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Home , Kathipara Junction, Madras Musings, Rajaji Hall

Registered with the Reg. No. TN/PMG (CCR) /814/06-08 Registrar of Newspapers Licence to post without prepayment for under R.N.I. 53640/91 Licence No. WPP 506/06-08 Rs. 5 per copy (Annual Subscription: Rs. 100/-) WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS INSIDE

• Short ‘N’ Snappy • A Daniells’ gallery • Following the photowalkers MADRAS • Dr. Kesari’s reminiscences • The TamBrahm Bride

Vol. XVIII No. 1 MUSINGS April 16-30, 2008 BetterIs VPH times to get ahead a new for heritage buildings? The only positive side-effect of the (By A Special Correspondent) board exams is that I have lost 10 kilos! hile privately owned of the Government Music Col- Weight(y) matters W heritage and historic lege) on Greenway’s Road and ‘They’ are really over. structures in the city are con- the Metropolitan Magistrate’s ... once a conservationist’s report is in, restoration may start. tinuing to lose their battle Court building on Rajaji Salai Finally! interest is the proposed restora- done, something which is of against the wrecker’s hammer, are expected to be taken up at a “Oh, the dark days are done; the tion of Palace. Rs. 3.5 prime importance for a heritage it would appear that better days cost of Rs. 83 lakh. Similar work bright days are here...er... crore has been earmarked for building, in this case one of the ummmm…” (Sorry – didn’t are here for some under the is also to be undertaken at the this. However, details of what is oldest surviving buildings of the mean to break into a song like control of the Government. offices of the Deputy Inspector to be done have not been fur- city. The PWD’s own talents in that. And how’s that for an A recent question in the As- General of Registration on First nished. It is to be hoped that the this area need to be better age-revealing faux pas?) sembly had the PWD Minister Line Beach (Rajaji Salai) for Government will appoint a con- honed. In this connection, it is Seriously, those who walked in furnishing several details re- which a budget of Rs. 50 lakh is the shadow of the Board Ex- sultant for specifying the exact heartening to note that the garding the restoration works to be allocated. aminations know what it feels nature of renovation to be (Continued on page 8) like to come into the light… that are ongoing or planned. A project that will be of great lighter, literally. Most of these are being taken Have you noticed how trim and up under the grants of the 12th toned some parents of excit- Finance Commission. Among able, unpredictable kids ‘tak- the ongoing works are renova- May we hope for it to ing their Boards’ have be- tion of the Ophthalmic Hospi- come? tal building in (it is to The whittled-downers differ be hoped that he meant ALL over what causes greater the historic buildings here), the remain a woodland? weight loss. “Physics. Worth 10 kg,” some Banqueting Hall () in Government Estate (budget he recent judgement of the terest. 22 acres of land were By the 1960s, the Society opine, patting their flat tum- , allow- leased out by the Government had begun to face financial dif- mies proudly. Rs. 91 lakh), the upgrading of T “Computer Science,” says an- the Archives build- ing the State Government to re- to the Society in the area beside ficulties and it was then that other. ing at a cost of Rs. 2.16 crore sume the rights to the lands the St George’s Cathedral Krishna Rao, the man who had “Maths…any day. 15 kg,” says a and the renovation of the com- leased out by it to the Agri-Hor- which had been consecrated in brought Udipi cuisine to Ma- particularly tired bunch. pound wall of the Government ticultural Society has brought 1816. The Society changed its dras, approached the body with “Hey, you know how I had to Museum at a cost of Rs. 77 lakh. the verdant sprawl of 18 acres name to the Madras Agri-Hor- a proposal to set up a drive-in fight to prevent English being However, the minister’s reply is or so on either side of Cathedral ticultural Society in 1860 and restaurant in the gardens on the taken for granted? ‘Think Road into the news. left of the road as you ap- what it will do to your aver- silent on the fate of the Mu- seum building and the National While much is being made proached Gemini Studios. The age’… that’s all I told him ev- G by A Special Society was initially reluctant, ery morning for six months,” Art Gallery, which badly need out about the fact that the but the rent offered was attrac- discloses a startlingly shrun- attention. popular Woodlands Drive-In Correspondent ken soul. Quite a few new projects are restaurant in the place has tive and the Society, hard- Your heart goes out to a family on the anvil as well. Tendering closed down, not many are wor- over the years its annual flower pressed financially, agreed. It is that now has to rise above process for the renovation of ried about the future of the Hor- show was much looked forward interesting to note that none such nightmare conversa- the Amaravathi Gallery of the ticultural Society itself or the to, with the Governor of Ma- pointed out that sub-letting a tions, and fight its way back Government Museum is under- fate of the green expanse. In leased property was in any way to a sweeter, gentler time. dras, the Patron-in-Chief of the way. Lighting of the façade of many ways, the Society itself is Society, inaugurating it. The not legal, the precise argument Two pallid creatures, seeing the to blame for the situation that it on which the present judge- outside of their gates after Fort St George is in the same Society boasted of a good library stage. The budget for these is is in. devoted to publications on ment is based. Be that as it may, weeks, take in each other’s the Woodlands Drive-In Res- emaciated frames. Rs. 80 lakh. Lighting arrange- A historic body founded botany and did much to foster a “Chemistry,” the first one rasps. ments for the High Court com- with the best of intentions, the keen interest in gardening in a taurant, an innovative concept The other sighs. “Disinterested plex and the restoration of the Madras Horticultural Society city that was full of bungalows. in India, was inaugurated on Commerce.” build- was started in 1835. An active With the laying of Cathedral April 15, 1962 and became a Oh, well, at least they’re nice ing are to be taken up this year. member on the committee was Road in order to connect Adyar runaway success. In an era and slim for the holidays. The latter is expected to cost Dr. Robert Wight, Surgeon in and South Madras to St when there were not many cars With no gym-ing, fad-dieting… Rs. 40 lakh. Besides these, the around, it was considered fash- and for free. the Madras Medical Service, George’s Cathedral, the prop- renovation and preservation of who also brought out a number erty became divided into two ionable to drive in to Wood- Ranjitha Ashok Brodie’s Castle (present home of publications of botanical in- and reduced to its present size. (Continued on page 8) CMYK 2 April 16-30, 2008 Names of villages in Tamil Nadu Bawling into the mobile phones

A reflection of ecological tradition he Man from Madras partment door, only to find a ought to take. But what puzzled T Musings recently read an busy business executive yelling MMM no end was that each he study of the names of Thannerkulam, Tiruvallikkeni) article in on the trial into his mobile about a pay- one of these announcements Tplaces in a specific area is or the one with waterfalls, as of John Clifford, a man who as- ment that was long overdue was in pure Tamil with nary an called Toponymy. The topono- Peraruvi in Tirunelveli District. saulted people who spoke and if the party of the other English word in sight. While mical study includes the origin Tiruvaiyaru, as the name aptly loudly into their mobile phones part was not willing to honour MMM is all for the local lan- of these names, their social and suggests, is located at the while travelling by train in New its commitments, then his com- guage, and is indeed one of its York. He claimed that they in- pany, no doubt the party of the great admirers, he could not cultural meanings, and the confluence of five rivers. terfered with his right to be left first part, would soon be taking help thinking of the many for- identification of patterns, if any. There are also numerous in- in peace and quiet and that steps. eigners who now live in this The five-fold landscape stances of places named after they were guilty of breach of As to what these steps were, area. At last count there were categorisation in the early animals and birds. Puliyur, train etiquette. He was arrested MMM was not enlightened Americans, Scandinavians, Tamil tradition derived its Pulivoy, Pulipakkam, Thiru- and produced in court where about, for the train then went British (and that includes the names from the significant pulivanam ( Dis- he defended himself. through a “no signal” patch. Welsh, Irish and the Scots), natural vegetation found in the trict) are named after the tiger/ Musing on him while on a Immediately there were with- Koreans, Russians and even a regions. The hilly tracts of land leopard. Karadipatti (bear) train journey, MMM could not drawal symptoms all over the Costa Rican or two. Many of were named after the flowering but help think that there was compartment. People contin- them now drive about the city, (Madurai District); Aanaiyur, much in what JC stood for. As ued shouting their “Hello! Can incredible though the feat may plant kurinji found in the hills; Aanaika (elephant); and Maan- MMM tried to catch up with you hear mes” into their seem. How they managed to the forest tracts were named af- turai (deer) (Tiruchirappalli his thoughts and brood on life phones. Some cursed their re- understand these signboards is ter mullai, the wild jasmine ram- District); Mayiladuturai, Mayi- in general, a woman next to spective service providers while a major mystery. But anyway, pant in those areas; the culti- lapur (peacock); Koliyur (hen) him was talking loudly into her others immediately got up and all’s well that ends well. vable tracts were named after (Tiruchi District); Kuyilkudi phone about how her daughter- rushed to the open doors no The police, no doubt tired of the majestic tree marutham, (cuckoo) (Madurai District); in-law had not conceived de- doubt with the idea of receiv- the amusement the traffic jams which is always present near Tiru-kalugu-kunram (vulture) spite many years of effort, no ing what little signal could be caused, decided to revoke the freshwater resources; the lit- (); Kalu- doubt on the part of the obtained. A sullen peace then scheme and went back to the toral land was named after gumalai (vulture) bear the mother-in-waiting and her hus- came about the place once they old one. The only point was neythal, the water lily found in names of birds. the pools of the coastal areas; The names of places at times and the arid tracts of land which also reflect the nature of the soil are usually between the hills as is evident from Semmanjeri SHORT ’N’ SNAPPY and the forests were named af- (red soil), Karisikadu (black ter the paalai tree Mimusops soil), Manalur (sandy village) hexandra (Roxb) which is and Sembulam (red soil). strangely fresh and green even Quite a few names of places band. Even as MMM, not all realised that nothing could that no announcements were in arid conditions. are associated with trees, like wanting to be privy to a con- be done. After half-an-hour, the made to this effect. By then, Ecological factors influenced Panaimarathupatti, Panaiyur versation replete with terms signals returned and everyone many people had resigned human settlements in Tamil (Indian palm), Veppampaati such as ovulation and fertile went back to their non-stop themselves to the new scheme Nadu. This is amply borne out (neem), Alapakkam (banyan), period, turned the other way, talking. and kept along the routes it by the geographical names of (Indian black plum) he met with a blast from an el- MMM wonders at such open dictated. The chaos that the villages. The names of the and Iluppai (Indian butter tree). der who was on the phone try- discussions on private matters. reigned on the day the old villages located near the hills Thiruppaalaivanam (Thiru+ ing to tell his son – who, Can all these not wait till people scheme came back had to be invariably have kundru or malai MMM could glean, was living have gone back to the privacy seen to be believed. paalai+vanam) was once cov- in faraway Florida – that the of their homes? What about as a prefix or suffix. A few ex- ered with the paalai (Ceylon amples are , Param- documents he, the son, had people who need to rest? Don’t The Man of the City iron wood) tree. couriered to him, the father, they have any rights? kundram, , Neer- Arani denotes a place sur- had not yet reached. JC was, incidentally, acquit- here are days when the kundram, Arungunram, Thiru- rounded by a forest. Mangadu After having analysed the ted of all charges. There is T Chief, overwhelmed by kkalukkunram, Thirupparuttik- (mango grove/forest), Chaai- relative merits and demerits of much food for thought in that his correspondence, allows The kunram, Alagarmalai, Thirunir- kadu (place once covered with many courier agencies, the old decision. Man from Madras Musings to malai. Villages located on the chaai or korai grass), Attikadu, man disconnected and then, attend to some letters. And one such really caught MMM’s banks of rivers have names with (Indian fig) and having prodded MMM in the Mowbray’s Road maze ribs, promptly informed him fancy. It was addressed to “Ma- aarur or thurai as either prefix or Alankadu (banyan) find refer- suffix (Thiruvarur, Thuraiyur, (MMM) that his (the old he Traffic Police must have dras Musings Muthiah for ences in the Sangam literatures no doubt felt that life was Chennai Heritage.” Now Arugatturai) and villages situ- man’s) son was concluding a T such as Ahanaanooru, Puran- “firsht classh” real estate deal dull. Perhaps the plethora of MMM does not think the ated at the confluence of rivers aanooru and Aingkurunooru. on High Road flyovers had solved all their traf- Chief is standing for elections, had the term koodal as a suffix The fact that the villages in and that he (the old man) was fic problems and they felt that but if he did, then this would (Thimmukkoodal). Tamil Nadu were named after the power-of-attorney holder something new must be stirred be as good a slogan as any Villages near the lakes have the natural resources of the for him (the son). In case the up to keep themselves occu- other. yeri as a suffix (Maraneri, places amply demonstrates how documents did not reach pied. So, a rather complicated system of one-ways was envis- Murukkeri, Tiraineri, Then- environmentally conscious the within two days, added the old Language of finance man, no doubt by then con- aged around the busy neri, Pazhaveri, Kadapperi, ancient Tamils were. The need ). vinced that MMM was an inti- Mowbray’s (TTK) and C.P. he Man from Madras to respect and further perpetu- Musings regularly goes The names of villages with mate acquaintance, the conse- Ramaswami Iyer Roads. De- T ate the ecological traditions is spite a series of announcements through the financial papers, prominent tanks have the suffix quences would be dire. He the object lesson Sangam litera- then glared at the woman who in the English and Tamil Press, but understands very little, kulam (Karungulam, Kattan- ture holds for us. (Courtesy: Eco had by then moved on to top- everyone was taken by surprise though he sometimes gets a kulam, Malayankulam, Perum- News, Journal of the CPREEC.) ics of general interest and in- when the actual scheme was laugh or two from the head- kulam, Ayyangarkulam, Vep- formed MMM that if only implemented. Traffic piled up lines which are anything but pangulam, Pammadhukulam, M. Amirthalingam people spoke softly into their in every conceivable direction comprehensible. Recently, mobiles, others could get on and there were gridlocks galore. however, he has been intrigued with their lives. The Man from Madras Musings, by a new term – ‘degrowth’. A big ‘Thank You’ to 61 of you While all this was in who has to use this stretch of- Apparently this stands for lack We publish below the list of donors who have, between 16.3.08 and 15.04.08, added to the support Chennai progress, a young thing in the ten, devised an alternative route of growth or negative growth. Heritage and its voice, Madras Musings, have already received. We thank all of them for their support for the comprising a series of narrow Going by the same logic, would causes Chennai Heritage espouses. seat opposite was talking away — Chennai Heritage on her phone, repeating the alleyways and found that he we say that a person is “defat- Rs. 1000: Chitra Ragulan; Palaniandavan, N.; Rs. 900: Amalgamated Engineers Pvt Ltd.; Rs. story of a new film which had could reach his destinations ted” when he slims and a car 500: Reddy; Anjula Asokan; Mallika Gulvady; Rs. 400: Dharma Raja, A.R.; Arun, A.V.; affected her powerfully. much faster than before. But “de-forwarding” when it re- Ramakrishnan, R.; Gabrille Landwehr; Shankar, P.; Sriram, V.S.; Soora Chandhiramonleeswaran; verses? The possibilities are Ravishankar, V.; Kanthi Padmanabhan; Gauri Sankar, A.; Ravi Ramamurthi; Narayannan, S.; MMM had heard enough. The others were apparently not so Nirmala Krishnaswamy; Pundari Kanthan, N.V.; Madhani Ramachandran; Rs.300: Jean Menezes; elder had now received a call fortunate. limitless and will no doubt Sivaraman J; Sethu, S.; Rs. 250: SundarMani; Rs. 200: Anusha K Dass; Chanadra Janaki Raman; from someone who appeared The police in all their zeal keep MMM occupied happily B V Jagannathan; Subramanian, T.S.; Krishna Moorthy, M.; Rajagopal, K.; Lein, K.R.; Mano to be a walking medical dictio- had put up a series of notices on till the next fortnight. Bakthavatsalam; Cherian, V.M.; Rs.150: Sridharan, G.; Vittal, V.; Srinivasan, G.; Arunachalam, D.; nary. MMM walked off to the the roads giving car and other George Joseph; Rs. 140: Dharan, C.D.A.; Rs. 100: Mahadevan, M.; Vijaya Raghavan, A.; – MMM Ameenkddin; Villasini, R.; Reddi, C.A.; Vinosh Antony; Unnikrishnan, P.; Amandha Rao, V.S.; common area near the com- vehicle users the directions they Panchapagesan, V.; Meena Bhasker Mahajan; Gopal Raj, C.; Appasamy, T; Krishnaswamy, K.S.; Venkatesan, S.; Rajasekar, K.V.; Ramamurthi, L.N.; Rs. 50: Sundari, B.; Thiagharajan, P.S.; Lal, J.R.; Indukanth S. Ragade; Janardhan, S. April 16-30, 2008 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

Today’s Madras adras in the 1890s’ ‘M (MM, March 16th) Euphoric over provided excellent reading. Times have changed and yet they haven’t. On the one hand, a ‘grade separator’ the Cooum stinks more, the n July 16, 1999, I had made an appeal through the Editor streets are filled with slush dur- Oof Madras Musings for a flyover at and ing the monsoons, and water it was published in Madras Musings on August 16th. It was en- Who triumphs? vices? Definitely not, for they scarcity is ready to pounce on dorsed by another reader, Vijaya Ganapathi, in the issue dated demand something, and, any- Chennai the moment a single September 16th; she had sought at least a signal. The signal was t was reported in a section of one refuses to budge, will have monsoon fails. not granted then or later! the Press that a retired Army I to go the army person way. Cor- On the other hand, the vari- Now, nearly a decade later, the much sought after flyover is General, who held many key ruption has indeed taken deep ety of food available in present- nearing completion. In fact, one stretch of it has been posts and decided to settle roots and nothing gets done in day Chennai is mind-boggling, inaugurated. down in Chennai, has been bat- Being a motorist, I have been enduring this traffic chaos for the government departments if conveyance is by latest model tling for the last fourteen over a decade now. As I find my dream flyover becoming a real- one does not yield to the re- AC cars, and the malls are won- months to get a ration card for ity now – within my ‘lifetime’ – I feel a sense of great personal quests of the officials. In the derlands, making one feel like his family. As his efforts to get achievement, though I had nothing to do with the physical plan- emblem of Tamil Nadu, there is Alice. Moreover, the fat dark the card became futile, he, ning or execution of the flyover, now re-christened as a ‘Grade an inscription which states that chap Ramdas who used to bathe Separator’! through the Army, took up the ‘Truth alone triumphs’. It needs people for a fee will not find any (Incidentally, subways have become ‘under-passes’ and issue with the Chief Secretary, to be re-written with ‘Corrup- takers, now that the papers are flyovers have become ‘grade-separators’. Is there any signifi- who, it appears, has promised to tion alone triumphs’. full of names of ladies promising cance in the revised nomenclature except to introduce some take up the Civil Supplies to massage to “your fullest satis- fancy words?) Department. V. S. Jayaraman faction”. My euphoria has no bounds now as I drive over this Grade Seperator. But will my name be ‘engraved’ in some remote cor- The fault with the retired 31 Motilal Street, Chennai 600 017 The one stark irony-cum- General was that he refused to ner of a commemorative plaque on the Kathipara ‘Grade Sepa- Philistinism tragedy now is that some of the rator’? grease the palms of the officials. longest water queues can be Had this been done, the Gen- too wept while going through In the Grade-Separated traffic flow, I observe, all right turns seen in Seven Wells area which will now become left turns – after some climbing up and going eral would have received the Ithe letter of Anna Varki was once the precursor of the down through a loop. card at his door step. (MM, March 1st) about the Water Works! The en- In the futuristic Kathipara Grade Separator, I am confused The situation is indeed pa- poor maintenance of hoary in- tire George Town area, which by how a vehicle from Mount Poonamalle Road will join GST thetic, and, this is definitely not stitutions like Presidency Col- was the Madras of the 1890s, Road towards airport when rushing to catch a flight or to take the way to treat a person from lege and Queen Mary’s College. has gone to mongrels, the lesser NH-45. Or how to take a right turn from into Inner the services. If this could hap- It is worthwhile to remember dogs. Ring Road towards NH-4 (GNT Road). (Both are right turns.) It would be better for Madras Musings and its readers to think pen to a retired army person, the services rendered by these C.G. Prasad one can well imagine the plight institutions for a century and and plan ahead on which lane to take, by stopping 5 kilometres 9, C.S. Mudali Street ahead of this Grade Separator – till they get used to the new of others. more in South India in the Kondithope, Chennai 600 079 It is, in this context, one cause of education. They have system. Else, they will find themselves lost in it. A guru’s picture My next worry is after whom are we going to name this ‘grade should view the announce- produced Nobel Laureates in separator’. What does ‘Kathipara(i)’ stand for? Should it be re- ments made by the Chennai Science, world-class mathema- hen Swami Vivekananda served for future luminaries or politicians-in-waiting? Why not Corporation, while presenting ticians, philosophers and ad- Wfirst visited Madras, Dr. name it after the Common Man by naming it Podhujana the Budget. The civic body of- ministrators. Surely they de- Nanjunda Rao (MM, April 1st) Yeeradukku Membalam as a tribute to the travails he has long fered to issue birth and death serve better. had met him. Earlier, Dr. undergone? certificates free of cost. It also I am endorsing a copy of this Nanjunda Rao paid a visit to My deep appreciations to Madras Musings for giving me an indicated that there will be no letter as well as a copy of Ms. the Theosophical Society along opportunity to express my wish for the people of Chennai a de- cade back when, in 1999, there was no IT boom, few small cars, cremation charges and that it Varki’s letter to the Hon. Min- with his friends. At the Soceity, will provide free of cost a van to ister of Education of Tamil less private jet liners or ultra deluxe or A/C MTC buses, no an American member of the So- CMBT, no BG trains, no elevated rail/road corridor, no IT su- transport the dead to the cre- Nadu. I hope he will do some- ciety was cleaning the premises per highway! matorium. thing. and was seen casting away cer- Madras Musings should celebrate being ahead of planners by While the services would be Prof. R.C. Narayanan tain things to be destroyed. Dr. pointing out the need of a flyover in the cause of public interest. free, will the officials manning 25, 32nd Cross Street Nanjunda Rao had noticed a Even then, infrastructure was inadequate. Now that we have the department allow the pub- Besant Nagar, Chennai 600 090 picture of a sadhu among the the grade separator ten years later, will it prove adequate? lic to get away with such ser- discarded materials and asked Very sketchy V. Rajagopalan whether the picture of a sadhu Chennai 600 061 am glad that at last “OUR could be burnt. The American Machi and me IMuseum” has been noticed in replied that nobody knew about about his guru, Swami Swamiji on seeing his Master’s the columns of Madras Musings this sadhu and all the unwanted Vivekananda used to reply, picture in the room was moved (April 1st). But as happens in things had to be cast away. So “What merit do I have to talk to tears and told the Doctor many writings about the Dr. Nanjunda Rao took the pic- about my guru?” and did not re- that the picture was that of his Museum, the article gives the ture with the consent of that veal the name of his guru. revered guru. impression of a “general passiv- member and got it framed and Swami Vivekananda paid a visit T.M. Sundararaman ity” in the Museum and is now had it hung in his pooja room. to Dr. Nanjunda Rao’s house 19, Nallappan Street sought to be enlivened through Whenever anyone asked and was led to the pooja room. , Chennai 600 004 a “Friends of the Museum con- cept, a bookshop, curio corner, canteen”. One expects more from a journalist like Shobha OUR ADDRESSES READABILITY PLEASE Menon than such a sketchy write-up. For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, Dear Readers, Even the inset – Museum non-receipt of receipts etc.: Chennai Heritage, 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, West Cott Road, , Chennai 600 014. Story – ends with a factual error As letters from readers increase, we are receiving more making it look as if the Museum For non-receipt of copies, change of address, and all and more hand written letters, many of them in a hand so is housed in one building de- other circulation matters: MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o small and illegible or large and scrawled as to be signed by Henry Irwin and in- Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., 62/63, Greames unreadable. Often this leads to our discarding a letter, par- refer to my letter (MM, April Road, Chennai 600 006. ticularly if some part of it is unreadable. 1st). This photograph is of my augurated on December 5, I On editorial matters: The Editor, MADRAS MUSINGS, grandmother Madhavi Amma 1896. Actually, it is in a com- If you wish us to consider your letter for publication, please plex of buildings, each with a C/o Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., 62/63, Greames (Machi), with me, when I was Road, Chennai 600 006. type it with enough space between lines or write it using a four-years-old. history of its own. medium hand, clearly dotting the ‘i-s’ and crossing the ‘t-s’. Readers who read the letter Unfortunately “OUR Mu- No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters – My Grandmother-Machi may seum” has not been a hit with received will be sent from these addresses every couple of Many readers also try to fill every square centimetre of a the elitist sections of our soci- days to the persons concerned and you will get an answer postcard space, making reading or editing impossible. like to see what she looked like. from them to your queries reasonably quickly. Strange as it ety. Madhavi Ramachandran may seem, if you adopt the ‘snail mail’ approach, we will be Please help us to consider your letters more favourably 203, Peters Road N. Harinarayana able to help you faster and disappoint you less. by making them more legible for us. Gopalapuram, Chennai 600 086 120, Big Street , Chennai 600 005 THE EDITOR THE EDITOR 4 MADRAS MUSINGS April 16-30, 2008 April 16-30, 2008 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 A Fort gallery To boldly go where for the Daniells most have gone before t was a very pleasant evening have seen the productions (of n a rapidly-changing metropo- Iwhen the Archaeological Sur- others) in various parts of the Ilis like Chennai, some believe vey of India’s “Daniell Picture globe”. that nostalgia is a game for old Gallery” was inaugurated re- After recording some excep- fools. But 26-year-old Chandra- cently in the Fort Museum. The tional scenes and buildings in choodan Gopalakrishnan, or ASI produced for the occasion a Agra and Lucknow, they returned CCG as he is known in the well brought out and informative to Calcutta. As they needed blogosphere, makes you question handout about the Daniells and money for further progress, they this assumption. This adman is their work in India. auctioned their works, the auc- Interior view of the Palace, Madura. the founder of the concept of History records that Thomas tion being announced in the sketches what they saw. Trichy series. The first three were called Chennai photowalks – camera and William Daniell had sailed Calcutta Gazette of January 5, and Madura provided them a Oriental Scenery; Twentyfour expeditions through interesting for the East from England with 1792. Though the auction had great feast for their pencil and Landscapes; and Antiquities of In- parts of the city. “Because I’m their drawing material and re- Thomas Daniell. satisfactory results, the younger brushes. But they had their own dia and Hindoo Excavations. Each this guy who is obsessed with the turned only after about nine Daniell in his letter to his mother miseries too; once their personal series contained 24 aquatints. city’s history, my routes are al- years. During this time they trav- stated, “the people were more luggage was stolen and on an- They are now exhibited in the ways through old Madras,” says elled through China and India to ready to admire Uncle’s paintings other occasion their dubash ran Fort Museum Gallery and in- this blogger. find suitable material to make than buy them.” away with some money. clude Ruins of the Palace, Once a month, CCG leads sketches of, and they found The money they got embolde- They did several views of Ma- Madura; The Great Pagoda, devoted Chennaiites on a fun plenty in the shape of landscapes, ned them to travel south. After dras. Among them, the one that Trichinopoly; Interior View of the outing to shoot people and places mountains and especially ruins! spending almost four years in the depicts Fort St. George seen from Palace, Madura; The Great Pa- in the city. The idea is to walk William meticulously main- north, they arrived in Madras on sea during a storm, with the goda, Tanjore; and The Water-fall through a neighbourhood and tained a journal in which he re- March 29, 1792, and travelled waves lashing the shore, is re- at Puppanassum. There are sev- capture in pictures – the build- corded their impressions of the markable for its content and eral others from North India. ings, the people on the streets, places they visited. and the very ethos of the place. Above: The photowalkers find children smiling subjects. Right top: Crossing a road in a rush; Right middle, A view of the form. As the ASI handout says, and Estuary from the broken walkaway; and Right bottom: A boat in city waters. All photographs from the Thomas, born in 1749, was Photowalkers also chat with William Daniell. Sarojini Naidu described “Their contribution to India was Chennai photowalkers’ collection. twenty years older than his Delhi as “the splendid tragedy”. immense. They were great hu- long-time residents to learn the nephew William and William lator of the Gita into English) She might have said that of the man beings. . . . The dedication lore of the locality. At the end of group, they are also curious. your enthusiasm for anything is nary walk has a history angle to has this unique ability to inspire lived three years short of the el- and William Jones helped him to ruins of the Mahal in Madurai and application of the Daniells the self-guided heritage walk, They ask members of this Tamil- not easy at the end of a six-day it. “There is a rumour that an other Chennai-buffs to join him find the locals for his sketches. too. Those ruins and the great was simply amazing. Secondly, to they post their digital snapshots speaking bunch if they are from workweek, says G.V. Balasubra- Arya Bhavan chef invented the on intimate explorations of the Malaysia or Singapore. “In their manian, a 54-year-old banker. Masala Dosa – I want to dig into G by The Daniells became members of towers of the Meenakshi temple produce over a thousand aqua- on flickr.com. city. Some of the digital snap- the Asiatic Society and that gave provided food enough for their tints in a short period and draw- But once on the walking trail, we the origins of this dish,” he says. shots taken by this growing band K.R.A. NARASIAH them a still better opportunity to artistic appetite and six views re- ing numerous oils and find we are learning photo- The photowalkers have cov- of photowalkers make people – learn more about India. Around sulted. watercolours and definitely un- graphic techniques and more ered a lot of ground by picking especially the ones who have der, passing away in 1837. Tho- this time, an earlier artist, Will- During the seven months limited sketches for further draw- places that offer promises histori- moved away – fall in love with mas Daniell applied to work for iam Hodges, published aquatints they travelled in the South, they ings is an overwhelming effort... cally and photographically. “I their old city all over again. the as an of the great monuments of covered over 1500 miles. They They brought awareness among G By VIJAYSREE have never had to sit down with engraver and took William on as northern India. The Daniells stayed in Madras from Novem- the British and other like- VENKATRAMAN a map to plan a walk yet,“ says FOOTNOTE an assistant. They sailed for the were determined to produce bet- ber 1792 to the first quarter of minded Westerners about India’s The author can be contacted CCG. Eventually, he hopes that For information on the next East on April 7, 1785. They first ter prints. They toured exten- 1793. They auctioned their great architectural traditions. at [email protected] these expeditions will be docu- photowalk, check out the visited China and then came on sively, recording sketches of the drawings and oils while in Ma- Their views stand as an accurate mented not just digitally, but in a Chennai Metblog for updates: to India. The sketches they made impressive buildings and scenes The map depicts Thomas and Will- dras and were more satisfied with documentation of Indian Monu- coffee table book. Someday, we The URL: http://chennai. metblogs.com became the famous aquatints in they saw. They were so impressed iam Daniell’s journey in South India. the response than what they had ments in the late 18th century.” about the city’s history from one may also go beyond the city and the collection titled Picturesque by the Taj Mahal that, apart first got in Calcutta. From Ma- This is a “must visit” exhibi- into other historically significant You can also visit CCG’s blog for another, he adds. the same: Voyage to India by the Way of from doing a large size aquatint, through the districts starting dras they sailed to Bombay and tion, particularly for students to The walkers don’t always go places in Tamil Nadu, says CCG. China. (An aquatint is a print re- Thomas noted: “... being a spec- from Kanchipuram where the worked there mainly sketching see the glory that was India. “And which place isn’t historical http://www.selectiveamnesia.org looking for photogenic old build- To find pictures from the photo- sembling a watercolour and is tacle of the highest celebrity (it) “great pagodas” attracted them. the Elephanta Caves. (NOTE: P.S. Sriraman of the ings. One trip in the offing is an in this state?” he asks. made by etching a copper plate is visited by persons of all rank, They travelled for about nine After reaching England, they ASI informs me that the two walks, go to evening stroll down Mint Street. Chandrachoodan is one of www.flickr.com and type Chennai with nitric acid and using resin and from all parts. This high ad- months, visiting places like published their aquatints (which handouts they have produced, “This is to sample Seenabhai’s those rare people whose eyes, Photowalk in the search box. and varnish to produce tonal miration is however not confined Arcot, the Carnatic plains and, took almost six years to prepare) one on Fort St George and the Photowalkers take a break at oothappam, Kakada Ramprasad’s ears and heart remain attuned to shading.) to the partial eye of the native later, Madura, Trichinopoly and and engravings. By 1808 they other on the Daniells, are not milk, coffee at Arya his surroundings, no matter how “The photowalks are a won- books, only foreign tourists will badam In Calcutta, acquaintances Indian; it is beheld with no less travelling upto Kanniyakumari, had published 144 coloured for sale but are available on Bhavan, and from the cor- familiar they become, says derful idea, and it’s not surpris- photograph places like the LIC beeda P.Orr & Sons, , like Charles Wilkins (the trans- wonder and delight by those who recording all the while in aquatints of ‘Indian Views’ in six request.) Manivannan. Plus, of course, he ing how quickly they’ve drawn building.” ner shop,” says CCG. This culi- composed from 4 images. attention,” says Sharanya Till the end of March, the Manivannan, a critically ac- group had been on five walks. claimed Chennai-born poet who CCG mentions the joined the February walk. The railway station with awe. “It’s a walks are egalitarian: it doesn’t fantastic little place – rotting matter if you’re carrying a away, weeds overwhelming the cameraphone or something with tracks, and was the first ever sta- a zoom the length of your fore- tion in South India.” Today, only arm; even those with no cameras suburban lines pass through. But are welcome. “All that matters is here too, the police shooed the a willingness to wake up at an group away just as they got ready ungodly hour and take your time to click pictures. Ultimately, the to appreciate familiar places.” very sights compensate for all the But Chennai photowalkers do needless hostility – as do the auto run into surreal problems. “Pho- drivers and strangers who give us tography is prevented in most helpful directions when we are places in the city because the au- lost, says CCG. thorities think we will sell our There is a certain strength in valuable secrets to foreign pow- numbers. The social aspect of the ers,” says CCG. While guards of photowalk makes it easier for the monuments and public buildings amateurs to indulge in their The Great Pagoda, Tanjore. The Great Pagoda, Trichinopoly. are wary of this camera-toting hobby. Otherwise, mustering

CMYK 6 MADRAS MUSINGS April 16-30, 2008

was a devotee of the Brahmins daughter requires is a mother, is and was a God-fearing man. He it not? This Sabha has grown Commerce built dharma chatrams in inch by inch and has now be- , Tiruvellore and come a big institution. Not only (Current Affairs questions are Kanchipuram. If we go through are girls educated here but they from the period March 16th to the writings of his son Ranga are also taught to earn their 31st. Questions 11 to 20 pertain and Charity Nayudu, we can understand his livelihood. There is a place for to Chennai and Tamil Nadu.) good character. In the Tondi- the girls to stay. There are fa- 1. French architect Jean Nouvel won arpet Chatrams, students and cilities for games and music. the premier architecture honour re- cently. What is it called? in Old Madras others (about 160 people) and The institution is managed by 2. Name the Australian male swimmer about 60 peons had good food efficient ladies. This is not an who smashed the 50m freestyle world three times a day. Here students orphanage. It offers facilities for record repeatedly in a span of days to be Business houses Ramanuja Kootam of Alwar were given food and taught women to improve their talents the undisputed ‘fastest man in water’. Chetty in Govindappa Naicken Vedic hymns. Vedas were in different arts. In the begin- 3. Which Asian kingdom became the Tawker & Sons Street. I also learnt this art for chanted in Tiruvellore and ning stages, I had also rendered latest democracy after its first general Raghunatha Tawker of some time, but I could not Kanchi Chatrams by the Brah- help to this Sabha. elections held on March 24th that Ekamreswara Agraharam was a progress in the field due to my mins (about12 of them) and saw Druk Phuensum Tshogpa sweep they were given food and made Hindu Yuvathi Saranalaya to power? great jewel merchant. He was a business commitments. to read religious books. Rama 4. How did a 10-second recording of a Gujarati Brahmin. He first Yet, I always longed to pre- This is an institution founded singer crooning the folk song Au Clair started his business in his house. serve good pictures in my house, Nama was chanted a number if by a woman by name Yamini de la Lune achieve record status on Then he constructed a big wherever I saw them. I often en- times. Rama Nayudu stipulated Poorna Tilakamma. She edu- March 28th? building on Mount Road named couraged and helped artists. in his will that two Brahmins be cated the children of devadasis 5. The airlines of which two European T.R.Tawker & Sons. He was a Kata Sri Rama Sastri and sons employed in his house to always and got them to marry instead countries bought the struggling Ital- dealer in gold, silver and other who were working in the chant the name of Rama. of following the devadasi profes- ian carrier ‘Alitalia’ for 138 million stone jewellery. He had more Grihalakshmi office also got help Brahmins had difficulties if sion. She invited me one day to euros recently? business than P. Orr & Sons. from me. Venkatrao’s pictures anyone died in their family. her school. It was in a small 6. Another business question. Who His customers were kings, are seen in most of the houses Most of them occupied rented building. I took a big bungalow sold British luxury-car brands Jaguar houses and other tenants ob- and Land Rover to Tata Motors for zamindars and millionaires. He in Madras. He used to give in Kilpauk and shifted the $2.3 billion? built a palatial building by name tricolour pictures to publish in jected to their performing cer- school to that place. The chil- 7. March 24th is observed by the UN Tawker Gardens for the sake of Grihalakshmi. He is no more. emonies after death. Even dren were taught arts and crafts and the WHO as what ‘day’ to serve kings and zamindars who visited The tricolour pictures of dharma chatrams did not allow and weaving thread etc. I sup- as a reminder of a disease which still Madras. When they departed, Srimathi Ratnala Kamalabai are them. To solve this problem, plied charkas etc to the chil- kills an appalling 4,000 people every he sold valuable and rare jewels often seen in the issues of one good Brahmin allotted a dren. I brought them to Kesari day? to them. He made crores by this Grihalakshmi. Knowing her pro- house with garden in Kuteeram and taught them to 8. Dr. Manmohan Singh’s new Paki- business. But finally the busi- make hair oils, tooth powder etc stani counterpart is... ness had to be wound up. and made them to sell these by 9. Which annual feast day for a saint G was moved from March 17th to Tawker Gardens was sold off re- Reminiscences of going to various houses. I pro- March 15th because it fell in the Holy cently for Rs.2.5 lakh. vided them clothes. They were Week, the first time it has been done Dr. K. N. Kesari - IV made to learn crafts to live in- since 1940? Moses & Company dependently. But when they 10. By hitting his second triple ton in Their business was to supply grew up they left to their own Tests, Virender Sehwag recently state dresses and other dresses ficiency, I once gave the Royapuram called Brahma respective houses and so the joined two other cricketers in the to kings. The owner of this Grihalakshmi gold kankanam to Teertham for this purpose. school was closed. Though she record books. Who were they? company was Sitaram Chetty. her. I bought many such pic- Only Brahmins were allowed to had the spirit and the interest * * * While Tawker & Sons made tures to adorn my house. These do karma after death at this to work, Tilakamma lacked the 11. Where did the ‘Order of the Pre- their fortune by jewels, these pictures are also displayed in place. Now this place has devel- support of a man. Now she is sentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary’ people earned lakhs and lakhs found its first school in Madras in arts exhibitions. oped and 10 to 12 karmas are running a small school in by supplying dresses. Gradually conducted daily there. There . 1884? Charitable institutions 12. Madras historian S. Muthiah’s they also had to close their busi- are facilities for staying and per- book Born to Dare is about which Ma- ness. t that time, Vaisyas, forming karma. The institution Seva Sadanam dras-based Indian Army hero, the first Nayudus and Mudaliars provides necessary vessels also. A It was founded by Mutha Indian instructor to be appointed at T.V. Subbanna & Sons had great respect for Brahmins. Rich people even constructed Venkata Subba Rao and his the Indian Military Academy? When I came to Madras, T.V. Whenever there was marriage small houses in the garden in wife Andal amma. Subba Rao 13. Pallivasal in Samattipuram on the Subbanna & Sons of or other functions they used to memory of their departed ones. was rich enough when he Dindigul Road is a memorial to... Govindappa Naicken Street feed Brahmins with food and In villages, it was difficult to get started this and, so, it is running 14. Which classic Tamil film, starring were good at drawing pictures. sweets and also give them gifts. Brahmins and preachers. In this well. Those who were the prod- MKT, tells the story of a Sanskrit They were artists from There were so many chatrams place, they provide all facilities. poet’s love for a devadasi (after whom ucts of this institution are all the film is named)? Karvetnagar State. Afterwards where thousands of Brahmins There is also a tank for bathing. they settled in Madras. They well placed in life. 15. Two roads in Chennai – one be- were given food. At the begin- Necessary leaves and grass are tween Gandhi Irwin Road and Casa used to draw pictures with ning of my stay in Madras, I also also available in the compound. Major Road and the other connect- golden lining, which lasted for had my food in these chatrams. Some engage contractors to do Avva Saranalaya ing Taylor’s Road with Kilpauk Gar- many years. Even now we find Tanjore Rama Nayudu’s all the work. There is no need It was founded 18 years ago by den Road – have the same name. their drawings in some houses Chatram-Agraharam is on the to go in search of crows to eat Dr. Mrs. Muthulakshmi Reddy. Name the road(s)! in Madras, especially in the Thiruvottiyur High Road. He the pindam. Many crows have She is an efficient lady who 16. Which distinguished Chennai made their abode made this institution progress resident holds the distinction of hav- well. She got a grant from the ing been the first woman Sheriff of in the trees there. Madras, one of the founders of the government to build a school Guild of Service and the driving force Andhra Mahila for Rs. 39,500. She is collecting behind the 50-year-old Chennai Sabha about Rs. 40,000 from the pub- Cheshire Home? lic. In Adyar, there are big 17. Dr. S. Kameswaran’s multi- Srimathi Durgabai buildings attached to this insti- authored compilation Multi-faceted amma garu (later tution. The main idea of this in- Legend of the Dravidians is about… Durgabai Desh- stitution is to protect poor la- 18. Which three different European mukh) was res- dies and children from falling nations have the offices of their Hon- ponsible for found- orary Consular Representatives in the into bad company and, thereaf- ing the Andhra ter, bad activities. They make Sanmar headquarters on Cathedral Mahila Sabha. Her Road in Chennai? them do good work. They are work for the 19. Name the firm behind the con- trained to work as teachers etc. struction of such Chennai edifices as progress of this In 1946-47, about 20 old stu- the RBI building, Customs House, Sabha is praise- dents gave Rs. 1287-8-0 as do- Dhun Building and Abbotsbury? worthy. This insti- nation to the institution. This 20. Which venerable Chennai insti- tution has a shows how well off they are. In tution was inaugurated in 1928 at the mother, but no 1948, many girls got married. I James McConaughy Hall in the father. Durgabai YMCA, near the Esplanade, with Sir have contributed money to this has worked in the institution also. C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyar doing the place of a thousand honours? mothers. What a (Answers on page 7) On extreme left is Tawker & Sons’ building. (Courtesy: VINTAGE VIGNETTES.) (To be concluded) April 16-30, 2008 MADRAS MUSINGS 7

people who proclaim that even a thousand lies are justified in the pursuit of marriages. A slightly gentle We’ve changed so much, and yet so little – another eth- nic, living dichotomy. It’s amazing how Maama- mirror Maami language has morphed over the years, thanks to this here’s something you have As a reader, therefore, you clearly drawn between the ‘girl’s exodus US-wards. ‘Labour ap- Tto address before settling have to suppress a temptation side’ and the ‘boy’s side’ – in proval’, ‘I-485’ – the terms trip down to a chat over Kausalya to literally reach into the book, fact, those terms become crucial from lips that chant the Saptharishi’s debut novel The yank out some of the stereo- identities for respective families sahasranamam with equal ease TamBrahm Bride. types (on both ‘sides’) and tell until the process is over and and authority. Kausalya takes you through them off. But you have to read done with. It is true many fami- Inane conversations, lecher- the tortuous process of main the book for what it is – a light- lies wait for the ‘girl’s side’ to ous dirty-gazers, people using jet protagonist Shalini’s parents hearted attempt to poke gentle make the ‘first move’; it is true lag as an excuse…the book out on a bridegroom-hunt fun at the arranged marriage that society tends to grant the showcases a parade of within the ‘arranged marriage’ processes so familiar within the ‘boy’s side’ emotional, psycho- (im)possible bridegrooms (and framework – the trials and ten- TamBrahm community. logical, and every other kind of sual’ meetings in coffee shops their equally impossible par- sions they face, the distinctly Actually, make that ‘India- advantage, placing them in a merely show same intent, ents). You can’t help but look deserve-a-kick-in-the-rear General’. position of power…if you allow dressed up differently. Unmar- at the display with knitted behaviour of some of the ‘boy’s- Does this happen, in the it. The distinct ‘eager-to-please’ ried men and women, well into brows. side’ samples, the endless manner described, even today? element thrust upon the ‘girl’s their 30s, are referred to as (Having said that, you ac- rounds of ‘tiffin’-making forced YES! side’ is jarring but, unfortu- ‘boys’ and ‘girls’. While, if you cept that it’s unfair to tar all on the ‘girl’s mother and the Someone forgot to tell the nately, it happens. marry straight out of college, ‘boy’s-sides’ with the same well-meaning suggestions of Indian Arranged Marriage Pro- Most matrimonial ads even you’re considered grown up brush. There are probably hor- homams, poojas, prayers, nu- cess that the 21st Century today stress ‘fair, tall and slim’ enough to take on a whole new ror stories featuring the ‘other merology – everything and any- dawned a while ago. as feminine must-haves to find family with its tumultuous (and side’ too – waiting to be told.) thing is worth a try in this mega- One point – Do families with a place in that long list of not always pleasant) history. “Delhi-girls” and “Banga- quest for a bridegroom for eligible youngsters need a ‘way’ possibles for Prince Charming. (Yeah, you can almost see lore-girls” tend to be ap- Shalini. to meet each other, especially in And many families want ‘well- the empathetic, emphatic proached with caution (Dear Now, Shalini, or Shalu as she nods.) God, even today?!), and the is known through the book, is, And where would several metro-non-metro debates bring by all accounts, bright, edu- G by generations be without good old back memories of summer holi- cated, and a copywriter in the Samaithu Paar, and its wonder- days filled with shrill arguments feisty work-environment of an RANJITHA ASHOK fully-literally-translated-En- with visiting cousins, especially, ad agency. Her application list glish-titled counterpart, Cook as Kausalya puts it, the TINIS, to US universities reads like a and See? the ‘Tamilians-In-North-India’. Who’s-Who or a What’s-What traditional scenarios that do not qualified smart girls’ who should It is also a deliciously en- The author stops short of be- of prestige – Berkeley, North- allow boys and girls to however be ready to jettison a demic fact that we as a race can ing pointedly satirical, even western’s Kellogg, Cornell…. fraternise, even mildly? hard-earned career, and magi- house two completely contrast- within this not-too-serious look Her e-mail id, thetambrahm Yes, fair enough, but some- cally turn into TV-serial-like ing viewpoints in comfortable at the arranged marriage sce- [email protected] shows the where along the line the system daughters-in-law at the flick of co-existence in our heads. nario. Her particular mirror ul- presence of a deliberately self- became designed to favour the a switch…or the tying of the Which is why someone timately prefers reflections that deprecating, incisive wit. ‘boy’s side’. proverbial three knots in this who’s personally moved away have sharp edges smoothened Now, would a girl like that The fact that that hasn’t particular cultural context. from the traditional life still away. put herself through what turns changed, judging by this book, For many, the book will feel doesn’t think it contradictory Would she have had even into a distinctly unsavoury, hu- is sad. as familiar as the whiff of to ‘allow’ his parents to run more fun if she had taken her miliating process – not once or Traditional families, even freshly-made rasam. around brandishing horoscopes. characters further? twice, but 25 times – just to get semi-ones, given the “tradi- The Ponnu Paatis; the mar- Which, along with the list of Now, that might have made married? tional, though not exactly or- riage broker, complete with ‘the qualifications given, tend to the reading experience a little At one point, Shalini’s fa- thodox, and modern,” mixed yellow Nalli bag wedged under sometimes become examples of more like taking a walk through ther, Sundaresan, declares: bag that Urban India has be- his polyester armpit’, et al; and creative manipulation….and all those hilarious (and slightly bi- “The man who has a daughter come, will recognise stock char- the bajji-bonda-ness of the for that elusive ‘kohinoor’ of a zarre) ‘Hall of Mirrors’ attrac- should swallow his pride and be acters and situations in the whole process of ‘seeing’ the bridegroom. Oh well, a bit of tions in fun fairs, or, as we say, willing to bend over backwards book. prospective bride. Contempo- camouflage here, and slight ‘exhibitions’. to marry her off.” It is true battle lines are very rary twists like seemingly ‘ca- clouding there….we’re the All those pause-for-thought reflections – stretched out, flat- tened, bloated, elongated – still in fun, of course. Subscriptions and contributions CHENNAI HERITAGE G The TamBrahm Bride is pub- 260-A T.T.K. ROAD, , CHENNAI 600 018. G Since Volume XIV, No.1 (April 16, 2003), Madras Musings has been priced lished by Indian Writing, the at Rs.5 a copy, ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: Rs.100/-. Please make out your English imprint of New Horizon I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / I have just cheque only to CHENNAI HERITAGE and send it, together with the COUPON, Media, Chennai. to CHENNAI HERITAGE, 260-A, TTK ROAD, CHENNAI 600 018 or C/O seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it hereafter. 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Maruthanayagam (Yusuf Khan); We look forward to all readers of Madras Musings, and those newcomers ...... 14. Chintamani; 15. Hall’s Road; who want to receive copies, sending in their subscriptions. We are indeed Note: Overseas postage Rs. 550/year extra. Cheques for overseas postage 16. Mary Clubwala Jadhav; sorry we can no longer remain a free mailer. 17. Chief Minister M. Karunani- alone payable to M/s. Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd. All other cheques — The Editor dhi;18. Denmark, Greece to ‘Chennai Heritage’. and Spain; 19. Tarapore & Co; 20. Music Academy. 8 MADRAS MUSINGS April 16-30, 2008 Better times ahead? (Continued from page 1) other activities in progress on High Court buildings. Work is the heritage front. A conserva- expected to begin soon. Government has appointed a tion consultant has been ap- There is, happily, some technical consultant for the re- pointed for the restoration of promise too of restoration of pair works to be undertaken to Ripon Buildings. Once the report heritage buildings owned by pri- protect the crumbling bastion Till April 20: Paintings by Kavitha Till April 21: Summer Camp for from the consultant comes in, it vate organisations and indi- Shah (at Vinnyasa Premier Art Children – Five-day art, craft at Fort St George. Madras is understood that work will be- viduals. It is understood that a Musings had reported on the Gallery). and theatre workshop for chil- gin. Money for the project is consultant appointed by the dren five years and above. Work- damage caused by the weight of available, given that Rs. 10 Madras Club has completed his Till April 19: Sapling Exhibition, shop includes paper sculpture, the new flagpole in its issue of crore was allocated for the work recommendations for what composing 30 messages — pho- clay modelling, props and acces- January 1, 2008. The technical as far back as in 2003/4. needs to be done to its main tographs of tree saplings with sories for theatre and dance / captions that hope to inspire consultants, it is understood, Discussion has also been ini- building. St Ebba’s School’s theatre performance. Workshop have filed a report and it has people across the world to plant dates are April 21 to 25, April 28 tiated on the best way to restore main building, once Sullivan’s trees and heal the earth. All tree been discussed by a high level the Naval Office building inside Gardens, long on the threat- to May 2 and May 5 to 9. To reg- saplings used in the campaign are ister call 42115596/97 (at Forum committee which will soon Fort St. George. Last heard, it ened list, has suddenly been native to India and an indicator finalise what needs to be done. Art Gallery). had been decided to get a con- given a new coat of paint, of the trees that can be planted. Till April 30: Exhibition of the While welcoming all these sultant to recommend the exact thereby indicating that demoli- (at Alliance Francaise). activities, it should be pointed works of upcoming Chennai art- nature of restoration work, on tion plans have been put on ists (at Prakrit Arts). out that the number of mem- Till April 20: Indian Princes and Pa- the lines of what has been done hold. As for Bharat Insurance risian Jewellers, a photography ex- April 19: Handmade paper prod- bers mentioned is far too small for Ripon Buildings. building, its fate is still uncer- hibition that depicts jewellery uct workshop to make your sta- for the proper restoration of all It is a busy season for con- tain, with a Court decision designed by renowned houses in tionery, and these buildings. What is of con- sultants specialising in heritage awaited. However, the ele- France for members of Indian April 20: Screen Printing work- cern is whether we will see only architecture, for reports com- ments are wreaking havoc on Royalty belonging to the various shop (at DakshinaChitra). patchwork being done instead missioned by the respective au- this landmark structure, now a princely states. There are also April 20: Pramil After Pramil, a ret- of proper restoration. films that accompany the exhibi- rospective of poet Pramil’s thorities have been submitted roofless shell and, quite literally, works. Pramil was the enfant-ter- Apart from the information for restoration of the State it appears that only the heavens tion that will be screened in con- furnished in the Assembly, Ma- junction with the exhibition (at rible of modern Tamil writing. Bank of India main branch know what the future holds for Government Museum). Starting his life as a painter and dras Musings learns of several building on Rajaji Salai and the it. sculptor, he later began to write New Poetry and literary criti- cism. He was given the Pudumai- MAY WE HOPE IT REMAINS A WOODLAND? Pitthan award in 1995. To celebrate the beginning of (Continued from page 1) the ground and a new structure years, resulting in the Court de- as to what that term means. his 70th birth anniversary, a se- on roughly the same lines was ciding in favour of the State Will the area be left as it is, a ries of events to commemorate lands and hang out there. Many put up, but by then the Society Government. In its judgement, natural park in the heart of the this great poet, including pho- celebrities patronised it, the last had become the cynosure of the Court said that there was no city, or will it become a site for tography and painting exhibition being P.B. Srinivos, the popular land sharks, many of them doubt that the government was putting up Government build- on the poet, poetry reading ses- playback singer. front-men for powerful forces, the owner of the lands. When ings? In recent years the Gov- sions, book release and also dis- By the 1970s, the Society who were trying to gain control the government in the capacity ernment has shown that it can cussion on his life and work, is stopped holding its annual of the vast lands that the Soci- of owner of the lands required restore parks quite well. The being organised (at Alliance flower show and the gardens ety had in its possession. them for the stated public pur- success of My Ladye’s Gardens is Francaise). April 21-30: Paintings by Sarah went completely to seed, Litigation ensued when the pose and had also found misuse an example. Davidar (at Vinnyasa Premier though the part that housed the Government in 1989 passed a of the lease by the allottee, the It is to be hoped that good Art Gallery). little heritage bungalow that GO for the takeover of the Bench said it could not find sense will prevail and the flower April 21-22: Koothu-p-pattarai was the head office of the Soci- lands. The District Registrar of fault with the actions of the shows of the past will once again celebrates 30 years with a sym- ety was better tended than the Societies issued a show-cause government. be revived in what could be posium featuring prominent the- rest. The activities of the Soci- notice regarding nine charges With this the Government developed as a splendid horti- atre personalities of Tamil Nadu ety itself became shrouded in mentioned therein. All these has taken over the lands. How- cultural and botanical garden. and former directors and actors secrecy with the library of books were challenged in Court by the ever what will be of interest to And if such a garden of Koothu-p-pattarai (at Alli- becoming out of bounds. The Honorary Secretary of the Soci- conservationists and nature materialises, there is no reason ance Francaise). sale of seeds and potted plants ety, who alleged that the action lovers will be the eventual use why the Drive-in cannot remain April 26-27: Indianostrum The- atre presents The Barber of became the only activity of a was taken due to political ven- that the Government will put in situ, following the pattern of Seville, an adaptation of the play not very courteous set of detta. However, certain realign- this green area to. While it has internationally famous gardens by Beaumarchais in Tamil, in the people. In the 1990s, the old ments in political forces nulli- been stated that the lands will having a foodspace within Comedia dell’arte style (at Alli- heritage building was razed to fied that argument in recent be for public use, it is not clear them. ance Francaise).

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