thanks to the gener- It was during this phase that remained a close associate of considerable work to help ‘Sorry we have no openings,” ous help I received from other he put IPL on a trajectory of its late chairman A. Sivasailam Mr. C.P. Seshadri, the news ­reporters at the grounds, notably the city and the State technical advancement. The and the present chairman A. editor, said quite firmly, dashing S. Thyagarajan of . remain an industrial hub. company built its in-house capa- Krishnamoorthy, and the trio my hopes. Disheartened, I made After a week, I went up to bility for R&D to such an extent functioned in a very coordinaed to leave, but remembered in Master and asked to be shifted orn on December 9, 1939 that it became India’s first entity fashion when it came to matters the nick of time that my uncle to the general news desk, as Bat New Delhi as the fourth to receive accreditation from concerning the conglomerate P.N. Sundaresan had asked me I was bored with my sports son of Sarada and R. Narayana­ the Department of Science as a whole. In this context, to convey his regards to him. routine, and Master readily swami Iyer, a senior civil servant, and Technology, Government Venkataramani developed rela- The mention of my uncle’s agreed. The young man who Venkataramani graduated with of India. He introduced pio- tionships with Valeo of France name had an electrifying effect. took my place in the sports a Maths (Hons) degree from neering product designs in the for clutch assemblies, Stanadyne “Why didn’t you tell me earlier section, Partab Ramchand, be- St. Stephen’s College, Delhi piston and ring industry and of the USA for fuel injection that you are Raja’s (Sundare- came a leading sports journalist The Old Club House at Express Estates. before securing admission at also invested heavily in the au- systems and Mahle for piston san’s) nephew?” the editor, who who also wrote on films. Unlike the Imperial College, London, tomation of the manufacturing assemblies. Known for his skil- was “Master” to everyone said. the general run of journalists, in the DMK government, and say the tournament finals,” he clattering away major headline from where he qualified with process. In the mid-1980s, he ful negotiations, he was always “Are you Ramani’s son, then? I ­Ramchand has always been he spoke with confidence about would stress, “the final is sin- news: the invasion of Prague an Engineering degree. The was one of the first to recognise seen as a perfect gentleman thought you were some vadak- keen on writing books and has the steps the government was gular, unlike the semifinals or by Soviet troops during the early 1960’s was when the TVS the potential of Maraimalai who looked at benefits for both kathian (north Indian). You can written many. taking to alleviate the sufferings quarterfinals. You can of course Dubcek regime, and the Robert Group was getting into manu- Nagar as a manufacturing hub, parties. join straight away. Go and sit Master was a cult figure at of the residents and to try and say ‘the Wimbledon finals, refer- Kennedy assassination. On both facturing and R. Ratnam, one of at a time when it was nothing A past president of the Ma- there next to Chandrasekhar in the Express. He was probably in prevent future accidents. Un- ring to the many finals like men’s occasions, I thought I was alone the senior members of the TVS more than vast scrubland. IPL’s dras Management Associa- the way the Government re- less an annual pilgrimage for the sports desk.” his late forties when I first met fortunately, I was no impartial singles, women’s singles, men’s in the newsroom, and froze in family was in England recruiting second plant came up there tion (1978-1980), his tenure sponded. Then came Hyundai years. He promoted sports with Thus began my newspaper him, it was a close fight between observer; my mind was made doubles, so on and so forth.” panic, but help arrived in the engineering graduates for the and shortly thereafter became as chairman of the Madras and the rest is history. a passion­ as he felt they built career – as Apprentice Sub-edi- him and Tushar Kanti Ghosh of up against the government of Why was he called Mas- form of seasoned journalists automobile electricals company the first Indian piston supplier Chamber of Commerce Indus- Outside of his business in- character and taught every- tor – with a monthly pay packet the Amrit Bazaar Patrika group the day, and I was convinced ter? He lived on the Express returning from cigarette breaks. Lucas TVS. Venkataramani to Maruti. All of this would try (1991-1993), was when this terests, Venkataramani was one to play hard but fair and of Rs. 200, peanuts even by 1967 of Calcutta to decide who was that it was doing nothing to campus, and tutored Ramnath Chandrasekhar, Nair, was among those selected and lead a Union Leader to quip in body, India’s second oldest, put passionate about sport – almost take defeat and victory with standards. My landing at Mas- the longest serving newspaper save the day for the fire-ravaged Goenka’s schoolgoing children, Krishnaswamy,­ Krishnamurthi, after training at Lucas Birming- appreciation that if Anantha- in a strong pitch for Tamil Nadu every kind of it – and was of the equanimity. The IPL cricket ter’s doorstep was an accident, editor in India, until Seshadri poor of the city. My report was I learnt from my colleagues. Murari, Nagarajan, Partab and ham, came to Madras, where ramakrishnan was known as taking a hard look at how it school of thought where it had team, one of the few in the a happy one, as it turned out. I passed away in the late 1990s, naturally one-sided and tended The children called him Master Rishikesh were among the he joined the Sales Engineering the Maharajah of Mount Road, could attract investments. The to be played and promoted for State to share the name of its had had to miss my B.Sc Chem- with Ghosh still in harness. to editorialise. Somehow the or Masterji, and in time, he friends I made in the newsroom. department of the Indian com- his son in law was Maraimalai country had just opened up and the love of it, not for money. He corporate sponsor, has been istry exams in March 1967, Master was always the first to report went unnoticed, luckily became Master to everyone. I have been in touch with many pany. In 1966, he married Sita, Mapillai! States were competing with could watch almost any game in the first division for years. thanks to a mystery illness, arrive in the office and never for me. I also did a story on IIT When he found some breathing of them, while one or two are the youngest daughter of S. In the late 1980s, Venkatara- each other to get a share of new with the same levels of interest, Over 15 international cricket- characterised by unbearable went home until the paper was Madras, in what context I don’t time amidst his hectic daily no more. Surprise visitors to the Anantharamakrishnan, founder mani saw the changing trends in business. The Madras Institute ranging from kabaddi to crick- ers have represented the team headaches that lasted more than put to sleep. There was perfect remember. I was soon afterwards routine, he made conversation office included Lala Amarnath of the Amalgamations Group. of Development Studies was et. He played tennis almost till over time and he also privately a month, and left me weak and discipline in the office but also with his senior colleagues, with and Veenai S. Balachander, A few months later, he joined commissioned by MCCI to do his last year and in the 1980s helped several players. In 1995, and, graciously included by my won the Merchants and Bank- Venkataramani was one of the exhausted. “I think he’s having a relaxed air, with no worry  by his face often lit up by a brilliant the conglomerate and returned a survey and it came up with seniors, I had the good fortune  by ers tournament several times. early enthusiasts to develop a a nervous breakdown,” I over- about the boss looking over V. Ramnarayan smile. When he walked home to the UK, where he enrolled several findings as to why TN heard my father tell my mother, your shoulder. Anyone who has after the night shift, he was to listen in while these idiosyn- at the Imperial College for his Sriram V lagged – poor investments in He also served as the Vice cricket ground – the one at the and, not knowing what those worked in the Express knows accompanied by a colleague or cratic personalities told some master’s degree. infrastructure, lack of advance- President of the Tamil Nadu Central Polytechnic campus in words meant (Can you imagine that it was a perfect training assigned a politically sensitive two, walking towards the gate uproarious stories, some of them Returning in 1969, he be- ment in technical education, Tennis Association and he was Taramani. It is a tribute to his such an ignorant 20-year old ground for rookie newsmen, story, which took me to the to go home. On the occasions quite unprintable. Amarnath came Manager, Manufacturing conservative thinking among happiest when at Wimbledon, love for the game. today?) I duly informed my who were quite early in their Government Arts College, then I did night duty, meaning I pot- said of a notable personality that Services at India Pistons (IPL), the Indian auto industry where- industrialists, ministers and civil visiting which was more or friends in college of this diagno- careers thrown in at the deep located within a stone’s throw tered around doing nothing of he murdered his wife, and de- a constituent of the Amalga- in reduced emission and more servants not interacting with sis, feeling suitably important. end. I had been in the paper for of Club House Road, where was importance while others slaved, scribed the wife of a cricketer as mations Group and the first fuel-efficient engines would be industry and an abysmal power Of our group of five classmates, less than a month when Master situated ­Express Estates. The I usually walked to a teashop an alcoholic. Nair was generous automotive component com- the future necessities. With this scenario. All of this was present- only one, Meenakshi, who later said to me, “Your title may say moment he knew I was from the near Odeon cinema, which enough to let me accompany pany to be ever set up in India. in mind, he began focusing on ed to the State Government in went to medical college, seemed sub-editor, but don’t stay cooped Express, the principal had me offered a delicious mango juice, him while he interviewed Am- He later rose to become its pioneering speciality steel-coat- October 1992 by L. Lakshman Master of to find my confession strange. up in the office. Go out and do and my photographer colleague manna from heaven after night arnath. The Railways’ cricket Managing Director. Life at IPL ed piston rings in the Indian of the Rane Group. The MCCI She laughed her head off. stories.” Excited and nervous, thrown out of the college. He duty tea, and came back to sleep coach then, Lalaji advocated in those years was no bed of market. The existing collabora- also released the study as a book. Not only had I lost prepa- I stepped out with nothing was angry because of a recent on newspaper stacks. My com- playing on matting wickets to roses for the Amalgamations tors, T&N Piston Group Prod- This led to much soul searching Express Estates ration time, I was too weak to besides good journalistic genes report on the college whose panions one night were senior improve your technique against Group was then in the throes ucts Limited were not too keen in State Government circles. A sit down and do any overtime (hopefully) and Master’s­ bless- details I cannot recall now. colleague Mathew and Master. fast bowling, and he was con- of severe union trouble. But and so he chose NPR of Japan joint MCCI-Assocham meeting swotting. I therefore decided to ings in my armoury. A series of Work at the Express was a lot Knowing his wife was in the ducting a camp for the Railway this gentle personality was no for this. The new collaboration followed with the then Chief (Continued from page 4) urged me to return to do post- take the exam in September – fires broke out in a few Madras of fun. For some strange reason, family way, Master ­solicitously team at Madras as the city had pushover and he weathered the was nurtured even as the exist- Minister, J. Jayalalitha. It helped graduate studies and play cricket with my parents’ blessings – and slums, and I was one of the my own copy was invariably asked Mathew, “How is your plenty of matting wickets. I was gherao-s and strikes, including ing one with T&N continued- that N. Sankar was then the even attribute Rahul­ Dravid’s for the college again. All of 20, actually acquitted myself quite reporters on the scene. Inter- edited by Master himself, and wife? I hope she is not alone.” quite puzzled by this prescrip- on a horrible day in 1972, the which was quite a feat. IP Rings President of Assocham and so excellence abroad to his early I needed no further inducement well. At least three people, viewing slum dwellers was no stranger still was the fact that Mathew’s reply, made with a tion, as lack of practice on turf brutal attack and murder of Limited was formed with public the two representative bodies training on matting. to quit. Master was disappoint- Prof. Jayanti Lakshminarayana, easy task, as some of them were it was hardly ever touched. solemn face, was, “I hope she pitches was often cited as the a DMK-allied Union member shareholding in 1992, which was could coordinate well. Years lat- The idyll was too good to last. ed, but as I was stubborn in my my former school teacher R. as worldly wise as the London Once he called me to tell me is.” Master’s reaction was en- reason for the Madras (now within the factory premises. Lat- in itself a pathbreaking move er, in an interview to this writer, Two newcomers, let’s call them resolve, he let me go, saying his Srinivasan, and a young doctor cockney of My Fair Lady fame. he was changing a word I had dearingly typical of him when Tamil Nadu) batsmen’s inad- er in life, Venkataramani would for most entities in the Amal- Venkataramani with character- Uma and Raja, started throwing doors would always be open for helped me through this period, The genuinely stricken, mostly used. “Harangued” is an Amer- amused. He put his pointer equacies when they travelled on occasion reminisce about the gamations fold remain closely istic modesty said that he could their weight around, perhaps me. Years later, he told my wife and I will write about them later. women, were hardly in a state icanism, we don’t need such finger on the tip of his nose, his outside the state. In recent various tough situations he had held. AEIP and IPPL came up in not state authoritatively that emboldened by their social – not Gowri that I had been one of I spent only a week in the to answer silly questions from words, here,” he said. He also eyes twinkling in mirth. years, Amarnath’s view has been negotiated and the troubles he the mid 1990s and together, all this step by the Chamber was journalistic – pedigree. Neither his favourites, and also that he sports desk, editing copy relating ­English-educated upstarts like expressed his strong dislike of Twice during the night shift, endorsed by other experts, who had surmounted but he never these new companies brought the sole reason, but when Ford of them was good at the job, but had learnt his trade from my to the Races, learning me. I even managed to gain ac- the word “off.” “Sparked a riot, I was almost caught on the expressed any bitterness. He in cutting-edge technologies came calling, he did notice that tried to teach me mine. At the grandfather V. Narayanan when from the expert advice that cess to Mr. Madhavan, a minister­ not sparked off a riot, don’t ever wrong foot, with teleprinter (Continued on page 5) looked back on this era with into India. With rapid changes there was a marked change in same time friends in my college he was editor of the Express. 6 MADRAS MUSINGS August 16-31, 2020 The travails of two cities

ugust. Re-invented as an The one essential compo- Quizmaster V.V. Ramanan’s Aincredibly special month nent at any event is…? People. first 10 questions are on current for Chennai-that-was-and-still- Take away the people – what’s affairs and next 10 on Bharat is-Madras by The Chief and a left? Ratna winners. group of like-minded enthusi- Corona, you’ve hit at the asts sixteen years ago. very spirit that shapes the 1. Which prominent European The Grand Old Lady’s Birth- month of August in this city. country is planning to issue a coin day Month celebrates her dual Everything, but everything, has in honour of Mahatma Gandhi to personalities, Chennai and been brought to a complete halt mark his 150th birth anniversary? Madras, as they weave in and by something which, if experts 2. The 75th anniversary of the out of each other, creating this are to be believed, can be put deployment of ‘Little Boy’ and unique fabric, with its inherent in its place by soap and a mask. ‘Fat Man’ was observed recently. ability to expertly toss togeth- Lecture halls, auditoriums What were they? er the contemporary and the – all meeting spaces are empty. 3. Which Union ministry has traditional with the skill of a Bored chairs, stacked high one been renamed as Ministry of Masterchef. upon the other for months Education? Do you have any idea what now, slumber in dusty corners. 4. NASA recently launched ‘Per- you’ve done, Corona? (By the The bonda-bajji-‘one-sweet’- severance’. What is it? way, hiding slyly behind an coffee/tea combinations are 5. After which two legends has alias, ‘Covid-19’ like you’re now bereft, abandoned. They the new trophy for the West some fancy new asteroid wait in vain for human lines Indies-England Test series been that’s been discovered along to form, hands clutching those named? the Milky Way by a passing hungrily empty plates. Specially From left to right: Sriram V, S. Muthiah and Quiz master V.V. Ramanan at 6. Which diplomat-turned-min- spacecraft won’t change the missed are those indefatigable fact that you are the Supreme a Madras Week event from the past. ister has authored The India Way: volunteers, trying to reach the Pest above all pests, okay?) Strategies for an Uncertain World? waving hands of those eternal Look what you’ve reduced this 7. Name the initiative, launched ‘I-have-a-Question-ers’. You month-long Ode to Madras/ by WHO, UNDP, UNAIDS  have to hand it (no pun in- Chennai to. by Ranjitha Ashok among others, that aims to share tended) to these guys. Amazing. August in the city is essen- legal documents from over 190 Give them a talk on how to tially about happenings – locali- countries to help states estab- peel a banana, they’ll have a ty-based events, heritage walks, lish and implement strong le- ‘Tea-ers’, who could always be tunately-pitched, having moved hundred questions by the end culinary shows, a proliferation gal frameworks to manage the depended upon to appear the on to virtual arenas, mikes now of it. There was a time when of lectures, photo exhibitions, COVID-19 pandemic. moment they heard the delecta- languish in dark spaces, longing seeing those familiar hands go talk shows, film shows, cultural 8. The former king of which ble sound of a hot cup of coffee for the days when they could up yet again made you groan programmes and book releases European country has decided being poured. go ‘scccreeech’ at awkward and check the time, but now, to leave the nation and go into based on the city’s traditions, With voices, both the moments. They miss dashing exile? history, and heritage. well-modulated and the unfor- up and down aisles with earnest (Continued on page 7) 9. Between which two States did the first Kisan Rail services, to transport perishable goods, run recently? 10. In which Asian capital did a catastrophic blast, driven by tonnes of Ammonium Nitrate, Lunch at Calicut with Pandit Nehru kill more than 135 people re- cently? n Jairam Ramesh’s fascinating I asked specially for a Malayali “Those days we led a very and saluted the Indian flag that * * * Ibiography of V.K. Krishna vegetarian meal. A very good simple life,” continued Ra- was flying over our house for the 11. In which year was the Bharat Menon, the brilliant crusader dinner was given to me which maswami. He took us back to first time.” Ratna first awarded and who for freedom and a close confi- I enjoyed.” (Extract from page an era just before Independence His one memory of Krishna were the inaugural recipients. dant of Pandit Nehru, there is 11 of ‘A Chequered Brilliance’ was declared, describing how Menon is of him walking up 12. After which natural thing is a charming vignette of Panditji by Jairam Ramesh, published he celebrated the very first and down with a flask of tea, the Ratna medallion shaped? visiting the family home of the by Penguin). Republic day at home. “I was a and every now and then to take 13. What firsts do Lal Bahadur Menons at Calicut (present-day When I discussed the event Boy Scout, so when it came to a sip from it. He also recalled Shastri and Indira Gandhi have Kozhikode) on 24th December with K.N. Ramaswami, Di- celebrating the first Republic with amusement the puzzled with regards to award? 1955. Ramesh records the ep- rector Chennai Kendra of the Day, we were all given small look on his aunts’ faces when he 14. Since its inception, how many isode, “Nehru, accompanied by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan at his flags to pin on our pockets.” He asked them if they had any for- people have been bestowed with the then Chief Minister of Ma- office in Mylapore, his eyes lit eign-made goods that he could the honour (till 2019): 46, 47, 48? dras K. Kamaraj, visited Janaki up. “I was there at the meal throw into a bonfire. “There  by 15. Name the only two indi- Amma in her home in Calicut.” in Menon’s house. Our house was not a single thing that was viduals to be given the Bharat Krishna Menon happened to was just a few yards away Geeta Doctor foreign-made in our house. Ratna before they became First be away at New York and could from Krishna Menon’s home, There was a very precious foun- Citizens? not make it back on time, much ­Vengali as it was known. I used tain pen that belonged to my 16. Which film personality was to the consternation of his sis- to walk past the house on my indicated how the flags had to Father. It was foreign. I looked the first to receive the coveted ter, Janaki Amma. She had been way to school and his sister be pinned exactly to one side. at it. He would not even lend honour? informed that her distinguished Janaki Amma would wave to “We were given safety pins. No it to us except on some rare guest would only partake of occasions. That is Father’s pen, 17. As of July 2020, who is the me. The lunch was served on stickers or any such thing. We oldest living Bharat Ratna? non-vegetarian items, obviously banana leaves and once all had to make sure that the safety I told myself. If he wants to burn a taboo in her pure vegetarian the items were placed on it, pin would not be seen from the it, that’s up to him. I cannot 18. Apart from Nelson Mandela, Nair household. Ramesh in- front and also that the flags burn his pen.” who is the only other non-Indian someone asked for a fork!” cludes an account from Nehru’s were pinned straight in one Ramaswami then picked up citizen to get the honour? Ramaswami recalled, throw- own diary of the meal - “The ing up his hands to indicate corner of our pockets. That day his cell-phone and spoke into it. 19. This Indian freedom fight- house is vegetarian and they the consternation that the I went home and made a larger “I just use this for official work,” er’s name was announced for a were unhappy about this. Worse flag out of paper. I stuck it on a he explained. “When I want ‘posthumous’ award but was not idea of a fork caused him at still, the District Magistrate the time. “I wondered if the stick, went upstairs to our tiled to talk to the family, I use the conferred because of controver- sent four chickens to be slaugh- roof, and somehow placed it regular one,” he says, thumping sies. Who? banana leaf would be torn into tered and cooked. The lady strips by the fork, rendering­ us so that it would hang straight. an old-fashioned grey-molded 20. Name the two residents of of the house was completely unable to eat any of the food. Then I made all my aunts come plastic phone that sits on a tray Chennai honoured with the upset at this idea. Fortunately, out and salute the flag. I had on his left. It makes a slight award in 1998. But we all managed and it was I came in time to prevent this a memory I shall always cher- already made them practice the squeak of protest. The meeting outrage on her sentiments and salute. So, we stood in a line is clearly over. (Answers on page 8) ish of a great man.” August 16-31, 2020 MADRAS MUSINGS 7 An eminent son of Pondicherry

ometime in the evening of often seen in the literary are- eminent men and women. But Street to be made into a govern- SJuly 06, 2020, a local daily na, either at a book launch or what actually shot him to fame ment museum in honour of his called me over phone and re- to speak about the unknown was his monumental biography father, and preferred to live in a quested me to help them with aspects of his renowned father, of Bharathidasan – Karuppuk rented house. the literary details of Mannar Bharathidasan, himself an em- kuyilin Neruppuk Kural. Saddened by the death of Mannan. As a historian of inent poet and dramatist, and Incarcerated for 49 days his beloved wife, Savitri, in Pondicherry I have in my files an ardent admirer of Mahakavi for rigorously participating in 1982 he spent all his leisure all the relevant details of every Subramania Bharati. Born as the anti-Hindi agitation, he hours in making his father’s local writer, both living and Gopathi, he chose to be known narrowly escaped death when museum a centre for research. dead. I flipped open the rele- as Mannar Mannan, a Tamiliza- he supported the ideals of Peri- Several researchers working on vant file and informed them of tion of his Sanskrit name. Hav- yar and began a movement in the oeuvres of Bharathidasan the dozen prestigious awards ing participated approximately Pondicherry. And when All find it fruitful to consult these he had received and the fifty in 10,000 programmes he was India Radio started its branch archives. After his retirement one books he had authored. in 1988, Pondicherry University Amazing indeed was his literary honoured him with the post output. “Is he nominated for a of consulting radio journalist new award?” I asked the lady and he guided many illustrious at the other end. Her reply was students, who are making their Mannar Mannan. heart breaking. Mannar Man- mark today in various broad- nan passed away at 2:40 in the casting centres. I still distinctly remember afternoon. the day I met him in Pondi- A popular writer and an cherry AIR station. That was excellent orator he was quite in July 1978 when I was making a mark as a creative writer in  by P. Raja* English and on assignment, and that was my first one, I went to present my short story. When I was not sure of whom I should meet, Mannar Mannan came He spearheaded the move- to my rescue. When he asked ment to change the name Mannar Mannan with his father. the purpose of my visit and I Pondicherry into its ancient told him the reason, his face name Puducherry and succeed- lit up and he said: “Surprising! not seen on any stage for more station in Pondicherry in 1968, ed in it. He was also instrumen- We used to invite writers from than three years. Old age began he joined it only to make use of tal in instituting Kalaimamani Chennai for all our English telling on him and he was ailing. it to spread his message wider. and Tamilmamani awards in programmes. I am glad to see a He was 92 when he took off. It was here he brought several Puducherry. To cap them all local writer writing in English A poet, fictionist and radio revolutionary changes. At a he made all efforts to establish and that too short stories”. dramatist, his essays alone have time when only popular figures a Tamil Sangam in Puducherry crossed 1,400 in number. As were invited to perform, he and when he was made secre- a son of this divine soil and fought for the rights of the local tary, did his best to ensure that as a lover of his native town writers and artistes who were it had a place of its own. In (The writer is a bi-lingual Pondicherry, he has written yet to make a name. He mag- short he played a major role in fictionist and historian of extensively on its literature nanimously donated his palatial encouraging local writers in all Puducherry. www.professorraja. and culture, and also about its ancestral home in Perumal Koil possible ways. com)

You can contribute to The travails of two cities CHENNAI HERITAGE (Continued from page 6) who speak need the vibe of disoriented by teeming hordes, As a token of your support for the causes of heritage, actual human presence, the you find yourself riding in an ­environment and a better city that Madras Musings you’ll give anything to see these shuffling, the coughing, laugh- auto you never intended getting ­espouses, you can subscribe to Madras Musings – the irrepressible ‘enthu-cutlets’ ter (sometimes), and the ap- into. ­annual subscription is Rs 100 and we welcome additional once more. plause. Those who listen want Yes, you can watch vintage donations too to keep us going. You can make your Event-planners are choking to sit with friends and whisper recipes being prepared while ­payments to our bank account as below: on ideas they haven’t been able critical comments about the listening to lectures on ­culinary to use; ‘talk-ers’ are wondering speaker. Imagine being unable history. But what’s sensory Chennai Heritage if they should have chosen some to share nostalgia during a show about this? And imagine not , Branch other field, while MCs, who about iconic movies, while being able to stand around later, CA No. 413158606 IFSC : IDIB000A013 love the power that goes with being transported back for a chatting, exchanging gossip, their job, are a forlorn lot. They brief moment to that afternoon, while nibbling on the show- Please make sure you send an email to miss conducting programmes, when all of you ‘bunked’ class cased dishes. ­[email protected] with transfer details which includes the particularly to catch a furtive matinee, This is tragic. What have so that we can acknowledge receipt. If you are a new satisfying task of being able to hoping you won’t be discovered. you done, you Virus-from-Hell? subscriber, you need to send us details of your name and cut the over-garrulous to size Where’s the excitement in a The Grand Old Lady’s voice address as well. If you are renewing your subscription make every now and then. A webi- virtual event that merely points grows soft this August, and sure you quote your subscription number as reference. nar doesn’t feel the same. The out heritage spots in those fas- Chennai-that-is-Madras is hop- This is the number that is on the wrapper of your copy of ‘mute’ button, the great leveller, cinating, endlessly interwoven ping mad. Madras Musings. has bestowed that power upon narrow lanes? Half the fun in FYI, Corona/Covid-19, the everyone now. being shepherded to these plac- festival season has begun on Letters to the Editor When every breath is loaded es is never knowing whether the Indian sub-continent. And with that ‘maybe-this-time-it’s- you are going to get run over ahead lies the one-of-a-kind Dear Readers, my-turn’ threat, and a simple by a vegetable-laden push cart; December Season here in the Please email all your letters, comments, additional remarks, sneeze can cause a stampede, of being able to bite into a pa- city. Maybe it’s time you packed brickbats and bouquets to [email protected] how is this city supposed to koda that has been deep-fried your bags. You’ve had your celebrate anything? in well-used oil, with a liberal time – you’ve made your point. – THE EDITOR Well, yes, technology helps dash of vehicle emissions and Leave this city, this nation, this – but it’s not the same. Those random dust, or of becoming so planet – alone. 8 MADRAS MUSINGS August 16-31, 2020 What is life without sport?

Even World War II couldn’t turbulence, braving bloody us an opportunity to introspect put a stop to sport altogether. wars and bitter political con- and reclaim some of that. That Yes, international events ob- flicts. Over the years, sport has way, once it is all over, once the viously could not be held but evolved into something more athletes return and stadiums the domestic cricket calendar than just entertainment. It is a open, we will be able to enjoy for example in India, South Af- perennial source of optimism, it even more. And who knows, rica, Australia and West Indies was gone through and in fact a universal healer tailored to once normalcy is restored, sport Ceylon and India exchanged deal with grim times. At least may offer the healing touch tours in 1940-41 and 1944-45. it was until now, when a scary it almost always does, uniting The coronavirus, however, is virus has forced so many of us grieving people and springing something else, says Partab to retreat into lockdown and hope by infusing a rare kind of Ramchand, explaining how it has left administrators with no universal power only it has the has impacted sport. choice but to postpone sports capacity to wield. fixtures all across the world. Ex- But the question is, when es, the coronavirus indeed periencing sport has never been will this happen? When will the Yis something else. It has just a pastime, but a way of life, athletes return, when will the put a halt to sports events an escape from the mundane stadiums open and when shall altogether, local, national and of daily schedules, a gateway to we sports lovers experience audience – even though this so many staff, the chances of international. And we were all undiluted happiness and a kind the frenzy of the action-packed would be anathema to the getting infected will always be under the impression that the of therapy for the soul. And ­moments, the ethereal skills genuine sports lover for what is there,” is the general refrain. joys of sport could always be that is why in these grim times and the dramatic denoue- sport without spectators – but Yes it may be some time for experienced at any time, all the we should perhaps not just miss ments? Medical experts have doctors are of the view that the action to commence and time, thanks to the numerous sport but also appreciate and warned that resuming anything even this is not advisable at this all that we sports lovers can events worldwide and the non- celebrate it. The hollowness so point of time. “It can be done do is to hope that it is sooner stop coverage on television and many of us are feeling at present when things improve, but even rather than later. For what is life the internet. We all thought is a reminder that the show the  by then it will be risky as it involves without sport? that sport would never stop elite athletes put on for us week Partab Ramchand players, officials, organisers and and we would feel the thrill and in and week out is a privilege we excitement that only a Wim- must cherish. this year could mean putting bledon or the Olympic Games As much as so many of us lives at risk. Even the most could provide. Well, we now live and breathe sport, catas­ conservative estimates have Answers to Quiz have to do without these mega trophes such as the virus help put the comeback of sporting events. Both have been put off put things into perspective. In activity at at least six months 1. United Kingdom, 2. The atomic bombs dropped on Hiro- by a year as also the Euro Cup the face of families losing loved into the future. shima and Nagasaki respectively, 3. Ministry of Human Resource football. Another major event, ones, carrying on with any kind Most are of the view that Development, 4. The Mars rover that will explore the red planet Formula I racing, is effectively of sport is just plain unfeeling while sport is great, at the from Feb. 2021 onwards, 5. Sir Viv Richards and Sir Ian Botham, over for the season even be- and uncaring. Indeed, the very ­moment the focus is on saving 6. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, 7. COVID-19 Law fore a car could be rolled out idea of sport suddenly sounds lives, and having sports events Lab (www.COVIDLawLab.org), 8. King Juan Carlos of Spain, 9. on to the circuit. The French meaningless. which attract large crowds ­Maharashtra (Devlali) and Bihar (Danapur), 10. Beirut. Open has been pushed to Sep- After all, the global commer- could prove to be disastrous. tember instead of May, there cialisation of sport has ensured The experts feel that since the * * * is no word when the ­Premier that we are bombarded with so transmission rate is very high, 11. C. Rajagopalachari, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, and C.V. League football will commence much of it that we seem to have it should be completely avoided Raman were honoured in 1954, 12. Peepul (Ficus religiosa) leaf, 13. and the IPL in all probability forgotten its true value. In a for a substantial period of time First posthumous and lady awardee, 14. 48, 15. S. Radhakrishnan will be played in Dubai. This way, the mindless consumption even though sport encourages and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, 16. MGR, 17. Lata Mangeshkar, 18. Khan is a surreal experience. Teams of sport has meant that it has physical and mental well-being. Abdul Ghaffar Khan, 19. ‘Netaji’ Subhas Chandra Bose, 20. M.S. and athletes have, in the past, There has been talk of been drained of all its charm. Subbulakshmi and C. Subramaniam. played through torment and This time-off will perhaps give ­conducting events without an

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