Registered with the Reg. No. TN/CH(C)/374/15-17 Registrar of Newspapers Licenced to post without prepayment for India under R.N.I. 53640/91 Licence No. TN/PMG(CCR)/WPP-506/15-17 Publication: 15th & 28th of every month Rs. 5 per copy (Annual Subscription: Rs. 100/-) WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS CHENNAI INSIDE • Short ‘N’ Snappy • Karthik and CGK • The Subbudu story • The Academy’s rival • A Season of frenzy
Vol. XXVII No. 18 MUSINGS January 1-15, 2018 Will appreciation of this be taught in syllabus... Humanities still get short shrift (By Our Education Correspondent) Painted Stork (above), Cormorants (below left) and Pelicans (below right) arrive for the Season at Sholinganallur marshland. tatistical indicators of the Sphysical and quantitative aspects of the education system show Tamil Nadu in good light in comparison with other States. Sufficiency of infrastruc- ture, however, does not by itself ensure efficacy. Syllabus content and teaching method- ologies produce the final im- pact. The growing number of (Continued on page 10) ... as well as how to care for this ? Whither heritage conservation? (By The Editor) 017 is drawing to a close. the Chepauk Palace campus, a 2We must be thankful that section of the Government no major heritage structure Press located in George Town, caught fire or mysteriously col- and the office of the Deputy lapsed this year. What was on Inspector General, Registration the verge of collapse in Decem- Department. All three struc- ber 2016 remains in the same tures are now in a state of ruin state a year later. But we have and the Government has had acts of wanton demolition, announced that it is allocating as happened with Binny’s head funds for their restoration. The office. But there is a glimmer of projects, it is understood, may hope and this has manifested take over three years before itself by way of a Government they reach completion. announcement, earlier this This is, however, the same month. And so we end 2017 on Government that suddenly an- a positive note. nounced that at Madrasa-e- Apparently, there is now a Azam would make way for a Building Centre and Conserva- wedding hall, thereby clearly tion Department within the indicating it has no consistent Public Works Department. policy when it comes to heritage And this entity has been en- conservation. It also established trusted the task of restoring one fact – any act of protection three heritage structures in the city – the Humayun Mahal in (Continued on page 2) The rusted Munro statue (see page 3). All pictures by Shantanu Krishnan. CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS January 1-15, 2018
Whither Once upon a glorious hall heritage? espite having the reputa- Inside were a set of other bore fruit and the monsoons Dtion of having been to all invitees, all of them with a left after giving us only a (Continued from page 1) there is clear evidence that a nooks and crannies of our city, resigned air that suggested that portion of their promised The Man from Madras they had been around since bounty. For people like The private entity or a quasi govern- or, conversely, demolition, de- Musings, who was once fa- time began. When MMM en- Man from Madras Musings mental body (like LIC) can get mously introduced as a street- tered they all looked up with who rejoice in the rain, this pends of the man/woman on the away with whatever it wants to spot – be it a minister or a bu- walker of the city, had some- hope as if expecting a rescue was a disappointment. And do. When the Government can how never been to the famed party and when they realised it now Chennai has settled down reaucrat. If the person favours on occasion protect buildings auditorium named after the was only MMM they all went to its winter, which is around protection, the structure will be that it owns, why cannot it Congress stalwart and Chief back to staring at the ceiling. one week of mild weather fol- protected. If not, no. Madrasa- make the private sector do so? Minister who put our State on The only animated personality lowed by a couple of months e-Azam has, however, tempo- Are there other commercial the industrial map of India. was a photographer who relent- of a reasonable climate. rarily been granted a reprieve, interests involved? The opportunity never arose lessly had every one of the But the average Chennai- by the only arm of the State that Harking back to the decision and MMM, while passing by invitees pose for pictures ite, or so MMM realises, takes the place on numerous occa- against a blank white wall has so far championed the cause to conserve the three buildings his cold weather seriously. of heritage – the judiciary. A sions, had often wondered as rather in the manner of a firing How else do you explain this listed in the beginning of this to how it looked inside. squad positioning a sentenced stay has been issued, following article, we would also like to proliferation of monkey caps, Last week, during the thick person. And when this was mufflers, shawls and, above a petition challenging the know the modalities of how it is done, he had the invitees demolition. of the Music Season, MMM all, earmuffs inspired by wild- proposed to be done. Will the was invited to participate in an grouped in pairs, triads and life? All of these and more the It now appears that the guidelines be the same as they pentads. Government’s track record on event connected with the re- average Chennai-ite has taken are for new constructions? Or lease of a book on how Celtic Having waited for more to sporting and MMM will not conservation is better than has the PWD now staff who are Music had influenced its South than an hour, MMM decided be surprised if many wear what it is when it comes to qualified to restore heritage private properties. And this is structures? If it is the former, it where lack of a clear policy or is a cause for concern. Conser- guidelines is hurting. How can vation architects have repeat- SHORT ’N’ SNAPPY a building like Binny’s be demo- edly raised doubts over the way lished when Court orders the Government clubs restora- prevent such an occurrence? tion with modern structures. How can Leith Castle be sold to The two cannot be equated and Indian classical equivalent. to explore the rest of the audi- thick woolly underclothing or developers as has recently been we need distinct guidelines for alleged? How can the Young This was held in the venue torium and found it to be in a flannel. It may not be long be- each. Does the proposed Build- named after ye olde Chief shocking state. He was eventu- fore houses in Chennai have a Men’s Indian Association and ing Centre and Conservation Minister. MMM was asked by ally summoned to appear on fireplace or two. the Life Insurance Corporation Department have the necessary the host, the proud father of stage and when he did, he The weather may not be of India cock a snook at the law skills? If that is so, we look the two children who had writ- found that the chairs were rick- by not restoring Gokhale Hall cold, but most of Chennai forward to some really good ten the book, to come straight ety and wobbled even as MMM appears to have caught the and Bharat Insurance (Kardyll) conservation exercises of which to the green room. It was only and other guests positioned affliction that goes by the same Building respectively when we can justifiably be proud. If on reaching the place that themselves. The event, badly name. All around the city you there is a clear directive from MMM discovered that this organised, in keeping with the hear nothing but sniffles, not we will have botched space was quite some distance rest of the hall, was mercifully the Court? It is because the attempts as was done in the case coughs and sneezes. And Government does not imple- inside the building. A volun- brief and MMM came away when you are in a music of the GPO. Let us, however, teer met MMM at the gate and clutching a shawl, a bouquet ment the law. In all these cases, hope for the best. concert, you hear all of these said he had been deputed to and a couple of books that later around you, in addition to the take MMM to the green room. proved to be full of howlers. main musician who, too, He then asked MMM if he, MMM was supposed to invariably has a sore throat MMM, knew where the green speak for a few minutes and owing to over-exposure and THANK YOU, DONORS room was. When MMM re- was dreading the prospect, strain, what with having to plied in the negative, this man what with the venue and the sing multiple concerts in the We today, publish donations received with thanks for was nonplussed. He muttered audience proving most season. something under his breath as the period from 01.12.17 till date uninspiring. It was just as The Chennai-ite is also to how MMM, who claimed to MMM was bracing himself for – The Editor forever be associated with the proud of his winter. Try a summons to the mike that the making fun of it by stating that Rs. 50: Fazal, M. arts, did not know a simple host came huffing and puffing matter like that. Then having it is nothing but mild Rs. 100: Sivasankaran, A; Thiruvengadam, V to MMM and whispered into weather and he springs to its guessed that MMM’s hearing, MMM’s ear that the event was Rs. 250: Yeshwant, R unlike his vision, was quite defence. The temperature, considerably behind time and says the affronted Chennai-ite, Rs. 400: Pradeep, B; Kasilingam, M. acute, became all smiles and so could MMM please truncate said apologetically that he, the dipped to 24 degrees Celsius Rs. 900: Parthasarathi, R; Uthandaraman, A. his speech. MMM asked in re- or some such freezing point volunteer, too did not know sponse as to how much ought Rs. 1300: Parthasarathy, N.S. where the green room was. and if that is not winter, the to be cut. All of it was the re- Chennai-ite would like to However a couple of phone ply, accompanied by a pleading calls peppered with colourful know what can be called cold look. MMM agreed whole- weather. Moreover, they say language set him on the right heartedly, reflecting internally direction and he bade MMM by way of additional proof, the CHENNAI HERITAGE that this was the only plus air conditioner had to be to follow. point in the whole miserable No. 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014 switched off. Is that even Rather in the manner of afternoon. remotely possible in Chennai? I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / I Morgiana in Ali Baba leading It was only as he left the And so, MMM concludes, we have just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it hereafter. the cobbler, the volunteer led stage that he realised that he are heading for a winter of MMM through a labyrinth of had no idea as to how to make discontent. G I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for sorts, all dimly lit. In a way this Rs. 100 (Rupees One hundred) payable to CHENNAI his way to the exit. He was all to the good, for MMM fumbled about for quite a HERITAGE, MADRAS, as subscription to Madras Musings could only dimly make out the Tailpiece for the year 2017-18. while before what appeared to condition of these spaces. be a genie out of Alladin finally Cobwebs hung low, as if from he season of good cheer is G rescued him and helped him As token of my support for the causes of heritage, here and The Man from a horror movie set, the walls leave. Overall, it was an unfor- T environment and a better city that Madras Musings espouses, Madras Musings, together with felt damp and in many places gettable experience that MMM I send Chennai Heritage an additional his good lady, also known as had water seeping through hopes he will not have occasion Rs...... She Who Must Be Obeyed, rather in the manner of a mine to repeat. (Rupees ...... ) Please shaft and as for the floor, it wishes you all a great 2018. keep/put me on your mailing list. was littered with props and Last year had ample scope Name : ...... objects of all kinds. Through A Winter’s Tale for humour and satire and ...... all this the volunteer led something tells MMM that the Address: ...... MMM relentlessly on and he rains came and terrori- new year will not be any ...... eventually fetched up in the T sed everyone in the city. different. All cheques to ‘Chennai Heritage’. DD/Cheque should be sent by green room. The prayers of the majority –MMM Speed Post only. January 1-15, 2018 MADRAS MUSINGS 3
group, The Magic Lantern, G staged a dramatised version of TWO REMEMBERED Ponniyin Selvan. Had they known, when they chose the play, that the centenary was two years away? No. They had just thought that the ecstasy of sacrifice that lay at the heart of Recalling the novel was a fine note on which to close the 20th Cen- tury. Karthik, Ilango, and I talked about very little else. “I Ponniyin think Kalki has decided that the time has come,” said Ilango. And so it had. Selvan – Mini Krishnan The translator’s note The publisher’s note introduced me to Kalki and I It is now widely acknowl- edge, that Kalki was the first It was in 1996 that Karthik can truthfully say that I spent so many happy hours following the Tamil writer who used the an- Narayanan suggested we pub- cient history of famous Tamil lish Ponniyin Selvan in transla- fortunes of Vandiyathevan (so like D’Artagnan) that I won- dynasties and the region as the tion in time for the centenary. I background of attractive sto- thought to myself: five hundred dered what I’d do when the work was over. ries. Ponniyin Selvan, which chapters… 2,400 pages? The deals with the life of Rajaraja equivalent of at least ten of the A year later our celebrated illustrator joined the team and Chozhan, is the last of the three short novels I was editing for great novels, the other two be- Macmillan’s Modern Indian we had endless discussions about what he had to leave out! ing Parthiban Kanavu and Novels project of translations Sivakamiyin Sabadam. with the support of the MR.AR. Once it was known that the Educational Society. translation was underway, not a The best historical writing day went by without a call from though it would sound odd to line would hook neatly into requires not only a precise “What’s it about?” I asked readers who did not know some conversation or incident. and, without once breaking a stranger or an enquiry from an knowledge of the incident or acquaintance, “When will it be Tamil) we should use variations Perhaps, the most memorable of facts that laborious research has stride or fumbling for expres- of the same name to indicate such lines (not that I tried to sion, KN narrated the story of collected, but the capacity to the attitude and relationship of take this out!) is Sendhan weave the matter as so to form Ponniyin Selvan and as he did, I G We remember the speaker to the person re- Amudhan’s “She who gave a lasting fabric which discloses was drawn, like so many thou- KARTHIK NARAYA- ferred to. Hence, for example, birth to me is a great soul but an sands before me, to the magic character and motive. Imagina- NAN with these notes the different presentations of unfortunate woman” (ch 23). tion is thus no less necessary to and drama of Kalki, one of the on the most signifi- the same name “Chozhar” and Two lines later he explains why greatest story-tellers of our the writer of novels as it is to a cant work he did. “Chozhan”, “Aditha Karikalar” he thinks she is unfortunate, historian. In both cases, it has time. and “Aditha Karikalan”, in but readers who know the story “Who will translate such a to be used with restraint and both cases the first variant be- will know what a loaded sen- judgement. A novel, which is work?” I mused. ready?” Excerpts published in ing the respectful form of ad- tence this is because in it lies “I will,” said Karthik with not true to life, will kill itself. the Literary Review of The dress. the secret of Sendhan Facts woven round an attrac- perfect confidence. That was Hindu spread the news even fur- Before I saw the first lot of Amudhan’s origin and future. the first step. Then I turned to tive story are better grasped and ther and bookshops began to chapters I thought to myself: There were so many small remembered than when given other practicalities and any- ask when they might place or- Surely, we can abridge some of incidents and coincidences thing that looked like a moun- as dull narrative of the conven- ders. it, used as I was to the style of connected with the smooth tional historial type. tainous difficulty simply pow- Karthik freely handed over seralised novels with the novel- progress of the work that my dered before us. his scripts for re-workings and ist recapping situations and curiosity about the original It is this aspect of Ponniyin With the assurance of sup- revisions and never once hesi- plots and even him/herself as grew. When did the first chap- Selvan that fascinates me, when port by the MR.AR. Educa- tated to take a decision when the novel progressed. But to my ter first appear in print? Six I started reading it in serialised tional Society, work on the we came unstuck, always and amazement I found that not a months before I was born and form, ever since it first appeared project began. There followed instinctively keeping in Kalki’s single line this great novelist in the same year that Ilango, our in Kalki magazine. I used to wait three years of collaboration on shadow. A tireless re-writer of wrote could be taken out be- illustrator was! A few months anxiously for the weekly to ap- what I call the Gone with the his own work, it was he who said cause a hundred pages later (in before our book went to press, a pear at the doorstep and grab it Wind of Tamil Nadu. Karthik that, following the author, (and Kalki’s life a few weeks) that highly motivated local theatre before the others. It was a voy- age of discovery which subse- quently made me appreciate the diversity, the richness and depth our culture, tradition, art Rebel with and religion. Translating Ponniyin Selvan has been a real labour of love. Every time I flinched during the a cause exercise, the impish Vandiya- (By K.R.A. Narasiah) thevan, the conniving Azhwar- kadiyan, the fascinating rom early in his life C.G.K. ship, was carrying troops, left Nandini, the majestic Kundavai FReddy, former Business Calcutta for an unknown desti- and all the other characters ap- Manager of The Hindu and nation on January 23, 1942. On peared before me enthusing me founder Director of the Re- March 10th, she altered course with their conversation and ar- search Institute of Newspaper due east, heading for Padang, guments. Development, an organisation Dutch East Indies (now Indo- C.G.K. Reddy can be seeen in the second row, fourth from left. with which the Press Institute nesian port). A number of friends ex- merged. Never had literally. He The following passage is submarine. . .was torpedoed, island a few hours later. Learn- pressed concern whether the started his life as a mariner, hav- from A Short History of the Brit- listed to port and disap- ing that Shahabuddin was in an translation will ring true to the ing joined the Training Ship ish India Steam Navigation Com- peared” Army hospital, he went to see original. At the same time, a lot Dufferin as an engineering ca- pany by Hilary St. George him. As Shahabuddin says in of them who read the excerpts A badly injured Shaha- which appeared in The Hindu det. On graduation, he was Saunders: buddin and some others his autobiography, “The whole posted as fifth engineer in ss “. . .the ill-fated Chilka of the night he sat on a chair were quite appreciative. If this watched from a lifeboat, the translation can reproduce even Chilka, a vessel belonging to the (Captain W. Bird), a passenger ship go down. Four terrible days next to my bed, and he was ship which had been con- a minuscule portion of the gran- British India Steam Navigation later they reached Nias Island, there to help me to turn from verted into a trooper, was on deur of the original. I will feel Company. Along with him was 75 miles west of Sumatra. one side to another. Reddy another Cadent navigating of- the way to Padang. . . she wanted to stay with me, but it satisfied. never arrived, for on 11th Reddy, fortunately not ficer, Sayeed Shahabuddin. The March 1942 she met with a wounded so badly, reached the (Continued on page 4) – Karthik Narayanan 4 MADRAS MUSINGS January 1-15, 2018
Regarding the “open letter”, ence teachers in Geography is all four points are indeed valu- minimal and miserable. able and will be considered by Teachers of Social Sciences A statue to save the Committee. in State Board schools in Tamil write to draw your attention to the condition of the Munro Nadu have never been taught Dr. M. Anandakrishnan Statue on the Island Grounds. It is covered with rust and in To be considered the Geography and History of I Chairman poor state, due to neglect (Picture: Page1). I am informed by he view points expressed in SCERT Syllabus Committee Tamil Nadu. No standard book the GOC that this is Chennai Corporation’s responsibility, and TMadras Musings (December 8/15, Fifth Main Road is available in the market on that it has not budgeted for repairs and maintenance of the 16th) will be considered in all Madan Apt. this subject. The SCERT has statue. I was also informed that the Army is willing to under- seriousness by our Committee. Kasturibai Nagar, Adyar not taken steps to update the take the job, just as it did for the railing around the statue. The In essence, the following Chennai 600 020 knowledge of the teachers in estimated cost is around Rs. 2 lakh, which the Army has offered Geography and History. They to spend. The Corporation and the Secretariat is unwilling to points were made: Spilt milk accept this offer. G The syllabus for Social depend only on the textbooks published by the Tamil Nadu I fear, as does the Army, that the civil authorities will only Sciences “has fallen short of t is indeed interesting to note paint the statue over and ruin this heritage asset of Chennai, if expectations – it is just flat Ithat Musings had time and Text Books Committee. Fur- it takes up the restoration, unless it commits itself to a heritage wines in old bottles”. space to comment on school ther, the teachers spend little expert-monitored restoration. G There is stress on informa- syllabi! (MM, December 16th). time in libraries. Hence, their V.R. Raghavan, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) tion rather than knowledge. The views expressed by knowledge in Social Sciences is [email protected] G “All these subjects – the Muthiah and the two con- static and confined to text Humanities as it were – are cerned educationists are true books. EDITOR’S NOTE: Thomas Munro, beloved in South India now clubbed under the sub- and appropriate. Comments are As a result, Humanities have wherever he was posted, was considered by Rajaji as the best ject Social Science, an obvi- only a day after the fair: it is all lost ground in school education. civilian to have ever worked in the Madras Presidency. Munro ous misnomer.” cries in the wilderness. Alas, I join you to cry over was a former Governor of Madras who contributed much to land reforms and education. We hope our Governor of today G In the 1960s and ’70s there From Std. VI to X, Social the split milk. Sciences, as a subject is, and has takes a personal interest in this renewal. was a systematic study of K.S. Ganapathy been, a burden to both teachers History and Geography. Former Member, Legislative Economics and Civics were and students. Besides, it is an Council, Tamil Nadu Dates and monarchs should place and are taught as separate not included till the Higher ever-increasing subject. The [email protected] give place to the changes in the subjects with only the name Secondary level. NCERT is responsible for this life of people. For example, in changing from Social Studies to Mere rhetoric G The syllabus at primary level maul. The SCERTs of the western Tamil Nadu, Telugu- Social Science with no scientific is praiseworthy. At the States follow the line. was surprised to find two speaking people can be found thinking of any sort necessary. middle level, there is no clar- The NCERT, which had Ipieces concerning Social from Mettupalayam to In UK, Economics is intro- ity. The secondary level is been bringing out quality Geog- Studies syllabuses in MM, De- Rajapalayam. From where did duced at school level as a prac- the most overloaded. raphy and History text books cember 16th. Your comments they come and why has to be tical subject without any theo- These are valuable points for schools till 1986-1987, has are worthy of being considered taught. It would be found they retical rigour. Students are which will be considered by the shifted stance and is adopting by the committee. But the com- had migrated from the black asked to find the market prices concerned sub-committees. new text book writing tech- ments by two unknown teach- cotton soil of Andhra to a simi- of different commodities and There is an unfortunate im- nique, plunging the school stu- ers are to be discussed in depth. lar black cotton soil land. The hypothesise why they change. pression that the syllabi have dents in distress. During British days, the sub- migration might be due to natu- Unless classrooms get out of ex- been drawn up keeping in view For the students of CBSE, ject was ‘Outlines of the History ral disasters or invasion. Stu- amination-oriented teaching competitive exams such as Social Sciences is a bugbear. of England and India and Ge- dents should be encouraged to and the capabilities of teachers NEET. Far from it. The attempt Students are trained to give by- ography’. When a new curricu- ponder over these factors and are enriched, no reform would all along has been to emphasise heart answers to questions. lum was drafted in 1948, the find answers. Historical and be worthy and meaningful. It the fundamentals. I agree with There are no fully qualified subject was rechristened as So- geographical factors contrib- would just be rhetoric. the view that a great deal will teachers. Most of the teachers cial Studies and an integrated uted to their migration. But this depend upon the kind of text have done only Economics or approach to know the story of was too high an expectation S.S. Rajagopalan books and the capability of History in their degree courses. human civilisation was sug- and the integration of History 30, Kamarajar Street teachers. Knowledge of the Social Sci- gested. and Geography never took Chennai 600 093
(Continued from page 3) A REBEL WITH A CAUSE the phone that the police were was not possible as he had to searching the room he was stay- accompany the rest of the offic- George Fernandes for working When he was rescued by the The three years in jail gave ing in at the Hotel Imperial and ers to Goonoongsitoli, the capi- against the state, in what he be- Japanese after the sinking of the him some maturity in thought, concludes CGK was Dynamite tal of Nias Island. Saying came known as the Baroda Dy- Chilka, he was infiltrated into CGK says. It was during this in every sense. goodbye, he told me that if he namite Case. India with the help of the time that he met Dr. Ram CGK’s son C. Rammohan returned to India before me he The accused were charged Indian Independence League. Manohar Lohia and became his Reddy, who served in Govern- would get in touch with my par- with smuggling dynamite to The 19-man party entered follower. He went away from ment, wrote in The Hindu about ents in Calcutta and inform blow up government establish- Teknaf, a small town in politics, but June 26, 1975 CGK’s sufferings during emer- them of my position.” Reddy ments and railway tracks. The Chittagong District, in Septem- transformed him when the gency in an article titled When kept his promise. The two kept accused were imprisoned in ber 1942. One of them was Emergency was declared. He Friends Disappeared. As member in touch for years after that. Tihar Jail, Delhi. CGK did not caught and became a collabora- got in touch with the under- of Parliament, from Karnataka, Shahabuddin moved to Paki- seek help of his uncle, Sir C.R. tor. All of them were ground movement and found Reddy took active part in vari- stan after Partition. Reddy, former Vice Chancellor apprehended and were first himself as an accused in Baroda ous discussions involving per- Reddy’s nephew Dr. Amulya of Andhra University and its ar- taken to Red Fort and then to Dynamite Case. He writes, sonal freedom and safety. Reddy, has produced a mono- chitect, who was quite an influ- Madras. nearly 30,000 persons were in Amulya Reddy adds the last graph, Lest we forget C.G.K. ential person then. Tried for waging war jail then, which swelled to note: “He was reading a PG Reddy which tells the story of CGK has written elaborately against the king, under the 150,000. He compares this with Wodehouse book in the Inten- CGK. Incidentally, Amulya’s about this case in his book, Enemy Agents Ordinance. He 40,000 people in jail at the sive Care Unit (Vijaya Hospital daughter married into Shaha- Baroda Dynamite Conspiracy: was tried with others by Mr. height of the Quit India move- in Madras) before his operation. buddin’s family! The Right to Rebel. In the pro- E. Mack, a Sessions judge. The ment! On the day he was going in for After Reddy and others were logue to the book (1977), when Judge being compassionate K.M. Mathew of Malayala the major surgery that resulted rescued and imprisoned by the he was selected to join the person was unwilling to sen- Manorama offered CGK a job in death, he asked for a piece of Japanese, the Japanese planted Dufferin, he wanted to get into tence all to death, all of them in Malayala Manorama, after he paper and penned his last testa- 19 of them as spies in India. the Navy, but was rejected as he being youngsters. He sen- quit The Hindu. Together they ment: “I have had the good for- They were all caught and five was marked as a Gandhian! tenced four to death and had established RIND in Madras. tune to enjoy the affection, regard were hanged for conspiring While he was in Calcutta prior others detained till 1945. PII-RIND Mathews was the and generosity of friends, relatives against the British. CGK was to joining Dufferin he was CGK saw in the early hours chaiman. and colleagues. These are what sentenced to three years rigor- drawn to Subash Chandra Bose August 9, 1943, Satish Bardan, In his autobiography, The made my living worthwhile and ous imprisonment. and met him once. When Bose Fouja Singh, Anandan, Eighth Ring, Mathew talks about have come to my aid in battling CGK was to be charged with escaped, one of the men ar- shouting Bharath Mata ki Jai CGK and says in the Baroda some very difficult times.” “May I sedition once again. During the rested for enquiry was CGK and Mahathma Gandhi ki Jai as Dynamite Case, he was the sec- say Thank you & wish you the 1975-76 emergency, he was ar- Reddy! This was when he was they went to the hangman’s ond defendant and had before best?” He passed away in De- rested in June, 1976 along with yet in his teens. noose. his arrest had been informed on cember 1994. January 1-15, 2018 MADRAS MUSINGS 5
4-page Margazhi Musings – A special feature
G SUBBUDU The family’s sole calling card
rrespective of the many bu- with Krishnamurti Bhagavatar. adopt Subbudu as his sishya and Ireaucratic positions I have Subbudu, barely eight or nine, make him a full-fledged musi- held and the awards I have re- was sitting beside the cian. My father politely de- ceived, I invariably introduce Bhagavatar, listening intensely, clined, saying that music would myself to people by saying, “I am keeping talam on his lap and, always remain his hobby. Subbudu’s youngest brother” like a jack-in-the-box, pointing This picture takes me to that has opened many doors for out small lapses in my sisters’ 47th Street East Rangoon. The me. In fact, all the members of singing. That day, Subbudu the cosmopolitan city of Rangoon the family exploit their one and critic was born. was known for its variety of only visiting card, “SUBBU- To test the boy’s ability, one street hawkers. There was this DU”. day, the Bhagavatar sang a line late evening Burmese hawker People have asked me why selling fried peanuts singing: the name Subbudu. Is there a G by Maybay salo paasiyan, Maybay Telugu connection? Well, yes salo paasay, or words to that ef- and no! My maternal grandfa- P.V. Krishnamoorthy fect! ther was a Tahsildar in the (The author, who is 96 Our young ventriloquist, Guntur District of Andhra years old, held top Subbudu, repeated his cry accu- Pradesh. The family was at positions in All India rately and the hawker was sur- used to imitate birdsong, animal cially a comic one. Playing home with Telugu. When the Radio and was the prised and startled. This went sounds and even the sounds of Hanuman was his forté. He boy was named Subramaniam, first Director General on for some days and, finally, musical instruments. One day needed no special make-up to my uncles chose to nickname of Doordarshan) one evening, the hawker spot- he tried to imitate the trumpet- play the monkey god. He con- him Subbudu, in the true ted Subbudu and chased him up ing of elephants and unfortu- torted his face, nobody knows Andhra tradition, and the name to our door. My mother had a nately forgot to close his ears how, and lo and behold, there stuck. When Subbudu’s name is from a keertana and asked hard time explaining to him which resulted in his hearing a stood Hanuman! mentioned, some pictures of us Subbudu to sing it in solfa notes. that it was a mere childish ringing sound in his head for a There was one problem in Rangoon float in front of me. To the teacher’s surprise prank. She also had to buy some long time! while acting with him. He My two elder sisters Subbudu reeled out the swaras. peanuts to pacify him! Acting was in his blood. would suddenly start ad-libbing Rajeswari and Pattammal were The next day the Bhagavatar Mimicry came naturally to There was no drama without his his own dialogue and his co-ac- attending their music lesson asked my father if he could Subbudu. Even as a child he playing an important role, espe- tor Ramamurthy (my immedi- ate elder brother) on the stage, would wait endlessly for his cue lines, which never came. The prompter would be tearing his The Subbudu story hair in confusion. But the audi- ence would thoroughly enjoy G Sometimes in the mid-nineties, B.M. Sundaram interviewed Subbudu. In March 1942, most of us Indians evacuated Rangoon...We his interventions. Vengusami The remarks in the interview bring out Subbudu as he was – aggressive walked and walked – 484 miles – and reached Cherrapunji in a Iyer, the director, would tell my and hard hitting. Modesty obviously did not rank high in Subbudu’s list of month and 22 days. All through the trek we drew our strength virtues. from nama sankeertanam. After stopping at a camp near brother: “Subbudu, you are at y father’s uncle, Mosur Subramania Iyer, asked my father Cherrapunji, we continued our journey until we reached Simla. liberty to insert your own lines, Mto come to Rangoon, where making a livelihood was easier. My family settled there. I again plunged into music and drama. which the audience seem to en- So, my parents moved to Rangoon in 1902. I was born on March My second music review was despatched from Simla. It was joy, but for God’s sake get back 27, 1917, in Manali near Chennai. about a music recital by Sattur A.G. Subramaniam. He was, no to your cue lines!” My father was a strict disciplinarian. He forbade me from be- doubt, a good vidwan. But he went on repeating the first line of Even as a youngster the song Nee irangayenil ad nauseam. So in my review I remarked coming a professional musician. If I went out, I had to return Subbudu wrote plays like home at night, however late the hour. Another reason was that I that it was akin to coaxing a monkey sitting on a tree to come down! I ended it with the line “This adhika prasangam (imperti- Prahlada and Seeta Kalyanam to enjoyed commenting upon the music of others whenever oppor- be staged at home with house- tunity arose. Hence I did not entertain the idea of becoming a nence) may please be excused”. But Kalki, after publishing it in performer. Perhaps it was the second reason that was responsible Kalki magazine, wrote to me “Adhika prasangam baley jor! hold furniture as props and for my becoming a critic. Todaravum.” (Impertinence excellent! Continue.) From then on, sarees as curtains. Subbudu I reviewed music programmes of artists visiting Simla. After I did not, and do not, have an interest in watching sports – be played an important role in the about three years in Simla, I got a job in the Accountant General’s musical activities in Rangoon. it cricket or any other game, direct or on the TV. I cannot play office in Delhi. cards. I read books by famous authors and great scholars. That’s V.K. Narayana Menon was the Station Director of AIR Delhi. He was there at the wharf to re- all. I used to write short articles for my school magazine. He was regularly writing music reviews for The Statesman. When ceive artists visiting from India I didn’t want to become a music critic. It came about by acci- he was transferred to Madras, he asked me to do the job, after and spent most of his time with dent. Gottuvadyam Narayana Iyengar came to Rangoon around introducing me to the Editor of The Stateman. I was really ner- them, attending to their basic 1936. I then wrote a short article for Ananda Vikatan, under the vous, for I was not good at English. But Menon dispelled my dif- needs and creature comforts. caption Kalai Kappalerugiradu, in which I made a reference to fidence and worry. The Editor of Statesman also called me to sug- For one concert by Muthiah the local vidwan-s – “Ulloor kizhangal irukkumpozhudu Narayana gest that I write reviews. At last I agreed and continued to write Iyengarin tenisai manadukku perum inbam tandadu” (There are for 47 years! I started in 1950 and my first music review pub- Bhagvatar, the accompanist fell many local oldies, but Narayana Iyengar’s honey-like music gave lished in The Statesman was on M.L. Vasanthakumari’s perfor- ill and Subbudu volunteered to great pleasure to the listeners). This landed me in trouble. Some mance. I like her music very much, it had plenty of imagination, accompany him on the among the ‘local oldies’ approached lawyers to issue a legal no- which most of the present day front-rankers are lacking in. How- harmonium. Although reluc- tice to me. Luckily the sensible lawyers turned them down saying ever, I didn’t fail to comment that she should take care of sruti tant, the vidwan agreed and “It is a general view. He has not mentioned anybody by name. alignment. “Let her not follow her master in this aspect.” MLV Subbudu was even paid a sum So, even if you sue him you won’t win”. I got seven rupees and didn’t mind but appreciated my objective suggestion. eight annas from the magazine as remuneration for my first mu- of Rs. 50 in appreciation. sic review. I was 19 at that time. (Continued on page 8) (Continued on page 8) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS January 1-15, 2018 LOST LANDMARKS OF CHENNAI – SRIRAM V