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 Short ‘N’ Snappy  Readers Write  The Army Clothing Depot  Swadesamitran  Madras Cricket

www.madrasmusings.com WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS Vol. XXIX No. 22 March 1-15, 2020 Digital banners HERITAGE WATCH NEW and hoardings soon to return he political establishment social celebrations.” We are not putting up banners, boards and Thas been feeling lost ever sure if religious events also are hoardings all along the prin‑ since the High Court of Madras within the ambit of this inter‑ cipal thoroughfares of the city pronounced an outright ban on pretation and if so, the Corpo‑ on a daily basis. Pedestrians parties erecting digital banners found it next to impossible to and hoardings along the streets negotiate the banners and the and roads of Chennai. And  by The Editor poles that held them up, the Last days of Last House on Snob’s Alley as is always the case, a minor footpaths were repeatedly dug It has survived from the 1640s, making it one of the oldest adjustment when it comes to ration has pretty much opened up to accommodate these tem‑ surviving buildings in the whole of Chennai city. But Last interpretation of the judgement up the city for the putting up of porary structures and motorists will soon help it in getting these digital banners, flex boards and were put to risk as the banners House to the left of Snob’s Alley may be on its last legs if the public nuisances to be back. hoardings. blocked line of sight and often Archaeological Survey of India has its way. If the news agencies are to be It was in December 2018 came crashing down as well. Listed as being of grade 1 (primary landmark of which no believed, the Corporation of that the High Court of Madras, Political parties were the worst alterations may be permitted) by the High Court of ­Madras Chennai is of the view that the irked at what it perceived as offenders, and they invariably based on the recommendations of the Justice E. Padmanabhan ban pertains only to political blatant violation of its earlier put up banners without seeking Committee report, Last House gets its name by virtue of being parties and not organisers of judgements, pronounced an police permission, something at the end of St. Thomas’s Street, Fort St. George (see Know “marriages, birthdays and other outright ban on political parties (Continued on page 6) Your Fort, MM Vol. XXV, December 16, 2015). Around ten years ago it was in relatively good condition with clear land around it on which you could walk and reach the eastern ramparts of the Fort. But consistently denied funds for maintenance (it was allocated Rs. 1 lakh in 2014 or so), it is in a decrepit condition and it is reliably learnt that the ASI has recommended that it be TN budget ignores removed from the list of protected structures. It is one of the classic methods of doing away with historic buildings – deny funds for maintenance thereby ensuring a  by A Special ­Correspondent dilapidated appearance and then suggest removal of protected the basics status on the grounds of structural instability based on no or very cursory assessment. fter the introduction of in 2016-17 to Rs. 25,000 crores, 12.5 per cent per year from Our OLD is a sketch of Last House as imagined by ­Ismaena AGST, States have lost the breaching the budget estimate today to neutralise the rev‑ Warren in 1947 for Col. D.M. Reid’s The Story of Fort George. individual power to determine of Rs. 14,000 crores in 2019‑20, enue deficit by 2024-25. If The New is a photo taken of it in 2015 indirect tax rates, except on is disturbing. The 2019-20 rise revenue growth is only 10 per alcohol and petroleum. When is more than the Rs. 4,025 cent, expenditure rise must be GST stabilises and States be‑ crores of revenue deficit still to contained at 5-6 per cent per OLD come confident of GST as a be received from the Centre. annum or lower. More need not dependable revenue source, Consequently, outstanding debt be said as the tightening fiscal alcohol and petroleum may mounts to Rs. 4.56 lakh crores choke is already being discussed also pass into the ambit of GST. by end of March 21. All this widely in the public domain. With the rate of indirect tax erodes the credibility of fiscal As increased revenue revenue thus predetermined, numbers now presented. is dependent­ on economic resource management efficacy The Medium-Term Fiscal growth, containment of reve‑ is the challenge for State Fi‑ Plan lists out assumptions that nue expenditure through strin‑ nance Ministers. lead to reduction of revenue gent priorities and extraction The overarching concern deficit to Rs. 11,000 crores by of better results from exist‑ is the growing revenue defi‑ 2022-23. A simple simulation ing investments is the line to cit which accounts for about shows that as long as non-­ be pursued, apart from better 40‑50 per cent of net borrowing discretionary expenditure is compliance. That calls for a (numbers are rounded off for raging at 10 per cent or higher critical examination of the ease of reading). This rise of than inflation, revenue growth deficit from Rs. 16,000 crores must outdo it by a minimum (Continued on page 2) 2 MADRAS MUSINGS March 1-15, 2020 BUDGET REVIEW (Im)Mobile technology (Continued from page 1) of growth for the State. The schemes announced, rein‑ bill for subsidies and transfers, nlike the Chief, whom utes there is what is termed a swaying somewhat thereby in- forced by the Central Budget’s the Madras from Ma- call drop and the line goes dead. dicating his spiritually elevated which is estimated to be at U massive ­allocation and the dras Musings misses on a You then go back to step 1. state. He had apparently been Rs. 94,000 crores compared 16-point approach­ to agricul‑ daily basis, MMM took to MMM thought of switching caught taking photographs of to previous year’s Rs. 82,000 tural development,­ might rev cell phones very early. He from Air Fail to Why d’you the aircraft and also some self- crores. The allocation includes up its engine. progressed steadily from pag- Phone but was told by users of ies in the process. The ground expenditure for various ongoing ers to the large brick-sized the latter that they have found staff had objected to which On infrastructure, allocation welfare schemes like food subsi‑ instruments and the smaller it easier to visit the person they he had responded with some has been raised substantially dy, power subsidy, scholarships, ones. With time cell phones intended to call and deliver colourful expletives. Someone from Rs. 4500 crores to Rs. housing schemes, social security became larger and smarter their message directly. MMM made bold to ask for his board- 5,500 crores. More importantly, pensions and agricultural loan/ and MMM kept pace. He can was at his wits end when he ing pass and found he had through appropriate legislative still recall those old days when read a news item that Chennai none. It then transpired that interest waiver. A selective amendments, government has a cell phone in Madras that is is now the pigeon racing capital the precious document was reversal of subsidies that have introduced a legal arrangement Chennai would not work in of India. He has therefore de- with the secretary who was little economic or social impact by which landowners can give Bombay that is , the cided to abandon his cell phone no doubt the flabby gent who and minimum voter alienation, their land for building infra‑ network being different. From and rear a couple of those birds had just arrived on the scene could have been carried out to structure without losing their such a scenario to now, when – one for outgoing and the huffing and puffing and bran- signal the government’s con‑ life without cell phones can be other for incoming messages. dishing the missing pass. The right on it and share the benefit cern. In moderate doses over pretty much impossible (un- staff probably decided that dis- of the increased value of the 2-3 years, this approach would less you live in Kashmir), we cretion was better especially as land on account of the infra‑ As small as they have helped in reducing the have come a long way. Which the flight was shortly to leave. structure. This measure is sig‑ deficit. However, it is too much is why MMM is unable to han- come The man was ushered in and nificant for speedier acquisition dle the poor connectivity that he proceeded to express loudly to expect the ruling party to he lower the status of the of land for building bridges and has become a part of daily life. his anger at what he called the have done it, with elections politician, the more ob- highways reducing implemen‑ Cannot able to understand is, T rudeness of the ground staff. ahead. This should have been noxious his/her behaviour – at tation time. Imaginative policy so MMM believes, the current The secretary tried pacifying done in the last 2-3 years; as least this was what came to the changes do not require money expression and MMM had him which strangely worked it is, the administration has he stooped to such a level, mind of the Man from Madras – MMM thought this would and do make a difference to Musings when he recently missed the bus. This underlines would have freely used it. result in yet another explosion. economic impact. happened to travel out of the the importance of a longer-term The service providers are All went well during the Both School Education and an apologetic lot. They explain city by flight and then return actual flight apart from a de- visionary approach that moves after a couple of days by the towards development, reconcil‑ Health have received substan‑ that the fall in standards are mand for ‘hord drinks’ which tial increases of 18 per cent and due to rising demand. The same mode of travel. On the of course was courteously ing electoral inevitabilities and infrastructure is unable to outward journey there were a refused. The next part of the fiscal sustainability. 26 per cent. A good part of the former, about 70 per cent, goes cope with it. But insiders have drama unfolded shortly af- As regards the fiscal deficit, a different story – the private ter landing was announced. that it is maintained at 2.84 per for salaries. In School Educa‑ tion particularly, the divergence operators (and there are two in The secretary having shut cent within the norm of 3 per Chennai – Air Fail and Why SHORT ’N’ his eyes for forty winks, our cent, is not the whole picture. ­between output and outcome d’you Phone) are beaten by a SNAPPY man decided it was time to get Keeping it within limit is at the has been glaring. third player with global aspira- up and wait near the door so cost of a shrinking fiscal space has been topping the lists for tions fueled by a deep pocket that he would be the first to for discretionary expenditure. infrastructure, but the ground that allows for drastically low few cabinet ministers from the leave. Fortunately for all, the In value, fiscal deficit has bal‑ reality is that the teaching rates. As a consequence, there State on the same flight. You sleeping secretary woke up in standard in government schools is no money for any invest- could say that their behaviour time and dragged the master looned from Rs. 44,000 crores ment in towers and whatever back. Act III was when the in 2019-20 to Rs. 59,000 crores is poor due to ill-qualified, was exemplary. One of these, else that cell phone operators once a corporate head honcho, flight actually landed but was in 2020-21. By bigger borrowing untrained and unmotivated teachers. The government need for the calls to keep hap- was the life and soul of the still taxiing on the runway. and assuming an optimistic pening. Added to this is a fine flight, mingling with fellow The man got up, collected his estimate of revenue growth at could have saved a good part that runs into several digits bag and bounded to the door. of the additional allocation and passengers, happily wheeling 14 per cent, some elbow room slapped on them by the law in his luggage and gamely pos- It was all that the airhostesses has been created. The Finance focused upon extracting better courts. It is anybody’s guess if ing for selfies on landing. The could do to get him to go back Minister has opted for this route outcomes from existing infra‑ Air Fail and Why d’you Phone others were more reserved to his seat. He was not happy. to be able to maintain a capi‑ structure. We may be pouring will really survive the latest but were models of decorum Did they not know who he more money into an inefficient onslaught. There is an option – they kept to themselves, did was he thundered. MMM tal expenditure of Rs. 38,000 to go with a Government-run­ too wondered. It transpired crores on projects and schemes. system needing major repairs. not throw their weight about Chennai city’s needs are now fourth ­service provider but and read newspapers during he was some kind of office- If such expenditure does not MMM learns that with their much of the journey. In short, holder at the district level. lead to give-aways but to build‑ to be covered by a billion-dollar entire technical workforce World Bank assistance. It cov‑ everything was as it should be. ing productive infra structure opting for voluntary retire- Contrast this with what and development, it could drive ers projects that we have been ment, the chances of being happened on the way back. Tailpiece growth and increase tax flow. hearing about for quite some better off with it are low. On walking down the tarmac andering far and wide It is notable that the govern‑ time. These are: Integrated It is because of this reason MMM noticed a small group Win his travels around ment has selected some good Parking Management, flood that MMM and other cell standing near the tail of the the State, the Man from Ma- dras Musings came across schemes in the Agriculture and mitigation works, comprehen‑ phone users of his kind find aircraft. It appeared as though the going tough. Calls now this interesting toilet sign. Rural Development sectors. sive solid waste management, the crew had gone into a hud- remediation and reclamation follow a predictable pattern – dle and MMM would have It did give some food for These are: larger devolution to thought even as people of landfills in and Step 1 – You dial a num- scarcely given a second thought local bodies, encouragement of ber and there is dead silence had he not heard raised voic- went about their business. micro irrigation through capital , a waste-to-energy after which a beeping sound plant, recycling of sewage for es. “Why should subsidies, upgradation of irriga‑ begins and goes on forever. I have my board- tion, kudimaramatthu (a tradi‑ purposes other than drinking Step 2 – You dial the ing pass with me,” tional practice, but neglected, and Adyar and number and a giggling yelled a stentorian of keeping tens of thousands development including revival voice tells you that such a voice. “It is the of local tanks and water bodies of the estuary. Chennai has number does not exist. job of my secre- waited long and wants speedy Step 3 – You dial the number tary to carry it.” desilted), the Mission on Sus‑ again and are told by a differ- tainable Dryland Agriculture implementation. Realising that this ent voice that the subscriber is was where he got (which has a commendable Although individual project not within network coverage. selections may be good, mean‑ around 400 words track record of covering 25 lakh Step 4 – You dial the num- for this column acres so far) to cover 7.5 lakh ingful continuity and coherence ber and finally get through MMM decided acres more in 2020-21, and the as part of a vision is missing in only to find that while you to look in briefly. project to establish 8 agro-pro‑ the presentation. The Budget can hear, the party at the In the centre cessing clusters. should be an unfolding vision, other end cannot. After a of the huddled The overall Agriculture made more interesting with couple of hellos you ring off. crew was a man budget of Rs. 12,000 crores, details of outcomes during the Step 5 – You try again and in the obligatory year and target dates for com‑ get through and surprise, you political attire – however, seems relatively small can actually begin a conversa- compared to Rs. 34,000 crores pletion of proposed projects, white shirt and dhoti with tion. But after a couple of min- the standard border. He was – MMM for, say, School Education, con‑ instead of being a drab laundry sidering that it is the engine list. March 1-15, 2020 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

send my experiences­ with him separately. After going through the Vertical Horizontal first instalment from Mr. T.S. (In these troubled times, this poem by Geeta is most apt – Gopal’s book, I would like to The Editor) add something as to what hap‑ pened in the meeting when Cho presided. Cho started his speech We Hindus stating that every one in the au‑ wear our stripes and spots dience knew Mr Palkhiwala but on our bodies, foreheads, arms; Setting the record straight was in the playing eleven. At many of them may not know Clearly visible Bombay, Kripal did, in fact, field notice my Nadkarni piece last Cho. It was a great honour for to alert other peoples for England as they did not have him to preside over the meeting. fortnight has drawn a lot of tribes and castes I even eleven players for fielding, Having said that, he shared his comment in the latest issue of but did not take a catch to dis‑ not to bother knocking. MM. However there are factu‑ views expressed by many great miss an Indian batsman. Just to leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, We won’t offer that glass al errors in Mr. Arumugham’s set the record right. letter. The incident that is re‑ Jawaharlal Nehru and others of water. ferred to – about several ­English Partab Ramchand to the effect that private enter players not in a position to take prise should be put down and We Jains The Palkhiwala I Know only public enterprise should be the field because of illness – on the other hand happened in the next test at met Mr. Palkhiwala on quite encouraged. There were many cover our mouths and noses Bombay. He refers to Kripal Ia few occasions to consult puzzled faces in the audience Singh as a substitute fielder him on income tax matters but nobody said anything. After to ward off bird hits, insects which obviously he could not when I was in practice as a waiting for about 30 seconds smells and impious words; have been at Madras since he Chartered Accountant. I shall Cho stated that none of the Remove each body hair great leaders ever said anything from crown and crevice like that. He asked, “Why is it by hand, diligently l Pavithra’s Perspective no one objected to what I stated and did not get up to say, Cho leaving it to others to you are talking drivel?” He ex‑ clean and clear The House where Netaji stayed plained that it is because of the our marbled citadels fact that he is stating something of purity. from the dias. After apologis‑ ing for the demonstration, he said that if educated persons We Muslims like us do not object to such blend and weave ourselves; statements, how can we blame hide our thoughts under the general public consisting of caps of felt or fur many illiterates for believing from the unborn fetuses whatever is stated by politi‑ cians, especially during election of Karakul lambs. time? There was a total silence Take refuge behind word and book; among the audience for a few seconds which was followed by Bend our heads five times a thunderous applause. to touch the ground; Even today after four-­ Wield our piety in black decades politicians do get away on our foreheads, the backs with lot of untruth in their of women. speeches. One of the endearing side-effects of my re-discovery of ­Chennai’s heritage was the many cabbies I befriended, who G.V. Raman We Christians Executive Chairman overrode their skepticism of my history trails to actively become bend the rules; interested in my quests to find this or that unfamiliar site. What Shriram Group usually started out as outraged curiosity (“I have been a driver Taxing times Command others to give up for x years; how can there be a place I do not know?”) often their multi-armed gods his refers to the report Time while we taste the wafer transformed into genuine astonishment (“I never knew this place Tto end the property tax mess existed!”) and later, intrigued conversation. Sometimes, it even (MM, Feb 16-29). of love, drink from his blood; led to them taking over the quest. While it is true that the Making it a civilizational mission Cab Driver: Madam, if you trust me, I will take you to a Greater Chennai Corporation to torch ancient histories and ivoried city walls history place. (GCC) has not revised the holding a Cross that is both property tax for the past 20 Me (tantalized, but also suspicious): Which place is this? vertical and horizontal. Which area? years, it doesn’t mean that it can effect a steep revision. It is Nobody wins. Cab Driver: Surprise, Madam. like force-feeding a person who Note: Inspired by a remark made by a Hindu friend ­explaining had not eaten for days together. I’d already been driving with him for five hours and so trusted how different he was from an equally Hindu friend: “I am No doubt, periodical revision is him – but this was still unknown territory. I gave him the benefit ­vertical. He is horizontal”. must; but to compensate for its of doubt, however, and he proved himself by driving straight to – Geeta Doctor Pycrofts Road in Thiruvallikkeni, stopping in front of an imposing inaction, GCC cannot resort to structure, and pointing with a flourish: “Nethaji stayed in this steep increase. house only.” Whilst on this, besides the any clue about the same. The of relaying the roads is equally general revision in the tax survey was full of errors in that questionable. Most of the apart‑ Eventually, I would discover that Nethaji Subash Chandra ­effected for the period 2018- even the properties occupied by ments in various streets face Bose, invited by Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, did indeed 19, which has since been with‑ owners had been classified as inundation during rainy season stay in this very house named “Gandhi Peak” on September 3, 4 held by the government, a tenanted much to their chagrin, in view of the road level going and 5 in 1939; and that he repeated his stay on January 10 and revision was effected for the and tax revised. Thus, it was a up each time the road is re-laid. 11 in 1940. I also learnt that the building had been marked for period 2017-18, in respect of double whammy for some of the Notwithstanding the reason demolition and that if I needed to record its beautiful symmetry properties which was based property owners. stated as above, no one faults the way I intended, I’d have to do it quickly. Which I did, to great on the usage of the property Though tax is revised to the need to revise. What, how‑ satisfaction. from that of owner-occupied make available various facili‑ ever, is to be noted, is that the Details about the miniature: Black and White; Pen and Ink. to tenanted. The GCC stated ties to the public, in effect, we change effected, should not Dimensions: Approximately: 5.5” X 2.5” that it conducted a survey to don’t get the same. One does make a big dent in the pocket. ascertain the details on a pilot not have to dwell at length as V.S. Jayaraman l Pavithra Srinivasan is a writer, journalist, artist, translator, basis in two zones. It was a to the condition of the storm ­columnist, editor and is fascinated with History. 31, Motilal Street mystery because no owner had water drains. The GCC’s way Chennai 600 017 4 MADRAS MUSINGS March 1-15, 2020 March 1-15, 2020 MADRAS MUSINGS 5

potential for expansion and there was speculation that the others would be closed in its favour, this Rise of early Tamil newspapers through the When Madras clothed being considered even a subject worthy of a backbencher’s ques- tion in the House of Commons. Swadesamitran prism By 1924, this became reality and the Army the Madras unit fell silent. There were frequent talks of its revival he article by Mrinal Chat- were occasions of Tamil edito- but all of it came to nought. Tterjee on Tamil journals in rials of Rangaswami Ayyangar In 1934, the Office of the In- the MM, July 16-31, 2019, which for Swadesamitran appearing mong my favourite research Madras too dates to the same Director of Army Clothing sat an officer of the Army Clothing materials are the old street time. Post the Crown taking and all the locations reported spector General of Prisons shift- made references to Swadesami- in English in . After A ­Department led the raid and ed from Ootacamund to Madras tran, evokes more memories of Rangaswami Ayyangar, the two directories of Madras that is over the administration of India to him. found 20 bales of canvas in a well Chennai. From these you can in the late 1850s, matters appear It is not clear as to when the and was housed in the premises this once-leading newspaper papers assumed their indepen- at the rear of the shop. Earlier in of the Army Clothing Factory, of its time. In a literal sense, dent identities. get a fairly good idea of street to have become more stream- Bombay facility closed but by the the day, a brougham with 88 flan- names, the names of thorough- lined. The city had an Army first decade of the 20th Century, but complaints were rife about Swadesamitran meant ‘Friend of The editorial office and press nel shirts, all with army markings the building and its unsuitability. the Country’. True to its name, were accommodated there. Fi- fares to which they linked up Clothing Department, and as per the Alipore and Madras units (a broad arrow followed by an M and also, if you are really lucky, Standing Information Regarding were the sources of all army The Second World War saw the paper espoused the cause nancially, language papers were for Madras), was stopped near a sharp rise in demand for army of freedom from British Rule. A not doing as well as English the details of some landmark the Official Administration of the clothing and produced around Neil’s Statue and taken to the buildings that stood on them. A Madras Presidency (1877), sup- 40,000 garments per month. clothing and in 1940, the Army pioneer among language news- ones, as the newspaper reading police station opposite Spen- Clothing Factory in Madras was papers, its experiences reflect habit was more prevalent among recent perusal had me scratching plied “the whole of the Madras This was to rise sharply during cer’s. A subsequent stock-taking my head about ACD Street. The Army, European and Native. the First World War, when the reopened. The new facility was at the rise of language journalism the elite who took to papers like at the factory revealed that the the workshops of the Madras and in South India. The Hindu, Madras Mail, Times directory, dating to the 1930s, The material is obtained from two units together, along with shirts were part of a consignment was not very helpful – the street England and is made up under a newer facility inaugurated in Southern Mahratta (M&SM) Swadesamitran was estab- of India and Statesman. The meant for locations in western Railway, , the land lished in 1882, a few years after section that read Tamil papers branched off Mount Road and contract by native workmen.” Shahjahanpur, made available India. terminated in a cul de sac. A It is evident that by this time, over 42 lakh garments and 22 on which the loco works now the likes of Times of India (1861), comprised of housewives and look at Eicher’s Street Directory apart from tendering out much lakh pairs of boots. By then, the During interrogation, Smith stands. This was one of a chain of The Hindu (1878) and Civil & rural families. Those wanting to did not show any such thorough- of its requirements, the cloth- Army Clothing Factory in Ma- confessed that he was hand in several clothing factories, all of Military Gazette (1872) – the read a newspaper had to go to fare. For all practical purposes, I ing department was also into dras had moved out of the Mint glove with some tailors in the them on railway land – the oth- last one was published from the nearest pan shop to pick up a had, like ACD Street, wound up producing garments. The same into newer premises on Mount factory but hesitated in revealing ers being in Agra, Lahore, Delhi, Lahore with Rudyard Kipling copy. As such, there was no mass in a dead end. article noted the extensive use of Road, this shift happening in their names as that would mean Secunderabad and Calcutta. as editor. Swadesamitran was retail distribution as in present exposing “clerks, Muhammadans times. Circulation was limited Not having given up, I looked sewing machines in the premises. 1912. Post the war, all of these were known endearingly as Mitran. and guard peons.” Clearly it was and, consequently, advertising up other sources and soon found By 1879, all three Presidencies The Indian Empire Royal Book closed, the Shahjahanpur unit It was perhaps among the old- quite a long-standing racket income was meagre and financial that ACD stood for Army Cloth- had full-fledged sewing facilities. of that year gives some idea of being the sole survivor and by est vernacular dailies in Asia. viability, fragile. ing Depot. That led me on a then, given the status of an Ord- Mitran was owned, at the time World War II, Independence long trail of when Madras was nance Clothing Factory. In 1961, of our story, by C.R. Srinivasan. and industrial growth brought one of the principal sources for a second such facility was inau- Under him, the paper continued about big changes. The high The entrance to Swadesamitran. supplying army uniforms. The gurated in , Madras­ and the tradition set by earlier illus- tide of this period lifted all boats earliest reference dated to 1809, till date manufactures combat­ trious Editors. The paper was LOST LANDMARKS OF CHENNAI including those of the language when T. Boles, formerly Deputy shirts and jackets, trousers, tents, sought after by Tamils settled Ramaswamy and S. Narasim- and canteen, there was still was fond of saying that newspaper Adjutant General and suspended – SRIRAM V disposable shirts and parachutes. in Ceylon, Malaya and Burma. han, who rose to the position of space that could be rented out. delayed was wastepaper. News in from service for transgressions What of the Mount Road The poet Subramania Bharathy Finance Secretary in the central This space was earmarked on the new age had become a highly unknown, requested that he be premises in the meanwhile? The was sub-editor for the paper for government. When he joined the western side facing Mount perishable commodity. Newspa- allowed to return to England Inspector General of Prisons some time. Mitran, it gave C.R.S the confi- Road. This portion was ideal for per production and distribution dence to invest in modernising glass show cases for the public arrangements had to address the and that “the agency for army The Madras factory was located the organisation of the factory. that had been exposed and the having moved out in the 1940s, In the early days, A. Ran- clothing, for the purpose of com- the building was acquired by the gaswami Ayyangar served as the production and distribution to enjoy window shopping using challenge of delivering news be- in the old Mint Buildings, Black A Superintendent of the rank trial at the Chief Presidency of the paper. Adapting itself the covered walking path. This fore it became stale. pleting the year’s clothing now Town, which is where the Gov- of major was in-charge with an Magistrate’s Court ended in Madras Electric Supply. This the Editor to both The Hindu on hand,” may please be handed became the head office and sur- and Swadesamitran. He can be to new opportunities, Mitran’s space was in a prime location On the production side, the ernment Stationery Press now Assistant Superintendent under conviction, which was upheld daily version provided news of in the city and the glass-front- problem was that Tamil charac- over to his brother, Lt. Boles of functions from, at the northern him. Further down were a Head on appeal by Justice Ayling in the vived into the 1990s when it was recognised in the historic photo the 9th Native Regiment. It is not finally demolished to make way of the Round Table Conference the world, country and prov- ed display cases were ideal for ters had to be hand-composed end of Mint Street. The address Clerk and a Head Accountant High Court of Madras. ince, while the weekly version showcasing electronic items letter by letter for the day’s paper. clear if the authorities acceded is given out rather quaintly as (both Indians), an In-Charge By 1922, the army had four for a brand new (and quite ugly) in London along with Gandhiji, to the request but it appears that office block for the TNEB. It wearing a white turban in the There were far larger number of Late Mint, Black Town, Madras.­ of Supply, an Auditor, a Master clothing factories – Shahjahan- letters in Tamil and many vari- early in the 19th Century, army There was, however, soon talk Tailor, two Assistant Master pur, Alipore (Calcutta), Patna was thanks to this that I discov- south Indian style. A. Rangas- clothing was sub-contracted to ered where the Army Clothing wami Ayyangar and N. Gopal- ants too, in combination with of rationalising the various func- Tailors, an Overseer in charge of and Madras. Of these, the last- vowels. Company officials. Factory once was. It was inside aswami Ayyangar were brothers.  tions of the three Presidency Packing, and Storekeepers. named employed the maximum by N.S. Parthasarathy Proof reading was equally Within a few decades, the a lane that is between Rayala The latter was Diwan of Kashmir armies, an essential step towards It was while at Mount Road numbers – 1,246, as opposed to painful and time consuming. three Presidencies had their Towers and Addison & Co. The and later, a member of the Nehru the formation of a pan-Indian that the factory made it to the Shahjahanpur’s 1,073, the other This long lead in getting the respective army clothing depots factory was therefore on histor- Cabinet handling Kashmir af- force. By the 1880s, efforts in this news for all the wrong reasons. two stations having a payroll at day’s paper ready and into the and from the records, it is pos- ic land- it occupied the space fairs. C.R Srinivasan, who took direction had been stepped up On July 31, 1917, a search was less than 500. However, it was treated readers to short stories, and ‘white goods’ like refrigera- hands of the reader in time sible to glean that the one in between the erstwhile Eastern over Mitran, was their nephew. and the clothing agencies across made at the premises of E.D. clear even then that the Sah- serialised novels, puzzles and tors, electric cookers, ovens and meant that the paper was behind Alipore, Calcutta, was opened and Western Castlets of Thomas Chatterjee says that during C.R. Srinivasan – Proprietor and the three Presidencies were cen- Smith, a tailor doing business on jahanpur unit was the one that Editor, Swadesamitran. women’s sections. Writers and bathroom heaters that were in events and not up to date when in 1852. Probably the facility in Fiott de Havilland, those two the Rangaswami Ayyangar days, tralised. Calcutta was where the Mount Road. Captain Philips, was looked upon as being with music critiques such as Neelam demand among the emerging it was delivered. C.R.S was not structures having given way to Swadesamitran was ‘a Tamil ver- and Sandilyan in Swadesamitran professional class. Mohammed the inventor of the new stream- Rayala Towers and Addisons. It sion of The Hindu’. In those papers. Progression from a small became household names. Ebrahim and Co., who were lined letters with additive signs was therefore on this land that days, papers could not afford the base was overwhelming for lan- Soon after Independence, pioneers in electronic and white for vowelizing consonants, but de Havilland demonstrated the luxury of a network of their own guage papers as compared to Mitran could afford to buy goods, rented out this space for he was the one that found that structural stability of the dome as correspondents in important English papers, that were al- the property on Mount Road several years. Their prominence such an ingenious simplification built by Indians and which tech- centres gathering news. News ready used to a relatively larger that was called Victory House, on the Mount Road made people could be adapted to Lino typing nology he eventually put to use was retailed by Reuters and circulation. Mitran found itself ­perhaps commemorating victory think that they were the owners machines. This measure speeded while building St Andrews Kirk. Press Trust of India to newspa- having to cater, suddenly, to a in World War II. The building of Victory House. up the composing process in Electricity Board Avenue pers, and this centrally-fed news large, news-hungry reading pub- was of an ornate red colour with Acquiring Victory House was line with English papers. There leads to the TNEB (now Tanged- formed the main body of papers. lic comprising industrial workers, arched, pillared frontage cover- made necessary and possible by was hesitation among his senior co) building. This clearly was the As such, the commonness of white collar employees, middle ing the walking path. The built the rising demand for language colleagues who feared that the ACD Street that originally set content was due to the sameness class families, home making area of the building was the vast papers in urban and interior reading public would be put off me off on this trail. And there is of the source, but that did not women and emerging youth. ground floor that extended from areas, and even from Tamil res- by the new forms of characters added proof at the blind end – a make one paper a translation of By then C.R Srinivasan, the front walking promenade on idents in Malaya, Singapore and and would stop buying the paper. lovely army bungalow set in a the other. known as C.R.S, had become Mount Road on the west side to Ceylon. Moving into Victory C.R.S said the paper would per- large garden and occupied by a Each paper established its the Managing Editor, holding Ellis Road on the east side. The House marked the coming of age ish if it stuck to the conventional senior officer. It is most unex- uniqueness with editorials and controlling shares of Mitran. ground floor was so spacious of local language newspapers style if it cannot provide the pected and is a thing of beauty special columns – today, the His son C.S Narasimhan was that after accommodating the playing on even terms with the latest news. in an incongruous setting. But papers also leverage ‘inside news’ a rank-holder with Honours in staff, composing department, English Press. then Chennai is full of surprises gathered by their own corres­ Economics. He kept up with photo studio, printing press, C.R.S realised that news should (To be continued The spelling is enough food for thought but the history of this thoroughfare is even more interesting. like that. pondents. It was said that there brilliant fellow students like V.K. distribution department, store reach people at the soonest and next fortnight) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS March 1-15, 2020 Nani Palkhivala in Madras – IV (Continued from bury as the preferred venue; he usually he would be pestered last fortnight) had grown fond of it lately. The by the passenger sitting next to Institute then decided to hold him. Whether this was a fact or When Palkhivala was the event at Abbotsbury but merely a rumour I do not know, annoyed with me they doubted if the hall would but I wonder if it would be an My recollections of Palkh‑ get filled. The evening of the exaggeration to liken his pop‑ ivala in Madras also include the event arrived, and the crowd ularity to that of a movie star! memory of an exceptional occa‑ overflowed the hall! sion when he was annoyed with A fond personal me. At the first Rajaji Memorial Busy practitioner ­recollection Lecture he delivered under the My recollections of Palkh‑ A fond personal recollection auspices of the Acad‑ ivala also include memories of comes from 1998, when he ac‑ emy, his bio-data was read out his clients trying to meet him ceded to my request and gifted while he was introduced as the for professional advice or assis‑ me the precious eleven volume speaker. It disclosed biograph‑ tance when he visited Madras set of Will and Ariel Durant’s ical information relating to his for giving speeches. He was so celebrated work, The Story of early life which, out of modesty, busy that he would hardly find Civilization, from his collec‑ he preferred not to publicise. time to meet them. He would tion. During our phone con‑ Under the impression that I had also leave immediately for the versation, he apologised with shared all that information with airport after the speech to catch characteristic humility that he the Academy, he was furious the return flight to Bombay. On was unable to write and sign with me. Only when the organ‑ one occasion, a client was insis‑ on each volume. He dictated isers told him that they got it tent because of the urgency in and signed below the following from some other source did his the matter and his local advo‑ words in the first volume called annoyance with me abate. cate sought my help. I informed Palkhivala of the matter and he  The first G.L. Mehta agreed to meet the client at the by ­Memorial Lecture (1975) airport for a few minutes if the T.S. Gopal The Institute for Financial flight was delayed. Fortunately Management and Research for the client, the flight got The Oriental Heritage: L to R: T.S. Gopal Secretary, Forum of Free Enterprise Madras, Nani invited him to deliver the first delayed that day! For, ­Palkhivala and M.R. Pai, Secretary, Forum of Free Enterprise, Bombay. G.L. Mehta Memorial Lecture On another occasion, Palkh‑ Mr. T. S. Gopal, in Madras on 4th January 1975. ivala appeared before a Tribunal In appreciation of your ser- They wanted to hold the event in Madras and, after giving a vices to the Forum of Free Enter- and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam with function ended, I helped him at the Taj hotel and asked me speech at a venue, left for the prise, and to public causes. doctorates for noteworthy con‑ get into the car. The car drove to assist them in making the airport. One of the members tributions in their respective away and I saw him no more. He also arranged to have the necessary arrangements. I en‑ of the Tribunal, who was a per‑ fields. A couple of years later the set packed in a box at his office quired if the public were free to sonal friend of mine, told me, Earlier that day, Palkhivala, sad news of his passing came. in Mumbai and, having paid attend and advised them that if “You may inform Mr. Palkhivala who was suffering from per‑ Today, in Chennai, the Nani for the parcel charges himself, it were otherwise then the Taj informally that he has won the sistent ill-health, felt unsure Palkhivala Foundation and the directed his P.A. to check with might not be the appropriate case and wait for the formal if he would be able to travel Nani Palkhivala Arbitration me if I had received it! venue. They replied that atten‑ communication tomorrow.” I from Mumbai to accept the Centre in Mylapore, and the dance was to be by invitation gave Palkhivala the good news His last visit to Chennai honour. At 2 p.m., I got a call buildings in the Sankara Neth‑ only and they did not expect to at the airport. In a child-like The last time I saw him was from Mumbai that he wanted ralaya campus on College Road, see a large crowd. I conveyed manner he was surprised and to be present at the event and named after him and his wife, this matter to Palkhivala. He happy to hear it. during his last visit to Chennai. That was on 4th February 2000 he would be accompanied by perpetuate his memory. then asked his P.A. to tell the A piece of information that a nurse. I was asked to look organisers that he did not wish made the rounds in those days when he came to Chennai to Conclusion receive the honorary doctor‑ after his needs at the venue. to give the lecture at the Taj was that Air India – Palkhivala The fragrance of the many ate conferred by the Manipal He arrived at the venue ahead because he wanted it to be a was its legal advisor – ensured memories lingers in my mind. It Academy of Higher Education of the scheduled time for the public speech. He preferred to that the seat next to him in a was a pleasure and an honour (MAHE). On that memorable start of the event. His physical address the common citizens of flight in which he was travel‑ to have known him. Although occasion, MAHE honoured condition was in such a poor Madras and not just a few elite ling was left vacant so that he I am reminded of Will Durant’s Palkhivala, C. Subramaniam state that he could barely talk invitees. He suggested Abbots‑ could grab some sleep, because or walk. I took him to the wash words, “with as much modes‑ room. After he had freshened ty as my inherent immodesty up, he was put up for a while in would permit”, I will not dis‑ a small room in the same prem‑ semble the pride of having been Return of digital banners and hoardings soon ises as the auditorium in Bhara‑ associated, though in my own tiya Vidya Bhavan’s Chennai little way, with Palkhivala for (Continued from page 1) was killed when she hit a flex banners were put up. Since then centre, which was the venue. many years. The pleasant ex‑ that the law enforces chose to board. There was a hue and cry you do see the odd hoarding The nurse who had accompa‑ ercise of sharing these recollec‑ turn a blind eye on. This is why on media -social and otherwise. going up – local political bosses nied him made a failed attempt tions had transported me in my most public interest litigations The Government dawdled over have a way with the local police at the last minute to make him mind across a few past decades filed in this matter focused on arresting the offenders and oh, force. Some places more or less wear a tie. We then wheeled to hear his speeches laced with the role of political parties. by the way, these men though have permanent banners as him into the auditorium and mordant wit and sprinkled with The judgement too concerned belonging to the ruling party, well, though these are a lot less. helped him climb the stage. apt quotations and the tumults these. had actually put up a hoarding The latest relaxation, to While encomiums were paid of applause that greeted him But the other offenders in for a family celebration. allow banners for social oc‑ that evening, Palkhivala’s ill‑ whenever he spoke in Madras. this regard are not any less – or‑ Within a month of this hor‑ casions does not augur well. health prevented him from Many times when I felt rem‑ ganisers of weddings, birthdays, rendous occurrence, the Gov‑ Most events of this kind, and properly comprehending them iniscent, I have heard the audio coming-of-age ceremonies and ernment took its first steps in this includes religious ones, or responding. It was sad to see recording of the 1971 speech religious events. They too tend surreptitiously relaxing the ban have political undercurrents that the man who used to move at Bertram Hall. I cannot help to block off road access and put on digital banners. The Prime and so all parties will now take thousands with his speeches feeling nostalgic whenever I walkers and motorists at risk. Minister was coming to Mamal‑ this route to erect banners and had to struggle to move his hear the sound of his voice and In this context it would have lapuram to meet the Chinese hoardings. They will conve‑ limbs and utter the words that Rajaji’s. It is a heart-warming perhaps been better if the court President and the authorities niently take shelter under the did not come out coherently. feeling that many people in order had included these latter appealed to the Court that they so-called non-political nature This tinged the occasion that Chennai associate me with groups as well. That the ban be allowed to put up digital of the event and justify the was otherwise a happy one Palkhivala in their memory. did not have much of an effect banners to welcome the digni‑ usage of banners. Everyone will with melancholy. Many had Money cannot buy but only in reality made itself manifest taries, this being the ‘traditional be happy, all except the actual assembled in that hall with the passion for a cause can bestow in September 2019 when a greeting’ we as Tamils extend users of the road and they don’t fond hope of hearing him but so great an honour. woman riding a two-wheeler visitors. The Court agreed and really matter do they? that was not to be. When the (Concluded)) March 1-15, 2020 MADRAS MUSINGS 7 Profile of an

heila Sri Prakash of Shilpa her second Arangetram when the spacious compound of the SArchitects Planners De‑ she was nine and started giving house, her father gave her per‑ signers is one of India’s leading public performances. She was mission subject to her ensuring . In fact, she is count‑ well on her way to a career in that none of the trees in the ed among the most influential dancing. An offer for a role in compound were felled. female architects in the world a movie as a heroine followed, Sheila says, ‘I accepted the today. She has completed sever‑ which she refused because by challenge. I built four modules al architectural projects, many that time the bug around the trees with total of which are known for their had caught her. Why archi‑ office space of 400 square feet. inspired by local arts, tecture? The cost was only Rs 20,000. culture and heritage. She is also ‘I was good in science sub‑ That effort taught me the im‑ reputed for her work in ‑ jects in Rosary Matriculation portance of working in nature ing energy-efficient buildings. School & during college days. and space. The modules had Interestingly, Sheila almost I found out that Architecture sky lit roofs. I decided not to did not make it to the world of provided an opportunity to emphasise on loud materials in architecture – she was denied combine my creative abilities construction yet achieve aes‑ admission to the Anna Uni‑ with my interest in science and thetics working with tight bud‑ versity School of architecture maths’ she says. gets. The seeds of my passion for Thala aspects in many of the ture art, culture and heritage. in 1972. Armed with excellent So she plunged into the green buildings were probably temples. According to her, the As part of her role at the Forum, marks in the pre-university course with all the commit‑ sown at that time.’ big temple in Tanjore evokes she developed the ‘Reciprocal degree from Stella Maris Col‑ ment she is famous for. Cupid As early as the 1980s, she humility, Konarak temple de‑ Design Index’ that details pa‑ lege, she went to the School intervened when she was in her even experimented with rain picts love and the Anantha‑ rameters and metrics surround‑ of Architecture seeking admis‑ third year in college, where she water harvesting in her com‑ padmanabha Swamy temple in ing sustainable design. sion. A professor in the inter‑ met Sri Prakash, a gentleman pound by embedding stones Trivandrum represents peace Sheila is also the founder view panel, obviously a male three years her senior who was on a sand bed so that the rain and shanthi. of the Reciprocity Foundation chauvinist, told her, ‘You have doing a course in Chemical water could percolate down When I sought clarifications that tries to create awareness at all the qualifications for this Engineering at ACTECH at instead of running away. A about green buildings, she said the grass roots level about the course, but why do you want the same campus. As soon as Sri pioneering effort indeed. In‑ that it involves using natural challenges faced by our planet to deprive a boy from getting Prakash completed his degree terestingly, the idea behind the lighting and renewable ener‑ and humanity. It seeks to build a career?’ Though shocked be‑ and joined L & T as a Man‑ system was made compulsory by gy in designs. Such buildings collaborative and inclusive eco yond words at the gender bias agement trainee, they decided the state of Tamil Nadu in 2003. must have provisions for water system that would lead to sus‑ of the gentleman, her father, to tie the proverbial knot with In 1987, she had the dis‑ conservation and natural light tainability. sources, exploiting the natu‑ an ex-army man who had been full blessings from both sets of tinction of designing homes for Among the several awards ral wind flows, accounting for a great source of support to his parents. Their marriage was economically weaker sections she has won over the years, she sewage treatment, etc. She only child, used his good offices held in 1974 - Prakash was 22 on an invitation from the World considers very prestigious the is proud of the fact that her to secure her admission in the and Sheila was only 18. Bank . She created incremental Lifetime Achievement in the new office located in ‘Muse’ prestigious college. field of Architecture Award in Tiruvanmiyur was one of Again, Architecture was not 2019 by Builders, Archi‑ the two buildings in Chennai her first choice as a career. Her tects and Building Materials given the Platinum rating by first love was classical dancing  by R.V. Rajan (BAM), in association with CII Leadership in Energy & Envi‑ in which she was trained from [email protected] Real Estate & Building Tech‑ ronment designs (LEEDS) in the age of 3. She performed her nology Exhibition. 2012. The other building to get Arangetram at the age of 6 years When I posed the question in Bombay. The chief guest at the same rating that year was ‘While I was willing to give houses which provided shel‑ ITC Grand Chola in Chennai. about the future of Shilpa Ar‑ the Arangetram declared her ‘a up my love for architecture for tered living spaces from day chitects she proudly said, ‘The child prodigy’. It was then that She is a founding member of the my soulmate, it was Sri who one that could be value-added Indian Green Building Council, future is secure in the safe her father decided to shift base insisted that I must finish the in terms of other facilities and hands of my daughter Pavi‑ to Chennai where Sheila could ­Chennai Chapter. course. He was a pillar of sup‑ become permanent homes in Several of her architectural thra.’ With a Bachelor Degree get the best training in dancing. port to me all my life, so much later years. in Architecture from School Her mother was a big force designs can be seen at Mahin‑ so that he gave up a very prom‑ As a talented creative art‑ dra World City (New Chen‑ of Architecture and Planning, behind her foray into dancing ising career at L& T to be with ist, Sheila believes in using and a Masters and other creative pursuits, nai), the Madras Art House me, lending me his shoulder in ­indo-centric arts & crafts in her (Cholamandal Artists’ Village), in Architecture and Urban ensuring that she was trained all my initiatives. I would not designs. Emphasising the im‑ Design from Columbia Univer‑ by the best masters in the art. Kuchipudi Art Academy and have achieved whatever I have portance of space in all her de‑ the railway station. sity. Pavithra is surely a chip off She learnt Kuchipidi, Mohini achieved in life but for Sri and signs, Sheila says, ‘I try to carve the old block. She is as much Attam and Odissi apart from Other recent projects of Shilpa his unflinching faith in me’. out spaces instead of enclosing Architects include the HITEX a multi-dimensional creative playing the Veena and paint‑ Sheila became emotional when everything within the four walls artist/architect as her mother ing. After training under the exhibition center in saying this because she lost her of a room. A client was so im‑ and the South City Township is. Sheila’s son Bhargav has a famous dance maestro Dhanda­ life partner of over 40 years last pressed with the effective use Bachelor’s degree in Mechan‑ yudhapani Pillai, she even had by Larsen & Toubro, an ap‑ year to cancer. of space that I had used in his proximately 4,000-apartment ical Engineering from CEG, ‘By the time I had to face project that he commented, residential township. Another Anna University and a Masters the final exams, I was pregnant. ‘Your spaces dance’. large scale housing project is in Engineering from the Uni‑ Bhargav, my first born, came Sheila tries to integrate the within Mahindra World City as versity of Michigan. He runs a into the world just two days be‑ landscape design into the de‑ well as the upcoming Taj 5-star self-funded and mission-driven fore the final exams. I, however, sign process as a working layer beach resort near startup that has designed and appeared for the exam and just and not a mere cosmetic layer. and the regional headquarters developed ‘Fooya!,’ a mobile managed to pass the exams to Her work in spaciology for the . health-gaming App. Sheila is get my B.Arch degree in 1977. I particularly as it applies to In 2011, she became the first also blessed with three lovely was now ready to start my life as healthcare and the leisure, Indian architect to serve on grand-daughters. an architect’ said Sheila. wellness and hospitality indus‑ the ’s For all her achievements, After spending two years try examines the impact of the Global Agenda Council on De‑ Sheila continues to be a hum‑ with Karpur Associates where built environment upon human sign Innovation, a 16-member ble and lovable human being, she felt constrained, Sheila behaviour.This obsession with team of international experts very popular among family, decided to become an entre‑ spaces also led her to research‑ in design and innovation. She friends and colleagues. I am preneur. was ing temples and how they use served on the World Economic proud of the fact that such an started in 1979 with the of‑ the design to depict different Forum Global Agenda Council internationally reputed archi‑ fice located in her own home moods. Thanks to her back‑ on the role of arts in society, tect designed my small inde‑ at Gandhi Nagar. When she ground in classical dance, she in recognition of her signature pendent home in Chennai, 38 wanted to build her office in explored the Bhava, Raga and works of architecture that fea‑ years ago. 8 MADRAS MUSINGS March 1-15, 2020 Umpire’s given is given

hese days cricket is in the interested. Only, the quality Gaaji was another term in To make an appeal was in and out of the pavilion, was Tair everywhere, all the time. or the class of cricket played most common use then. It is a termed as making a ‘claim’ -- or termed an ‘arubathimoovar’. It It is played throughout the year was much lower. In Madras, term of unknown origin, but its more colourfully as “Howzat is named after a festival cele‑ at the national and interna‑ we had inter-school match‑ meaning was very clear to us. It pannaan” (literally meaning ‘He brated in the Mylapore temple, tional levels in various formats, es conducted by the Madras means a chance to bat or bowl. made a Howzat’). In the small when idols of celebrated saints day and night. It is a constant Schools Athletic Association ‘Batting gaaji’ would be much time matches, a batsman given are carried in palanquins in a presence on our TV screens (MSAA), inter-college match‑ sought after during the evening out on a ‘Howzat’ for lbw would fast moving procession. as live telecasts. On the TV es, inter-university matches, practice sessions, and so had to invariably contest the decision. A shot where the batsman channels, seasoned cricketers league championship matches be apportioned in a fair man‑ The most common excuse giv‑ has a wild swipe at a ball, con‑ of yesteryear such as Sunil (played amongst Madras-based ner among all the aspirants. en by the batsman would be nects, and hits it away for a Gavaskar, Mohinder Amarnath ‘league’ teams), Ranji Trophy ‘Bowling gaaji’ was also in great that there was a ’tip’ – meaning boundary or a sixer, was called and L. Sivaramakrishnan take matches, and the occasional demand, particularly among there was an outer edge or inner a ‘gaadaa’. A habitual gaadaa up the commentary, explaining test match played against a those who imagined themselves edge. But such a batsman who hitter (the way most fast bowl‑ the finer points of the game in visiting team. There were only to be the ‘next Rangachari’. In contested the umpire’s decision ers were) was called a ‘gaadaa flawless English. As a result, two formats of the game – the a match situation, if a batsman would be called a pottai. Any Munusamy’ It was believed that one can hear even grandpas single-inning matches played crossed over with a single off unfair practice was termed the nomenclature was after a and grandmas, who might not in the local tournaments, and the last ball of an over and as ‘pottai adikkaradu’ and was historic marker at the have so much as touched a two-innings matches played at thereby kept the strike, he was looked down upon. In Tamil ground of that name who was a cricket bat or a cricket ball in Ranji Trophy level and above. termed having taken an ‘over slang pottai means a woman; great hitter, and mostly played their lifetime, making learned The audience at these matches gaaji’. and it is a reflection on how gaadaa. A gaadaa hitter was comments on ‘yorkers’, ‘inner varied from a few tens to some things were in our society before on any day preferred by us to a edges’ and ‘fair deliveries’. The tens of thousands, depending the women’s libbers came into slow plodder who blocked and  by rich vocabulary of cricket terms on the level of the game. the picture. blocked. Our favourite shout at G. Ram Mohan has been mastered by the fans. But whatever the lev‑ There were many colourful such a batsman would be “Hit This was not the case in el of cricket or the audience [email protected] terms in use to describe the out or get out!”. Madras during the 1940s, ‘50s strength, the colorful terms exploits of batsmen. Stepping Like cricket fans all over the or even ‘60s. As cricket fans used by the fans to describe The Sanskrit word dhandam out and hitting was described as world, then as now, we rooted of that era hailing from Trip‑ various aspects of the game meaning a stick was, for some ‘yeri adikkaradu’, literally mean‑ for our home teams with great licane, Mylapore, were the same. Some English unknown reason, used by us to ing ‘climb and hit’. Similarly, passion. Our expectations from and , we had words, as I said, were misused. describe poor quality. Continu‑ playing off the back foot was our home-side players were our own rich cricket vocabulary, Fast bowling, for example, was ous poor performances would called ‘jaga vaangi adikkaradu’ always very high. But we were far removed from the official called ‘rude’ bowling. “Rude-aa make us dub a player’s game (‘taking Jaga and hitting’). It well aware of the fact that even version. The terms we used ethinaan” (literal translation as ‘dhanda batting’ or ‘dhanda was apparently derived from the best of players suffered their were either ‘Tamilised’ versions would be ’He mounted in the bowling’. We had our limits of the Hindi word ‘jaga’, meaning bad patches and that cricket is a of English terms, or Anglicized rudest manner’) was how we tolerance for poor performanc‑ ‘space’. Modern day commen‑ game of chances. But that was versions of Tamil terms. There described C.R. Rangachari’s es. Dropping a catch was called tators would convey the same not the way we described it. were also terms that were ex‑ bowling. ‘Ranga’ was our great a ‘kottai’. A ‘dhanda fielder’ of idea by describing the batsman A batsman out for a low score clusively ‘Madras baashai’, not favourite and we paid him the the home team, who ‘kottai as having used the ‘depth’ of would be consoled by being derived from any language, ultimate tribute payable to a vittaan’ (dropped) an easy catch the crease. told ‘After all, cricket is a lucky living or dead. And some terms fast bowler – by describing his of the opposing team batsman, A bump on a batsman’s fore‑ game’. We were also well aware were derived from the creative bowling as “Thottaa sixer, vittaa would be booed right through head, as a result of being hit by of the fact that it is, equally, a misuse of English words, warp‑ bowled” (conveying the idea the match. Even an umpire a short-pitched ball, was called gentlemen’s game. Those who ing their function to convey a that ‘If you as much as snick could be a dhandam. If, in the an urundai – which in Tamil adopted foul, ungentlemanly meaning other than what is in the ball, it will be flung for a opinion of the audience, the means a sphere. Obviously, the practices like questioning an the dictionary. sixer because of the pace. If you umpire had given a wrong deci‑ term originated from the most umpire’s decision would be Quantity-wise, there were don’t play it, woe unto you, you sion in declaring a batsman out, common hemispherical shape firmly told “Umpire’s given is almost an equal number of will be clean bowled’. So much it would be termed a ‘dhanda of such a bump. Wickets falling given”. Even if it be a dhanda cricket matches being played wisdom packed into a couple of out’ and the umpire would be in quick succession, causing as out. during that era to keep the fans phrases!) booed at. it were a ‘procession’ of batsmen

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