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 Short ‘N’ Snappy  The College of College Road  Chennai’s oldest sabha  Gandhi’s Chennai visits  Kilvidi Seshachari

www.madrasmusings.com WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS CHENNAI Vol. XXIX No. 15 November 16-30, 2019 Let’s waste water once more he year 2019 promises to water crisis that has gripped water scarcity and godmen Our OLD is the cover picture of the Madras Journal of Literature Tbe one in which Chennai the city since 2017 will ease also have moved on. Of course and ­Science, dated July to Dec 1847. Could the building featured in it will receive adequate rains. This quite a bit this year. This is of these do not have much of an be the College of Fort St. George? Our NEW is a picture of a structure is one of those quinquennial course a welcome development impact beyond spreading some with similar architectural features that still stands in the same campus occurrences that does much and Chennai can congratulate awareness at best. But what but which is much smaller in scale. For more details read The College to restore faith in the future itself on its serendipitous for- is worrying is that people who of College Road (p 4) of our metropolis. For the rest tune. The sad part is that with are affected by water shortages of the time we are quite happy the pressure easing, all action have also begun putting off to lament loudly about the on conserving water has more implementation of rainwater shortage of water and indulge in doomsday predictions. There is however very little concrete  by The Editor action as far as conservation of water is concerned. In fact it becomes even less in years when the rains are plentiful, which or less ceased. The first of the harvesting schemes purely on is when we ought to be saving signs that this is no longer a the assumption that water will every drop that falls. hot topic likely to get media once again be available in plen- For the first time since 2014, attention is when rainwater ty post the monsoon. Chennai has registered a sur- harvesting and conservation The Government too has plus of 30 per cent in the rain- cease to be the subject of sem- gone on to focus on other mat- a few months ago has also van- votes. It is no wonder that there fall received till the month of inars hosted by fringe elements ters. With the withdrawal of the ished. Emergency measures for was not a ripple in the media, September. With the northeast and social climbers. Hollywood water train from Jolarpet, the water not being needed means both social and otherwise, when monsoon predicted to be nor- stars too have stopped express- most striking reminder that we these will not garner publicity the Government admitted that mal, it is expected that the ing concern over Chennai’s were brought to our knees just and so will not translate into (Continued on page 2) Revamp deep-sea fishing scheme to provide relief for fishermen delivery time needed by boat wean away, within two years, a l Readers may remember that we Sri Lankan authorities for trans- its ­design, even at the outset, had published a two-part article gressing fishing rights. did not address the situational yards to meet such a large order. substantial number of families regarding TN’s deep-sea fishing The Central and State Gov- needs of target beneficiaries. The scheme, by its current de- from fishing in doubtful waters. scheme earlier, in Madras Musings ernments extended a total of With two years having gone sign, has not taken this crucial Cost overrun, slow rate of de- Vol. XXVIII, Nos. 10 & 11. This 70 per cent capital subsidy (50 by since the launch, our doubts factor into consideration. livery of vessels and the absence is a follow-up article to monitor the per cent from the former and over the scheme’s ability to So far, only 600 applications of assured buyers for the catch scheme’s progress. – The Editor 20 per cent from the latter) meet its objectives are proving have been received. Of this, are three major obstacles which towards the cost of vessels then to be real. Considering that 65 have signed the tri-partite need to be addressed. estimated at Rs. 80 lakhs each. the livelihood and safety of agreements involving the boat Price escalations and the t has been two years since The beneficiary was required to builder, the Fisheries Depart- lack of provision for the cost the Central and Tamil Nadu ment and the beneficiary. Only of fishing nets have taken the I provide 10 per cent of the cost  governments launched a deep- by A Special 16 of this 65 have commenced outlay per vessel from Rs. 80 to – Rs. 8 lakhs – and the balance Correspondent sea fishing project as a jointly was loaned by banks. The total operations. At this pace, there 100 lakhs. Having come so far, funded arrangement. The proj- outlay was Rs. 1,600 crores, of is little hope of the fishermen’s it seems necessary to increase ect provided a major capital which Rs. 1,120 crores was to be thousands of our fisher families problem ever being solved. the capital subsidy to cover the subsidy to replace 2000 boats subsidised by the governments. are involved, speedy implemen- Some amount of major re- higher outlay. By increasing with modern vessels for deep- The scheme holds promise tation, say, within 2-3 years, has vamping must be done without the capital subsidy, only 1,600 sea fishing, thereby obviating of lucrative earnings through become a matter of high urgen- delay to salvage the situation replacements would be possible the dependence on trawling in better technology and deep-sea cy. Even the 2-3-year span is too and regain hope. A review of within the original outlay of Sri Lankan territorial waters fishing, which is more sustain- long to bear. To replace 2,000 the operational aspects of the Rs. 1,600 crores, as against the and offering hope of saving our able. It was liberal in terms boats over three years is a nearly new scheme would serve to planned 2,000. This is still a fishermen from being jailed by of funding and subsidies but impossible task, considering the identify the changes needed to (Continued on page 2) 2 MADRAS MUSINGS November 1-15, 2019 Let’s waste water once more Long before Twitter (Continued from page 1) our varied experiences of flood, the new reservoir and the fifth cyclone and drought between was Thiruvalluvar for the city, slated for comple- 2015 and 2019. or The Man from Madras evidence about the man and time in keeping them together. tion in October this year, will If this is the way we are to FMusings, this great Tamil- are shouting their opinions. MMM could only pity all of ian was the original Twittera- There is an old adage in legal them – kids, whose parents operate only up to 30 per cent administer our storage and tus (if that is the singular for circles that when the facts who must have got up at an of its capacity, chiefly owing usage of water, we are not likely Twitterati). Imagine being able are against you, present the unearthly hour and also the to some civil works that have to progress much. Having rec- to compose 1330 couplets and law; when the law is against teachers, who too must have become hugely delayed. The ognised that we have a problem, cover in them practically all you, present the facts; when stirred with the lark. But of Thervoy Kandigai- Kannankot- it is necessary for everyone aspects of life! And write them both are against you, shout the college students there tai Reservoir, planned to have a from the citizen to the Gov- in such a way that he remains loudly and thump the table. was no sign. The authorities capacity of 1,000 million cubic ernment to arrive at a solution, relevant for all time to come! MMM leaves you to identify suggested that MMM had feet of water, will be able to take implement it and move on to What more do we need to which of the three routes are better wait till they, the college in just 1/3rd of that volume. other things thereafter. But the know about him to celebrate being taken by both contes- students landed up. And so, him? In any other country, tants in this quixotic battle. everyone waited. After half This means that that we are present attitude of wallowing in the work would have been an hour, there being no signs misery when there is shortage There is, however, much not much better as compared the hero leaving its author to at stake for both parties. For of the students and the school to what we were in 2015 when of water and then wasting it in shine in its light, or looking at the saffron lot, laying claim marms getting restless, MMM it comes to our ability to store times of plenty is nothing more it in another way, remain in to the Thiruvalluvar legacy wandered off to check on a rainwater. As for the rest of than perpetuating an issue and its shadow. But not so here. means staking legitimacy in group of youngsters who had that surplus monsoon that we milking it for sympathy each Let’s face it – we know very a State where they have no been clicking selfies at various are likely to have, all of it will time it strikes. Ultimately, it is little about the creator of the base. For the other group, places on the premises. It make its way to the sea. And we who are to blame and not Kural. Of his religious dispo- also known as Party of the transpired that they were the so, we did not learn much from the rainfall. sition we know nothing. There Forever Rising Son, losing college students. The security is nothing is his writing to in- out on Thiruvalluvar means officer of the premises having dicate where he lived and what losing a cultural hold over the been informed, he herded his time period was. Scholars people. Both unfortunately, them in and there was a flow- Relief for ­fishermen are of the view that he was a have no love for the author ery introduction to MMM. Jain and the best man among of the Kural – he is merely a The school children lis- (Continued from page 1) venture grows. Slow deliveries them opines that the time pe- convenient tool to appropriate. tened attentively. The col- of vessels are the biggest imped- riod of this man of letters was lege lot clicked selfies. better option than to wait for around the 5th Century CE. The tour began, the school iment to quick implementation. SHORT ’N’ children asking questions increased allocation to cover To save time, the State govern- But then, who wants SNAPPY 2,000 replacements, risking the scholars with their dry-as- while the college lot took self- ment should place bulk orders ies. MMM waxed eloquent on collapse of the scheme due to dust analysis when we can Fighting over the inchoate in advance, instead of individ- let our imagination run riot? personalities, places, portraits under-recognition of the capital uals placing orders as and when creator of a literary masterpiece and pestilence – the children Yes, we do know that he lived is of course not unique to Tamil cost. A further long bureau- each of them complete funding in Mylapore, had a wife who listened and laughed at the cratic process for new sanctions culture. This kind of thing goes right places but as for the col- and other formalities. This was dedicated to him beyond on all over the world. The Bard cannot be afforded. way, the building of vessels can all call of love or duty (and lege students, they remained An evaluation of the finan- of Avon is a parallel from the selfie bound. It was all that commence and the boats can be of late has a photo of hers English language. But then ev- cial feasibility shows that at circulating on the Internet) MMM could do to hold him- transferred to the owners as and erywhere else, such arguments self in from pouncing on them Rs. 9.5 lakhs worth of catch when they are ready. and that he looked like the are put forth by real scholars conventional sage as depicted and impounding the phones. per voyage and 2 voyages per It is unlikely that the fisher and that is what makes the month, with fishing limited to in Amar Chitra Katha comics. The journey eventually wound households would have the debate over identity so inter- to a close but not before a stage 7 months in the year, the gross He had a neat beard, well- esting. Unfortunately, neither financial strength to hold the shaped eyebrows, an aquiline wait outside the residence of income from deep sea fishing stock, a perishable commodity, saffron nor the other lot can lay the managing director of the nose, an avuncular mien and claim to any scholarship in this, could be 3-4 times the gross in expectation of a fair price. his hair was of the kind that historic premises, as that great income from present operations or any other, aspect of culture. personage wanted to take a This weakness, exploited by makes MMM jealous – thick And in all the chaos they over- in shallow waters. This opens intermediaries, could result in and long, dark tresses neatly (you guessed it) selfie with the looked one aspect – People’s group. But he did not emerge the possibility to assign owners uneconomic prices and distress coiled on his head. His com- Justice Forum was celebrating of 2 or 3 boats as shareholders plexion was golden. He sat from his lair for quite a while. sales. To minimise this risk, the birthday of Lotus Smile, The school kids began to get of one deep-sea vessel instead the Fisheries Department must cross-legged and wrote with their founder and matinee hero. of one boat owner/s for one a stylus on palm leaves and restless though the college stu- extend assurance of purchase at They did it in usual Tamil style dents, to give them due credit, vessel. This still enables each when standing had a tendency – large posters hailed him as the a minimum support price. This to lean to one side and hold up did not complain, so involved family to get increased earn- support is necessary at least in messiah. One of these had him were they in their selfies. After three fingers of one hand while in the garb of Thiruvalluvar! ings compared to the current the initial stages till fisher fam- the other clutched at manu- quite some time, news filtered practice, without the risk of ilies can organise themselves as scripts. His dhoti it appears, down that MD sir was busy in jail. More importantly, this a co-operative set up. Working was worn in the old style of Selfie times a meeting (MMM overheard a whispered conversation that approach overcomes the crit- capital is another issue to be five knots. His taste in clothes he Man from Madras Mus- he was on his treadmill and ical hurdle of delivery time. It tended to the simple but el- ings stood at the gate of resolved, but this may not pres- T if that be the truth MMM reduces the number of vessels egant, his garments falling this historic precinct in our ent much difficulty as the bank fervently hopes the he, the needed for replacement from around his person in neat folds. city. He had been invited by funding the vessel purchase can MD, soon trips over his (the 2,000 to 1,000 with two owners But now we have moved some of the higher ups in the also extend the working capital MD’s) shoelaces and sprains a step further. This being an place to conduct a heritage each, or 700 with three. 1,000 with the catch as the collateral. his (the MD’s) back), and era of glorious colour, we are tour for the benefit of some or 700 vessels could be procured so could everyone move on. Happily, potential bene- not content to imagine him school children and college in half or a third of the time. The tour ended eventually ficiaries of the scheme have in black and white and so students. MMM was famil- The scheme can be completed (and here the college students expressed much interest in have gone on to speculate on iar with the premises, having had to be told that it had end- in 2 or 3 years as procurement of adopting the new system as it his colour of clothing. One conducted several walks there ed) and everyone assembled 350 vessels per year is relatively takes care of the safe return group, of the cow-worshipping in the past. But those were all for a formal vote of thanks. feasible. variety, is of the view that he mixed groups – young and old of men from their daily fishing MMM was given a memento The revamp would shorten wore saffron (but naturally) together and MMM had held expeditions in alien waters and while the audience clapped. the time for project completion. and sported the sacred ash and them all spellbound, with even also holds promise of higher Everyone barring the college the sacred thread (but even hard-nosed businessmen weep- By widening participation to earnings. Eventual ownership of students that is, for their hands more naturally), while the ing at certain crucial moments. 2 or 3 owners per vessel, the were otherwise occupied. a 100-lakh asset with substan- other lot, of the bashing-of- But a gaggle of children and burden of funding their share of As MMM was beginning to tial capital contribution by the the-cow-worshipping variety what’s more some college kids? capital cost would get reduced. walk away, he found his way government should be a major differs strongly. It claims that MMM was really nervous. The arrangement also does not barred. The college students attraction. With such a posi- he sported no ash, no sacred He had been asked to pres- had come together and had a shut off opportunity to single tive predisposition in its favour, thread and no saffron clothes ent himself at the gate at 6.00 request. Could MMM please ownership per vessel at a later (it is MMM’s view that they am for a 6.30 am event and the opportunity to successfully pose for a selfie with them stage, as any partner can buy may not have objected if the there he was at the appointed enforce the scheme and resolve as it was such a memorable off the share of the other, as and the long-standing fishermen colour was yellow). The fun- hour, faced with what looked ny thing is that neither of experience? MMM obliged. when confidence in the new issue should not be missed. like a sea of school children, the groups has any authentic their teachers having a tough –MMM November 1-15, 2019 MADRAS MUSINGS 3 When the cows come home very year, during Diwali and Pongal, we Eget an expected visitor. Named differently at different times, we have been visited by Gopala, Perumal, Jambavan, Lakshmi and Kanaka Durga, names which invariably orig- inate from the vast pantheon of Gods and Golden hour 1-2 fortnights back, was excel- Goddesses. This time, Venkatesha Perumal, a lent. When I was teaching in two-year calf/cow, visited us as its owner sang propos of the article on Loyola College Madras, the late and showered encomiums, asking the cow to Afailing infrastructure, it Fr. Lawrence Sundaram (S.J.) nod its head at various pauses, bestowing its was sad reading in the newspa- and I have had several opportu- wishes that were filled with everything boun- tiful. The animal was draped resplendently in pers, that the accident victim nities to discuss the nuances of Subashree was lying on the road bright colours of blue, green, red and pink, its English language. On many an forehead adorned with cowry strings and its for a full 2 hours from 2.30pm to occasion, Fr. Sundaram used to 4.30 pm, and that she was alive hump stringed around with a garland of bells refer to the command of English which jangled every time it turned its head. for 1 full hour before she was language and literature of KS in “Shake my hand”, the owner, Govindan, taken to a hospital nearby in an a jubilant and highly apprecia- would say, and the animal would lift its right open van. Why was Emergency tive tone. forelimb. “Do a namaskaram”, the owner Ambulance 108 not called for, In Karthik’s article a refer- would say but the cow would have nothing of it. “This is a cemented space,” the owner and why did the policeman ence in passing on KS’s sibling, some money”, he said justifying his honesty. would apologise, “on the mud ground, the cow squabble over jurisdiction in- “But during Diwali and Pongal days, I Krishnaswami Srinivasa Sanjivi will sit comfortably”, he would explain. The stead of taking the victim to earn between Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 a day”, (KSS), who pioneered primary animal however was quite an active creature, a hospital and saving her life he explained. “Children want to sit on the health care in Madras, occurs. bobbling its head up and down, and trying as in the Golden Hour? Will the cow and take pictures. Of course, they also Shobha (Menon) has written much as possible to turn around and walk. feed the cow with fruits. Some North In- traffic policeman have acted so on KSS in an issue of MM “This is the only time we get to make dians (settu karanga in Tamil), apply kum- callously if his daughter/son had some money”, Govindan started conversa- (2014). Distinguished nephrol- kum on the cow’s forehead”. He sounded been involved? tionally. “I live in Periapalayam, and I have ogist Muthu Krishna Mani knowledgeable, underlying the subtle cul- And why did the onlook- been making the rounds in the city for the wrote a note about him as well tural differences with an earthy explanation. ers not rush her to Kamakshi last two days”, he explained, his Tamil laced in The National Medical Journal “But on other days, the city can be harsh”, with a tinge of the Telegu dialect. “Five of us Hospital just 200 metres away, of India, Volume 80, Issue 3. he rued. “Everyone seems to be so busy, they from my village have come into the city last during the Golden Hour? Sheer do not have the time to stop and talk. No KSS was a great teacher of week”, he elaborated, “and we have been apathy by the general public. one looks at my Venkatesha Perumal.” He medicine says Balasubramniam walking with our cows”. “Our first stop was Some 20 year back, late DGP shared his views on urban busyness and the Ramamurthi (BR), famous neu- the Ayanavaram water tank, and from there K. Ravindran IPS, along with disconnection in multi-storeyed buildings, in- rosurgeon of Madras, in his we have taken different routes” he explained, dependent homes and crowded localities where Rekha Shetty, Administrator injecting a sense of adventure in his journey. autobiography ‘Uphill All the children did not play in the streets anymore. of Apollo Hospitals, formed a “I started my journey yesterday and I have Way’. KSS was the principal By this time, the cow which had been stoic group called ‘Helping Hands’ – walked through the city touring Kilpauk, architect of the VHS Hospital for some time, demanded attention. After hav- of nearly 15 members – and we Nungambakkam, T Nagar and now Mylapore, in Adyar. KSS upheld the med- ing devoured the plantains that were offered, taking rest every two hours”, he recounted. were part of ‘Save A Life’ Club. ical legacy left by Ramakrishna the cow looked at us intensely and turned to “I spent last night at the Lighthouse. The I was an E.C. Member and we its owner’s hand and licked it, perhaps com- Venkata Rajam, the first Indian Nageshwara Rao Park authorities do not allow had clear areas earmarked for municating to him that it was time to move Dean of the combined edifice of us to rest outside anymore”, he lamented. us in the city, and our phone on. The owner patted its forehead and asked MMC and GH in 1950. He was very clear that he was entertaining numbers were available through the cow to say goodbye, as it lowered its head The Swaminathan–Sanjivi people. “I live an honest life”, he shared. “I at us for one last time and followed its owner a pamphlet with the Traffic brothers had another sibling, help in farming. I also play the drum (parai) to trudge another street and another home. Police. We were given ID cards Krishnaswami Venkataraman, for all social functions – a naming ceremony, with phone numbers of the who directed the National ear-piercing ceremony – by which I make – Lata Ramaseshan nearest hospitals. Our duty was Chemical Laboratory (CSIR), to rush to the spot on getting a Poona and who was equally * * * call about an accident, mark the brilliant. He spent his work life place with chalk, and rush the mart Cities’ – the name itself smells sweet the locality housing them and Ministers, that in Poona. ‘Sand to learn that Chennai has come under is, Greenways Road. The details are really victim to the nearest Hospital this rubric warms the cockles of one’s heart. shocking. Even the incumbent Chief Minister’s within the Golden Hour. My A. Raman One dreams of garbage-free roads, nice pedes- official residence has unhealthy conditions area was from Vivek Memorial [email protected] trian boulevards, easy access to metro, subur- prevailing with garbage strewn in the vicini- to Pattinapakkam (as I was ban and main railway stations, senior-friend- ty. This can be contrasted with the ‘spic and staying in Santhome then). ly footpaths, etc. But what is the reality? span maintenance’ of Poes Garden during I did save at least 12 lives in The city is stinking with all sorts of rub- the tenure of his mentor and former C.M. 1 ½ years and had the agony bish strewn along the roads – whether it’s Jayalalithaa, remarked one of the judges. of seeing one David dying on Thank you, Adyar, Mylapore, or Annanagar. Go to any This writer came across a rare, quiet, gar- my lap in an auto, when I was place in the so-called Greater Chennai Cor- bage-free area the other day, and no wonder the poration area and one finds multitudes of pot- bovine of the species is chewing the cud content- rushing from Gandhi Statue to Donors holes of different sizes and depths spelling edly with its keeper enjoying a mid-day snooze National Hospital, Parrys. We doom to motorists and pedestrians alike. (see accompanying photo). The cow is nicely used to meet every Wednesday We today, publish donations The menace of unauthorised vehicle park- decorated and decked with flowers, coloured at the basement of Apollo Hos- received with thanks for the ing in every locality has assumed alarming strips of cloth, etc. The area is Annanagar West pital and share our experience ­period upto October. proportions. To cap it all, unhygienic condi- Extension. It was striking in a way because even of saving the accident victims. – The Editor tions confront people on the roads everywhere. a short distance from the bovine’s resting place, After the demise of Ravindran, Quite naturally, two judges of the Madras one finds garbage strewn around with badly the club died a slow death. High Court gave vent to their anguish during constructed stormwater drains along the roads. As medical records show, Rs. 116: N. Veeraswamy the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) After living in Chennai for six decades, a life can be saved if he/she is Chetty the other day. As can be expected, charity this writer finds conditions deteriorating begins at home and the judges spoke about with each passing year. There are only au- rushed immediately to a nearby Rs. 400: Ms. B. Karpagam, T. thorities with ‘unseeing eyes’ and callous hospital within the Golden Prem Kumar, A. ­Rajmohan attitudes. And the corporation of Chennai is Hour (1 hour). I feel so sorry more like an atrophied limb of the government. that the apathy of the onlookers Rs. 500: N.S. Parthasarathy, However, one must not be pessimistic and took away the life of Subashree. Dr. A. Raman, A. Mano- give up. The following ditty by A.G. Howard may hardas, Rama Gopalan, perhaps make us laugh even in trying situations: M. Fazal Ms. Mahalakshmi Gouris- By accident once, a pessimist sat with all of No. 11, Mosque Street hankar, Ms Vijaylakshmi his weight on his Panama hat. He fussed and Hastinapuram, Chennai 600 064 Bhaskar he fumed when he saw it was flat. When an optimist had a misfortune like that he looked A note on the late Rs. 900: Ms. Vasanthi Mathew K.S. Sanjivi at the wreck for only a minute and thanked Rs. 1,900: J. Sivaraman the good Lord that his head wasn’t in it. arthik Bhatt’s article on Rs. 1,00,000: Sivasankari – T. Rajagopalan Krishnaswami Swamina- K Chandrasekaran Charities than (KS), published in MM, 4 MADRAS MUSINGS November 1-15, 2019 The College of College Road

hich is the college after­ Wwhich College Road takes its name? Women’s Christian would be the most common answer though some have averred it is the Good Shepherd’s School. The correct response as any history buff will tell you, was the College of Fort St. George, which functioned from what is presently the Di- rectorate of Public Instruction (DPI) campus, between 1812 and 1854. In its time it was a great centre of learning, and one that would have an im- mense impact on the political history of what in 1947 became Madras State and later, Tamil Nadu. And yet, when you walk into that campus from the towering archway that stands off College Road, you would College Bridge House – Picture: be hard put to find any traces S. Anwar. LOST LANDMARKS OF CHENNAI of that pioneering educational institution. – SRIRAM V The campus is vast and fairly wooded. Dominating it is the old headquarters of the DPI itself, a white building in the ly curved and red-and-white years of his life, for Ellis died get them printed. The Thomas The third class did not get any neoclassical style and of inde- façade is marred by an aerial when barely 42, of food poison- Trautmann compilation has yet monetary benefits. th terminate age, built probably walkway constructed in the 20 ing/cholera while on a tour of another article, by Sylvia Vatuk Several institutions that we in the 1930s. It has undergone century to link it with the DPI Ramnad district. But the legacy on Islamic learning at the Col- recognise today as integral to many ‘renovations’, and in one building. And then we have the of those eight years lives on. lege which has names of several Madras history came out of the of those many has lost all its Madras Literary Society build- Ellis played an important role greats in Persian who taught College – the zoo, the museum commemorative plaques, if any ing, Indo-Saracenic with a lot in the growth of the college, and here as well. Similarly, there and the Madras Literary So- were there in the first place. of trellis work, and similar in de- ensured it began a publications were departments for Telugu, ciety. The last named, which The many partitions, some tem- sign to the grander Connemara wing. One of the books brought Canarese (Kannada), Malay- operated as the library of the porary, some long-term tempo- Public Library. This we are able out was on Telugu grammar alam and Mahratta. Strangely college and later became an rary and some permanent, have to clearly date – the Journal of penned by A.D. Campbell, a enough, there was also an In- institution in its own right, also made the place a rabbit’s warren the Society of Arts for 1907 protégé of Ellis. Writing the dian officiating as the English ran a publication – The Madras of ugly rooms but it has a core of states that the 45,000 volumes foreword to the book, Ellis for Headmaster of the College. In Journal of Literature and Science great grace – there is a central of the MLS had recently moved first time expostulated what is Ellis’ time this was Bomacon- – for several years. For many of quadrangle at each of the cor- to its new building. now known as the Dravidian ta Sancaraya Brahman, ‘late the Board Members, Ellis and ners of which are round towers In short, the College is now proof – that Tamil, Telugu and Sheristadar of this Cutcherry,’ Campbell included, being ar- that indicate that there was an a lost landmark of the city and Kannada had roots outside of which means he had served as dent Freemasons, the premises earlier structure in the place of it remains for the rest of this Sanskrit. That evidence would the clerk at the Madras Collec- also served as a Lodge. A record which the DPI building came article to highlight as to why grow under people like Bishop torate while Ellis was heading it. from the Masonic proceedings up, as and when it was built. it qualifies as a landmark. The Caldwell and later acquire gar- Between them, the scholars notes that the structure was Could these be the remnants of College of Fort St. George was gantuan proportions thanks to here brought several pioneer- not ideally suited for a secret the College of Fort St. George? set up in Nungambakkam by the Dravidian Movement in the ing works, too numerous to society, for it was “much ex- th There are other markers as the Company in 1812. A large 20 Century. list here. Certainly, the first posed and if closed insufferably well. As you enter the campus parcel of what was known as The Tamil scholar Dr U. Ve. dictionaries in various South hot”. By 1839, the Masons had through the arch and walk Moorat’s Gardens, for this was Swaminatha Iyer in his biogra- Indian languages with meanings moved elsewhere. straight ahead, with the Cooum the property of Edward Samuel phy of his Guru – Mahavidwan in English came from here. A The College was closed in to your right, you will come Moorat, the fabulously rich but Meenakshisundaram Pillai – random sampling over the years 1854 and the Government across a crenelated gatehouse spendthrift son of Aga Samuel notes that the latter came to of working of the College would decided to put the property to with many shuttered windows Mackertish Moorat, Armenian Madras in 1839 and visited the include Beschi’s Grammars, other uses. From other records and a central arch that leads Merchant, was acquired to college. The faculty for Tamil at Chidambara Vadyar’s trans- it is possible to glean that the you to the river. This is kept house the institution. A facility that time was stellar to say the lation of the Uttara Kanda of Museum functioned from the perpetually locked. As per S. where its servants could learn least – Thandavaraya Mudaliar, Valmiki’s Ramayana, a Tamil main building for several years Muthiah, this was the cere- the Indian languages, it soon Madurai Kandasami Pulavar, Grammar by the same author, as did the Madras Literary monial river entrance to the developed into a scholarly hub Pu. Nayanappa Mudaliar, Ra- A.D. Campbell’s Telugu Gram- Society. College Bridge House college, and Governors once where Indian teachers taught masami Pillai, Visakaperumal mar, Mamadi Venkayya’s Telugu was the residence of a series sailed to it for convocations. colonial students, thereby giv- Ayyar and Mazhavai Mahalinga Dictionary, J. McKerrel’s Telugu of judges of the High Court of This is an impressive structure, ing rise to much cultural inter- Ayyar. A later compilation in Vocabulary, a Canarese Gram- Madras. With the Connemara with a line of dentils forming action. A key figure in its de- A.R. Venkatachalapathy’s ex- mar by the same author, H. Library and the Museum build- an upper border to it, the tower velopment was Francis Whyte cellent article in the book The Harris’ Hindustanee Dictionary ing being completed late in the th block piercing its way through Ellis, who had come to Madras Madras School of Orientalism and the Rev. Miron Winslow’s 19 Century, both the Museum and culminating in an arched in 1796 as a Writer in the East (Ed: Thomas Trautmann) has Tamil Dictionary. and the MLS moved out, only façade that has a bearded face India Company. He had risen names of other faculty members At the end of the course of to have the latter come back to carved on its keystone. This steadily, becoming in 1810 the as well. In Swaminatha Iyer’s two years, all East India Company the same campus in 1907. The was probably old College Bridge Collector of Madras. All the words, the principal task of the servants were tested in language main building became the home House that is recorded by Ellis. while, even as he focused on teachers here were to lecture proficiency – in conversation, of the DPI, which in turn put up If this was not a puzzle his work, Ellis studied Tamil and and discourse on Tamil, get old reading from business documents its present block in the 1930s. enough, there is yet another Telugu, becoming in the process works in the language ready for and translation. There were As to what happened to the intriguing structure, of an 1850s an ardent admirer of Tiruvallu- printing, prepare course materi- medals, and more importantly, rest of the college premises is a vintage at least, going by the var and his Kural. al from older treatises in a more hefty increases in salary. Those mystery. More of what remains number of arched windows that This and his awareness of understandable form and trans- who stood first were entitled will vanish soon for the DPI it has. This is to the rear of the local traditions were to see him late books from other languages to 100 pagodas a month, while is putting up a tasteless tower DPI building and its graceful- at his best in the final eight such as Sanskrit into Tamil and those who came second drew 75. block at the rear of the campus. November 1-15, 2019 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 Chennai’s oldest sabha still going strong

Gayaka Sikhamani Muthiah sical homage to Muthuswami l A curtain-raiser for the ­December Music Festival­ Bhagavatar were some of the Dikshitar at Ettayapuram every 2019. prominent artists who deliv- year on his anniversary, inviting From the Sabha’s archives ered discourses here besides musicians to participate in the ri Parthasarathy Swami music concerts by well known tribute. Apart from present- SSabha of Triplicane is the vidwans. Srirangam Satago- ing lecture demonstrations to oldest sabha in Chennai. The pachariar, Karappanangadu highlight the salient points records of the sabha reveal Venkatachariar, Embar Vija- of Camatic music, the sabha that it was launched in 1896 yaraghavachariar and Sengali- has also been running a music by Manni Tirumalachariar, a puram Anantharama Dikshitar school. prominent resident of Tripli- were notable pravachana-kartas The sabha confers three cane, to foster the performing who drew big crowds. awards every year – Sangeetha arts. It was then known as the “I can give a list of stalwarts Kalasarathy on a musician, Sangita Vidwat Sabhai. When of those days, like Maha Vaidy- Natya Kalasarathy on a dancer the organisation was officially anatha Iyer, Konerirajapuram and Nataka Kalasarathy on a registered in 1900, the organ- Vaidyanatha Iyer, Poochi Sri- dramatist. It presents awards isers sought the blessings of Sri nivasa Iyengar, Bidaram Krish- to talented young vocalists, vi- Parthasarathy Swami – the pre- nappa, Tiger Varadachariar, olinists, and mridangists based siding deity of the temple inTi- Ariyakudi, Maharajapuram on their performance during ruvallikeni and hence the sabha Viswanatha Iyer, Musiri, Chem- the December music festival. was named after the Lord. It is bai, Sarabha Sastrigal, Tiru- The sabha also honours artists said that this was the first sabha kodikaval Krishna Iyer, Gov- with the Palghat Mani Iyer where the public came forward indasamy Pillai, Kanu Chin- Centenary Award instituted Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar at the 50th year celebrations. and participated in its activi- nasamy Iyer, Azhaganambia by Nithyashree Mahadevan ties. The Parthasarathy Swami Pillai, Dakshinamurthy Pillai, and the M.L. Vasanthakumari Sabha has played host to several Gottuvadyam Sakharama Rao, Award by Sudha Ragunathan. music legends in its nearly 120 year-old history. The activities of the sabha  by are planned and conducted by From 1900 to 1905, perfor- Charukesi mances were conducted at the an eminent and enterprising residence of Tirumalachariar team led by Nalli Kuppuswami Veena Seshanna, Rajamanick- Chetti (president), with Mohan who had also lent his hand am Pillai, Mysore Chowdiah, T. in launching The Hindu. In Parasaran, P. Vijaykumar Reddy, N. Rajaratnam Pillai, who have Dr. Jaya Arunachalam, M. Bala- the 1930s, GNB’s father G.V. performed for us. Ariyakudi Narayanaswamy Iyer took over subramaniam (vice presidents), performed more than a hundred R. Vijayaraghavan, M. Krish- as secretary of the sabha. “In kutcheris in our sabha!” says a the initial stages, retired diwans namurthy (secretaries) and M.P. proud Krishnamurthy. Varadan (treasurer). from the Mysore and Travancore Top Hindustani music mae- Nalli, president of the sabha, durbars, High Court judges and stros like Ravi Shankar, Om- says that Sri Parthasarathy Swa- members of the Madras Presi- karnath Thakur and Bismillah mi Sabha is probably the oldest dency were part of the execu- Khan deemed it an honour to sabha in south-east Asia. “I was tive committee. Former Chief perform at Sri Parthasarathy invited to be its president suc- Ministers M.G. Ramachandran Swami Sabha. In 1950, Sir ceeding Prof. K.A. Manavalan. and J. Jayalalitha have also been C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer once C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer speaking on the occasion of M.S. Subbulakshmi’s Both of us had the pleasure of concert (1960). members of our sabha,” says said, ‘”Sri Parthasarathy Swami conducting many events in- M. Krishnamurthy, the current Sabha continues to grow as a cluding Semmangudi Srinivasa secretary of the sabha. premier sabha. Hence, it has all Iyer’s concert when be was 92. “We are proud that over the support for continuing and It was a memorable perfor- five generations of musicians, maintaining the growth, except mance. Those days the Sabha dancers and dramatists have financial resources.” used to conduct its events in contributed to the growth of The main objective of the February.” our sabha. Believe me, even in sabha was to promote music, 1939, during World War II, our dance and drama. It was for- He recalls an interesting in- sabha had regular programmes tunate to have the invaluable cident. Many years ago, before for our members!” Krishnamur- support of artists like M.S. the music season, the Times of thy recalls with nostalgia how Subbulakshmi, Vyjayantimala India had mentioned that thirty the grand old man of Camatic Bali, Hemamalini and the Tra- sabhas would participate in the M.L. Vasanthakumari in concert with Krishnamurthy Rao (mridangam), music, Semmangudi Srinivasa vancore Sisters Lalita­ Padmi- annual December festival. Nalli G. Harishankar (khanjira) and A. Kanyakumari (violin) in 1980. Iyer, gave a two-and-a-half hour ni-Ragini in garnering resources was shocked to find Parthasara- concert during the centenary for the sabha. thy Swami Sabha missing from celebrations. To quote C. Rajagopalacha- the list; the reason was the Harikatha was very popu- ri (Rajaji) in 1955: “Sri Par- non-availability of a proper lar at Sri Parthasarathy Swami thasarathy Swami Sabha has venue to conduct the annual Sabha, dating back to almost been one of the pioneers of the festival. It was at this juncture a hundred years, drawing large renaissance of Camatic music that Jaya Arunachalam, noted crowds. In 1905, Prof. (Rau Ba- and Bharata sastra in south social worker and vice president hadur) M. Rangachari presented India and during its long con- of the sabha, came forward to a discourse on the Bhagavad Gita tinuous career of usefulness, it offer Vidya Bharathi Kalyana and the entire lecture series was has taken every opportunity Mandapam as a venue for the published in three volumes. A to cultivate sound taste and to season concerts which are now significant event in the history of encourage worthy exponents of held here year after year. the sabha was a lecture in 1906 the musical and dramatic arts.” It is remarkable that a sabha by noted scholar Pandit Madan The Tyagaraja aradhana, the founded in the 19th Century Mohan Malaviya. Purandaradasa music festival continued to thrive in the 20th Krishna Bhagavatar, Pan- and Annamacharya festival and is still going strong in the Nalli Kuppuswami Chetti, R.K. Srikantan, Umayalpuram K. Sivaraman chapakesa Sastrigal, Mangudi have become regular features. 21st Century. – (Courtesy: and Nithyashree Mahadevan at the Sabha’s musical festival. Chidambara Bhagavatar and The sabha has been paying mu- Sruti.) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS November 1-15, 2019 More light on Gandhi’s­

(Quizmaster V.V. Ramanan’s ques- tions are from October 16th to 30th. Questions 11 to 20 relate to Chennai visits ­Chennai and Tamil Nadu.) 1. Which famous football club recently conferred life member- Ever since we published the photo feature on some places ship to Nobel laureate Abhijit in Madras that are associated with Mahatma Gandhi (MM Banerjee? Oct 16, 2019), we have had a flurry of phone calls, emails 2. As of October 31, how many and messages via our website. V.R. Devika wrote in to say States and UTs are there in India? the Mahatma visited the Theosophical Society. B. Raman 3. Among the three India-born posted that he stayed at Baghdad House, the residence of CEOs in the top 10 of Harvard Sivakozhundu Mudaliar in Patel Road, Perambur. Ramine- Business Review’s ‘The Best-Per- forming CEO in the World, 2019’, ni Bhaskarendra in characteristically thorough fashion who is the top-ranked? dredged the Andhra Patrika archives and sent us this 4. Name India’s first internation- hourly itinerary of some of the Mahatma’s visits to Madras. al award constituted recently It throws light on why he went to some places listed earlier to honour exemplary work and and also enlightens us of some other places he went to – achievements of the heads of The Editor. State and Government and other distinguished persons/organisa- 1896 tions around the world. 5. On October 22, who formally October 26 ascended the Chrysanthemum After a series of meetings held in Bombay and Poona Gandhiji Throne? reached Madras and spoke about South African Indians at the 6. 13-year-old Raunak Sadhwani Pachchayappa’s Hall has become the 65th Indian to Visited Theosophical Society accompanied by (later Sir) C.P. achieve what sporting distinction? Ramaswamy Iyer 7. What avian superlative was recently attributed to the male 1915 White Bellbird found in Central and South America? April 17 8. According to the recent- Reached Madras Central from Haradwar. From Central, he went ly-launched NITI Aayog’s India to the Indian Review Office (owned by G.A. Natesan & Co) near Innovation Index, which is the Broadway in George Town and stayed there. most innovative State for 2019? October 18-20 9. Which tech giant recently announced that it has created a Every afternoon, he met the students. On the 19th, he attended a quantum computer whose proces- meeting at Victoria Public Hall. sor had taken just 200 seconds to April 21 perform a “random sampling task” Gandhiji gave interviews to Madras Mail and Andhra Pathrika. that would take the world’s best classical computers 10,000 years? April 21 10. McAfee, the leading global Evening: Spoke in Victoria Public Hall at the meeting organised by The Theosophical Society, Adyar. computer security software compa- Indian South Africa League. ny, in its annual ranking said which April 22 April 27 Indian celebrity was the riskiest Evening: Visited the Madras Cosmopolitan Club. A meeting with Madras Students in YMCA. celebrity to search for online? * * * April 23 April 28 11. Where and on the banks of Garden Party at Humayun Manzil residence of Nawab Syed Garden Party with Annie Besant and other Theosophical Society which waterbody was the Madras ­Mohammad. members at the Theosophical Society Office premises at Adyar. Boat Club founded in 1867? Meeting with students at Pacchaiyappa High School. 12. What was the screen name of the 1920s star P.K. Nagalingam, 1916 who hailed from Pudukottai? 13. Name the ‘Butcher of Al- February 13 lahabad’ whose statue stood at Gandhiji and Sorab Rustomjee arrived at Madras at 2.30 p.m. by the Spencer’s junction and was Delhi Express. removed in the late 1930s. Stayed at Bishop Whitehead and Lady Whiteheads’ residence at 14. Name the three women Teynampet (this was most likely a house by the Long Tank). whose statues are on either side of the Kamaraj Salai running February 16 alongside the Marina beach. At 8.00 am he met the students at the YMCA. 15. Which edifice’s picture was Later he attended the Anniversary of the ‘Madras Social Service embroidered on the curtain of the Suguna Vilas Sabha started by League’ in the Quadrangle Hall of the Madras Christian College, Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar? which was chosen at a late hour due to the swelling crowds in place 16. In 1973, where was the first of the originally fixed Anderson Hall. computer in the city (an IBM A meeting with the students at the Victoria Hostel. System 370 Model 155) installed? Humayun Jah Manzil, Royapettah, now home to the Government Hobart 17. About whom did Annadurai Higher Secondary School. 1919 say “…when I first saw him, I April 24 suspected that he was an Aryan. March 18 Later, I was pleased learning that he Spoke at a meeting organised by the Muslim League at Lawley Public meeting in the beach opposite Presidency College to protest was in fact Dravidian. There is no Hall, Mount Road. against the Rowlatt Act. doubt that his looks will bring suc- Meeting in the South India Athletic Association premises. cess to our plans for the future…”? March 19 April 25 Visited the Madras Labour Union Office with BP Wadia at 6.30 18. This actor’s first-signed movie A meeting at Vasantha Mandapam, Govindappa Naicken Street, was a bilingual ‘Paradesi’ made p.m. and had a meeting with the workers of various industries. by Anjali Devi but the cinematic with Arya Vysyas (now Manali Hostel). March 20 great’s second flick is nowadays A meeting with Bohras in Mohammed Ali Buildings, George Town. Public meeting in the beach opposite Presidency College to pro- identified as the debut film be- April 26 test against Rowlatt Act but Gandhiji could not attend as he was cause it released earlier. Who? slightly indisposed. 19. For which work did Rajaji A meeting with the members of Madras Mahajana Sabha. get the Sahitya Akademi Award Visited the residence of Rev. T. Subrahmanyam and spoke with March 21 in 1958? Indian and European Christian Community members. Rev. T. Sub- Meeting with agitating Tramway Workers. 20. Which village in Usilampetti rahmayam was earlier in South Africa and shifted his residence to March 23 is reputed for sickles (aruvaals)? Peters Road, Royapetah, a few months prior to Gandhi’s visit. He Announced the programme of Satyagraha. (Answers on page 8) knew Gandhiji in South Africa itself. (Continued on page 7) November 1-15, 2019 MADRAS MUSINGS 7

need to be heading ‘that way’ importance of this moment is if they wish to be part of the not being recognised. Instead, family photos. they are being chivvied about Click These youngsters have also to “Come, stand, no? Quickly – been chosen with care. Last everyone’s waiting!” years’ experience has yet to Then, some Bright Young estivities mean feasting, or a strange bunch of odd- ‘really shouldn’t’; the new out- fade. A young person was put in Things decide to line everyone ­especially if it’s one of the balls, or a glittering collection fits have been exclaimed over F charge, tried to get four gener- up outfit-colour-wise, leading Big Ones, like the one that went of captains of industries and and admired; new jewellery ations into one designated gar- to long arguments whether the by not too long ago. university professors, doyens (if any in these hard times), den space, failed miserably, col- bright pinks and flaming reds Festivals also mean families. from various fields of art, even cooed over. The “My, how tall lapsed in nervous exhaustion, ought to be so close. (Where’s Which explains why some faces a sprinkling of philosophers… you’ve grown!” and the sotto and assumed the foetal position a nice, soft contrast when you still look a bit stressed, but that but not one of them will do as voce: “Whoa! Those hips aren’t in a corner of the garden, refus- need one?) could be guilt over the seeming- they are told. lying!” comments are done. ing to unfurl for several hours. Just as everyone thinks the ly endless festive bingeing. Which is why the Member- So, when the hostess senses a When last heard, he had left group is assembled, a XS-sized in-Charge-of-Family-Photos certain restlessness indicating But some faces look particu- home, choosing to trek alone aunt is discovered behind the needs to be chosen carefully. that her guests are now anxious larly worn out, almost haunted. to Mount Everest, deeming that bulkiest Distant Relative, in full He/she must exude a strong to leave and are wondering if That’s because if festivals easier and safer. martyr-mode for having been personality and a steady eye, right now is too soon for polite- mean families, it follows that Painful. called last. ‘like Mars to threaten and ness, she suggests it’s time to they also mean fotos… sorry, So, the herding begins. You’d “Doesn’t matter”, the Enti- command’, who can get the assemble for… you guessed it, photos. think familial affection will tled One sighs, “So what if no crankiest Oldest Member, or The Photos. Which means that those smoothen the process. one can spot me in the photo? by sharp contrast, the most It’s 2019, so The Chosen extra-battered-looking citizens It doesn’t. The world won’t collapse.” uncooperative toddler, to line One no longer carries a camera. are the Chosen Ones, upon Put four aunts in place, the Family eye-rolls all around. up according to height. Familiar with this particular whose heads the task of making fifth suddenly decides she needs Then, just as things quieten family photos happen descends. a glass of water and disappears. down, and practised smiles are Anyone who has attend- Get eight uncles lined up, the being fixed in place, one of the ed an Annual-Celebra- ninth goes missing. He is then aunts chokes on something.  by Ranjitha Ashok tion-of-Very-Big-Festival Family discovered gazing at the sweet- The coughing fit starts quietly Gathering knows exactly what meat displays, unable to decide enough, but soon begins to goes into getting this lot (with on his third helping, but is resemble a particularly angry all due respect across genera- And that means Now! group, The Chosen One has quick to take umbrage at being thunderstorm, leading to much tions) to work together to get Year after year, this scene assembled a back-up team, a summoned. Diverse cousins tumult and chaos, with many those photos taken. plays out and everyone still couple of young adults to run chase behind various members voices raised and many bits of Assembling. hopes this year will be better. interference, to herd errant of the fourth generation, leav- advice given, all of which are That’s the key word and the It all starts out happily aunts and uncles back into ing many concerned about the ignored. situational Point Zero. enough. The hostess sees that the fold, stare down rebellious future of this world. Someone “They made me drink my And it doesn’t matter what most guests have done well youngsters, and gently remind chooses this moment to coo hot coffee too quickly”, the lady the ‘content’ is. The family can by the dining table, despite those whose short-term mem- over Facetime at family across sputters, and everyone nods be a mix of retiring wall flowers, all the protestations that they ories have congealed that they the seas – and is hurt that the wisely, not too sure if this makes sense, but please don’t argue… not now. The heat is scorching; make- up is running, blow-dried hair is GANDHI’S CHENNAI VISITS curling, and the kids are begin- ning to whine, push and shove (Continued from page 6) C. ­Rajagopalachari, reached each other. The youngest ones, Madras Central at 7.30 a.m. told to sit on the ground, inform and proceeded to Srinivasa their exhausted parents that the Iyengar’s house in Mylapore. grass is being mean and pokey. At 10 am spoke to Adi Dravi- The Elders are trying to tell any- das at Ratnavel Chetty’s Free one who’ll listen that they are Library Building (Whitehead getting….er… too old for this. Hall). Just as the Chosen One is ready to click, everyone notices March 22 the sun is in their eyes, so all Visited the venue in Tiruval- faces are …well…making faces. likkeni, where a competition A huge debate then follows of spinning is conducted for on where to stand, and where women. to look. March 24 Finally, the photos are taken, At 9.00 a.m. spoke about the with an extra few for luck, and prohibition at Gokhale Hall. the group disperses, thankful Visited Ramakrishna Students for having survived the day. With the British Parliamentary Delegation headed by Prof. Richards at Home and Sanskrit College Some are convinced that the Madras in January 1946. and had debate with the stu- shutter icon went ‘click’ just dents there. Addressing a crowd at ­Tambaram as they were yawning, scold- 1920 ­(Madras) from his special­ train in ing, scratching their noses, or Visited Madras Ayurveda ­January, 1946. adjusting sarees…but too bad August 12 Pharmacy where Achanta Reached central at 9.40 am by Bombay Mail. – too late. Lakshmipathi, Ramachari, Satyamurthy and Gadde Rangaiah It’s done. At 6 p.m. a public meeting at Tiruvallikkeni Beach where he Naidu received Gandhiji. ­explained to the public about Non-Cooperation Movement. The Chosen One is lat- Visited Hindi Prachar Sabha. er spotted sitting in a shady 1925 At 4.00 pm visited Andhra Patrika office in George Town. spot all alone, gazing into the distance, thinking long, long March 7 Visited Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu’s ‘Swarajya’ office. thoughts, and drinking several Reached Madras by Bombay Mail, he was on the way to Vaikom glasses of water. and stayed at Sriman Srinivasa Iyengar’s Residence (Amjad Baugh) Visited Scavengers colony and Andhra Panchamas colony in Royapuram. If there are those among the At 3.30 p.m. visited Yamini Purna Tilakam’s Hindu Yuvathi group for whom all this fuss ­Saranalayam. Dinner at S. Srinivasa Iyengar’s residence ‘Amjad Baugh’, where over photographs (that no one At 4 p.m. Felicitation by the staff of Madras Corporation at Ripon 500 dignitaries from various fields attended. will ever look at after today) Buildings. At 7.45 p.m. a meeting was conducted in the vacant place behind seems much ado over very lit- At 6 p.m. a public meeting at Tiruvallikkeni Beach where he the Ekambareswar Temple in Sowcarpet attended by Gujarati, tle, they keep their thoughts to spoke about Hindi, Hindu Muslim Unity, Untouchability, Vaikom Marwadi and Multani residents of Madras. themselves. agitation and Khaddar. Next a meeting was conducted at Perianaickenpet. And so it goes. March 21 Till the Big Ones roll around Returned from Vaikom by Mettupalayam Mail along with At 9.15 p.m. Gandhiji left for Bombay from Central. next year once more. 8 MADRAS MUSINGS November 1-15, 2019 Madras Men in India’s first ­English cricket tour – 1 n the annals of Indian cricket, 04, only to be scuppered at the team despite their age at that soon soared and he was in I1911 will always be a land- last moment ostensibly due time, Bangalore Jayaram and ­demand to play for several mark year. In May that year, to lack of funds, though there Kilvidi Seshachari. teams. He had an active fan a squad of sixteen cricketers were insinuations­ that the real What little we know of Se- following and after a game drawn from across the country reason was the lack of cordial shachari today is thanks to a where he helped the United embarked on a tour of England, relations between the members profile that appeared in the ­Hindus acquire a creditable making it the first All India of the communities. By 1909, June 1906 issue of the magazine draw against the Oxford Au- Cricket Tour to that country. It the idea regained traction and Cricket: A Weekly Record of the thentics in 1902, was presented was not the first visit by a team efforts were renewed to facil- Game. Born on January 2, 1875 with a gold watch and chain by from India however, for a Parsee itate the visit of a team that Seshachari took to the game an admirer. His performances team from Bombay had already would be representative of the in his teens and made a name often attracted effusive praise made the tour two decades country. for himself as a wicket keeper in the media. ‘Seshachari is a earlier. An attempt to replicate An ‘Indian Cricket Team in the minor club matches and stumper of the highest order, the Parsee visit on a larger for England Committee’ com- soon found himself elected as a and has no equal in India’, scale by a team comprising prising representatives from reported the Indian Sporting and it was thus no surprise that representatives from the Hindu the three principle cricketing  by Times in 1903, describing his he was selected in the 1911 and Muslim communities apart communities was constituted to Karthik A. Bhatt performance for the United touring party. from Parsees was made in 1903- oversee the preparations for the Hindus against the Parsi Gym- According to reports of tour. Over forty leading cricket- member of the ‘Premier Hindu khana. His disposal of Captain the England tour, the duo of ers from across the country were Club of Southern India’. This Greig of the Bombay Presidency ­Seshachari (as keeper) and Pal- contacted and their availability presumably must have been the in a game against the Hindus, Answers to quiz wankar Baloo (the lead spinner) ascertained. The final squad Madras United Club, found- had the Times of India exulting 1. Mohun Bagan, 2. 28 created a formidable combi- of sixteen was chosen by John ed by Buchi Babu Nayudu in that it was ­‘superb piece of States and 9 UTs, 3. Shantanu nation, though the tour was Alexander Cuffe, an experi- 1888 as an attempt to provide stumping, worth going miles Narayen of Adobe, 4. Gandhi anything but a success. The All enced Australian cricketer who Indians with an opportunity to see’. With such encomiums Mandela Award, 5. Emperor India team managed just two represented Worcestershire in to develop­ their cricketing being showered on him, it was Naruhito of Japan, 6. Grand- wins out of twenty-three games. the English County Circuit, talent and to compete with the little surprise that he was an master in chess, 7. Loudest Seshachari played his last he having been hired to iden- English on an equal footing in automatic pick for the aborted bird with its call reaching 125 game for the Hindus in the tify the best players and coach the game. tour in 1904. dB (similar to what you’d hear Bombay Quadrangular tour- them. The team was captained Sesahachari’s move to Seshachari’s occupation as standing next to speakers at a nament the following year. by the nineteen-year-old Ma- ­Ootacamund, ‘the delightful a planter seems to have gained rock concert), 8. Karnataka, 9. He thereafter turned out harajah Bhupinder Singh of sanitorium of Southern India’ precedence over cricket during Google, 10. M.S. Dhoni. ­occasionally for the Maharaja of Patiala, a rather surprise choice in 1900 to work in the plan- this period, as the profile notes * * * Natore’s team and passed away and included several players tations provided him with the in 1906 that he ‘nowadays has 11. The backwaters of the due to pneumonia in January who are spoken about and com- opportunity of moving with and no opportunities for practice’. Ennore Creek that was fed 1917 at Calcutta. memorated even today, such as learning from several ­European He however continued turn- by the Kosasthaliyar, 12. Raja It is indeed unfortunate that Dr. H.D. Kanga, the Palwankar cricketers, most notably the ing up for various teams such Sandow, 13. James Neil, 14. today nothing much is known brothers (Baloo and Shivram), missionary C.T. Studd. His as the Bombay Hindus, the Kannagi, Avvayar and Annie about the life of this cricketer, H.H. Shivajirao Gaekwad of simple but effective practice ­Civilians (in Ootacamund) and Besant, 15. The Madras Uni- who was widely considered the Baroda and Keki Mistry. This of having balls thrown at him most notably, the Maharaja of versity Senate hall, 16. IIT two-part series is an attempt to ­indiscriminately helped him ­Natore with the same efficiency best wicket keeper in his time. Madras, 17. MGR, 18. ‘Sivaji’ profile the two cricketers from gain the reflexes and skills so as before. The Bombay Gazette Ganesan, 19. Chakravarti Tiru- (To be concluded the Madras Presidency who necessary for a keeper and noted in 1909 that he was still magan, 20. Thirupachethi. next fortnight) were automatic picks in the ­before long, his cricketing graph the best wicket-keeper in India

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