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Vol. XXIII No. 14 MUSINGS November 1-15, 2013

G HERITAGE BUILDINGS Must they become museums?

he Police Commissioner’s visited by anyone. The Elliot’s All this goes to show that we Toffice has moved into a Museum in the Ophthalmic are not really good at museum spanking new ten-storied build- Institute is perhaps the best maintenance or management, ing that is state-of-the-art. The instance of this. But in all these more so when such institutions Corporation is all set to move cases, it is the museums that are are run by the Government. early next year into a new to be blamed, for they hardly This is not the case with similar annexe built in the Ripon Build- advertise their presence. They places abroad. Each is profes- ing precinct. In both cases it has are most visitor-unfriendly, sionally run, and the displays been decided that the struc- have no brochures and never a are never the same, making tures that housed these offices qualified docent is available to every visit to the place a fresh Today’s barricaded Schmidt Memorial. earlier will become museums. take you around. experience. There are program- While the fact that the older And there are others that mes tailor-made for various age edifices are to be preserved is remain a mystery. Take for groups, thereby ensuring that welcome, do they have to be instance the Museum of Musi- turned into museums? Why not cal Instruments that is supposed (Continued on page 7) The National Art Gallery – soon to be restored? keep them as vibrant and to be at the rear of Poompuhar functioning offices? on Mount Road. It is not even You just need listed in the to see some of Government’s G By Restoration – but at the museums own publica- that already exist The Editor tions. So where in the city to is the question know what even- of it ever re- what speed? tually becomes of such institu- ceiving any attention or care? tions. The Fort Museum as we Today it is a moot point as to t long last, the promised in 1905. Designed by Henry ment (PWD), IIT Madras and read in the columns of this pub- whether it even exists. Far Aamount for the restoration Irwin, it was completed in 1909 the Indian National Trust for lication a few weeks ago is very worse is the case of the Madras of the National Gallery has and became home of the Art and Cultural Heritage much behind the times in its University museum that was come through. Funds amount- Victoria Technical Institute. In (INTACH) to restore the quality of display. The supposed to come up in ing to Rs. 11 crore for the exer- 1951, it was named the Na- building. Museum fares better, but that is the Senate House. It never cise have been transferred to tional Gallery of Art and home There are, however, several not saying much. The bronze made it beyond the planning the Museum that owns the Na- of several Indian masterpieces. questions left unanswered. The gallery is good because of its stage. A tacky exhibition of tional Gallery, nearly six Poor maintenance, coupled basis on which the budget for contents, but as for its layout it photographs, open at highly months after the announce- with certain inherent flaws in its restoration was arrived at is a is not anything to write home restricted hours, was the only ment was made by the Chief design – the dome being a weak mystery. It is unclear as to about. And then there are outcome and now even that has Minister in the Assembly. But whether a study was done prior several museums that are hardly gone. this delay is nothing compared G by A Special to this. If so, this has not been to the ten years that the struc- made public and so it is not ture has been awaiting restora- Correspondent certain as to what methods of tion. Such delays are common restoration have been recom- when it comes to heritage res- point – saw the building going mended. Secondly, it is to be toration in the city and we must to seed from the 1990s. In 2002 hoped that the process of hiring be thankful that there are at it was declared an unsafe struc- contractors will not be left to least plans afoot for conserving ture and emptied of its con- the PWD. That department this building and not demolish- tents. It was cordoned off and may have expertise for new ing it. left as it was. This only served structures but when it comes to Inspired by the Bulund to weaken the structure further. heritage buildings, it has, as in Durwaza at Fatehpur Sikri, the Conservationists have been ex- the instance of the structure, clad in pink sand- pressing concern over the fate Palace, shown that it is quite at stone, was one of two buildings of the building and the present sea. Thirdly, there are uncon- planned to commemorate move comes as a shot in the firmed theories floating around Queen Victoria’s golden jubi- arm. that the sandstone cladding is lee, the other being the Victoria The Government has consti- to be removed for structural Public Hall. The foundation tuted a three-member commit- strengthening of the building. “No, man, let’s not discuss our weekend plans on the phone; Uncle stone was laid in the Museum Sam may be listening!” tee comprising representatives campus by the Prince of Wales of the Public Works Depart- (Continued on page 3) CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS November 1-15, 2013

G A heartening report Nizhal offers Immensely Irritating hope for trees Technology ne of the most heartwarming Annual Reports to come nce upon a time, when of projectors in sickness and in MMM think he was going OMadras Musings’ way is the 2012-2013 report of Nizhal, the OThe Man from Madras health was beyond his capabili- asked the cop. MMM ex- NGO focussed on trees. Here are excerpts from it. Musings was a Child from ties. plained that he had come for a Calcutta City, there were meeting and that as he knew G The ongoing Green Prisons Programme is all set for the next Hands were wrung and eyes diverse uncles and aunts who that the Fort was short on major step – the marketing of the vermicompost generated. The rolled heavenwards. It tran- harboured a fond hope that spired that the only man who parking space, he had asked Nizhal team and the prison authorities have worked in a sustained MMM would one day make it knew how to deal with it was his driver to drop him at the manner towards this. to the hallowed portals of a on leave. Surely there must be gate. Excellent reports from prison officials on work at , top-ranking technical institu- an understudy, said MMM. Af- Did MMM not know that Madurai, Palayamkottai (which currently showcases an excellent tion of the country, known by ter much reluctance the substi- walking in through the gate integrated farming model), Coimbatore, Salem, Trichy, three letters and having its tute was summoned and he, was disallowed, asked the cus- Pudukottai, Vellore and Cuddalore prisons have been received. presence at several locations. having disconnected the cable todian of the gate. MMM said Blessings to that effect would Many have about 1000 kg of compost ready to be marketed. from MMM’s laptop, pro- he did not and was prepared to be freely dispensed whenever ceeded to connect it back to go back and return through The prison campuses are greener, and so are the minds of all MMM was made to prostrate the original computer. This another entrance. That would those participants who relish the organic vegetables and fruits they before elders. Not that MMM done, he disconnected it again not do, said the keeper-of-the- grow in their kitchen gardens. Puzhal Women’s Prison has recorded objected. He too dreamed of it and plugged it into MMM’s peace, for it would entail walk- an amazing transformation with organic vegetables and but stopped there. laptop. Once again everyone ing out through the gate which composting work going ahead full steam. For gaining admission into looked at the screen. Nothing was also disallowed. Matters these meccas of technology happened. had reached an impasse and * * * involved a lot of hard work, By now the audience, all MMM’s vehicle was blocking G Nizhal is now working with the Chennai Corporation to intelligence of the first grade energetic students, was restive. the entrance. There was a sud- sensitise Green Corporation Schools and to develop one Model and, above all, achieving MMM, therefore, suggested den barking on the walkie- School in each of the 15 Zones across Chennai. The aim is to get something called centum in that he copies his presentation talkie. From the tone of it students interested in sensitive greening – green campuses, tree mathematics. Towards the first on an external disc and play it MMM could guess that some- MMM had apathy, of the from the originally connected one important was en-route to care, composting leaf litter, and raising organic vegetables. The second he had what can only the Fort and that if MMM and idea is to create green working minds in order to make their computer. This was readily be termed second class and as agreed to and, when imple- his vehicle were not cleared neighbourhoods green too, aided by their experience with green- for the third, he had never got mented, everything worked out at once, there would be ing in their institutions. to know of what it was. And, well. hell to pay. The bark was not The schools Nizhal has already started with in the Palliyil so, MMM and the three-letter decipherable, but it made it Nizhal programme are: Chennai High School, Kottur; Chennai High School, Tiruvanmuyur; Chennai High School, Ashok Nagar; Chennai Boys’ High School, ; Chennai Middle School, SHORT ’N’ SNAPPY Gandhigramam; and Chennai Middle School, NS Garden, R.A. Puram. Nizhal is developing Chennai High School, Tiruvanmiyur, as a institution remained on dis- The power to the computer clear that if MMM and car model Pasumai Palli for its green project Nam satthu, nam kaiyil. tant terms. Not that this has kept switching on and off and were to be dumped into the Quizzes, organic vegetable patches, composting practices and ever reduced MMM’s respect this was attributed to a loose moat, it could not care less. for these institutions. If he had contact which, judging by the increasing biodiversity will be the focus during the year. The man who had blocked had a hat, he would have way people spoke of it, ap- MMM saluted the walkie- Apart from its work with Chennai Corporation high schools, doffed it in salute at these pil- peared to have been in exist- talkie and replaced it. He then Nizhal is involved with several private schools across the city. lars of technical excellence. ence since the institute’s inau- mopped his brow, opened guration. The solution was to * * * Be that as it may, of late the MMM’s car and pushed local instance of the three- have a visiting card box pushed MMM in. “Get on, get on,” he G There has been a steady flow of enthusiasts into the lettered institution seems to under the plug so that it would pleaded. “But where to?” Tree Park and very soon it will be a “must visit” have taken a liking to MMM, remain in place. MMM cannot asked MMM. From his glare urban biodiversity area in Chennai. and recently invited him to say that his presentation was a MMM could make out that give a talk. MMM was happy success but the audience which the man wanted MMM to go Many of the native species have been attracting fauna of vari- had settled into a post-lunch ous kinds – we regularly see brilliant coloured insects, birds, mon- to do so. Just a drive through to perdition. But he had also the verdant campus was stupor, at least did not heckle decided that MMM was better goose and herds of deer too! enough compensation, though him. as a friend than a foe. “Please The compound wall on the river bank side is being raised by the the institution did not stop Back in the security of his go ahead, Sir,” he said. Corporation. with that and was most gener- home, MMM picked up the ex- It was MMM’s turn to ous in other ways. ternal disc and connected it to point out to him that he had The Friends of Kotturpuram Tree Park has been registered as a his own laptop. There was a society, and works at involving citizens in creating an urban Going there, MMM had earlier forbidden MMM from visions of entering an island of flicker and then every virus going in. “Oh that was when biodiversity park. efficiency. He dreamt of imaginable loaded itself on to you were on foot. Now you are * * * cutting-edge classrooms, the MMM’s laptop. That was the in a car. Please go in and get latest in gadgetry and a clock- super-hi-tech institution’s part- dropped at the alighting point. G Chennai Corporation has invited Nizhal to suggest trees for ing kiss. planting in various tree parks in several zones. Nizhal has visited work precision in working. Send your car back to the out- Everything went well till So much for an institution side parking lot. When you park areas in Zones 5,9,11,13,14 and 15 and has drawn up plans MMM entered the classroom, that is internationally tall! want it, come back here. I will for these parks. Plans are afoot to get them going with Corporation laptop in hand. This was to be personally call for your car.” support and community involvement. Tree Park has connected to a projector that All this was said in an increas- been a challenging tree park, but around 200 saplings have been sat, spider-like, in the midst of Open wide ye gates… ingly pleading note. MMM is planted during the year. a web of cables going hither he Man from Madras kind-hearted, if not anything * * * and thither. This was con- TMusings had driven up to else. He moved on as in- nected to an existing com- Fort St George. No casual visi- structed. But he could not G Nizhal has led several Tree Walks. Kotturpuram Tree Park puter. All very much akin to tor to the museum was he; on help reflecting on the plight of has been much sought after venue for tree walks for two reasons: what can be seen in Govern- the other hand, he was calling the average pedestrian. chiefly for the variety of species it boasts and secondly, for the story ment offices. MMM was on an important functionary of of its development – entirely by volunteers – from concept to pointed to a cable, which he the Government. Alighting at Tailpiece completion. Walks have been held at as many as 20 other venues was asked to disconnect from the gate, he bade his driver to in the city. the computer and plug into his park at the lot provided for this he Man from Madras laptop for the projector to opposite the Fort. He was en- TMusings read this recently * * * show his presentation on tering the gate on foot when a on twitter: What is the worst G Nizhal has been constantly in touch with the Chief Minister’s screen. MMM did as instruct- safari-clad representative of the prospect when it rains cats and Cell and the Forest Department on the enactment of an Urban ed and waited. Nothing Law, complete with walkie- dogs? Hailing autorickshaws! Trees Preservation Act for Tamil Nadu. Last year, the Minister in happened. Everyone looked talkie but mercifully no gun, On that happy note, enjoy charge announced it officially, and we hope that it will come into expectantly at MMM and he halted MMM and the chauf- the monsoon while it lasts. had to say that the treatment feur-driven car. Where did effect very soon. – MMM November 1-15, 2013 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

‘We did it’ riting about the Schmidt Wmemorial, your Special Correspondent mentioned that a private foundation was spear- A statue in waiting heading the study of the edifice. n cataloguing the heritage of (MM, October 1st), those I would like to state that only Ion the Kilpauk Walk missed the monument in Tailor’s Road two individuals (Dr. T.D. Babu called ‘Bashyam Naidu Poonga’, which was raised by the Corpora- and I) initiated this study. Till tion of Madras when Venkatasamy Naidu, the eldest son of date we are monitoring the Thimmappa Bashyam Naidu, was Mayor of Madras. progress (or lack of it) on a daily Recently, when I wrote to the Mayor of Chennai to permit in- basis. stallation of a statue of K. Venkatasamy Naidu in the Bashyam We are very keen to observe Naidu Poonga, the plea was rejected on the ground that there is a the 82nd anniversary of the

Supreme Court judgment barring installation of any statue. What memorial on December 30, is regrettable is that a political group has installed a tomb of a per- 2013. son by name Bashyam in the Park, but the Corporation is silent on Why can’t this this irregularity. Meanwhile, Venkatasamy Naidu Statue lies der- Kamakshi Subramaniyan be done to this elict in sculptor Mani Nagappa’s studio. Venkatasamy Naidu dis- kamakshi.subramaniyan@ tinguished himself as a Councillor for 30 continuous years and also gmail.com as a member of the Legislative Assembly and as Mayor of Madras. He was Minister of Religious Endowments and Registrations in A caring ‘Boss’ Rajaji’s Cabinet. .S. Vasan, the gentle colos- K. Muralidhar Ssus in moviedom, never GB Praba Apartments missed paying salaries 10/17, Bishopwallers Avenue East, , Chennai 600 004 regularly to his employees. Even the actors/actresses were Footnote: The Madras Musings report of October 1st mentioned paid monthly, like the office the name Santhanam Chetty. It should be Santhanam Ketty. staff. Vasan was one of the first to provide a shelter for the watchman at his bungalow to protect him from sun and rain. His house can even now be identified as the only one with a watchman’s shelter which is now like this? in Edward Elliot’s Road, the present Radhakrishnan Salai. His daughter’s marriage was a great grand event; everyone had free entry to the marriage hall as well as to the dining hall.

V. Chinnaswamy 1, Jai Nagar 16th Street The Bashyam Naidu statue and poonga. Chennai 600106

AT WHAT SPEED? A name to remember (Continued from page 1) among authorised vendors of delay can prove to be fatal. The n this letter to Rail, Jefferis Donald Evans the PWD. Lastly, it is not cer- most important step, and one ID’Angelis, a descendant of Giacomo D’Angelis who once was the leading hotelier in Madras, writes: tain as to what time frame, if that needs to be done immedi- I think a subway station in Mount Road () will This is a very cumbersome any, has been stipulated for this ately, according to structural demolish what remains of the old building of the Hotel process and it is doubtful restoration. Given the weak- experts, is to provide for a scaf- D’Angelis. I suggest you leave the old facade of the Hotel whether expertise for this exists ened state of the building, any folding that will shore up the D’Angelis, hopefully as it was in 1906, and behind the facade building and prevent any fur- build the station Anna Salai. I have seen in London old build- ther damage during the current ings constructed as early as 1900 being used for tube stations. OUR ADDRESSES monsoon. In Chile, where I live, we retain the old buildings. My picture For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, non-receipt of Government has taken the shows the facade of the old newspaper El Mercurio as an example receipts etc.: CHENNAI HERITAGE, 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, right step in planning the resto- of what could be done in Chennai. ration of the National Gallery. I think in memory of my grandfather, you could put a small Westcott Road, , Chennai 14. plaque saying ‘Founder Hotel D’Angelis and Son’ in the station. Madras Musings now has its own email ID. Letters to the edi- It must take this further by Better still name the station after Giacomo D’Angelis. tor can be sent via email to [email protected]. making this effort a benchmark for future restorations. For this Jefferis Donald Evans D’Angelis Those who wish to intimate change of address can also do it needs to relax its rule-bound [email protected] so provided the subscription number is quoted. and slow procedures and iden- For non-receipt of copies, change of address, and all other tify processes and vendors that circulation matters: Madras Musings, C/o Lokavani South- are best suited for the restora- MADRAS MUSINGS ern Printers Pvt. Ltd., 122, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. tion. It must not be taken up ON THE WEB On editorial matters: The Editor, Madras Musings, No. 5, with a view to satisfying exist- Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 ing rules, which are most un- To reach out to as many readers as possible who share suitable for heritage conserva- 014. tion. And once completed, the our keen interest in Madras that is Chennai, and in No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters received building must be put to active response to requests from many well-wishers – especially will be sent from these addresses every couple of days to the use, unlike the Senate House from outside Chennai and abroad who receive their postal persons concerned and you will get an answer from them to and the Connemara Public copies very late – for an online edition. Madras Musings is your queries reasonably quickly. Strange as it may seem, if you Library’s reading room, both of adopt the ‘snail mail’ approach, we will be able to help you which were kept locked after now on the web at www.madrasmusings.com faster and disappoint you less. expensive restoration efforts, only to degenerate again. Do we – THE EDITOR THE EDITOR have such a vision in place? 4 MADRAS MUSINGS November 1-15, 2013 The Anglo-Indian in perspective

here was com- Mary, released in 2000, por- Tmotion outside trayed a nurse as a petty thief, Hotel President. reinforcing the stereotype. This Traffic policemen film set in Kerala created an were engaged in uproar in South India. Prof. heated arguments D’Souza obtained a stay from with the hotel staff the against about cars being its screening. She called the film parked on the pave- “cultural genocide” in an inter- ment. When I softly view with BBC. She said, “Deli- asked one of the berate distortion of a commu- staff why this mad nity’s culture and identity by rush, he said, false portrayal is as much a “There is a party crime as exterminating a going on inside for people.” some book launch.” “Language, dress, food, cus- Inside, I found that toms are all indicators of culture the Anglo-Indian and identity,” Prof. D’Souza community and the pointed out. But societies Madras Book Club change. The frock was once a Dr. Beatrix D’Souza and Dr. Geoffery K. Francis at the release of The members had gath- marker of Anglo-Indian iden- Anglo-Indians – A 500-Year History. ered in strength to tity, but now it has become a celebrate the re- fashion statement among worn by all women in India ir- Indians in their home libraries lease of The Anglo- Indian women enjoying social respective of their socioeco- and in school and college librar- Indians: A 500-Year recognition. The nightie of the nomic status. ies. Muthiah has given us a History by S. Muthiah and Anglo-Indian woman was She concluded, saying, “This history we have reason to Harry MacLure. The book is a Anglo-Indian community is a frowned upon earlier, but is now book should be kept by Anglo- celebrate.” comprehensive account of the distinct Indian community, she community going back 500 pointed out that the commu- nity has over the years assimi- lated the cultures of the regions it had emigrated to. She said, A distinct community, G by “In ourselves we have metamor- K. Venkatesh phosed two world views and two cultures.” but an Indian one Regretting that the Anglo- Indian community was always hat the Anglo-Indian toms are all indicators of cul- Anglo-Indian Women will being looked through a lens of T community is 500 years ture and identity. organise an Anglo-Indian old, as old as the Muslim pres- English is our mother food festival as well as a film years, from Vasco Da Gama’s mixed-blood in British and In- landing in India in 1498. ence in India, is little known. tongue and it is to our credit festival. dian fiction and films, she A microscopic Christian com- that we have taught and Muthiah emphasised this by emphasised that “the Indian * * * clarifying that the Constitution munity, as Muthiah elaborates spread the English language woman broke with caste and in his book, we have made through our more than a cen- Large-scale emigration af- defines an Anglo-Indian as a came out from behind the veil contributions to pre- and post- tury-old schools all over In- ter independence, particu- person who descends from an of purdah, when she married independence India far in ex- dia. Muthiah in his book de- larly to Australia in the 1960s and 70s, has led to the predic- European lineage and lives in the European.” She empha- cess of our numbers. votes an entire chapter to India, debunking the myth that Muthiah explores the en- Anglo-Indian schools. As tion of the eventual demise of sised, “We are the only casteless the community in the next 50 the origin is only British, Anglo- Christian community. We are counter between European with all English-speaking Celtic as he calls it. and Indian in the context of people we have our own years. But emigration has free from caste loyalties and virtually come to a standstill. Dr. Geoffery K. Francis, colonialism and empire build- caste conflicts.” ing. He traces the origins and Our young people are former principal of A.M. Jain She elaborated on how the growth of four generations of Excerpts from talented, ambitious and College and former MLA, re- community was considered by Anglo-Indians starting with Dr. Beatrix D’Souza’s unafraid. They have entered ceived the first copy from Dr. all professions and are doing many to be lacking in moral the coming of the Portuguese speech at the release of Beatrix D’Souza, former Mem- fibre “because of the malforma- in the 16th Century. By fur- well. In the 21st Century ber of Parliament. Dr. Francis ther adopting a post-colonial S. Muthiah’s New India, no one is going tion of the hybrid brain” by away. said that the book replaces “eccentric Indian writers like perspective, Muthiah, unlike The Anglo-Indians – Francis Anthony’s Britain’s Be- Nirad Chaudhuri.” “We may earlier writers, sees the com- A 500-Year History Anglo-Indian children trayal in India: The Story of the munity not piecemeal but as a who will inhabit the future laugh at such unscientific are growing up in Anglo-In- Anglo Indian Community, a whole. assumptions today,” she * * * dian homes, where their par- definitive account of the pointed out, but “they gave rise Throughout the book, Anglo-Indian idiom. Food is ents have not moved from community in India. But the to a host of stereotypes in fic- Muthiah stresses the fact that another indication of iden- their inherited culture, lan- highlight of the evening was Dr. tion and films; it is we are a distinct Indian tity. In Canada there is a guage, religion, food, cus- D’Souza’s speech punctuated unforgiveable,” she said about community. We are often website called pepper- toms, all of which define and with Anglo-Indian anecdotes. authors familiar with the history asked why we do not join the water.com. Pepperwater is reinforce identity. I believe Prof. D’Souza expressed elo- of the community and the char- mainstream, whatever that is. our version of rasam, though that the unrelenting forces of we use beef and chicken quently the pain that the com- acter of the Anglo-Indian per- India is not a melting pot, a history will further propel the term once used to describe the stock. Our food is not fusion community into reinventing munity had undergone having sisting with such stereotypes food. Fusion food is idli sand- to cope with the stereotyping of United States. It is a mosaic itself while remaining Anglo- even in post-Independence wiches and pineapple bajjis! Indian Indians. Anglo-Indians. She said, “Our with each community contri- writing. “The Anglo-Indian buting to the overall pattern I would rather like to call * * * mixed-blood heritage that led woman was considered, as a re- which is the Indian nation. our food creative and in- to us being called half-caste, sult of her mixed-blood heri- * * * spired. To the English roast The second half of eight annas, neither fish nor tage, beautiful but wanton. The I am not happy with the we add spices. To the English Muthiah’s book is a Roll Call flesh, to quote a research paper Anglo-Indian male was consid- term sub-culture to define the stew we add coconut. Our of Honour for all time, Anglo- as late as 1994, is indicative of ered a no-good layabout,” by Anglo-Indian lifestyle. It Christmas sweets are Portu- Indian heroes and heroines in multi-racial, multi-cultural so- these writers and commenta- somehow has the connotation guese in origin except for the every age and century, as well Christmas cake and Christ- as ordinary men and women cieties in the UK, the US and tors. of not being genuine and somehow derivative. Our cul- mas pudding authentically who, in their lives and Australia today. We were not Despite Anglo-Indians being British. I would like to call achievement, have exempli- understood because we were ture is a distinct culture and the first nurses in India and re- has evolved over the years. our food inspired. Next Ma- fied what it is to be Anglo- ahead of our time.” Stressing ceiving bravery awards during Language, dress, food, cus- dras Week, the Forum of Indian. that Muthiah had said that the World War II, a film Cotton November 1-15, 2013 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 Recalling the Madras System sometimes not at all”, he re- task as a labour of love. But his G Dr. A. Raman from New South Wales, Australia, has sent us turned to Scotland in 1781 with self-devotion went not un- this article that appeared in the Glassgow Herald on October between £800 and £900. rewarded. Chaplainships to 1, 1933 to mark the centenary of the Madras College that various regiments, bringing Duel ends in comedy Dr. Andrew Bell founded in St. Andrews, Scotland, based on money and practically no duties, fell upon him; and, what he had learnt in Madras at what has become St. George’s Soon after his homecoming he displayed the combativeness much more important, at Ma- Anglo Indian Higher Secondary School. so marked in later life. He and a dras he hit upon his system. Mr. Crookenden met, a stone’s “Hit upon” is the phrase, for his throw from the Old Course, to “discovery”, as he always called A 19th Century Educationist settle with pistols some unex- it, was of an accidental nature. plained quarrel. Bell’s agitation and myopia combined to bring Discovery of the System Dr. Andrew Bell’s Madras System about a strange end to the af- It would seem that he had Dr. Andrew Bell. fair; the signal being given, he early and rightly formed a poor A Forgotten Reformer wheeled about and discharged opinion of his teaching staff, a his fire, not at his antogonist, body of men both inefficient of £25,935 16s 5d. (His ac- FROM A CORRESPONDENT but at his own seconds. Amazed and ill-disposed to their work. counts seemed to have been well kept.) Home again, he be- came a landowner in Galloway he Rev. C.J. Lyon, in his and published his report on the History of St Andrews, pub- T Madras Asylum, copies of lished in 1834, devotes his last which were circulated among chapter to the then new Madras the Lords, spiritual and tempo- College. Just touching and no ral. The first practical response more on his misgivings as to the came in 1796, when his system possible over-extension of edu- was introduced in St Botolph’s cational facilities to the masses, Parochial School, London.The he goes on to expatiate on “the next active proselyte was appar- mutability of human affairs and ently Dr. Briggs, Mayor of human opinions.” Kendal. The new college had been Then, in 1801, Bell became built on the site of a Dominican Rector of Swanage and was in a monastery, and the historian position to advise and even reminds his contemporaries dominate the schoolmasters of that, just as the great medieval the district. As a result, there religious institutions have been were soon thirteen day-schools swept away by generations im- and three Sunday schools in pervious to the old ideas, so ages this part of Dorsetshire, all ex- may follow that will sweep away Madras College, the original building in South Street, St. Andrews, Scotland. emplifying the benefits of the the schools of the 19th Century. Madras method. Such a semi-prophecy seems three young Wordsworths were but unhurt, they gave way to Then one day, riding past an far from fulfilment, yet one can entrusted to the doctor’s great their amusement; laughter open-air native school , he saw The villain of the story imagine the spirit of Andrew system. Both Archbishops, the proved infectious, and the du- the younger children writing At this juncture there en- Bell, M.D., D.D., hovering, Lord Chancellor, the Speaker, ellists, olim hostes nuno fratres, with their fingers on sand tered, from Bell’s point of view, morosely uneasy, over St all were his supporters. Prinny dined together amicably. strewn on the ground before the villain of the story. One of Andrews on October 1st, when approved. And, keeping the Bell spent a year or two in them. Struck by this method, his earliest converts had been a the centenary of Madras best for the end of the para- private tuition; then, turning which had both Scriptural youth of 18, Joseph Lancaster, College will be celebrated. The graph, here is the dictum of Mr his thoughts towards Holy Or- sanction and the possibility of who had opened a little school school has triumphantly Justice Park – “(Dr Bell’s) plan ders, he went with an introduc- success, he gave orders that it in his father’s house at survived the vicissitudes of a is one of the most stupendous tion from a friend (son of the was to be adopted forthwith in Deptford. At first, he had been hundred years, but the educa- engines that ever have been great Bishop Berkeley) to the the asylum. duly deferential; in 1804 he tional principles it was to wielded, since the days of our Bishop of Carlisle, who or- The usher of the lower wrote asking for advice and an perpetuate and the personal Saviour and His apostles, for dained him. A curacy in Leith classes flatly condemned it as a interview; in 1805 they met. fame to which the founder was the advancement of God’s true followed, but his restless energy pedagogic impossibility. Bell, But it was soon obvious that by no means indifferent have religion upon earth.” drove him further afield, and in disgusted by such recalcitrance, the relations of prophet and dis- alike vanished from the general February, 1787, he sailed for memory of man. A chequered career impulsively put a little boy ciple were impossible to the two Calcutta with the intention of called Johnnie Frisken in charge men Bell was a pillar of the Andrew Bell was born in St In praise of Andrew Bell lecturing on natural philosophy of the beginners. And here was Church of England; Lancaster Andrews on March 27, 1753. and picking up what he could born the Madras or monitorial was a Quaker. Bell had cautious However forgotten Andrew His father, Baillie Bell, was a wig in the way of private turoring. system of teaching. Johnnie’s views on the subject of educat- Bell may be to-day, there were maker with a strong bent to- He sailed as Doctor Bell, his success was so complete that ing people above their station in many (and some whose opin- wards natural philosophy, in Alma Mater declining to be- one by one the masters found life; Lancaster was much less ions were valuable) at the which study, as in mathematics, stow on him the LL.D. Degree themselves standing by while a safe on this point. Bell believed beginnning of last century, who Andrew distinguished himself that he wanted, but cheerfully number of small boys taught all that nothing was needed in the had no doubts of his greatness. at the University of his native granting its M.D. to one who the classes of the school. Not training of a teacher but experi- Southey coupled him with city. had never studied medicine. only did the pupils advance by ence; Lancaster laid stress on a Thomas Clarkson as “the two Having his way to make in leaps and bounds along the grounding in psychology. greatest benefactors of the hu- The turning point this world, he emigrated to paths of learning, but the moral Recriminations began, chief- man race who have appeared America, where he spent seven He never reached Calcutta. tone of the school was immea- ly instigated by a Mrs Trimmer, since Martin Luther,” and years (1774-1781) as a private His ship touched at Madras, surably nobler and sweeter than a sort of Anglican she-dragon Coleridge wrote to him, “Oh, tutor at West Point, Virginia. where a military male orphan before. By the time young who might have sat as a model dear Dr Bell, you are a great The place and the dates stir the asylum was in the process of for- Frisken was eleven he had a to Anthony Trollope. Finally, in man!” adding the assurance imagination, but nothing is mation. This institution he was third of the school under his 1807, Lancaster claimed in a that, “While I have life and known of his reactions to the invited to superintend. His ac- care, and there was no slacken- newspaper advertisement to power, I shall find a deep con- war. One fact, however, is clear. ceptance of this invitation was ing in the rate of progress, intel- have “invented” a system which solation in being your zealous He already possessed his myste- the turning poiint in his career, lectual and moral. sounded indistinguishable from apostle.” rious talent for making money. for the work appealed to him Dr Bell’s. He asserted, among Wordsworth was almost as Though his salary was paid, as and he was at his best in the Return to Scotland 2complimentary, though less his more readable biographer next few years. For health reasons Dr Bell picturesquely quotable. The tells us, “sometimes in money, Refusing the salary offered left India in 1796, bringing with young Hartley Coleridge and sometimes in tobacco, and him, he threw himself into his him his great idea and the sum (Continued on page 6) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS November 1-15, 2013

(Current Affairs questions are Paleacatta Lungis from the period October 1st to 15th. Questions 11 to 20 pertain to Chennai and Tamil Nadu.) – A way to go in rural 1. Who has been awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace this year? 2. Which World Bank Group heritage development? institution has announced the * launch of a $1 billion offshore (By Dr. P.J. Sanjeeva Raj ) A Madras Check. rupee bond programme to streng- he Indian Trust for Rural del Coast where the European mandel coastal towns and ex- then India’s capital markets and THeritage and Development traders developed unrivalled ported. Of them, the painted roots of Oldenlanden umbellata, attract greater foreign invest- (ITRHD) is a new charity trust local resources, crafts and skills pintados were in great demand which grew on the coast near ment? chaired by S.K. Misra, who was to meet global demands and all over the world. However, the , but was more plentiful 3. Who launched the world’s first one of the founders and a appreciation. Pulicat, for speciality items of Pulicat in Petapuli (Nizampatnam). curved screen smartphone former chairman of the Indian instance, despite its antiquity proper were the check-pat- Even upto the 1970s, there recently? National Trust for Art and Cul- from the Pallava, Chola and terned, multi-coloured lungis were about one hundred 4. Which African nation, which tural Heritage (INTACH). Vijayanagara periods, attained called the ‘Paleacatta lungis’ handlooms in Pulicat producing is enclosed by Senegal, has with- ITRHD aims at developing spe- the peak of its international which the British later called the traditional check-patterned drawn from the Commonwealth cific rural areas through the reputation only during the ‘Madras Checks’, handkerchiefs lungis for adults as well as for of Nations? protection and renovation of Dutch sojourn there from 1609 and head bands which were ex- children. They were exported to 5. With which cyber-giant has their rich cultural heritages. to 1690 C.E. ported chiefly to Ceylon (Sri Nigeria and Sri Lanka. They the Archaeological Survey of Gandhiji’s vision that “the Lanka). About one thousand have all disappeared today, be- India (ASI) signed an agreement Of the nearly 75 items that heart of India lies in her villages, the Dutch exported from handlooms were working at cause the local youth preferred to create 360 degree online and if our villages perish, India Pulicat alone, but nearly one- imagery of 100 of India’s most Pulicat, the most popular and formal schooling to weaving. too shall perish” is particularly third of the poor weavers were important heritage sites? the most profitable items were However, nearby villages like relevant in this context. the textiles, called the Coastal said to have perished during the Arani, Madharpakkam and 6. Name the writer of such thrill- great famine in 1630 A.D. when ers like The Hunt for Red October To begin with, ITRHD Cloth (kurk kelden) or the Coro- Manellore still continue weav- they had to sell their children and Patriot Games who passed chose a cluster of villages in the mandel textiles. The term ing, but by powerlooms. away recently. Azamgarh region of Uttar Coromandel was loosely used to into slavery to the Dutch who Revival of this heritage in exported them to the East 7. The siblings Bard and Vegard Pradesh for revival of tradi- include the whole east coast, textiles by handlooms or power- Indies to work in their spice Ylvisaker are the comedy duo tional practices. Mubarakpur from Bengal to the Gulf of looms, training the local youth behind which recent YouTube was selected for hand-woven Mannar. Pulicat was a nodal plantations. in weaving and cultivation of sensation? Banarasi silk sarees, Nizamabad port to collect merchandise Not only Pulicat cloth but the allied dyes, indigo and chay- 8. Ali Zeidan, whose kidnap and for black pottery and Harihar- from all along the coast, store it also its dyes, particularly the root, native to Pulicat, would release a few hours later created pur for folk music. The restora- and ship it to maritime coun- blue indigo and the red chay- provide a wide variety of occu- headlines, is the Prime Minister of tion of the 7th Century mosque tries overseas. Coromandel tex- root dye, were exported from pations for the local educated which embattled African coun- in Mewat, Haryana, the resto- tiles were the most preferred Pulicat. Indigo is extracted from but unemployed youth in this try? ration of the 60 left out of the means – even over precious the leaves of Indigofera tinctoris, legendary town and its envi- 9. Janet L. Yellen is President 108 terracotta temples in metals like gold, silver and cop- but the indigo from Pulicat was rons. It may trigger textile tech- Obama’s choice to chair which Maluti, Jharkhand, and the re- per – to buy rare spices like the said to be inferior to that from nology and garment export all important institution in the US? vival of rural schools, clinics, nutmeg and mace native to the the Masulipatam and Tierepo- over the country, realising 10. For her work The Luminaries, sanitation and rural tourism in ‘spice islands’ (like Banda) of peliar (Cuddalore) regions. Gandhiji’s ‘dream villages’ of Eleanor Catton became the general have been other targets. what is now Indonesia. Hence the Dutch invited ex- India. youngest winner of which presti- The Tamil Nadu chapter of Three broad categories of perts from Holland to promote gious literary award? ITRHD would do well to cloth – the plain dyed, printed indigo cultivation around the *Dr. P.J. Sanjeeva Raj researched * * * explore the several ancient (batik) and painted (kalamkari) Pulicat region. The red chay- at Pulicat for 55 years. His e-mail 11. What is the original name of seaport towns on the Coroman- – were collected from the Coro- root dye was extracted from the is rajsanjeeva@ gmail.com Illaippari Madha Kovil on St. Mary’s Road? 12. Which institution in Purasa- walkam, that started as ‘finishing school’ for Indian girls, is cel- Recalling the Madras System ebrating its centenary this year? 13. What is the ‘parking spot’ for private yachts and tugs in (Continued from page 5) Gift to St. Andrews low. The foundation stone was Yet we might profitably spare called? laid in April 1833, by which a thought for the man who, 14. Which Chennai-based The National Society did time the founder (by virtue of when trained teachers were other things, that under this not concern itself with Padma Vibhushan awardee has system “Any boy who can read his prebendal stall, one fears, almost non-existent and when been chosen for the 2012 Indira Scotland, but Dr Bell had not can teach arithmetic with the and not his services to educa- public money was unavailable Gandhi Award for National forgotten his native town. He tion) had been interred in the for education, enabled thou- Integration? certainty of a mathematician, interested himself in the English although he knows nothing Abbey, and Madras College was sands to attain some kind of 15. Name the two awards given School of St Andrews where the about it himself.” in due course opened on Octo- learning who otherwise must under Presidential Awards for master David Crichton, put the ber 1st. have remained illiterate. Classical Tamil. Extension of the System Madras principles into ope- 16. According to one version, ration, and in 1831 suddently, A pathetic sequel which bustling locality’s name in Partisanship achieved more perhaps impulsively, trans- The sequel to all this Chennai is believed to be a cor- than merit alone would have ferred stocks to the value of enthusiasm is pathetic – what a ruption of ‘Maha bilwa kshe- done. Loyal sons and daughters £120,000 to four trustees in St cinema-nurtured generation tram’? of the Church rallied to Bell’s Andrews. may best describe as a “fade 17. Which street in is standard. The result was a more named after the two eminent and more rapid extension of his He had less than a year to out”. The paternal features of residents of big houses called Sadr system, and the ultimate live, and this short time was Dr Bell look down still, as they Gardens and Champaka Vilas foundation in 1811 of “The Na- spent mainly in quarrelling with have done through a hundred that stood there? tional Society for Promoting the the men to whom he had years, on the pupils of Madras 18. What is the screen name of Education of the Poor in the entrusted his money. After College, but a study of the the popular actor Jamshad Cethi- Principles of the Established much wrangling and many school history reveals that, rakath? Church throughout England threats of lawsuits, the money though many characteristic 19. What is the common name and Wales.” The list of office- was divided into 12 parts, five features have been tenaciously coined in Tamil for a browser bearers bristled with episcopal of which were to be devoted to maintained, the corner-stone of used to surf the Net? and feudal titles. By 1812 the the erection and endowment of the temples was allowed from 20. Which bridge on the Cooum Society was educating 8620 a school in St Andrews, where the beginning to moulder was once named after Willingdon children in 52 schools; in 1813 the Madras System of Mutual quietly away. Nowhere today is and St. George? the children numbered 40,484 Instruction should be a perma- the once-vaunted system in The memorial to Dr. Andrew Bell (Answers on page 8) and the schools 230. nent model for the world to fol- operation. at Westminster Abbey. November 1-15, 2013 MADRAS MUSINGS 7 Museums – A philanthropist are they the with a difference answer? (Continued from page 1) ow many businessmen will Encouraged by the headmas- his uncle told him, “Fortune Hthink of building an audi- ter, Chari became a popular sometimes comes in the form of the museums have visitors all torium, not to make money, but sportsman, winning prizes in a devil. If not accepted it goes the time. Moreover, unlike mainly to conduct programmes high jump and becoming cap- away as an angel”. So Chari Indian museums, most of them of their choice and to derive tain of the school volleyball joined the Seshasayee Group as depend on gate collections great joy in throwing it open to team. Chari also realised during an Apprentice Engineer in and endowments and so the friends and well-wishers as well? school days that he was good in 1961. challenge to keep the museum Maths and Science subjects. Such programmes always * * * vibrant is ever-present. Over preceded or followed by deli- “My success in sports and At Seshasayee’s, Chari R.T. Chari. here, however, the attitude is cious South Indian tiffin. Food the recognition I got because of found a great mentor in H.K one of putting a collection for the stomach and food for the it changed the attitude of my Ramaswamy, the Technical Di- Around the time Chari together and then leaving it soul! Doing it month after family towards me. My family rector of the company. Im- started his business, the Elec- there, hoping that everything month for the last twelve years members stopped teasing me. I pressed by his hard work (Chari tricity Boards in the country else will fall into place auto- has been R.T. Chari, a business- was now even more determined often put in 20 hours of work a were planning to move from matically. man who is committed to to prove to them that I was day), Ramaswamy encouraged 220 kV to 440 kV system and So, is it necessary for Ripon propagating Classical Indian different from others,” Chari him to excel by providing all were looking for companies Building or the Police Com- music and heritage. recounts. kinds of incentives. which could provide them with missioner’s old office to become the hardware (which at that museums? These were con- This auditorium he built on When college education Chari’s reputation as an en- point had to be imported) re- structed for official use and time TTK Road is the TAG Center. beckoned, there was an initial gineer who was also a super quired for the changeover. The has not made them in any way It is in his office there that I met hiccup that stalled his admis- salesman brought him quick UP State Electricity Board was redundant. Perhaps the space in him one evening. sion. But he was later admitted recognition in the company. the first to decide on the new them is no longer enough, but Chari was born into a typical system. they can definitely be put to middle class Iyengar family in TAG managed to get a small official use. That way, they will Mylapore, the fifth child and G by R.V. Rajan order worth Rs. 6 lakh, which also be better maintained, as a fourth son in a family of nine was only 10 per cent of the total workplace is likely to be cleaned children. His father, with his order. But the quality of the more often as compared to a limited means, could only as- items manufactured by TAG museum that nobody visits and to the College of Engineering, Promotion followed promotion sure them three square meals a had the UP State Board placing is, therefore, likely to be forgot- , where he fared well in and in 1972 he was appointed day and a decent education. further orders. “In the early ten. his studies as well as in sport. Chief Technical Commercial years I was extremely lucky to In the case of , While Chari was the favou- Manager. The year before, he What he calls his third break get good orders purely based on it is reliably learnt that the rite of his grandfather, his had married Rangi, from in life came. When he could merit. No other considerations Council Chamber, the Mayor’s grandmother would tease him Bangalore. Within two weeks of have got a job in a well-known came in the way of the bureau- room and the Commissioner’s about his inadequacies arising his marriage, fate again inter- company with a starting salary crats deciding in my favour,” office are likely to remain as out of his being mildly dyslexic. vened to change the course of of Rs. 700 a month like his other Chari recalls. they are, while the rest of the Chari says, “It was this constant his life. classmates, he listened to his offices will move. That means comparison between me and my The next big thing to hap- paternal uncle R. Narasimha- Chari was requested to the historic structure will con- brothers that sowed the seeds of pen at TAG Corporation was chari, a Company Law consult- attend a Foundry Exhibition in tinue to see some footfalls and an angry young man in me. I when it developed an import ant then, and joined the West Germany followed by a so will fare well. But what of the was determined to prove to the substitute item for 4R Dampers, Seshasayee Group to train as a 30-day trip to Europe to explore Police Commissioner’s office? world what I am capable of.” with half the weight and price manager. a possible collaboration to make You only need to see what has of the imported item. Soon Fortunately, when the fam- the hardware for insulators used happened to its predecessor. Chari was the uncrowned king ily moved to , he His uncle was confident that in Electric Transmission Sys- Designed by R.F. Chisholm, no in the manufacture of 4R joined Corley High School Chari would do far better work- tems. During his trip Chari less, it is now completely dere- Dampers, a crucial item re- where the headmaster discov- ing with S. Vishwanathan, the struck a deal with an Italian lict and may collapse any mo- quired by all Electricity Boards. ered that not only was Chari a group’s director. When Chari company, but on his return to ment. Even the photography By that time he had also cut his good student but the tall youth protested that the starting sal- India he found to his dismay department that is housed in it umbilical cord with Seshasayee was also good in sports. ary was only Rs. 150 a month, that the Management had de- appears indifferent to the group. cided to drop the idea of expan- upkeep. That is what is most sion. Chari started seeing big likely to happen to the recently Not one to accept defeat, money and, instead of just vacated Commissionerate as Chari requested the manage- hoarding it, he decided at the well. CHENNAI HERITAGE ment to allow him to try his luck young age of 40 to share his No. 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, with the new project. The man- prosperity with society. From Royapettah, Chennai 600 014 agement agreed – and also al- being a successful businessman, Chari was on the road to one of his siblings to acquire a I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / lowed him to continue as a house of his or her own. Beyond I have just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it hereafter. Commercial Manager with the becoming a generous philan- thropist. the family, the first act of char- G I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Rs. 100 company until he could stand ity he performed was to donate (Rupees One hundred) payable to CHENNAI HERITAGE, on his own in his business ven- * * * Rs.10,000 to Corley High MADRAS, as subscription to Madras Musings for the year ture. Chari could have his cake When I asked Chari, which School, to be given to the best 2013-14. and eat it too! sportsperson of the school. G As token of my support for the causes of heritage, environment was the first act of charity he Along with his brother performed, he recalled the ad- Then followed donations to and a better city that Madras Musings espouses, I send Chennai Gopal, who by then had also medical institutions, like the Heritage an additional Rs...... vice he had received from R.P. passed out from the College of Iyer , the then Chairman of the VHS Hospital. (Rupees ...... ) Please keep / put me Engineering, Guindy, Chari Killicks group, who had once While Chari continued in- on your mailing list. launched his own company told him, “When you are doing dulging in such generosity, an Name : ...... TAG Corporation with a fac- well, first take care of your near incident in his personal life ...... tory in . The name and dear ones before you look completely changed him as a TAG is an acronym of the first Address: ...... beyond to do social service. If person and the direction of his letters of Thiruvenkatachari ...... every successful businessman philanthropic activities. and Gopal, his youngest does this, the country will take ...... brother, who has been a pillar care of itself.” So, for Chari, Feedback welcome on of strength to Chari in all his All cheques to ‘Chennai Heritage’. DD/Cheque should be sent by Speed ‘charity began at home”. 9840392082 or email: Post only. business and other social causes [email protected] for the last 40 years. He decided to persuade, ca- jole and if necessary help every * * * (To be concluded) 8 MADRAS MUSINGS November 1-15, 2013

G The fourteenth in a series of profiles by V. RAMNARAYAN of cricketers who may have made an all-time Madras* squad.

the nickname ‘Doorbin,’ Hindi E Srinivasan, Cheema or for binoculars. T T E to one and all, had A unique character T E died in 2010 after bat- quiteA a cult followingcaptain’s during his dream player tling brain cancer with great long career for Tamil Nadu, courage and good humour. starting from the 1972-73 fifth wicket. The match proved land, and never played for India When I said to his wife Mala, season, when he made his a turning point in T E’s career. again. “We all admire you for the way debut. It was a spectacular assault on a T E was also one of the char- you took care of T E; how in- In his time, he was a brilliant Karnataka attack that included acters of the game, quick-wit- credibly brave you have been,” player of fast bowling, his better Prasanna and Chandrasekhar; ted, mischievous and blessed she said, “On the contrary, T E innings reserved for the big he had apparently overcome his with a zany sense of humour, looked after me even when he occasion. He was completely inhibitions against the slow bordering on the wild. Some of was desperately ill. He kept my self-made, an original who stuff. his theories on the game were spirits up with his good cheer, honed his batting technique on T E turned on the magic in unorthodox, but his technique never complaining of his pain or the concrete wicket at the some important games for was pure. He loved to hit the suffering.” Nungambakkam Corporation Tamil Nadu. I was fortunate to ball on the up and deal in Judged by his single Test ap- School ground. watch some of his better boundaries rather than do any- pearance, T E was perhaps an Even as a youngster playing knocks, such as his electrifying thing as tiring as running be- underachiever, perhaps the se- for Vivekananda College, when 87 as an opener partnering tween the wickets. He is fa- lectors did not give him his due, I was turning out for Presidency K. Srikkanth against Delhi in mous for his verbal jousts, but he gave spectators and col- College, T E had the foresight the 1981-82 quarter final, giv- sometimes with opponents leagues sheer joy with his styl- and ambition to realise that he ing Tamil Nadu a real chance T.E. Srinivasan. feared by his colleagues. Team- ish batting, his bravado, his raff- had to play pace well if he to win the match. They lost in a mates cannot forget the expres- ish gait reflecting his hero-wor- wanted to play international close finish thanks at least in sion on the face of Aussie ship of Jaisimha. He was unique. cricket. Towards this end, he part to some dubious umpiring force of his power of suggestion paceman Rodney Hogg when regularly hired bowlers from the decisions. Earlier, he made a rather than any serious revolu- T E cornered him after the first Madras Province/State/Tamil Nadu. neighbourhood to bang them in crackling 90 against Hydera- tion of the ball – and he had not day’s play of a tour game at from 15 to 18 yards on the fast bad, whose skipper, Abid Ali, hitherto been convinced of Hyderabad and told him, “Why surface. tried to trap him in his strong T E’s class. don’t you stop bowling off spin- Answers to He set Madras grounds on point (!), by asking his medium T E went on to play many ners and try to bowl fast in- fire in inter-collegiate and pacers to bowl short at him – more attractive innings in the stead?” He is also reputed to Quiz league cricket whenever he with disastrous results. Duleep Trophy, against touring have informed the media as 1. Organisation for the Prohibi- overcame his initial diffidence In the Duleep Trophy, Srini- teams – including a spectacular soon as the 1980 Indian team tion of Chemical Weapons; against spin bowling. It was per- vasan made a brilliant hundred 108 against Imran Khan & Co. landed in Australia, “Tell Den- 2. International Finance Corpo- haps this feature of his batting against North Zone at Banga- at Hyderabad for South Zone in nis Lillee T E has arrived.” ration; 3. Samsung with its Gal- axy Round; 4. The Gambia; early in his career, together with lore in the 1977-78 season, just 1979-80 – and 45 and 101 in an My favourite T.E. Srinivasan 5. Google; 6. Tom Clancy; 7. The insufficient opportunities, that before the Indian team to tour all important Irani Cup match story is a true one recorded by Australia under Bishan Bedi none other than Sunil Gavas- viral super hit The Fox (What made him a bit of a late bloomer which earned him a berth in the Does the Fox Say?); 8. Libya; in first class cricket. Strangely, was selected. He was not in- Indian team that toured Aus- kar, whose concentration had cluded in the Indian squad, but been disturbed by loud laughter 9. Federal Reserve; 10. The Man T E was moved around in the tralia under the captaincy of Booker Prize. he was for the first time a seri- from the pavilion during a Test batting order, often the last of Sunil Gavaskar. By this time * * * the specialist batsmen in his ous candidate for national Jaisimha was a convert and so in Australia. The annoyed 11. Descanco Church; 12. CSI early years. Still, he had quite a honours. His hero, M.L. Jai- opener later found out that were his colleagues in the selec- Ewart Marticulation HSS; few unbeaten innings, espe- simha, on whom he modelled tion panel that ignored a bril- T E’s practical joke on Yashpal his attire and gait for a while, Sharma had caused the uproar. 13. Timber Pond; 14. M.S. Swa- cially against Karnataka, liant double century by Surin- minathan, 15. Tolkappiyar was the South Zone representa- He had persuaded a security against whom he made a second der Amarnath in the same Award and Kural Pitam Award; innings 72 at Bangalore in the tive in the national selection match, but found merit in Kirti guard to tell Yashpal that he 16. ; 17. Bashyam 1973-74 season. It was against committee, and he began to Azad’s alleged off spin and his would be arrested if he did not Basheer Ahmed Street, named the same team that he made his take T E seriously. As one of the attacking batsmanship in fair stop staring at women specta- after the legal luminaries first Ranji Trophy hundred (130 shrewdest captains and a decep- weather. T E played only one tors through binoculars. Yash- Bashyam Iyengar and Basheer not out), when he was involved tive purveyor of off-spin, he had Test on the tour, that too in the pal’s panic on being so sternly Ahmed; 18. Arya; 19. Ulavi; in a 233 run partnership with V. dismissed T E a few times in the second half, in New Zealand. warned had been the cause of 20. Periyar bridge on Mount Sivaramakrishnan (169) for the Ranji Trophy – by the sheer He made 29 and 19 in Auck- the mirth. It also earned him Road.

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