Reg. No. TN/PMG (CCR) /814/06-08 Licence No. WPP 506/06-08 Registered with the Registrar of Newspapers for under WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS R.N. 53640/91 INSIDE

• Ballads of the junctions

• Letter from Melbourne MADRAS • A people’s fight for space • Waiting for a master plan MUSINGS • The divas of dinning Rs. 5 per copy Vol. XVI No. 20 February 1-15, 2007 (Annual Subscription: Rs. 100/-) Can ‘The Season’ lead to a Chennai Festival? Look at it this way... when you buy this car, you are buying ‘his- tory’! (by Sriram V.) Forever Amby...? ardly had the curtain been come forward with a proposal to The Ambassador car is all set Hrung down on the Music work with the city-based for its fiftieth birthday this Season of 2006 when the Gov- sabha-s. The Music Academy year. ernment of Tamil Nadu has apparently been asked to Isn’t that something? announced an ambitious plan work out a consultation paper to work towards marketing on how the cultural organi- In a new world where a car is practically a fashion acces- what has become arguably a sations can work with the sory, filled with attributes unique cultural festival. The Government in this regard. Scenes from the Festival ... a sign of things to come? (Courtesy: that seem more intimidating December Festival today does Such a proposal is not new. Mylapore Times. (Also see pages 2 and 5.) than strictly necessary, the not begin from 15th December An earlier attempt to create a good old Amby has stood its and end on 1st January as it did Chennai Festival around the ground, refusing to give in to a couple of decades ago; it now Music Season was promoted by this obsession for a slim, spans the period mid-November the Confederation of Indian In- sylph-like figure, staying to the middle of January, sign- dustry (Tamil Nadu Chapter), bulky and flaunting its fa- ing off with the end of the but it did not go much beyond a mous ‘bench seat’. Pongal festivities. With the few tea-and-talk sessions, Think Amby – and an image of weather being tolerable at this largely because there was little sturdy stability brushed with time of the year in our city, it attempt at getting the event a nostalgia appears. has become a season for tourists broader base and wider public For the generation that now and NRIs as well. All this makes and trade participation. Writing looks back on a mostly mis- it an ideal festival package to about this in February 2002, the spent youth, the Amby is a symbol of the past – visits to market and it is heartening to Editor of this journal had said grandparents, the beach, see that the Government has (Continued on page 7) drive-in restaurants, matinee shows, and shopping sprees to book or toy shops, albeit under supervision, and on a ‘Make villages, not cities, magnets of hope’ very tight budget. This was the one car that was — R. Ramraju, CHAIRMAN, IIA-TN generous enough to embrace a bunch of kids, unwilling to . Ramraju, Chairman of the of Chennai, but it is now con- are available throughout the tary-General Kofi Annan that be separated even for short RIndian Institute of Archi- gested and not suitable for de- year, those glass boxes are pre- evictions or demolitions were drives. The car gave us free- tects, Tamil Nadu Chapter, cent living. Earlier, the entire ferred. Attracted by glass fa- not answers to the challenges of dom, although it had a slight speaking on ‘Cities, Magnets of stretch of East Coast Road upto cades, we search for technical rapid urbanisation and only pro- tendency to suddenly get all Hope’, the theme for World Mahabalipuram was preferred solutions to reduce heat and poor and public participatory steamed up, requiring irate Habitat Day, 2006, urged that as a peaceful weekend retreat. light and come up with costly policies could ensure more con- drivers to examine its boiling the bright lights of the cities Now, change in water quality, answers, such as sun control ducive and sustainable urban entrails beneath the yawning hood. should be created in villages of the tsunami after-effects, pri- layers, tinted glass, colour glass, developments. “Ironically, ap- India to make them magnets of vacy loss due to commercial ac- double glass and reflecting glass, proaches that we adopt are al- Now there’s a sight you hardly hope. tivities, etc. are forcing people only to emit more heat and light ways on the negative side. Sat- see these days. A four-fold increase in world to search for alternative week- into the atmosphere and mak- ellite towns are decided at the Apparently, the Amby, today, is population within 200 years and end retreats.” ing it warmer. On the other Secretariat, where it was pro- regarded as an integral part of an eight-times increase in urban He also pointed out that by hand, our traditional architec- posed, not by Chennai’s people mostly government caval- cades or taxi stands, defi- population due to huge migra- spending more and more money ture adopted passive techniques or by local villagers. The fate of nitely retro in character. tion were making ‘drinkable in the name of new technology, through forms and elements to a remote village is decided at a Never mind, Amby. water’ and ‘breathable air’ rare materials and modernity, more absorb excess heat and light.” place 500 km away from it. We commodities that would soon problems/challenges were being He further said people in the spent thousands of crores of There are those who know your be unaffordable to ordinary posed. “Glass boxes in the name name of modernity failed to money year after year, only to worth, like tourists who insist on using Ambys for the ‘true people. Reviewing the present of modern, corporate imaging adopt natural ways, which were have unused, abandoned, and Indian Experience’. scene in Chennai, he said, “Just and MNC glamour are drawing cheap, easily solvable and, dilapidated structures standing a few decades ago, T. Nagar was the new skyline of Indian cities. above all, renewable. in every village in the name of Happy Birthday, old friend. planned as a model Though we live in the tropics, He recalled the statement health centre, community cen- Ranjitha Ashok neighbourhood for the old city where enormous heat and light made by United Nations Secre- (Continued on page 6)

CMYK 2 February 1-15,2007 A Festival by the people, for the people he annual Sundaram moved cricket in Madras that is Sastriar’s Noah’s Ark and TFinance-Mylapore Festival Chennai back to January. The drew thunderous applause. is not only growing in different Man from Madras Musings, The question-answer ses- ways each year, but is going however, still strongly feels that sion at the end showed how from success to success, The Pongal is the time to have in- extremely interested the audi- Man from Madras Musings ternational competitions in the ence was in her subject and finds. This year, the events at city. how comprehensively she had the Nageswara Rao Park, a Last year, when the match studied it. She handled every neighbourhood now managed was called off due to rains and question with ease. by Sundaram Finance, had no refund was forthcoming, MMM hopes to see more increased from morning many swore that they would of and hear Dr. Peterson and kutcheris by teenagers to vari- never again buy a ticket and her ilk in Chennai, sharing ous contests and creative work- watch matches at . their knowledge with those shops for children. But came the day when ticket interested. With several playgrounds sales opened and the long ser- and smaller parks and quad- pentine queues clearly indi- Infinitely troublesome rangles in the periphery of the cated that public memory is at festival zone – which is Sri best very short. ushing to the Roja Kapali temple – perhaps there R Muthiah Library an hour before closing, The Man from can be activities in all of them Signage gone wild at Agurchand Mansion. Open House? next year. Madras Musings drove past MMM, however, has been one month, MMM has been themselves on passersby at all he Man from Madras the roundabout leading to the distressed to find there is oppo- somewhat intrigued to find a times seeking alms. The struc- T Musings was delighted to library, not once but twice. sition too to the festival. rather neat scaffolding erected ture itself is used by political hear the Madras University say All this because the signboard A few stores have mur- around both the towers. Is that parties and others for posters. that the restoration of historic bearing the library’s name had mured about the use of public an indication of some renova- The side closest to the Quaid- Senate House would be com- been uprooted, thanks to the space for the festival, stating it tion and restoration? MMM e-Milleth College is used as a pleted by the Tamil New Year’s ongoing IT Corridor work. hurt their business. One large hoped that the LIC had seen urinal, thanks to the privacy it Day and that the building What is more, on eventually shop even took the Mylapore the light and was taking up res- allows. No doubt fertilised by would be opened for public use discovering the turn and driv- Festival organisers to court, but toration, but the only people on all that organic waste, a tree thereafter. MMM has always ing in, MMM discovered that lost its case. Yet, out of sheer the library, like castles of old, frustration, it had its vans had cut itself off from the parked all of 24 hours in the main road, thanks to a moat- areas where shows were held. SHORT ’N’ SNAPPY like chasm. MMM abandoned Can there be bigger spoilsports his vehicle and was wondering than these? whether to jump across, when The court case had its a construction worker mo- the premises appeared to feel argued for the continued use of tioned him to a metal sheet pluses. MMM was delighted to that the scaffolding was meant hear Justice Prabha Sridevan’s heritage buildings, for that is that served as a bridge. MMM for protection and not so much the best way to preserve them. gingerly stepped on the sheet, thoughts which she shared with for any repair work. the petitioner. That the festival At the same time, a note of cau- feeling rather like a victim of Meanwhile, the building has tion ought to be sounded. Long John Silver walking the promises to accommodate the been practically roofless for needs of locals, and is not a hin- It is best that a list of dos and plank, when the metal sheet over six months now, no doubt don’ts and a code of conduct suddenly sprang to life and be- drance to people. That such causing more damage. MMM festivals are popular abroad in within the premises is drawn up gan swinging to and fro. hopes that something positive before such buildings are MMM’s entire past sprang up zones that are ‘walk only’ areas, will soon happen, else the thus prohibiting traffic. That handed out for public func- before his eyes and he could building, like the proverbial tions. Given the nature of some vaguely remember a story of culture must be encouraged. Arab, may silently fold its tents That fests which engage the of our public, it would be put- three billy goats that tried to and vanish into the night. ting the Senate House to great cross a bridge with a troll youth must get due importance Still in the same area, The if they are to be part of such danger if such written safe- rocking it from below. Fortu- Man from Madras Musings guards – and enforcement of nately, the onward journey fests. wonders what is being planned MMM hopes that in the fu- them – are not there. ended without mishap. On at the South Indian Railway the way back, MMM found ture, other heritage areas will Booking Office that abuts the host similar festivals too. One that, like castle drawbridges, Kardyll’s Building. MMM A tree grows on the Mount Road Serfojee’s Noah’s Ark NGO group has already made the metal sheet had been could be mistaken, but the in a cylinder without purpose. hennai recently played drawn back at sundown. Per- a beginning by hosting two-day place looks uninhabited. Is it events around Sri Partha- now flourishes from the top of C host to Dr. Indira Viswa- haps this column would not being readied for an eventual the structure. MMM feels that nathan Peterson of Mount have made it to this issue and sarathy Temple in . knocking down? MMM hopes With other communities join- this curious object should be Holyoke College, Massachu- MMM may still be standing not. left as it is and must be desig- setts. The professor, who has on the other side had not the ing in, perhaps all this can Agurchand Mansion, which develop into the Chennai Fes- nated a protected monument, done in-depth research on the same worker obligingly laid is close by, has, however, been for, in MMM’s opinion, it Maratha period in the history out the sheet again, rather like tival Madras Musings has been given a fresh coat of paint and urging and which Government somehow seems an allegorical of Thanjavur, gave two talks in Raleigh spreading the cloak the restored pediment, all representation of road space in the city, one at the Roja for Good Queen Bess. MMM, hopes will develop around the bright and yellow, literally Music Season. MMM hopes the city. Muthiah Library as part of its while all for heritage, would glows against the red colour of A soothing sight for sore monthly lecture series and the definitely not like harking those asked to present a con- the main building. What, how- cept paper to Government eyes in an increasingly ugly second at the Madras Institute back to the Middle Ages when ever, puzzles MMM is the lack Mount Road is P. Orr & Sons’ of Development Studies, with it comes to visiting research based on a Chennai Festival of standardisation in signage growing out of the Music Sea- showroom next to The Mail’s the Max Mueller Bhavan and centres and hopes that nor- and door designs among the offices. It just goes to show Madras Musings partnering malcy will soon return to the son, will also see community occupants of the building. festivals, other festivals and what a fresh coat of paint can MIDS in sponsoring the talk. road. IT should not mean In- These are basic requirements do to a heritage structure. MMM, attending the second finitely Troublesome. shopping and dining experi- when it comes to heritage ences as all being part of one Amalgamation’s Higgin- presentation, on the role of the structures and only go towards botham’s, illuminated at night, German missionaries in shap- Height of lawlessness? great, big festival promoting enhancing the beauty of a Chennai. shines like a beacon for all heri- ing Serfojee’s thought process place. tage lovers. But MMM is sad to and also on his patronage of the he Man from Madras Mount Road heritage Looking towards Binny note that the dreadful mon- Christian composer Veda- T Musings knows that Road, MMM wonders what the strosity almost cheek by jowl nayakam Sastriar, was struck there are several definitions he Man from Madras peculiar cylinder of concrete with this building has now by the knowledge of the pre- to this. But in Chennai it must T Musings has some kind of just at the junction of that road sprouted additional floors and senter and the manner in be a government vehicle ca- a fatherly love for the old and Mount Road is meant to thrives like an eczema. which she presented the sub- reening down the wrong side Bharat Insurance or Kardyll signify. Was it meant to be the ject. Being fluent in German, of Kamarajar Salai flouting all Building and looks at it fairly pedestal for a political leader’s Cricket season English and Tamil and being speed restrictions, with no often, all the while maintaining statue and was that plan aban- able to read from Sanskrit and bull’s eye on its headlights and a safe distance, what with the doned? The structure is being t is that time of the year again Marathi texts would have been its driver speaking on a mobile placards all around warning of put to good use though. At its Iand the powers-that-be have enough, but she also sang – and phone all the while. Can you the building being in imminent base lives a thriving family wisely refrained from holding a extremely well at that. The beat that? danger of collapsing. In the last whose members literally fling match during the monsoon and song was from Vedanayakam – MMM February 1-15, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

The threatened hall More fuel to the helmet debate s a student I have listened rticles appear in the media frequently (including Madras Dr. Ganapathi, states (MM, March 1, 2006), “Protective head- AMusings) strongly advocating helmets for two-wheeler users gear certainly reduces the severity of the impact on the brain. Ato many eminent men and to reduce fatalities. However, most of them are not backed by Unfortunately, the majority still prefer a severely injured brain to women speak without using the sound statistics to support their case. The Chennai Police have a fractured helmet. Of the 7000 head injuries I have treated over microphones at the Gokhale put up numerous innovative signboards on the roads extolling the last 30 years, I can count on one hand the number of deaths Hall (MM, December 16th). the virtues of helmets. Two writ petitions for making helmets due to brain injuries, among the group of two-wheeler riders us- Sarojini Naidu spoke (in 1944- mandatory are pending in the High Court. Is helmet-wearing in- ing helmets.” 45) to the youth kindling in deed the panacea that it is made out to be? On the other hand, in The Times of India of 4.8.1989, Dr. them the national spirit. Many Helmets were originally justified on the basis of accident sta- Vikram Marwah, renowned orthopaedic surgeon and former renowned musicians gave con- tistics originating mainly from the U.S.A. Even if these statistics Dean of the Nagpur Medical College, stated, “The helmet is as certs. The canteen run by the justified helmets in the U.S., it is simplistic to project their valid- protective to the head as lipstick is to the lips – both are cosmetic. YMIA was popular in the ity to Indian conditions, as these statistics were not for traffic The helmet neither protects the vital portions of the head nor neighbourhood for its inexpen- within the cities but on the local and national highways where protects it from rotation injury nor from hyperextension injury. It sive but good quality coffee and only four-wheelers and high powered motor-bikes moved. Be- does not control the injury resulting from spinning of the brain, which is most dangerous, mostly resulting in fatality... The popu- onion vadai. cause of excellent road conditions, cruising speeds are much higher there. Accidents occur mostly due to rash driving, speed- lar notion about the fractured skull is not correct. It is laconic but It is sad that such an impor- ing and drunken driving. true that if the skull is fractured, the fractured skull leads to the tant landmark, built through blood seeping out, rather than collecting inside and killing the the toil and dedication of Annie Contrast this with India: Besides motorised vehicles, we also patient due to internal haemmorrhage.” He adds: “If a person has Besant, is in danger of being have cycles, cycle rickshaws, bullock carts, hand-carts, pedestri- an accident, his skull would be hurt, but it would absorb the brought down by those turning ans, and even dogs and cattle, all competing for the limited road shock, and the injury would be an inconsequential one. But with space. Road discipline is poor. Running a red light is routine, a deaf ear to the appeals and en- a helmet on, the shock would be transmitted to the brain sub- whereas it attracts very stiff punishment in the U.S. Overtaking stance within the skull. More serious will be the injury to the treaties of those genuinely inter- from the left is as common as from the right. In India, it is not ested in preserving the city’s neck when it is inflicted by the helmet. The vital part of the brain speed or drunken driving that alone kills but open or badly filled is at the base of the skull. While the helmet saves the head, it heritage. potholes, unmarked and often badly designed speed-breakers, exposes the neck. Wearing a helmet usually leads to serious in- When the was poor road lighting, powerful, blinding and unfocussed vehicle jury to the neck in an accident. If the neck is broken, you have built, motorised transport was headlights, and heavy vehicles flouting rules with impunity. Do had it.” the statistics have relevance in our conditions? in its infancy in this city and The positions taken by two surgeons may seem contradictory, there was no need to think of Even the U.S. statistics have been questioned in an article in but a simple correlation could be that helmeted drivers who die parking space. Most of those the respected British journal, The New Scientist, by London of neck injuries do not reach the surgeon’s table at all, and only thronging using the Hall used University’s Prof. John Adams. those with head injuries survive and reach it. More meticulously the inexpensive but dependable According to the Jt. Commissioner of Police (Traffic) (MM, recorded statistics would throw a lot of light on this. services offered by public buses March 1, 2006), “In 2004, of a total of 605 (two-wheeler) fatali- Dr. Marwah also points out that the ear is an important radia- and trams. The elite used horse- ties, 234 persons were without helmets, i.e. 39% . In 2005, of tor of the human body whose effectiveness is lost with a helmet drawn Victoria coaches or orna- 493 fatalities, 162 were without helmets, i.e. 33%.” He credits on. As a two-wheeler driver for over forty years in Chennai, I mental private man-pulled rick- the 6% rise in helmet-usage to the police’s sustained campaign. would give considerable value to this comment since a driver has shaws. Today, things are differ- Let us look at these figures a little more carefully. The reduction to constantly monitor the sounds emanating from behind him as ent and parking space is a prob- in the number of fatalities can be due to many reasons, and can- vehicles merrily overtake as much from the left as they do from lem. But solutions can be found not be connected straightaway to helmets. The conclusion that the right. He also has to constantly monitor the sounds emanat- helmet usage has increased is fallacious as the usage has been if an open mind is kept and a ing from his own vehicle, as these sounds are vital messages of based neither on the total number of drivers nor on the same the impact of poor roads on his machine. dialogue with the heritage representative sample studied over the two years. But the real lovers pursued. All this takes us again to the fundamental causes for two- and more worrisome conclusion that his data presents is that a wheeler accidents mentioned earlier. While advocating helmets, larger percentage of helmet users died in 2005 (67%) than in D.V.Subramanian we need to keep in mind that the percentage of two-wheeler acci- 2004 (61%)! One possible explanation for this caould be that dents itself in relation to the phenomenal number of two-wheel- 6, Sriram Colony more pillion riders died from accidents in 2004 than in to 2005, ers on the road and to the phenomenal number of their running Theosophical Society because they are much more vulnerable to injuries in an accident hours is small. If these fundamental causes are tackled, two- Adyar than the drivers, and mostly don’t wear helmets. wheeler accidents will themselves come down drastically and also Chennai 600 020 We need to collect more detailed statistics before reaching the very scope for fatalities. Instead of treating these fundamental Beware walking here conclusions about helmets. While recording data, it is essential causes, is it fair to force all two-wheeler drivers to wear helmets not merely to record how many were helmeted, but also whether in the hot, humid climate of Chennai? And given the enforce- wonder whether any read- the vehicle was a moped, scooter or a motorbike; whether the ment record of the Chennai Police, will making helmets manda- Iers have recently walked on driver or the pillion rider died; whether the accident occurred at tory automatically solve the problem? the Thiru Vi Ka bridge con- night or during the day. Such statistics will show where the risk The purpose of this letter is not to decry helmets per se but to necting Mylapore and Adyar. I lies, what corrective action is needed and where helmets can play plead for a better understanding of two-wheeler accidents and did. a critical role. the role of helmets under our road conditions vis-a-vis the vari- Regularly reading in the me- What about the quality of helmets? According to Dr. Dinesh ous types of two-wheelers used here, before making them manda- dia about the steps initiated by Mohan, then of the Centre for Bio-medical Engineering, I.I.T., tory for the entire lot of two-wheeler drivers. the Government to clean the Delhi, the Indian Standard for helmets is itself defective and does Indukanth S. Ragade , beautify the Adyar not provide adequate protection to the head. This is like dispens- ing poor quality prophylactics during an epidemic to control it. A-3, ‘Prabhat Apartments’ neighbourhood and improve 1, Kamala Bai Street,T.Nagar the , I thought that What about medical opinion? The eminent neuro-surgeon, Chennai 600 017 I would take a walk on the Thiru Vi Ka Bridge on Christ- there was no sewage to be seen to meet a doctor friend and nar- was surprised to see buffaloes business houses, hospitals and mas Day evening. There were but there were thick bushes that rated my experience to him. He and cows on the embankment fastfood restaurants, is unbear- many surprises in store for me were no better sight. advised that elderly persons like along with several hutment able. This forces pedestrians on as I walked from the Adyar end As I walked on and reached me, whose body resistance is dwellers. The stink was abomi- to the road, where they are un- of the bridge towards Mylapore. the other end of the bridge, I low, should not take a chance nable. Surely, these cattle breed der threat from reckless auto- I found that I was the only was surprised to find a garden by walking near sewage sludge, all types of diseases. and bus-drivers, not to mention person walking on the bridge maintained by Chennai Corpo- a breeding place for viruses. The Chetput Tank used to car-drivers. Although the speed whereas scores of two-wheelers ration! The garden was cer- I wonder whether any re- be a reservoir for rainwater. The limit mentioned is 40 km, they and four-wheelers were crossing tainly green, but it had not been sponsible person in Govern- Corporation of Chennai has not speed at 60 - 80 km. On the top at breakneck speed. Soon, I dis- maintained in a proper manner. ment or in the Chennai Corpo- cleaned this tank for decades of all this, the footpath is used covered why I was the sole per- Fortunately, there was no one ration has cared to walk on the and has failed to move the as an urinal. son walking. sitting in the garden that ap- Thiru Vi Ka Bridge and seen cattle out of the city. It is sad to see top police per- The Adyar River beneath peared to be a health hazard for these conditions. When is this sorry state of sonnel, politicians and ministers anyone. affairs going to cease? the bridge has dark, thick water N.S. Venkataraman travelling on this road without Just beyond the garden is a that is certainly not river water M 60/1, 4th Cross Street R. Jagannathan anyone bothering to take any public toilet. I went in to see or water from the sea but is sew- Besant Nagar 4 (Old), Spur Tank Road action to ensure pedestrian age. The nauseating smell what condition it was in and all Chennai 600 090. Chennai 600 031 safety and well-being. would drive away any person at- I can say is that it was a terrible tempting to walk on the bridge. sight. Despoiled tank Accumulating filth R. Ganesh With great difficulty I put up I decided to do the return 4th Main Street with the smell and the ugly sight trip by autorickshaw. ravelling on Spur Tank he filth that accumulates and walked on. At one point, Later in the day, I happened T Road to Chetput Bridge, I Ton EVR Salai, caused by Chennai 600 040 4 MADRAS MUSINGS February 1-15, 2007 February 1-15, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 Songs of the South Indian maps – and South Indians A victory for people crossroads in Terra Australia fighting for space n these days of SMS, MMS, e-mail and other forms of communication, it is difficult to Ithink of a period when news and messages to the public of our city were transmitted by the INCENT D’SOUZA of the Mylapore and Adyar bound traffic from the side to the east VTimes writes, with reference to the recent coast side will come up. medium of songs sung at crossroads and other important locations. And this was not very long he State Library of Victoria nobody knows what he really throne that was appropriated by Mylapore Festival: The City Fathers claim it will provide a short cut. ago. The practice existed right up to the 1940s after which it faded away. Tin Melbourne houses a valu- looked like. the King of Spain roughly be- The new year has brought for us a moral victory. Perhaps they have not travelled on the Adyar This “street corner literature” has been the subject of research of Dr. A.R. Venkata- able collection of rare books and What excites the Madras visi- tween 1580 and 1640, the Dutch But we have not had the time to savour it. Bridge Road between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. and between chalapathy, the well-known scholar, and Mucchandi Ilakkiyam, a Tamil book, published by manuscripts which are displayed tor to this exhibition is the pres- and the English began a deter- I suppose people in the media must be reminded 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. when traffic crawls on this old Kalachuvadu Padhippagam, has been the outcome. An immensely readable work, it is an impor- in a rotating exhibition. The ear- ence of maps dating from 1715, mined and ruthless expansion that theirs is a job to report and publish. bridge. tant addition to the volume of historic material available on the city of Madras that is Chennai. liest exhibit is a cuneiform clay and a translation of a ‘novel’ that gathered momentum in the And that it makes immense sense not to cross the Where are the sane voices of the community who It looks at documentation of the city’s history, much of it social and cultural rather than politi- tablet c. 2000 B.C. from Mesopo- (1684) from Spanish about the 18th Century. It is not surprising Lakshman rekha. can debate such plans? cal, from the common man’s point of view. Refreshingly, it is a genre that looks at history not tamia, about the size of a match- “Laws, Customs, Manners and then that the best maps came out But in real life, this isn’t the case. Why are there fewer public debates on such issues from the point of view of the victor alone. box, that carries a detailed ac- Fashions of the South Indians”! of Holland in the 16th Century, Often we are called upon to go beyond reporting, that affect communities? The modus operandi was simple. Any significant news or event of the day would be turned count of the number of goats and But first the maps. The earli- but were often printed in Ger- editing and publishing. Some of us who are interested in history and heri- We are called to take a stand. And stand by it. tage imagined a time when the city’s development into a song set to the tune of a popular theatre song or of a folk mode such as venba, kalitturai, cattle paid as taxes by a certain est attempts at true modern car- many. 17th Century cartography We are challenged and thwarted. authority, the CMDA, would declare the Mada Street viruttam, kummi, chandam, chindu, vannam, oradi, kalivenba, tazhisai and kirtanai and sung. Pam- The cover of Mucchandi Ilakkiyam individual for a specified area of tography were made by those belonged to the English and the And we find ourselves in public spaces and in the area of Mylapore a special zone so that its architec- phlets containing the lyrics very common and among these of poetic material was also done. the most important feature of land. So much for shorthand! amazing pioneers of exploration, French due in large part to the thick of public issues that challenge us. ture, layout, business and life would be protected would then be sold. These sheets it is Bhagat Singh who emerges Almost all songs begin, in true these books. There are songs on division of Germany into small There have been some local issues that keep from the onslaught of the gargantuan plans of big also indicated the tunes to which as the people’s choice. The na- theatrical style, with a prayer to People’s Park, on temple festivals and quarrelsome principalities. popping up as we go about reporting our neighbour- business and fly-by-night middlemen. the song was to be sung. Compi- tionalist theme brought these a favourite deity. The haste with such as the Arubattumoovar of A Melbourne letter The Atlas de la navigation et du hoods. The laws are not in place. So we can challenge lations of several such songs songs, their authors and publish- which the pamphlets had to be the Kapaleeswarar Temple and from commerce qui se fait dans toutes les When I first witnessed the mortar and bricks neither the State nor private plans. would also be sold in the form of ers under the British prepared led to errors in printing Vedarperi Mahotsavam of the parties du monde – ‘Atlas of devouring the avenue trees and gardens of Gandhi There is a need for cautious urban development SIMEON MASCARENHAS Nagar after we came to live in the Adyar here. A need to have better traffic regulation, modern booklets. The prices of these Government’s scanner for some and very often the language used Kandaswami Temple at Rasappa commerce and navigation in all parts of the world’ – was pub- neighbourhood, it was not a very nice sight. parking. books rarely exceeded ¼ or ½ was not according to the best te- Chetty Street. There is a song on Today, there are thousands of apartment blocks A campaign to coax shoppers and devotees to walk anna and so they were also called nets of composition. Not surpris- a great fire that broke out in the It is not every day that you get the Portuguese, who allied them- lished in Amsterdam in 1715 by in Gandhi Nagar which seem to have staved off crises the Mada Streets and leave their cars and buses at Kaalana or Arayana Paatu l by SRIRAM V. ingly, intellectuals such as 1890s at the South Indian Ath- to see a copy of Galileo’s Dialogue selves with their German coun- Louis Renard, a French Hugue- in water supply, garbage clearance and traffic flow. parking bays constructed at the MRTS station Puttagams. Subramania Bharati, A. Madha- letics Association’s annual fair at Concerning the Two Chief World terparts, many miles away, to not whose family had fled to Hol- But the ‘nagar’ is under seige. campus. The more popular name for time and there were frequent at- viah and T.K. Chidambaranatha People’s Park and there are songs Systems, published by Giovanni produce the first accurate maps land in the 1680s, when he was a Will there come a time when we will have So when Justice Prabha Sridevan acknowledged these creations was Guzili Paattu. tempts to arrest those involved Mudaliar looked down on such on important incidents concern- Baptista Landini in Florence in of foreign parts, including parts boy. It is a very large book con- laws that ban commercial spots from residential the spirit behind the annual Mylapore Festival which Guzili Bazaar was the name given with such literature. literature and wrote disparag- ing the city, such as the raid by 1632, or a Fourth Folio of the of Australia long before the rest taining 25 maps and 4 plates in nagars? was challenged in court recently and left some to the Evening Bazaar that was Composing, typesetting and ingly about it. Notwithstanding the Emden. Plays of William Shakespeare of the world knew it existed. Ger- colour, long descriptions of See the the fate of Indira Nagar, Kasturba Nagar positive thoughts with us, we felt happy. and K.K. Nagar. The Mada Streets area could be occasionally made an important thoroughfare near printing on a shoestring budget that, the Guzili art appears to The Mucchandi Ilakkiyam, (1685). Incidentally, the portrait man mapmakers gained an inter- countries, their people and prod- ucts, and is surprisingly accurate. In a few months from now, a road proposed on ‘walk only’ zones. And they become a zone that fos- the China and Ratan Bazaar ar- must have always been a chal- have flourished for over fifty written with a gentle humour that the world believes is a true national reputation due to a high the banks of the Adyar River to carry Mylapore- ters shopping, gawking, walking and day-dreaming! eas. It later moved to Moore lenge and recycling of blocks years. that pervades it, is a must for any- likeness of William Shakespeare technical level in printmaking. The western part of Australia, Market. It was the place where containing illustrations was very To any historian of the city, one interested in the history of was engraved by Martin Droue- With the decline of Portuguese called Hollandia Nova, or New most articles of everyday use common. Similarly, the recycling the songs on Madras are perhaps Madras that is Chennai. shout after the writer’s death, so naval supremacy due to a vacant Holland by then, is amazingly ac- Maliapur, one of the Portuguese the European nations to come to with Malaysia and Indonesia, could be purchased at throwaway curate; the eastern seaboard had spellings for Mylapore. This is India. were once joined in the ancient prices. Since many stolen goods not yet been mapped, for good the only eastern port depicted. The frontispiece of a certain land mass called Gondwanaland. also landed up there for sale and reason. The Portuguese had All the ports and inland cities book next caught my eye and They share many physical char- since pickpockets also made hay reached the continent and found shown were either well-known to stopped me dead in my tracks. It acteristics, customs, spiritual be- among the crowds that thronged it lacking in a trading nation. the Portuguese or established/de- read: “The Travels of Don Fran- liefs and even linguistic patterns The Ballad of People’s Park They had ventured at least as far the street, it was also called veloped by them. In the west cisco de Quevedo Through Terra with the true Dravidians of India Thieves’ Bazaar. This area was mong the collection of Walking by People’s Park, he whose descendant was Krishna- that meal is a mystery, but walk as Warrnambool on the Victo- Cambaie, Goa, Calecut; in the Australis Incognita Discovering the before their (often superior) cul- the home for the songs of the AGuzili songs available at the sings of the Victoria Gardens (My swami Naidu, a judge of Madras they do and crossing the rian coast, but at great risk: they east, Narsiga in the area labelled Laws, Customs, Manners and ture was diluted by Aryan impo- crossroads, for singers would sing Roja Muthiah Library is the Ladyes’ Park?) with its high com- High Court in the 1960s. A park, ‘Tandavarayar Tanneer Pandal’ were sailing outside the Line of Orixa, clearly a Portuguese spell- Fashions of THE SOUTH INDI- sitions and exchanges. The only them here and the books con- People’s Park Vazhi Nadai Chindu pound walls and beautiful gates. much neglected, stands even now (near the present-day Kallu- Tordesillas, the north-south me- ing, pronounced ‘Oreesha’. In ANS” – a novel. Originally in significant difference is that published in 1915 by the Chak- The joys inside the garden are in Sami Naidu’s name in that kaaran Street, ), taining song compilations were ridian determined by the Pope the area we would expect to find Spanish. London, for William while the Dravidians developed ravarty Achchukoodam of 13 also described in detail. There is area. they move closer to Mylapore. and the representatives of Portu- also sold here. Not surprisingly, Nambulayar Street, Madras, a pond (Lily Pond?) with a What is the Arupatthumoovar Edward Eliotts’ (Radha- Calcutta we see “Iameri”(?) pro- Grantham at the Crown and into generally excellent agricul- Guzili Bazaar was also the subject wherever that is. The song is wooden bridge over it and it also festival without the tanneer krishnan) Road is not men- gal and Spain on June 7, 1494 in nounced Yaameri. Pretty good Pearl over against Exeter- turalists, the Aboriginals re- of some songs. about a beau of George Town has the novelty of piped water pandal-s where water, buttermilk tioned, but they sing of a Tordesillas, Spain, that divided for a world map produced in the Change in The Strand 1684". mained basically hunter-gather- Almost anything and every- asking his girl, the toast of Mullah being supplied from Pugal. The and sweetmeats are distributed to ‘Prasanna Vinayagar Sannidhi’ the world outside Europe for ex- late 1600s or early 1700s. Quite a mouthful. Indeed, one ers, like a few Indian tribal com- ploration and trade by Spain and thing appears to have been grist Sahib Street, to walk down with song notes several women filling those visiting the event? The man and then the famed Ambattan The mention of Delhi is sig- that would quite easily be stuffed munities, until European settle- him to Mylapore to see the Aru- water from the pipes. sings of a ‘Glasskaaran Tanneer (Hamilton) Bridge. They must Portugal. to the songsters’ mill. There are nificant: it reveals the contact into my gaping mouth on behold- ment or invasion. Darwin’s, or pattumoovar festival at the Kapa- The Zoo is described next (for Pandal’ and then of a ‘Tailor then have crossed Nattu Subba- Renard’s 1715 map clearly songs structured as debates, to be between the Portuguese ambas- ing the words ‘South Indians’ in Wallace’s, theories of natural se- leeswarar Temple. The song is set it was then in People’s Park). Taccha Chavadi’ (was it a colony raya Mudali Street and shows India and its major cities sung as a duet, with each singer sadors with the Moghul Emperor capitals. The word novel meant lection due to geographical isola- in the form of his telling the They see male and female bears, of weavers and carpenters?). Mundaga Kanni Amman Koil and ports. The Coromandel taking up one point of view. and supports the exchange of ‘adventure’ in those days, so it is tion explain the development, or woman all about the sights that a big tiger, a cheetah and what is Courtesy: Roja Muthiah Library. They cross a group of square Street, though these are not Coast is significant. In it are Thus there are discussions on ideas between the Catholic Jesu- entirely possible that the whole concentration, of certain ana- they see en route. Though its sung of as “the famous” lion. shops built to honour Ashton mentioned. The next sight is the named “Catelour (Cuddalore), castor oil vs kerosene oil, rice vs name has People’s Park in it, it There is a stone elephant kept in lawnmower which can cut uni- Durai (a web search on Ashton Apparswami Koil and then its and Akbar, along with repre- thing is a fabrication, rather like tomical features. Hence my use Armagaon, Pallecatta (), wheat (a new import to Madras paints a much larger canvas. a tin shed and to see it a formly and then they marvel at a + Madras revealed a web site – Kosapettai (today’s ‘Tanneer sentatives of other religions, that Don Quixote. The title itself is of the term Proto-Dravidian. St. George de Madras, Sao during the years of food scarcity) The Romeo asks his beloved gatekeeper charges ½ anna. Boat huge weighing scale used for siz- http://valmayukuk.tripod.com/ Turai Market’ and the resulted in the new amalgamated staggering enough. Who would What was a Spaniard doing in Tome, Cloother (Kallathur?), and coffee vs tea. Some songs to set out from Mullah Sahib rides in the pond cost ¼ anna. ing up the bales of grass for auc- id39.html – where there is a page Anjaneya Swami Temple). faith that Akbar tried to pro- not like to read about the ‘fash- “Terra Australia”, writing about Cabelam (), Nooge even have a third party sitting in Street, George Town, after suit- More fauna such as snakes, foxes, tioning. on a Madras Notebook of 1883 They then cross over to mote. ions’ of the South Indians of the “South Indians”? It defies logic as a judge during the debate. ably attiring herself in silk saree jackals, turtles, civet cats, mon- The Jail comes next and the which clearly states that a W. Mylapore’s tank and the Mada Ruch?), Pondicheri, Porto Novo, 17th Century? The mind boggles. and credibility and, therefore, ex- We see that the names of Thus, in the song on coffee and and blouse, gold jewellery and keys, mongooses and rabbits, fol- duo claims to be able to see mur- Ashton lived on Mount Road) Streets. The journey ends with Tranquebar, several more ports, If there is any truth in the ac- cites curiosity. I can’t wait to be applying a variety of native per- low and then they visit a large avi- derers, pickpockets and frauds which are now in Patter’s Gar- a burst of devotion, for the towns and ports along the Indian tea, rice gruel appears as judge. Tuticorin and Cap de Comorin.” count, there must be reference to allowed to examine the book fumes on her person. Addressing ary with every bird imaginable. going about their penitentiary dens. Mention is made of the names of the 63 nayanmar are coast were established enough to The more popular variety in- All the above, with the excep- the established Euro-Indian once the exhibition concludes, if her as a lily-eyed doe, with speech Describing the place as heaven, duties. They also see the women’s Club House, whose rear entrance recited and then a glorious de- make it to important maps. Ma- volved news on murders and this tion of St. George de Madras, community, then almost entirely that is possible. like a nightingale, he leads her the couple then crosses the band- cells and the gardens tended by they must have crossed, and then scription of Kapaleeswarar and dras is clearly located, and spawned a new genre of songs were Portuguese trading ports of Portuguese descent, today Amongst the other books of out from her street. They cross stand where ‘English’ music is the convicts. Bridge they are standing next to a Taana Karpagambal follows, as the there is no mention whatsoever called the kolai (murder) chindu. comes next, followed by the bun- before passing into Dutch, known as Anglo-Indians. interest on display are a copy of Chengam Bazaar (once the red played for the “Durais” every Maada Koil, which could be the idols come out of the temple in of Chennai. The Portuguese did There are topical songs ranging light area of the city) and, walk- Tuesday and Saturday in the eve- galow of one Murugappa Muda- Wesley Church, for they say it is all their finery. French and finally English hands. Far-fetched as it might seem, The Wheel of Fortune by Ma- not make up names: they had no from an unknown Rajambal who ing via the Ranganathaswami nings. People’s Park, according to liar. We are possibly near Harris next to a school in Royapettah. The song is not a great com- A world map, drawn in colour there is an element of truth in the hatma Gandhi, published by need to, unless they established a was murdered in the Temple, the Arunachaleswarar the song, also contained a tree Road, for specific mention is Apparently, Chellappa’s Sweet position in the literary sense, by Franz Hogenburg, and the juxtaposition of the terms ‘terra Ganesh and Co. of Madras in new town, as Portuguese pro- Mail to the sensational murder of Temple and the Dharmaraja whose sapling was planted by made of crossing Sami Naicken Shop was the rage of Royapettah, but it holds an immense amount date of which I was unable to de- australis’ and ‘South Indians’. I 1922. The cover bears the quaint nunciation and spelling easily ac- C.N. Lakshmikantham of Indu Temple (particular attention is Prince Albert Victor (in 1889). Road which is perhaps an errone- for here the singer asks his girl to of information about the city of termine, shows India in excellent have no doubt whatsoever that inscription “Clothed in Khadar”. drawn to a water tank at this Attention is drawn to Overseer ous reference to Dubash Sami savour puri halwa, laddu, jalebi, Madras that is Chennai.. (cour- commodate Indian names. Their Nesan fame. There is even a song detail. It clearly predates the the Aboriginals of Australia are It is a small book, very neatly shrine), emerge at Elephant Gate Willis’ bungalow inside the gar- Naidu, who lived off Harris Road adirasam, palgova and pagoda. tesy: RojaMuthiah Library) spelling and pronunciation were on the collapse of the Arbuthnot Renard map as it makes no refer- proto-Dravidians, since Austra- bound and forms part of the Rare (just west of ). den. The couple gazes at a in Lang’s Garden Road and How they could walk after S.V. the closest to the original of all Bank. Nationalist songs were also ence to Madras, but does have lia and South India, together Books Collection.

CMYK 6 MADRAS MUSINGS February 1-15,2007

nately, this plan was not put up for public viewing, neither be- Still waiting for a fore nor after its finalisation. I am not sure in what direction the city is heading. master plan? Experts are worried what would happen to the city if each agency prepares its own plan (Current Affairs questions are without any integration. At from the period January 1st to hennai, the fourth largest industrial parks, which were not Metropolitan Plan in 1971. present, the master plan pre- 15th. Questions 11 to 20 per- Curban agglomeration in In- envisaged in the master plan, This plan envisaged the city pared by CMDA alone has legal tain to Tamil Nadu and dia and with a population of 6.4 have been implemented. The growth for the next 20 years and validity. Pressing issues such as Chennai.) million (2001 census), is grow- real estate boom has redrawn came up with land acquisition public housing, public trans- ing at a rapid pace without any the city’s contours. Though the measures and development port, urban waterways, imple- 1. Name the veteran Indian plan in place. The last time the plans regulated the Floor Space projects. This plan was the first mentation of development con- diplomat appointed as his chief city had a master plan was in Index, many buildings have not to envisage three satellite towns trol rules and integrating infra- of staff by the new UN Secre- 1975. The city is now spread complied with it and the impact in , Gummidi- structure planning with land tary General, Ban Ki-Moon. over 172 sq.km. and along with of this unregulated growth is poondi and and six use need to be comprehensively 2. Which Englishman was its hinterland (- visible in places like T. Nagar. urban nodes in places including addressed. Many projects, such Shane Warne’s 1000th interna- politan Area) covers 1177 sq. At present, the growth is con- and . The as metro rail and satellite cities, tional wicket? km. An updated plan and a new centrated in the southern part idea of satellite towns was are in the pipeline. 3. The Dandeli Project Tiger is vision for the city are long over- of the city and its suburbs. mooted even earlier. The 1969 How will these piecemeal the newest one to get approval. due. , which was the report by the Town and Coun- projects be integrated? Would It is in which State? The Government of Tamil industrial hub of the 1970s, has try Planning Department had they work in tandem or at corss- Nadu recently returned the not attracted any major devel- suggested it. With the help of 4. Who was sworn in the 37th purpose? What relations do we draft master plan that was sub- opment to enhance its eco- World Bank funding the Ma- envisage between development Chief Justice of India on Janu- mitted by the Chennai Metro- nomic value or improve the dras Urban Project was con- ary 14th? and environment? Many issues politan Development Authority quality of life. The city stands ceived in 1974. This was fol- remain to be addressed. 5. Name the U.S. Club that (CMDA) in 2005. It has sug- split in the middle. lowed by the first Master Plan David Beckham is joining for a gested that a fresh plan be pre- in 1975. The Madras Urban With more powers devolved world record fee. pared incorporating recent de- Development Plans I and II to the local bodies there is a A new plan with 6. Which two countries joined velopments. This further delays l were prepared in 1977 and confusion as to what role does the European Union on January the possibility of a plan. a new vision for 1981. The structure plan for the the CMDA have in future? The 1st? The Madras (now Chennai) Chennai is long overdue, Madras Metropolitan Area was second State Finance Commis- says A. SRIVATHSAN sion constituted in 2000 had 7. Why was Nancy Pelosi in the Metropolitan Development proposed in 1980 to review and recommended that the CMDA news recently? Authority was constituted in push forward the city planning 1971 to plan and manage the ideas. Since then, there has not should confine itself to goal-set- 8. What new, exciting product city’s growth. It published the In 1994, the second master been much activity except for ting, resource allocation, deter- did Steve Jobs unveil at the an- first master plan in 1975 with a plan was drafted and public implementing projects in ad hoc mining priorities, capital bud- nual Macworld Expo recently? vision to decongest the city core opinion was invited in 1995. manner. A well thought out geting, coordination and moni- 9. Who has announced the by moving wholesale markets, Strangely, the comments and plan in 1996 could have gone a toring. It clearly states that the launch of the world’s first restricting further densification objections were not followed long way in improving the city CMDA’s expertise and man- terabyte hard drive, the of places such as Triplicane and and the plan was shelved. Citi- but for reasons less known it was power should not be dissipated Deskstar 7K1000? George Town. Development zens of Chennai are eager to not pursued by the CMDA. in dealing with granting plan- 10. Name the rocket launched rules and land use plans were know how their city is being By any standard, 30 years is a ning permissions and licences. by India on January 10th which put in place and new towns shaped and managed. The long period for any city to grow The commission has also rec- successfully put four satellites were proposed. present silence and inactivity without a proper plan. Even ommended that the CMDA be into orbit. Thirty years have passed are in stark contrast to the com- though the earlier plans were used as a secretariat for metro- since and the city has grown in mitment and attempts made not successfully implemented, politan planning and reiterated * * * many directions. Some of the during the 1960s through the the very act of planning spoke the need for a separate Chennai 11. Who were conferred the proposals envisioned in the first late 1980s. for committed concern. The Metropolitan Planning Com- prestigious ‘Sangita Kala plan, such as the shifting of the The first town-planning CMDA, which was constituted mittee. These recommenda- Acharya’ awards of the Music wholesale vegetable market, scheme for Madras was pre- to plan the city, has been en- tions are yet to be implemented. Academy this Season? have been realised. Proposals to pared in 1957, followed by the tangled with issues of licensing The importance of a dedi- contain the city growth through 12. Who won the singles title Madras interim plan in 1967. and regulation. cated body that will look into new towns did not work and at the Chennai Open this year? The 1967 plan was significant Strangely, the Tamil Nadu issues of planning for the city places like George Town still 13. Which former international because it conceived city man- Urban Infrastructure Financial need not be stressed. is the Chief Coach of the remain congested. The building agement in two stages. Through Services Limited (TNUIFSL), a in the PHL? rules did not regulate or dis- the interim plan, use, circula- body constituted to look into As the citizens await the courage illegal construction. tion and standards were envis- plans, the city grows. Plans 14. Which ‘social’ scheme, part infrastructure issues, has re- The ring roads, instead of eas- aged. And through the compre- serve the purpose better only of the election manifesto, did cently come out with a Chennai ing traffic, have themselves be- hensive development plan it when they are proactive. Cer- the State Government launch Development Plan. This vision come the centre of traffic con- evolved investment structure, tainly Chennai needs a lot more on January 14th? document is a part of its appli- gestion. priorities and phasing. The next cation for funds from Central attention from its planning bod- 15. What are the new Meanwhile, many projects, stage in Madras’s planning Government under the ies. — (Courtesy: autorickshaw fares in the State such as the IT corridor and new came in the form of Madras JNNURM scheme. Unfortu- Property Plus) following a fare revision after 10 years? 16. What is the title of the MAKE VILLAGES Tamil translation of General Our Addresses Musharraf’s book, In the line of MAGNETS OF HOPE fire? For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, non-receipt of receipts etc.: Chennai Heritage, 260-A, TTK Road, Chennai 600 018. 17. In the Tamil version of (Continued from page 1) all.” This, said Ramraju, would Mani Ratnam’s latest offering For non-receipt of copies, change of address, and all other circulation tre, library, schools, etc. This is help villages to gain a magnetic Guru, who have dubbed for matters: MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o Lokavani Hall-Mark Press Pvt. Ltd., because they were decided not power, generating more hope, Abhishek and Aishwarya? 122, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. by locals, but by a person totally and stop people’s migration to urban centres. “Unless the 18. To which non-Tamil Nadu On editorial matters: The Editor, MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o Lokavani unrelated. Suppose the same bright lights of the cities are city has the Chennai - Hall-Mark Press Pvt. Ltd., 122, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. was decided by locals, then the made available in our villages,” Coimbatore Express been ex- No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters received will be involvement of people would not leave those structures un- he warned, “within three de- tended from January 3rd? sent from these addresses every couple of days to the persons concerned used, and the people would act cades, 50% of the world’s popu- 19. Who wrote Thiruppugazh? and you will get an answer from them to your queries reasonably quickly. as caretakers, perhaps even be- lation would be living in urban 20. Who made his debut as a Strange as it may seem, if you adopt the ‘snail mail’ approach, we will be able have as owners. Pro-people and centres, creating alarming situ- hero in the 1953 film to help you faster and disappoint you less. participatory policies alone will ations and frightening chal- Manampol Mangalyam? THE EDITOR bring more meaningful, sustain- lenges.” — (Courtesy: Tal Oc- (Answers on page 8) able development acceptable to tober, 2006) February 1-15, 2007 MADRAS MUSINGS 7

From ‘The Season’ to Subscriptions and contributions l Since Volume XIV, No.1 (April 16, 2003), Madras Musings has been priced at Rs.5 a copy, ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: Rs.100/-. Please a Chennai Festival? make out your cheque only to CHENNAI HERITAGE and send it, together with the COUPON BELOW, to CHENNAI HERITAGE, 260-A, (Continued from page 1) with some modifications. These shopping, it is mainly due to pri- TTK ROAD, CHENNAI 600 018 or C/O LOKAVANI-HALL MARK buses must be airconditioned, vate initiative. And very often PRESS PVT. LTD., 122, GREAMES ROAD, CHENNAI 600 006. that the group needs to “stop battery-operated and also be ac- this depends on the man in the An ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION of just Rs.100 covers only a part of talking and get down to looking cessible to senior citizens and decision-taking seat in our costs. Corporate support and YOUR support will continue to be at some of the suggestions made the physically challenged. Pick corporates and this could essential for Chennai Heritage and Madras Musings to play a greater for such a festival. Namely: up and drop arrangements change at his whim and fancy. role in creating awareness about the city, its heritage and its envi- ronment. We therefore look forward to your sending us your contri- l “An art, heritage and theatre could be at schools where car The Government needs to festival on Pantheon Road. parking facilities could be think of schemes and chalk out butions IN ADDITION TO your subscriptions. The Museum Complex, with organised and public transport incentives for encouraging par- If in the coming year Chennai Heritage receives repeated sup- the Art Gallery and the Mu- accessed. For those who prefer ticipation in the festival. This port from those of you who have already made contributions, and if seum Theatre, will be a per- to walk, the least the State au- will definitely give the season a many more supporters join the bandwagon, we will not only be able to keep Madras Musings going, but also be able to continue aware- fect venue for this. Shopping thorities can do would be to en- fillip and possibly open it up to and eating out will be added ness-building exercises on on-going projects as well as undertake sure footpaths and exclusive pe- more sponsorships. In fact, one or two more such exercises. attractions here. destrian areas, at least during when Madras Musings in 2002 Therefore, please keep your contributions coming IN ADDITION l “Cathedral Road-Dr. Radha- the festival. championed a Chennai Festi- krishnan Salai-Edward TO YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS. If, say, you send in a cheque for Rs.500, 3. Becoming tourist- val, it picked certain thorough- we will treat Rs.100 of it towards subscription to Madras Musings for Elliot’s Road is a stretch for a friendly: Madras Musings (Feb- fares which would be the 2005-06 and the remaining Rs.400 as contribution towards the food and music festival. The ruary 16, 2002) had said that nucleus of the Festival, as they causes Chennai Heritage espouses. stretch has some of the best while it accepts the Govern- would be able to offer special ac- We look forward to all readers of Madras Musings, and those and most frequented hotels, ment contention that Tamil commodation, food and shop- newcomers who want to receive copies, sending in their subscrip- restaurants and food stores Nadu is the most preferred des- ping concessions, besides the tions. We are indeed sorry we can no longer remain a free mailer. in town. The Music Acad- tination in South India for tour- entertainment in and off them. — The Editor emy can serve as the venue ists, this was only from the point 5. Broadbase the event: for music concerts and visi- of ARRIVALS. Very few tour- The season should not be seen CHENNAI HERITAGE tors can move about the long ists remain in the city, or in as a classical music and dance stretch to savour the food of Tamil Nadu for that matter, as festival alone. It will have to 260-A T.T.K. ROAD, , CHENNAI 600 018. their choice. most make a beeline for Kerala. bring in films, history, exhibi- I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / I l “A beach festival on “What tourists want is clean tions, theatre and folk art. The Kamarajar Salai with the and comfortable accommoda- Other Festival, which show- have just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it here- Marina as the backdrop.” tion in clean surroundings, cases a diverse set of talents, has after. The Editor also suggested a friendly service with warmth been a success in the city. The l I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Rs. 100 (Ru- few other roads, like Nungam- and a smile, good food that in Mylapore Festival, too, has pees One hundred) payable to CHENNAI HERITAGE, MADRAS, as bakkam High Road, the East its variety still takes into consid- brought in plenty of folk art and subscription to Madras Musings for the year 2005-06. Coast Road, and the Mylapore eration visitors’ tastes, and ab- this trend needs to be encour- and Triplicane Mada Streets, sence of harassment at tourist aged. Another aspect is to get l As token of my support for the causes of heritage, environment which could be activated for a sites” is what the Madras more localities other than and a better city that Madras Musings espouses, I send Chennai Chennai Festival. Musings stated in that issue. Mylapore and Triplicane to par- eritage an additional Rs...... (Rupees All these suggestions hold These are all aspects that the ticipate in the Season. At least ...... ) good even today and, what is city administration needs to four areas, namely T. Nagar, more, can be implemented fairly look into before it can market Egmore, and George Please keep / put me on your mailing list. easily if only some thought is the festival. Yes, the require- Town, have to be brought into Name : ...... given to the methodology. ments of the upper class tourists the gamut of the festival, failing Address: ...... What the Government are definitely met by star hotels. which such an effort will simply ought not to do would be to But what about those of the not take off. For a start, the ...... start off one more music festival budget class tourists? And what Government could think of and join the bandwagon of about tourists who would like to renovating and opening Rajaji ...... sabha-s dishing out awards and live with Indian families and Hall. Similarly, it could ask the concert opportunities. It will soak in the atmosphere? The organisations controlling the Note: Overseas postage Rs. 550/year extra. Cheques for overseas have to facilitate the conduct of Government could take a leaf , Senate postage alone payable to M/s. Lokavani Hall-Mark Press Pvt. Ltd.. All the cultural season by providing out of the Mylapore Times’ Sea- House, the Gokhale Hall and other cheques to ‘Chennai Heritage’. infrastructure and that would son Guide and begin publishing the Pachaiyappa’s Hall to make mean some of the following information of homes that them available for season-re- things: would like to take in visitors, lated events. Such a move 1. A common inauguration with the rates and facilities would not only ignite interest in Senate House Conservation Fund of the festival on the beach: clearly stated in advance. And these buildings but also make l The Senate House Restoration and Management Trust appeals to Today, it is quite common to while we are on the subject, the areas come alive. Many all alumni of the and heritage lovers every- see sabha after sabha holding an what about some special season temples would also prove ideal where to contribute to the Senate House Conservation Fund which inauguration with the same maps? venues. the Trust is managing for the purpose of restoring Senate House to tired dignitaries making the 4. Inducing trade partici- There is a lot more that can its old glory and maintaining it thereafter in the same condition. same speeches and handing out pation: Whatever little partici- be done if there is a will to do it. Cheques should be made out to the Senate House Conservation awards, all of which sound and pation there is today by the Is anyone listening? Account and sent to the Registrar, University of Madras, Chennai look alike. Why can’t the cul- trade in terms of hotels and 600 005. Contributions are eligible for benefits under Section 80-G tural season have a common in- of the Income Tax Act. auguration at a venue such as Dear Registrar, the Senate House or, if larger I am pleased to enclose a cheque for Rs...... crowds are expected, at the as my contribution to the restoration and maintenance of beachfront? This would not Senate House. Kindly acknowledge receipt. only avoid repetition, but also bring about a focus to the festi- Name: ...... val. Till February 9: Yugma – in union, will also be an exhibition of the Address: ...... 2. Better transport arrange- an exhibition of paintings by artist’s photographs in Apparao ...... ments: Let’s face it. Today, the Thejomaye Menon (at the Fo- Infinity during the same period idea of everyone driving up to rum Art Gallery). (at Apparao Galleries)...... popular cultural events is a February 9: Marie Darrieussecq, a February 12 -24: Transfer, an ex- thing of the past, thanks to our French contemporary novelist, hibition of prints, by V. Anamika ...... traffic. The Government, which will present her works in English (at the Alliance Francaise). and read some extracts from her I am an alumnus/alumna/heritage lover and wish the project all in the 1970s ran special buses to Till February 28: Vasantha Vizha success. My college was ...... books in French and English. (At – annual children’s mela with the Music Academy and the Oxford Bookstore, 5.30 p.m.) Date: ...... Signature: ...... Tamil Isai Sangam, should look bullock cart rides, shadow pup- Till February 10: An exhibition of pets and special activities (at at reviving the arrangement paintings by Sakti Burma. There DakshinaChitra). 8 MADRAS MUSINGS February 1-15,2007

menus are provided, so de- signed that a meal, consisting of The divas three dishes each, can be cooked simultaneously within 60 minutes. Like – ‘Light Pulao, Tomato Curry, and Pudina Pachidi’ or ‘Golden Soup, Spin- ach on Toast and Baked Aub- of dining ergines.’ All you have to do is follow the individual colour- code prescribed for each dish. handra Padmanabhan of EastWest Books believes that a cookbook is a The book teaches you both Crecord of social change, of fusions and influences of different cultures. cooking and time management. Keeping the popularity of cookbooks in mind, EastWest Books and Westland Books Novices who probably get into Pvt Ltd., leading distributors and publishers in Chennai, have launched a series, pub- a pickle (no pun intended) by lished under the aegis of Westland Books. cooking one dish at a time, will Chandra Padmanabhan, herself the author of successful cookbooks on South Indian find this useful, as will those cuisines, with Harper Collins and Penguin India, is in charge of this series. who have been running kitch- Sabita Radhakrishna’s book, The Quick Cook, is the first to be published, with the ens for a while but who can do second, also by the same author, titled Kids’ Kitchen, inspired by her grandchildren, now with new ideas that bring fresh ready for publication. perspectives to old habits. Chandra discloses that a se- a 120 year old Tamil cookbook Both Chandra and Sabita tire family – it meant getting up Menus are simple, keeping ries of nearly a dozen books by in her possession, filled with Radhakrishna agree that the around 5 in the morning – she speed in mind and leaving no Karen Anand, all of them with recipes using outdated mea- family invariably is the main became very adept at time man- room for doubts. She sent her catchy titles like For the Des- sures. She hopes to have it source of inspiration behind agement. menus to “young people”, to perate Housewife and Simple translated. “The whole world cookbooks. A family interested A distinct air of warm, ma- ensure these factors were satis- Cooking for Singles, targeting today is speaking Aloe Vera. in good food, encouraging of ternal concern runs through her fied. This then meant “some different audiences, are also in This book has recipes using your efforts, provides a great The Quick Cook; its numerous elimination, some re-doing.” the pipeline. Aloe Vera, which is very good foundation for such projects. easy-to-follow details and in- “I was also particular that the The books in this series are for diabetes, over 100 years ago. Cooking ceases to be a chore, structions make it tell, rather entire recipe must be seen at aimed at an audience “that I wonder who the target audi- when you are inspired towards like a fond, slightly anxious once. No page turning.” Work- knows very little,” says ence of this book was,” she adds, innovation and variety. mother instructing her clueless ing with Westland Books Pvt Chandra. In today’s context, “because in those days women Chandra’s first author, child in the art of cooking. In Ltd has been a wonderful expe- speed, nutrition and dietary did not look at cookbooks. This Sabita Radhakrishna, wears the book, Sabita’s background rience in making this possible, considerations are major factors of working in plays and televi- says Sabita. in the choosing and construc- sion helped her visualise a hap- Sabita believes that in l by RANJITHA ASHOK tion of recipes, especially with less novice in the kitchen, so it today’s world, cooking provides heightened health-conscious- was possible to create recipes a great avenue for de-stressing ness. The scope is vast, because book is South Indian, but shows many hats – fashion and textile keeping this concept in mind. and is therapeutic. “You must “Indians eat everything these a great deal of Maharashtrian designer, fashion show choreog- This makes the ‘Main Menus’ learn to enjoy it, and not get days.” influence – natural for one writ- rapher, freelance writer, televi- section in the book very inter- bullied into doing things a par- The increasingly easy avail- ten in Thanjavur, given the sion programme presenter, and esting. Thirty multi-cuisine ticular way,” she advises. ability of different ingredients in Maratha presence in the area. A active executive committee local markets has also been kept cookbook is a social statement, member of the Crafts Council of in mind. a historical record.” India. ANSWERS TO QUIZ Chandra Padmanabhan has Sherna Wadia, editor, Sabita is the recipient of the 1. Vijay Nambiar; 2. ‘Monty’ Panesar; 3. Karnataka; 4. Justice K.G. approached chefs in leading freelance writer of cookery Gourmand World Award for five-star hotels in the city to the Best Indian Cookbook for Balakrishnan; 5. LA Galaxy; 6. Romania and Bulgaria; 7. She is the new books, brings her considerable Speaker of the US House of Representatives and the first woman to hold provide recipes collected from skills and her “very meticulous 2002, for her book Aharam on that post; 8. The iPhone; 9. Hitachi Global Storage Technologies; 10. sources all over the country, and amazing attention to detail” the traditional cuisine of Tamil PSLV-C7. and many have shown keen in- to this series. While recipes Nadu. * * * terest in the project. written by people known for “I have always been inter- 11. Bharata Natyam guru C.V. Chandrasekhar and music teacher She is on the look-out for their culinary skills are not tried ested in both innovative and Seetha Rajan; 12. Xavier Malisse; 13. Md. Riaz; 14. Free LPG connection traditional recipes, and is also out, those sent in by lesser traditional cooking,” says and gas stove scheme; 15. Minimum Rs. 14 for the first two km and Rs. 6 interested in reviving old, even known, or new entrants, are Sabita. Given that she was in for every subsequent km; 16. Udal Mannukku; 17. Suriya and Rohini, out-of-use, recipes. She talks of tested at random. the habit of cooking for her en- respectively; 18. Mangalore; 19. Arunagirinathar; 20. Gemini Ganesan.

F.L. Smidth Limited

Since 1856, patently leaders UCAL AUTO — A WELLWISHER TVS MOTOR COMPANY PRIVATE LIMITED

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