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Vol. XVII No. 08 MUSINGS August 1-15, 2007 Is a new stadium really needed?

(By A Special Correspondent)

he Tamil Nadu Cricket Association has announced that a new Tstadium will be built in the vicinity of Chennai in time for “Oops...these are the new shiny World Cup 2011. The State Government, in response to the tiles I was telling you about!” TNCA’s request, has agreed to give 50 acres of land at Karunguzhipallam village on the Old Mahabalipuram Road on Whoops! lease for 30 years. Appearance matters. The question that begs an answer is whether the city really needs An unavoidable fact, unfortu- a third stadium. The old Corporation Stadium, now the Nehru Sta- The restored DGP building on the Marina. nately. dium, hosted Test matches be- And this applies to the inani- tween 1956 and 1965. The mate world as well, which ex- Chepauk grounds on which the Police buildings – between plains the abundance of MA Chidambaram Stadium manufactured beauty these was built has a hoary history days. Buildings are grander; going back 150 years and more. the old look and the new clothes prettier; and even the If the new cricket stadium smallest rooms in the house t must be accepted that the place. Government House, one expected that the new one will now compete with land- comes up, the fate of the MAC IPolice in Chennai offers a of the oldest buildings in the be ready in three years. While scaped gardens for sheer Stadium can only be bleaker wide spectrum when it comes to city and the residence of all this is a case of an old building beauty and opulence. than it is. Fortunately the its buildings. Some are old and Governors of Madras Presi- making way for a new one, with- So, can floors be far behind? Nehru Stadium now prefers historic structures, others are dency till Independence, had out any investigation into An Eastern palace? A rich football – and certainly gets big- relatively new. But develop- served as an MLAs’ hostel for whether the older structure re- senator’s villa? Or something ger crowds than Ranji matches. ments of the past decade only go some time – and they left it ally needs to be done away with that cries out for a couple of Chennai has not really been to show that there is no consis- looking like a derelict. The – and proper investigation Flamenco dancers? on the international cricket cir- building was cleaned up by the You can re-create them all right tency in policy when it comes to would show that it could be in- cuit in the past few years. And retaining old buildings or going Police and then further restored tegrated with any new structure here in Chennai. it is the international match At a cost, though. in for new ones. when some of its departments – the DGP Campus on the Ma- Especially when beauty over- that really brings in crowds. The cause celebré was, of decided to stay put in these rina will get a new building in shadows a practical consider- Gone are the days when Ranji course, the proposed demolition handsome surroundings after the old style! The additional ation – the ‘slip-factor’. matches brought in spectators of the Director General of Po- the Headquarters returned to 1.73 lakh sq.ft of space on the Everyone knows over-smooth in thousands. Today, such tour- lice Building on the Marina to the Marina. The building, un- Marina will be built on the same tiles in bathrooms are a bad naments are largely played to make way for a ten-storeyed fortunately, is now slated to be lines as the older building, as idea. But what about air- empty stands. And how many structure. At the instance of pulled down to make way for had been promised. ports? That’s a high-rush area international Tests or one- INTACH-Tamil Nadu, this was the new Assembly Buildings. The Deputy Commissioner – people whooshing about, dayers have we hosted in the prevented in 1996 by an order of Traffic building is also slated dragging luggage, lugging recent past? kids, brandishing tickets (and of the Court and Chief Minister by The Editor to make way for the new – once passports). Negotiating slip- Both the existing stadiums of M. Karunanidhi had it restored, again without integration being pery tiles is the last thing they the city sport a deserted look for to the great satisfaction of con- But we hope a Chief Minister investigated. need. the most part of a couple of years servationists. The Police then who saved one police building The Police, we feel, need to Supermarkets. Tired home- at a time and cost the earth in gave an assurance to not only will save this one too. re-think what they are doing. makers have neither the time terms of maintenance. The new restore the edifice but also build Besides all this, in 2005 came Rather than announcing ad hoc nor energy to watch their stadium, it is being claimed, will all future structures in the cam- the demolition of old police sta- demolitions and constructions, feet. In most cases, they can’t be state-of-the-art and ultra pus in the same style as the main tions at locations such as what is needed is a comprehen- even find them, submerged modern. Why can the same Vepery, Flower Bazaar, Anna as they are behind large plas- building. Subsequently, exten- sive plan of how much land is thing not be done for the MAC sions were done in the same Salai and other places, many of needed for a reasonable span of tic bags. Stadium rather than incurring As for hospitals. Now, why style and Madras Musings now them over a century old. These time. Once this is done, a study would you put glossy tiles for the cost of an entirely new con- welcomes the news that a new were replaced with new build- of the existing structures and the the sick and infirm to negoti- struction? The second claim has construction on the campus of ings and this year five more po- space they have within them ate? Is that like: “You already been that the new stadium will one of the most beautiful land- lice stations are expected to be which can be freed for use needs have one problem, so get be weatherproof and matches marks of the city will be built to “modernised”. to be identified. It is only after some more free”? will, therefore, not be washed its west and duplicate it. The latest historic building this that plans should be made Nasty. out. Considering that washed- A direct beneficiary of the threatened is the Police for pulling down buildings, put- Seriously, may we request those out matches have rather been events during the threat to the Commissioner’s Office on the ting up new ones or integrating in the trade to please con- frequent in the last couple of DGP building and its restora- eponymous road. The new both. Unfortunately such detail- sider usage over appearance years, this may appear a good in certain places? tion was Government House in building will be ten storeys tall ed planning is unknown in Gov- Keep the profile of the user in idea. But if matches are planned, Government Estate to which and will have a built up space of ernment circles and what we see mind, people. or misplanned, plumb in the the Headquarters were moved 1.72 lakh sq.ft. Tenders are to today is the loss of historic struc- middle of the rainy season, what when the restoration of the be shortly called for the demoli- tures with no thought on whe- Ranjitha Ashok (Continued on page 5) Marina building was taking tion of the old building and it is ther they can be put to good use.

CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS August 1-15, 2007

l The third part of a series of articles on the pluses and minuses of the draft Second Master Plan for Chennai. Not-so-becoming passenger behaviour he train that The Man from another professor who had left medical test was waived consid- TMadras Musings had to the university under not par- ering their age. However, Much still travel by was the Pallavan Ex- ticularly edifying circum- within a week, the friend re- press which, as any regular rail- stances, which led to his room ceived a letter with a whole lot way user will tell you, comes being sealed. The seal was of forms explaining in detail the into Egmore as Vaigai Express. thereafter broken to allow the tests to be taken, covering ev- to be done in The same rake is used and at new professor, leading to all erything from glandular botts Egmore the toilets and the kinds of complications. In the to telangiectasis and also offer- compartments need to be meanwhile, bad blood contin- ing a variety of clinics where cleaned by the staff in record ues between the professor who the test could be taken. draft SMP time before the entraining pas- ought to have vacated but did The friend, all agitated, sengers get in. The poor super- not, and the one who was to get called up the company’s help visors have a tough time. They in, but could not. desk only to be told once again (Continued from cerned in failing to implement try their level best to explain to Can we expect any better that tests were not needed. last fortnight) the Chennai City River Conser- the passengers that they cannot from a university where slip- Why the forms, asked the vation Project by the Office of get in till the compartments are ast fortnight I began pers are hurled at a retiring friend. Oh, that, came the re- the Comptroller and Auditor cleaned, but try getting that ply, is necessary because of the Llooking at what else needed Vice Chancellor – with not a General of India (CAG of into the heads of some of our office systems. Apparently the further clarification and revi- travellers. Everyone wants to don or official raising a hand to India). The CAG’s report of prevent it? process certification stipulates sion in the draft SMP if it was to shove his or her way in, even as 2006 specifically finds that, on that forms must be sent out for live up to its stated vision. This the cleaning is in progress and In the midst of all this, edu- the proposed “restoration of each application. Nobody fortnight, in this concluding ar- there are heated altercations cation continues as usual, thought of adding exceptions. storage capacity of tanks in the ticle, I point out a few further with the cleaning staff. MMM supposes. CMA”, the project “did not requirements. contemplate restoration of the Amidst all this chaos, much Caught betwixt THE FOURTH AND time is lost and the cleaning is, storage capacity of 525 irrigation Sloppy Senate House FIFTH REQUIREMENTS are quite understandably, done tanks which, when full, flood the he buses with automatic the dual needs the CMDA rather half-heartedly before the Tclosing doors were Cooum and Adyar rivers. Test he Man from Madras needs to address: the issues of train leaves. During the jour- T Musings was recently in launched with great fanfare. check of records of 60 tanks Chennai’s water and protection ney, MMM could not help no- Senate House for a programme But The Man from Madras indicated that the storage capacity ticing that many passengers of the flood plains. Almost ev- and could not escape reflecting Musings feels that everyone for- of these tanks were reduced by kept complaining about the eryone living in and around on the grandeur it lent to the got that such things work only 40 per cent due to encroachment condition of the toilets and event. But what distressed when there is no overcrowding. Chennai is aware of the severe abused the railway staff for this! of waterspread area of the tanks. MMM most was how unimpor- Now overcrowding can be limitations in current efforts at It is amazing that in our city, Restoration of the capacity of these avoided only with more buses water supply, sanitation, drain- every man becomes a rule unto tanks would have reduced flood- on each route. Buses can be in- himself and never follows any age, including stormwater creased only if there is more ing of these two rivers. In Novem- discipline. All that had to be drainage, and protection and road space. Now there is no ber 2005, the rivers were flooded done was for passengers to SHORT restoration of water bodies, riv- more road space, so we have and 25.77 thousand million cubic form a queue outside the com- ers, tanks, lakes, wetlands and fewer buses and more crowds. feet of water was discharged into partments till the cleaning was ’N’ low-lying areas. Yet, the CMDA The result? the sea.” over. They could have then does no thinking on this issue. SNAPPY Similarly, on the issue of boarded in an orderly fashion, Last week, a woman Chennai should not close its stormwater drains, the CAG’s resulting in a pleasant journey boarded a crowded bus fitted eyes to what is happening in with the automatic doors and report found that though the with clean toilets. Mumbai and other urban cen- they closed on her leg. The Project had “indicated that 1,748 tres. The identification and pro- tant the cleaning of this historic doors would not open and the km length of road network in building had become. There tection of wetlands, lakes, riv- bus was driven to the nearest Chennai city did not have Dangerous dons were cobwebs on the ceiling ers and flood plains is an ex- service depot with the woman stormwater drains”, it had only and as for the garden, the de- writhing in pain. The door was tremely important task. he University, to which constructed stormwater drains bris of the recent renovation prised open and the woman Mumbai has been paying year Tour city lends its name, is for 292 km. More importantly, and some huge steel pieces was let out. She had, fortu- after year for failing to identify a in the news again. And for all the CAG of India observed that continue to litter it. Should not nately, not fractured her leg, “no development zone” around the wrong reasons. Somewhere a building beautifully restored “the Project had not included the which was badly bruised. its flood plains. Chennai’s re- along the line such technical have a clean appearance wor- management of solid wastes which niceties have been dispensed The incident received wide peated investments in infra- thy of it? pollute the waterways”, making a with, and MMM has now notice in the Press, but it made structure and other facilities critical separation between sew- veered round to the view that While at Senate House, The no difference to anyone. The without first identifying and next day, MMM noticed, the age and stormwater. Samuel Johnson or whoever it Man from Madras Musings hap- protecting these zones will only pened to look up at the build- crowds were the same and the The CAG of India report was that coined the same term provide opportunity for the ing and was intrigued to find footboard hangers-on were the also pulls up the CMDA for “not for those in education and words of the celebrated author those of the underworld was that each of the towers had same. They really do not have taking up preventive measures like Toni Morrison to come true: nothing short of a genius. round circular designs on the a choice, do they? introduction of planning and regu- “All water has a perfect memory four faces, each of them having latory control to prevent develop- The Man from Madras three spokes in them rather and is forever trying to get back ment of flood hazard zones and Musings is rather vague about like the Mercedes Benz symbol. Autos here, there... to where it was.” encroachment of these zones and the whole thing, but there are Each of the circles has the However, aside from faith- two separate fights, both in- he Man from Madras waterways, formulation of strate- spokes in differing alignments. fully reprinting Metrowater’s volving dons of the educational T Musings was recently in gic drainage plan, contour map- self-congratulatory spiel on how variety and not the fighting va- MMM clutched at a passing Pune and while there he had to ping to map flood hazard zones, 98 per cent of the city is con- riety which supposedly has no don and asked him the signifi- use an autorickshaw on a par- and preparation of guidelines for a cance of these. Without blink- ticular occasion. Going by the nected to the sewerage system education. The first involves drainage system.” one don verbally abusing the ing an eyelid, the don replied experiences with this mode of (irrespective of the fact that The CMDA would do well other and the abused then that the constructing firm, conveyance in Chennai, MMM Metrowater needs to cater to to go through this 2006 report turning around and slapping which had done the restora- was most apprehensive as to the 1178 sq.km of CMA, not and its conclusion: “The Project the abuser. Whereupon the tion, had put its logo on all the what kind of treatment would just the 170 sq.km of Chennai towers! has a dual objective of flood al- abuser lodged a complaint of be meted out to him. But city), the CMDA appears to MMM was in for a couple of leviation and abatement of pol- assault and battering against have overlooked the various the abused and now the abused pleasant surprises. First the lution in city waterways. Nei- Overly systematic other challenges. Curiously, it is facing the music. Apparently auto man turned on the meter ther of these objectives was he IT revolution has even overlooks the needs of the abuse was verbal and so immediately on starting. At the realised even after implement- Tcome to stay and, with it, various large industrial, IT and does not count in a court of law end of the journey, he fished ing the Project for seven years just about anything has become out a laminated rate chart and other projects proposed in the as evidence while the assault at a cost of Rs. 621.41 crore.” was physical and so does. digitised and the number of asked MMM to pay as per the draft SMP, except the IT Corri- Instead of an honest, forward- forms that people fill in has conversion specified. MMM dor where a dedicated desalina- The second tale involves the looking approach to the ex- multiplied. However, The Man was speechless. Now, why is it tion plant will be built to pro- use of a room. The head of a from Madras Musings cannot tremely difficult issue of water that in Chennai alone it is an vide water. What is most dis- department was leaving but did help thinking that some com- ordeal to handle autorickshaw management, the CMDA has turbing is that the CMDA fails not hand over his room to his panies go overboard. A friend drivers? Food for thought. chosen to ignore the criticism to take into account the severe successor. Whereupon the suc- applied for insurance for his and blindly propose further sev- cessor was allotted the room of – MMM reprimanding of Metrowater, children and the statutory PWD and other agencies con- (Continued on page 8) August 1-15, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

Jaffar’s soda fountain and Eliphinstone Theatre were a great duo. In addition to Philips, the elite bought high-end Grundig Lawyers Great icons and Nordmende German radios. he article by Thara Mohan Odeon Theatre attracted TRao,whose illustrious fa- film stars like the Travancore on stage ther must be Dr. Mohan Rao, Sisters regularly. the famous surgeon who, along There were other ‘elite’ with Dr. Sundaravadanam and n 1954, when I came to Madras from Bombay things too. Binny’s gaberdine Iafter graduating in law and joined the Madras Dr. Poovaiah, formed a power- cotton suitings and poplin shirt- Bar, I started an association by name ‘Lawyers’ ful trinity dominating the medi- ing, for example. For the veg- Dramatic Society’ under whose banner we cal scene on Poonamallee High etarians there were several staged several dramas. One of them was the Road (India’s Harley Street) in restaurants, like New & Old drama ‘Sub-Assistant Magistrate of Sultanpet’, the 1950s, kindled nostalgic Woodlands, Dasprakash, and not as mentioned by K.S. Krishnaswamy (MM, July 15th). I acted as a Muslim Court memories. Ambi’s Café, Ramakrishna’s peon in it (see picture; V.C. Gopalaratnam is Even as a middle class stu- Modern Café and Guptha’s dent I was lucky to interface the Magistrate seen in it). The witty dialogue (Luz), offering excellent food. written by VCG elicited great laughter from the with some of the places, things The only North Indian food and persons mentioned by her. audience – especially when I innocently uttered place was PAL’s in Mount “Iah e'P nfh; nfhhl; y; ,UfFwg; ngh.; mkkh; vdd; Syed Bawkher himself at- Road. Buhari’s was famous for csns; tu brhywh'; nfh; ” on which Gopalaratnam tended to all customers, irre- its non-vegetarian food. expressed alarm and said “vddlh; brhyw; ”? spective of their position or Madras of old had some Seshadri, son-in-law of Raja Iyer, a former title. His establishment was great icons. But time passes... Advocate-General of Madras, devoted more law books in the office. I wondered who had modest by today’s standards, time in organising dramas than to his profession. the time to go through all of them. The pencil but I have seen VVIPs waiting S. Ramaswamy We used to assemble in his house in Kutcheri marks indicated that Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer in line to meet him. His sons are Apt 6, Tower-I, Krishna Towers Road or in the house of Gopalaratnam for re- and his son were thorough with the law and carrying on the tradition. 50, Sardar Patel Road hearsals and they provided us sumptuous tiffins. prepared extensively before presentation to the India Silk House was Chennai 600 113 It was VCG who moved my enrolment be- Court. Unfortunately, Alladi Kuppuswamy fore the First Bench of the Madras High Court, famous, and so was the Chella- Devotion to law went to Andhra Pradesh, but we kept in con- consisting of Justice Rajamannar, and intro- stant touch. ram’s. duced me as a “fine actor”, the founder of the GK Vale and Klein & Peyerl ir Alladi (MM, July 16th) I also recall arranging a music concert at Swas so passionately at- ‘Lawyers’ Dramatic Society’, etc. Raja Annamalai Manram by another team of were famous and I think GK The drama Manohara staged in Raja tached to law that his table in eminent advocates, including T.L. Venkata- Vale is still very strong in Ban- Annamalai Mandram, with tall-statured. A.R. rama Iyer, a Supreme Court Judge providing galore. Ekambara Nivas, Mylapore, was Ramanathan, advocate, acting as Manohara and always over-flowing with law the vocal, and V.P. Raman, the former Advo- Bata’s ‘Ambassador’ shoes myself in another role, was appreciated by many cate General, on the violin, and Sreevatsamani, were the choice of the elite. books lying open (partly read). advocates. on Mridangam. Lawyers in those days excelled Even some students bought When he was having his meals, As regards the article by Randor Guy on in various other fields also. them, if at all they managed to a law book would be held in his Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer (MM, July 16th), it left hand and his eyes would be brought back many memories. I served my C. Lakshmi Narain save some money. apprenticeship under Alladi Kuppuswamy, son 45, C. Lakshmi Narain Road Pioneer Laundry managed to glued to it. Once, he was in such a hurry of Alladi Krishnasamy Iyer. It was a great Thulasi Nagar, Senneerkuppam continue its tradition till the surprise for me to find pencil marks in all the Ponamallee, Chennai 600 056 early 1980s. They had ample that he began getting into his parking space which they car to go to court without his shared with Murray’s until the dhoti and his long coat falling automatic choice to draft it”. It a park or playground. Public Autos at night upto his knees. He was so pre- was not ‘automatic’. conveniences should be beyond LIC building came up. hen you hail an auto at occupied with his case! This I have heard it said by a dis- the sands of the beach and Spencer’s was great for con- Wnight, you are often was noticed by his clerk tinguished Kannada litterateur should be on the roadside. fectioneries and cakes, but embarrassed to see someone Krishniah who rushed into the and an eminent publicist of People should be able to sit, Bosotto’s probably had a niche already inside it. In the day time house and brought a dhoti and Bangalore by name Dr. D.V. relax, and enjoy the serene position amongst the elite. you can clearly see whether the helped Sir Alladi to be in his Gundappa (popularly called by beauty of the sea and hear the Parry’s almond peppermints auto is occupied or not. This is formal ‘Panchakachcham’ with his initials as DVG) that it was sounds of the waves. At present were famous. not possible in the dark. Why it. The law-engrossed lawyer on C. Rajagopalachari’s friendly what we need is cleanliness, lit- Perumal Chetty specialised don’t autos carry a board ‘For laughed and we all joined in it. advice to Mahatma Gandhi in ter-free, garbage-free and plas- in stationery and instruments Hire’ in red and ‘Occupied’ in 1947 that three Indians of very tic covers-free sand. for engineering students. Gems R. Javanthinathan blue – on its top, so that one is high public stature who were, The authority should not offered high class imported 33/2, Indira Colony saved the embarrassment and however, out of the then Indian make the beach a children’s fountain pens. Ashok Nagar, Chennai 600 083 can easily identify a vacant auto National Congress, were given park or add artificial structures from an occupied one. The A role-model important assignments by in the name of beautification. Pandit Nehru and one of the Traffic Police should insist on lladi Krishnaswamy Iyer READABILITY three was Sir Alladi. The other P. Anasuya this. A(MM, July 16th), a self- PLEASE two were Sir R.K. Shanmukam 10, IV Street M. Fazal made man who rose from rags Seva Nagar Chety, a financial wizard in his 11, Mosque Street to riches, is beyond doubt a Velachery Hasthinapuram Dear Readers, own right, who became Free role-model for any aspirant in Chennai 600 042 Chennai 600 064 India’s first Finance Minister As letters from readers increase, law to earn name and fame. we are receiving more and more and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, India’s The habit of reading books hand written letters, many of them first Law Minister, rightly hailed while travelling and pursuing in a hand so small and illegible or as the ‘architect of the Indian studies, whatever the hassles, Our Addresses large and scrawled as to be Constitution’. Ambedkar is was unique among certain great unreadable. Often this leads to our now called the leader and sav- For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, non-receipt of discarding a letter, particularly if legal luminaries like Muthu- iour of the ‘Dalits’ – a word receipts etc.: Chennai Heritage, 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, West Cott Road, some part of it is unreadable. swamy Iyer and Rt. Honourable which was not in vogue in his Royapettah Chennai 600 014. If you wish us to consider your let- Sreenivasa Sastri. Alladi was no time. The ‘Dalit’ and the ‘Brah- For non-receipt of copies, change of address, and all other ter for publication, please type it exception. with enough space between lines or min’ got on famously in their circulation matters: MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o Lokavani Southern write it using a medium hand, P.A. Ranganathan joint historic task of framing the Printers Pvt. Ltd., 62/63, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. clearly dotting the ‘i-s’ and crossing 16/24, Vedachala Garden Constitution of the Republic of On editorial matters: The Editor, MADRAS MUSINGS, the ‘t-s’. Mandavelli, Chennai 600 028 India! C/o Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., 62/63, Greames Road, Many readers also try to fill every Not automatic choice K. Vedamurthy Chennai 600 006. square centimetre of a postcard Indiranagar No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters received will space, making reading or editing am not so sure about the cor- Chennai 600 020 impossible. Irectness of Randor Guy’s be sent from these addresses every couple of days to the persons concerned and you will get an answer from them to your queries Please help us to consider your let- observation (MM, July 16th), Keep it a beach ters more favourably by making that “when the Indian Consti- reasonably quickly. Strange as it may seem, if you adopt the ‘snail them more legible for us. tution was being formulated lliot’s Beach (MM, July mail’ approach, we will be able to help you faster and disappoint you and written Sir Alladi E 16th) is God’s natural gift. less. – THE EDITOR (Krishnaswami Iyer) was an It should not be converted into THE EDITOR 4 MADRAS MUSINGS August 1-15, 2007

l As Madras that is Chennai prepares to celebrate Madras Day – August 22nd – and Madras Week – August 19th-26th – Madras Musings looks back on this page at some of the things said about the city last year, and also wonders how well acquainted you are with the First City of Modern India. Know your Madras or Chennai City? – Some perspectives 1. Where are the Tamil bicycle manufacturing Nadu Legislature and Sec- unit in the South? retariat? 26. OTA. What and where is he City of Madras or “Cinema too played an impor- still in existence and are in dan- 2. Which campus has the it? T Chennai is a relatively new tant role in the transition of dance, ger of being wiped out. If you see relics of two former 27. Where are the offices of city. The villages of Mylapore, with famous actress-dancers and the maps of old Madras, there is Madras lighthouses? the Collector of Chennai? Triplicane, Ezhambur (Egmore) their gurus adapting the classical a lot of greenery, with water in 3. What is the name of the 28. What is the most famous etc., all a part of Chennai today, dance form to popular tunes, and many tanks. The British filled building housing the tree in the Theosophical have a recorded history centu- styles. ‘Sadir’ was introduced up the Mambalam and Nun- Corporation of Chennai? Society Gardens? ries older than Fort St. George through Kothamangalam Subbu’s gambakkam tanks. Today, 4. On what famous site is the 29. Where is the War Memo- from which grew Madras that is Thillana Moganambal and the ori- people have woken up to the Park Hotel? rial in Chennai? Chennai. It was on August 22, ental dance was popularised by importance of the water bodies 5. Which stadium was built 30. Where is the Southern 1639 that the site of Fort St. Lalitha, Padmini and Ragini.” The and are trying to preserve ponds in the midst of what was Railways headquarters? George was granted to the East fascination for and acceptance of and temple tanks.” once a Nawab’s property? 31. Madras’s first truck manu- India Company and the English dance as an art form flourished Kalpana emphatically states, 6. Where is the GPO in facturer began with car who settled there called it thereafter in the urban setting. “It is very important to define Chennai? assembly. What was the Madraspatnam. Hence August development. Heritage con- 7. This famous church near company and what car did 22nd has been celebrated as * * * servation is only part of this the Besant Nagar beach it assemble? Madras Day these past few The obsession with cricket is a development. We all love the takes its popular name 32. Where is Bertram Hall? years, the celebrations catalysed from a coastal township 33. Where are ITC’s produc- national phenomenon. Madras has city and heritage conservation by a small group of heritage south of Chennai. What is tion facilities in Chennai? contributed in a big way to the should stem from our own buffs who have encouraged vol- the name of the township? 34. Where was Robert Clive game, said Ramnarayan, a former experiences. Conservation is untary public participation in a 8. What is the name of the married? cricketer and writer. Unfortu- not against development and Madras Week in which is sand- building, recently re- 35. What is Salt Cotaurs? nately, Chennai has won the Ranji we are not against change. We wiched Madras Day. Chennai stored, where the Univer- 36. With what factory do you Trophy only twice in 70 years, in are looking for value-added Heritage, which publishes sity of Madras convoca- associate Perambur? 1954/55 and again in 1987/88. change and the past has its Madras Musings, last year ar- tions were once held? 37. Where do the oil compa- “Cricket in Chennai is a unique advantages and we must draw ranged a heritage talk every day 9. Where is St. Thomas nies have their oil storage brand of cricket, with the empha- from it.” Mount? installations? 10. There are two rivers that 38. Where is the Kamaraj Me- The Senate House was built flow through Chennai. morial Museum and Hall? in the late 1800s. It was the first What links them? 39. Which vehicle of the l by building of the University of 11. Which famous university armed forces is manufac- PADMINI NATARAJAN Madras. The roofing was of in Britain has a publishing tured near Chennai? Mangalore titles made in the house with a branch in the Where? 1870s. 80% of these tiles were city? Where is it? 40. Which famous market was in good condition and were re- 12. Which famous institution pulled down after a fire to used in the restoration. There during Madras Week. What sis on style and aesthetics. Chennai teaching Bharata Natyam make way for a highrise? was a galvanised iron roof un- follows today and next fortnight cricket flourishes because of corpo- in Chennai was founded 41. What is the best known der the tiles that sloped and is what I recall of last year’s rate support and the excellent sala- by Rukmani Devi Arun- landmark on Binny’s drained the water. The sheet talks. ries paid to cricketers who are em- dale? Where is it? Road? had rusted and let the water 13. What are Chennai’s two 42. Where was the city’s first ployees in such organisations. The * * * seep into the building. The airport terminals called? multi-theatre complex? corporates, colleges and other building has a unique Chettinad 14. Where is the Government 43. Where are the city’s two Lakshmi Viswanathan, sports institutions maintain good or Madras plaster finish that is Museum in in this city? biggest and oldest indus- danseuse, writer and d grounds. There is a very sporting ocumen- smooth and shiny. 15. Where does the Prince of trial estates? tary film-maker, who initiated the crowd even to watch local and Arcot live? 44. Where is the Chennai lecture series spoke with nostalgia league matches. Thirty years ago The renovation work in the 16. Munro’s statue is situated Port Trust office? about dance. She had her dance there used to be a low wall near the Senate Hall was done at a in the middle of which 45. Where is Kollywood? arangetram in the R.R. Sabha in Marina and people used to sit on it height of 50 feet and the safety grounds? 46. Appropriately designated 1952 and recalled that the charac- or sprawl under the trees to watch measures taken to prevent acci- 17. Where is the Indian Air- as COP, where is this ter of dance had changed so much Buchi Babu matches. Today dents were vital. A beautiful lines booking office? officer’s office? since its urbanisation that began cricket has come into drawing pattern called Sgraffito was cov- 18. What institutions are now 47. There is a building on the rooms and the crowd has ered by lime wash. This Medi- located on what was the Marina which was once 75 years ago. “The dubashes of Esplanade? called ‘Widows’ Home’. George Town, the traders and dwindled. But Tamil Nadu terranean design was uncovered 19. Where is the Tamil Nadu What is its present name? businessmen brought the village cricket is still doing very well.” and carefully restored to its atmosphere into Madras. This of original beauty. Similarly, Director General of 48. Which are the three water * * * Police’s office? reservoirs that supply course included music and dance. Manikandan, a carpenter who 20. What is now on the site of drinking water to The dancers and musicians were The Senate House renova- was sent to UK to train, did the Mount Road Round Chennai? glad to find new patrons and the tion has been a great boost to stained glass renovation. Dr. Tana? 49. Name the three major ‘Nautch parties’ became popular the Heritage Brigade. K. Subbaraman from Bangalore 21. What is the oldest items manufactured by the with the Brown and White Sahibs. Kalpana, a young conservation undertook the restoration of the women’s college in the business organisation The devadasis adjusted quickly to architect and co-author of a stunning painted canvas ceiling. city? headquartered in Dare the urban setting and the javalis book on Madras, worked with He worked on each panel, 15’ x 22. Where is the Archbishop House? were penned in English INTACH in this renovation 15’ in size, in a huge basketball of Madras-Mylapore’s resi- 50. Where is the TB Sana- and Telugu to become boudoir project. “Many buildings were court. Special care was taken to dence in Chennai? torium in Chennai? music.” witness to the evolution of the clean the exterior walls made of 23. Which is the place that (Courtesy: The Lakshmi After the bitter debate about city. A city without old building exposed brickwork. The work records rainfall and pre- Hayagreeva Cultural And banning the dance, it was given the is like a man without a on the four domes was time- dicts weather? Where are Educational Trust.) stamp of social acceptance by memory,” she began, and went consuming due to the erection its two sites in Chennai? Krishna Iyer and it was taken up on, “The city was born with the and dismantling of the scaffold- 24. Where is Little Mount? (Discover Chennai by girls from good families and pre- fort. A multitude of fishing vil- ing. But when it was all com- 25. Which is the largest on Page 6) sented formally as stage perfor- lages merged to become the pleted, Madras had a place of mances. city. These fishing villages are rare beauty again! August 1-15, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 5

which Swamy had acquired while in Bombay and which fol- THE Ad Man lowed him to Madras. With such rapid development, the Madras office was no longer the smallest branch in terms of rev- of Madras enue. The rest of the advertis- ing world sat up and took no- tice when the ads of JWT Ma- adras that is Chennai can learn stenography in a remark- ports at the National Library dras were displayed at the Mnever be called the ad ably short time and asked to and came up with such a thor- Commercial Artist Guild in capital of India. That honour step into Kasturi’s shoes so that ough document that it aston- Bombay, the only ad club in will always belong to Bombay the latter could fly. From ished everyone and earned him the country during those that is Mumbai though Calcutta Powell, Swamy moved in the a promotion and a transfer to years. that is Kolkata did harbour pre- same capacity to Ford Motors Bombay in 1951. The last major campaign tensions to that effect at one only to be jobless when the Research became his forté that Swamy handled while at time. Yet, one man dared to company wound up its India and he soon became indispens- JWT was for BHEL. The R.K. Swamy start an advertising agency on a operations in 1940. White col- able for not only the back- public sector behemoth was large scale in Madras and make lar jobs were scarce during the ground work to any campaign, coming under fire in Parlia- catch in 1974/75 was ONGC. it a name to contend with. That War and Swamy wore his shoes but also during presentations of ment and elsewhere and Swamy Soon, R.K. Swamy’s had was R.K. Swamy and the agency out walking from office to of- the advertising to clients to felt that a campaign to sensitise branches all over the country was, of course, the eponymous fice, one of which was J Walter whom he explained the raison people about the impact it had and Swamy’s backbreaking one which has now tied up with Thompson (JWT), the famed d’etre of the ads. While in on their daily lives was neces- labour, a heart attack in 1979 BBDO (once Batten, Barton, ad agency. He was turned away Bombay, Swamy did the first of sary. What followed was the notwithstanding, had paid off. Durstine and Osborn and now there as well, but just as he was his many public sector/govern- “Power to the People” series of By the early 1980s, the agency thankfully shortened), a very leaving someone came up with ment agency campaigns, some- ads, which became so popular had clocked a turnover of Rs. old international advertising a requirement for a proofreader thing for which he was to be- that Indira Gandhi even used it 100 million, a big figure for agency with a formidable repu- in Gujarati. Swamy’s skills in come well-known in later years. in her electioneering speeches those times and was within the tation. that language proved handy and This was for the Western Rail- in 1972! top ten advertising agencies of Swamy was not from Madras he was taken on. Whereupon way, in order to explain to the With such a string of suc- India. Swamy created a clutch and his antecedents were defi- he made himself useful in the public the mammoth logistics cesses behind him, it was but of subsidiary companies in vari- nitely not of the variety that you media and billing departments involved in managing the rail natural that everyone, Swamy ous fields related to advertising would associate with the world as well and when, in 1942, the network in India. In the mid- included, expected that he to support the flagship organi- of advertising. He came from an Calcutta offices of JWT needed 1950s, JWT opened its Madras would become the head of JWT sation in the 1980s. In 1985, RK orthodox but impoverished someone for the media depart- office and Swamy was posted as India. But that was not to be. Swamy’s signed an MOU with family from Manganallur near ment, Edward J Fielden, the leg- its head. It was a small begin- His lack of a degree and a per- BBDO to work together and, in Kumbakonam and was one of endary boss of JWT in India, ning, with the office located in ceived lack of a Western 1989, when the Government six siblings. Born on December sent Swamy there on a salary of lifestyle stood in the way. permitted equity transfers to 11, 1922, Swamy, named Krish- Rs. 120 p.m. Swamy was disappointed and in l by SRIRAM V. overseas partners in the ad in- naswamy at birth, spent his At Calcutta, then the Mecca 1973 decided to venture out on dustry, RK Swamy’s became the childhood in Bombay to where of multinationals, Swamy came his own. He was 50, had a large first agency to sell a minority his father Rangaswamy Iyengar into contact with several South Speedaway Building on Mount family to support and a capital stake to a foreign partner and had migrated in 1928 to man- Indians who were big names in Road having minimum furni- of Rs. 1 lakh. But far from became RK Swamy-BBDO. age Murugan Stores, a shop set the private sector. He also in- ture and a staff of four. Binny’s daunted, R.K. Swamy Advertis- Becoming a senior citizen up to cater to South Indian dulged in his passion for Tamil was the one big account in an ing Associates was set up. Some did not mean retirement for needs in the Grant Road area. hymns and Sanskrit verses to otherwise conservative market, of his diehard loyal clients, such Swamy. His stature in the ad Life was difficult there as well, the fullest, thanks to the con- but by sheer hard work Swamy as BHEL and the TVS group, world meant he was continu- for South Indians began moving gregational activities of the added Ashok Leyland, Parry’s moved into his fold. Then came ously involved with it, being an on to Dadar and Matunga, re- strong South Indian community and TI Cycles to his portfolio. TT (Pvt) Limited, the makers of active member of the Advertis- sulting in the shop losing its cli- there. The vast repertoire he The TI account was won Prestige pressure cookers, and ing Agencies’ Association of In- entele. Swamy’s education thus acquired would stand him through a presentation made Hindustan Photo Films. The dia, even after having served as ended with school where, in good stead in all the speeches after two months of research in- agency, which opened on April its President. He represented among other things, he became and letters he had to write in his volving travelling all around the 2, 1973, released an ad for pres- the ad industry on several issues fluent in Gujarati. latter day career. In 1948, country using every means of tige cookers the very same day taken up with the Government It was an era when many Swamy was married to Radha, a transport possible to study con- in The Hindu. However, the first and other bodies such as the boys from the South migrated to girl belonging to the famed MD sumer behaviour. The slogan ad from the agency was released IENS. But, over time, it was Bombay and Calcutta, learnt Brothers’ family of Madras, “Hercules-Your lifelong com- even before it was incorporated! spirituality that claimed him, for stenography and joined compa- which had extensive interests in panion” emerged from this and That was for BHEL on January he became increasingly in- nies at junior levels. It was not, timber. The wedding took place the campaign ran for years, 26, 1973, and was an indication volved with the Ahobila Mutt, therefore, surprising that the el- at Saundarya, the palatial family making Hercules of TI the lead- of the confidence the client had the religious body to which he der sons of Rangaswamy residence on Eldam’s Road. ing cycle brand of an earlier era. in the new agency. owed allegiance. He donated Iyengar, Ramanujam and Back in Calcutta, Swamy was With more accounts coming Swamy painstakingly put to- liberally to temples and spear- Kasturi, both followed suit. asked rather half-heartedly by in, JWT expanded and moved gether a dedicated team, all of headed the renovation of Kasturi had, however, set his his seniors, who did not expect to Mohan Mansion in 1958 and whose members swore alle- temples in Kumbakonam and sights on a job at the Bombay him to produce anything worth- from there to Fagun Mansions, giance to their leader to whom elsewhere. He was active in the Flying Club, but his then em- while, for a market survey on next to the Connemara Hotel, work was workship and who was affairs of the Lady Sivaswami ployers, N. Powell & Co., tobacco and its usage in the sub- in 1968. At Fagun Mansions, in every way a role model. He School, Mylapore, and was in- Chemists, would not let him go. continent. Swamy plunged into agency was cheek by jowl with spearheaded research, sifted strumental in the setting up of Swamy, then 17, was made to the task, often consulting re- another major client, Ponds, and sieved through ideas, the Sivaswami Kalalaya, a watched campaign develop- popular school in the same area. ment with a critical eye and, When he passed away in IS A NEW STADIUM REQUIRED? above all, assiduously cultivated June 2003, it marked the end of clients. All this was done a life that had touched many (Continued from page 1) alone? None of the other loca- pute in the past, given the con- through a unique South Indian people in various ways. It was more can you be expect? It is ex- tions such as Lords or The Oval ditions in which they played style which involved hard work, no wonder that David Ogilvy, pected that the proposed sta- has gone in for new construc- and developed their skills. emphasis on ground data and the advertising legend, once dium will be an all-weather one, tion for the development of Finally, do we really need a making sound presentations said of Swamy that advertising but is the city really conducive cricket. You would rather think stadium – and that too miles out with quotes often coming in was too small a canvas for him. for playing the game all the year that the game was developed by of the city – for just one or two from the puranas and scriptures! The life and times of R.K. round? What about the heat and being played consistently well World Cup matches and the It was a far cry from the per- Swamy have now been put to- the humidity? and with good training and occasional one-day interna- ceived ad world of high sound- gether as an eminently readable A third claim has been that coaching being provided. Since tional or Test match that nowa- ing words and endless partying. book by V.S. Chakrapani and the new stadium will have a when have new constructions days draws fewer people be- Yet it worked, because it was V. Ramnarayan. Published by range of infrastructures which become necessary for the devel- cause of TV? When are we go- based on reality. R.K. Swamy’s family, the book will prove crucial to the devel- opment of the game? If this was ing to stop building for the sake In the early days, the agency R.K. Swamy-His Life and Times opment of cricket. Now, is this the case, we would have never of building or with an eye not won the MICO account in is priced at Rs. 1500 and is avail- a unique requirement in our city had any cricket players of re- on the present but on posterity? competition against JWT. A big able at leading bookshops. 6 MADRAS MUSINGS August 1-15, 2007 A forgotten album (Current Affairs questions are from the period July 1st to n 1879 record by a Studies Program, Davidson 15th. Questions 11 to 20 per- AProfessor of the School of College, North Carolina, USA. tain to Tamil Nadu and Design (now the College of Prof. Thomas was speaking on Chennai.) Arts, Chennai), S. Kensington, ‘Botanical Drawings of the 19th notes, “The progress the ad- Century’, at the Roja Muthiah 1. Which global sporting event vanced pupils have shown, Research Library. Sochi in Russia is going to host in clearly indicates that they are Prof. Thomas’ talk focussed 2014? not anyway behind those of the on an 1862 album – identified 2. Apart from the Taj Mahal and average students in England ” as Water Color Drawings : Vari- the Great Wall, which other He was referring to the botani- ous Plants and Flowers, which he Asian wonder is amongst the ‘New Seven Wonders of the cal drawings of the Indian art- had discovered in 1988 in the World’? ists of that period. “Indeed, library of the Madras College of 3. Whose Open era record did these artists could even be listed Arts. Significantly, it had been Roger Federer equal by winning as being among the architects of produced at the height of the the Wimbledon singles crown for the British Empire,” says Dr. Job cotton famine of 1861-65 the fifth straight time recently? Thomas, Director, South Asian (when the American Civil War A water colour of Religious Cotton. 4. What was ‘Operation Silence’ closed American ports and British values, the artists too ac- the library of the College of that took place in Pakistan sharply reduced export of quired Western standards. Arts, I chanced to find one such between July 3rd and 11th? A History American cotton to Britain). Some of the drawings made by album and, fortunately, photo- 5. What historic decision did the The paintings of cotton plants the students of the School of graphed it right away.” A recent Nepal government take on July of Botanical from various continents of the Arts were actually good look revealed that its condition 12th as regards the monarchy? world “were made no doubt enough to be in the collection had deteriorated considerably 6. What document, that has Illustration with an idea of studying them of the renowned Kew Gar- within a decade and a half. sparked a theological debate for large scale commercial use”. dens!” He feels, “When soldiers, ad- otanical illustration has The 24 water colour paint- The idea of painting as a re- ministrators, missionaries and among Christians, did the Pope Ba long tradition in both th ings, mostly of different variet- approve on July 10 ? the arts and sciences and is habilitation process for prison- even the teak from the Western 7. Which two Asian cities hosted currently enjoying a resur- ies of the cotton plant – Reli- ers was actually introduced by Ghats were said to be respon- the ‘Live Earth’ concerts on gence in popularity with art- gious Cotton, Egyptian Cotton, Dr. Alexander Hunter, a prison sible for building the empire, 07.07.07? ists and collectors. Brazilian Cotton, Sea Island surgeon, back in 1847, when he why not the artists? After all, 8. Which global automobile The earliest botanical il- Cotton etc. – are of varying started a School of Art for pris- their drawings gave complete company broke ground for its sec- lustrations date back thou- sizes, the largest being 19” x 16” oners. Art teachers, to impart information to the East India ond plant in India at Tapukara in sands of years. Walls on the and the smallest 15½” x 12½ ”. precise artistic skills, were Company about the commercial Rajasthan recently? temple of Thutmos III in In its fidelity of colour and in- brought from England. By 1850, prospects of plants such as cot- Karnak, Egypt, include 9. Name the former Test crick- tensity of texture, it was a study he’d opened the school to the ton, tea, rubber, sugarcane and drawings of 275 plants found eter, considered one of India’s “that was truly complete”, in- cinchona. After these commer- on a campaign to Syria and cluding as it did its leaves, roots, best batsmen against spin bowl- date to about 1500 BC. l by cial plants became known, ing, and a big success during the Greeks and Romans inter- flowers and buds of the differ- SHOBHA MENON ships, civil servants and mis- 1971 historic series in West ested in the natural sciences ent varieties of cotton plants in sionaries followed. It is time Indies, who passed away recently. also made botanical records. their various stages. Even the that the painters, now at the 10. How did Rajan Zed make One of the earliest practi- pests which attacked the cotton public and even impressed the end of possible builders of the history in the U.S. Senate re- cal uses of botanical illustra- plants were sketched in minute Court of Directors with the British Empire, have to be led to cently? tion was for identifying detail! drawings presented. The choice the front of the line.” * * * plants with medicinal prop- The album was “one of the of subjects for the botanical And I remembered reading erties. Drawings were gath- 11. Which US aircraft carrier several facets of the attempts of drawings was orchids, exotics, German poet and dramatist ered in books called herbals came calling in Chennai recently Britain to define and mould the and those of plants of economic Goethe’s comment on the diffi- and used by physicians in importance. amidst protests? plant-based medicine. The cultural and economic charac- culty of the role of the botanical 12. The State government re- first known herbal, De Mate- ter of India”. On this “cultural Dr. Thomas had many years artist as opposed to that of the cently cleared a Rs.10-lakh ria Medica, was written by a transition within a generation,” ago come across references to still life flower painter: “The project to establish a ‘Children’s Greek military physician, Dr. Thomas says, “I appended botanical drawings made by In- one had only to satisfy the lover Science Park’. Where? Pedanius Dioscorides, in the that idea with Macaulay’s dian students while conducting of superficial beauty; the other 13. What change in the State’s First Century. It continued Minute of English as the me- research at the Tamil Nadu has to give truth and through nutritious noon meal scheme for in use for almost two thou- dium of instruction. Just Government Archives on the truth beauty.” The Indian children was announced at a re- sand years. An early illus- as Indians educated in the En- history of the Madras College artists of the 19th Century had cent function to mark the birth trated version in the Byzan- glish medium began to assume of Arts. “Later, when I visited certainly risen to the challenge! anniversary of Kamaraj? tine style dates to AD 512. Botanical drawings were 14. Who is the Deputy Speaker also important in the age of of the Tamil Nadu Legislative discovery. European explor- Assembly? Discovering our City ers returned from their voy- 15. Which former Vice-presi- ages to the far corners of the dent of India was the State’s Gov- world with thousands of 1. In Fort St. George; 2. The 21. Queen Mary’s College; 22. In It is at the end of Wall Tax Road, ernor in the 1990s? plant and seed samples. Eu- High Court campus; 3. Ripon Build- San Thomé, next to the Basilica; near Central Station; 36. Integral 16. Which public figure has ropean landowners were able ing; 4. S.S. Vasan’s Gemini Studio; 23.The Observatory, in Nungam- Coach Factory; 37. Tondiarpet; authored books like An Autobiog- to cultivate a wide new range 5. M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, bakkam. It has a recording station 38.Thirumalai Pillai Street, raphy of Democracy and Oru of plants for their gardens, Chepauk; 6. Opposite Beach in Meenambakkam; 24. On the T.Nagar; 39. Tanks, in Avadi; Suyasarithai (a collection of Tamil and some commissioned bo- Station; 7. Velankanni; 8. Senate south bank of the Adyar River, near 40. Moore Market; 41. Connemara poems)? tanical artists to help cata- House, Chepauk; 9. Just north of the Saidapet Court; 25. TI Cycles Hotel; 42. Near the Gemini flyover logue, document and publish the Airport; 10. The Buckingham of India; 26. Officers’ Training – the Safire, Emerald and Blue 17. Who is the music director of their burgeoning collections. Canal; 11. Oxford University Press, Academy, in the St. Thomas’ Diamond; 43. Guindy and the film Periyar? It was in England, during opposite the former Safire theatre; Mount cantonment; 27. On Rajaji Ambattur; 44. Across from the 18. Which famous son of the soil the early 19th Century, that 12. Kalakshetra in Adyar; 13. Salai, across from the Harbour; Reserve Bank of India building; was the progeny of Ukirapandiya interest in botanical art Anna International Terminal and 28. The Great Banyan Tree; 45. Kodambakkam looked at as Thevar and Indirani Ammaiyaar? flourished. At Kew Gardens, Kamaraj Domestic Terminal; 29. Just north of Napier Bridge; a film-making centre; 46. The of- 19. Which royal wrote the impor- Curtis’ Botanical Magazine 14. Pantheon Road, Egmore; 30. Next to Central Station; fice of the COP (Commissioner of tant treatise on music, titled was founded in 1787, a liter- 15. Amir Mahal in Triplicane; 31. Ashok Motors, now Ashok Police) is in Egmore, near the Sangita Sudha? ary botanical publication 16. The Island Grounds; 17. Leyland, in Ennore. Austin cars; Egmore Railway Station; 47. 20. In which district are the filled with hand-coloured en- Egmore, opposite Rajaratnam Sta- 32. In the Loyola College campus; Vivekananda Illam; 48. Red Hills, gravings and, later, hand- Kangeyam and Gobichetti- dium; 18. The High Court and Law 33. In Tiruvottriyur; 34. In St. Poondi, Chembarambakkam; 49. coloured lithographs. palayam Taluks? College; 19. At the southern end Mary’s Church in the Fort; 35. It is Sugar, Fertilisers, Ceramics; 50. of Kamaraj Salai, across from the where all Southern Railway goods Near Tambaram, on the GST (Answers on page 8) SM Marina; 20. The Anna statue; wagons are loaded and unloaded. Road. August 1-15, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 7

Let’s network – and celebrate Madras Day and Week rom a quiet corner of Elango Nagar in Virugam- So, the events are informal and self-driven. They The best films will be screened at a festival and Fbakkam on the fringe of this city, veteran philat- are not State-sponsored. yes, there will be prizes for the bests. elist D.H. Rao has been working hard at one goal. With only a little over two weeks to go to launch A series of talks are to be held at venues across Helping him in this endeavour has been an what is called the ‘Madras Week’ (August 19th to the city; the themes will focus on city-related sub- equally enthusiastic philatelist, Raja Seetharam of 26th), a window which provides a time for commu- jects. Chintadripet. nities, groups, clubs and institutions to host events The MadBulls, a unique community of Bullet The duo have succeeded in convincing the Postal focussed on the city, the first plans have just rolled bike rides of the city, are drawing out a route across Department to bring out a special postal cover for a out. the city which will take them to a few landmarks special occasion – the celebration of Madras Day. City schools are being invited to select a small which are not so popular but interesting, like the Yes, ‘Madras Day’ will be with us soon. team to work on a project on researching a heritage Hanging Gardens and a war-time bunker in north August 22nd is now being celebrated as ‘Madras campus or neighbourhood landmark or local com- Madras! Day’, a day to remember the city’s history and heri- munities; once they are ready, they will make pre- This is an occasion for people to network and tage, its people and communities, its contribution sentations at a common venue and the best will be work out events which focus on the city. Bookstores and the milestones it has set. given prizes. can have reading sessions; cafes can invite poets to And, perhaps, a time to look forward! Young film makers have a contest before them. recite their city-centric verses; clubs could host A few years ago, some of us who love this city got speakers to their weekly meetings.... together to float this idea and make it a reality. Titled ‘Frames of Chennai’, they are invited to This is the way ‘Madras Day’ is celebrated. We wanted the celebration to come from within produce a short film on a unique aspect of the city; To be in the loop, log on to a web site whose URL the people who own this city, the people who live films which will document a people, a life, an is- is www. themadrasday.in here and like the place. sue... Vincent D’ Souza

adras Week, between and magazines of the city. N. MAugust 19th and 26th A bigger and better Murali, Managing Director of and centred on Madras Day, The Hindu and A.R. Venka- August 22nd, promises to get tachelapathy of MIDS will bigger and better this year. Ma- speak. dras Week, organised by a few commemoration l Gallery Sri Parvati, Eldams well-wishers of the City, is Road, will host Rod Hudson, purely a voluntary celebration a British-born numismatist of the City’s heritage by indi- l 25th August at Chamiers Madras. For members and ter, contact 24661544 or and still photographer, who viduals and organisations with (Anokhee), Chennai 600 their guests only. 9444049175. will exhibit his photographs little or no sponsorship and no 035: Sriram V. on The l August 26th, at the Taj of Madras from August 19th State patronage. The following Devadasis of Madras. Connemara: K.R.A. Nara- Other walks to 21st. Gita, a Chennai siah and A.R. Venkata- are the events already planned. l 26th August at Park, 601, l August 25th and 26th, 7 painter, will supplement this The organisers look forward Anna Salai, Chennai 600 chelapathy on two books on a.m.: Heritage Walk inside with her work that combines to many more individuals and 006: Mohan Ram on Madras Madras. (11.30 a.m.) Fort St. George. Open to all. abstraction with culturally organisations joining the com- as a backdrop in Tamil films. No fee. Interested persons evocative suggestions of the memoration in the next (All talks at 6.30 p.m.) Heritage walks should call 98410 49155 and female form, musical instru- couple of weeks with their Two heritage tours will be register for the walks. The ments, or both. Timings: 11 own celebrations. The next is- Talks by invitation conducted by Sriram V. and will particpants should assemble am to 7 pm. sue of Madras Musings and Several organisations and as- involve travel by van and on at the car park, opp. Fort St. l The Larsen & Toubro Heri- website http://themadrasday.in sociations of the city are having foot. George. tage Museum in Manap- will carry the full programme – talks and programmes of their l August 19th, 6.30 a.m. – The l August 19th, between 7.30 pakkam will be open to or, at least, almost the full one, own during the week. buildings of Poonamallee and 8.30 a.m.: A Tree-Walk schoolchildren during as the organisers are certain High Road: Tour begins in the Government Mu- Madras Week. Contact: l August 7th at the Savera: many more will join in as the 99401 98135. Geetha Doctor on The from the Mayor Ramanathan seum Grounds. week gets underway. Stadium, Egmore, and will Changing Face of Madras l August 26th between 7 and Heritage talks under the auspices of the cover My Ladye’s Garden, 8.15 a.m.: A Tree-Walk in Contests Victoria Public Hall, Ripon The Mylapore and Adyar Chennai Heritage, the pub- Rotary Club of Madras the Guindy National Park. Building, Moore Market loca- Times are arranging the follow- lishers of Madras Musings, have South. For members and their Those interested in the tion, Central Station, Savalai ing contests: teamed with the Max Mueller guests only. Tree-Walks organised by Ramaswami Mudaliar Choul- Bhavan, Taj Coromandel, Park l Documentary film con- l August 19th, 9.00 a.m.: Nizhal should call and register try, Siddique Serai, the test / fest: A contest for young Sheraton, The Park and The S. Muthiah on Madras – its with Divya at 9840413021 or Southern Railway Offices, film-makers and students of Chamiers (Anokhee) for the heritage under the auspices of 24620334. Each Walk is open the Mutiny Memorial Hall media and visual communica- following talks: Ramu Endowments at the to the first 25 registrants. Con- and the Madras Medical Col- tion. Docufilms can be on any l 19th August at Taj Coroman- Tag Centre, Alwarpet. Entry tribution of Rs. 25 per head per lege buildings. Tour will last aspect of the city – its people, del: Gowri Ramnarayan on by invitation only. A few walk. 2½ hours. communities, landmarks, life- Music in Madras. passes for this will be avail- trends, oddities, etc. Interested able on a first come, first l August 26th, 6.30 a.m. – Exhibitions l 20th August at Park Tracing the Dancing Girls film makers to call Vincent D’ served basis. Those interested l The Forum Art Gallery (57, Sheraton: Geetha Doctor on Souza at 98410 49155 for guid- need to contact chari@tag of George Town: Tour be- 5th Street, Padmanabha Eating out in Madras. ance on the project. The films corporation.net gins from Marina Beach and Nagar, Adyar) will be l 21st August at Goethe Insti- can be in English or Tamil. Du- will cover residences/streets organising an exhibition tute – Max Mueller Bhavan, l August 20th, at the Taj Coro- ration: 15 minutes only. Films of famed singers and dancers showcasing the work of about 4/14, 5th Street, Rutland mandel: S. Muthiah on should be submitted in DVD of the past, such as Veena 35 artists, both emerging and Gate, Chennai 600 006: Dr. Madras, the American Con- formats to the Madras Day co- Dhanam, Bangalore Naga- established, three photogra- nection under the auspices of ordinators on or before August Joachim Bautze on The Em- rathnam, Salem Godavari, phers and two cartoonists, all the Indo-American Associa- 22nd . Details on the website den, the bombing of Madras Tiruvarur Rajayee, Coim- living and practising in tion. For members of the As- http://themadrasday.in and after. batore Thayi, and Madras Chennai. The exhibition is sociation. Guest fee appli- Lalithangi. Tour will last 2½ l 22nd August at Chamiers open to the public from Au- l Design a T-shirt for the cable. (6.30 p.m.) (Anokhee), 85, Chamiers hours. gust 19th till September 1st. City contest: The design Road, Chennai 600 035: l August 21st, at the Savera: A Both tours need to be booked Forum is also planning a par- should reflect the spirit and K.R.A. Narasiah on talk on a Madras related sub- in advance. Each participant ticipatory event or two for uniqueness of Madras that’s S. Ramanujan, the mathema- ject under the auspices of the will receive a small booklet on children and young adults Chennai.The design can be tician. Rotary Club of Madras South the places covered. Participa- during this period. done using Adobe / CorelDraw l 23rd August at Goethe Insti- and two other Rotary Clubs. tion fee is Rs 300 per person. design softwares. The design l The Roja Muthiah Library, tute: Dr. Joachim Bautze on For members and their guests For further details contact: should be submited as an at- only. Taramani (near the M.S. tachment in jpeg file format Wiele and Klein, early pho- 98400 24200 Swaminathan Research tographers of Madras. (700x 700 pixels size of 150 dpi) l August 24th at Accord Met- l Hippocampus, Abhirama- Foundation), and The Hindu, through email to madrasday@ l 24th August at Taj Coroman- ropolitan: G. Sundar, Direc- puram, will on August 25th will host from August 15th, yahoo.com Last date – August del: Randor Guy on Famous tor, Roja Muthiah Research conduct for children a heri- 5.00 p.m. an exhibition of murders in Madras. Library, on Early Imprints of tage tour of the city. To regis- early publications, periodicals (Continued on page 8) 8 MADRAS MUSINGS August 1-15, 2007 A BIGGER AND BETTER COMMEMORATION

August 6-13: Painting exhibition the monsoons, traditional games, (Continued from page 7) will take place on August 22nd. The Rotary Club of Madras by Praveen D Zingade. (At bullock-cart rides, shadow-pup- The best THREE presentations South has sponsored three DakshinaChitra) pet shows, folk music and dance 20th. The BEST TWO designs will be awarded prizes. Details Rotaract clubs and four Interact Till August 10: Exhibition of performances including Karagilu will get awards and certificates. on the website http:// clubs. It is getting them to paintings by Devandra Shukla from Andhra Pradesh, folk-toy Details on the website - http:// themadrasday.in organise painting contests, and Mun J.H. Shukla. (At Fo- shops at the craft bazaar, live themadrasday.in elocution competitions, quiz rum Art Gallery.) demos of artisans at work, l Multimedia Contest for Other events contests and exhibitions on Ma- August 11-14: Talking Tales, a foodstalls that serve traditional Schools: The contest is open to dras. The Club states it is cel- delicacies of the rainy season and August 20th at Hotel Green hands-on workshop on story- schoolchildren studying in the Marundu Kadai, a traditional Park, Vadapalani: An interac- ebrating Madras Month rather telling conducted by Jeeva Classes 8 to 12. A school can than Madras Week. For further Raghunath. (At Alliance Fran- medicine exhibition that recom- tive storytelling session for chil- send only one team of three stu- caise, 7 p.m.-8.30 p.m. daily). mends ways to tide over the rainy dren and adults organised by details contact S.R. Madhu at dents. The team should identify August 11-19: Onam. Visitors can season in good health (at Spring Into Reading, K.K. 2446 8594, 4238 4229. Dakshina Chitra). a less known landmark in the enjoy the flavour of fascinating Nagar. Storytellers Jeeva Many more events are being city and get the organisers’ ap- firmed up and details will Kerala and the spectacular DAKSHINACHITRA Raghunath and Nandini Kerala harvest festival Onam. WORKSHOPS proval that the landmark is an Sridhar will trace the growth of appear in the Press closer to Traditional folk performances, For children: acceptable choice. (Call: 98405 Madras Week. Kerala cuisine,Pookolam, special Madras that is Chennai. To August 11 & 12: Making a chess- 44629). The project should register, contact 23716927 or crafts and textiles and work- board then be put together with pic- 9940450495 shops. (At DakshinaChitra.) September 1: Tie & Dye tures and text about the salient Answers to August 16-31: Painting exhibition September 22 & 23: Glove pup- points in a power point presen- August 22nd at C.P. by Manjunath. (At Dakshina- petry tation, not exceeding 10 min- Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation, Quiz Chitra) For Adults: utes’ duration. The presenta- Eldam’s Road: The History of Till August 20: Children’s Mela August 11 & 12: Glass-jewellery tion should be submitted on a the Early Madras Region, a re- 1. The Winter Olympic on the theme ‘Rain’: Mazhe making CD on or before August 18th, print of the book by K.V. Games; 2. Petra in Jordan; 3. Jaatre is being organised to September 8: Soft stone-jewellery Raman, will be launched. Bjorn Borg; 4. A conflict supplement the annual making to The Madras Day Organisers, centring on the LalMasjid Adiperukku festival. Thematic September 15 & 16: Basket tray c/o. The Mylapore Times, 77, C. Asan Memorial School will mosque and madrasa complex in exhibits and displays on interest- (For details Tel: 2747 2603 / 2747 P. Ramaswamy Road, Alwarpet, be organising a week-long cel- Islamabad; 5. It has scrapped pay- ing and less-known facts about 2783) Chennai 600 018. The contest ebration of Madras. ments to King Gyanendra and vowed to nationalise royal prop- erty; 6. The doctrine which says that only the Roman Catholic Much still to be done in draft SMP Church is the true Christian church, and no other Christian denomination has the “means of (Continued from page 2) understand and evaluate the re- project management exercise therefore, a thorough review is salvation”; 7. Shanghai and To- cent trends of large malls, mul- will confirm that the best way is mandatory. Additionally, each kyo; 8.Honda; 9. Dilip Sardesai; eral years of mismanagement. 10. He rendered a Hindu prayer tiplexes, gated communities, to evaluate the draft SMP on chapter in the draft SMP needs to start the session, an unprec- Here again, the detail level of SEZs etc. as well as the new the basis of its own Vision 2026 to identify specific annual mile- edented event in the Senate’s data does not provide too many challenges posed by the retail – on the issues of environmen- stones which will prove the 218-year-old history. options for neighbourhood- explosion and its requirements tal sustainability, inter-genera- quantitative achievements or level options for greywater recy- for increased trucking and con- tional equity, providing eco- failures of the draft SMP. But, * * * cling or other water conserva- tainer facilities, terminals and nomic opportunities, and rais- for all of this, we need the 11. USS Nimitz; 12. On the tion efforts. There is much that warehousing. Keeping silent ing the quality of life for all. For CMDA to display a rare sense Madurai Kamaraj University can be done in the draft SMP about new social and lifestyle a qualitative evaluation, the of honesty that has been miss- campus, near the planetarium to address the multiple issue of building; 13. Providing eggs three developments does not augur CMDA needs to build on the ing in many of its previous ef- times a week; 14. V.P. water supply, micro and well for a city master plan. four aspects of Vision 2026 and forts. Let us not forget the words Duraisamy; 15. Krishna Kant; 16. macro drainage, water bodies THE SEVENTH AND FI- review the current list of “strat- of Thomas Paine – “When we Andimuthu Raja, the Union IT and environmental protection NAL REQUIREMENT is for egies, actions and recommenda- are planning for posterity, we Minister; 17. Vidyasagar; 18. and the provision of sanita- the draft SMP to develop guide- tions”. Several of the recom- ought to remember that virtue Pasumpon Muthuramalinga tion. lines for evaluating itself, at mendations are currently in di- is not hereditary.” Thevar; 19. Raghunatha Nayak SIXTHLY, for a 2007 docu- regular intervals, so as to allow rect conflict with the tenets of (1600-1630), the ruler of ment, the draft SMP needs to mid-term corrections. A simple sustainability and equity and, (Part 3 Concluded) Thanjavur; 20. Erode.

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