Registered with the Reg. No. TN/CH(C)/374/12-14 Registrar of Newspapers Licenced to post without prepayment for India under R.N.I. 53640/91 Licence No. TN/PMG(CCR)/WPP-506/12-14 Publication: 15th & 28th of every month Rs. 5 per copy (Annual Subscription: Rs. 100/-) WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS CHENNAI INSIDE • Short ‘N’ Snappy • Father of primary healthcare • Madanapalle centenaries • Madras Week Programme • An American & Tranvancore trio

Vol. XXIV No. 8 MUSINGS August 1-15, 2014

Madras Landmarks Build as you – 50 years ago please he recent collapse of a not an illegal one. The promot- sanction, it goes without saying T multi-storeyed building ers had sanction for building that they had soil mechanics under construction made head- two blocks of eleven floors each. certification as well. Yet, the line news. While most of the Such structures need to have building collapsed. It is now media focussed on the terrible soil certification to be done for rumoured that the structure fell tragedy that took several lives, because it was built on the bed very few bothered to comment of a lake without proper rein- on the reasons for such a disas- G by The Editor forcements. How could that be ter having taken place. It has if the soil had been found suit- everything to do with an admin- able? istration that has stopped being ensuring load bearing capacity A high profile enquiry has proactive. The construction in- before work begins. This is usu- been launched and heads in dustry, and much else in our ally obtained from a certified official circles might well roll. city, is in a self-governance soil mechanics engineer and the But it is unlikely that anyone mode: Those who wish to abide document is one of the prereq- will bring up the root cause for by rules can choose to do so, the uisites for obtaining approval all this trouble – neither the rest need not, until they com- from the CMDA for going Chennai Metropolitan Devel- mit an error of judgement and ahead with the construction. opment Authority (CMDA), are exposed. Since the developers under The building in question was question had obtained CMDA (Continued on page 2) G Now it is nothing but a cluster of multi-storeyed buildings and a five-star hotel, but till the late 1960s this was the place that embodied cinema. Gemini Studios or, to give the place its proper name, Movieland-Gemini Studios, was the best known among the several film studios of Madras. The story of the property, at the intersection of Mount Road and Watching heritage Nungambakkam High Road, goes back many years. A heavily wooded piece of land, it had in its centre a classical mansion which, according to legend, was once the house of Edward, the second Lord Clive, c.1800. It was in the possession of a J. Sherman in the 1820s. In the 1830s it became the residence of the Rev. F. go up in flames Spring, Chaplain of St George’s Cathedral, Madras, a man who, it would ap- pear, spent more time at the Agri Horticultural Society close by than in the church. In his time, the property came to be known as Spring’s Garden and the here was a time when that the Bank has not largely a wasted effort the way it name continued to be used for a century and more, even as the property changed T Shimla held the record for announced any decision to has panned out. The building is hands – the Rajah of Pithapuram and Sir C Sankaran Nair owning it at various the maximum number of heri- demolish, and is most likely to back to a bad state and the only times. In 1903, the property hosted a session of the Congress party, a pandal to tage buildings burnt down. The restore, the structure. The SBI satisfaction that can be got out house 6000 people being put up in the gardens. excuse given there was that the has had a fairly good track of it is that the structure is still In 1937, the property was purchased by film director K. Subrahmanyam structures were largely of timber record of conserving its built standing. who established a studio there for his Motion Picture Producers Combine and so this was bound to heritage and it is expected that The fire at the SBI building (MPPC). It was here that some of his famous films, Thyaga Bhoomi (1938) happen. Now it would appear was waiting to happen given the included, were shot. On December 21, 1940, the studio was burned to the that Chennai is giving the erst- way the structure was main- ground necessitating a distress sale of the land. It was bid for and bought by S.S. while summer capital some G by A Special tained – unwanted furniture Vasan of Ananda Vikatan. tough competition. The fire in Correspondent dumped at all corners, water Renamed Gemini Studios in 1941, the property embarked on the most excit- the State Bank of India (SBI) seeping through at most places, ing phase of its existence. Several hits, including Chandralekha (1948), were building on Rajaji Salai (First an enormous number of files made here, making Vasan a movie moghul. The studio was a cosmopolitan place Line Beach) is the latest in a it will take up work on the stored disorderly and above all, with people from all over the country and even some foreigners working for The series that stretches back to the Rajaji Salai property in the same arbitrary electric wiring and use Boss as Vasan was always referred to. It was also a ‘must visit’ spot in the city 1980s. Most of them have had spirit. That said, we must cau- of false ceilings and partitions. for any VIP who happened to be passing. only one reason – poor main- tion that the restoration will The last named had been put up The golden era of Gemini was undoubtedly the 1940s and the early 1950s. tenance, something that could not be an easy task given the as and when the necessity arose, Thereafter, it did produce some hits but the purple patch of the earlier decade have easily been avoided. building’s location and its un- without any proper planning. was never matched. Decline set in in the 1960s. The unionised staff, a new The fire at the State Bank doubtedly intricate architec- Thus, what was essentially a political regime and the star as opposed to the studio system meant the good times building was quickly put out – tural elements and interiors. It single storied banking hall be- were coming to an end though Vasan’s grit and determination ensured success to but not before a part of a floor is to be hoped that the SBI will came a two-storied structure a large degree. When the bugles blow, there will be a show was the motto em- bossed under the logo of the famed Gemini twins at the entrance and so the show caved in. It is understood that NOT follow the example of the with the intervening floor being had to be kept going. The Boss died in 1969 after a painful bout with cancer and experts from the Indian Insti- Department of Posts, Govern- put up for accommodating more with him much of the Gemini magic too went. His family decided to focus on his tute of Technology (IIT) have ment of India, when the latter office space. This is the floor publishing activities and preferred to sell Gemini to developers. The bugles had been called in to assess the restored the neighbouring blown, and the show was over. But old memories die hard – the flyover nearby damage. What is heartening is General Post Office. That was (Continued on page 2) is still Gemini to most people. CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS August 1-15, 2014 Watching heritage A Madras Week moment go up in flames h! MMM, such a resolved to have clean public read, MMM was about to “A pleasure talking to toilets, ensure pavement space, shoot off the customary apol- (Continued from page 1) ing to be international in its you,” said the voice over the maintain smooth roads, tackle ogy (‘We know how you feel standards. phone and The Man from the hawker menace, repair but there is very little we can that has now collapsed. Those For a matter of record, the Madras Musings froze in his street lights, and clear garbage. do, etc’) when a line caught his tracks. A sixth sense warned Anyway, it is the thought that attention. Four digit figures in charge of the restoration will SBI building in question was built in 1895 by T. Namberumal him that an impossible idea for counts and MMM is glad to were mentioned as subscrip- need to debate on whether the Madras Week was in the note that the heart of the civic tion and it said that Madras floor has to necessarily be put Chetty, the master contractor of that period, to the design of offing. Sure enough, MMM body is in the right place. But Musings had had the temerity back or whether the old hall can was correct. The person at the leaving all that aside, MMM to charge the correspondent be splendidly restored with the Henry Irwin. It was the head of- other end of the wire, it wonders if the resolution to re- the same figure twice but had space in it being put to better fice of the Bank of Madras seemed, found the poster cul- move posters has anything to not delivered even once. It was use. which, through its amalgam- ture of our city most annoying. do with the voice that called then that MMM sat up and The SBI fire is symbolic of a ation with the other Presidency Each day of this individual’s MMM. If so, this must be a took notice. Was the Chief in larger malaise – the shocking banks in 1921, formed the Im- life, it seems, was blighted by powerful voice, a voice that, some secret extortion racket, lack of upkeep of public build- perial Bank of India, which in the posters. Coming out of like Mars, can threaten and he wondered. What was all 1955 became the State Bank of home and office, the first thing command. MMM wishes he this talk of four-figure num- ings and spaces in our city. That that greeted the person’s eyes had made a note of the bers about which we at MM cleanliness and safety standards India. The Bank of Madras in- cidentally, can trace its origins was a variety of posters. Those number. have no knowledge? have never been Chennai’s vir- that were pasted on the pillars The mail also had another to the first bank of the country tues is only very well known, of the Metro rail’s work-in- We’ve got mail! cryptic mention about the but it is of late that these have – the Government Bank, progress, in particular, of- weight of each consignment, reached epidemic proportions. Madras, set up in the 17th Cen- fended the most. MMM heard he Chief has this thing which puzzled MMM further. It is the heritage buildings that tury in Fort St George. Apart the whole complaint out in si- T about the postman’s After all, we at MM are known have suffered the most. Con- from being a splendid piece of lence, wondering from the ac- knock. He writes about it fre- for writing on weighty matters quently. The Man from Madras sider this – Spencer’s, Moore architecture, it is all this history cusatory tone if the person on but then, surely, nobody could that the bank building repre- the other side thought MMM Musings is not so enamoured of accuse our eight-sheeter tab- Market, the GPO, Gandhi was responsible for the pasting the game and less so ever since loid of being heavy in matters Illam, the Mint, Khalsa Mahal sents. Hopefully, the SBI will be conscious of this in its restora- of these offending pieces of the Chief, in a moment of of avoirdupois. And then the and now the SBI have ALL had weakness, installed email and tion exercise. paper. matter was cleared up. The fires attributed to short circuits. And then came the punch got MMM to administer the writer had problems with a That must certainly have made *Editor’s Note: Even before this line. “As part of Madras Week daily quota of fan communica- well-known monthly that from someone somewhere sit up and story could go to press, an- celebrations,” said the voice, tion that comes to our beloved its name would suggest that take notice by now. But we are other heritage building has with the air of one bestowing a publication – Chennai Chirp- the reader who reads it could ings, oops sorry Chief – Madras to be sadly disappointed in such been made a shell – a salvage- royal favour or issuing a com- assimilate his food better. The expectations – there are plenty mand, “Why don’t you, Musings. publication in question was able one, though – by a fire in Each morning, MMM’s more heritage buildings MMM, do something about known at one time for sections it. Humayun Mahal joins it?” Having counted till ten, hand shakes visibly as he logs such as Humour in Uniform, crammed with paper, old furni- Khalsa Mahal, its core having MMM then asked if the party on to mail account to see what Laughter is the Best Medicine, ture and bad wiring that are burnt down for all the same on the other side had anything has come in. Now you may and It Pays to Enrich Your awaiting a fate similar to that of reasons listed above. specific to suggest. “Why, it’s wonder why, and in order to Word Power. It took a while the worthies listed above*. It is quite easy. You know so many elucidate, MMM gives you a for MMM to then prepare a a sad blot on a city that is aim- (Also see page 5) people in Chennai. Why don’t reply that requested the writer you first fix a meeting with the to please send the missive else- Managing Director of Metro SHORT ‘N’ where. There has been no re- rail and explain the matter to sponse since. Perhaps the him? He should also be SNAPPY reader is digesting MMM’s BUILD AS YOU convinced to take action. As a email before tossing a broad- follow-up, you could meet the side at the other publication. Mayor and the Commissioner sample. Last week there came If this is one variety, we also of the Corporation. Then, if in an email that had ‘accusa- have another kind. There is a PLEASE nothing happens, there is tory’ written all over it. The group of railway users in always the …” correspondent began by saying southern Tamil Nadu who ap- At this moment, the voice that she was most unhappy pear to think that their pro- (Continued from page 1) points, basic fire-fighting equip- paused to take a breath and with Madras Musings’ deliv- tests and criticisms of their ment, and ease of access for MMM got a word or two in. He ery. She had, she said, paid for chosen mode of transport firemen and hydrants are all explained that Madras Week an annual subscription and should appear each fortnight which gives approval, nor the absent. Yet, such buildings are operates on a simple principle. was not receiving the publica- in Madras Musings. And when Corporation, which monitors allowed to be constructed. The Put in elementary Chennai- tion. Of course, this is a com- it does not, their reaction is mon enough complaint upon construction, can enforce any lack of fire safety is highlighted speak, it amounts to “That bitter. There is a college way that person, that that idea, that which MMM has ceased to down in the State and its Pub- discipline. Both have long given only when a major disaster that execution.” He then went dwell, chiefly because the lic Relations Department up on this task. Thus we have a strikes. Here again, the on to make it simpler by saying postal department (not of thinks that all the doings of its situation where every plan approving authorities are to that, contrary to general opin- Madras Musings which, many founder, beyond routine ablu- looks perfect on paper, but blame. Apart from the Fire ion, Madras Week is not run people assume, separately tions, must find space in MM. when executed the construc- Department, the Corporation, by a vast industrial conglomer- exists, but that of the Govern- Towards this end they are pre- tion deviates considerably from which monitors buildings under ate that has thousands of min- ment of India) is very sensitive pared to fling gold at MMM what was approved. There is construction, rarely notices if ions at its beck and call. Sec- to criticism. but he has proven immovable. nobody to check these vari- set offs are provided for as man- ondly, the organisers have no But to get back to the They have not yet given up ances while the construction is dated by the rules. These are clout with the Government email. Upon giving it a cursory hope. It takes all kinds to keep in progress. True, builders are not just for making a building and, in MMM’s private view, Madras Musings moving. not mentioning their names is Tailpiece supposed to obtain a comple- look pretty – they are needed the best way to curry any he Man from Madras Musings was at a temple. He was stuck tion certificate once the struc- for easy accessibility of all parts favour with the powers-that- for the tailpiece and was worried. He opened his eyes after a ture is ready for occupation. of a structure in the event of a be. Lastly, Madras Week is all T brief prayer to find that God Almighty had delivered. The That appears to be the easiest conflagration. Unfortunately, about voluntary effort. And so picture below explains all. document to get. This is proved these are overlooked com- if the voice did not like the – MMM by the number of illegal con- pletely, which is why we have so posters, the voice needed to do structions and extra unap- many buildings constructed in something about it. The caller proved floors in the city – all close proximity to each other did not sound very convinced, with electricity and water con- and often usurping public land but rang off. A couple of days later, nections, which cannot be ob- as well. MMM was pleasantly sur- tained without completion cer- All this does not show the prised to see that the Corpora- tificates. administration in good light. tion has resolved that it would Fire safety is yet another is- That apart, if this apathy is al- remove posters from public sue. Most public buildings and lowed to continue we are going places and fine those pasting several private residential to see several more such inci- them. Of course, this is not apartments appear to have no dents in the near future. More saying much, given that our city’s civic body has in the past preventive mechanisms of any evidence of an international kind. Multiple exits, assembly city in the making? August 1-15, 2014 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

Looking back most popular lyric of his was “Konjum Purave” sung by the he recent letters about legendary MLV for film Thayul- Hotel Oceanic brought T lam, among others were ‘Mapil- back fond memories of Madras lai Doi’ by AM Raja, and ‘Roja and San Thomé. Malar Venuma’ sung by Bala- I always say that our genera- saraswathy. I was fortunate tion was the one that went A telephone line enough to be present at the re- through the most revolutionary cording of a couple of songs by change in our lives. Nagesh’s PB Srinivas and P Susheela for song Madras nalla Madras brings the devotional film Bhakta back nostalgic memories of our in its 100th year Sabari. Sometimes music direc- homely city, and of what it tors sat in our shed at the back- could have been, but for the yard and composed music, ● RAMESH KUMAR of the Indian kept moving, while we remained rooted to the mindless “development” brou- while our cows listened. Father Commerce & Industries Co. P. Ltd., 57, same premises! ght about by decades of sense- also started a small poultry unit Prakasam Salai, writes: less “town planning!” The same is the case with our door number, at the far end, when the poultry My parents lived in Raja ur oldest telephone line completed 99 years which went from 95 to 27 to the current number industry was just beginning. Annamalaipuram, which was a on July 11th and has entered its 100th year. 57, while the street name changed from Popham’s Our neighbours bought milk O quiet, peaceful area. All the Broadway to Prakasam Salai. and sometimes eggs for their The BSNL invoice featured above says that houses were built on four- children. But they complained our telephone line was installed on July 11, 1915. At the bottom of the letterhead I have, is the ground plots by order of the about the crowing of the roost- This telephone line was subscribed under Bee- logo of the Engineering Association of India (re- Corporation, and they had large ers, cackling of the hens and the hive Foundry Engineering Works (when it was produced below) of which we were member and gardens. We had a few mango smell from the very cows that still with Oakes & Co.). It was only in the early have remained so in its various avatars. and gooseberry trees, whose gave them pure milk! 1990s that we got the billing addressed to the fruits I would take to school and By the mid-1970s things be- present parent company, the Indian Commerce This association evolved as the Confederation share with my friends. gan to change, and we had sold & Industries Co P Ltd. of Indian Industry (CII) of which we continue to Since we had a large back- off our livestock and prepared be a member. yard, my father, a lover of na- I attended the school opposite Beehive Build- ourselves for a more “modern” ture, had built a shed and kept ings in Broadway from Class 1 to SSLC, and most I am not sure if Beehive Foundry under the lifestyle! So, here we are, two jersey cows in it. of my after-school hours and holidays were spent ownership of Oakes & Co. was a member of the cribbing about the peaceful past My father J. Thangavel rose in our office premises where I frequently roamed Indian Engineering Association (IEA) or whether even while enjoying the myriad to become the Chief News Edi- around the entire office and workshop. One day, we carried forward that legacy, but here again is a electrical and electronic appli- tor of All India Radio. But he I chanced upon an unused letterhead lying in the situation of a company’s membership remaining ances which have made our was more happy to write for stationery cupboard. Since I was interested in for a long period, unbroken even while the asso- homes more comfortable. Tamil magazines and movies. dated material, I saved the letterhead, which I ciation in which it is a member changed its name, He penned several lyrics under Usha Sundar still have. It is also featured above. form and structure. his pen name ‘Surabhi’. The [email protected] I think this letterhead was printed no earlier Footnote A verse response than 1952 (since it bears the name Kowtha Steel Products which was started in Ramavarappadu The history of the CII began in 1895 when five Simply couldn’t resist the temptation to wake up the poet in me near Vijayawada – then known as Bezwada – in engineering firms, all members of the Bengal after reading Ranjitha’s verse (MM, April 16th). January 1952) but no later than 1953 (since in Chamber of Commerce and Industry, joined I couldn’t help grinning, September 1953 the Excelsior Oil Mills was razed hands to form the Engineering and Iron Trades At parts that were winning; in a fire accident). Association (EITA). The name changed to the A review so very rare, Engineering Association of India (EAI) in 1912, Our telephone number as seen on the letter- The writing an MM dare, reflecting the Association’s decision to exclude head was 2020, presumably the original number But never taking a dig traders from the membership and concentrate allotted to Beehive Foundry at the time of instal- At the A.I. identity jig fully on promoting the cause of manufacturers. lation in 1915. It could also have been a three That most good writers like Kevin Till 1942, IEA was the only all-India association digit number which was later changed to four dig- Are unwittingly caught in of the engineering industry and represented, its. I wouldn’t know. Dancing to our Community’s blues mainly, the big engineering companies, particu- With special wooden-flooring shoes, The telephone connection was originally with larly the British firms. This led to a situation One leg going East the Oriental Telephone & Electric Co. till Ma- where the interests of the Indian firms (mainly And the other West; dras Telephones took over in 1923. medium and small scale) were not sufficiently rep- Mulligatwany soup is our stew, resented. Thus, the Engineering Association of And a fondness for pork vindaloo, The number changed to 21071 (I don’t know India (EAI) was established in 1942. Has prompted many a writer to ask precisely when, but that’s the number I have When A.Is their identity they mask: known from childhood). After Independence, the public sector as- sumed the lead role in industrial development. “Hey, Missy, are you Double Cream With the introduction of the Kalmandapam Or Madras fish curry made with bream?” Keeping in view the greater interests of the engi- Telephone Exchange (in the early 1980s, I think) neering industry in the country, in April 1974, Harry MacLure our line got shifted to the new exchange and we Editor-Publisher, Anglos In The Wind the two associations – IEA and EAI – merged to were allotted 555021. form the Association of Indian Engineering When the Harbour Exchange was opened, the Industry (AIEI). CHENNAI HERITAGE line again got shifted to this exchange and we In 1986, there was a change in name from AIEI No. 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014 were allotted 512221. to the Confederation of Engi- I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / I With the introduction of neering Industry (CEI), re- have just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it hereafter. 7-digit numbering, the num- flecting the growth and ex- G I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Rs. 100 ber changed to 523-1477 and pansion of the organisation (Rupees One hundred) payable to CHENNAI HERITAGE, with introduction of 8-digit since 1974. CEI then became MADRAS, as subscription to Madras Musings for the year numbering, it changed to an apex body for manufactur- 2014-15. 2523-1477 and continues to ing industries at the national G As token of my support for the causes of heritage, environment remain so. level. and a better city that Madras Musings espouses, I send Chennai Heritage an additional Rs...... (Rupees A phone line in the same With effect from January 1, ...... ) Please keep/ location since its installation 1992, in keeping with Govern- put me on your mailing list. in 1915 has gone from 2020 ment’s decision to opt for the Name : ...... to 21071 to 555021 to liberalisation of the Indian Address: ...... 512221 to 5231477 to economy, the name of CEI All cheques to ‘Chennai Heritage’. DD/Cheque should be sent by 25231477 and all this while was changed to Confederation Speed Post only. the Telephone Exchange of Indian Industry (CII). 4 MADRAS MUSINGS August 1-15, 2014 August 1-15, 2014 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 The father of Will this magnificent interior be restored... primary healthcare in India

(Continued from last fortnight) . C. Subrahmanyam, Edi- primary health care movement Dr. B. Ramamurthi, the Mtor, The Indian Review, and in India”. acclaimed neurosurgon, once Hony Secretary, Public Health Sanjivi passed out of Madras wrote, “In 1957, when Dr. The then Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran being shown around the VHS hospital by Dr. K.S Sanjivi. Centre (PHC), West Mamba- Medical College in 1927, and Sanjivi was to become the Chief lam, wrote in the 1970s, “VHS went on to complete his MD in Executive of the Madras Medi- service and, post-retirement, at of the best public relations men today is an example and an in- General Medicine (one of the cal College, that was denied him VHS, speaks of “two entirely dif- in the city! From well-known spiration in the field of voluntary first four to do so!). on irrelevant grounds, he re- ferent phases of his life – “one consultants to ward boys, he mo- medical service, silently beckon- From his first posting at the signed and the episode was a before preponed retirement, a tivated them all to have a sense ing medical men of quality to Kilpauk Mental Hospital, he blessing for the people of Madras quiet and placid life as a physi- of ownership for VHS. spare a portion of their time for and for the people of India. The cian and teacher of medicine For a man of his achieve- service to the community... idea of VHS was born and so was with academic achievements, ments, the greatest quality and There may not be a record to the message of ‘people helping and the other after retirement, a strength he possessed was to show all the sources Dr. Sanjivi themselves towards better life of restless, dynamic activity retain his humility and give tapped to build and maintain health’. His idea of small volun- in the fulfilment of a stupendous, others the credit. Dr. C. Ragha- this new experiment in commu- tary contributions from the poor self-imposed mission in life., a vachari once said of him, “Short nity medical service: the sources and his concept of preventive brilliant innings!” in stature, frail in constitution that yielded readily, those that and promotive health have influ- Polite and gentle in speech and with low voice, but with the yielded but with a lot of pontifi- enced the delivery of health care and manners, he emphasised the best inner strength and will cal advice, those that remained in our country.” moral responsibility of well-to-do power to succeed in areas where ice cold, those that gave out in- Well-known physician Dr. K. citizens to help poorer sections. most people would be unsuccess- sult and nothing more, and those V. Thiruvengadam recalls, “The Dr. Sanjivi was greatly influ- ful. An inspirational force, ini- who were more vain than com- privilege (he had) of being his enced by Gandhian thought and, tially it was his gentle but deter- passionate. It may not also be student in the clinical years, a therefore, the underlying ethos mined and persuasive manner known how Dr. Sanjivi bent over postgraduate trainee with him, of VHS has been prevention and that spurred people on. His larger backward to provide all facilities and his Assistant Physiscian – all cure of serious illness, fostering of than life persona continues to to medical men of high academic over a period spanning nearly the family as a unit for medical envelop the campus, willing pro- distinction in some of the rare ten years. Very few clinicians Dr. K.S. Sanjivi. care, and facilitating active com- fessionals to continually develop specialities. VHS is a monument services for the less privileged to the services of a fragile man sections of society.” The magnificent Banking Hall (above), of what was then the Bank of Madras, was Henry Irwin’s contribution with a flaming will!” moved to Madurai in the mid- G by Shobha Menon Thilakam, at present a Blood Dr. C. Raghavachari noted, to a building that was opened c.1900. This splendour is unrecognisable today in the building which in recent years 1930s to work at the Govern- Bank Assistant, VHS, grew up has become the State Bank of India’s Main Branch office and which was recently damaged by fire. Can we hope for “The establishment and smooth ment Erskine Hospital. Later, at ... like this one was? “like a daughter” in the doctor’s its restoration to a glorious bit of construction in the manner the Connemara Library’s 1896 Reading Hall (below) running of the Voluntary Health the Royapettah Hospital he was would be so sedate, yet so sharp munity participation in the pro- household from the age of 12. (another Irwin masterpiece) was done a few years ago? Services called for organising ca- in charge of the TB Ward and al- and quick of reflexes, reticent, vision of a continuum of health- She recalls that Dr. Sanjivi was pacity, administrative skill, di- lergy clinic, before moving to the yet so effective in clinical discus- care, with special reference to disciplined in his eating habits plomacy, delegation and capac- General Hospital as RMO in sions, soft spoken and yet so re- disadvantaged groups such as and daily routines. His weight ity to develop good public rela- 1946. In 1947, he trained in the assuring to their patients!” women, children and elderly. was always a standard 50 kg and, tions with staff, co-workers, UK and USA and on his return Dr. Sanjivi’s advice to stu- To ensure this was his “genius till the time he stopped driving, agencies and the public at vari- in 1948 was appointed Director dents was to be simple and frugal for mobilising support for his he always drove at a sedate 40 ous levels. The magnitude of the of the TB Research Centre at in all their actions, never to over- cause, and the way he got initial km/hour..Even in his seventies, task and the pace of the execu- Chetpet, and Director of the TB prescribe, never to over-investi- help from the Race Club by indi- he would take the stairs in the tion called for a great sacrifice of Sanatorium, Tambaram. When gate and to always be kind to pa- vidually contacting and canvass- VHS and never use the lift! His comfort and leisure.” he was appointed Professor of tients! Dr. Saroja Srinivasan, ing support from the hundred- respect for everyone he met was Dr. J. Balasubramaniam re- Medicine at Madras Medical who joined VHS in 1966 as the odd members with different in- well-known, cutting across calls that on ward rounds Dr. College, he was to enjoy the best RMO, remembers accompanying terests and moods.” religions and among of cross- Sanjivi was always kind to pa- years of his government service. him on his medical rounds, visit- Dr. Krishnamoorthy Srinivas sections of society. tients and soft-spoken and en- With meticulously planned ing about 25 patients over two often speaks of how he once took Following his wife’s death in couraged keen discussions classes and a subtle sense of hours, “His clinical acumen was Dr. Sanjivi to meet a rich indus- 1980, Dr. Sanjivi threw himself among students. Even in the humour, he built up a rapport so exceptional that he rarely re- trialist who kept his legs even more into building up VHS. most difficult cases, he never with his students that lasted lied on lab tests or X-rays, and stretched out on a table through- By mid-1989, be suffered a series antagonised anyone, whether throughout his life. He strongly always prescribed simple drugs. out the conversation! When Dr. of strokes that left him bedridden colleague or patient. A smiling felt the need for senior doctors to His recall memory was brilliant Srinivas apologised later for his and blind. Yet he continued to be utterance of Saappaatturama or encourage younger colleagues and he’d often quiz us about in- friend’s bad manners, Dr. Sanjivi active, discussing cases with doc- Pythiakkaran was a rare admoni- even at expense of their own ca- structions given on patient fol- replied, “Oh that’s nothing...I tors and taking classes in hospi- tion! reers. The tremendous affection low-ups weeks earlier! Particular would not have minded even if tal administration. On October The man they were referring his students held him in paid rich about not wasting any resource – he put his legs on my head as 1, 1994, he breathed his last. As to was Dr. K.S. Sanjivi whom dividends later when he started power, water or paper – tests that long as he gave a sizeable dona- his daughter Gita wrote, “A calm many consider “the father of the the VHS. had to be done were indicated on tion.” Dr. J. Balasubramanian and peaceful ending to a life of a small slip of paper with the recalls an instance when Dr. cheerful and unselfish service.” VHS stamp. Meticulously he’d Sanjivi learnt that a donor had He was the recipient of many MADRAS MUSINGS ON THE WEB note down points for the day in given a cheque for Rs 40,000. “It honours and awards: the Padma Shri in 1971, the Padma Bhu- To reach out to as many readers as possible who share our keen between meetings with col- was found out that the donor leagues/patients, on a small piece lived on C V Raman Road, and shan in 1976, Dr B C Roy interest in Madras that is Chennai, and in response to requests National Award for Socio Medi- from many well-wishers – especially from outside Chennai and of recycled paper with a neatly he went to visit him to thank cal Relief in 1976 and many abroad who receive their postal copies very late – for an online sharpened pencil that would be him. He came back smiling with others. But to him the implemen- edition. Madras Musings is now on the web at www. used to the last remnant!” And another Rupees 2 lakh donation tation of his messages meant madrasmusings.com Dr. S. Raghavachari, who had a for the VHS!” Dr. Sanjivi’s long association with Dr. Sanjivi unassuming and easily approa- more than any award. THE EDITOR from P S High School to medical chable personality made him one (To be Concluded) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS August 1-15, 2014 Two enter

(Current Affairs questions are their from the period July 1st to 15th. Questions 11 to 20 per- tain to Chennai and Tamil Nadu.) 100th year 1. Who won the Golden Ball and wo well-known institutions in the South, both in Golden Boot at the recently- TMadanapalle, Chittoor District, once part of Madras Presi- concluded FIFA World Cup? dency, Province and State, have entered their hundredth year from 2. What is the name given to the July 19th. latest offensive launched by Israel Besant Theosophical College, founded by Annie Besant, was on Hamas militants in the Gaza inaugurated on July 19, 1915 by Governor Lord Pentland. The Strip? College drew students from as far away as Burma and England. Its 3. Which country recently first Principal was M.U. Moore and on its staff were James H. Cous- benefited from a UN Tribunal ins, English Lecturer, and his wife Margaret Cousins (English Com- awarding it four-fifths of an area position). Both were well-known Madras Theosophists. sprawling over 25,000 sq km (9,700 sq miles) in the Bay of Bengal, which ended a dispute over a sea border with India? 4. Name India’s first indigenous The moving song of India anti-submarine warship (ASW) that was handed over to the Thou art the ruler of the minds of all people, dispenser of Indian Navy recently. India’s destiny. Thy name rouses the hearts of the Panjab, 5. Name the much feted and Sind, Gujrat and Maratha, of the Dravid and Orissa and Ben- loved veteran actress and grand gal; it echoes in the hills of the Vindhyas and Himalayas, old lady of Bollywood who passed away recently at the age of 102. mingles in the music of the Ganges and Jamuna and is chanted by the surging waves of the Indian Sea. They pray 6. According to the C. Ranga- rajan report on poverty, what is for thy blessings and sing thy praise. The saving of all people the daily per capita expenditure waits in thy hand, thou dispenser of India’s destiny. for the rural poor and the urban The Besant College buildings coming up. Victory, Victory, Victory to thee. poor? 7. The President of India joined Day and night thy voice goes out from land to land call- Twitter on July 1st. What is his ing the Hindus, Buddhists, Shikhs and Jains round thy handle? throne and the Parsees, Musalmans and Christians. The East 8. India has become the first and the West join hands in their prayer to thee, and the country to ratify the Marrakesh garland of love is woven. Thou bringest the hearts of all Treaty. What does it deal with? people into the harmony of one life, thou dispenser of India’s 9. What is Google’s new initia- destiny. tive, ‘Project Zero’, all about? Victory, Victory, Victory to thee. 10. On July 15th, who was awarded the International Gandhi Peace Prize by the Presi- The procession of pilgrims passes over the endless road dent of India? rugged with the rise and fall of nations; and it resounds with * * * the thunder of thy wheels, Eternal Charioteer! Through the 11. What was the previous name dire days of doom thy trumpet sounds and men are led by of the Muslim Higher Secondary Rev. Dr. L.R. Scudder (left) and Rev. B. Rottschaefer of the Arcot Mission. thee across death. Thy finger points the path to all people, School in Triplicane? Oh dispenser of India’s destiny! Construction of the College buildings began in January 1916. 12. The foundation stone to Victory, Victory, Victory to thee. which once iconic symbol of Ma- When Rabindranath Tagore visited the College in 1919, he trans- dras was laid on April 20, 1898 lated Jana Gana Mana into English, and it was set to music by and inaugurated on November Margaret Cousins and sung at the College. The darkness was dense and deep was the night. My 30, 1900? * * * country lay in a deathlike silence of swoon. But thy mother 13. What was the name of the Later that same July 1915 day, Lord Pentland opened the Union arms were round her and thine eyes gazed upon her troubled Madras residence of Naganatha Missionary Tuberculosis Sanatorium now called the face in sleepless love through her hours of ghastly dreams. Setupathi, the Rajah of Ramnad? Arogyavaram Medical Centre. Thou art the companion and the saviour of the people It was in Royapettah. Originally located in Madanapalle from 1912, the hospital was in their sorrows, thou dispenser of India’s destiny. 14. How has the wedding of one shifted to Arogyavaram, about 4 miles from Madanapalle. Rukmini and Rajagoplan on April The hospital was started with 109 beds which later increased to The night fades; the light breaks over the peaks of the 29, 1963 been made famous in lit- 397 beds in the 1950s and to about 450 beds in 1965. The largest Eastern hills; the birds begin to sing and the morning breeze erature? hospital in India, it occupies an area of about 300 acres. carries the breath of new life. The rays of thy mercy have 15. What is said to have come up Eight inter-denominational missions, led by the American touched the waking land with their blessings. Victory to thee on a property of Simpson’s Arcot Mission, cooperated in setting up the sanatorium. The Ex- King of Kings; Victory to thee, dispenser of India’s destiny. (earlier, Thomas Waller’s stables) ecutive Committee instrumental in establishing the institution was Victory, Victory, Victory to thee. on Mount Road? convened by the Rev. L.R. Scudder, and the Building Committee, 16. Which Chennai-based racer convened in October 1912, was led by the Rev. B, Rottschaefer, founded ‘Wallace Sports & both of the Arcot Mission. Rabindranath Tagore Research Foundation’ to train February 28, 1919 drivers interested in participating Published with this reminder sent by Ramineni Bhaskarendra in races and rallies? Rao are pictures of those early days of both institutions. 17. Which famous Madras statue was sculpted by Sir Francis Chantrey using a portrait by Sir Martin Archer Shee? 18. Which bustling area in Chennai gets its name from the Flame of the Forest tree? 19. Which Rajini-starrer holds the distinction of being the first 70mm Tamil film? 20. What is the name of Shiva at the Thirukazhukundram temple? (Answers on page 10) The Administration Block with the two general wards for women on left side. August 1-15, 2014 MADRAS MUSINGS 7

Promotion and Publicity: Check www.themadrasday.in for up-to-date programmes. PRISM Public Relations. 8 MADRAS MUSINGS August 1-15, 2014 August 1-15, 2014 MADRAS MUSINGS 9 10 MADRAS MUSINGS August 1-15, 2014 An American who danced with the Travancore trio our family happened to move in twenty-three, Padmini twenty, Sukumari. We were still next door to a family of danc- and Ragini about fifteen. They learning the ropes and no ers. The three daughters – were already well established in doubt made gaffes right Padmini, Lalitha, and Ragini – their film and dance careers. and left, but not to worry, were known as the Travancore They quickly added suffixes, they made allowances! Sisters and were also wildly meaning “older sister” and In their publicity pho- popular as film actresses. “older brother”, to my parents’ tos the Travancore The sisters took Mom under nicknames. Mom became Sisters looked breathtak- Ruth Woodman on the dance stage their wing and allowed her to “Poochie-akka” and dad “Evie- ingly glamorous, but in G New Hampshire (USA) study the classical Indian style anna”. real life they were the based Betsy Woodman, an Here she is, on the left, with Padmini, of Bharata Natyam with their * * * girl-next-door whole- centre, and Lalitha, right. alumna of Woodstock School, guru. She even performed once We were the new kids on some and unaffected, Mussoorie, is the author of and nice as could be. three children’s books set in Lalitha (1930-1982) was the band, Dr. Ramachandran, to North India. But she lived in oldest. She got her start in films New Jersey, where she founded Madras as a child of 6-8, when when she was eight. My parents her own dance school. their next-door neighbours remembered her as quieter than Like the older two, Ragini during that time were the the other two, with her own was a stunning dancer with a Travancore Sisters! Betsy’s gentle mystique. Dad liked to sparkling screen presence. The mother Ruth was a trained recall the time she sat up all tallest of the three, she would ballet dancer. So, she learned night with a sick kitten in her often play a male role in dance Bharata Natyam from them lap, willing it to live after every- dramas. She could also wield a and even performed with the one else had written it off for cricket bat! sisters. In recent times, Betsy lost; the kitten recovered. Perhaps the sight of these has been remembering those Padmini (1932-2006) ap- three beautiful ladies has been years in several blogs. peared in over 250 Indian mov- a remedy for homesickness for Left to right: Lalitha, Ragini, Padmini. ies in Tamil, Telugu, Malaya- people spread over the globe by V. Vijaysree the Indian diaspora. But you with them, the local newspapers the block in 1953, the block be- lam and Hindi. She often por- don't have to be Indian to love y mother, Ruth Wood expressing some astonishment ing on Edward Elliot Road. It trayed a sassy, independent- them. Mman, had studied ballet in that an American – and a could have been a difficult ad- minded young woman. In Mera The sisters are no longer New York City before marrying mother of three – could do so justment but, instead, it was like Naam Joker, she even played a with us, but decades after they my dad, Everett Woodman. By well on the dance stage. falling into a warm bath. This woman masquerading as a male made their movies, they still the time they reached Madras, Later, in New Delhi, she was largely because of the kind- street entertainer with a per- have devoted fans. – (Courtesy: she had two little girls and was founded a ballet school, and ness of our hospitable next-door forming dog. (She was fierce in Betsy Woodman’s blog. Pic- about to give birth to a third. gave performances to support neighbours – the Mom, Saras- that role.) As a dancer, she was tures from the Woodman Col- The dance career had been put various charitable causes. wati Amma, her three daugh- nothing less than divine. lection) aside. When we moved in next ters, their brother, Chandran, Later, Padmini married and But as luck would have it, door to them, Lalitha was and their cousins, Ambika and moved with her physician hus- (To be concluded)

Answers to Quiz 044-4551 1508/ 044-4249 8943 to do many works based on them 1. Lionel Messi and James Rodriguez respectively; 2. ‘Operation Pro- (at DakshinaChitra). (at DakshinaChitra). tective Edge’; 3. Bangladesh; 4. INS Kamorta; 5. Zohra Sehgal; 6. Rs. 32 August 23-31: Onam Festival Till August 31: Sangamam, an and Rs. 47 respectively; 7. @RashtrapatiBhvn; 8. Facilitating access to includes Singari Melam, a group exhibition of photograhs by Susil published works for persons who are blind and visually impaired; 9. It is August 15-17: Three-day residen- percussion performance by Pani. To coincide with the team of elite hackers designated to check internet security holes and se- tial workshop ‘Vernacular & Swarnalayam, a women’s troupe Adiperukku water festival, the cure users from cyber-attacks; 10. Social activist and pioneer of the Chipko Sustainable Architecture’ to from Kozhikode (at Dakshina- exhibition focusses on different movement Chandi Prasad Bhatt. create understanding of such Chitra). water bodies of India. (at * * * architecture. Course Director, Till August 31: Traditions, an DakshinaChitra). 11. Harris High School for Muslims; 12. Moore Market; 13. Wood- Conservation architect Benny exhibition of drawings and lands; 14. In Saavi’s Washingtonil Tirumanam; 15. Cosmopolitan Club; 16. Kuriakose. Participants limited sketchings by G. Rajan. His Till August 31: Middle Path 2, a Vicky Chandhok; 17. Sir Thomas Munro; 18. Pursawakam; 19. Maveeran; to 30. For details, interest in temple architecture group exhibition by seven senior 20. Vedagiriswarar. mcfindia@gmail. com or call and Shilpa Shastra has led him artists at DakshinaChitra.

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PublishedPublished by S. Muthiahby S. Muthiahfor ‘Chennai for Heritage’,‘Chennai No. Heritage’, 5, Bhattad 260-A, Tower, TTK 30, WestcottRoad, Chennai Road, Royapettah, 600 018 Chennaiand printed 600 014, by Tprinted J George by Anu at Varghese Lokavani-Hallmark at Lokavani Southern Press Pvt. Printers Ltd., Pvt. 122, Ltd., Greams 122, Greams Road, Road, Chennai Chennai 600 600 006. 006, Edited and edited by S.by MUTHIAH.S. Muthiah.