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

• Short ‘N’ Snappy • Ode to the Dosai • The Home at MADRAS • Captain of Cathedral Road • Bioremediation

Vol. XVIII No. 7 MUSINGS July 16-31, 2008 water gets murkier With lack of transparency over development plans “I think I’ve found the perfect (By A Special Correspondent) replacement for a petrol engine!” It seemed a good idea he Government has an- kind of flora are being planted Enough with ads on those Tnounced that the first in the Park. The selection of fancy/cute/rugged vehicles. phase of the Adyar Poonga res- proper vegetation is crucial for No, this isn’t about high prices. toration will be completed by the survival and regeneration of Looks like there are even more December 2010. This will com- the wetlands. However, this in- basic issues, if poor prise 58 of the total 358 acres formation has also not been Chennai’s “No fuel” panic a designated as the Adyar Creek. forthcoming. This has naturally while back was anything to The work is being carried out by made environment activists go by. the Pitchandikulam Forest concerned over what is the Car manufacturers, who once Consultants, Auroville, an work in progress. A casual visit thought they were on to a organisation involved in eco- good thing, given the coun- restoration projects. The Gov- try’s buy-ability and general ernment has also declared that (Continued on page 7) Raising of embankment in progress along the Adyar. attitude towards expenditure this will be an “environment today, are chewing their lips, education” centre. The planned their foreheads more fur- rowed than an over-active park has come in for a lot of field. praise in sections of the media recently, but Madras Musings TN tops in production – Manufacturer A, deciding to shelve competition briefly, learns that all’s not as smooth calls on Manufacturer B. as it is being made out to be. In “About these goings-on,” he be- fact, there are serious concerns. though Chennai-centric gins, tentatively, “What do you think the outcome will The , be?” based on whose decision the (By A Special Correspondent) “I was wondering myself,” re- Park project was announced, had stipulated the setting up of plies Manufacturer B, grate- here is good news on the lion in this sector by 2015, says separates the first and second a Monitoring Committee which ful for a soul-mate. “Surely, manufacturing front in the 11th Five Year Plan. Added districts, with Chennai at 0.842 included, apart from Govern- T vehicles aren’t produced for . While the State to this, we have the IT sector compared to Tuticorin at decorative purposes.” ment officials, representatives may not rank on par with which is growing rapidly and 0.791. of the Consumer Action Group “Of course not. Vehicles were Maharashtra or Gujarat in at- so are other businesses in the born to run around.” also, which organisation had In terms of Gender Develop- tracting direct investment, it city. “Or storage space,” laughs B. first brought to the notice of the ment Index (GDI) too, has registered the highest in “Or potholders, and garden Court and the public the con- The question is: Can the city Chennai tops the list. GDI is terms of setting up units in the bric-a-brac,” rasps A, getting tinued neglect of the area. The take in so much of industriali- defined as one which adjusts or manufacturing sector. There a bit carried away. Court had also directed that pe- sation in one go? And is it nec- discounts gender inequality and are 33.39 lakh manufacturing They shake their heads gloom- riodic review meetings of the essary to concentrate all the de- shows the level of attainment in units in the State. In addition, ily. Committee be held to monitor velopment in and around the human development when it has also ranked highest in the A then says maybe things will the progress and quality of the city? The Human Development there is no gender disparity. number of manufacturing jobs get better. work being carried out in the Index (HDI) for the State has added – 5.79 lakh between 1998 While it is a matter of pride B sniffs, retorting that this is proposed Park. However, it shown glaring disparities. This and 2005. These figures come that the city has scored on such just the sort of foolish opti- transpires that the Tamil Nadu data, released as part of the 11th from the Fifth Economic Cen- counts in the State, the Gov- mism that is the bane of all Urban Infrastructure Financial Five Year Plan for the State civilisations. sus released by the Government ernment has in its own docu- Services Limited (TNUIFSL), (2007-2012), shows that there A bridles angrily, then calls B a of India last month. ment noted that such disparities which is the nodal agency for has been skewed development few names, all automobile- are a matter of concern. What the development of the Park, However, what is not being in and around. Chennai at the inspired. has not been listed, however, is has not called for Monitoring looked at is the concentration cost of all other districts. Four They glare at each other, then that the city’s infrastructure is Committee meetings for over of most of the industrial devel- indicators – life expectancy at trundle off, indicators point- also close to breaking down in six months now. Consequently, opment around Chennai city birth (LEB), literacy rate, gross edly indicating opposite di- terms of roads, water supply and non-governmental representa- alone. Just to give one instance, enrolment ratio (GER) and the rections. Very sad. And yet, other counts. In addition, qual- as always, someone’s smil- tives on the Committee are in the city alone accounts for 35% real per capita gross state do- ity of life has also become from ing. the dark over what is happen- of the automotive manufactur- mestic product (GSDP) at pur- bad to worse. The Mercer study The guy who’s always manufac- ing at the Creek. ing sector units in the country. chase power parity in dollar tured cycles. The CAG had also asked the The city and its environs can terms were used to calculate the Ranjitha Ashok TNUIFSL for details of what expect a total of USD 15-20 bil- HDI. A large difference in HDI (Continued on page 7) CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS July 16-31, 2008 An ode to the dosai The mad, mad maze from America esidents of Mambalam may park your car on this side,” which he threatens and com- Rbe up in arms on reading added the kindly soul. “For that mands and that makes all the ast year, the humble dosai Once, making dosais used to this, but The Man from Madras you need to come from the op- difference. Now, MMM being Musings is not far off the mark posite direction.” MMM, hav- short-sighted cannot boast of Lgot the nod from the foodies be physically hard work. Cooks when he describes the area as a ing drawn a deep breath, then such ocular facilities. of New York when they voted soaked rice and lentil in water place that the city planners asked as to where the opposite Anyway, as the return of the Thiru Kumar, the ‘Dosa Man’, for several hours, and ground took over and then forgot. Over side was and whether it was the Chief draws nigh, MMM won- the purveyor of the best street these ingredients in a stone the years it has developed into Usman Road entrance that she ders if he ought not to be given food in their city. mortar. In black-and-white a perfect picture crafted by had in mind. No, she did not. the kind of welcome that most I mailed my mother in India Tamil films, Chaplinesque char- complete administrative apa- She gave a fresh and more leaders receive when they dis- telling her of the dosai’s show- acters – too broke to pay at the thy. And standing as a proud roundabout route which embark at Chennai airport. representative of this area is its MMM managed to successfully ing at the culinary crossroads. restaurant – faced the prospect Firstly, MMM would like to railway station. negotiate only to find that the have posters pasted on the pil- She did not seem as elated as I of being sent to the kitchen to do this job. Fermentation, MMM recently went to re- entire parking lot had been cor- lars of the flyover under con- was at the news. She reminded ceive some guests who were doned off by the Railways who which gives the dosai its slightly- struction near the airport, me that I had never been a big getting off the train at Mamba- had also put up signboards giv- and also on fan of the dosai when growing sour taste, is guaranteed in the lam. It was early morning and ing details of the kinds of the all buildings along the way. up. Her response revealed the tropical climate when the bat- MMM was looking forward to punishments they had in their These will show the Chief in quiet angst of a woman who ter sits overnight in a covered driving into Ranganathan power to dole out if they caught various postures, writing, re- packed under-appreciated bowl. But the batter has to be Street, parking his car there MMM in the act. This had ev- leasing books, speaking, and lunches for two decades when refrigerated at just the right and waiting for the visitors. erything short of hell-fire in it. generally being the life and soul she could have aspired for time, or it turns over-sour and MMM can see eyebrows being But to MMM, that was nothing of heritage. Below these pic- raised on the point of driving compared to going back to greater glory. Immigration rules completely unfit to be made tures will be slogans that would into dosais. into that shoppers’ mecca, but Doraiswami Bridge and so he go like this – “Chennai’s Chief permitting, she also seemed at 5.00 am it is really devoid of decided to violate the law for returns”, “Welcome home, O ready to set up a stand right Though groceries now sell people, difficult though it is to once. Surveying his surround- human face of heritage”, “Ma- next to the Dosa Man. After all, readymade batter, dosai-making imagine such a scenario. Be ings, he found no reason why dras salutes its coming Man”, none of the items on the is no piece of cake. Take the that as it may, MMM drove up the area was not fit for parking. “Saviour of Senate House, we vendor’s menu posed a real Rava dosai conjured from to , with a song on The only reason that MMM salute thee” etc. Besides these, challenge for her. cream-of-wheat and rice flour – his lips, his hand at the wheel could think of was an attempt MMM also plans to have digi- this involves little preparatory and his foot on the accelerator by the Railways to protect the tal signboards (vinyl sheets for For most South Indian when having turned left he modesty of those who were us- work, but calls for some serious the uninitiated) all along the cooks, I suspect, this is the real realised that a huge flyover was ing the place for their morning way, carrying similar messages. sore point – the home-made skill. During my student days, I where Usman Road once used ablutions with complete equa- After all, the police has said dosai doesn’t look or taste the would wait in line for this lace- to be. nimity. such signboards would be per- same as the pliable, paper-thin like food in the mess. This dosai True, MMM had read all mitted for three days before restaurant dosai. Even children simply can’t be hurried – every- about the flyover, but it had SHORT and after any event. completely slipped his mind A couple of cut-outs will be and he realised that there was ’N’ placed along the way, prefer- G by VIJAYSREE VENKATRAMAN no way that he could access ably blocking a traffic signal or . He was The author can be contacted at [email protected] SNAPPY two. On the appointed day, a sorely tempted to park under huge group of supporters, one of the pillars and walk to The train with MMM’s rounded up from Madras who disdain the sturdy everyday one understands that. Our strict the station, but one of his guests was running late and so Musings’ mailing list, will dosai ask for Masala Dosai – the Organic Chemistry professor, guests was elderly and getting this story ended on a happy throng the airport. The main foot-long roll-up version filled who would not let students en- that person to walk all the way note. But the plight of those objective of this group would with savoury stuffing, when eat- ter the classroom past 8.30 a.m., to the car was impossible. Hav- who wish to reach Mambalam be to shout slogans, block the ing out. The delicate-looking when his lecture was scheduled ing searched in vain for some station in a hurry can only be carriageway and ensure high signboard with alternative imagined. Perhaps it is safer to levels of nuisance to the other dosai from the ‘hotel’ – as South to start, allowed latecomers in if routes to the station, MMM get on and get off at . Indian eateries are still known – they mumbled something about passengers at the airport. And asked a few auto-rickshaw driv- Why those in charge of our when the Chief clears immigra- endures the take-out stress the “dosai queue.” True, we ers, who initially having pre- fates on the roads cannot put tion and steps out, crackers of well. could have had bread for break- tended to have heard of up prominent signboards with high decibels will be lit, gar- On Sundays when we or- fast and reached on time, but Mambalam railway station for directions beats MMM. lands and shawls will be pre- the first time in their lives, pro- dered in, the home-delivered even this disciplinarian did not sented to the Chief and he will expect that kind of self-denial ceeded to explain that it was Welcoming the Chief wave to his supporters. By Masala Dosai came swathed in a not all that simple to access any banana leaf further wrapped in from us. then, people around would longer. You go down Dorai- he Chief is away, having have automatically realised newspaper. When it arrived, Because it is pointless to swami Bridge, explained one, Tscooted off for three that the Chief is a powerful per- even the deftest fingers I know hanker after the unattainable, I and then having come out, weeks, a luxury he rarely gives sonality and will clear the way – my mother’s – seemed too make low-carb Green Dosais in make a sharp turn to the right The Man from Madras Musings, of all traffic. Many more people slow for the task of unwinding my New England home. I tell or left, duck down a couple of Ranjitha Ashok and the rest of will also join the cheerleaders the twine around these aro- myself it is healthier. Tanginess side streets like a fugitive es- the chain gang over whom he and, presto, we will have more caping justice and land up near lords. He has asked MMM to numbers for the heritage move- matic parcels. The stuffed dosai, is not crucial for this dosai’s keep an eye on the paper while despite being a complete meal taste, which is just as well, be- the station. ment. From here, fighting an MMM did so, only instead he is away. He may not have election on the heritage plank in itself, comes with sachets of cause, except during summer, of turning right (or was it left), noticed it, but MMM could dis- condiments which have to be the temperature is not high is but a step and from there a he turned left (or the other way cern a doubtful shake of the Heritage Act is a mere baga- freed from the unyielding clutch enough to ensure fermentation. round), went down a narrow head even as he said it. And telle. of tiny rubber bands. The soaked beans look since then MMM has not slept moong alley with a whole host of autos But something tells MMM ready to burst out of their skin coming from the opposite di- a wink, ever worrying about the Not that I am complaining paper. Has it been put to bed? that the Chief will scotch the when I step into the kitchen to rection and then realised that whole idea. about the time-tested accompa- he was well and truly lost and Has it been printed? What if niments, but it was my job to fix brunch. Blending the about- to-sprout beans with ginger on the wrong side of a one-way the postal department does not transfer the fragrant sambar deliver it to one and all? Madras Week ahead takes me all of five minutes. La- road. This also gave MMM the from the knotted plastic bag opportunity of learning of what MMM’s favourite nightmare is dling out a dollop of this pleas- t is that time of the year into a bowl, and ladle a cupful appeared to be well published one where he is seated on a Iagain. A little bird informs for everyone at the table. Then, ant-smelling batter into the news about his own parentage, throne and the printer and his centre of the hot skillet, I draw The Man from Madras Musings I had to coax chutneys of vari- financial position, looks, and staff approach in solemn pro- that this year’s celebration ous colours into containers. the mix in a slowly-widening sanity from the auto-rickshaw cession to hand him a copy of promises to be bigger, better the latest issue. And when Duty done, I could work on my circle till I reach the rim of the drivers he nearly collided with. and more event-packed than in Finally he had to request one of MMM graciously rises to ac- treat, starting from the crusty vessel. the previous years. More and the less menacing auto drivers cept it, he finds that it is a blank more people are joining the golden-brown edge. Some oth- Sometimes, I do succumb to for directions once again. This sheet with just the masthead ers in my family dig right into nostalgia and bring back boxes small group of volunteers who involved going up to Dorai- printed. MMM wakes up began the celebrations a few the dosa’s heart, softened by the of frozen Masala Dosai. Though swami Bridge once again and screaming at this point and he years ago with nothing beyond filling within. There are all I am largely content with my turning left (or was it right) and wonders how the Chief goes enthusiasm and hope. MMM kinds of stuffing: paneer, kheema culinary lot, I envy the New then negotiating a couple of through this kind of thing fort- prays for the success of Madras – mincemeat or even Chinese! – Yorkers because the Dosa Man side streets before landing up at night after fortnight. The Chief Week, this year, next year and grated tofu, but the traditional hands them the crisp, authentic a temple. Here, a kindly flower- must have been a child of blood all years to come. and iron and, of course, now he South Indian original in a seller showed MMM the way to spicy mashed potato is our possesses an eye like Mars with favourite. platter. the station. “But you cannot – MMM July 16-31, 2008 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

long forgotten, and one that can never be imagined by us today – but for accounts like these. As members of the Anglican Chris- Egmore centenary tian community, my family re- Health hazards ally enjoyed reading about the e, the residents of wedding service, the hymns and celebrations WBesant Nagar, have been musical pieces that were part of gmore Railway Station celebrating its cente- No idli, dosai. English breakfast consisted of representing to the Govern- the event, at the majestic St. Enary brings back fond memories of life in two fried eggs, bacon and coffee. You could have ment of Tamil Nadu, Chennai Georges Cathedral, now the Chennai in the 1930s and 40s when Madras had a four course English lunch – soup, a fish dish, Corporation and Tamil Nadu Episcopal Seat of our Diocese. its old world charm. meat dish and a dessert. A great favourite which Apart from the and good old Pollution Control Board for a The article itself was an now may be termed Anglo-Indian was rice and long period about the serious Moore Market, our one and only mall where you curry and the famous Mullagutawny soup which unique piece of journalism as it could get everything you wanted was the Egmore is really a kind of pepper rasam with some health issues faced by residents was practised in those days. railway refreshment room. It was a place I other ingredients. Even some chicken pieces of Besant Nagar due to pollu- One can understand that in the have vivid memories of where we could have a were included making it Chicken Mullagutawny tion caused by the operation of absence of live television or ra- treat. soup. the cremation ground located dio, people relied on the vivid It used to be a favourite haunt of my father Train travel those days had four classes. First in the area. description in newspapers with and journalist buddies who enjoyed their anec- class by which only the rich and the British trav- Chennai Corporation con- all those apparently superfluous dotes and we could hear their raucous laughter. elled. This was a four berth compartment and verted the manually operated details about the colour of the Those days the majority who spent time in Rail- had an attached bathroom. Then the second system to a gasifier crematorium dresses, the flowers and the way refreshment rooms were not travellers but class and interclass depending on the degree of just those who wanted a place to eat and get to- but it has not improved the en- event itself. And nevertheless, thickness of the cushions. In interclass the cush- gether in small groups. ions were very thin. Then the third class with vironmental conditions. the article was a delight to read, Chennai those days was very laid out and eat- The gasifier crematorium is and I wish Madras Musings wooden seats which could hold at least 40 pas- ing out was not encouraged and in fact not al- sengers. Majority of people travelled by third being operated without adher- would publish many more like lowed, but my dad used to take us for a treat to ing to the specifications and pa- class as it was the cheapest. Any travel meant a this. Egmore Refreshment Room. We looked forward holdall, suitcase and a trunk. Travel light was rameters. The maintenance of My parents and grandpar- to enjoying sponge cake and lemonade fare and years away. Not far from Egmore station was the the gasifier crematorium is also ents were regular readers of The spent time moving around or watched the trains Egmore Ice Factory which had a history of its extremely poor and the unburnt Mail during the 1950s and 60s coming to the platform, the guard blowing a own. flue gas and dark smoke come and they often reminisce about whistle and waving a green flag, and the train Anna Varki steaming out. not only from the chimney but how they used to wait eagerly 18, Harrington Road, Chennai 600 031 also from several other sides of for their copy, especially during the structure. the Royal Weddings to see the that was the only mode of com- wound the sentiments of the was nostalgic, historic and in- The nauseating smell is caus- pictures of the royal couple. munication barring telegrams. powers that be). MM and the spiring. It is indeed true that ing serious discomfort to the The Curly Wee cartoons were Due to the advent of mod- like-minded may go on crying India’s one and only Indian residents nearby. also a major attraction and they ern communication facilities hoarse to help retain heritage, Governor-General C. Raja- We earnestly request Tamil are extinct now. As I’m not able like STD/ISD/Internet/Fax etc. but the bland reply from the bu- gopalachari had a way with Nadu Government and Chen- to find these anywhere for my the mail traffic has considerably reaucracy will only be “What metaphors. In the early 1960s nai Corporation through your 9-year-old daughter, could you reduced; but still the old effi- heritage?” CR visited the United States columns to look into the matter please publish these cartoons if ciency is not visible mainly due S.N. Dikshit and had talks with President with the urgency that it de- you have them? to shortage of staff. There has John F. Kennedy in the White serves, in the interest of public 29, II Avenue Fabiola been no recruitment for the past Srikamakoti Archasarya Colony House regarding nuclear disar- health, healthy living condi- [email protected] many years and naturally the Chennai 600 060 mament. After the talks the tions and reputation of Chennai Postal woes performance of the Dept. suf- Natural beauty Press reporters asked CR city. fers. Even to handle the reduced whether the talks were “fruit- eference a number of letters he Adyar Estuary was one N.S. Venkataraman volume, sufficient staff is essen- ful”. For that CR in his own in- appearing in these columns of the havens for bird M 60/1, 4th Cross Street R tial. Besides, the Post Office is T imitable style replied that talks about postal services, I am only watchers and others who love Besant Nagar, Chennai 600 090 diversifying into many activities were only “flowerful” and may sorry that the efficiency of the nature. Some Mylaporeans used like selling air tickets, passport take time to bear fruit. I wish We need more! Postal Dept. has come down in to go there gazing at the beauty forms etc. But these are all at the younger generation reads his is with reference to the recent times. It was Rafi Ahmed that was there. It is rather un- the cost of its main business, i.e. this letter of Governor Gopal- excerpt “The Buchanan- Kidwai who, as the Minister for fortunate to see some who want T collection and delivery of let- krishna Gandhi reproduced by Stanley Wedding in Madras”, Communications, introduced to beautify that place at the cost ters. you in instalments. (MM, May 16th) and the sub- the ‘all up’ scheme, viz. airlift of of its natural beauty. A reader has mentioned sequent letter by reader T.M. all ‘first class’ mails, i.e. letters, Dr. R. Daniel Jayakumar about Mobile PO, Express De- P.A. Ranganathan Sundararaman questioning the registered letters etc. Book post, 30, Pappamal Nagar livery, etc. These facilities had 16/24, Vedachala Garden relevance of publishing it now. etc. are treated as second class Kondur, Cuddalore 607 002 been withdrawn long ago. Mandaveli Street Your article (both the ex- mails and are not given prefer- There is no R.M.S. Sorting Sec- Chennai 28 cerpt from The Madras Mail and ence over the first class mails. tion and naturally the letters Prevent their falling your accompanying note) took The motto of the Dept. READABILITY take their own time in reaching us back in time almost with cin- then was that the local letters rees (mostly Gulmohar and the addressee. PLEASE ematic perfection, and gave us posted in the morning hours TNeem) planted two de- an insight into life during those should be delivered the same T.M. Sundararaman cades ago by the Corporation Dear Readers, times in Madras. It was truly a evening and the mails to metros 19, Nallappan Street and the Lions Club on the pave- As letters from readers page out of history and we en- connected by air should be de- Mylapore, Chennai 600 004 ments in R.A. Puram and increase, we are receiving more Mylapore have become huge joyed reading it. In fact, it is a livered the next day. But then The Adyar broth and more hand written letters, slice of Madras that has been the mail traffic was very huge as and are leaning heavily. Trees many of them in a hand so small eferring to the article “Are in Krishnapuri, Bishop Gar- too many cooks spoiling and illegible or large and R dens, have shallow roots and scrawled as to be unreadable. Adyar broth?” (MM, June will fall anytime there are strong OUR ADDRESSES 16th), pray let us know where is Often this leads to our winds and rains. These trees will discarding a letter, particularly if For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, non-receipt of receipts the doubt on this point? When be hazardous and could prove etc.: Chennai Heritage, 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, , so many government agencies some part of it is unreadable. fatal to pavement users or dan- If you wish us to consider your Chennai 600 014. vie with one another “to help gerous to vehicles parked under Madras Musings now has its own email ID. Letters to the editor can be letter for publication, please the man on the street by provid- them. sent via email to [email protected]. Those who wish to intimate ing him a comfortable living, type it with enough space change of address can also do so provided the subscription number is Urgent action is required to with less hassles in crossing the between lines or write it using a quoted. provide support to these huge medium hand, clearly dotting For non-receipt of copies, change of address, and all other circulation road and with more greenery to trees by using steel wires. please his eyes”, naturally there the ‘i-s’ and crossing the ‘t-s’. matters: Madras Musings, C/o Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., 62/ H.K. Lakshman Rao Many readers also try to fill 63, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. will be clash of ideas especially 33, Krishnapuri On editorial matters: The Editor, Madras Musings, C/o Lokavani Southern when huge amounts are in- every square centimetre of a R.A. Puram postcard space, making read- Printers Pvt. Ltd., 62/63, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. volved. The poor CAG at the Chennai 600028 No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters received will be other end, generally entrusted ing or editing impossible. sent from these addresses every couple of days to the persons concerned with post-audit, can only copi- Inspiring Please help us to consider and you will get an answer from them to your queries reasonably quickly. ously comment on the quantum he letter of West Bengal your letters more favourably by Strange as it may seem, if you adopt the ‘snail mail’ approach, we will be of ‘infructuous expenditure’ Governor Gopalkrishna making them more legible for able to help you faster and disappoint you less. T (taking care, of course, to word Gandhi ‘Trying to sell India to us. THE EDITOR the protest in a way not to Satyamurti?’ (MM, June 16th) THE EDITOR 4 MADRAS MUSINGS July 16-31, 2008 July 16-31, 2008 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 To Satyamurti, The Maami-ian way The Ramakrishna Mission s that a tattoo on that young Ispaghetti-strap-clad shoulder? with love Yes it is, sassy, cute – in Tamil. Students Home, Mylapore How cool is that! (Continued from last dian, who faces all these, is the other. You could laugh with the (By Karthik Bhatt) Could that be a Maami fortnight) clear and great winner. He or she naughty, be silent with the saga- youngling? ne day in 1905, C. Rama- ell me, Sir, when, in 1934, appears in the shape of an honest cious, weep with the hurt. You As she walks briskly down the swami Iyengar, a clerk in you were declared elected officer rebuffing a bribe, or a made no secret of your fondness O T street, you notice the attitude- the Public Works and Labour over the distinguished Rama- threat, the three-wheeler driver for the navarasa, for the arts, for A man of many parts riddled pace slackening slightly Secretariat, Madras, was walking swami Mudaliar, did you exult? who returns a valuable ‘left be- classical dance and music. Your just as she crosses the little on Brodie’s Road when he saw a called ‘Ramakrishna Kripa Ama- You said that it was not your op- hind’, the chemist who checks a tongue acknowledged the tastes . Ramanujachariar, or temple. She glances in, does a group of four boys sitting under a Ramanuju as he was called, teurs’ which raised about ponent who had lost, only his po- medicine’s expiry date before it relished. Perhaps if you had C quick tap-tap on her cheeks, ac- tree beside the tank looking mis- was well versed in music and the- Rs. 3,50,000 by staging dramas. litical platform. You could agree selling it, the flower-string seller been and been seen to have been knowledging the presence of a erable and forlorn. When asked atre. He was instrumental in the In 1954, this troupe was ad- with your leaders and colleagues who gives an extra muzham free a self-denying ascetic, you might higher power, before picking up what ailed them, they replied formation of the Madras Secreta- judged the best drama troupe by Sir; you could, equally, disagree to a child buyer, the vidwan who have been in the inner and speed again. that they were from Andhra and riat Party whose membership was the Government of India and was with them. The leadership of the wants the mike adjusted to the higher circles of the Congress. “Do you remember our boring ‘traditional maami’ days?” a mix of his colleagues from the called upon to stage a drama in Yep – that’s a Maami-ian in had come to Madras on hearing Congress Legislature Party was accompanist’s advantage, the rail But, thank God, you were what Secretariat, students of The Delhi. the making all right. And only a is going to type-cast you a The Maami dances to Bolly- that a renowned charity was regarded as rightfully yours. But passenger who helps the porter you were. Home, and other friends. The In the Ramakrishna Kripa true Maami-ian can combine ‘Maami’. wood today with the same élan helping poor students pursue when you saw that the Congress heave his heavy luggage on to his Today, you will be glad to see Party raised funds for The Home Amateurs’ troupe, Ramanuju countless streams of thought, at- A lot has been said about the as a classical rendering, or the their studies by providing free Working Committee had an- head, the champion carrom- hypocrisy is hated, especially by through various stage perfor- himself was the producer, direc- titude, and belief systems into a changing face of Chennai-that- kummi. boarding. However, they were mances of mythological plays. other plan, you stepped aside. player who refuses to sell her first the young. And yet, it manages tor, music director and principal harmonious whole, and still have was-Madras. A young Maami-ian, speeding disappointed to learn that no The Party had several illustrious actor. Resentment must have risen in striker to a curio-collector, the to thrive as something of a fine room for more. But the city’s maamis, and the down the road – on her motor- help was on hand. They had not persons of yesteryears as mem- your heart; you were human. Yet doctor who cuts family-time to art. He was a great lover of music Chennai has always had its younger maamis-in-the-making, bike, no less – heads for a huge eaten and had no money to go bers. Amongst them were Parur and also appreciated the mean- you subsumed it; you sublimated attend to a patient after ‘time- We have refined other traits ‘Maamis’. If you are of female have their own special brand of glass and concrete office, as back. Moved by their plight, Ramu (Ramaswami Iyengar) Anantharaman, leading violinist, ings behind the songs. He trans- it. CR’s Premiership of the Ma- up’, the neighbourhood activist as well. M. Subbaraya Iyer, leading in- persuasion and say you live in interpreting, and incorporating, though to her own place. Ramu (as Ramaswami Iyengar lated the songs of Saint Thyaga- dras Presidency has been rightly who organises garbage collection You could praise, but did you come tax lawyer (a non-acting Chennai (or did in Madras), changes. A process much more She exudes the same person- raja and got them printed in the hailed as an enlightened one, a rather than blame the times, the flatter? No, Sir. We have raised member), Mannargudi Samba- chances are someone out there than a simple wardrobe shift like ality as the older version who has years has stayed the same – brisk Devanagiri script with his own pioneering one, a role-model. passer-by who swings into action that talent to a plastic art. siva Bhagavathar, noted Harika- translations in English so that exchanging the pattu saree for the final word on a particular efficiency, an eye for detail, a dis- But let us acknowledge that if the on a terror-device going off, that You could criticise, but did tha exponent, and Dewan they could be better appreciated. Ramanathan sing Hariyum power-dressing, or going global family extravaganza. tinct I-can-solve-anything spirit, lamp that CR lit glowed strong, is the extraordinary ‘ordinary’ you humiliate? No, Sir. We have Bahadur L. Venkatakrishna Iyer, The book was released in 1958, a Haranum onre enru ariyaadar in kitchens. Sore throat? Even the young- and an air of being always on the ISE, Chief Engineer of Madras it was for two reasons: One, it Indian. And, Sir, we have count- promoted that practice to a per- year or so after his death, and Dr. ularo. The word ‘maami’ describes a est Maami-aspirant will offer at ready to answer the clarion call and Kerala Governments. The had the luminosity of CR’s great- less numbers of them. forming art. S. Radhakrishnan, who wrote the When you died, CR spoke of certain section of the female half least three remedies in a second. of her family’s needs. success of the party can be foreword for the book described ness. Two, it glowed on the burn- There are statues raised after You aspired, but did you your “red-hot will to live”. What of Chennai/Madras’s population, It’s in the blood. Today, there may be a larger gauged from the fact that it raised it as a “Bhagavatha in every sense ing wick of Satyamurti’s sacrifice. wars to the Unknown Soldier. covet? No, Sir. We have lifted does that teach us, Sir? I think it and can define a relation by Today, waves of Maamis find percentage of bonded hair and nearly Rs. 5,50,000 by way of of the term.” It was called the Having tried to balance the Let us salute the imaginary statue coveting to the level of a new art collections. This was later made teaches us that we must never gym-toned bodies, but the Spiritual Heritage of Thyagaraja. book, let me now, in good old blood or marriage, show respect themselves on far-flung shores, into an endowment fund. Later, of that brave warrior in the form, Sir, which was not known give in to cynicism. We have be- accounting style, draw up the last for age and, sometimes, nasti- thanks to their work, or their Maami-isms stay the same. Ramanuju formed a stage troupe KB battlefield of plain goodness, the in your time: Installation Art. come far too cynical as a people. page in bold differentiated ink. ness, as in: “God, she’s such a children’s choices. Many travel The lady could be wearing statue of the Unknown Citizen. We grieve at your missing the There is an all-pervasive empti- Sir, a salute emerges on that final Maami”. briskly – complete with gym something straight out of The The ‘ordinariness’ of that Un- triumphant finale of the great ness within most of us. Even his two sons were taken as in- cious premises nearby on a rent page: a salute not to one institu- A while ago, the word shoes and sarees, armed with Insanely-Expensive Boutique, known Citizen is, to my mind, battle of which you were a gen- those who are doing well, mak- mates. He was appointed at a sal- of Rs. 17 per month. It then tion, to one achievement or to brought with it a strong whiff of spices to tame foreign kitchens. brandishing a brimming crystal ing wealth or making waves, at ary of Rs. 3 per month. Ramu shifted in 1910 to a building in one tradition. Sir, it rises to the The final instalment of the letter to Satyamurti traditional cooking, the oily- But the migratory Maami, flute while holding forth on In- the end of the day, do not know Sashi Maharaj searched for vessels for the Pelathope on a rent of Rs. 20 per greatest player, to the greatest plait-topped-by-loads-of-jasmine leading to some colourful family ternational policies, but can still written by Gopalkrishna Gandhi, Governor of what they are living for. Your was known) arranged for their Home. His mother donated a month. survivor, to the greatest achiever image, a slight penchant for plas- characters like ‘Matunga Mara- spot with just a glance that the West Bengal and grandson of Gandhiji and daughter Lakshmi is an excep- meal at a friend’s place and brass cooking vessel. A few other Meanwhile, the Ramakrishna – to that extraordinary phenom- tic-basket-weaving classes, and a gatham’, ‘Chandigarh Chooda- menu bears all the signs of the Rajagopalachari. tion, of course! promised to do something more. women in the neighbourhood Math had moved to Brodie’s enon – yes, Sir, you guessed it: to certain mind-set. mani’, and caterer taking the easy way out. India waits for a redemption This mind-set G Tatanagar Tara’, Her pay-cheques may allow That evening, he went and gave vessels. A petty provision Road in 1907 and the boys of the that extraordinary being, the ‘or- the most extraordinary accom- by eral. Sir, in 1947, you would have from a cynical acceptance of has, at times, has been around her to buy Manolo Blahnik, but met Swami Ramakrishnananda merchant provided provisions on Home were taken every Wed- dinary’ Indian. plishment of India. RANJITHA ASHOK been but sixty – younger than wrong-doing and, equally, from a driven family for a while. she will not hesitate to toss the (Sashi Maharaj), a monk of the credit initially. Appeals for mon- nesday to meet Sashi Maharaj Unfazed by the cost of living, He and she may not be ranked most people in this hall, younger cynical suspicion of the good that circles around Years ago, shoes off if she has to enter a Ramakrishna Mission who was etary help were made and P.S. who had moved there. He spoke rapacious traffic, intolerable lev- among the ‘great’, but they are than everyone on the stage. If in is being done all the time. the bend, with words like “stub- you could tell the Maami who home that believes footwear be- living in Ice House, looking after Sivaswami Iyer contributed Rs. to them on diverse matters els of suspended particulate mat- precisely that. 1962 you had been with us and, India waits for its truer and born” and “typical” being ban- had got away. Was it the pink longs outside. Her Hermes or the small shrine of Sri Rama- 15. All the preliminary work was emphasising, among other ter in the air, adulterated rations, It is good to be great; it is at the urging of the incomparable more abiding Swaraj. Not from died about, to which the Sister- lipstick; the “cut-choli”, or her Chanel classic will contain that krishna there. The Swamiji had completed within a week and on things, the importance of dignity contaminated water, spurious greater to be good. And, let me Kamaraj, had been returned to any foreign power, but from its hood of Maamis has always disconcerting habit of breaking most homely of emergency tools been sent by Swami Viveka- February 17, 1905, Sashi of labour. Even today, the in- medicines, voltage fluctuations, say, vastly more difficult. the Lok Sabha, what a treat for own pettinesses and meannesses. pointed out that one person’s into Hindi exclamations when – the safety-pin. nanda to Madras to spread the Maharaj formally inaugurated mates of the Home are entrusted bureaucratic arrogance, cus- These people are, besides, Parliament that would have It waits for the freedom that will pigheadedness is another’s least expected? She went around And then there are Maamis message of Sri Ramakrishna, af- the home. Its first wards were the with its daily upkeep. tomer-trampling, card-sharping, what may be called eminently been! Nehru, at 73, Prime Min- enhance and fulfil the freedom strength of conviction. saying things like ‘paranthas’, who are as comfortable with their ter appeals by devotees at Ma- four boys from Andhra, the two For a brief period, The Home short-changing and, yes, under- ‘regular’ people. ister and Leader of the House, S. that was won in 1947. It waits for Did a new ‘maami’ emerge and ‘amle ka murabba’, while whiskey sours as with their neer- dras, to start the work of the Mis- sons of the cook and a boy whom opened its doors for children of ailed by the grotesque terrorist You were, as I said, your own Satyamurti, at 75, mesmerising the freedom that will see safe when Madras became Chennai? Grand-Aunt La Formidable more. Their men sometimes com- sion here. Sashi Maharaj was already sup- affluent people who wanted their violence in market squares and person. You never pretended to the Lok Sabha, and the charis- water, clean air and good gover- Depends on your definitions. sniffed and mumbled about new- plain that while they, nursing Ramu asked Swamiji whether porting. Initially, The Home children to imbibe the values public spaces, that ‘ordinary’ In- be one thing when you were an- matic and brilliant C. N. nance. It waits for the freedom If the Maami-ian way basi- fangled names for old, routine finely poised stomach linings, are they could start a free boarding went through a difficult phase The Home taught. This payment Annadurai at 53 doing the same that will see justice and fair-play. cally calls for a capacity to walk stuff. sipping tiny glasses of red wine, house to help such boys. So were and collected just over Rs. 430 in system was, however, soon dis- A big ‘Thank You’ to 39 of you in the Rajya Sabha. Alas. The freedom that will see an end new paths without forgetting And, for some strange reason, telling each other how good it is sown the seeds for the establish- its first year. Sankranti Day, continued as the children under We publish below the list of donors who have, between 16.6.08 and 15.07.08, But you will say you have no to terrorism. And it waits for a your mental-map of the ways in being considered sophisticated for their health, their female ment of the Ramakrishna Mis- 1906, however, saw a generous this scheme could not easily cope added to the support Chennai Heritage and its voice, Madras Musings, have regrets. freedom from the traps that glo- being able to combine seemingly and urbane by this hybrid crea- counterparts are quaffing mango sion Students Home, now better contribution of Rs. 100 from V. with the rigours of the style of liv- already received. We thank all of them for their support for the causes No regrets… look at the irony bal warming is laying for us. irreconcilable contrasts into a ture would become a shame- margaritas by the dozen….and known as The Home. Krishnaswami Iyer who had ing the indigent inmates of the Chennai Heritage espouses. — CHENNAI HERITAGE of it! If anyone was entitled to When that freedom is being working system with minimum faced, unacknowledged need why not? Ramu set about mobilising originally been skeptical about home were undergoing. Rs. 500: Bhagirathi, S. rise above regrets and say ‘No re- wrought, you and those martyrs fuss – then, ‘change’ is only su- within the home-bound circle – But the essential Maami-ian the support of friends. One of the idea and had not supported In 1915, The Home received Rs.400: Srinivasan Pattoo; Saroj A Menon; Dhunjeebhoy, H.D.; Parakulam Seshadri; grets have I’, it was you. Yet, that who were recalled before their perficial, the soul has stayed. who would rather be boiled in oil elements are never very far away. them was Dr. M.C. Nanjunda it. He was to continue his sup- its first endowment. It was by Leila Disasiam; Satyabhama, S.; Mrs.Jayashree Mahesh; Vijayaragavan, B. expression which, by the rule of time, before the last victory, will, Today, grey-haired ladies, used for bhakshanams than admit The Maami-ian way is not Rao, the famous doctor-philan- port in the years that followed, Mathosri Komalathammal, wife Rs.300: Arjun Mahadevan; George K John; Lavanya Srinivasan ownership, should be yours be- I would like to believe, be sent ubiquitous jasmine strands in it, of course. about appearances – it is a state thropist and a devotee of Swami as did many other eminent of R. Chakravarthi Iyengar, Vivekananda. He agreed to give Brahmins in Madras. Annie Ramu’s professor at Presidency Rs. 200: Subramaniam, M.V.; Satyanarayan, K.N.; longs by the rule of patents not again by Destiny to bring the place, drive through teeming If she was bold and outspo- of mind, a way of life, where the to you but, again, immortalised torch home. traffic, finish their bhajan and Tai ken, the rest of the family put it protagonists behave like kind, his house on Keshavaperumal Besant too was a regular con- College. It was for Rs. 1000 and Rs. 150: Dasarathy, G.; Tagat, R.K.; Prema Saravanan; Venkatesan, R.; Koil South Mada Street for a tributor. was for maintaining one boy. The Shahuna, Z.K. by MS’s rendering of Kurai Your father, adjusting his Chi classes, then head for the lat- down to her “having been in the yet firm, hosts who extend a Onrum Illai to the noble CR. spectacles on the bridge of his est literary club. You spot a North”….go figure, because warm welcome to all new ideas year, initially rent-free and then The Home shifted residence second endowment was from Rs.100: Sankarasubbaiyan, V.; Pattabiraman, K.V.; Rajagopalan, N.; Natarajan, R.K.; at a rent of Rs. 3 per month, if quite a few times in its early Port Blair and was called the Chandrasekaran, R.; Mathew Jacob; Balakrishnan, M.; Micher D.S.Dowie; When I hear that ineffably nose, will then tell your mother younger, jean-clad version, drop- there were an equal number of and concepts, treating them like moving song, Kurai Onrum Illai, in a celestial Tirumayam, Yella- ping her kid off for karate or yoga high-spirited ladies right here, welcome guests, but at the same possible. But he later announced years. At the end of 1905, it ‘Port Blair Temple Club Gokhale Padmanabha, P.; Malireaddy Ramagopal Reddy; Radhakrishnan, D.; Uthandaraman, moved to a house on Keshava- Fund’! But what The Home A.; Meenakshi, S.; Saroj A Menon; Sukumar, S.; Ramachandran, K.S.; Viswanathan, I thank CR and I think of Satya- am ahiruthu-mma, kaalakra- lessons, picking veggies on route, who stayed within city limits…. time making certain house rules it would be rent-free. S.; Sankaraiah, K.; Ramakrishnan, A.S. murti: There, on the Seven Hills, mattile. Yellaam kaala-kramat- tying up office loose-ends over weddings, deaths and pilgrimages very clear. Ramu next looked for a cook. perumal Sannidhi Street on a needed was a home of its own. rent of Rs. 7 per month. A year Rs.50: Santha Kumar, B.; Srinivasan, V. I see both of you worshipping to- tile… the cell-phone, and everything being exceptions, of course. More power to the Chennai A poor Brahmin approached him gether. And I hear M. D. (Concluded) else.’ The body language over the ‘Maami’, then. and agreed to cook for the boys if later, it shifted to another spa- (To be concluded) CMYK 6 MADRAS MUSINGS July 16-31, 2008 The Captain of (Current Affairs questions are from the period June 16th to 30th. Questions 11 to 20 per- Cathedral Road tain to Chennai and Tamil Nadu.) (By P.C. Ramakrishna) 1. In which famous and most de- structive maritime disaster case ewan Bahadur Captain himself did significant medical In the 1940s, Captain did the US Supreme Court rule D(Dr.) Pennathur Krishna- duty in Nellore and Visakha- Krishnaswami bought the house that the damages awarded were swami (1888-1962), my grand- patnam in his early years in the on Cathedral Road (No.15) excessive and reduced them from father, was from the rather profession) and quite a few of with about 40 grounds from U. Captain (Dr.) Pennathur $2.7 billion to $507 million? sleepy village of Pennathur – them spoke Telugu more flu- Ananda Rau. Because of its Krishnaswami. 2. Who scored the only goal in now more ambitiously termed a ently than Tamil. I know my fa- proximity to the Agri-Horticul- the UEFA Euro 2008 final won by ‘Town Panchayat’ – in North ther did. His Tamil was gener- tural Society gardens, it was E.V. Kalyani Nursing Home, Spain on June 29th? Arcot District, about eight ously embellished with Telugu named Garden View. Ap- and the house of the famous 3. Which team won its first NBA miles from Tiruvannamalai. words. In fact, it could be said proached from Gemini Circle, it Travancore Sisters, Lalita, title in 22 years at the expense of Pennathur, of course, would that he spoke Telugu, if not bet- was the first residential building Padmini and Ragini. The rest of the LA Lakers? have continued to remain one ter, certainly with greater relish. on the right, at the corner just Cathedral Road was forest – no 4. According to recent data from of the unsung little hamlets of My grandmother Kanthammal before which the wall of the Drive-in-Woodlands, no Stella UNHCR, from which two Asian Maris, no Music Academy and countries do more than half of the rural Tamil Nadu, had it not could only read Telugu, and dis- present Stella Maris compound been for a paternal first cousin covered Shakespeare in her begins. The area on either side other landmarks so familiar to- world’s 11.4 million refugees day. You could drive from come? of Dr. Krishnaswami, Penna- later years through Telugu of Garden View was dense veg- thur Subramania Iyer (1860- translations of Charles Lamb’s etation and paddy fields. The Gemini to the Marina within a 5. Which community has got an couple of minutes! assurance from the Rajasthan 1901), leaving a will stipulating Tales from Shakespeare. tree cover was so thick that you Government on reservation after the founding of an institution in Captain Krishnaswami went could not see Garden View from Garden View itself was huge a period of violence? Madras, the Pennathur Subra- to the UK after the Great War Cathedral Road, even though it and was built around a large 6. Which African President was mania Iyer High School (better and spent four years there dur- was right on it. To the east were mittham, or central courtyard, as stripped of his knighthood known as the P.S. High School) ing which he completed his paddy fields that belonged to old houses tended to be in those because of internal turmoils? in Mylapore in 1905. MRCP. Returning to India, he Kasturi and Sons (owners of days. It involved some physical 7. ICANN, the regulator of Subramania Iyer’s early death was posted to the Heart Clinic ); hence these areas exercise walking from the re- domain names, has recently led to Pennathur Krishnaswami of the Madras General Hospital. still bear the names Kasturi Es- ception hall to the kitchen at voted on what big system change becoming patriarch of the tate and Kasturi Ranga Road. the rear, which was probably as regards TLDs? It was at that time the Electro- Pennathur clan. Binny and Company owned two why my grandmother retained 8. The Vatican has slapped a ban cardiogram machine first After obtaining his medical arrived in Madras, and as he was buildings in the middle of the her spare physique till her end, on the filming of which Dan having had to cover 2 or 3 Brown work in any of its churches degree from Madras Medical at the time the only doctor paddy fields. These were later in Rome, calling the work “an College, Dr. P. Krishnaswami familiar with the mysteries of its sold to builders, which is why kilometres up and down the offence against God”? enrolled for service in the Great working – owing to his stint in the road branching off from Ca- house on an average working 9. Name the scientist who helped War (1914-18). He served for the UK – he was much in thedral Road into Poes Garden day! This also explained in pioneer the field of molecular four years in Mesopotamia and demand. He went on to become is called Binny Road even to- some measure why, as a family, biology and was one of the first to Europe in the rank of Captain. one of the first cardiologists in day. we have ultra-loud voices. We confirm the structure of DNA, The British Government later the Madras General Hospital. I remember, as late as the had, you see, to be consistently who died recently. awarded him the Dewan Baha- After transfers to Nellore 1950s, most of the stretch from heard upto the kitchen! And if 10. Name the Indian shooter who dur title for his services to the and Visakhapatnam, he re- Gemini Circle to the Marina you were the sole occupant of won the double trap gold in the State. However, the title ‘Cap- turned to Madras as Dean of Beach was heavily wooded. one of the upstairs bedrooms shotgun World Cup in Belgrade (an euphemism, because they by equalling two World records. tain’ was what he seemed to , from There was, of course, St. prefer and was known to family where he retired in 1942. After George’s Cathedral, then Cap- were as large as basketball * * * courts!) – as I often was, during 11. With which party did the and friends as ‘Captain Mama’, retirement, Captain Krishna- tain Krishnaswamy’s Garden except to his own children and swami did not opt for extensive View, T.T. Krishnamachari’s vacation visits – the wind how- DMK snap ties on June 17th? ling through the trees at night 12. On what date and in which grandchildren who, curiously, private practice; he was not the house (Shanti) where the TTK referred to him as ‘Naayana’, af- sort of man fuelled by some Group office stands today, S.S. wasn’t exactly the ideal sopo- year was the Conditional Access rific! System (CAS) for cable TV rolled ter the fashion of the Andhras burning desire to heal the Vasan’s Gemini House at the out in Chennai? (not to be confused with the world. Instead, he chose to min- mouth of what is now Radha- Captain Krishnaswami him- 13. As per the State Govern- rather flamboyant usage in Ma- ister to a select clientele of pa- krishnan Salai, the bungalow self was as gentle as a lamb, ment’s recent decision, how dras Thamizh!). It is still un- tients, who swore by him, and and sprawling grounds (Sudhar- even-tempered and, largely, a much monthly assistance would clear why this was so. I suspect, was known to be adept at what ma) of S. Anantharamakrish- gentleman of leisure after retire- Tamil scholars and enthusiasts, however, that many of those a worthy cousin of mine referred nan of Simpsons immediately ment. His wife, Kanthammal, who rendered service to preserve from North Arcot either stud- to as “stethoscope and knuckle thereafter, Dr. S. Radha- ran the house with iron control, and develop Tamil language and ied or spent much of their im- down diagnosis”, without the krishnan’s house (Girija), the culture, be given? pressionable working life in need for complex laboratory noted ophthalmic surgeon Dr. 14. Who ceded Thanjavur E.V. Srinivasan’s house, the (Continued on page 8) district to the British East India Andhra (Dr. Krishnaswami procedures. Company in absolute sovereignty in October 1799? 15. 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Cheques for overseas postage alone payable example of inspired music? to receive copies, sending in their subscriptions. to M/s. Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd. All other cheques to ‘Chennai Heritage’. (Answers on page 7) — The Editor July 16-31, 2008 MADRAS MUSINGS 7 ADYAR CREEK WATER Micro-organism GETS MURKIER (Continued from page 1) velopment is planned in this to the site at this point of time area? There is no information for industrial waste merely reveals a lot of com- on this. posting work going on. Another area of concern is There are other concerns as the multiplicity of agencies that disposal well. The fate of the remaining claim to be working on Adyar 300 acres of the Creek is still a Creek and its environs. The proposed Creek restoration may ost industries tradition- and water. No longer, thanks to Treatment Plants (ETPs) and question mark. The Govern- ment had put out for tender the be affected by the plans for the Mally treat their polluting the algae!” says Dr. Sivasubra- Sewage Treatment Plants Circular Corridor which, if effluents by chemical methods manian, Director, VIAT. “Bio- (STPs) that turn the sludge into task of developing a master plan for this area and the contract reports are anything to go by, which are not only expensive remediation happens around us a value added product for use as will impinge directly on both but create toxic solid wastes in the environment, all the horticultural amendments and has been awarded to IL&FS Eco Smart, an organisation which, banks of the river. There is also that are difficult to dispose. One time. By just increasing the con- as a potential revenue stream. talk of a riverside park coming industry near Chennai, the centration of the right kind of Another veteran in this field, according to its website, focusses on environment man- up by the side of the river. Work SNAP Natural and Alginate organisms at source, we can Dr. Sultan Ismail, says, “Waste on building up the embank- Products Ltd, Ranipet, has used help clean faster, inexpensively, streams of the STPs are mainly agement solutions. The site does not mention any of the ment towards this end was be- the magic of the micro-organ- and with no technical expertise organic matter and can be gun, then given up suddenly, ism, in partnership with the needed to implement. Three composted with bulk material projects the company has worked on. and restarted again. The stud- team of algal technologists from years ago we decided to reach like wood chips and plant waste, ied silence of the Chennai Met- the Vivekananda College, out to the industries and discov- like at the Sundaram Clayton, Environmentalists have al- ropolitan Development Au- Mylapore, to prove the success ered many issues that research Padi, and the Futura Polyesters ways expressed concern over thority over the multiple plans of a first of its kind initiative in can handle in a major way.” The in Chennai. Even tannery efflu- the divided development of the is most puzzling. the world! successful SNAP experience ent can be composted, provided 58 acres and the remaining 300 has enthused more industries Reverse Osmosis process is en- acres as they have felt that What emerges from all this At SNAP, Ranipet, a com- (including the TWAD Board, sured before sludge production. sustainability of the Park will is that the Adyar Creek Project, pany that manufactures algi- Madurai, Agsar Paints, and At the Lactochem factory, the depend on access to the waters like many such plans, is being nates (derived from seaweed Coca Cola). MOUs have been compost generated as a of the Creek. Much will there- conducted in a hush-hush fash- and used for pharmaceutical signed with Ultramarine and byproduct from the waste fore hinge on how the second ion with no scope for a public and food applications), the use Pigments Ltd, Ranipet (produc- stream has got many takers be- phase of the development, debate on what exactly is of micro-organisms has com- cause of its specific gypsum and namely that of the 300 acres, planned for the area. It is high pletely cut off toxic sludge de- organic matter content.” takes place. At present there is time the Government made its velopment and helped to rem- G by no information on this. What is plans public and lets everyone edy harmful acidic effluent that Significantly, M.A. Gaffar, SHOBHA MENON the mandate given to this know where the Creek and its could contaminate solid and an M.Sc. Biotechnology student organisation? What kind of de- environs are headed. water. Responsible for this is the of New College, has isolated a pioneering effort of the ing detergents and pigments), few spices of micro-organisms Vivekananda Institute of Algal dyeing industries of Tirupur and from areas around petrol pumps Technology (VIAT), a research also with Stahl India Chemicals, that can degrade hydro carbon STATE TOPS IN unit of the Ramakrishna Mis- one of the world’s leading sup- pollutants, but lack of funding sion Vidyapith, Mylapore. pliers of leather processing makes student research an up- MANUFACTURING... products. Also, a similar MOU hill task. “Talented youngsters Using living organisms to has been signed with the Chen- should be encouraged with suit- (Continued from page 1) dismantling some of its admin- clean up contaminated soil or nai-based Indo-Japan joint ven- able funds for environmentally on Worldwide Quality of Living istrative institutions in the city water is known as ‘Bioreme- ture company, M/s Nichi-In relevant projects,” feels Dr. has given Chennai a very low and moving them to other diation’. The VIAT’s method, Biosciences (P) Ltd., for a mul- Ismail. score, though it has fared mar- towns in the State. In this con- which employs algae, used to tifaceted research project to de- ginally better than Mumbai and nection, the setting up of a treat industrial effluents and Says Dr. Dawood Sharief, velop technology for environ- Delhi. separate administrative capital waste water, is safe, eco-friendly ment-friendly plastic materials. Department of Zoology, New for the State has long been sug- and highly economical and is College, however, “Way back in What does all this mean for gested by Madras Musings and useful in removal of toxic waste With industries, as part of 1998, we devised an inexpen- Chennai and those in charge of many other well-meaning including heavy metals. ISRO certification, being re- sive treatment for sugar mill ef- its fate? It is high time industrial people. This should be looked quired to eliminate waste fluent. Unfortunately, there development is looked at in dis- into again in all its seriousness “Earlier, chemical treatment streams, either through process have been no takers!” In their tricts that are further south, as such a move will help towards of 30,000 litres of effluent per redesign, or through conversion lab, industrial effluents like most of which have qualified substantial decongestion of day at SNAP meant that caus- of waste streams into useful sago, sugar mill, dairy, tannery poorly on the HDI and GDI. In the city and decentralising tic soda to the tune of about products, bioremediation could and petrochemical effluents addition, it will also be good if development to areas that need Rs.50 lakh had to be used each just be the answer. An excellent have been degraded using mi- the State looks and aims at them. year. And the sludge generated example of this is the com- crobes. was even more harmful to solid posting of sludge from Effluent Another expert feels, “The industry, municipalities, agri- Pollution Control Board re- cultural residues and domestic Answers What Bioremediation means... fuses, in spite of mounting evi- streams – were presented, its dence, to believe that organisms organiser, Dr. John Tharakan, to Quiz n a non-polluted environment, bacteria, fungi, and other can be effective in handling had felt that “grassroot initia- I micro-organisms are constantly at work breaking down or- technology. So polluting indus- tives involving bioremediation 1. Exxon Valdez case; ganic matter. If an organic pollutant such as oil contaminated tries continue to be stuck in need to involve government 2. Fernando Torres; 3. Boston this environment, some of the micro-organisms would die, while time, and desist from adopting and community and bring Celtics; 4. Iraq and Afghanistan; others capable of eating the organic pollution would survive. newer environmentally friendly 5. Gujjars; 6. Robert Mugabe of Bioremediation works by providing these pollution-eating or- stakeholders together to solve technologies. Government the currently overwhelming so- Zimababwe; 7. Companies or ganisms with fertiliser, oxygen, and other conditions that en- groups can apply to have any string courage their rapid growth. These organisms would then be able grants from the Ministry are cial problem of waste disposal.” mainly for projects that are of letters established as a domain to break down the organic pollutant at a correspondingly faster How much longer will this take name; 8. Angels and Demons; rate. far removed from grassroots is the question that remains to 9. Gunther Stent; 10. Ronjan Bioremediation can be used in treating: level.” be answered. Sodhi. Effluents in industries like mining and energy, tanneries, At a one-day symposium on Bioremediation techniques * * * sugar mills, pharmaceuticals, dairies, etc; ‘Biological Methods of Waste might well bring about a heal- Treatment and Management in ing that our beleaguered city’s 11. PMK; 12. September 1, Oil and gas industry waste water created by spills and under- 2003; 13. Rs.3,000 plus medical ground leaks, and to clean up waste products from oil produc- South India’ held at the New environs sorely need. And now College last year, where over 30 that that world-class expertise is allowance of Rs.15; 14. Raja Serfoji tion; II; 15. Basilica of Our Lady of Good Contaminated sediment from sewage, pulp and paper mills, research, development and available closer home, it just re- Health; 16. Tiruvarur; 17. Matri- and steel/petroleum industries. implementation papers cover- quires environmentally sensi- mandir; 18. Vulaganathan Othapi- SM ing diverse biological technolo- tive politicians and bureaucrats daram; 19. Maroon; 20. Chandi- gies for waste treatment – from to put a system in place. das. 8 MADRAS MUSINGS July 16-31, 2008

but have become very lazy, the excuse being old age (84 years). THE CAPTAIN OF Train that “I have a vague memory of your brother, Ram. He was two CATHEDRAL ROAD beds away from me when I was daily routine, to take in what he laid up in Madras General Hos- (Continued from page 6) bridged time fondly called the ‘Ozone’. pital with a severe condition. “My parents and my brother and he was quite happy to leave Both his daughters – ather was a keen votary of six. Vajra, three years older (Vajra) visited me almost every it all to her. Many in the family Saraswathi, the eldest of the FIndian Culture and the than me, was my first school day and incidentally cheered up believed that he was so domi- children and Kamakshi the Theosophical movement, while friend. your brother. nated that he was never heard youngest – were given in mar- also being passionate about the Now, 66 years after this inci- “They used to serve trans- to call her by name! However, riage to Sir C.P. Ramaswami struggle for Independence, and dent, which has always been in parent, raspberry-flavoured, he played in loco parentis to sev- Aiyar’s sons, C.R. Pattabhi- felt that the Besant School my mind, I had to establish con- iced jelly at the hospital. Your eral youngsters within our ex- raman and C.R. Sundaram, re- would provide his children with tact with S. Vasant Nilakanta, brother was very much tempted tended family, shepherding spectively. His son, my father, ample scope and opportunities Vajra’s elder brother. (Vajra is to eat it, but ultimately refused them through their studies, and P. Chandrasekhar, retired as to be exposed to this culture no more.) The object was to re- it as it was an animal extract. helping them get jobs. Many ac- CMD of United India Insurance and ambience, to their eternal quest him to write an article for Poor boy! tually stayed with him in Gar- Company Ltd., and was the benefit. Moreover, the school a compilation titled South of the “The electric train set was den View over periods of time. Founder-Correspondent of P.S. had hostel facilities. Since he – Theosophy-in- mine. I allowed Vajra to run his V.R. Kalyanaraman, his nep- Senior Secondary School in was employed in Ceylon, he first clockwork engine on the same hew, who stayed in Garden View Mylapore. G admitted 8-year-old Ram, my by rails. I used to enter competi- through five years of his medi- There was a time when fami- brother, as a hosteller. K. V. S. KRISHNA tions through Meccano Maga- cal education, recalls how lies belonging to North Arcot Soon after, the school faced zine. On winning prizes, I was during dinner time every day District would seek marital alli- a crisis. Felix Layton, the Head- Captain Krishnaswami would spired Educational Initiatives – offered Hornby and Meccano ances only from the same dis- master, with great presence of quiz him on his day’s learning at Memories and Tributes from products. That is how I pains- trict. Thus it came about that mind, without waiting for a College. Alumni. I did not know how to takingly built up an elaborate four major families of North driver, took the school bus and Strangely, for a doctor with request Vasant to contribute an train set.” Arcot became linked – Penna- drove it himself from Adyar to the title Captain, his own atti- article. He did not know me and Now the ownership of the thur, Chetpat, Calamur and Government General Hospital tude to physical fitness was would not remember me, leave train has been set right. The Thandalam. Sir C.P. Rama- (GH), Madras, to take the pa- more than somewhat cavalier. alone contribute an article on a train ran 66 years in my mind. I swami Aiyar was from Chetpat tient Ram, who was suffering He was quite rotund, and his stranger’s request. It took me never knew it also ran in and his sons married into with acute pain, suspected to be only exercise consisted of wad- several days, nay months, to pen Vasant’s mind. If I could, as Pennathur. Captain Krishna- appendicitis. The school bus dling up to his favourite arm- a request. It took courage to ad- Ravi (K.R.N. Menon) says, re- swami’s wife was from Calamur was the best in town and Felix chair in the living room and dress the letter to “My dear member 90% of my early days, as was Lady Seethammal Rama- Layton broke all traffic rules to sinking into it with audible sighs Vasant” and remind him that surely Vasant remembers 99%. swami Aiyar. My mother is reach in time for the doctors to of satisfaction. Of course, a visit Vajra, his brother, used to en- I forgot to ask Vasant – is the from Thandalam. It is only in perform an appendicitis opera- to the beach in his Graham car, tertain my brother with his elec- train still kept for posterity? recent years that people from tion, which was a big operation driven by a chauffeur with the tric train and that his father, N. Eventually Vasant became a North Arcot have sought in those days. rather improbable name of Sri Ram, and mother, Bhagi- Bachelor of Engineering and marital connections outside the A week after the operation, was in the British Indian Army, Tulukkaanam at 5 p.m., was a district. my parents came from Ceylon. rathi Ammal, used to visit him in hospital. I also wrote to him which he left as a major to join They took the train from Co- Scindia Workshops, the ship- ing afternoon. My father, S so many decades that he learnt lombo, crossing the Talai- that the raspberry jelly they Vasant Nilakanta, about whom the train set was actually my served in the GH made me de- repair part of the famous mannar/Dhanushkodi strait by Scindia Shipping Corporation, Krishna has written, had asked father’s and had wondered what the ferry, then took the Boat cide to join the school, and all him to get in touch with me and happened to it. I told him that such stuff by way of introduc- and then Dynacraft, which Mail to reach Madras. Seeing specialised in materials han- we have been in e-mail commu- it had been passed down to me. the luxury of raspberry jelly be- tion. nication, so it was exhilarating When very young, I was only Then, to my pleasant sur- dling machinery. ing served to my brother and Note by Lt. Col. Nandan for both of us to meet for the allowed the clockwork engine. also the electric train which prise, after 12 days, I received very first time at tea before the Later, my father’s sister, Mrs. one of the best letters of my life: Nilakanta: Vajra (son of N. Sri Ram, later K.V.S. Krishna and Ravi presentation. Radha Burnier, brought a beau- President of the Theosophical a letter dated March 17, 2006 During the presentation, tiful electric engine from Swit- from S.V. Nilakanta explaining Menon presented to some of us Society) played with, my members of the Madras Krishna told us the unpublished zerland with the accompanying brother and I were captivated. I about the electric toy train. It story of how he joined the transformer. It looked very reads, “My dear Krishna, your Gymkhana Club (we invited willingly agreed to join the Krishna, Ravi is a member) Besant Theosophical School svelte, with pantographs and school as a hosteller, even letter of the 4th came very late. and narrated his memory of the lights that worked and was ab- I could have answered earlier – their book, South of the Adyar though I was below the age of River. This was a very interest- train set, saying it was only after solutely accurate to scale.

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