Registered with the Reg. No. TN/CH(C)/374/15-17 Registrar of Newspapers Licenced to post without prepayment for under R.N.I. 53640/91 Licence No. TN/PMG(CCR)/WPP-506/12-14 Publication: 15th & 28th of every month Rs. 5 per copy (Annual Subscription: Rs. 100/-) WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS INSIDE • Short ‘N’ Snappy • Besant’s contribution • The Season, 75 years ago • Wall paintings to posters • Beginnings of MATSCIENCE

Vol. XXIV No. 18 MUSINGS January 1-15, 2015

Believe it or not! Madras Landmarks Chennai India’s best city!! – 50 years ago (By The Editor) o those of us who live in tions of the world in which ed well on most counts – bar- TMadras that is Chennai Chennai was the only Indian ring the obvious few where it year in and year out its faults city to be featured. Clearly there needs to do much better – may be many and seemingly is much in Chennai to cherish, cleanliness, housing, and tour- immitigable. But the world but that can be no cause for ist inflow. What is alarming is appears to think differently. A complacency. the way the city has fallen recent scan of Indian cities by The survey spanned 50 cities behind on some of these counts India Today puts Chennai at the of India across eleven within just one year – on hous- top of the chart across various parameters – Economy, Trans- ing it ranks 7, five steps below categories, making it the best port, Public Services, Housing, where it was last year, on clean- city in the country, two years Investment, Education, Hea- liness it does not even make it running. This comes shortly lthcare, Entertainment, Crime to the top ten and as for tourist after a New York Times survey & Safety, Environment and inflow, it has slipped from 2nd of the top 52 tourist destina- Cleanliness. Chennai has scor- position to the 8th. The worst however is the economy growth The way Chennai has fared ranking – it has fallen from 2nd position to 9th. Criteria Rank in 2014 Rank in 2013 Some results are surprising – Overall 1 1 take pedestrian friendliness for instance. The city ranks num- Housing 7 2 ber one, which probably indi- G The year 1887 was a special one for the British empire. The Queen Empress, Transport 1 2 cates how bad other metros are Victoria, was completing fifty years as sovereign and many were the celebrations Education 1 1 on this count. A more careful across the world. In Madras, it was decided that the commemoration would be perusal reveals that this ranking by way of the and the Victoria Technical Institute (VTI). Healthcare 2 3 is biased by a pronouncement of The latter was planned as a body that would promote local arts and crafts and Crime and Safety 4 4 the Corporation which is yet to also include a venue for their exhibition and sale. Public Services 2 4 become reality – building foot- The VTI came into existence thanks to funds collected by the Central Jubilee Entertainment 8 24 paths and exclusive ‘no motor Committee which was in charge of the celebrations. The Government made a vehicle’ zones. To that we matching grant on condition that the President and one-third of the managing Economy 9 2 committee of the Institute ought to be its nominees. This was accepted and the Environment 6 28 (Continued on page 3) VTI was set up in 1887 as a charitable trust. On October 26, 1889, it was registered as a Society. Its councillors immediately began fanning out into the districts of , meeting various craftsmen and convincing them to route their products through the VTI. In addition, scholarships were instituted The Metro Rail again! in the Madras School of Arts (now the College of Arts and Crafts) and lectures were organised on the talents of Indian artisans. As the Government began setting up technical institutes and colleges of arts in other parts of the Presidency, he continuing deep tunnel- the VTI’s importance grew.

Tling work by Chennai Historic G by A Special Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) in Law College Correspondent While the VTI was a success from Day One, its permanent exhibition centre the George Town area has was slow to get off the ground. It was only when Queen Victoria died in 1901 that the idea was revived again. In 1906, the Prince of Wales, later King George claimed yet another heritage building politan Development Authority V, laid its foundation stone inside the Museum complex at . The build- building as its victim – the endangered (CMDA) had made note of this ing, named the Victoria Memorial Hall, designed by Henry Irwin as a scaled historic Law College. A recent and also commented on the down model of the Bulund Durwaza at Fatehpur Sikri, was completed by T. letter from the Public Works proposed alignment of stations Namberumal Chetty in 1909 and the VTI had a home. An account in 1920 has Department addressed to the ing taken concerns regarding heritage seriously while it went with regard to the Law College it that it was the chief attraction in the Pantheon Complex, outshining the mu- Principal of the College has said building. While the latter was seum and the library. that its mean building is now about its work. That the Law College build- taken into consideration and With the coming of World War II, the VTI’s Victoria Memorial Hall was structurally unsafe and poses a changes were made accordingly, grave threat to students and ing has become unsafe has prob- commandeered by the Government and the Institute had to move to a shop on ably taken only the PWD by what was not altered was the Mount Road. Hope Tod, wife of a boxwallah, remembers it to have been a faculty alike. It stated that the position of the barricades. building needs to be vacated surprise. It was evident to any “large, double-fronted shop on Mount Road where 52 different missions of all Work continued nevertheless. denominations sold their wares.” Clearly, given the British administration, prod- immediately. What is of greater layman that this would soon A finial from one of the domes ucts from ecclesiastical missions were what were sold through the VTI. Hope concern is that it has, in the come to pass. As pointed out in this publication over two years fell a year ago. CMRL promptly Tod remembers them to have been “the most beautiful embroidered garments, same letter, accused Metro Rail denied that its work had children’s clothing, luncheon tablemats and so many other items”. authorities of concealing the ago, barricades for CMRL work had come up within five feet of anything to do with this. But When the War ended, the VTI did not want to go back to Egmore. In any damage by means of some short- the latest developments have term plastering work. This has the structure. The Heritage case the Victoria Memorial Hall was found to be in a bad state. The Govern- thrown into doubt the various Conservation Committee claims made by CMRL of hav- (HCC) of the - (Continued on page 4) (Continued on page 3) CMYK 2 January 1-15, 2015 World’s tallest statue The city and sobriety t is the season of celebration of checking out those on a high it all aside before sinking into Iand cheer and everything is faulty to the extreme. What a deep and refreshing sleep. – L&T to undertake other than water is flowing in is the purpose in a whole posse On arrival at Chennai, the idol the city that we all love so of policemen descending on a was woken up by the atten- monumental project much. The police force, whose single vehicle as though it con- dants with the gentleness of task it is to see that the citi- tains a dangerous extremist someone brushing flies off a he Buildings & Factories Island with the mainland along zenry sticks to the safe and armed to his teeth? One man sleeping Venus while the rest TBusiness of L&T Construc- the Narmada River; an internal narrow and does not come to a should do the task but here a including MMM were prodded tion (formerly Madras-based roadway 5 km long; and im- sticky end through wayward strict hierarchy ensures that in the ribs. The star was of driving, has taken upon itself several are provided employ- course the first to leave the air- ECC) has won the prestigious provements to the existing the responsibility of weeding ment – a higher up indicates craft. MMM was not far be- Rs. 2,989 crore order ($487 mil- roads/bridges/culverts connect- out from the roads those who the car to be stopped, the next hind and more or less kept lion) for the design and con- ing the area of Sadhu Island. have made merry rather freely. lower down taps on the win- pace till he came upon a wel- struction of the Statue of Unity The project also provides for an Unfortunately, in its view, The dow, a third explains why the coming party. This group proposed by the Government of administrative and manage- Man from Madras Musings is halt was necessitated and a bowed and scraped to the star Gujarat. The Statue of Unity is ment hub, a conference centre, also one of them. fourth, invariably the junior- who limply handed over pass- a dream project of Prime Minis- and a star hotel. And in this the police force most, receives the full blast of port and other papers before ter (and former Chief Minister S.N. Subrahmanyan, Mem- errs for MMM’s abstemious- the bad breath and at times the being whisked through a spe- of Gujarat) Narendra Modi. ber of the Board and Senior Ex- ness is a byword among those foul language of the driver. All cial doorway no doubt to a who know him well. In fact the while, other vehicles, no waiting limo. this is what keeps MMM from doubt driven by people who are The rest, including MMM, receiving invitations to bottle well above the safe limit, are all were not so fortunate. Every- parties for it is an open secret whizzing by. one was stopped midstride by that the only use that MMM is Moreover, this preliminary a woman wielding what ap- of on such occasions is that of check by blowing is hardly fool- peared at first glance to be a a driver to drop home the more proof; for any drunk can eat gun. Conceive of MMM’s hor- spiritually uplifted among the food filled with onion and gar- ror when this was pressed to attendees. However, the lic and then get behind the his temple. He had just com- gendarmerie does not share wheel. Also the logic on the mended his soul to God when this sentiment. In its jaundiced basis of which cars are stopped the woman released him from view, MMM has the looks of defies any er…logic. Women a vice like grip. It was, she ex- one who on the milk of honey drivers are never questioned. plained rather cursorily, a tem- hath fed and done so rather Men with women and children perature-measuring device to only too well. Perhaps it has to in their car are given the go by. see if MMM was afflicted by do with the way MMM’s eyes MMM is told that those with the dreaded Ebola. She was SHORT ’N’ SNAPPY

are structured or it could have religious symbols on their faces happy she said, to inform to do with his general deport- are also respectfully waved MMM that he was healthy and ment but there it is, the police on. So the next time you want so could he please move on to stops MMM repeatedly and to make merry and still drive finish other formalities. having informed him that it is your vehicle, you know what to Seeing that she had thawed only a random check, asks do. considerably, no doubt on him if he would kindly step realising that MMM was that way. Examining for Ebola Ebola-free, MMM made bold to ask her as to why the star MMM never argues with t was the last thing that The was not subjected to the same the law enforcers. He meekly IMan from Madras Musings test. Pat came the answer that follows and does whatever expected to happen to him. He the personality was a public they tell him to do. The first of is not alluding to Ebola the figure and so could not be sub- these is to blow his breath on dreaded virus but something jected to the kind of tests that to their faces. Here again that he fears even more – being common folk went through. It The 182-metre (597-foot) ecutive Vice-President (Infra- MMM does not complain but away from Chennai during the made MMM wonder if film bronze statue of Sardar structure & Construction), the manner in which the party thick of the music season. But stars were immune to the vi- , first Home said, “Purely from an engineer- at the receiving end shields its it came about and MMM was rus and if the cure to Ebola lay Minister of India, will be built ing and construction perspec- face when MMM breathes out whisked away to foreign and in everyone becoming a mati- on the Sadhu-Bet Island, tive, the Statue of Unity poses what he always considers a extremely cold climes, merci- nee idol. But he chose not to healing zephyr is nothing short fully for a period of just about approximately 3.5 kilometres some unique challenges, and we stop and ponder. Already a of offensive. MMM’s breath is ten days. While returning to his queue was forming behind south of Sardar Sarovar Dam at possess the requisite credentials of the best, nurtured as it is beloved city, MMM had thrust him comprising passengers to Kevadia in the Narmada to construct what will be a through the most superior of into his hands several of the be tested with the laser gun District of Gujarat. Once monument that is sure to evoke toothpastes, brushes, mouth- usual forms that needed to be and he could detect a certain completed, the statue will be nationalistic pride in the heart washes and fresheners. But filled. He then noticed one restlessness in their attitude to the tallest of its kind in the of every Indian.” Turner Con- the police force, as MMM has more – a self-declaration – to MMM’s queries. world. struction, which built the said, shies away in a startled the effect that MMM had not On the flip side, if there is L&T’s assignment will in- world’s tallest skyscraper, Burj fashion. It then invariably travelled to any African coun- an Ebola outbreak in the city, clude design, engineering and Khalifa in Dubai, will act as apologises for having sus- try in the past fortnight and you may know whom to look construction of the statue along consultant to the Gujarat pected MMM of being drunk that he was not coughing, for. and disorderly and waves him having headaches, or suffering with an exhibition centre at its project. (Courtesy: Our Build- on his way. Thus far MMM from a fever. Being of a Tailpiece base; a memorial garden; a de- ing & Construction) has not been asked to blow robustly healthy disposition signer bridge connecting Sadhu – Achal Narayanan into a balloon but in his view (though always believing to the he Man from Madras the day is not far off. contrary), MMM filled in a ‘no’ T Musings takes time off There is much in this to all the clauses. from the usual tailpieces to MADRAS MUSINGS ON THE WEB whole process that is most in- It was while writing all this wish every one of his readers a To reach out to as many readers as possible who share our efficient. Firstly, the spots on the form that MMM noticed happy and healthy new year. keen interest in Madras that is Chennai, and in response to where this rabid dry brigade a fairly well known name from MMM will desist from hoping requests from many well-wishers – especially from outside hangs out are well known. So the Tamil film industry sitting for any major improvements Chennai and abroad who receive their postal copies very late those who imbibe rather freely two seats away in the aircraft. to the city because they may This name, or shall we say, star, not happen, though he lives in – for an online edition. Madras Musings is now on the web at avoid these routes as far as possible on their way home. filled the form in a most per- hope. www. madrasmusings.com Secondly, the modus operandi functory fashion and then kept – MMM THE EDITOR January 1-15, 2015 MADRAS MUSINGS 3 Endangered fishing kuppams of Chennai omething sad is happening in Chennai. Does the Government have a responsibility SAn entire neighborhood has been demol- to assist a folk community – in this case, ished. This is an area approximately as big as 12 sea-fishing people – to continue to exist? If football fields. Thousands of people lived here. Disfiguring walls sustained by RWH that will ‘yes’, how could this be done? Is it being Some residents have been promised they could done? give water security for the fol- hennai is getting increas- reside in flats in the new development, two years Back in 2007, a series of workshops were ingly disfigured with wall lowing reasons: from now. C 1. The soil in Chennai in held regarding a possible ‘Living Museum’ about posters of every hue and dimen- The neighbourhood was/is Ayodhyakuppam the heritage of sea-fishing and sea-travel in the sion splashed all over the city. most parts is favourable for pro- (also known as Ayodhyanagar). This is directly Ayodhyakuppam, Nochchikuppam, or Noch- behind the Slum Clearance Board building on Is there no way the Hon’ble vision of dug wells. I have either chinagar areas. (A ‘Living Museum’ is a retained an existing well or pro- Road, near Vivekananda House, museum in which the objects on display are still courts can suo moto ban them as beside the road that becomes Peter’s Road. they did hoardings? With mu- vided a fresh one in over 150 in everyday use, and the guides in the museum residential complexes all over As has been the case for many years, approxi- include members of the community.) nicipal inaction, the cinema mately 30 fishing boats are at the water’s edge and Chennai’s mad mad Chennai and these are serving at the centre of Marina Beach (opposite These workshops were attended by members Carnatic music-crazy guys are the residents quite well. Ayodhyakuppam). The men who operate these of Chennai’s sea-fishing communities, members having a swell time leaving no 2. Dug wells generally yield boats lived in Ayodhiakuppam. of the World Storytelling Institute, and others, good quality water. Where do they live now? and were hosted by Department of Geography, wall vacant. I thought Prime . Minister Modi’s clean India in- 3. It can be easily charged Just as Ayodhyakuppam is going, so also will cluded everything, not merely with terrace rainwater by sim- go Nochchikuppam, Nochchinagar, Domikup- A set of recommendations that came out of pam, and Srinivasapuram – all the sea-fishing these workshops is at www.storytellinginsti- the litter on the roads and ply connecting all the down- take pipes to the well directly “hamlets”, from the University of Madras tute.org/3.pdf streets. (Chepauk campus), southwards to the Adyar T. Santhanam (in existing buildings also). This As director of the World Storytelling Estuary. Institute, I have worked alongside numerous [email protected] is not only economical but also Already, much of Nochchikuppam is demol- community members on this project, and I very efficient and requires little ished, and four new apartment buildings have (Also see page 6) maintenance. would be happy to share these contacts with arisen in the area. Chennai print and media people. Dug wells best 4. The terrace should be This is a matter that would establish swept clean, once in May and Chennai’s face and soul in the future. Would Dr. Eric Miller he practice of builders in again in September. If any food the “sea-fishing village” aspect of Chennai be Director, World Storytelling Institute TChennai is to fill up any ex- is served on the terrace, the allowed to remain in any way? www.storytellingandvideoconferencing.com isting traditional dug well at a spillage should be immediately site with the debris from the swept up so that it does not end safely. columns and diverting it to The government will do well demolition of the existing build- up in the well. 8. The area of the open another well or a pit reaching to actively encourage the reten- ing and then dig deep borewells. 5. The only long-term main- spaces around the buildings is upto a favourable soil layer. tion of existing wells and urge From my experience over two tenance needed is desilting the often much more than the ter- This water will travel across the provision of new wells. Inciden- decades in providing water well occasionally. race area. The rainwater falling soil to reach the source well and tally, as the well need not be sources (MM, December 1st) in 6. The water quality is im- there flows towards the gate be- in the process get fully cleaned kept open, I have retained sev- the residential complexes built proved by the rainwater. cause of the paving. This can be by the soil. eral existing wells in the stilts by the company of which I was 7. If the water is potable, it easily collected and put into the 9. The pumping cost will be parking area. a part, I can assert that it is in- can be boiled, cooled, filtered soil by providing a shallow lower than what is needed for a Indukanth Ragade deed the traditional dug well through cloth and consumed trench between the gate borewell. ([email protected])

city to canvass investments in lure and the upmarket image of their territories. Chennai is private schools. BELIEVE IT OR NOT clearly in a precarious situation Similarly, Chennai expec- as far as business growth is tedly ranks high on healthcare. (Continued from page 1) other things, “being well complete failure of the State concerned and the sooner There is no denying that we are connected by air” given the Government in building land something is done about it the the medical capital of the coun- would only like to say that if apology of an airport we possess, banks for future use will even- better. try. But what is interesting is wishes were horses beggars is a mystery. tually affect the city and the There are, however, some that Pune has pipped us to the would ride. Yet another simi- That we should have fallen State’s performance and deve- ratings that make you feel post when it comes to being larly biased rating is the one on low on housing was only to be lopment. A related issue is the proud of being a citizen of numero uno. We, however, public services – the city ranks expected. Chennai is now fall in business performance or Chennai. It is a well-known fact rank a close second. second after Mumbai and this is suffering from very high real as the survey has it – economy. that the Corporation has been There is every reason to re- based on several projects estate prices, which are pre- We had carried an article doing some great work in the joice in this high overall rating. announced by the Corporation venting both housing and around six months ago on the area of education, especially But it also means we cannot be but which are yet to take off. industrial investment. In fact, a poor business initiatives of the among the aided schools and complacent, for other cities are And as to how we can rank high related study points out that Government in terms of attract- those that are directly under its fast catching up. Chennai has to on infrastructure with, among high land prices and the ing business investment. This control. Over 150,000 students buck up on several counts and, has resulted in other State are enrolled in 6,594 schools most importantly, translate Governments coming to our spread across the city. Some of several of its plans into reality. CHENNAI HERITAGE them have world-class facilities If that does not happen, next No. 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road but enrolment of students year’s report will not make for , Chennai 600 014 Madras remains a challenge given the good reading. I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / I have just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it Landmarks READABILITY PLEASE hereafter. Dear Readers, G (Continued from page 1) I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Rs. 100 As letters from readers increase, we are receiving more and (Rupees One hundred) payable to CHENNAI HERITAGE, ment then did some renovation and more hand written letters, many of them in a hand so small MADRAS, as subscription to Madras Musings for the year converted it into a National Gallery and illegible or large and scrawled as to be unreadable. Often 2014-15. for Art. The VTI in the meanwhile this leads to our discarding a letter, particularly if some part of G As token of my support for the causes of heritage, environ- purchased 14 grounds of land on it is unreadable. If you wish us to consider your letter for ment and a better city that Madras Musings espouses, I send Mount Road in 1952 and constructed publication, please type it with enough space between lines or Chennai Heritage an additional Rs...... a new showroom on it by 1956. This write it using a medium hand, clearly dotting the ‘i-s’ and cross- (Rupees ...... ) Please keep/put is the one that is shown in today’s pic- me on your mailing list. ture. The VTI continues to perform ing the ‘t-s’. Name : ...... the role for which it was first set up. It Many readers also try to fill every square centimetre of a post- Address: ...... is known for its collection of bronzes, card space, making reading or editing impossible. Please help ...... woodwork, metal work, Tanjore us to consider your letters more favourably by making them paintings and several other traditional more legible for us. All cheques to ‘Chennai Heritage’. DD/Cheque should be sent South Indian artefacts. It also exports – THE EDITOR by Speed Post only. these creations to other countries. 4 MADRAS MUSINGS January 1-15, 2015 January 1-15, 2015 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 ’s Gandhi and The Season, the Theosophists contribution andhiji was only twenty 75 years ago G years old when he met two (Continued from last was named Vasantha Press in her Theosophists. “They talked to me fortnight) memory. about Gita. They were reading he 1939 Season posed a new challenge to the two major sabhas that conducted In 1916, Dr. Annie Besant music and dance programmes in December – the Music Academy and the In- fter the passing away of Sir Edwin Arnold’s The Song T was banned from the Bombay Celestial and invited me to read dian Fine Arts Society (IFAS). With the commencement of World War II, restric- H.S. Olcott in February A Presidency and, in 1917, she was the original with them which I tions were imposed on holding large public meetings in open pandals. The previous 1907, Annie Besant became the interned by the Government of did. It is only after some years year, the two organisations had decided to conduct their conference (morning ses- President of the Theosophical Madras. As soon as she was re- that it became a book of daily sions) jointly and these were held in the garden of the Woodlands Hotel in Society. C. Jinarajadasa states leased, the popular wave of en- reading. The Theosophists also Royapettah. The Academy held its concerts also at the same venue, while the IFAS that she entered the political recommended The Light of Asia thusiasm was such that she was had them at , Armenian Street. In 1939, what with war economies also arena in 1913. She started a by Sir Edwin Arnold and I read it elected the President of Indian being in place, the two sabhas had to come closer – conference and concerts were to It was at the Senate House that the December Music Season of Chennai had its genesis. The Academy weekly newspaper, then in 1914 with even greater interest than I National Congress. “The case for be organised jointly and that meant a new venue, large enough to accommodate sessions, numerous meetings, dance recitals and music performances were held in Senate House. Above, purchased the did the Bhagavad Gita. They took Madras Standard, India” was the presidential ad- members of both sabhas. the 1939 Music Academy conference: Seated 6th from left, Musiri Subramania Iyer, 7th K.V. Krishnaswami a daily and, in August that year, me to Blavatsky Lodge and dress delivered by Annie Besant introduced me to Madame Gokhale Hall, the IFAS venue, was ruled out as it could not accommodate the Iyer, 8th Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhaghavatar, 9th ‘Tiger’ Varadachariar, to be the first head of the changed its name to New India. University’s Department of Indian Music. Standing: 2nd left, Tanjore Vaidyanatha Iyer, 4th Budalur at the 32nd Indian National Blavatsky and Mrs. Besant. They large audience regularly turning out for the Season. It was left to K.V. Krishnaswamy She managed to remove factions Krishnamoorthy Sastrigal, 10th T.L. Venkatarama Iyer, 11th T.V. Subha Rao. Congress held in Calcutta on insisted that I read Madame Iyer, the dynamic president of the Music Academy, to find a way out. As a member in the Indian National Congress December 26, 1917. The 52- Blavatsky’s Key to Theosophy. I The young . of the Syndicate of the Univer- and, in 1916, along with vention at Benares and saw old page address was given under the was advised to join the Society, sity of Madras, he was able to Egmore, and instruments was planned in co- mother, the Junior Maharani diences for over two decades. Lokmanya Tilak, launched the but I politely declined saying that Colonel Olcott with his fine banner of the Home Rule obtain sanction to conduct the George Town. Season tickets at operation with the University of Sethu Parvati Bayi, together with But, with several seniors in ‘All India Home Rule League’. with my meagre knowledge of my during 1915, Gandhiji visited beard.” He goes on, “I worked League. Dr. Besant believed in Season at Senate House. There Rs. 2-As 4 were also made avail- Madras, the Government Orien- Sir C.P. Ramaswami Iyer, who in the field not yet honoured, it was It was Besant who recom- own religion I did not want to Mrs. Besant at Benares and told successfully for Mrs. Besant’s gradual constitutional change were howls of protest when the able for availing of the bus ser- tal Manuscripts Library, Madras, stages graduated from being her felt that Musiri had jumped the mended F.T. Brooks, a Theoso- belong to any religious body,” her that he was aware that she League. Her internment added through dominion status to full announcement was made, for vice. the Sri Venkateswara Oriental Legal Advisor to Constitutional queue. Chembai Vaidyanatha phist, to Motilal Nehru to be tu- wrote Gandhi in his autobiogra- was in delicate health. He said, “I greatly to the excitement of the independence, while M.K. only wanted to pay my respects. I everyone, including Prof. P. Advisor and finally Dewan of the Bhagavatar, who had been per- tor to his son Jawaharlal Nehru phy. Years later, while in intelligentsia and vitalised the Gandhi wanted complete inde- Pretoria, South Africa, Gandhi am thankful that you have been Sambamoorthy, complained state in 1937, was the real power forming from a very young age when he was 11 years old. In pendence immediately. Besant secured the translation of the good enough to receive me in about the poor acoustics in the behind the throne. The lady had and was, therefore, senior in many ways Brooks, for a three- fought for India’s freedom until Upanishads published by the spite of your indifferent health. I great hall of Senate House. The long desired to resurrect and terms of career to even year period, influenced Nehru G by K.V.S. Krishna G her death. She wrote some 300 Theosophical Society. He had will not detain you any longer.” location on South Beach Road by Sriram V. propagate the songs of the com- Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, powerfully. Jawaharlal Nehru books during her lifetime. several friends among the The- In his further campaigns in India, also made it inaccessible to pub- poser-king Swati Tirunal of was most offended. But with his says in his autobiography, “I de- Home Rule movement all over osophists in South Africa with Gandhiji stated that Dr. Besant’s Education remained a major lic transport, especially in the and, in September own disciple Princess Manku cided to join the Theosophical the country.” Jawaharlal Nehru whom he was impressed as most Home Rule agitation touched the focus of the Theosophists. Col. late hours of the evening when 1939, the Swati Tirunal Acad- Tampuran performing, he had Society, although I was only thir- often met J. Krishnamurti, pro- of them were vegetarians. peasants. Olcott initiated the development the second concert would get The Udipi Gopalakrishna Institute, Tirupati, and the Ma- emy of Music was started with no choice but to attend the in- teen then. When I went to ask tege of Annie Besant, whenever On a tour of North India – KVSK of 200 schools and three premier over. There were also no eateries Lunch Home, which functioned dras Government Museum. Prof. Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhaga- auguration. To add insult to in- Father’s permission, he laugh- the opportunity arose, and drew educational institutions in in the vicinity. next to the Academy’s registered P. Sambamoorthy helped in co- vatar as its head. Assisting him jury, Chembai was asked to fe- ingly gave it... As a matter of fact, strength from him for managing Ceylon with 20,000 students and nucleus of the Benares Hindu propagate her methods of educa- But once he had made a deci- office on Thambu Chetty Street, ordinating this activity along was Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, licitate Musiri. In his character- he was an old Theosophist, hav- India. a few schools in India, including University, founded by Madan tion. The best of Theosophical sion, there was no turning back the official caterer for the Sea- with T.V. Subba Rao. The Acad- their main task being the identi- istic fashion the titan from ing joined the TS in its early days Even before she entered the the Olcott School, now called Mohan Malviya. This is now one education was in practice till the for KVK. He, however, did seri- son, set up a kitchen in the gar- emy also put out advertisements fication and collection of Swati Palghat strode to the micro- when Madam Blavatsky was in political arena, she established in the Olcott Memorial School. of the biggest residential univer- school moved out of Damodar ously address all issues. Cloth dens of Senate House to take care requesting private collectors to Tirunal’s songs, popularising the phone and said that he was de- India. So I became a member of 1909 a printing press just outside Annie Besant established the sities in India with over 27,000 Gardens to Tiruvanmiyur. ‘The canopies and hangings were de- of nourishment. This marked the come forward and participate in singing of those that already had lighted that the Music Academy the TS at thirteen and Mrs. the TS compound with equip- Central Hindu College at Bena- students. Besant also founded School’ of the Krishnamurti signed, stitched and put up beginning of the canteen culture, the exhibition. tunes, setting to tune the songs had chosen Musiri to preside. He Besant herself performed the cer- ment brought from England to res, appointing G.S. Arundale as the Besant Theosophical College Foundation is now in Damodar which, together with loudspeak- which is such an integral part of This was also the conference for which only lyrics were avail- then went on to say that it was emony of initiation. I was print New India. She bequeathed its Principal. This became the on July 19, 1915 at Madanapalle. Gardens as the T.S. has leased it ers, ensured that the music was the Season today. where Travancore royalty took a able and, finally, ensuring that his earnest wish that the Acad- thrilled. I attended the TS con- the press to the Society, and it She also approved the shifting of to them for 15 years. heard well at the farthest ends of As an additional attraction personal interest. The regency of musicians featured them regu- emy invite Musiri to preside over the National School, , to In 1886, Col. Olcott founded the great hall. As for transport, and taking advantage of the vast Sethu Lakshmi Bayi had ended larly in concerts. The Music the conference every year from Madanapalle by J. Krishnamurti, the Adyar Library, which now special bus arrangements were amount of space that Senate in 1931 and her nephew, Chitra Academy was happy to help and then on! Chembai was slated to and the renaming of it the Rishi has 250,000 printed volumes and made connecting Senate House House offered, an exhibition of Tirunal Balarama Varma, had decided to dedicate December sing on the 25th and it is not The Metro Rail again! Valley School. When Besant 20,000 palm leaf manuscripts with , , music works, manuscripts and taken over as the Maharaja. His 29, 1939 to the “rendering and clear if he did. But what we do died in 1933, the Besant Memo- and receives 225 journals from exposition of the compositions of know is that he refused to have (Continued from page 1) core of the building with cement The problem is that CMRL rial School was founded by G.S. several countries. It is now a re- the late Maharajah Swati anything to do with the Music plaster. It has said that this kind has not taken into confidence Arundale in her memory. Later, search centre for Ph.D. students Tirunal by the musicians Academy from then on till 1945 proven beyond doubt that the of slapdash work does not ben- any qualified conservation spe- Arundale requested Maria of the University of Madras in present.” or so when, through the inter- deep tunnelling work has been efit anyone, as new cracks are cialist when it came to problems Montessori, the Italian educa- Sanskrit and Indology. The conference, it was an- vention of admirers, he relented steadily weakening the building. bound to appear if the exact ex- of this kind. The PWD too is no tionist, to come to India and (Concluded) nounced on October 24th, and returned. The PWD letter, which it has tent of damage is not assessed. expert on such matters. And as would be inaugurated by Sir R.K. Musiri inadvertently gave rise put together after a joint study Matters rest here for the time for the HCC, while its involve- Shanmukham Chetti. The to a minor controversy himself along with the HCC, has noted being, with the onus now being ment in the present problem is OUR ADDRESSES Cochin Royal Family, whose when he was reported to have that the roof has cracks on a on the College to find new pre- commendable, it is too slow and For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, non-receipt of receipts Dewan Sir Shanmukham was, said in his presidential address north-south alignment which it mises, which is not going to be bureaucratic to do anything also took an interest in the con- that the divide between the attributes to vibrations caused by easy. much beyond writing reports and etc.: CHENNAI HERITAGE, 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, ference. The inaugural concert North and South Indian music drilling. It has expressed concern The CMRL in its defence has filing them. There are, of course, Royapettah, Chennai 14. was to be performed by Princess systems was inappropriate and over how such thick “jally lime said that it has been keeping a no heritage laws to protect such Madras Musings now has its own email ID. Letters to the editor can be Manku Tampuran of Cochin. It that a synthesis between the two concrete” could break up this watch on heritage buildings buildings. sent via email to [email protected]. Those who wish to inti- was the first time that a woman must be arrived at. This was se- way. It has also pointed out that along its routes and has been tak- With this, the Law College mate change of address can also do so provided the subscription num- of royal blood was performing a verely criticised and Musiri had several arches and key stones ing up repair activities as and structure joins a long list of music concert in public and this to issue a clarification that what have shifted from their original when needed. It cites the ‘resto- ‘structurally unstable buildings ber is quoted. For non-receipt of copies, change of address, and all other generated great interest. he had meant was that the sys- positions, thereby making the ration’ it has done at the two that await restoration’. The oth- circulation matters: Madras Musings, C/o Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. The choice of musician for tems must co-exist in a spirit of entire building unstable. The Broadway churches – the CSI ers include the National Gallery, Ltd., 122, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. On editorial matters: The presiding over the conference, mutual cooperation. PWD has expressed its inability Tucker and the Arcot Lutheran the Bharat Insurance Building, Editor, Madras Musings, No. 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, however, raised a few eyebrows In keeping with its efforts to to assess the exact nature of – that it undertook following re- the Gokhale Hall, Palace Royapettah, Chennai 600 014. and hackles. Musiri Subramania propagate dance, the Season’s damage as the building is in oc- ports of cracks and water seep- and the Madrasa-e-Azam. None Iyer at the age of 39, it was felt, schedule had three performances No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters received will be sent cupation and has called for va- age after tunnelling work in that of these has seen any restoration was too young for the job, though featuring Lakshmi Sastri, cating the premises immediately. area. But if that restoration was activity by its owners and, if any- from these addresses every couple of days to the persons concerned and none could deny that he was top Kalanidhi Ganapathy and T. What follows in the report is nothing more than covering the thing, these edifices have only you will get an answer from them to your queries reasonably quickly. draw as far as popularity was con- Balasaraswati. A new introduc- even worse. The PWD has ac- cracks with cement, as has hap- weakened further with passage of Strange as it may seem, if you adopt the ësnail mailí approach, we will be cerned. He had a unique style of tion by the Music Academy that cused CMRL of attempting to pened in the case of the Law Col- time. Will that be the fate of the able to help you faster and disappoint you less. slow emotive music which, com- year was the duo of Alathur hide the extent of damage by lege building, it may not serve Law College building also? ñ THE EDITOR bined with his unusually high- Brothers. (Courtesy: Sruti) concealing several cracks in the any purpose. The Senate House interior as it was in the 1920s and 1930s. pitched voice, had electrified au- 6 MADRAS MUSINGS January 1-15, 2015

f you can paint or draw, are the men and women who head Iartistically inclined and these organisations to say OK would enjoy the idea of adding From wall paintings takes ages. colour to a few walls in the Chennai Corporation, under public spaces in our city, you a different regime, signed up may want to consider applying commercial artists to colour for a community project that to posters again some public walls. The visuals Max Mueller Bhavan is floating may have been like those on in our city in January 2015. leader Prabhakaran, and one- Beach Road and the home of their fat on the beach. Some tableaux at 1-Day parades but There are people who enjoy line promotions of local magi- late dance-teacher Chandra- have complained to the local they did bring some colour. A what is pasted or scrawled on cians you may want to hire for lekha. It is now a performance police. But the wall space re- new regime cleansed that small public walls and those who your kid’s birthday party on space. mains vibrant. effort. decry the vandalism. your terrace. The wall space here is used An attempt was made in the Hopefully, the renewed In many ways, the walls These walls are like tree for all sorts of purposes – to pro- past to bring colour and creativ- effort makes some impact. And along our roads and streets pro- trunks – there to allow life to test construction on the Marina ity to the massive swathes of gets a life of its own. beach side, to raise support for mortar of our MRTS rail sta- vide spaces where creativity take seed, grow and flower. If you want to take a look at a campaign to end encroach- tions. The idea died. flourishes. These are posters for When the acts exceed the lim- the current project, check ments in Guindy Forest, to re- Our MRTS and Metro sta- cinemas and political rallies, its, they need to be checked. www.goethe.de/chennai – call the Bhopal gas tragedy... tions provide space to allow citi- posters for the dead and of sex A wall space that witnesses a (Courtesy: Mylapore Times) doctors, graffiti for Left rallies lot of activity is the wall of On some occasions, the images zens to get involved. To unleash and for eulogising slain LTTE Spaces, the first house on Elliot’s have upset people who shed their creative juices. But getting – Vincent D’Souza

n the early 1950s, college their emergence from their Iyouths were fully charged burrows only at night. True to with an incredible enthusiasm By moonlight to our Panchathanthra stories, the for nationalism and sought to hunting trick of these jackals is explore rural areas and to inter- to poke a tail into a crab- act with the rural people in burrow, provoking a crab to order to include them in the by boat grab it, whereupon the crab is exciting developmental pulled out by the trickster jackal processes that were expected to conda kingdoms – and of the pooja marked by lighting cam- ate a cultural exchange by for a delicious midnight meal. take place after Independence. Western cultures of the Portu- phor and breaking a coconut, teaching their melancholic The tiny Fiddler (Dhoby) For the students of the Zoology guese, Dutch and the English, the boat started off, punted by boat-songs to the students, and Crabs were darting up and Department of the Madras each leaving its cultural foot- poles across the deep waters of the reward that the boatmen down the tide, dancing for a Christian College in Tamba- prints on Pulicat’s sands and on the 400 metres wide got from the students was Gold mate as well as for catching ram, the target ecosystem, along the lifestyles of its fisherfolk. Creek (Korttaliyar Estuary), to Flake cigarettes, a rare luxury their prey. Small Pony Tail or with its poor communities, for Despite the fact that Pulicat reach the in for beedi-smokers. Silver Belly fish were attracted such participatory national town was a flourishing interna- the north within ten minutes, As for the study part of our by the petromax light and leapt development projects, was the tional sea-port during the thereafter to be dragged by tour, we first stopped by the into our boat, only to be put 6500 years old Pulicat Lake, its Dutch days (17th Century), aerial roots of the mangrove back into the water. Lonely 50,000 fisherfolk, and the an- there was no good road between Avicennia, where that endan- birds, like the grey heron, night cient town of Pulicat itself. Pulicat and Madras until 1957, gered fish, the mud-skippers, heron, and egrets, stood on one with the result that even ten G Dr. P.J. Pulicat Lake is the second were hopping about on the leg in the moonlit waters, years after Independence, we largest lagoon in India, with 65 Sanjeeva Raj mud-flats at low-tide, foraging waiting patiently for an unwary had to travel between Madras fishing hamlets (kuppams) ([email protected]) for food as well as chasing their fish or prawn. The monotony of and Pulicat by country boats nestling all around it. In them mates. Further up the canal, the the cicada-song was interrupted from Ennore using the Buckin- live the Pattinavar community expansive but desolate wilder- by the occasional screeches of gham (East Coast) Canal. An people, traditional fisherfolk, ness on the inland bund was the night jar or an owlet from Ennore-built wooden boat with who descended from the anci- ropes from the canal bunds for betrayed by the distant but in- the scrub. ent Sangam Age (200 BCE-200 a wooden roof, which could the rest of the cruise. cessant chirping cicadas, insects The approach of the canal- CE). Their primitive craft carry about 20 passengers, The women students pre- that have attracted the atten- side hamlets and their tea stalls (thoni/padagu) and a variety of would be dragged with coir ferred to sleep on the lower tion of poets, philosophers and was announced by packs of vil- cotton fibre gear enabled them ropes from the canal bunds or, deck, but the men students and scientists of all ages. lage dogs with furious, non-stop to bring in prized catches of in deeper water, steered with staff were up on the roof with barkings, even frightening the delicious prawn and mud crab long casuarina poles. The students were amused the petromax light, playing card to learn that it is only the male students from alighting from the (Pazhaverkad nandu). Many years ago one day, games, word-building and sing- cicadas that can chirp or sing; boat for their long-awaited tea, around 8 p.m. after supper, we Pulicat town itself is a uni- ing, right up to 2 a.m. The girls as the Greek philosopher-poet cigarettes, murukku and open- boarded the boat at Kathivak- que, multicultural melting pot could not get even a wink of Xenarchus observed, happy are air urinals. The students were kam jetty in Ennore. With us of eastern cultures – of the sleep, not only because of the the cicadas, for they have voiceless also nervous, as they had been were our bags, scientific Chola, Vijayanagara and Gol- merry-making on the roof but wives! Closer to the canal bunds warned earlier, about stepping supplies and a petromax light. also because of the hordes of were packs of jackals, howling carelessly on to the floating al- The students also carried their Our Quiz master V.V. bed-bugs, boat-lice and even or wailing, hunting along the gal mats in coastal waters, un- Ramanan is on a busman’s guitars, mouth-organs, flutes, cockroaches crawling all over water-edge for the huge, weird- der which the dog-faced water holiday. His coloum will drums, box cameras and snacks, the boat. Pulling or punting the looking “Devil Crabs” (Peyi resume on his return. but no books! After the usual boat, the boatmen would initi- nandu), so called because of (Continued on page 8) January 1-15, 2015 MADRAS MUSINGS 7

G NOSTALGIA The beginnings of MATSCIENCE

– on January 3, 1962 Once the Rangoon High Court.

he story of the creation of attended Law College and se- While there, his professor, M.S. G Yangon Heritage Trust cries, TMATSCIENCE, The Insti- cured a Gold Medal in Hindu Bartlett, communicated his ini- tute of Mathematical Sciences, Law. While Father was a stu- tial paper on product densities like many in Madras... is an exciting saga not just in dent at Presidency College in to the Proceedings of the Cam- Indian science, but in the world the BSc honours course, he bridge Philosophical Society. of science. The Insitute was a heard a lecture by Homi Bhabha’s paper appeared in the direct consequence of the Bhabha in 1943 on Meson same month in the Proceedings Save those efforts of Professor Alladi Theory. That lecture inspired of the Royal Society. Thus it Ramakrishnan, who conducted him. My grandmother, Lady was a positive ending for Rama- a Theoretical Physics Seminar Venkalakshmi, convinced krishnan with regard to the in his home Ekamra Nivas in Grandfather to allow my father timely publication of his impor- buildings Madras during 1959-61. Several to pursue a career of his choice. tant work in a major journal. eminent scientists and math- n Myanmar (formerly Burma) there is a race on to salvage once-grand colonial buildings – banks flanked by Corinthian ematicians spoke at the semi- I G The story of the birth of MATSCIENCE, The pillars, courthouses adorned with limestone lions, and shipping nar. They included Niels Bohr, Institute of Mathematical Sciences, is an headquarters decorated with dark wood and brass fixtures – Abdus Salam, Donald Glaser, exciting saga in the world of science. This before they collapse of decay. Marshall Stone, and Laurent series by KRISHNASWAMI ALLADI “The conservation of the buildings, laid out on a grid of broad Schwartz. describes the efforts of his father, Professor avenues designed by British engineers, would make the city a Nobel Laureate Niels Bohr, Alladi Ramakrishnan, and the role of his star attraction of Southeast Asia,” says Thant Myint-U, the head who was visiting India as the Theoretical Physics Seminar in the creation of the Yangon Heritage Trust. guest of Prime Minister Nehru of this Institute in Madras on January 3, 1962. “The future is all about cities,” adds Thant Myint-U, who is in 1960, was so impressed that As a background, certain important events trying to convince the government that the old has value and he expressed his admiration for in the scientific career of Ramakrishnan, must be preserved. “Having a beautiful downtown will bring investment and give us an advantage over cities like Chennai the seminar at a press confer- starting from 1947, are described since they and Kuala Lumpur.” ence. This attracted the atten- served as a motivating force for this famous seminar. During the colonial period, Rangoon served as the capital of tion of the Prime Minister who, Burma. The city had its own particular ethos. In 2005, the at the urging of the Madras government moved from Yangon (formerly Rangoon) to a new Minister of Education, C. capital, Naypyidaw, leaving empty many buildings that had at In 1947, Ramakrishnan met Subramaniam, agreed to meet Even though Father left the least been occupied, if not maintained. Prof. Ramakrishnan and his stu- Homi Bhabha at a dinner in Tata Institute due to lack of dents on December 8, 1961 at Delhi. He told Bhabha how that recognition of his work, he the Raj Bhavan in Madras. At lecture in 1943 inspired him. never expressed anger against G Excerpted from an article by JANE PERLEZ that that meeting, when the Prime Bhabha then suggested that he Bhabha by criticising him in appeared in The New York Times last December. Minister asked Prof. Rama- join him in Bangalore to work public or in writing. On the with him. contrary, he admired Bhabha krishnan what he wanted, he Among the abandoned structures, the Secretariat, a vast said that he desired an institute Homi Bhabha, after he had for his brilliance and charisma and, even after leaving the Tata Victorian-era complex arranged around lush gardens that had modelled along the lines of the returned to India from England served as the heart of the government, fell on hard times. The Institute, he maintained good Institute for Advanced Study in in 1943, had set up a modest red domed buildings now need an estimated $100 million in Princeton. Subramaniam was Cosmic Ray Unit at the Indian relations with his teacher. repairs. able to persuade Prime Minister Institute of Science in Banga- While doing his PhD in The Yangon Heritage Trust has won some victories. The Nehru to agree to the creation lore. Soon after, Bhabha moved Manchester, Ramakrishnan at- group objected to plans for a major new building of more than in Madras of a new institute for to Bombay where, with the ini- tended several conferences and 20 stories in the historic downtown area. The government ruled advanced research in the math- tial support of the Tata family, visited other universities in the in favour of the Trust, and now there is an informal agreement that new structures downtown will not rise higher than six ematical sciences. Thus, within he started the Tata Insitute of United Kingdom. Of note was Fundamental Research. Rama- the Conference on Modern stories. a matter of weeks, MAT- There is, however, no legal framework for protection of the SCIENCE was inaugurated on krishnan moved to Bombay to Physics in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the winter of 1949, where he buildings, and no discussion on how to protect the people who January 3, 1962 with Prof. work with Bhabha as one of the have been living in hallways, towers and hidden backrooms (of met Nobel Laureates Niels Ramakrishnan as the Director, first members of the Tata Insti- such buildings). The Trust hopes to change that with a master a position he held for 21 years tute. When Bhabha ap- Bohr, Werner Heisenberg, and plan that would sort out legal ownership, designate renovation until his retirement in 1983. proached a problem from a par- Max Born. This resulted in an projects, and deal with traffic and sanitation by the end of 2015, Today, the Institute has estab- ticular angle, Father approachd invitation to visit the Bohr said Thant Myint-U, the grandson of the former United Nations lished itself as one of the major the problem very differently and Institute in Copenhagen and Secretary-General, U Thant, and a historian who has written research centres not just in provided a simpler solution. Universities in Sweden and books on Myanmar. At the heart of the plan will be the idea that downtown India but in the world. Bhabha preferred to pursue his Norway. Many of the contacts approach, and so Ramakrish- made during his stay in Europe Yangon should retain its vibrancy, rather than become another * * * sanitised zone that appeals to well-to-do tourists impressed by nan decided to leave the Tata were crucial in his career, and My grandfather, Sir Alladi some of these scientists were to expensive hotels and tony cafes, Thant Myint-U said. To Institute to seek recognition of preserve a sense of authenticity, he said, there will be efforts to Krishnaswami Iyer, was one of visit him in Madras in later his work elsewhere. He re- keep residents in some of the buildings, perhaps with subsidised the greatest lawyers of India. He turned to Madras and decided years and lecture at his Theo- rents, and to limit the number of big, impersonal international was a member of the Drafting to go to England to complete his retical Physics Seminar. hotels that attract foreign visitors but are off-limits to most Committee of the Indian Con- PhD. * * * locals. stitution. His eminence influ- He was welcomed by the On the way back to India in The distinctive charm of the teetering colonial-era buildings enced many family members to 1951. Mother spent a few weeks lies in the street life around them: the bookstalls along Pansodan take to law. In particular, after University of Manchester in 1949 where he was to spend two in Switzerland. In Geneva, my father obtained a BSc (Continued on page 8) honours degree in Physics, he years and get his doctorate. (Continued on page 8) 8 MADRAS MUSINGS January 1-15, 2015 By moonlight The beginnings of to Pulicat MATSCIENCE by boat (Continued from page 7) many more students in the MSc Physics course at the University (Continued from page 6) Ramakrishnan met Sir A. L. of Madras approached Rama- Till January 20: Exhibition by Arts Mudaliar, the Vice-Chancellor krishnan to do their PhD under snake and the still more danger- Management Students on of Madras University. Sir his guidance. ous stinging canine cat-fish eel Temples of South India (at Lakshmanaswami told him that DakshinaChitra). In 1953, Ramakrishnan re- (thelimeen) would be lurking. the University was starting a Till January 31: Exhibition of ceived an invitation to spend a Department of Physics and that After tea, the Sri Lankan paintings and drawings by G. few months as a visiting scien- he could apply for a position students broke into the popular Ramana. His style is distinct, tist at the University of Sydney there. He was offered a Read- baila dance accompanied by vi- mostly depicting rural folk or in the rapidly growing Physics musicians and all aspects cel- ership (= Associate Professor) brant songs, rhythmic instru- Department there. In Sydney, ebrating life. His black and white in Physics in 1952. The position ments and clapping and yelling he gave a series of lectures, the drawings are well known for their of Professor of Physics was oc- by all, with the villagers also, notes of which became the ba- strength and simplicity and his cupied by G. N. Ramachan- young and old, joining in the sis of his famous article on this paintings have few primary dran, who was leading a energetic dance. topic in the Handbush der Physik colours filling in complicated and programme on crystallography defined lines filling every bit of a few years later. Before long, we got under- in the Department. On joining the canvas (at DakshinaChitra). While in Australia, he spent way again and the exhausted the University, Ramakrishnan some time with the famous students fell asleep, mindless of Till January 20: Exhibition on began a series of lectures on January 7-12: Goravara Kunitha physicist Sir Mark Oliphant, a comfort, as the boat gently Forms and Meaning in a Hindu peformance by Puttamalle Methods of Mathematical former associate of Lord Ruth- drifted with the tides. Temple by Arts Management Gowda from Karnataka. Physics. Two MSc students who Students (at DakshinaChitra). erford. When Oliphant said January 21-26: Ottan Thullal per- attended his lectures, P. M. As dawn broke, the boatmen that he was planning to visit In- Till March 30: Exhibition of formance by Souparnika insti- Mathews and S. K. Srinivasan, shouted us awake and we sight- dia under the auspices of the photographs by Anirudh Gana- tute of Performing Arts, Kerala. later became the first two of his ed our destination, the Pazha- Royal Society, Ramakrishnan pathy (at DakshinaChitra). January 28-February 1: Tamil PhD students. verkadu lighthouse, beaming invited him to deliver the Ru- Nadu folk performance by For nearly a decade after his rhythmically onto the silhouet- * * * therford Memorial Lecture at Mohanam Cultural Centre, return from England, Rama- tes of the Dutch relics. And Pondichery. the University of Madras. VILLAGE FESTIVAL krishnan, by himself and with soon it was down to work. at DakshinaChitra January 13-20: Pongal Festival his students, continued to work (To be continued) Till January 6: Bonalu dance featuring myilattam, poikal by Vadappelley Srinivas kudhirai and karagam by Raju at the University of Madras on from Andhra Pradesh. and troupe of Grammiya Kalai extensions of the theory of Kuzhu. product densities and its appli- Save those buildings January 7-March 31: Mela for cations to cascade theory in school children. Physics, fluctuation problems in (Continued from page 7) January 17-18: Street food and astrophysics, and to bio- Street with paperbacks laid out on the sidewalk and vendors Garden Show with a variety of sciences. During 1952-57, he overseeing their wares from little plastic stools; the makeshift delicacies from all over India. published seven papers in the food booths selling small snakes in screw-top jars, watermelons You will also get to see rare genre Astrophysical Journal (by himself the size of several footballs, bright orange papayas and emerald of plants in the garden show. At and with his students Mathews, green limes. Dakshina Chitra Srinivasan and Vasudevan), all In the parts of the city outside the historic zone, the skyline * * * communicated to that great as- has changed little, though life has become more hectic after de- trophysicist Chandrasekhar cades of somnolence under the military dictatorship. Migrants WORKSHOPS (University of Chicago), who from the countryside squeeze into crowded apartments; hun- Children’s dreds of thousands more cars, a product of the growing was the Editor. S.K. Srinivasan January 31: Tie and Dye on T-shirt economy, create some of the worst gridlock in Southeast Asia. subsequently joined the Math- Some historic buildings have been demolished, including the Adult ematics Department at IIT Ma- grandiose 1895 Government House resplendent with turrets and January 10-11: Crochet work dras after his PhD and rose to gables, and the house where the Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, be its Head. lived in the late 1920s as his country’s Consul. January 24: Kalamkari Block Over the next few years,

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PublishedPublished by S. Muthiahby S. Muthiahfor ëChennai for ëChennaiHeritageí, No. Heritageí, 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.