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• Short & Snappy • The long road to Madras MADRAS • A hospital with a history • The Miller’s Road landmark MUSINGS • The Season ahead Vol. XVII No. 16 December 1-15, 2007 SetbackIs VPH to for get heritage a new – As one of yesteryear’s buildings goes down...

(By A Special Correspondent) he Traffic Commissioner’s signs so that children could de- “We want to dedicate this song to TOffice Building on velop road sense, but this later Johnson...no, that’s not our son, but Poonamallee High Road has went to seed. our dog!” been razed to the ground. A fine Ironically, the very same Making waves example of the old garden grounds which made this prop- Beautiful... that’s what the Police Headquarters (above) was made when it house that was so typical of erty a visual delight appear to was saved from the wreckers’ hammers by the then Chief Minister, Mu “What’s your name?” coos the Karunanidhi. Well maintained too by the Police is Government House that the RJ. Madras, and Egmore in particu- have caused the building’s same Chief Minister now wants to pull down. Meanwhile, the Police, who have “Maharangeswari,” the caller lar, it was part of a leafy area tended two of their prize heritage buildings so well, have gone and pulled down a answers. which once housed several (Continued on page 6) third heritage building of theirs. How inconsistent people can be with heritage! “And you’re from?” properties of condiments king “Majorly-Small-Town-Way- P. Venkatachellum. This build- South.” ing, however, does not appear Illegal construction illegal “And you want to dedicate this to have been one of his posses- song to?” the relentless coo- ing continues. sions and the land is said to – But government differs with the courts “My boyfriend,” is the equally have once been part of the Ma- coy reply. dras Tramways Corporation. he Madras High Court on November 13th illegal constructions may no longer be illegal once You choke, and your fellow The company went into liq- Tquashed Ordinance 1 of 2007 that sought such changes were made to the law. CAG had companions in the car uidation in 1953 and its to provide a one-year amnesty for illegal con- challenged this Ordinance immediately. promptly react. “What’s Poonamallee land was divided structions in Chennai. The Consumer Action On November 13th, the Madras High Court wrong with that?” into four plots and sold, each for Group (CAG) had won a landmark case in Au- passed orders on CAG’s writ petition agreeing “Nothing,” you self-defend. Rs. 1,00,000. The buyers were “It’s just that ...I mean...” gust 2006 when the High Court set up a Moni- with it that the State Government was trying to respectively Periyar, C.P. toring Committee to oversee the implementa- overcome the judgement and, therefore, en- “You know what? You are a Adithanar, G.D. Naidu and Name-ist.” tion of their orders which focussed on illegal croach on judicial powers. The Court held that “Nonsense, there’s no such Sambasiva Iyer. The Traffic constructions in multistoried commercial build- the Ordinance was unconstitutional, but thing.” Commissioner’s Office is be- ings in Chennai. The State Government had granted the State Government two weeks’ time “There is now, and you’re it. lieved to be standing on the challenged this order before the Supreme Court to appeal to the Supreme Court. You think only a mall-hop- erstwhile Sambasiva Iyer prop- in 2006, but did not succeed. In a bizarre turn of events, the Tamil Nadu ping, city-type name would erty. At one time, all drivers’ li- In July 2007, the State Government promul- Government notified an Act (passed by the be appropriate. Don’t lie.” cences were issued from here gated an Ordinance to stop any enforcement ac- Tamil Nadu Assembly) one day after this judge- Meanwhile, distinctly over-ripe and the spacious grounds were tion for one year, arguing that it was planning to ment – which was a verbatim reproduction of lyrics assault your ears, and ideal for driving tests. A park in make changes to the law and that many of the (Continued on page 8) you figure that what young front was developed with road Maha-R-wari needs is not so much defending, as a strongly-worded lecture by a Musings loses a founder parent or two. ... BUT ANOTHER adras Musings deeply regrets to record the sudden passing Your co-passenger intones: “If M away on November 23rd of one of its founders, C.O. Varghese, you tickle her, will she not GETS A BREATHER Director of Lokavani Southern Printers (P) Ltd. He was 77 years old. laugh? If you...er...hurt her, It was late in 1990 that he persuaded his partners in what was will she not...er...hurt...?” then Lokavani Hall Mark Press to launch Madras Musings, as much Reflecting that there is no ham (By A Special Nadu and the Madras High to give their printing unit a new and helpful addition to its range of like the one school-play won- Correspondent) Court appointed a committee to activities as to contribute something towards the development of a better Madras. Later, when Madras Musings could not find the kind der, you tune out all voices, look into whether the building retreating with dignity. of support needed to make it self-sufficient, it was he who persuaded Now, you applaud the “we-are- here is some development was really beyond renovation, his partners to keep it going year after losing year as a public service like-this-only” attitude, and Ton the case concerning the as the LIC contended. till it found in Chennai Heritage the support necessary to revive it appreciate that this, natu- demolition of Bharat Insurance The Committee in its report and make it a vibrant voice seeking a better city, while remember- ing a splendid past. rally, leads to the “Hey-us- (Kardyl’s) Building. The land- stated that the building was Madras Musings may have passed into the hands of Chennai too” phenomenon. But mark heritage structure, which quite strong and could be re- actual evidence of change in- stored to its original condition. Heritage, but it was Varghese who ensured that every issue of the stands threatened with demoli- journal came out on time, that it maintained a high quality of pro- variably causes a few mental tion by the Life Insurance Cor- The LIC took the matter to the back-flips, demanding a cer- duction values and, above all, that the day-to-day problems con- Supreme Court on the grounds nected with the journal reaching its readers were handled tactfully. tain cleaning up of that inevi- poration of India (LIC), its present owner, has won a tem- that this was not a heritage All of us at Madras Musings will miss that signal contribution that table baggage of stereotypes. he made till the end. The waves of change are appar- porary reprieve. building. This was a new argu- Varghese, a past President of the Madras Printers’ & Lithogra- ently capable of finding even Regular readers of Madras ment and the original grounds of “structural weakness” were phers’ Association, was closely connected with the Madras Medical the remotest, tiniest little Musings will recollect that the Mission and several church activities that helped the less privileged. patches of fertile soil. demolition of this building was May he rest in peace. Ranjitha Ashok challenged by INTACH -Tamil (Continued on page 3)

CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS December 1-15, 2007 l Travelling with FRANCOIS MARTIN Is Mumbai going the Chennai way?

The long road he Man from Madras happened to the announce- is such a law-abiding place.” T Musings is musing on mat- ment of the City’s Police Com- While MMM was quite certain ters in Mumbai for a change. missioner that those putting up that the Chennai monkey can- MMM has always considered such hoardings would be se- not be more aware of the law to Madras Mumbai the ideal city in heri- verely dealt with. than the Delhi one, the com- tage conservation. The city had The other day, MMM was ment set him thinking whether heritage laws long before other chastised by a policeman for there were any monkeys at all nyone who wants to thinking of his French readers cities woke up and as for heri- not noticing a signal change. in Chennai. By that MMM A make a trip from and that prompted him to de- tage activism there has always MMM would have liked to does not mean the variety that Pondicherry to Chennai has to scribe what toddy was. been a healthy public aware- point out to him that the traffic is chained and made to do simply board a bus or a car and While crossing the river ness. But MMM is sorry to re- light was hidden completely by tricks, but the free-wheeling he will reach his destination in Chingour on May 28th, Martin port that Mumbai appears to a beaming political figure and one which moves from tree to three hours. Some nowadays was “amazed” to see that it was have taken a leaf from the book so there was no question of no- tree and house to house just as even commute on a daily basis completely dry. The river-bed, of Madras that is Chennai ticing a signal change. But ... er... MMM leaps from sub- from Pondicherry to Chennai. completely silted over, was also when it comes to doing away MMM being meek has not in- ject to subject. And (surprise, with heritage buildings in a herited the earth and so silently surprise), there are monkeys But, three-and-a-quarter very flat. During the monsoon, cloak-and-dagger manner. chose to slink away. here too. centuries ago, it was indeed a the surrounding countryside In a sudden move, the city’s At least one family lives in long route between the two would, however, get flooded. Corporation took away the Phoenix-like the now shut down Trans- towns. In May 1681, Francois As they moved on, they clause that insisted that a nod former Division of Andrew Martin, the founder and first passed through a large village from the Heritage Committee he Man from Madras Yule in Adyar. Apparently Chief of Pondicherry, under- called Mukayur. This area was was needed before Grade III T Musings is happy to note monkeys live happily in the took a journey to Surat, which full of sugar-yielding palm trees heritage buildings could be re- that work is proceeding apace shrubbery and trees that flour- was then the headquarters of all (palmyra) and other fruit-bear- developed. These will now only at the historic RR Sabha pre- ish in the property. Every day French settlements in India. A ing trees. A little further on, need approval of the Municipal mises in Mylapore. While noth- the band comes out at particu- ing could mitigate the sorrow lesser man would have resigned Martin’s soldiers halted at a Commissioner, thereby making lar times and raids the matters easier for the builders. that MMM felt when the old neighbourhood. The residents himself to the hardships and temple in Aletoor. After a good The city’s builder lobby is de- heritage structure was pulled then scurry nimbly to secure uncertainties of a journey from rest, they resumed their journey lighted, but heritage activists doors and windows and to pull a southern corner to the west- at 4 o’clock in the afternoon are understandably miffed. In clothes away from the places ern tip of India. Not so Martin. and two hours later they fact, the standing Heritage SHORT where they are hung up to dry. For him, every day was an op- reached Vaclour. Committee was not even aware MMM is informed that physi- portunity to observe his sur- On May 29th they came to of such a notification. ’N’ cal fitness is very high in the roundings minutely. This is how Patenour. At this village, a MMM wonders why Mum- SNAPPY area. he saw the first part of his jour- lashkar captain who had served baiites have to make life so complicated for themselves. Forgotten Caldwell Why can’t they simply follow down about two years ago, what Chennaiites? No Heritage colleague of MMM’s in- l The second of RITA NATH worried him even more was that Laws, no Committee! No ap- the land was allowed to remain Aforms that the condition of KESHARI’s occasional looks at the provals! Simply demolish and vacant with the Sabha moving Caldwell’s statue on the Marina build. Raze instead of restore! to rented premises to conduct has to be seen to be believed. Madras-Pondy connection. In the words of Mumbaikars – its events. Now, funding has ap- Apparently for various reasons “Kaiko tension leta hai re?” parently come through and and circumstances no doubt (Why take on tensions?) And work on building a new audito- beyond its control, the statue ney (i.e. from Pondicherry to under him at San Thomé, if the buildings flout some ap- rium has begun. Presumably it now finds itself inside the Madras), which took from the called on him. As they contin- provals so what? The Govern- will be of the airconditioned va- swimming pool complex on the Marina and is, therefore, out of morning of May 26th till the ued travelling, they reached ment will protect such viola- riety. tions (see page 1). The old hall had high qual- sight. Now, The Man from Ma- evening of May 30th. Tirupaloor. He mentions a dras Musings is worried about On May 26th, he left temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. ity acoustics because the doors Makeshift hoardings and windows were kept open. this good Samaritan from over- Pondicherry accompanied by Their next halt was at a small seas who did so much for Tamil five Frenchmen (including village called Valachery which Hopefully the acoustics will be hey are back! Entirely as taken care of in the new struc- and who was therefore com- Sieur Germain, the physician) offered them shelter for the Tpredicted by The Man from ture. memorated with a statue. and 20 lashkars or native sol- night and they camped out in Madras Musings. Now that the The present generation diers. The Chief of Pondicherry the open. season of cyclones is over, the Simians of Chennai cannot expect to know much could not travel with a less im- As he approached the sub- political parties are back, erect- about Caldwell and it will only pressive entourage. The Second urbs of Madras on May 30th he ing their hoardings at all junc- he Man from Madras be a question of time before tions, road corners, and pave- someone assumes he is a for- Councillor, Sieur Deltor, and sent Sieur Germain to the Ca- T Musings was in Delhi re- ments. Casuarina poles are be- cently when the whole city was eigner who needs to be dumped some of the others who were to puchin priests in Madras to ing installed and hoardings are in the Museum’s vaults. And take charge of affairs at convey to them his travel plans. abuzz with the monkey menace. being unfurled. There are lead- The fall from the roof and sub- Caldwell is no Kannagi that Pondicherry in Martin’s ab- Since the Governor of Ma- ers beaming, walking, waving, sequent death of that metro’s battles will be fought on his sence, travelled with him upto dras was ill, Martin sent him a seriously contemplating, writ- Deputy Mayor while in the act behalf. He is, in fact, like Kunimedu. After spending the message that much as he wished ing, speaking and striking a va- of shooing away a monkey had Swami Sivananda, whose night there, Sieur Deltor and to meet him he did not intend riety of other poses. raised everybody’s hackles. statue, all hale and hearty, sim- his companions returned to to disturb him. Within two This also being the season MMM kept his counsel to him- ply vanished one evening in the Pondicherry. hours, Martin’s caravan was of pilgrimage to certain holy self for it is his view that con- silent watches of the night leav- spots, the followers of such tinued deforestation is the rea- ing not a sign behind and has The following morning, moving on. As he approached practices have also added their not been heard of ever since. Martin and his men crossed the San Thomé, he anticipated a son for monkeys turning ma- bit to the hoarding fever and rauders. Why can’t the Corporation Kunimedu River. Since they large gathering of people inter- many yatras and tours are be- move Caldwell out and place had to wait for the pack animals ested in speaking to him. Wish- ing announced through the “I am sure you have no such him in a more prominent loca- carrying their luggage, they ing to avoid them in order to mechanism of hoardings. problems in your city,” gushed tion on the Marina? took that opportunity to relax prevent any delay, Martin de- MMM wonders as to what a bejewelled matron. “Chennai – MMM in the shade of the trees. It was cided to change his route. He obvious that every stage of the turned to the west, bypassing journey had to be planned. ruins of San Thomé and From Kunimedu they re- reached the foot of the ‘Great never lodged at wayside inns or Many of these places are no received letters from the Direc- sumed travelling at 3 in the af- Mount’, whose sacred nature he in the houses of the local rich. longer visible in the detailed tor-General Baron who was in ternoon so that they could emphasises. Are we to presume that these maps of today. This could sig- charge of all the French settle- reach a small town he calls Martin continued travelling facilities did not exist? The ref- nify that either their names ments in India and Siam (Thai- Alamparwa for their night halt. in a westerly direction and at 8 erences to the temple at have been changed or they have land), most powerful French- As he mentions fruit trees on in the evening he left Madras Aletoor, the open camp at been swallowed by larger locali- man in 17th Century India. the way, we wonder what these behind on his right and reached Valachery at night and the de- ties that came up later. Baron, who wanted to sail to could be. Martin indicates only Thiruvallur (a town about a liberate break journey in How about sailing from Ma- Pondicherry from Madras, was briefly that the most common league to the north of Madras). Alamparwa indicate that they dras to Pondicherry and vice waiting for the ship Diligente to trees were coconut and a spe- What we gather from the de- neither had wealthy hosts nor versa? Martin has an anecdote take him to his destination. cies of palm from which toddy is scription of this journey is that were the villages important from this too. Martin was instructed to write extracted. He was probably Martin and his party of men enough to have caravan serais. On October 3, 1674, Martin (Continued on page 6) December 1-15, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 3 The failure with education

egarding the State of the States (MM, It is in the field of education that Tamil Nadu ROctober 1st), I feel, Tamil Nadu, has done is lagging behind at sixth position. We find nine well to hold its fourth rank for the last four small states and four union territories scoring years, though its score of 2.36 out of 10 on its better than Tamil Nadu. This is a field that overalll performance is not flattering. Smaller Tamil Nadu needs to improve. Some Rs. 60 states like Puducherry and Goa and Sikkim crore allotted for municipal schools has not even Heritage houses should we have so many flyovers? have got a score of 4.02, 3.67 and 2.73, respec- been utilised! This is a human rights violation. n Coimbatore, a by-century- The one at 200 feet radial tively. 301 million people, more than a fourth of the road is a necessity as it will re- When we analyse data of achievers with that country’s population, 27%, are classified below Iold house with spacious gar- of Tamil Nadu, there is prospect of much im- the poverty line. This is how the top rankers den belonging to the late G. duce the travel time to the ECR provement. Consider these. performed. Venkataswamy Naidu’s family Road, and also ease congestion at Kathipara junction. The Area Population Pop. density Literacy Population BPL Percentage recently won the award for the Sq. km. (million) Sq.km. % (million) (million) best maintained heritage house Pallavaram flyover is a waste, as in the cotton city from the subway can serve the other Punjab 50,362 24.8 482 77.13 Punjab 24.8 2.09 8.42 side of Pallavaram right upto Kerala 38,863 31.8 819 90.92 Kerala 31.8 4.88 15.34 INTACH, Coimbatore. The Himachal Himachal scions of Naidu family have Keelkattalai and also upto Pradesh 55,6736.0 109 77.13 Pradesh 6.0 0.6310.50 maintained the house intact, Radha Nagar in Chromepet. Tamil Nadu 130,058 62.1 478 73.47 Tamil Nadu 62.1 14.7323.71 keeping the greenery around in The M.I.T. flyover, which took a spic and span condition with- 9 years to complete, is a waste It will be seen that the real performer is Punjab has really conquered poverty com- Kerala with a population density of 819. There pared to the other top rankers. Anyone having a out falling prey to temptations as it is too narrow. If only some is no doubt it is the main beneficiary of a good higher poverty index like Tamil Nadu with re- of apartment builders. The imagination had gone into its climate and a high literacy percentage, coupled spect to the top four states, obviously, cannot owners of such heritage houses construction, we would have with primary health care. Punjab scores over ever expect to go to number one position. in Chennai and other towns had a good, broad flyover that Tamil Nadu due to agriculture development, would do well to emulate this could cater to the needs of the thanks to the huge irrigated area. Its rating in To come to the level of Punjab’s BPL, Tamil example. other side and also Chitlapak- agriculture at 5.62 is being matched by Nadu has to pull up 9.3 million people from the kam area. In any case a new Puducherry with 5.46. Tamil Nadu is certainly below poverty line. This can only happen by giv- M.R. Pillai low at 3. There can be a lot of scope if irrigation ing increased subsidised foodgrains, improved flyover is coming up in East healthcare and improved education which in 110, Muthu Nilayam Tambaram (there is an under- schemes are made successful. Himachal Rupa Nagar Pradesh has a density of 109 people and a small turn gives at least a three-fold increase in earn- Coimbatore 641 045 ground subway there), which ing power. would have served the public. population of 6 million. In fact it cannot be con- Flyovers aplenty sidered a big state. Can you consider Alaska a Tamil Nadu has all the basic infrastructure M. Fazal big state? with 48,359 schools, 693 colleges and 28 univer- hile the subway near 11, Mosque Street On the health front, Kerala has done ex- sities. With these, surely, the Government can W Meenambakkam Rail- Hastinapuram, Chennai 600 064 tremely well, standing at the top, though its imporve matters. It just needs a will to do so. score of 2.44 is lower than Goa, Sikkim, Delhi way Station – which is vital for Vanishing sparrows K.V.S. Krishna students and others to come to or Puducherry. Tamil Nadu’s burden to cater to 62.1 million people with a population density of 2A, Parkland Apartments the other side – is crying for at- ver since I settled in 478 is much higher, but it has managed to hold Kamala Bai Street tention, the authorities have E Chennai in 1997, I had its third place. T.Nagar, Chennai 600 017 sited as many as four flyovers been wondering as to what hap- from Pallavaram station to pened to those chirpy house I knew that Chennai had Inspiration ration to aim at certain goals Sanatorium, a distance of 5 km! sparrows, which used to wake changed in the four decades I and many good Samaritans may The work on the Pallavaram me in the morning. They were read with great pleasure was globe-trotting and many fa- come forward to extend their flyover, near the Railway sta- always flying in and out of the I about the first woman M.B. miliar sights had vanished, giv- moral and financial support to tion, has been stopped and, sud- house, especially during the & Ch. M., Dr. Muthulakshmi ing place to concrete jungles. needy people. denly, an underground subway nesting seasons. Very annoy- Reddy (MM, November 1st). But I never imagined that these Congratulations to Madras has been opened unannounced. ingly they were wont to build Though I had heard of her changes had taken such a heavy Musings for publishing such ar- The next at Thorapakkam- their nests inside the conical name I was unaware of her full toll of exterminating those ticles. Pallavaram Radial 200 Feet canopy above the blades of ceil- history. beautiful, friendly creatures. A.N. Rizza Road, which joins at G.S.T. ing fans. Very often the parent I used to live in T. Nagar By reading such articles, at 10, IV Street, Seva Nagar Road at Tiruneermalai junc- bird would be hit by the swirling area before the 1950s and now least a few people will get inspi- Velachery, Chennai 600 042 tion, is at a standstill after hec- blades and equally often the live in Nungambakkam. I see no tic activity during the last five little fellows used to fall from sparrows at either place now. months. The third one is the the nest on to the blade top. As Has anyone been seeing them Breather for READABILITY M.I.T. flyover, which is too nar- the article (MM, November elsewhere in Chennai? PLEASE row, full of traffic. The fourth 1st) points out, these sparrows a heritage one adjacent to Sanatorium sta- were monogamous and ran T.G. Ramamurthi Dear Readers, tion is half-finished. At enor- their household chores harmo- 10, Virabadran Street mous cost to tax-payers, why niously and cheerfully. Chennai 600 034 building As letters from readers (Continued from page 1) increase, we are receiving more and more hand written letters, abandoned. (If Bharat Insur- many of them in a hand so small Synes of the Tymes ance/Kardyl’s Building is not a and illegible or large and heritage structure, then what scrawled as to be unreadable. he Synes of our Rodes’ (MM, This was a real gem in a Yugoslavian hotel would be?) Often this leads to our ‘TNovember 1st) reminds me of the that read, “The flattening of underwear with The LIC then put up ban- discarding a letter, particularly if occasional boobs all over the world. pleasure is the job of the chambermaid.” ners all around the building some part of it is unreadable. To begin with, we have a board ‘Danse In a Zurich hotel was a sign, “Because of the warning the public that it was a Nagar’ on a tailoring shop in Velachery, refer- impropriety of entertaining guests by the oppo- weak structure that could col- If you wish us to consider your ring to TANSI Nagar. But such curious signs site gender in the bedroom, it is suggested that lapse anytime. The building, letter for publication, please are to be found all over the world. the lobby be used for this purpose.” which is now largely roofless, type it with enough space A sign in a Miami hospital maternity ward This one is classic, “Nothing can be more has been exposed to the ele- between lines or write it using a says, “No children allowed”. A similar sign in a embracing than bad odour. And the problem ments for over two years. medium hand, clearly dotting cemetery warns, “Persons are prohibited from only gets worse summers.” the ‘i-s’ and crossing the ‘t-s’. picking flowers from any but their own graves.” Thus we find that the basics of plain English, The Supreme Court has now stated that the matter can be A note of caution on a jar of sleeping pills the nuts and bolts, have got their knickers in a Many readers also try to fill dealt with by the Madras High reads, “May cause drowsiness.” twist, metaphorically speaking. At the U.S. jail every square centimetre of a A chain saw manual advises, “Do not at- in Guautanamo, Cuba, suicides are classified as Court and has asked the latter postcard space, making reading tempt to stop chain with your hands.” “manipulative self-injurious behaviours”, or so to dispose of the matter based or editing impossible. A notice on a hotel hair dryer says, “Do not we are told. How about this “English smoken”. on its merits. use while sleeping.” This, however, is only a tem- Please help us to consider your A Hong Kong supermarket had a sign that M. Chidambaram porary breather and a lot will said, “For your convenience we recommend 23/10 (Old No. 6/10) letters more favourably by mak- depend on what the final out- courteous, efficient self-service.” Arulambal Street ing them more legible for us. How about this sign at Osaka airport: “Shoes T. Nagar come of the case will be. Mean- sunshine”? Chennai 600 017 while, Madras Musings hopes – THE EDITOR for the best. 4 MADRAS MUSINGS December 1-15, 2007 December 1-15, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 5

(I think he later played for Tamil Nadu). Then there was A facility that has served NOSTALGIA Ananthapadhmanabhan (Bun) who passed for a slow bowler. He women for generations... used to compare himself with G. Kishenchand, who hit the head- lines in Test circles as a wily Recalling the days flighter of the ball! ...It launched Paediatrics We witnessed all the four days of the ‘Test’ match that India as a speciality played against the Australian in Dwaraka Colony Services team in December 1945 at Chepauk. One party would usual Monday morning at and Raja Sri Savalai Ramaswamy The hospital's first patients leave at 5 a.m. with mats and Athe Kasturba Gandhi Mudaliar and others – it was “re- were admitted to premises of- bedsheets to go and squat on the e (a family of six) moved fully equipped maternity hospital invited to her residence for a Memorial Hospital for Women solved to establish the Caste and fered free of rent in Moore’s Gar- ground in front of the gate in Winto Dwaraka Colony dur- with rooms for patients to stay. programme of Rabindra Sangeet and Children. Patient atten- Gosha Hospital in Madras, den, Nungambakkam, by Huma- order to gain first entry when the ing the summer of 1943. It was a Kalyani was one of the first few rendered by Harindranath dants busily go up and down with named after her Majesty Queen yun Jah Bahadur. Dr. Scharlieb gates would be opened and run cosy colony with a main street women students of the Madras Chattopadyaya who was visiting food packets for their wards; on Victoria.” (Gosha referred to the was in charge, and her records and take vantage seats in the (there were a few side-streets as Medical College to specialise in her. It was an enthralling experi- the stone benches and in the practice of veiling among Muslim refer to her daily routine thus: galleries. The remaining well) whose entrance on the Gynaecology and Obstetrics. ence. Mrs. Chennakantamma open quadrangles midst the women.) “5.30 a.m., visits to patients in their members would then arrive north was from Edward Elliot Krishna Rao, the founder of the parked cycles and what-nots Dr. Mary Scharlieb, one of houses. 7 a.m., about seventy pa- Next to our house lived A.V. around 9 a.m. carrying breakfast Road and on the west from Sthree Seva Mandir was also a outside the hospital, others sit or India’s first women doctors, was tients at Hospital and a round of Meyyappa Chettiar’s family. His for the early morning team and Brindavan Street, which was off resident. sleep; and the road outside instrumental in the founding of thirty beds; breakfast. 12 to 1 p.m., little boys would often be playing full lunch for all the members in Royapettah High Road. The first (‘Urine Road’, according to a lecture to women students at the the gramophone and it was a Another first for the Colony tall tiffin-boxes! Of course, the house from the Edward Elliot long-time Triplicane resident) Medical College 1 p.m., consulta- continuous treat of songs from all was the setting up of the Kinder- party would also bring trumpets Road entrance was a spacious stinks as usual. Kamakshi, who tions at home. 4 p.m., tea and The Prince of Wales Hospital for Children in the 1960s. the AVM movies as they were garten school (actually in the and cymbals to make a noise dur- one, where the famous ophthal- has successfully braved the rains change of clothes, visits to European released ... Sri Valli, Nam Iruvar, house next to mine) by Prof. ing the match to greet every bats- mologist, Dr. E.V. Srinivasan, for the last ten days from an un- patients in their houses, and perhaps Quarters had been built with a Electrical installation for The Surgical Unit was started Vedhala Ulagam, Vazhkai, we Sharma and his wife, a German, man as he entered to bat, to her- lived in those days. You spotted used car porch, proffers an idli a little relaxation before dinner at 8 donation of Rs. 4000 by Lodd lighting followed in 1911. In in 1937 with Dr. E. Madhuram, heard all their songs so many Ellen Sharma. This school later ald the fall of every wicket or him in the evenings on the beach from a banana leaf to her daugh- p.m., and then to bed, often only to Krishnadoss and Bala Mukun- 1913, towards efforts to make the its first Chief. However, times. Of course, Pattammal’s blossomed as the very popular cheer every cracking four or road, being driven homewards ter Rani, whose premature baby be disturbed for two or three suc- thadoss, and opened by Lady hospital self-supporting, the the Department acquired a full- Bharati songs and M.S.’s Meera Children’s Garden School in hefty sixer! (he used to change his car every is currently in an incubator. cessive cases before dawn.” After a Ampthill. In 1902, Queen Committee appointed Miss time surgeon only in 1970 Radhakrishnan Salai. Outside the wards, passages while, she persuaded the Hospi- year!) while reclining comfort- During Navaratri and Mar- Alexandra succeeded Queen Hendrie the Lady Superinten- with Dr. V.V. Chelvakumar are littered with plastic, food tal Committee that a resident ably in the back seat of his car. Saraswathi Balaraman, a ghazhi, free music concerts used Victoria as patron of the hospi- dent. Three fully qualified staff to head it. The bed strength had remnants, and biscuit packets medical officer was needed, and He sported a characteristic red l by Carnatic musician of repute, also to be held in Kapali Koil, tal. nurses and six student nurses for increased to 367 (including the while, inside, undernourished Mary Pailthorpe arrived. turban on his head! The doctor lived in our midst and we could Ramakrishna Home and Saibaba A 1904 Report of the Hospi- training were appointed. So Special Wards) by 1946. And in Cdr. R. Ganapathi young mothers and their wailing The hospital was removed to and his brother, E.R. Srinivasan hear her singing whenever we Koil. They will start around 7 tal notes, “We are also pleased to began the hospital’s School of May 1948, the hospital was (RETD.) babies are being ministered to by the ‘Rookery’ (where exactly this (PWD engineer), had built this passed by her house early in the p.m. and go on for 3 to 4 hours. state that several of the better class Nursing. renamed the Government the attendants. A smiling Ka- is, is not clear) in September colony comprising about 20 morning. E.R. Srinivasan’s wife We would finish dinner at home comes into the hospital for their con- The new Nurses Quarters Kasturba Gandhi Hospital mala, slated for a hysterectomy 1887. Government offered houses on their ancestral prop- Padma was a prolific composer of and leave in a group and invari- finement. We have had no less than (now dilapidated) was opened by for Women and Children. that afternoon, says, “Treatment Rs. 10,000 and supply of medi- erty of about 2-3 acres during the hits were also played repeatedly. Carnatic music. B.N. Rao, a di- ably attend all the kutcheries till 37 Brahmin and respectable Hindu Her Excellency Lady Pentland The Family Planning Depart- here is very good!” Just as gen- cines and, later, granted a free early decade, mostly in plots of Ramiah Chettiar, next door, rector at Gemini Studios, also Mangalam was sung! cases. There is no doubt that the on January 19, 1915, its execu- ment was started in 1953 (just a erations of women have con- Dr. E. Madhuram, first Chief of the site at Chepauk for a permanent 1.5 grounds each, with a few on used to manufacture Neo Gripe lived in the colony and, once, he Surgical Unit. new delivery ward, the gift of Lady tion funded by the Government year after the National Family 3-ground plots. Water (a la Woodward’s Gripe took a fortunate few of us to see Nor will old residents forget firmed over the last 12 decades! building. With the Raja of Bashyam Iyengar, will prove a spe- of Madras and the Zamorin of Planning Policy was formulated) the shooting of the famous the heavy rains we had in Introduced “to provide qual- Venkatagiri’s lakh of rupees to- cial attraction as the accommoda- Calicut. In 1921, the hospital was and it was one of the earliest hos- The place, fully enclosed by Water) in his backyard. I often Chandralekha! December 1943 when the whole ity medical care for the native the hospital. It was she who met wards the building, the founda- tion and sanitary conditions are far taken over by the Government of pitals to do so. Frayed 1958 De- compound-walls, was lined with used to visit his house not to buy the gripewater but to make colony was flooded. The Adyar women who were unwilling to Queen Victoria and influenced tion stone was laid (the marble superior to the old delivery ward.” Madras. livery Records reveal the follow- coconut trees (the land formerly To lend a truly integrated In- phone calls as we had no phone and Cooum rivers overflowed access a hospital owing to reli- her to support the initiative by plaque that records this is now The ‘Bashyam Ward’ is now the ing: “Chandramma, w/o Krish- was a coconut grove). On its dian character to the place, there at home! and flooded the adjoining areas. gious scruples and social cus- providing information about the almost hidden in gravel and ward attached to the Old Deliv- nayya, from Kisnampet, Weaver eastern side was a huge free area was a Bengali family, the I used to sleep downstairs to toms,” the hospital began as an pathetic medical conditions and rubble) “of this hospital erected ery Room (ODR) and teems with l by Rs 30/; Pichamma, c/o KV Subra- with lots of mango and neem The Andhra Mahila Sabha Gosains, and an Assamese busi- facilitate collecting the morning idea back in January 1885. After appalling maternity rates among by the Rajah of Venkatagiri and laid patients! SHOBHA MENON maniam, Clerk Rs 90/; Kannam- trees and a big building that was founded by Srimathi nessman, Bez Barua, who used to milk when it was delivered. It a few informal meetings, and the native women of India. With in the 50th year of the happy reign In the early years, attendants ma, c/o Srinivasan, Salt Seller housed the Kalyani Nursing Durgabai at her residence in traverse the colony road on his was raining cats and dogs the then a public meeting held at the Rs. 70,000 collected at the pub- of Queen Victoria, Empress of In- manually carried soiled clothes in Rs. 60/ ” Home set up by Dr. Kalyani, the Dwaraka Colony. I still remem- heavy Daba-Daba motorcycle! In Pachaiyappa’s Hall on March 6, dia, by Anne Julia, Lady Grant whole day and the night. lic meeting, and further dona- barrels to the washing areas “Interestingly, it was on the The quarters for Lower Grade eye-doctor’s daughter. It was a ber the evening when we were the neighbouring Brindavan and 1885 – presided over by Lady Duff CI on 18th day of September Suddenly, very early in the morn- tions soon raised, the Royal where others washed them. Later premises of this hospital that, Government Servants (LGGS) Balakrishna Streets lived the fa- Grant Duff and attended by T. 1886.” The new hospital building ing, I was woken up by a metallic Victoria Hospital for Caste and came the pushcarts. By 1907, a way before the speciality of Pae- were constructed in 1963 to mous director B.R. Pantulu and Madhava Rao, Diwan Bahadur was ready for occupation only by sound. The mud waterpot that Gosha Women was declared huge washroom was in place with diatrics was even thought of in accommodate 102 families, and cine actors M.K. Radha, T.R. R. Raghunatha Rao and Kasturi June 1890. Scharlieb had re- was placed in a corner of the open on December 7, 1885 by four large boilers (still opera- this part of the world, a hospital it is the KGH alone of the Mahalingam and comedian K. Bashyam Iyengar, the Rajas of turned to England in 1887. OUR ADDRESSES room was floating in foot-deep Her Excellency Lady Grant Duff, tional), each with a capacity of for sick children was founded!” government hospitals with such Sarangapani with whom we used Vizianagaram and Venkatagiri, By 1901, the first Nurses’ water in the room. The metal lid wife of the Governor. 862 sq ft, sourced from Engi- confirms surgical oncologist and exclusive quarters (with Stanley For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, non-receipt of to mix to the envy of my school- and the tumbler placed on top of neers, Marshall Sons Pvt Ltd., Hospital converting its own into mates! history buff Dr. Gunasagaram. receipts etc.: Chennai Heritage, 260-A, TTK Road, Chennai it were making the clanging noise England. A central quadrangle And it was Dr. T Muthulakshmi a Social Obstetrics Unit some Amongst us, there were at as the whole system was with neatly lined posts and Reddy, the first Indian woman time ago). G. Kasturi, a long- 600 018. least 10 to 15 boys of school/col- oscillating to and fro in the wa- clotheslines adjoins this area. medical graduate, who, as Vice- time staff in the kitchen, remem- For non-receipt of copies, change of address, and all other lege-going age. We would meet ter! We had a swell time There is also provision for a President of the Madras Legisla- bers, “That was a time when carts circulation matters: MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o Lokavani in the evenings, play in the throughout that morning, wad- steam operated drier used during tive Council, piloted the motion with wooden logs moved around colony ground or go to the beach ing in the chest-deep water, vis- rainy seasons (rarely operated for the establishment of a hospi- carrying fuel to fire the kitchen. Hall-Mark Press Pvt. Ltd., 122, Greames Road, Chennai 600 or just sit on the house railings iting various houses, and trying now). A modern Steam Laundry tal for sick children in Madras on Oats cooked on coal fires used to 006. and chat. We used to play cricket to render any help that was Unit at a cost of Rs. 4 lakh was the lines of the Great Ormond be supplied to patients in the On editorial matters: The Editor, MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o in the big colony ground. We had needed. By afternoon, the floods added in 1955, one of the earli- Street Hospital for Sick Children Special Ward, where 4 patients a regular cricket team with receded and then for the next est in Madras. in London. So there came up the would be attended to by one Lokavani Hall-Mark Press Pvt. Ltd., 122, Greames Road, friends from outside also as its few days, we had to clean the A vegetarian kitchen started Prince of Wales Children’s exclusive ayah. Circular spiral Chennai 600 006. members. There would be regu- whole place. operations in 1908. By the fol- Block, “to commemorate the visit staircases in all the blocks still No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters received lar practices on holidays and on lowing year, the Lady Lawley of HRH Prince of Wales to Madras remind old-timers of the some days matches as well. Some Ward, built by the Zamindar of Matron’s surprise checks to the will be sent from these addresses every couple of days to the P.S. Quite recently, I met my in 1922 met out of public sub- of our famous players were K.S. old school friend T.K. Srinivasan Ettaiyapuram to house septic scriptions which amounted to about upper floors! Earlier, we used to persons concerned and you will get an answer from them to Ramachandran, the opening (the grandson of engineer E.R. cases, was opened by Her Excel- 3.9 lakhs” for the cost of building live in tiled mud houses (on the your queries reasonably quickly. Strange as it may seem, if batsman, and Margabandu, the Srinivasan) who still lives in the lency The Countess of Minto, on and initial equipment. The foun- site of the new OP) that leaked wicket-keeper. Ranganathan December 10th. Currently, it is badly when it rained. Our quar- you adopt the ‘snail mail’ approach, we will be able to help you Colony. He says the ambience is dation stone was laid by Gover- (Jinni was his pet name) and still the same, the residents are the Urogynaecology Ward of the nor Sir George Frederick Stanley ters were declared open by faster and disappoint you less. Srinivasan (Cheema) were our warm and friendly, but the only hospital, and has the distinction on August 20, 1934 and it was Kamaraj himself!” THE EDITOR fast bowlers. V. Krishna Mohan thing he misses is old faces like A Centenary year picture. The team, led by Dr. Kanthamani, Superintendent (with trophy), that in 1985 won the ‘well of being the first of its kind in the opened by Lady Marjorie Erskine Rao (Bobby) was our all-rounder mine! maintained hospital award’. country! on March 16, 1936 with 52 beds. (To be Concluded) CMYK 6 MADRAS MUSINGS December 1-15, 2007 Setback for A Miller’s Road heritage film pioneer (Continued from page 1) downfall. Like all Government departments, the police too has esidential Purasawalkam is the cameraman, editor, direc- leased his brainchild in 1918, been burgeoning, requiring Rnot an area you would as- tor, producer, et al! and the results and public re- more and more space. On sociate with a movie studio to- As the film was silent, like sponse were encouraging August 30th last year, the State day. Yet during the second de- most pioneer Indian film-mak- enough for him to think of his Government announced plans cade of the 20th Century, two ers, he chose a story that could next production. A print of to construct a new multi-sto- studios functioned there! The be easily understood by one and Keechaka Vadham is believed to reyed office for the Commis- first was on Miller’s Road, all, one that moviegoers were be preserved in the film archives sioner of Police, the present HQ where the first South Indian already familiar with. The of the Eastman Kodak Founda- on the eponymous road being R. Nataraja Mudaliar feature film, silent, of course, choice fell on a minor episode tion, Rochester, in New York found insufficient. The Tamil Keechaka Vadham (1918) was from the immortal Indian epic, State. (But no confirmation is dras medical genius, Dr. M.R. Nadu Housing Corporation produced. The pioneer who cre- Mahabharatam, entitled Keecha- available.) Guruswami Mudaliar. The (TNHC) inspected the Traffic ated it against all odds was R. ka Vadham. Inspired by the success of Hindi cards were written by Commissioner’s Office and Nataraja Mudaliar, sadly forgot- The story was suggested by Keechaka Vadham, Mudaliar Devdas Gandhi, Mahatma deemed that the 5.5 acres of ten and ignored, even by most one of the founding fathers of produced more films of the Ganhi’s son, then an up-and- land in it would be ideal for the scholars. the Renaissance of Tamil The- mythological genre. One of coming journalist, who was to multi-storeyed building to come (Interestingly the book, Light atre, Pammal Sambandham them was Draupadhi Vastra- make a mark in the world of In- up. The present Traffic of Asia – Indian Silent Cinema Mudaliar. Why this story? It paharanam (1918). It had Vio- dian journalism as the editor of Commissioner’s Office was de- 1912-1934 (published in 1994), had violence, sentiment, and let Berry, an English woman, the Delhi-based daily, Hindus- clared “not up to the desired lists for the first time a film, sex appeal! Ingredients which playing the lead role, with tan Times. level from the user perspective”, Gopal Krishna, made by Nata- are still found in every movie Duraiswami Pillai as Dussas- Such title cards were artisti- whatever that meant. Had there raja Mudaliar in 1915. There is made in India and even else- sena, the evil-minded brother of cally designed which added to been a Heritage Act in place no mention of this film in any of where! the Kaurava King Duryodhana. the artistic values of the film. It with guidelines, such a demoli- the other chronicles of the his- Like the other pioneer In the famous scene in which was also the practice at that tion would not have happened. tory of silent films produced in Raghupathy Prakash, Mudaliar Dussassena tries unsuccessfully time to have a card at the end In fact, had the TNHC been Madras and no evidence can be too had to seek his performers to disrobe Draupadhi in the of a film with the words ‘Good more sensitive, it would have traced about its release.) from the Anglo-Indian commu- King’s court, Berry and Pillai Night!’ and ‘Namaskar’ in left the old building as it was Nataraja Mudaliar was a nity in Madras. Purasawalkam chatted amiably in English, Hindi. and built the new HQ in the fairly prosperous automobile was then a stronghold of that which had absolutely no refer- Even though the films were adjoining vacant space. spare parts merchant with a community and Mudaliar found ence to the scene or story line! silent, they were accompanied The new building is ex- lively interest in photography several of his cast near his stu- (Some smart lipreaders wrote by background music provided pected to house all the police and the new art form, Cinema. dio. Unlike today, actors and nasty letters to Mudaliar, who in the cinema house by the ex- offices and is being built at a Lord Curzon was then the Vice- hibitor and usually Indian in- cost of Rs. 15 crore in two roy of India and his durbars and strument players using harmo- phases, the first one costing Rs. social activities in Delhi were Round the City’s old studios nium and tabla and sometimes a 10 crore. being filmed for news reel cov- with RANDOR GUY flute. They sat in the pit of the The Police Department erage by British cinematogra- theatre and played the appro- seems unable to make up its phers. Mudaliar established priate background music. Inter- mind as far as heritage is con- contact with one of them, actresses of those happier years read them all with understand- estingly, the background score cerned. The DGP building on Stewart Smith, based in Poona, travelled to work at their own able amusement!) varied from theatre to theatre, the Marina was saved thanks to and persuaded him to teach him cost and brought their own Mudaliar continued to make from show to show, depending activists, the courts and the the basics of cinematography. food. The extravagant, wasteful films for a couple of more years. on the moods of the instrument then Chief Minister, who is now Armed with this limited knowl- five-star culture of providing The list includes Lava Kush players who produced the score in office again. Once the Police edge and unlimited enthusiasm, and pampering of artistes with (1919), Mahe Ravan (1919), at a moment’s notice! Not an were asked to preserve it, they Mudaliar plunged into film pro- food and luxuries was mercifully Shiv Leela (1919), and Rukmini easy job that! did an excellent job, thereby duction, promoting The Indian still in the womb of time. Satyabhama (1920). There were also men stand- making the building a landmark Film Company. He brought in Mudaliar shot his feature In Rukmini Satyabhama, one ing in the cinema at a doorway in the city. Government House, some of his business associates film over five weeks and, as of the lead actresses was Janaki, in the middle of the theatre hall on Government Estate, has and friends as investors, and there was no film laboratory in a Brahmin lady. That was a pe- and they narrated in the local been preserved and maintained built a studio on Miller’s Road. the city, he went to Bangalore riod when Brahmin women led language the events on-screen fairly well, thanks to it being As he was no writer, and had where he established a labora- cloistered lives and rarely and also spoke the dialogue in occupied by the Police in recent little or no experience in the tory of his own. He believed moved out of their homes and their own fashion. Such men, years. But now the Government fine arts, he roped in more that the cooler clime would be certainly never went out alone. known as “barkers”, enjoyed a has decided to knock the build- friends, like the popular stage kind to his exposed film stock! In such a situation, for a Brah- certain degree of popularity and ing down, for the land is to be actor of the day, extra-long- There, he worked during week- min woman to act in movie, some of them were treated as used for the new Assembly. The haired Rangavadivelu, to take ends with his exposed footage shock in the community was in- “stars” with fan followings of Police have been asked to va- care of the acting side of the and returned on Monday morn- evitable. There was much criti- their own! This practice was in cate the premises. Elsewhere in film. Of course, Mudaliar was ings to resume shooting. He re- cism not only about the woman, vogue in Japan and also in small the city, several old Police sta- but even about Mudaliar who towns and villages in India. tions were pulled down, but was criticised by members of his These films were less than others such as the Mylapore one The long road to Madras own community for polluting 6000 feet and were screened at on Kutchery Road and the one (Continued from page 2) the society of the period and the silent film speed of 16 on Greame’s Road are being chored) to prepare his ship for planting wrong and immoral frames per second. (35-mm maintained very well. its eminent passenger. ideas in the minds of women! sound films run at 24 frames per It is clear that the Depart- to the Captain of the ship to get It was January 15, 1675 be- In silent films, title cards second.) ment looks to the Government the vessel ready as soon as pos- fore the Diligente was made were used to explain some Sadly, bickering and misun- for direction on preserving its sible and load it with sufficient ready to sail to Madras to pick points in the story and also the derstandings surfaced among heritage, but unfortunately water for the voyage. Baron’s up Baron. On February 22nd, dialogue. Such cards were the investors and a thoroughly there is nothing forthcoming entourage comprised several of Director-General Baron, along known as ‘inter-titles’ and writ- disgusted Nataraja Mudaliar from that direction. the Company’s merchants, with his entourage, reached ten in more than one language walked out shutting shop, and writers, 20 soldiers and 30 sail- Pondicherry aboard the (such as English, Tamil, Telugu moved to his native Vellore. ors. To accommodate so many Diligente. ored. A few years before he people, a great amount of food and Hindi). During that period The sudden death of his only passed away, he made an appeal was also stored in the ship. Source: India in the 17th Cen- films made in Madras were son in an accident filled his cup to the South Indian Film Cham- Veron, the Captain of tury (Social, Economic and Politi- screened all over India and also of woe. By 1923, he left movies ber of Commerce for financial the ship Diligente, was in cal) Memoirs of Francois Martin in neighbouring countries like and went back to his old busi- assistance to make a movie. He Pondicherry at the time. As (1670-1694) volume 1, part II. Burma, the Federated Malay ness. For many long years he was shocked when he realised soon as he received instructions Translated and annotated by States, and Ceylon. Mudaliar lived in Madras in oblivion and that most of the members had from Martin, he left for Porto Lotika Varadarajan; New had the English cards written by passed away in 1972, unwept, not even heard of him. A sad Novo (where his ship was an- Delhi; Manohar 1983. his uncle, that well-known Ma- unsung and, of course, unhon- end, indeed, for a pioneer. December 1-15, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 7

at the Sathguru Gnanananda Hall is sure to be a big draw this Musings on time too. Another big player of the season is Sri Krishna Gana The Season Sabha. It has got a programme- packed season this time with music and dance alternating even in the morning slots. This Till December 7: Prakriti Founda- December 10: Sruti, Smriti, Kriti. A ahead sabha must be congratulated for tion presents The Park’s New rehearsed reading in English, encouraging nagaswara vidwans Festival, a six-day festival show- based on V. Sriram’s book, The for almost two decades – it will casing new and emerging work in Devadasi and the Saint – the life be hosting its 20th Pongal the field of dance, music and the- and times of Bangalore Nagarath- Nagaswara Isai Vizha from 14th atre (at Museum Theatre). namma, featuring actors, musi- to 17th January, 2008. The Till December 9: AIDS: Hope cians and dancers. (At the Alli- theme for this sabha’s famous springs from the sharing of knowl- ance Francaise at 7.00 p.m.) Natya Kala Conference (conve- edge, the exhibition seeks to shed light on understanding the dis- December 12: Comics Workshop nor: Bharati Shivaji) is ease, the statistics and also the with Francois Dermaut, an illus- ‘Sangeetam in Dance’ (14th to details about the latest develop- trator of French comic books. th 20 December). Kartik Fine ments in research (at Alliance He will organise a profes- Arts too is conducting its an- Francaise). sional creative workshop on nual dance seminar (convener comic book illustrations to help Priyadarsini Govind) from 22nd you get a insight into the fasci- to 24th December. 'Sensuality in nating art of comic book illustra- Indian Dance' is sure to attract tions. (Details: Alliance a good crowd. Francaise.) Kalakshetra Foundation is December 15: The poetry of Sita Doraiswamy... honoured with the TTK Award. offering a nice mix of music Amadou Lamine Sall, one of the kutcheris as well as solo most important contemporary t’s time to take out your silk Raghupathy’s Shree Bharata- th African Francophone poets. (At and group dances during its 55 Till December 23: An exhibition Alliance Francaise.) Iscarves, woollen mufflers, laya. For the first time in her Art Festival starting 22nd by Pichaya Manet. His paintings shawls and warm pattu sarees to life, Sudharani, who is in her December. are singular for his exceptional December 15-30: Poetry Festival sail in style through the Madras early sixties, will be taking on a use of colour and movements in organised by the Prakriti Foun- Music-Dance Season. Once male role – that of the hero The culmination of two depicting the human form and dation. ‘Poetry with Prakriti’ is a you are drawn into it, you Manmatha. years' work is the release of for using the canvas much like a new festival being presented in just can’t get out of it. The day Sriram V’s biography of Banga- stage to visualise and set scenes. Chennai, where poets from This year, the Music Aca- lore Nagarathnamma, titled Both these strengths follow his varied backgrounds in multiple starts early with the Margazhi demy is not confining its bhajanai in the Mada Streets rather intriguingly The Devadasi many years of being a Bharata languages will read and share morning lec-dems to a specific and The Saint. The book is Natyam dancer and choreogra- their poetry at many different around the temple, the music theme, but will be analysing pher. (At Alliance Francaise.) locations across the city. heritage walks, and the slated to be released at 5 p.m. music treatises, compositions of on 9th December at the Taj devotional sessions in the some composers, ragas and as- various sabhas where singer- Connemara under the auspices pects of rhythm. With veteran of the Madras Book Club. What Our Addresses narrators like Kalyanapuram percussionist Palghat R. Raghu Aravamudan and Udayalur will be different on the occasion presiding over the Music Con- will be the rehearsed reading of For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, non-receipt of receipts Kalyanaraman and musical ference, we can look forward to etc.: Chennai Heritage, 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, West Cott Road, groups draw a good following. the book with plenty of (live) the sessions on rhythm being music and dance, directed as Royapettah Chennai 600 014. Then you have the morning special this time. A heartwarm- lecture demonstrations which Sruti, Smriti-Kriti by Prasanna For non-receipt of copies, change of address, and all other circulation ing gesture this season is that Ramaswamy and presented by provide some food for thought matters: MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., octogenarian Sita Doraiswamy The Madras Players. This will – many of them nourishing, a 62/63, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. few indigestible. The routine also be on at Kalakshetra on 8th fare is four kutcheris (music and December and at the Alliance On editorial matters: The Editor, MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o Lokavani th dance) a day, with music domi- l by S. JANAKI Francaise on the 10 December. Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., 62/63, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. nating. In addition, it will be staged for invitees at the Tag Centre on No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters received will be More than fifty musical 16th December. will be honoured with the TTK sent from these addresses every couple of days to the persons concerned organisations, big and small, are and you will get an answer from them to your queries reasonably quickly. getting ready for the Madras Award. She becomes only the The Roja Muthiah Research Strange as it may seem, if you adopt the ‘snail mail’ approach, we will be Margazhi (December-January) second jalatarangam artiste to be Library is putting together an able to help you faster and disappoint you less. season. But some have already honoured, fifty years after her exhibition with music as its launched their festivals in guru Jalatarangam Ramanaiah theme. This will comprise books THE EDITOR th November, while others will Chetty was honoured by the on music published in the 19 continue to celebrate an Academy. You can enjoy the Century, 78 rpm records, song extended season into February. programmes at the Music Acad- books and other memorabilia of CHENNAI HERITAGE the early 20th Century. Curated emy better this time as the seat- 260-A T.T.K. ROAD, ALWARPET, CHENNAI 600 018. One of the first to flag off the ing arrangements on the ground by eminent singer Sanjay season in December is the floor have got a facelift which Subrahmanyan and writer I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / Park’s New Festival (2nd-6th De- are not merely cosmetic. Sriram V in association with the I have just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it cember) curated by the Prakriti RMRL, this will be open to the hereafter. The Narada Gana Sabha is Foundation, featuring “emerg- public from December 15th at stepping into its Golden Jubilee l I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Rs. 100 ing and new work” at one of the the RMRL premises in Tara- Year (1958-2008) with the cel- (Rupees One hundred) payable to CHENNAI HERITAGE, MADRAS, most beautiful venues of mani. as subscription to Madras Musings for the year 2006-07. Chennai – the Museum ebrations culminating in a grand finale in February. As The Season is the time to Theatre in Egmore. l As token of my support for the causes of heritage, environment usual, the sabha offers a pre-fes- watch the up-and-coming Two major thematic dance tival series, the main 'Isai Natya artistes competing with each and a better city that Madras Musings espouses, I send Chennai Heritage an additional Rs...... theatre productions this season Nataka Vizha' (15th December other, it’s the time to listen to promise to be colourful, infor- to 1st January) with some weeks your favourite musicians and (Rupees ...... ) mative and interesting. One is devoted to Harinama Sankeer- watch your favourite dancers, Please keep / put me on your mailing list. Subhaashitam (Eternal Words of tanam and to morning lec-dems it’s the time to observe, renew Name : ...... Wisdom) based on the Pancha- on music and dance. Vidwan musical acquaintances, ex- tantra, Jataka tales, Tirukkural P.S. Narayanaswamy will be change comments, madly rush Address: ...... and folklore choreographed by honoured with the title ‘Nadha- from one venue to the other, dance-gurus Vasanthalakshmi- brahmam’. And, of course, with and to sit back and savour all ...... Narasimhachari. The other is the presence in its premises of that is offered to you in the glo- Note: Overseas postage Rs. 550/year extra. Cheques for overseas post- Mammudha – a dance-opera- the ever hospitable Gnanam- rious name of a rich culture and age alone payable to M/s. Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd. All other theatre production on the God bika Caterers with their lip- heritage. Enjoy it all as much as cheques to ‘Chennai Heritage’. of Love, presented by Sudharani smacking delicacies, the season you can! 8 MADRAS MUSINGS December 1-15, 2007 Tamil Nadu Ranji notes The State flops in

ith the availability of Badrinath showed his inter- W Dinesh Kaarthick, Ani- national class despite severe first two games rudha Srikkanth, Subramaniam stomach problems and dehydra- Badrinath and Vijay Yo Mahesh tion. He was put on drips in the – all national level players – I dressing room, enabling him to end before Wankhede Stadium arm spinner R. Ramkumar task on more occasions, cover- thought Tamil Nadu would resume his innings and make the spectators a week earlier – “So fought a lone battle claiming ing the line and defending off have a ‘cakewalk’ over top score. you think you’re Lance four wickets in the first innings the meat of the bat, the sound Maharashtra which had seven At the end of the game, I Klusener (a former South Afri- and two in the second, pushing of leather hitting willow rever- uncapped players in the final wondered why several senior can belligerent all-rounder)” – Mumbai into trouble. But he berating across the ground. eleven. Plus, the home advan- players, like paceman M.R. Nayar went about bludgeoning lacked support at the other end. Even defensive strokes were tage made Tamil Nadu the Srinivas, Sunil Viswanathan the Karnataka attack, including Vijay Yo Mahesh was a big let met with cheers and claps from favourites to grab the maximum (who’s playing for Haryana as a taking three successive fours off down again. Why doesn’t the the players’ tent, and it clearly number of points. But superb result) and left-handed all- Kumble and making 24 off just TNCA send this confused wasn’t meant for fun. batting by the Maharashtra top rounder Vidyut Sivaramakrish- 18 balls. bowler to the Pace Foundation Mumbai’s chief wrecker in order set the foundation for a nan, were left out of the side. Kerala-born, Mumbai-bred to correct his faults, as he is said both innings was Ramesh Powar massive first innings score. In Equally distressing is the treat- Nayar, who bats left-handed to be full of promise? Also, he and it was clear that many of the the end, Tamil Nadu was hop- ment meted out to former Test and bowls right-handed, went lacks the build of a paceman home side players would not ing to salvage at least a single opener Sadagopan Ramesh, several steps ahead clobbering like Rajasthan’s Pankaj Singh have watched the Australians point and struggled to avoid be- who’s been banished and is trot- the Tamil Nadu spinners, espe- who, incidentally, has been hammering Powar out of the ing all out. ting from State to State. I still cially R. Ashwin. reaping a huge haul of wickets Indian attack. They should The Tamil Nadu attack, bar- back Ramesh as the best bet to Cast more in the Manoj despite playing for one of the have followed the example of ring off-spinner Ravichandran open the Indian innings instead Prabhakar mould while bowl- weakest sides in the tourna- Ashwin, whose willingness to Ashwin, was disappointing. Par- of Wasim Jaffer. ing, and batting like Karsan ment. get a good stride forward helped ticularly galling was the wayward Ghavri, the Indian selectors, What caused Tamil Nadu to counter Powar’s spin. line of Yo Mahesh. He’s yet to Bhaskeran Thomas particularly Dilip Vengsarkar, fold for 206 and 214? One ob- Perhaps it’s hard to expect make strides in the higher grade Other sources report: need to watch Nayar as he will servation was that the batsmen too much out of a young side, despite repeated opportunities certainly fill the bill as a possible at times failed to cover the line with a few pushed into the big Tamil Nadu also let itself be in the Challenger Series and In- Indian all-rounder. A stint with of the ball quickly enough, not league earlier than expected. As outplayed in Chennai by an or- dia ‘A’ games. While the other a good fast bowling coach like knowing when the ball would the coach W.V. Raman put it, dinary team from the western paceman C. Ganapathy, who is Venkatesh Prasad will improve suddenly shoot low. When with a young side, the only way metropolis, Mumbai. If a side is far better than Mahesh, bowled his bowling. sound technique was needed, is up. – (Courtesy: Straight dismissed on the opening day with considerable pace and ac- In this game, veteran left- Mumbai’s batsmen rose to the Bat.) itself in a longer duration game, curacy. I recall Ganapathy’s tre- it’s the first sign of losing the mendous pace in the 2004 Ranji match. semi-final against Railways ILLEGAL CONSTRUCTION ILLEGAL when he had most of the bats- Paceman Avishkar Salvi, men, including Test discard who was a last-minute with- (Continued from page 1) of this Act. They asked the Government Pleader Sanjay Bangar, weaving and drawal due to injury from the the Ordinance – thus overturning the judge- (who was present in Court) if there was any dif- hopping at the crease. His final Indian team that toured Aus- ment and replacing it with a fresh one-year ference between what was stated in the Ordi- tally of one for 61 barely did jus- tralia in 2003-04 and was re- amnesty for illegal buildings in Chennai. This nance and what was stated in the Act, and the tice to his talent in the placed by Lakshmipathy Balaji, Act was passed by the Assembly on October GP confirmed that there was none. The Chief Maharashtra game. struck vital blows — the clean 22, 2007, but was kept under wraps pending Justice said that in that case the Act would be Ashwin bowled a marathon bowling of skipper Subrama- the end of the Court case. The Governor’s sig- struck down since it suffered from the same ille- 50 overs and captured six wick- niam Badrinath for zero proving nature was affixed and notification in the Ga- galities as its predecessor. An order is expected to be the most crucial. ets for 133 runs. Here’s a crick- zette was done one day after the Court ruling. to this effect. eter who should soon be consid- After a good start Mumbai On November 20, 2007, CAG filed a fresh Given the sustained interest in protecting ered for an India ‘A’ slot be- appeared to be in the doldrums writ petition challenging the Act, arguing the illegal constructions, it is expected that an cause of his perseverance and when there came a sledge-ham- that, since the Act was a word-to-word repro- appeal will be filed by the Government before willingness to bowl long spells mer century (105) by one of duction of the Ordinance that had been the Supreme Court. The State Government’s and purchase wickets. Harbha- Mumbai’s promising all-round- quashed, this Act too must be struck down. consistent and open support of the builders’ jan Singh’s presence should not ers Abhishek Nayar. Taunted The writ petition came up before the High lobby has been a matter of concern to all inter- be a factor in stalling Ashwin’s by the Indian Test captain-des- Court on November 22nd and the High Court ested in a better city and does not augur well for advance to the higher levels of ignate Anil Kumble while agreed with CAG on the unconstitutionality a Singaara Chennai. the game. Karnataka were at the receiving

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Published by S. Muthiah forfor ‘Chennai‘Chennai Heritage’,Heritage’, 260-A,260-A, TTK TTK Road, Road, Chennai Chennai 600 600 018 018 and and printed printed by by T TJ JGeorge George at atLokavani Lokavani-Hallmark Southern Printers Press Pvt.Pvt. Ltd.,Ltd., 62/63,122, Greams Greams Road, Road, Chennai Chennai 600600 006.006. EditedEdited byby S.S. MUTHIAH.MUTHIAH.