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• Cleaner waterways MADRAS • 100 years of Sanskrit teaching • Adoption: Patience needed

• An online universe MUSINGS Rs. 5 per copy Vol. XV No. 21 February 16-28, 2006 (Annual Subscription: Rs. 100/-) Community fests can do without A more enlightened attitude hindrance to public space needed (By Sriram V.) With this one, you won’t have to (By Vincent D’ Souza) few days after the Festival had, despite the odds, worry about any junk SMS! Aproved successful, the Editor of this journal wrote in his DELETE – he 2006 edition of the Finance, to court. That too, on column in , ‘Madras Miscellany’, “I’m delighted the Preferably unread Tannual Sundaram Finance the eve of the festival. And Mylapore Festival has this year inspired to make a small but successful beginning. Like the Mylapore Festival, I’m For years, exasperated citizens Mylapore Festival is slowly though the judge encouraged sure the Triplicane Festival will grow with the enthusiastic have flung piles of unwanted achieving what it has set out to the fest to go on, – with restric- participation of the citizenry. The example of these two festivals, junk-mail into protesting do – bring communities to heri- tions – the hurdles upset the wastepaper baskets, cursing I’m also sure, will inspire other localised festivals in the city. I can tage zones for a celebration of preparations for the fest. see following before long and perhaps freely over this misuse of paper art, culture and tradition. How- and their own time. The main events on Day and T’Nagar. While that unfortunate situa- ever, this year, the fest was chal- One were delayed by 100 min- “A couple of years after the Mylapore Festival began, a tion continues unabated, an- lenged by some local business utes, stalls put up to present the corporate federation planned a Chennai Festival which, it hoped, other nuisance, more in tune houses who just did not want food fest and the handicrafts it could slowly turn into a major tourist attraction, like the Dubai with the techno-age, has been such an event on the Mada Festival. But with the corporate membership not prepared to sale presented by self-help devote time to organisation, the festival flopped during the two making its presence felt for a Streets of Mylapore. groups, had to be closed down while now... the dreaded un- Two leading local shops, years it was attempted. Perhaps the way to go is for major wanted SMS. midway because the court did corporates in the city to each adopt the festival in one area of the Radha Silks and NAC Jewel- not permit one main street to be city – like Sundaram Finance has done the Mylapore Festival – Picture this. The cell-phone lers, took the organisers, pings. used as the ‘open venue’. Yet, then link them through the federation, and slowly develop a Great, you have a message. Mylapore Times, the city police Mylaporeans and their guests, Chennai Festival. Glowing with the comfort of and the sponsor, Sundaram young and old, enjoyed this fes- “A Chennai Festival offering all the entertainment of these knowing you haven’t been tival held over four days in local festivals, together with the Music Festival and substantial completely forgotten, you, af- spaces around Sri Kapali discounts on food, clothing, jewellery and travel and entertain- ment tickets in the festival areas of the city, could be turned into ter a couple of misses, access Temple. the message. And find yourself A reminder to a substantial attraction during the Christmas-New Year-Pongal reading a missive riddled with The fest is growing. Street season.” capitals and exclamation our readers décor has improved with simple Apparently, some business houses do not think along these marks, sent by a stranger obvi- lines. They don’t seem to see the business potential of such l It’s that time of the year again. With street lamps in designer lamp- ously in a state of feverish ex- the Madras Musings year coming shades. The Art Street over- Festivals. Yet such festivals in many parts of the world drive citement. to an end, it is time to remind sub- flows as Fine Arts students from business and urban economies. Ooo, guess what?! You can scribers to renew their subscrip- Stella Maris College set up The attitude of a couple of business houses in the Mylapore download the latest misguided area that attempted to dampen the enthusiasm the festival had tions (Rs. 100 a year) and readers street stalls – creating bags, creation of the flavour-of-the- who have not yet sent in their sub- generated was truly surprising. month music maestro... scriptions to do so. The annual sub- jewellery, greeting cards, de- The festival was being held in a public space and not within FREE!! scription for Madras Musings is signing mehendhi, painting on their premises. The festival was attracting a large crowd rather You receive unsolicited advice Rs. 100/-. canvas. The response excited than preventing it from coming in. This would only have a on movies to see... or avoid, and All subscriptions acknowledged the students so much that they positive impact on business. on deals claiming to brighten by us from January 1, 2006 and are making plans for 2007! The area known as Mangollai, which is at the intersection of your life. subscriptions that we receive be- The kolam contests on two North and East Mada Streets, often has political meetings causing In gathering wrath, you tell your tween now and April 16th will be complete chaos in traffic (on February 14th evening, for instance) unmoved phone that you considered as annual subscriptions weekends continued to be big and putting local residents to great sufferings owing to loudspeak- didn’t ask for this, being su- for the year April 16, 2006 to April hits – about 150-plus participat- ers. These business houses do not appear to see those meetings as premely disinterested in the 15, 2007, Volume XVI. As for those ing each evening. Visitors sug- causing business losses. movie and the deals. who have sent in their subscrip- gested that the carpet of kolams What about the general fall in business volumes owing to As for the song ...for a brief sec- tions between April 16, 2005 and be preserved for two whole more and more people seeing Mylapore as a chaotic spot and ond, you are tempted to send December 15, 2005, please renew hours and traffic diverted, so therefore taking their custom elsewhere? Also, going by the same back a message imbued with your subscriptions as and when logic, will these business houses also ask for stoppage of the the old Aurangazeb-spirit. they fall due. Madras Musings, un- that the kolam displays are turned into an exhibition. ‘Arupattu Moovar’ festival as that attracts far greater crowds and Cell-phones going off at inap- fortunately, does not have any staff, stops all traffic for far longer than any neighbourhood festival? propriate times are bad enough. but only a couple of part-time volun- The heritage tours on cycle- Finally one more issue emerges. How can a few business estab- teers to help and, hence, is in no How do you combat this del- rickshaws received a bigger re- lishments try and look at their own narrow interests at the expense uge of unwanted messages position to send you reminders. sponse – foreign tourists jumped of those of the entire neighbourhood? Have the festivals not cluttering up inboxes? Can the When sending in your subscrip- techno-savvy please advise? into the queue this time. The created a positive atmosphere among the residents of the area? tion, please send it to Chennai Should their views also not be taken into consideration? You can only be thankful that Heritage together with the coupon big hit on the tour was the those who invented these little breakfast (of pongal, vadai and It is to be hoped that a better sense of cooperation will prevail that appears on page 7, duly filled in the coming years and these establishments, rather than pests had the foresight to in- in, in full. We look forward to an coffee) at the heritage house of obstruct, will become active participants and encourage the clude that very useful feature – enthusiastic response from readers, Manjula and Natarajan on East the delete option. old and new. festival. But that needs a complete change of attitude towards Mada Street. public spaces. Ranjitha Ashok — THE EDITOR (Continued on Page 7)

CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS February 16-28, 2006

Cleaner waterways Action taken under CCRCP • Interceptors – 59.167 km completed • Pumping Station – 31 Pumping Stations completed — for how long? • Pumping mains / Gravity mains – 46.044 km completed • As part of the programme to resettle 8164 slum families, Slum Clearance Board has already completed the n 2001, the National River compared to rivers like the Metrowater Supply and Sewer- construction of 3000 tenements in Okkium IConservation Authority Ganga or the Yamuna, from the age Board (CMWSSB) was the • Desilting and resection of main Cooum and Adyar Rivers (NRCA) issued the statement point of pollution, they are implementing agency. Work within Chennai City • Construction of flood defences and resection of drains in that “All the projects of River very, very polluted. The moni- commenced in May 2001 and Chennai Metropolitan Area Action Plans in future will be toring of the waterways actu- was to be completed by March • Removal of sandbar and prevention of sandbar formation at formulated in an integrated ally began in April 2005, at a 2005. the mouths of the Cooum and Adyar Rivers and holistic manner by address- very crucial phase of the With the project nearing • Mapping of outfalls ing not only the issue of river CCRCP. The Sewage Treat- completion, a study on the ac- • Closure of outfalls pollution but that of other com- ment Plants (STPs) were being tual number of sewage outfalls • Monitoring of water quality in waterways and STPs ponents like internal sewage, commissioned in August and reaching the waterways was The Government of India component towards the CCRCP is low cost sanitation, solid waste the major outfalls had been initiated so as to ensure that all Rs.491.52 crore. The State component through the PWD, which disposal etc.” According to Dr. closed. It was also in the abso- these outfalls were plugged by is in charge of macro drainage, desilting and removal of sandbars Dirk Walther, Centre for Envi- lutely dry season, when the the time the CCRCP reached in the Cooum and Adyar Rivers and improvement to river banks, is Rs.236.90 crore. The Chennai Corporation is in charge of the ronmental Studies (CES), water we found was actually completion. This involved 12 micro drainage and solid waste management, construction of , the Chennai highly concentrated sewage. senior engineers from the PWD, stormwater drains, and desilting of canals (Rs. 109.25 crore). The City River Conservation Plan With the major rains that we TNPCB, TNSCB, Corporation TNSCB is involved in resettlement and rehabilitation of slum (CCRCP) can be considered received bringing about an ex- of Chennai, CMWSSB, and dwellers living on the river banks. The CMDA has completed “as the most recent and prob- treme dilution effect, the point the Environment Management 5164 houses at Semmencheri, and the CMDP 1404 tenements. ably advanced example under now is to ascertain how far it Agency of Tamil Nadu, one PG The CMWSSB’s outlay is Rs.228.63 crore. The project formula- the National River Conserva- has been improved due to the student from the CES, Anna tion, monitoring and coordination is done by the CMDA tion Project (NRCP).” cleaning measures or the University, and one Superin- (Rs.20.20 crore). The reason is that the rains,” he says. But with the tendent from Environmental residents will have to be per- sation is a better alternative that CCRCP is very focussed. Ministry of Environment and Monitoring Agency of Tamil suaded, may be even coerced, the Government should think “Though the size of the wa- Forests recently dropping the Nadu. Each team was assigned to stop polluting.” of,” feels another expert. And terways in Chennai is minor necessity for the parameter of a river/canal and the study was A source at the Directorate says another, “The Metrowater flow measurement, an impor- conducted three days a week of Environment, which is the needs help from other agencies tant component that can pro- between 20.12.2004 and nodal agency for the project, involved to handle this tricky Monitoring vide much accurate scientific 2.02.2005. says, “Whatever the nature of issue. All concerned should do data, may not be considered. The results recorded by the the debate on this issue, public their work and involve the com- of city’s CES mention 396 sewage The acceptable value for involvement through aware- munity in waterbody protection outfalls, 47 with heavy sewage Chemical Oxygen Demand ness campaigns is the only way on a sustained basis. Educating waterways flow, 277 with mild flow, 28 with (COD) in India is 20 mg/lt, and to clean up waterways. Every with sensitivity on every indivi- hennai waterways have trace flow, 14 wet and 30 in a for Biological Oxygen Demand Department involved in the dual’s stake in the environment Csince April 2005 been stagnant condition. Out of the (BOD) around 250 mg/lt (in process must budget for aware- is important. Suggestions like monitored under the NRCP 96 new outfalls identified, 8 re- thus: Germany it is 100 mg/lt). “In ness campaigns. Each must separate protection forces for corded heavy sewage flow, 54 • 24 sampling stations in 6 April 2005, the COD of the address its own responsibilities waterbodies will only create mild sewage flow, 7 trace, 2 waterways Cooum was very high, similar to bring about change. There is undue conflict.” • 8 sampling stations at in- to the COD of water in a raw excellent coordination be- Says Prof. Walther, “Tack- lets and outlets of 4 STP sewage plant. The ecosystem of l by tween the departments ling the issue by creating aware- locations the river was in a state of total involved.” ness, and providing relevant so- • Analysis of 15 parameters collapse. By December, the SHOBHA MENON on a monthly basis Though 5000 tenements are lutions go hand in hand. There COD and BOD had met with ready at Semmancheri, only has been a lot of support from • Analysis of 25 parameters requirements given by Govern- on a yearly basis wet, 6 stagnant and 19 were families from 3000 tenements the Directorate of Environment • Sampling date is 11th of ev- ment regulations. While point dry. Meanwhile sewage outfalls have been relocated (of a total that has always been ready to ery month sources are easily identified and had also increased from 356 in of 33,000 tenements). The gather stakeholders whenever • Duration, 5 years from addressed, it is the non-point 1995 to 396 in 2005. Heavy flow Directorate of Environment is issues have been raised. How- April 2005 sources, the many small dif- of sewage increased from 32 to firm that all slums on banks ever, it is important to under- Says a senior official at the fused inputs of pollution – 47, mild sewage flow had re- must be shifted. “The slackness stand that every intervention DOE, “The cleaning of the housing on the banks, dirt duced from 290 to 277, while of the PWD, that is the manda- needs to be sustained. The pub- waterways is almost com- thrown in the river, and using no flow conditions increased tory body in charge of water- lic can be easily motivated, but plete. As for the few missing the waterway as a public con- links, details have to be ap- from 117 in 1995 to 186 in 2005. bodies, has caused the whole also easily disheartened. The venience – that are numerous By late 2005, the status problem. This is the time politi- River Rhine took 20 years to proved by the GOI. All the and difficult to handle”, con- river systems within the city record at the CMWSSB on the cal leaders and heads of depart- clean up! Cleaning is not the have been treated. However, firms a source at the CES. progress of the work showed ments should capitalise on the issue here, maintenance is! unless we check the many The CCRCP was formu- that 59,167 m of interceptors, flooding issue to resettle slum Now the pollution level in panchayats and municipali- lated in 1999 – and comprised 46,144 m of gravity and pump- dwellers and remove encroa- Chennai’s waterways has come ties that continue to cause components such as desilting ing mains, and 31 pumping sta- chments, either by legal action, down to a bit more than 50%. pollution, it will continue to and removal of sand bars in the tions had been completed. Of coercion or by persuasion,” says Will it continue to remain so, is remain unclean. The four Cooum and Adyar, rehabilita- the four STPs, only the one at a retired government official. the question.” zero waste STPs commis- tion and resettlement of un- sioned use the latest technol- remains to be, “How can we insist on these An official wonders, “Like ogy and are zero energy con- treated sewage flow reaching and will be, commissioned be- people to feel concerned about taking a horse to the water, suming – with energy re- waterways, and micro drain- fore 31.3.06 – it awaits only the the environment, when they’re we’ve carried out all the prelimi- quired for maintenance being age/storm water drainage last stretch of work, to the sew- too poor to even have the barest nary measures for clean water- generated by the waste itself works. It was to cost Rs. 1700 age point 1.2 km away. The one necessities? Legal intervention ways, but how we are going to in a process called biometha- crore (subsequently, this cost at is a Zero Energy cannot work. Cross subsidi- make it drink is the point?” nation. has been reduced to Rs. 1200 project, which means the STP “The most positive evi- crore). Sixteen packages make produces gas that is reused to A big ‘Thank You’ to 17 of you dence is that there is no up the Detailed Project Report run the plant. Nesappakkam is stench as you cross the wa- of the CCRCP. Packages 1-12 We publish below the list of donors who have, between 16.1.06 and 15.2.06, added to the stabilising, and was due to be support Chennai Heritage and its voice, Madras Musings, have already received. We thank terways. By March, the en- comprise movements to inter- tire sewage of Chennai will be commissioned. In January 2006, all of them for their support for the causes Chennai Heritage espouses. taken care of at the STPs. ceptors, pumping mains and an official at the CMWSSB — Chennai Heritage But it is necessary for the pumping stations. Packages 13- said, “ Of the 40 outlets that Rs 51: Ravindranath, R. (Mysore). 16 comprise construction of ad- continue to pollute, 7 are from Rs. 100: Jayaram, R.; Anuradha, C.S.; Palaniappan, A.A.; Sreenivasan, Corporation to put in place C.V. (Pondicherry). well-maintained pay-and-use ditional sewage treatments Metrowater sources and are be- Rs. 101: Gopalakrishnan, Gita. latrines, and similar sanita- plants with a total capacity of ing addressed. They would Rs. 150: Satyanarayanan, K.; Suresh, D.; Ramaswami, V.; Vedapuri, K.M.; tion measures for this clean- 264 mld, viz Perungdi 54 mld, have been completed by Octo- Subbarao, V.V. (Andhra Pradesh). ing effect to be sustained.” Koyambedu 60 mld, Nesapa- ber, but got delayed due to the Rs. 200: East West Books (Madras) Pvt. Ltd. kkam 40 mld, and Kodungai- Rs. 300: D. Jayachandran. Shobha M heavy rains. The other 33 are Rs. 400: Balaswamy, F.R. (JT), Ravi (Dr.) K.; Sambamurthy, S. yur 110 mld. The Chennai from private residences and the Rs. 1000: Rajesh Malhotra. February 16-28, 2006 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

with the local authorities. Besides, punishment was se- vere for tampering with lakes and waterways. With the re- Memories of another cent abolition of Maniyakarans Waves and water and Karnams, those who pre- motor racing day vented encroachments, and the lthough the article ‘Those introduction of Village Admin- he article by your Special Correspondent on The second event was a Scavenger Hunt. It Awaves of destruction’ istrative Officers, who hardly re- T52 years of motor racing in Madras re- was about 112 km and started and ended at the minded me of a few anecdotes. As I was directly Gym Club. We had to go and collect various items (MM, January 1st) referred main in their villages, our lakes only to the tsunami of 856 A.D. involved in them, I hope readers will forgive the and write down certain information. One of the have disappeared under en- use of the singular number first person “I” in items was to collect a petrol bill from . (perhaps recorded), there were croachments and local tsunamis in the 5th Century several places. Also the latest weather report from the control panchayats merrily tamper with In 1951-52, a group of motorcyclists started tower at Minambakkam. Can you imagine this B.C. and 3rd Century B.C. The the water systems. the Twin Wheelers Motor Cycle Club. We used happening today!! Another item was to pick up a Pandyan capitals of the first and to conduct out own meets, such as beach racing live animal but not your pet. Rao picked up a second Sangam periods were on Dr. G. Sundaram, IAS (RETD.) near Kovalam, and gang rides to places close at small baby goat at Pallavaram. Then we had to the coast and were engulfed by ‘Burma House’, 33/18, 9th Street hand. Later, this club became The Challengers pick up a spare wheel but not your own. My friend the sea. They then moved their Dr. Radhakrishnan Road Motorcycle Club. There was no motor sports club Rao, riding a Bullet, had a pillion passenger. Hari capital inland to Madurai and Chennai 600 004 in the city before this. It was during this time Rao and I were riding solo, I decided to pick an this was the third Sangam. Censorship information that some car enthusiasts began planning to start ant and put it into a match box, as I could not The article also refers to the was an NRI, now back in a Motor Car Club. The meetings used to take possibly collect the other two items mentioned. place in the motor cycle parking lot of Devi The- Joga Rao won the first price. I got a bottle of beer Andaman and Nicobar tribes IIndia. I am also a postal his- making it to high ground after atre where there was a foreigner by name at the Gym as booby prize. tory collector and a member of Vyvodek (spelling forgotten), who ran a work- I was called upon to lay a Moto Cross for two- observing animals during the Civil Censor Study Group, UK. shop for cars. People like R. D’ Souza (Boo). wheelers at the new track at tsunami. A similar scene is de- This group focusses on all as- Donner, Belgamwala, Varugis, Strong, etc., used without any financial help. This was to prove to scribed in the Sangam litera- pects of postal censorship which to meet there. These stalwarts interested in mo- the villagers that we owned the land. Now I was ture, Purapporul Venpamalai, was imposed during World tor racing formed the Madras Motor Sports Club. in a quandary as to how to arrange the jumps. where the mountains re-ap- Wars I and II in India and other The story of Varugis and Reg Strong (NOT The only natural jump was the dry canal. The peared after the deluge and the British dominions. Rex to the best of my knowledge) regarding their other jumps were small mud bunds separating local tribes were found on the Even though the initial work race from Chesney Hall to Catholic Centre is one field from the other. This was horrible, as correct. The first-ever meet of the Motor Sports poor front shocks were completely bottoming and trees! was done by Brig. D.S. Virk in The African descent of the Club was a Drag Race of ¼ mile in a straight line many riders came off their bikes. But at least we 1983 in his published article using the Sholavaram air strip from north to did ground breaking with footrests and fallen Andaman tribes and even the Postal Censorship in India 1939- south on the north-south runway. I came first bikes and riders. The next item was off road tribes in the Gir forest of Gujarat 1945, all subsequent updates, on my Triumph Speed Twin, 500 cc, in this meet. event for cars. The rest is history as mentioned in are explained by the fact that it and the only definitive book on At this juncture, an Englishman by the name the articles in Madras Musings. was one land-mass from Africa this subject, have been written John Dye, came up and said to me, “I wish I had R. Dusty K. Dastur to India to Indochina to Aus- by a German collector, K. a bloody bike”, I said to him “take mine”. He Old No. 20 New No. 2 tralia. Early man moved on this Morenweiser, in his monograph did so and beat my timing by 1½ seconds. He land-mass which was engulfed had done some racing in England and it just goes Wheat Croft Road called British Empire Censorship Chennai 600 034 by the sea over millions of years. Devices, World War II. to show how experience pays. DNA studies of these tribes, in- For the World War I period, censor marks and resealing la- and said to myself that if Mr. teur magic tricks, the 70-year old cluding the Maoris of New there is only one monograph Zealand, seem to prove this. bels of Madras is also incomplete Menuhin has to practise after house in which the art centre is available and that was written due to lack of local informtion, all these years, what is the use? located was also part of my boy- This kind of sea action still by a British collector, Alan continues as is evident from the i.e. the books are based on infor- So I have quit.” Fortunately, hood.” Baker, and published by mation available in UK and reader Gautham and others This has been edited to world map. Increasing global Chavril Press, UK. I am at- warming and melting of the ice other places, but not from the didn’t. read: tempting to update it and fill in Indian sources. “Not only was the old house a in Antarctica as well as the con- T.M. Sundararaman the many gaps in the informa- I would be very interested to part of my boyhood, but its owner, sequent rising of sea-levels ac- 19, Nallappan Street tion it contains. get in touch with anyone in a distant relative who was a big centuated by earthquakes are Madras was one of the major Mylapore, Chennai 600 004 bound to engulf more portions Madras who has information on hit with the younger generation censor stations during both these matters or who could Setting record straight with his jokes and amateur magic of the ocean-rim of various Wars, but not much informa- countries in the coming years. point me in the right direction ubsequent to my letter re- tricks, was part of my boyhood.” tion is available on the extent of so that the existing knowledge The Maldives are already Sgarding the Zubin Mehta V. Ramnarayan censorship done, the guidelines, bank can be updated. threatened. Sri Lanka and pen- the location etc. There were concert (MM, January 16th), I 25, Kalki Nagar, insular India will also have to also interesting periods during S. Viswa Kumar have become aware that the Chennai 600 041 face loss of land. the World War II when St. 20, 12th Cross Street Music Academy did send out Editor’s Note: We regret the Shastri Nagar Another article in the same Thomas’ Mount was used as an a communication to the effect error, particularly the inadvertent Adyar, Chennai 600 020 omission re. the opening of the issue was the one by Shobha assembly camp for German ci- that the earlier programme (at Menon on the deluge Tamil 4.00 p.m.) was to be a ‘Grand centre by Advocate General N.R. vilians arrested by the British in Practising perfection Chandran. Nadu suffered recently. This September 1939, before they eader B. Gautam’s letter Rehearsal’. Due to ‘human er- was due to bad water manage- were sent to various Intern- R(MM, January 16th) re- ror’, I did not receive this com- ment and of the environment. ment/Family/Parole camps. garding Zubin Mehta’s concert munication and hence was ig- READABILITY PLEASE During the Pallava, Chola, Kodikanal had a Parole camp norant about this aspect. I am in the Music Academy re- Dear Readers, Pandya and Vijayanagar peri- for families during 1942-1945 minded more of a humorous ar- writing this letter to set the ods, the department of irriga- and Yercaud housed Parole ticle in Reader’s Digest, record straight, because my As letters from readers tion was kept with the Central camps for women and children main grouse was that the for- increase, we are receiving ‘McEvoy in Nurseryland’, in more and more handwritten Government and was not given during both Wars. We have no which the author, J.P. McEvoy, mal invitation did not mention to the local governments. Only this fact. letters, many of them in a hand information on these. recounts how his two children so small and illegible or large the maintenance of lakes was The study of World War II did not practise their piano les- B. Gautham and scrawled as to be un- sons and, to inspire them, he 137, Wallajah Road readable. Often this leads to OUR ADDRESSES had asked his friend Yehudi Chennai 600 002 our discarding a letter, par- ticularly if some part of it is For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, non-receipt of Menuhin, the world-famous Our error unreadable. receipts etc.: Chennai Heritage, 260-A, TTK Road, Chennai 600 violinist, who was on a visit to refer to my article ‘For the If you wish us to consider 018. his town to be his guest, to pro- Isake of Art’ which appeared your letter for publication, For non-receipt of copies, change of address, and all other vide the inspiration. Menuhin in MM, January 16th. I had please type it with enough circulation matters: MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o Lokavani Hall-Mark was rehearsing/practising for space between lines or write written in the opening para- it using a medium hand, clearly Press Pvt. Ltd., 122, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. that night’s performance in his graph the following: On editorial matters: The Editor, MADRAS MUSINGS, C/o Lokavani room and the children raptly dotting the ‘i-s’ and crossing Hall-Mark Press Pvt. Ltd., 122, Greames Road, Chennai 600 “A rush of old memories took the ‘t-s’. watched him practising. Their over as I listened to Advocate Many readers also try to fill 006. father hoped that they would No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters received will General N.R. Chandran declare every square centimetre of a postcard space, making read- be sent from these addresses every couple of days to the persons similarly practise on their piano. open the art centre at Sri Parvati ing or editing impossible. concerned and you will get an answer from them to your queries But, alas, they did no such thing on Eldam’s Road on 28 Novem- and when asked, why they Please help us to consider reasonably quickly. Strange as it may seem, if you adopt the ‘snail ber. Not only was he part of my your letters more favourably mail’ approach, we will be able to help you faster and disappoint hadn’t, one of them replied. boyhood as a distant relative who by making them more legible you less. “Well, Daddy, I have been was a big hit with the younger gen- for us. THE EDITOR thinking about Mr. Menuhin eration with his jokes and ama- THE EDITOR 4 MADRAS MUSINGS February 16-28, 2006 100 years of making an ancient language come alive

recent nine-day confer- by Shobha Menon Department of Public Instruc- Aence on ‘Samskrtam and tion and placed in the list of Samsriti’ had renowned San- ery student would be enabled aided institutions, entitled to a skrit scholars from across the to acquire a decent knowledge grant of Rs 1000. And thus the country presenting papers on of the English language and Madras Sanskrit College Ayurveda, Architecture, Mu- “the methods and results of excelled over the Sanskrit sic, Dance, and ‘Sanskrit as the Oriental Research hitherto Colleges founded in the neigh- basis for all the world lan- conducted by European schol- bouring princely states of guages’. The Conference, that ars” so that he “may assimilate Mysore and Travancore. included an upanyasam on the the result of modern scholarship English was regularly taught for Valmiki Ramayanam by Sri Kri- and appreciate and utilise the a long time, and the College’s shnapremi Swamigal, marked value of ancient teachings in first Principal, Kuppuswami V. Krishnaswami Iyer. A. Krishnaswami Iyer. the formal initiation of the the light of modern criticism.” Shastri, a Pandit and an M.A. Founder, Madras Sanskrit College. Member 1906-1918; Secretary 1918-1937. centenary celebrations of the On February 1, 1906, the held regular classes in criticism Madras Sanskrit College a few and comparative and critical Madras Sanskrit College began by 1948, Sanskrit was becom- Mathematics, Astronomy, As- weeks ago. studies. For a few years, there to function in a rented building ing an alternative to the first trology), Vedanta (Philosophy), The Madras Sanskrit Col- was even a healthy collabora- belonging to Sir Bashyam language, and then the third Mimamsa (Interpretation of lege came into being due to the tion between the M. A. Univer- Iyengar in Pelathope. A com- language and the numbers be- Vedic Texts) and Nyaya zeal of V. Krishnaswami Iyer, a sity classes and the Sanskrit mittee was formed by V. Krish- gan to dwindle. (Logic) sastras. Around 100 stu- legal luminary and philanthro- College. With the development naswami Iyer, Rao Bahadur A. Distinguished visitors to the dents study and conduct re- College included Mahatma search at the institution. Free Gandhi, Rabindarnath Tagore, boarding and lodging facilities C.D. Deshmukh, G.D. Birla, are provided. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Rajaji, B. Madhavan, the Secretary learned professors of many for- of the Trust since 1988, and the eign universities, Dr. Annie grandson of Krishnaswami Iyer, Besant and others. The Kanchi says, “In order to move with the Mahaswami and Swami Daya- times while retaining old values, nanda Saraswathi regularly computer teaching has been in- stayed in the College and gave cluded in the College, and li- discourses. brary facilities are also being The golden jubilee of the computerised this academic Madras Sanskrit College was year. It would be good if the celebrated on January 27, 1957 Central and State governments under the Presidentship of Dr. extend support in the renova- S. Radhakrishnan, then Vice- tion of the College building in President of India, with this centenary year, in the Dr. C.P.R. Iyer presiding over a cause of heritage and culture. Vidwat Sadas. As an institution Extension of aid to teaching of in “real national service” its the Nyaya Shastra (introduced noble work was commended by six years ago) – that has hith- K.M. Munshi as “the premier erto not been supported – college in South India for the would also help greatly.” The higher studies of Vedanta, celebrations planned for the Mimamsa and Sahitya.” Hailed centenary include Vidwat as “a landmark in the cultural Sadas, conferences, seminars The first building of the Madras Sanskrit College. history of this part of the coun- and workshops, Vedic demon- pist, at a point when Sanskrit Krishnaswamy Iyer and A. S. of Universities and the intro- try,” its establishment and its strations, souvenir etc. had received a fillip due to the Balasubramanyam Iyer. On duction of the Honours and founder’s “tremendous faith in “Many students from for- interest of Western orientalists October 7, 1907, the Trust deed M.A. Course in Sanskrit there the undying vitality of imme- eign universities come as re- and a fresh awareness had been was registered, with the com- resulted a bifurcation of San- morial traditions” were lauded. search scholars, stay for 3-9 created within the nation itself mittee members and Sir C. P. skrit studies, the Oriental Title and vouched for as “abun- months or more and avail of the of the cultural heritage of In- Ramaswami Ayyar as the first courses concentrating on tradi- dantly justified” by Raghu- facilities at the Kuppuswami dia. However, even while re- Trustees. Krishnaswami Iyer tional mastery of Shastras as natha Aiyar, then a Commit- Shastri Research Institute ports in the late 19th Century by was a philanthropist exemplary. their raison d’etre and the De- tee Member. (KSRI), a Centre for Indo- English academicians clearly Whenever there was a need gree course concentrating on The Madras Sanskrit logical research, a treasure enunciated the intrinsic value expressed by the College, he traditional mastery of compara- College’s service to Sanskrit house with more than 50,000 of Sanskrit and its usefulness to donated liberally – over a tive and historical studies. and preservation of Indian cul- books and over 10,000 back vol- enrich the vernaculars as well period, about Rs 50,000! Other The College buildings and ture has been recognised by the umes of journals, that is open to as scientific, philosophical and benefactors helped through the hostel were completed by Government of India through Ph.D. scholars and the public,” other branches of modern donations and scholarships, so 1910. By 1912, the College was the grant of financial assistance says Dr. Kameshwari, its Direc- study, the Government –which that all students could be affiliated to the University of under the Adharsha Sanskrit tor. The College Library has had begun to follow a policy of provided the benefit of free Madras in the branches Vedan- Mahavidhyalaya scheme since over 20,000 rare books on the opening English schools and education in Sanskrit. ta and Mimamsa. The Oriental 1977. A scheme for the study of Sastras, but unfortunately has colleges – felt that Sanskrit col- Every student was to study Titles examination was intro- Veda Bashya has been sup- no space of its own (it is cur- leges could be left to the the basic preliminary works in duced. The average number of ported by the Ministry of Edu- rently housed in the KSRI). princely states where they Vyakarana (Grammar), Tharka, students in that period was 25. cation, Sanskrit Board, with as- Funds are needed to improve could receive support from the Mimasa (Interpretation of When the College became sistance of 75% of the total ex- all these facilities and it is maharajahs. Vedic Texts) and other special affiliated to the Sahitya group penditure of the classes and hoped, the Centenary Celebra- Krishnaswami Iyer, whose branches. The period of study of the University, numbers in- 95% of salaries being granted. tions will help donors to hope was that Sanskrit should was five years, at the end of creased to 40. The students The College currently offers recognise the College’s require- be studied in the traditional which the ‘Visarada’ certificate who’d passed the Siromani Siromani courses of the Uni- ments if it is to contribute even manner, felt that it should also was awarded in the different exam usually went into employ- versity of Madras in Sahitya more meaningfully to preserve be guided by “English-edu- branches. In 1907, the institu- ment as Sanskrit Pandits in (Literature), Vyakarana what we have called “this mag- cated Sansritists” and that ev- tion was recognised by the High Schools and Colleges. But (Grammar), Jyotisha (Ancient nificent inheritance.” February 16-28, 2006 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 Adoption: Infinite patience needed

(A sequel to left in foster care, with people (VCA). This takes time, as it last fortnight’s who are willing to care for them requires the procurement of review of until parents are found for many different certificates. My Temporary Son) them. The agency is required The profile of the parents to check on these foster par- who choose adoption cuts n his book, My Temporary ents. Legal clearances are re- across the entire social gamut, ISon, Timeri N. Murari states, quired even for foster care, with defying any attempt to “To legally adopt an Indian the Social Welfare Depart- categorise them. Invariably, In- child, a couple must have infi- ments being kept informed at dian parents opt for adoption nite patience.” all times. when they do not have children The trustees of the 25-year- old Karna Prayag Trust’s Wel- ply here. For example, if your smooth. There have been very fare Centre for Women and few instances where babies Children, Uma Narayanan. first child is a boy, then you have to adopt a girl. have come back. But it some- Purna Shankar and Dr. K.R. times happens that, even after Rajanarayanan, spoke about When a ‘match’ is found, such stringent scrutinies, the adoption processes and the the parents are called in, and agency discovers that lies have length of time involved. that is when they ‘see’ their been told, facts fabricated. At Yes, it does take time, they baby for the first time. Obvi- the first sign of any such dis- assert, especially in the case of ously, this is a very crucial meet- crepancy, the baby is taken ‘inter-country’ adoptions as ing, and the trustees watch the back. At times, the parents are compared to ‘in-country adop- parents very closely – their body overwhelmed, and find, for a tions’, where the time taken language, their emotions. “That variety of reasons, that they just can vary from three months to a first second, when they set eyes cannot handle the situation. year. Many people have this on their baby for the first time, They are then advised to bring misconception that adoption is gives you so much information,” the baby back. But these in- an instantaneous process, that says Dr. Rajanarayanan, add- stances are extremely rare. they can walk into an agency ing that gut feeling, instincts There have been times when and pick up a baby. It does not When prospective parents of their own, although there are and sheer experience help them everything begins very well. work that way. Dr. Rajanara- approach the agency with a few exceptions. One healthy ‘read’ the situation. “There are Then, tragically, during the yanan states firmly, “We give adoption in view, they are sub- trend the Trustees speak of is so many different reactions. temporary custody phase, the priorities to the babies, not the jected to a pre-adoption coun- that in Tamil Nadu more and Many begin to weep; in some child contracts a rare or deadly parents. It is not the yearning of selling session, involving social more couples are choosing baby cases, the husband leaps up, illness. Although they can, the parents that is being satis- workers and psychologists. This girls, particularly in the last five gathers the child, and hands strictly speaking, return the fied here, however sympathetic helps determine why the or six years. “This is an indica- him or her to his wife. This gives child at this point, people don’t. you might feel towards them.” couple has chosen adoption. tion of a positive social change,” us an idea of how supportive a They tell the agency that this Legal and medical forces, in- Forms have to be filled with they declare. father this man is going to be.” child was given to them; they’ll house pediatricians, or those guidelines in keeping with the “We don’t go by income,” At this point, the choice is take everything that comes connected with the agency, rules laid by the national-level Dr. Rajanarayanan states. Earn- with the parents. They can with the territory. Many babies and the Department of Social Central Adoption Resource ing capacities are checked, but Justice have to clear each baby Agency (CARA), the Ministry are not high priority. The in- of Social Justice and Empower- for adoption. In the case of depth and detailed ‘home stud- l by RANJITHA ASHOK abandoned babies, each case ment and the State-run Volun- ies’ carried out by the agency's has to be reported to the police tary Co-ordinating Agency social workers are more impor- tant, as they provide a better picture of prospective homes, decide immediately if they subsequently do very well. including the extended family. want the baby or not. “This is so heartwarming,” say After the reports are carefully They are expected to take the trustees. scrutinised, prospective parents the baby to a pediatrician of “Wherever they are sent and are called in for an interview to their choice, accompanied by a grow up, there does come a meet the Trustees. The Trust- designated social worker. “We time in all their lives when a ees, with certain children in tell the parents – to the extent child asks, ‘Who am I’?” says mind deemed ready for adop- both you and we can – let’s Uma. tion, try to ‘match’ the child make sure the child is healthy.” “All of them seek closure of with a particular set of parents. In some cases, certain problems some kind”, says Purna. “They Babies are not ‘shown’ to the cannot be detected early. They need to be told that they are parents, nor are prospective par- can, and do, surface later. If, af- very special to the parents who ents allowed to wander through ter this visit, they do accept the ‘chose’ them.” nurseries, ‘choosing’ babies. baby, a period of time is allotted Sadly, there is still a demand There are certain rules that ap- for temporary custody, at the for ‘fair’ babies. And a few, very end of which the parents are few, Indian parents come for- by the agency in the picture. given a chance to change their ward to adopt special needs When babies are ‘surrendered’, minds. During this period, so- children. the parent, or whoever is doing cial workers check on the child, the handing over, has to give a with and without notice. This Inter-country adoptions document or certificate to that period of temporary custody work better for special needs effect, having signed it in the helps both sides – the agency, children. Purna explains this. presence of a notary public. and the new parents – to de- “Apart from sheer generos- Records are maintained regard- cide if this is going to work. ity, the fact is that they have ing the person who surrendered During the period of temporary the wherewithal to support spe- the baby. If, years later, children custody, if the couple has to cial needs children. Their social come back in search of their bio- travel outside the city, they systems offer facilities, foster- logical parents, the agencies are have to inform the authorities. care money, special schooling... expected to furnish this infor- The process is generally there is a very effective support mation. system that works most effi- There are agencies in some All pictures are of infants at ciently; there is still a distinct cities that do not have nursery Karna Prayag awaiting adop- facilities. Babies are therefore tion. (Continued on Page 8) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS February 16-28, 2006 The modern Trishanku’s abode had a fantasy,” Nancy first blog entry of Yitzy and Filthy, funny, “Iwrote on her last blog post Esmerelda, two New Zealan- flawed, gorgeous. (Current Affairs questions for 2005. She even had a title ders, who will be living in The name of the are from the period January for it – A Weekend at the Oce- Chennai for an unknown pe- blog lists the at- 16th to 31st. Questions 11 to anic. “People dressed in elegant riod of time. Kiruba, a native of tributes of this 20 pertain to Tamil Nadu clothes with a crumbling build- the city, says in his eponymous London blogger’s and Chennai.) ing in the background. Nadira blog, “Those who know me personality. ‘Am- 1. Why was the Danish news- in a glittering long gown sing- know my passion for cycling. mani’ is renowned for her come to class when she had her paper Jyllands-Posten in the ing the hit from Shree 420 What most don’t know is that haiku-like short-shorts which periods. The reason was that, if world news for all the ‘wrong’ ‘mudmudke na dekh’ (Don’t turn I’d love to sweat, profusely at she terms ‘Quick Tales’. Sam- she were to touch these instru- reasons recently? around).” that. And I love the heat, love ple this: ments – these pure, manifesta- 2. Who were the three victims The crumbling building in Madras for that.” She married one, loved tions of god –“cracks and tears of Irfan Pathan during his his- the fantasy is real. It is the Ho- “Like I said, I love to sweat,” another. would develop” consequent to toric hat-trick recently? tel Oceanic on San Thome he continues. One of the best He became her husband, the the pollution. The common 3. How many grand slam High Road. Once a glamorous compliments he has received, other her password. practices of a traditional city crowns has Mahesh Bhupathi place, this defunct hotel may he says, is when a colleague saw Writer Sujatha mentioned seem truly ridiculous when seen won till date? soon become another victim of his sweat-soaked shirt and this quick tale titled “Secret” as through the eyes of the out- 4. The world celebrated the the building boom which is stopped to ask him “Kribs is it the poem of the week in his sider. 250th birth anniversary of completely transfiguring the raining outside?” This popular Ananda Vikatan column. ‘Hawkeye’, a Michigan- which legendary Salzburg-born city. Reading about the possible blogger shot into prominence ‘Ammani’ maintains a vegetar- based blogger, talks about the composer on January 27th? demolition on Nancy’s blog with his efforts to help tsunami ian food blog called ‘Chai Pani’. traditional unquestioning atti- 5. Which Islamist group swept ‘Under the Fire Star’, I was victims. His readers pitched in Apart from being a skilful tude of most young men in Ma- the Palestinian parliamentary stunned by this rich imagery. financially, because they al- word-crafter, ‘Ammani’ is a dras who hardly ever take their elections recently? Nancy Gandhi, an “outsider in ready ‘knew’ Kiruba and mother and a marathoner. own decisions on important 6. Name the Sikh included in Chennai”, grew up in the East trusted him to use the money While she creates poetry with matters. “I have seen people England’s cricket team to tour Coast of the US. Her blog al- well. words, R. Balaji of ‘in Camera’ consulting their parents before India in the next few weeks. ways celebrates the small joys The largest percentage of entrances us with the visual lyri- switching jobs, making career 7. Who was the chief guest at of living in Madras and this is bloggers on ‘Chennai Central’ cism of his photoblog. Though decisions, buying diapers for this year’s Republic Day Parade not the first time Nancy has as- is from the US. ‘Lazy Geek’, he claims to be an amateur, his their children, etc. This is not a in New Delhi? tounded me with her aesthetic virtue. Parents don’t know stuff perception and keen under- and even if they know they 8. What distinction has l by VIJAYSREE VENKATRAMAN Paedocypris progenetica, a mem- standing of the place. sometimes should not be con- In a manner of speaking, who welcomes you to drop in at sulted. Most parents are bank- ber of the carp family found in http://tilotamma.blogspot.com Sumatra, achieved? Nancy and I have traded places ers, retired government folks or 9. Name the (now ex) Gover- because now I am the New En- owners of provision stores. glander who endures bitterly who used to keep readers photographs would not be out There is a good chance that nor of Bihar pulled up by the posted about happenings in the of place in any issue of the Na- Supreme Court for the dissolu- cold winters. A non-resident they do not know anything Indian, I read two “local” online city, is currently on assignment tional Geographic. His ‘visitors’ about your work or the kind of tion of the State Assembly last in Seattle. His blog’s byline is series included the shots of a year. newspapers daily – one from lifestyle your work dictates. So the place where I live now (Bos- “celebrating literature, fine arts stunt cyclist and a group of boys how does being a parent make 10. Name the spacecraft that and of course life”. His readers dressed as characters from the blasted off from Florida on ton) and another from the city one special enough to advise I grew up in (Madras). I was are mainly Tamil movie aficio- Ramayana. Which neighbour- his/her children?” he asks rea- January 19th for the first-ever nados who are delighted to find hood does he live in, I am curi- mission to Pluto. happy when the Red Sox won sonably. the World Series baseball cham- a public forum to discuss the ous. Can I drop in next time I The ‘Dabbler’ has a heart- * * * pionship after 83 years while many joys of Kamal-Rajni am in Madras? Of course, he warming story to share with his 11. What portfolio has been the recent monsoon in Madras, starrers and the prospects of the says genially. readers. “Aachi, how do you given to the Congress leader following years of drought, newer contenders to this duo’s “Men, the Main Marathon is make such wonderful idlis?” G.K. Vasan? made me ecstatic. Like most thrones. about to begin. We repeat, the people have asked his mother 12. Name the Managing Part- people who can call two coun- Egged on by his readership Full Marathon, the Main Event, for years. She hs now turned ner of the high-profile RmKV tries home, I love this new vir- to constantly dish out more is about to begin. Take your po- her espertise into a business & Sons who was killed in a road tual space where I can talk news from Kollywood, a recent, sitions!” Smita, of SmitainAsia, andsells idli better to the gro- accident recently. about my hybrid experiences. ‘Lazy Geek’ post came even a short-term resident of Chen- cery store. The shopkeeper 13. What did AV stand for in My blog ‘Apropos of Noth- with the disclaimer, “May not nai, was annoyed on the eve of said, “You are using high qual- A.V. Meiyappan’s name? ing’ connects me to other glo- be all that interesting as these the Chennai Marathon of 2005 ity rice. Normally people use ra- 14. Which Tamil film was the bal souls as well as people who are personal posts.” He contin- where the men’s run was re- tion rice, so why don't you also first to have playback singing? are happily rooted in one place. ues, “I just wanted to register peatedly announced as the do the same?” ‘Dabbler’ says, 15. What distinction does Sir Many ‘Madrasis’ muse on the interesting and funny stuff “main event.” First, there was “The board of directors of the Benegal Narsingh Rao, a resi- Internet, whatever their cur- about childhood in Chennai. this assumption that women business (myself, my father and dent of T.P. Koil Street, have in rent location. For those who These were one of the prime could only run half a marathon. mother) sat together and de- the history of world law? have moved away for higher intentions when starting the Smita notes wryly in her blog, cided that quality is more im- 16. Of the Southern Railway’s studies or jobs abroad, nostalgia blog. Along the way, I drifted “Men who actually wanted to portant and we would not sacri- five divisions, three are in Tamil has struck sooner. When the elsewhere and now I’m trying only run the half-marathon, fice that.” There is a spring in Nadu. Where? NRI viewpoints get too tinged hard to get back the original couldn’t do so without some se- his mother’s step, he says, which 17. What public office does N. with nostalgia, the current resi- groove.” rious damage to their self-es- comes from doing something Muruganandam hold in the dents are quick to offer them This may never happen be- teem.” Smita ran into more entirely on her own. city? reality checks. ‘Chennai Cen- cause ‘Lazy Geek’s’ devoted such instances of chauvinism The inhabitants of the 18. Which respected place of tral’, Thennavan’s blog, has an readership voted him a Lifetime during her short stay in the city. blogosphere share their interest- learning in Mylapore com- exhaustive list of people who are achiever at the Indibloggies in She records her experience at a ing stories through this vibrant pleted 100 years of spreading united by their love for the old 2005. In the blogosphere, there local mridangam class. new medium which has man- knowledge after it was started city. Some of these bloggers is a thing as being the victim of “Ladies I am not accepting aged to create a virtual commu- on February 1, 1906? grew up in Madras, for some it is your own popularity. ‘Tea- as students. I am having hun- nity. It resonates with thoughts 19. Name the three Padma a temporary halt, and there are kada’, a bi-lingual Tamil Nadu- dreds of students, never girls I and ideas which we don’t have Bhushan recipients (including others like Nancy Gandhi who Focussed blog, was an excellent am teaching. Even if they are the time and space to share in one posthumously) from Tamil call it Home. Each of them had hangout for those who want to asking, I am refusing,” the Mas- the real world. In a metaphori- Nadu this year. a unique perspective on the catch up with the latest on poli- ter said when Smita tried to sign cal sense, the blogosphere is the 20. In which district has the city and its charms. tics and movies in the State. Of up for mridangam lessons. He modern version of Trishanku’s Centre sanctioned 430 acres of “Our first observation is that late, the ‘Teakada’ ‘master’, ‘In- did accept her as a disciple heaven. It is neither paradise salt land for Maritime and IT it is very sticky in Chennai. Ev- stant Kaapi’ seems to have lost when she paid up the exorbi- nor earth – it is something in- complexes. erywhere all the time, 24/7, all interest in the proceedings and tant fee as a lump sum with the between – a specially designed (Answers on page 8) sticky, all the time.” This is the let things drift. warning that she was not to online universe for global souls. February 16-28, 2006 MADRAS MUSINGS 7

COMMUNITY FESTS Subscriptions and contributions l Since Volume XIV, No.1 (April 16, 2003), Madras Musings has been (Continued from Page 1) ferent sections of the commu- there are two schools here and priced at Rs.5 a copy, ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: Rs.100/-. Please nity. Major businesses around untoward incidents could take make out your cheque only to CHENNAI HERITAGE and send it, New ideas to tap into the the temple and in Mylapore are place. together with the COUPON BELOW, to CHENNAI HERITAGE, 260-A, community to enlarge the fest always briefed about the fest Because the court order di- TTK ROAD, CHENNAI 600 018 or C/O LOKAVANI-HALL MARK PRESS worked. PVT. LTD., 122, GREAMES ROAD, CHENNAI 600 006. Ten families whose craft- and ideas have been shared to rected that nothing be placed involve them – as sponsors, as in front of Radha Silks, poles An ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION of just Rs.100 covers only a part of works made up their annual our costs. Corporate support and YOUR support will continue to be Navaratri kolu displays in their exhibition hosts, etc. put up to provide a roof for huge However, the Mada Streets canvas kites created by young essential for Chennai Heritage and Madras Musings to play a greater houses created an exhibition and R.K. Mutt Road are churn- artists had to be removed, and role in creating awareness about the city, its heritage and its environ- with their displays. ing. Bigger stores have moved hence, artistic works rendered ment. We therefore look forward to your sending us your contribu- Then, art teacher Sasikrish- tions IN ADDITION TO your subscriptions. in despite lack of space for waste. nan brought his students from people and traffic. Huge build- Ironically, foreign shoppers If in the coming year Chennai Heritage receives repeated support Chettinad Vidyashram, stret- ings dominate the Mylapore at the shop happily enjoyed the from those of you who have already made contributions, and if many ched out a canvas, and worked more supporters join the bandwagon, we will not only be able to keep landscape. With intense busi- shows from the sidelines. on a Mylapore theme. Visiting Madras Musings going, but also be able to continue awareness-build- children daubed a bit. Clearly, ness competition, some busi- As the Day One events got ing exercises on on-going projects as well as undertake one or two schools want to get involved. nessmen have little time for underway, suddenly some men more such exercises. heritage and the arts. opened the manholes on East The Kalaripayattu per- Therefore, please keep your contributions coming IN ADDITION You don’t lose much when Mada Street, drew out sewage, formed by youngsters on the TO YOUR SUBSCRIPTIONS. If, say, you send in a cheque for Rs.500, one side of the main street is dumped it in the middle, and main stage on Sunday (cour- we will treat Rs.100 of it towards subscription to Madras Musings for made ‘vehicles-free’ for just disappeared. Vehicles running tesy – Aseema Trust) made a 2005-06 and the remaining Rs.400 as contribution towards the causes one hour to host a kolam con- on it spread it far and wide. Was huge impression, especially on Chennai Heritage espouses. test which attracts a modest this another method to create a young people. The team had We look forward to all readers of Madras Musings, and those 5000 people of an evening. stink at the fest? just flown in from Spain, after newcomers who want to receive copies, sending in their subscrip- taking part in a Gift of Magi fest Some businesses fail to ap- Strangers rapped the staff of tions. We are indeed sorry we can no longer remain a free mailer. in Madrid. preciate the fact that the fest the lighting contractors, asking — The Editor Ten women, skilled in dif- (30 events, over 200 artistes, them to shut off / shift genera- four days) brings thousands of tors. Momentary darkness fol- ferent crafts, were resource people from all over the city as lowed. Another way to frustrate people for weekend workshops CHENNAI HERITAGE well as tourists and that this visitors? that drew a sizeable crowd of can only help business, not As the public became aware 260-A T.T.K. ROAD, , CHENNAI 600 018. women, including women in cause “huge losses”. of what was happening, it ex- purdah. I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / This time around, the oppo- pressed its annoyance vocifer- So what prompted some I have just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it sition filed a case in the High ously. business houses to go to court to hereafter. halt a community event in a Court on the eve of the fest. Political meetings at heritage zone? Which meant the organisers Mangollai, day-night poojas l I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Rs. 100 (Rupees Over the years, as the an- had to be in court from 11 am outside the temple, large street- One hundred) payable to CHENNAI HERITAGE, MADRAS, as to 4 pm on Day One of the Fest, corner clothes sales, private nual kolam contest grew into subscription to Madras Musings for the year 2005-06. thus frustrating the prepara- parking cornered by a few busi- the Festival, and came out into l tions at the venue. nesses – all these flourish here. As token of my support for the causes of heritage, environment the open, its contours took on a Orders were passed that But a unique, not-for-profit cul- and a better city that Madras Musings espouses, I send Chennai different shape. Events have shops should not be put up on tural event, managed by a small eritage an additional Rs...... (Rupees been designed to involve dif- Sundareswarar Street because team, is being challenged. Yet ...... ) such festivals, as has been seen Please keep/put me on your mailing list. the worldover, could do much for the community and local Name : ...... business – if only it participated Address: ...... wholeheartedly. The good news is there have ...... been some positive develop- ...... ments. More neighbourhoods organised kolam festivals in Note: Overseas postage Rs. 550/year extra. Cheques for overseas post- January 2006. The ‘Triplicane the most influential rock bands age alone payable to M/s. Lokavani Hall-Mark Press Pvt. Ltd.. All other Thiruvizha’ was planned by two in history, Jimi Hendrix was dis- cheques to ‘Chennai Heritage’. covered and made famous in Brit- women, backed by the Srinivas ain. Young Men’s Association Deep Purple, of course, is the (SYMA), and staged outside timeless icon of rock and has its Sri Parthasarathy Temple. Senate House Conservation Fund roots in the 60s. They were guided by the l The Senate House Restoration and Management Trust appeals to To take us through this musi- Mylapore Festival team. all alumni of the and heritage lovers every- cally potent time zone will be the Artistes and sponsorship were where to contribute to the Senate House Conservation Fund which ‘loudest band in India’ – shared. There were also kolam the Trust is managing for the purpose of restoring Senate House to Metakix. Around from 1995, this fests in Ashok Nagar, Nanga- its old glory and maintaining it thereafter in the same condition. February 18-23: Pranavam-2, an Mumbai band has braved the Cheques should be made out to the Senate House Conservation exhibition of paintings. (At the nallur and Tiruvanmiyur too. rock-storm for the past 10 years. There is the grand plan to Account and sent to the Registrar, University of Madras, Chennai 600 Lalit Kala Akademi.) The band came out with their work out a focus on temple 005. Contributions are eligible for benefits under Section 80-G of the Till February20: Retrospective of first album Headlines in 2002 and Income Tax Act. Pierre Coulibeuf, an art documen- have been featured on various heritage zones in Tiruvottriyur, tary filmmaker. (At College of compilations like Deepthroat, I Triplicane, Mylapore and Dear Registrar, Fine Arts.) Rock etc. (At the British Coun- Tiruvanmiyur. It is proposed to I am pleased to enclose a cheque for Rs...... Till February 28: Annual Exhibi- cil, 8.15 pm.) organise the local communities as my contribution to the restoration and maintenance of tion by the resident artists of February 22-March 4: Exhibition of to play hosts for festivals using Senate House. Kindly acknowledge receipt. Cholamandal Artists’ Village. paintings, sculptures and mixed local talent and tapping into lo- Name: ...... (At Cholamandal Artists’ media works by Progressive cal traditions, get sponsors to Village.) Painters’ Association from support fests across the city and Address: ...... From February 20: Group exhibi- Cholamandal Artists’ Village. involve state-run arts agencies ...... tion of graphics and drawings. (At Lakshana Art Gallery.) to send folk/classical dance/ (At Lakshana Museum of Arts.) February 25: Panchtatva, a concert music/theatre troupes who can ...... February 22: The ‘60s Show’, music by Pandit Jasraj vocal, Pandit be rotated at these festivals...... by Metakix, Mumbai. Hariprasad Chaurasia flute, If this does become reality, The ‘60s brought out some of U.Shrinivas mandolin,Taufiq I am an alumnus/alumna/heritage lover and wish the project all Quereshi percussion and Selva- then the city will be host to a the best rock ‘n’ roll acts in his- series of fests held during the success. My college was ...... tory from the UK. THE WHO, ganesh Kanjira. (At 6 p.m. at Music Academy.) ‘Margazhi’ season. Driven by Date: ...... Signature: ...... for instance, is considered one of communities. In fact, it could the most influential rock bands February 25: Urban Folk Singing. in history, Led Zepellin is one of (at 7 p.m. Amethyst.) become a ‘Chennai Festival’. 8 MADRAS MUSINGS February 16-28, 2006

Following the system ac- children become teenagers, Adoption: patience needed cording to rules laid out does anxieties about marriage pro- mean delay. Uma, Purna and posals when these children (Continued from Page 5) has to have been refused by medical reports and other rel- Dr. Rajanarayanan state em- grow up, and acceptance from three Indian couples before it is evant information, who then phatically that parents who other families – all of which pro- lack of this in India. An Indian placed for inter-country adop- communicate with the parents wish to go in for adoption must spective parents need to con- parent’s reluctance is under- tion, says Dr. Rajanarayanan. in question. As far as possible, be pragmatic about their expec- sider before choosing to adopt. standable, and must not be First priority is therefore given the ‘foreign’ parents must come tations of the time involved. The fact that ‘happy’ stories far judged.” As Murari says in his to Indian parents. Second pri- down here to see the baby and But they emphasise that the outweigh the others does a book, India is, as yet, not a spe- ority was used to be given to give the agency a chance to see time taken “is well worth it” – great deal to diminish the prob- cial needs-friendly country. So- NRI Indians. But CARA them, says Dr. Rajanarayanan. and necessary. “We are equally lems, though. ciety still attaches an element changed the rules, and now, There are some agencies that keen on finding homes for all The very fabric of society of stigma to special needs. they are subject to the same work around this, by sending our babies. We also want to see has to change, help parents pro- Karna Prayag has, over the rules as ‘foreign’ parents, with the baby with an authorised them go home, where they will vide a happy, fulfilled life for years, placed more than 900 no particular advantage over person, but many agencies pre- have one-on-one care and all their adopted children. children inter-country, many of them – a fact that they are ap- fer and encourage the parents the love and nurture they Dr. Rajanarayanan says that ev- them special needs children, parently fighting. The VCA, to come down. The couple need.” But they point out, erything has to do with spread- says Purna. heartbreaking and harsh as it is ing awareness through educa- for couples perfect in every Families in the West do not tion in the real sense. The ques- other way for the baby, there is mind a cultural melting pot in tion to ask is, “You may be liter- certain logic in establishing their homes, or having very ate; but how educated are rules. This is particularly so re- large families. “The adopted you?” garding the age of the couple. child is very rarely the first child All checks and rules are to of these people,” says The trustees state that the safeguard the child, painful as Dr. Rajanarayanan. He men- act of adoption in itself is only the process may be for parents tions an application that has one step. Society has to learn anxious to get their baby. With come from a home which al- how to treat and respond to all of that, you still hear of things ready has seven children from families that have adopted chil- going wrong, where the whole all over the world. dren. process of adoption is turned These concepts are far less Judging from feed-back and into a racket. There is no doubt common here. Yes, things are reports, it isn’t a rosy picture al- that this situation provides fer- definitely changing, and you ways. There are some concerns, tile ground for the unscrupu- can take heart. But, like all ma- based on specific social envi- lous. jor social changes, the process is ronments – racial and colour Perhaps Dr. Rajanarayanan slow. discrimination, glaring physical sums it up best when he says: differences between parents The age of the babies? who also maintain a list of pro- then meets the Trustees, and if “Our job is to find good parents and adopted child coming in for the baby; not good babies for “0 days; one hour old to 9 spective parents, and CARA all goes well, they are given a have to ‘give clearance’. Pro- chance to spend time with the for comment, a pattern of de- prospective parents.” months old at times, although linquency in some cases when the latter is very rare, and usu- spective parents abroad have to baby here in the city, get to ally in the case of abandoned register with a CARA-ap- know the child. children. Surrendered babies proved agency in their own The child then has to get its are usually less than a month country. The agencies deal passport, where there are some- Answers to Quiz old.” with each other – not with the times delays, needing High parents. All early procedures Court clearances. Inter-country In the case of some children, 1. It carried cartoons of Prophet 11. Union Minister of State for are carried out by the foreign adoptions can therefore run into adoption is largely ruled out – agency, which then sends the Mohammed leading to much Statistics and Programme HIV positive, chronic illnesses, a minimum of 1½ years. And it outrage; 2. Salman Butt, Younis Implementation; 12. K. Viswa- entire dossier, containing home does involve a stay of a few multiple problems and chal- study reports and required Khan and Yousuf Youhana; 3. Ten; nathan; 13. Avichi; 14. Sri Valli weeks for the parents in India. 4. Wolfgang Mozart; 5. Hamas; 6. (1945); 15. He was the first Indian lenges. Such children are sent notarised documents to the to relevant institutions and spe- Purna also points out that for Mudsuden (‘Monty’) Singh judge at the International Court of agency in India. The criteria Panesar; 7. Abdullah bin Abdul Justice, The Hague; 16. Chennai, cial organisations where they and information collected are inter-country adoptions, it is will receive the best possible Aziz al Saud, the King of Saudi Madurai and Tiruchi; 17. He is the the same as what is required for mandatory that for five years af- Arabia; 8. It is now officially the Collector for Chennai; 18. Madras care. in-country adoptions. Photo- ter adoption, reports and com- smallest vertebrate in the world; 9. Sanskrit College; 19. Jaiveer If a child is to be placed for graphs of the chosen child are plete dossiers on every aspect of Buta Singh; 10. ‘New Horizons’. Agarwal, V. Shanta and P. Leela inter-country adoption, there the child’s life have to be sent to (posthumous); 20. Kancheepuram, sent to the CARA-approved * * * are many conditions. The baby agencies abroad, along with the agency. about 28 km from Chennai.

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