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Vol. XXIII No. 15 MUSINGS November 16-30, 2013 When fire strikes twice...... Heritage is the victim (By A Special Correspondent) hey say lightning never strikes twice. But in our city, fires certainly do. The Government Press, Twhich is housed in the buildings of the erstwhile Mint on the eponymous street, had a fire within six months of two earlier ones. The most recent and most serious blaze of them all destroyed what the first two had not. The buildings had to be demolished. Thanks to poor maintenance, shoddy electrical wiring and an appalling sense of housekeeping, another one of the heritage structures of the city fell victim to what was very much an avoidable tragedy. The Government Press on the site of the old Mint, where one more of the But that is not the view of officialdom which moved ahead with unseemly speed to flatten what City’s heritage buildings came down. was left, speed that could have been shown in restoration which, if done, could have obviated the causes for the fire accident. Even now it is reliably The hawkers may leave, but understood that the fire is seen as a blessing in disguise, for it has ensured that an inconve- will our pavements return? nient heritage structure that nobody wanted is out of the way and plans can go ahead for a couple of weeks ago we The solution currently licensed hawker retire or pass observed that none of his obser- modern structure. Asaw the normally busy and implemented in T’Nagar has, away. The civic body was then vations had been taken What is not being looked congested Sir Theayagaraya however, shown a greater sensi- asked to build/identify specific seriously by the administrative into is the background to the Road in T’Nagar emptying it- tivity to the requirements of the areas to which these hawkers machinery. That was when the fire. The earlier incidents, both self. With the expiry of a dead- hawkers. Unlike earlier could be moved and from where Court set a deadline and every- of which occurred within a line set by the Courts, the road- attempts where eviction and they could continue plying their one had to comply. week of each other, were caused side shop owners and hawkers not rehabilitation was the sole trade. To ensure that this was Which brings us to the origi- by electric short circuits. The had no choice but to move into aim, leading to the hawkers done quickly, a Hawking nal issue. If hawkers and vested fire services chief made a state- a new shopping complex built returning to the same spaces Committee was ordered to be interests could continue merrily ment that the building that was for them by the Corporation in after a brief while, the authori- set up. The scheme was to apply despite court orders, what price burnt had faulty wiring. The the vicinity. There has been ties have recognised that the to ten zones identified as having that the now emptied spaces Press staff claimed that the wir- much euphoria the unclut- hawkers are also stakeholders. problems of congestion owing will not be encroached upon ing was old because the build- tered street and its wide but un- And as is usual, all this has to indiscriminate hawking. again? Will the Courts need to ing was old! Now where does it kempt footpaths. But the be approached to ensure that state that an old building should question remains: Will this what is rightfully ours remains not upgrade its electrical ca- open space be allowed to G by A Special Correspondent in our possession? If so, will it bling to prevent short circuits? remain that way? mean another prolonged legal This time round, the fire was Past experience shows that battle lasting several years? To caused by newly installed elec- this is highly unlikely. Chen- what purpose then the law en- trical equipment, which only nai’s so-called pedestrian walk- come to pass thanks to the Matters moved slowly there- forcement agencies and a civic goes to show what quality can ways are meant for everyone intervention of the High Court after and it was only after a body? be expected in our State-run in- else but those on foot. The of Madras. Public Interest Litigation was stitutions. As luck would have TANGEDCO (formerly It was in 2006 that Justices filed a couple of years ago that The T’Nagar scheme needs it, the recent fire, unlike the TNEB) finds these a conve- A.P. Shah and Prabha Sridevan the issue was once again to be extended to all locations earlier ones, broke out at night nient space for erecting trans- had, as part of their judgement brought to the notice of the quickly. A single implementa- and was not detected quickly. formers and junction boxes. covering several petitions High Court. The Hawking tion seven years after the judge- By the time the fire services Property owners convert them concerning the hawking Committee in its report ment is not a track record to were called, it was too late. into vehicle parking lots. Shops problem, formulated a new lamented that the lack of speed be proud of. In 2006, there With reportedly heavy stock of extend their showroom space by scheme. This involved the in implementation was mainly were an estimated 35,000 paper in the premises, the fire putting up outdoor displays. enumeration of hawkers and due to official lethargy and apa- hawkers in the city. Today the spread quickly and burnt the And, above all, political parties the issuing of licences to them thy. The report also hinted at number is one lakh. The longer supporting columns, most of erect banners, hoardings and by the Corporation. These official connivance in allowing we delay, the greater the prob- them being wooden. With the cut-outs, blocking access com- licences were to be renewed the hawkers to stay where they lem is going to be. And in all building listing to one side, pletely. Political will and official each year and could be passed were despite alternative accom- such areas, the space retrieved discipline are both needed to on to those who wished to carry modation being ready. The should not be allowed to en- (Continued on page 6) curb such tendencies. on the business should a Chairman of the Committee croached again. CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS November 16-30, 2013 Chess and corporate The pump that stays put ill it? Or won’t it? That ship), a quick decision had to visions of men going up in the Wis the question that is be taken. The elders aban- air and causing clouds to form. uppermost in the minds of doned all orthodoxy and wel- It was said that they would strategy those who live in Chennai and comed with open arms the spray a chemical which would need to worry about it. The hand pump. Water came to it make the clouds come crowd- Man from Madras Musings only once a day and that too for ing in and pour forth like t the Sanmar Group’s An- ing is cast in stone in a chang- alludes to the rain. And an hour at an ungodly 3.00 nobody’s business. Nothing of Anual Day held some time ing situation and the penchant currently, going by the vague a.m. But you should have seen the sort happened. The men ago, Viswanathan Anand, the for learning takes precedence. pronouncements of the Astro- the enthusiasm with which ev- came, they went up in the air World Chess champion, spoke He emphasised the need for logical, sorry, Meteorological eryone worked the pump. Its and then muttered what to with refreshing candour while emotional connect, the need to Department, it appears to be well-being and its treatment MMM appeared rather flimsy drawing subtle parallels be- believe in yourself, and keep anybody’s guess as to whether during times of sickness (which excuses – wind speed was tween his chess career and the your spirits up in bad times, the it will. To MMM, who being was often) was the topic of either too much or too little challenges of corporate life. need to visualise and reinforce married is naturally inclined to discussion at all times. Some and that there was an already Speaking with wit, he re- the mind with stories of past pessimism, it does not look like family members became ex- existing cloud cover. The fact called that for a chess player, victories acting as catalysts to it will rain. There is a nip in the perts in detecting the early sig- remained that no water came air, which is usually felt once nals of failure and their exper- down, though the men did, known for planning many pull yourself together in weaker the monsoons are over. Which tise was much sought after. and lots of money went up in moves ahead on the board, he moments. means the monsoons are er... smoke. was left embarrassed on one oc- Later, he anwered queries in over, only we did not notice Everyone learnt to live with casion when he forgot to greet an interview: them come or go. limited water supply. The bath- A few years later, when all his wife on their wedding anni- What lessons for life do you tubs, without which no bath- appeared to be going well, the In which case, where do we room was complete in the old city witnessed a curious spec- versary. gain from chess and vice versa? Do go from here? Straight to the days, were put to new use – as tacle. And then again, in a He spoke of his passion and you see parallels between corpo- loft is MMM’s recommenda- water storage facilities. The country where the Archaeo- enthusiasm for the game from a rate and chess strategy? tion, in order to extricate those MMM family has since then logical Survey begins digging very young age, his admiration Of course, chess is very plastic pots in which we stored moved on to borewells, deep for gold based on a godman’s for the late Bobby Fisher (until much a mirror image of corpo- water in the years of scarcity. borewells and deeper bore- dream, perhaps not so curious whom the sport was dominated rate strategy. You are trying to In case you don’t have them, wells. But the hand pump has after all. But spectacle it cer- by the Soviets) and his early in- constantly gain the mindspace you need not worry, there is at never been dislodged, remain- tainly was for the protagonist ability to become a Grand Mas- of your opinion. Each one’s pro- least one five star hotel in the ing as it does as a reminder to involved was a violinist who ter (GM) despite committed fession shapes how he chooses city, built on the site of an erst- the fact that Chennai is a was certainly a spectacle participation. He then took to lead his life. Chess has taught time off, set clear goals and me a lot and given me rich ex- completed his Class XII Board perience. exams. Success came to him We know that visualisation SHORT ’N’ SNAPPY when he least expected it, true plays a major part in sporting suc- to the dictum “Focus on the cess. Can you throw some light on process, results will happen”. this and other methods of prepara- while film studio, that has water-starved city. In all this though his music was not enough and more to spare, for excitement, the old automatic spectacular. Listening to him G V. Ramnarayan meets Viswanathan Anand it features them as items of pump was forgotten. It never or, more importantly, seeing décor. But be that as it may, made a comeback even in times him perform made you under- getting the pot is not an issue. of plenty. The considered opin- stand the difference between a Anand spoke of the usual tion, and how they may have As the old adage goes, you ion was that now the family had violinist and non-violent paradox that bedevils most win- changed through the decades? may take the pot to the water, learnt to live with restricted person. But be that as it may, but you cannot make it fill water supply, such luxuries this personality offered to ners, the relative ease of reach- I am what you can call the (was this something about were unwanted. The well was perform a rain song or, to put ing the top, but the difficulty of crossover brigade in chess. We horses and drinking? But the fitted with a new pump, whose it correctly, a rain raga. This staying there. However, his love started out with books and line was too good to be drop- working had to be monitored involved the man standing in for the game pushed him to sort board and now we use only ped and so MMM has put it in. strictly, failing which it would a tub of water and playing the out his weaknesses, while his computers to work, analyse and Like the moving finger at Ne- draw excess water that would fiddle. But no rains came, no opponents posed severe research. For chess, memory buchadnezzar’s feast, MMM deplete the well and also cause matter how inspiring his violin hurdles, as he grew in stature in plays a key role and any added moves on…). the overhead tank to overflow. was. You just can’t fiddle with the world of championship gift is a plus. I am known to be It was functional, but it did not nature, is the way MMM looks Years ago, when MMM have the charm of the old one. at it. chess post-2000. intuitive and have a keen sense was a Cherubic Child of Of the challenges he faced, of potential danger. Chess is all Chennai, the city had its first The automatic lingered on Oddly enough, it rained he spoke of the difference be- about catching your opponent experience of a prolonged for years, however, a ghostly copiously the year the entire tween matches and tourna- in unchartered territory. drought. The MMM house- relic of a water-rich past until city took a pledge to conserve As a corollary, chess being such hold had till then taken its the time came for it to be sold rainwater. And it continued ments. In tournaments, you ancestral well for granted. An for scrap. But there are days raining each year till the rain- could pick your opponents, to an intense mind game, how do you switch off when you are not play- automatic pump, that would when MMM can even now water harvesting schemes meet the larger goal of winning switch on whenever water in remember the musical tone of began to be given the go-by. the tournament; winning ing or want a break from thinking the overhead tank ran low, its suddenly coming to life at all Perhaps there is a lesson in matches was hence tougher. of chess? would keep going at all odd odd hours of the day. this for every one of us. This would be similar to busi- I deliberately try to shut my hours and ensure that MMM ness situations, where you cre- mind from chess when possible. and family spent water like ate winning business portfolios So we take vacations or, now, I water. But came a day when The rain dance Tailpiece tend to spend more time with the pump gave out sounds or, in a similar context, of “los- riting in this reminiscent he season of Music and ing the war, winning the battle.” Akhil. I am also fond of as- indicative of great distress and, tronomy and mathematics. having laboured on for a few Wvein, The Man from TDance is just around the He talked of his experience Madras Musings is also re- corner. The Man from Madras What keeps you motivated at minutes, called it a day. The of building a team with people minded of various attempts at Musings is getting ready to go this stage of your career? What do well, it was found, had run dry of different cultures and back- and nobody had bothered bringing rain to the city. The Sabha-hopping. And as he you do to stay hungry when you grounds, with whom he could looking into it. year that saw the hand pump limbers his sinews to cope have done it all? arrive at MMM household was with the stress and strain, he bounce off opinions, strategy, I don’t really sit back and For reasons of ritual purity, a particularly bad one and it cannot help reflecting that to and logic as he prepared for a think about what has been MMM’s ancestors had a rather was even rumoured that the be a good artiste, nimble match. This again is much simi- achieved. I rather like to play dim view of piped water city would be evacuated. Then fingers are all that is required. supply. “You never knew lar to industrial philosophy from game to game and came the announcement that For it appears to MMM that where a ‘second view’ is exam- where it had been,” was the maximise my result. the Russians (or was it the today’s artistes spend more ined. Chess is similar to busi- general opinion. But now with Americans? Not that this made time typing out e-invites and Chess by itself is complex ness, where the dynamics of the the well churning out mud and a difference, as we were non- spreading the good word on and intense, so I try to avoid the environment change rapidly at also an occasional clay idol or aligned anyway) had been in- social media than on some additional baggage. But some- two of the elephant-headed times. He also stressed the need vited to try something called serious practice. god (dumped there after wor- cloud seeding. MMM had to be flexible. As you learn and – MMM unlearn, you realise that noth- (Continued on page 6) November 16-30, 2013 MADRAS MUSINGS 3

G A portrait of Gandhi

G Violinist in worship mode

G The Chennai Hollywoodian Till November 24: Fractured Realities, retrospective exhibition (1951-2013) of the work of S. Murugesan who has more than 4 decades of experience in the field of Sculpture, executing it in stone, wood and bronze (at Lalit Kala Akademi). Till November 24: The Emerging Frame is a series of four exhibi- tions spread over four quarters and aims to commemorate 2013/ 14 as the 40th year of Indo-Ko- rean relations. This – the second exhibition in the series – show- cases the work of four young Sculpture by Murugesan painters from India and Korea. many. The aim is to encourage These artists draw inspiration dialogue between the scenes and from nature and from the con- to bring South Asian artistes temporary world that they live in closer to German audiences and (at Lalit Kala Akademi). vice versa. The four-day work- Till November 30: Photo Exhibi- shop “SoundLab” enables artis- tion: Monuments of Madhya Gandhi Before India – and racism. Incidentally, the Once he picked up his violin and tes from South Asia and Ger- Pradesh by Anil Gaikwad from many to engage and collaborate Ramachandra Guha (Allen people who supported Gandhi bow, he was in worship mode. Bhopal. Lane, Rs. 899) together in the field of electronic the most and sacrificed a lot And that was evident in his mu- In this show most of the pho- music. Local artistes and experts ne of the most fascinating during his fights in South Afrcia sic, which was at once medita- tos are from Khajuraho, Sanchi, work together on the issue of Obooks I have read is Ram were Tamils. Yes, they were the tive and mellifluous. Bhedaghat, Jabalput and the electronic music and present the Guha’ s tome on a man whom most willing to fill jails and give The book has plenty of trivia Bhimbetka caves (at Dakshina results at a concert at the Indie Chitra). we all know as Mahatma up plenty to stand for Gandhi’s to weave a narrative that is his- Earth Xchange Festival (at December 7: Ludwig van Beeth- Goethe Institut Auditorium). Gandhi. But what was Mohan- cause. torical and anecdotal, informa- oven Symphony No. 4 in B flat das Karamchand Gandhi like December 12: Jazz concert: Carlos Based on a wealth of new tive and interesting. Intertwin- major; Carl Nielson: Symphony Bica and Azul. A double bass before he became the Ma- material and research, this book ing the threads of his life with No. 5. Entry on invitation only! player and composer, Carlos Bica hatma? Was he just another paints a portrait of Gandhi and the strings of the violin, it is also (at Geothe Institut Art Gallery, is one of the most innovative young boy with dreams in his a little known world he lived in a study of the violin in the In- 6.30 p.m.) sound artistes in Portugal. His eyes and courage and compas- December 2-6: SoundLab; and debut album Azul, together with – his experiments with dissident dian context and Lalgudi’s role December 7: Concert. Border sion in his heart? Was he? cults, his friendships with Jews, in getting the instrument its due Frank Mobus (Germany) and Movement is a platform that Jim Black (USA), was voted This is a journey of a Modh Christians and Muslims, his on the national and interna- aims to encourage interaction Bania boy who began life as a ‘Best jazz record of the year’ in enmities and rivalries, and his tional stages. between the electronic music 1996. They will perform together below-average student in a failures as a husband and father. * * * scenes of South Asia and Ger- at this concert (at Goethe taluk school in Rajkot, Kathia- Dramatic yet moving, this is Advantage Hollywood – Institut Auditorium, 7 p.m.) war District, Gujarat, but went an inspirational tale of courage, Ashok Amritraj (Harper December 12-13: Workshop by on to change the destiny of a conviction, compassion and, Collings, Rs. 499) Lena Neudauer in cooperation nation. Along the way, he spent yes, failings of the man who was ere’s another Chennaiite with the KM Music Conserva- years in London and South who has made his mark on tory. Forenoon: Workshop for Mahatma Gandhi. H composers. Afternoon: Concert Africa, learning legal parlance the international map. * * * with Surshine Orchestras. and fighting for his fellow coun- This is the story of a shy boy Lena Neudauer, violinist, has trymen. from Chennai, better known as played with different orchestras Gandhi left for London as a G by the tennis star Vijay Amritraj’s and performed at many festivals. 23-year-old to study further and Savitha Gautam brother, who went on to etch a In 2010, she was appointed pro- sharpen his thinking skills and name for himself in the ech- fessor for violin at the University elons of Hollywood. And how! of Music in Saarbrucken, becom- intellect. But it was in South ing one of Germany’s youngest Africa that he began to under- An Incurable Romantic – Ashok Amritraj. A name university professors.The work- stand and think about various Lakshmi Devnath (Harper that has become synonymous shop gives musicians and social and political happenings Collins, Rs. 599) with success and profit in the students the opportunity to share which he was a witness to and ne of the most memorable movie-making business. The experiences about violin music soon a victim of . moments in my life was last child of Maggie and Robert and compositions (at KM Music O Sanchi Conservatory). This book covers the 20 when I got an opportunity to Amritraj, Ashok began life as a years that Gandhi spent in meet violin maestro Lalgudi tennis player. But he loved the , which shaped his Jayaraman. Simple and humble, movies. Playng tennis taught world view and moulded his he greeted me with a “Vanak- him perseverance and patience. CHENNAI HERITAGE philosophy. It was here that he kam” in a soft voice. And I re- He put these trials to good use No. 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, forged the philosophy and tech- member thinking, “This is what and took a bold step to realise Royapettah, Chennai 600 014 niques that would undermine greatness is all about...” his dream. And he did it. Thirty I am already on your mailing list (Mailing List No...... ) / and ultimately destroy the Brit- Lakshmi Devnath’s engaging years later, Ashok is one of the I have just seen Madras Musings and would like to receive it hereafter. ish Empire. These two decades biography captures that humil- most successful producers in G I/We enclose cheque/demand draft/money order for Rs. 100 were crucial in the making of ity of the musician with the Hollywood. He has made over a (Rupees One hundred) payable to CHENNAI HERITAGE, the Mahatma. same intensity and clarity it hundred films with global rev- MADRAS, as subscription to Madras Musings for the year In fact, the idea to use does his musicianship. Truly, a enues in excess of $1 billion. 2013-14. Satyagrapha as a tool of opposi- colossus in the field of Carnatic From Chennai to Wimble- G As token of my support for the causes of heritage, environment tion germinated during his po- music, Jayaraman had over the don to Hollywood, this is a grip- and a better city that Madras Musings espouses, I send Chennai litical battles in South Africa. years built a style, the Lalgludi ping tale of grit and determina- Heritage an additional Rs...... He brought out a newspaper, Bani, that created a new path tion and overcoming obstacles. (Rupees ...... ) Please keep / put me The Indian Opinion, that voiced for his creative expression as an And as you turn the pages, you on your mailing list. his thoughts, which would accompanist, soloist and com- encounter stars of the calibre of Name : ...... eventually become a reality poser. Frank Sinatra, Sidney Poiter, ...... when he faced the rigid Boers Sandra Bullock and Dustin Whether it was playing for Address: ...... and tough British. It was during doyens such as Chembai or M.D. Hoffman, and learn a little more his years in England and South Ramanathan or going solo or about people such as Sylvester ...... Africa that he came to under- jamming with the likes of Yehudi Stallone, Angelina Jolie and All cheques to ‘Chennai Heritage’. DD/Cheque should be sent by Speed Post only. stand the nature of imperialism Menuhin, Lalgudi was at ease. Bruce Willis. 4 MADRAS MUSINGS November 16-30, 2013 November 16-30, 2013 MADRAS MUSINGS 5 A record-holder Remembering two stalwarts

der-Secretary of Hamsadvani, read the Constitution books and R. Sundaravadanan joined more than once because there of sorts the venture which also brought would be questions asked and The master out commemorative souvenirs clarifications sought by the mem- when international teams played bers which I had to be able to – This maverick of TN cricket in Madras. He funded these clarify.” SRJ was never a person publications from his own who could be cowed down on builder cricketing record-holder MTCM School, he studied at savings and the help of a issues pertaining to the progress G For fifty long years, Aof sorts was S.R. Jagan- both Pachaiyappa’s and Presi- few advertisements. Eminent of cricket. The game was very nathan who passed away dency Colleges, majoring in cricket writers like R. Sriman, dear to him and he neither A. Ramakrishna (AR) was recently. Not only was he a Geology. He played for the State K.N. Prabhu, Raju Bharatan, wavered from his stance on closely involved with the cricketer, , founder of a junior teams, in inter-association K.R. Wadhwaney, Harish Pand- principles nor compromised his changes in India’s construction club, a club secretary, a selector, and City versus Districts ya, Rajan Bala, Partab Ram- position. industry. His tenure with L&T Life Member and member of matches, and for the Madras chand, Suresh Menon, R. SRJ could make every ECC from the time he joined, the TNCA Constitution Com- University. He was also among Mohan and V. Ramnarayan General Body member lend his regularly contributed artices for soon after taking his post- mittee (twice), member of the the reserves for the State Ranji ears to his comments, whether graduate degree in structural Executive Committee, an office- Trophy team that was then Straight Bat. seriously stated or jokingly. He bearer and, of course, a King captained by C.P. Johnstone. His engineering from the College of SRJ was very generous and would present a number of Engineering, Guindy, in the Maker in the TNCA, but he frank speaking, he used to relate, would never put a clamp on the resolutions for the benefit of also attended as many as 87 may have cost him a permanent number of pages for the monthly TNCA club secretaries and 1960s, to his retirement four consecutive general body meet- places in the team. and the special souvenirs. Cost staff. Almost all the privileges decades later, marks a spec- ings. Quite a record! No one was SRJ’s induction into the game never worried him. All that he at present enjoyed by the tacular evolution of the Indian A view of Hi-Tech City, Hyderabad. more dedicated to club secretaries are a result of came in the late 1930s and he expected from his contributors construction sector. provided to diploma-holders and time. The present Rs. 15,000 standards in a sector that ac- cricket, or the rule book, than he S.R. Jagannathan was fair writing and meeting resolutions introduced by made a mark while playing for he giant corporate L&T graduate engineers. crore Hyderabad metro rail counts for 40-50 per cent of the was. deadlines. him and passed by the General Madras University. He was an movements. He used to joke that achieved a turnover of project is being constructed and capital expenditure on projects “SRJ” was the grandson of the opening batsman and a leg-break Body. T AR was closely involved in the doctor reduced the length of “I must confess, without hesi- Rs. 72,724 crore last year. There IIT-M instituting a M.Tech will be operated by a subsidiary and massive employment of famed criminal lawyer Dewan googly bowler. In 1949, while SRJ’s memory was never one of his legs. tation, that it was SRJ who have been very few large, programme on structural engi- of L&T. All these huge eco- around 50 million! Bahadur T. Rangachari and it playing against Hyderabad short and he would often regale instructed me to read the TNCA sophisiticated projects, be they neering. Apart from imparting nomic activities in Hyderabad ECC standardised form was perhaps the legal mind he University, he opened the As early as 1946, SRJ pro- his visitors with anecdotes about Rules & Regulations and not related to factories and buildings, A. Ramakrishna (AR) theory, the programme also pro- can be credited to the initiative works, shuttering, and concret- inherited that encouraged him in at 10:30 a.m. and vided places for several district his league playing days during break any of them during my harbours and airports, steel vides for training at L&T sites. of AR. ing. AR worked consistently on the litigation he resorted to remained unbeaten at stumps players in Madras teams. For the British Raj and post-Inde- stint as Hony. Secretary of plants and other industrial AR also took care to include fi- AR was closely associated educating and lobbying for the often, much to the discomfiture which were drawn at 5:30 p.m. years he supported two clubs in pendence days, and his experi- in state-of-the-art German con- TNCA,” recalls Prabhakar Rao. projects, roads and bridges, rail- nancial and personnel manage- with the Sri Sathya Sai Central use of ready mix concrete of the mighty men he chose to He was at that time responsible Madras, viz. Egmore Excelsiors ences as an, administrator and struction techniques. Regular He adds, “When the TNCA’s ways, sports complexes, hotels, ment as part of the curriculum, Trust. L&T ECC was entrusted (RMC) which ensured the right humble. To him goes the credit for a record opening part- and the Eccentrics Cricket Club. selector. In between he never visits to the giant construction Committee decided to update multispeciality hospitals, or IT thus equipping graduates to with the construction of the mix and consistent quality. L&T, of Chepauk stadium being nership of 159, with his own con- S. Vasudevan and R. Madhavan failed to talk about the nuances fair Bauma and his other fre- the Rules & Regulations the year parks – name what you will – quent trips to Germany enabled handle managerial functions. Trust’s modern hospitals, hous- at that time a large producer of named after M.A. Chidamba- tribution being 49. He often were two of his ‘finds’. I took over as Hony. Secretary of of leg-spin and proper with which L&T has not been ram, the framing of the Madras fondly recalled his experiences him to adopt several of the Top industrial houses, like the ing colonies and marriage halls. cement, also set up dozens of To promote cricket in Tamil the TNCA, I had to study three batting techniques. He was an associated. Cricket Association’s Constitu- facing up to the likes of G.S. emerging practices. AR Tatas and Reliance, entrust all Sri Sai Baba also had L&T ECC RMC plants. AR could take Nadu, he launched Straight Bat earlier printed Constitution institution in Tamil Nadu tion in 1952 and its revision in Ramchand and Subash Gupte of A. Ramakrishna (AR), who specialised in pre-stressed con- line the Telugu Ganga Canal to credit for the use of RMC gain- in January 1997 as a cricket books of TNCA to be able to act cricket. major jobs to L&T ECC as a 1990, and the naming of the the then Bombay University passed away recently, had been crete for composite construction help Chennai get drinking water ing wide acceptance in quick newsletter that focussed on as convenor of the Sub-Commit- (Compiled by A Staff Western Gate at the stadium team. associated with a large number of and in introducing alternative time. Familiar with the speed of cricket in the State. What tee formed by the Executive Reporter from articles by the after the legendary A.G. Ram them. A measure of this is evi- designs that saved on original construction in developed coun- SRJ’s playing days were cut started as a five-page newsletter Committee. SRJ had then told Editorial Board of Straight Bat, U. Singh. dent from the growth recorded cost estimates. He once referred G by S. Viswanathan tries, AR once remarked, “Our short by a motorcycle accident soon grew into a monthly maga- me not to attend the Sub- Prabhakar Rao and Bhaskeran by L&T ECC under his steward- to the advantages of steam roads, bridges over level corssings After his schooling at the which severely impaired his zine. R. Ramachandran, Foun- Committee meetings unless I Thomas.) ship during 1992-2004; the rev- curing of pre-stressed rib slabs, a and other projects can be enue of ECC grew close to 15 practice common in Germany. standardised to some four or five basic designs. If this is done, we times, from Rs. 440 crore to Rs. Recourse to alternative de- matter of course. The political from the Krishna river. He held can complete a bridge over a rail- 6500 crore, profits from Rs. 18 signs opened up the scope for leadership in Andhra Pradesh AR in such affection that he pre- way level crossing in six months crore to Rs. 250 crore! This achieving handsome economies. made excellent use of the exper- sented him with a luxury car. instead of the more than three record continues, with the con- While AR noted the preference tise of AR. The Construction In- years taken now!” struction business accounting for for steel structures in Europe and AR adapted quickly to dustry Training Centre was set a major share of L&T’s revenues in Japan, thanks to plentiful the changes that flowed in cas- L&T ECC has completed up in Hyderabad. The Hi-Tech and projects. availability of steel, he felt that cades in the liberalisation era. large housing projects in short City, Hyderabad, triggered the I have interacted with AR at concrete structures were more L&T ECC seized opportunities time. It constructed 10,000 pri- On the trail of a hotel proprietor who drowned development of large IT infra- the time of commissioning suitable in India, especially in for constructing roads and mary school buildings in different structure in the country G Jefferis Donald Evan D’Angelis, grandson of once well-known Madras hotelier, Giacano D’ several prestigious projects, like coastal areas and for chemical bridges on build-operate-transfer locations in Gujarat at an aver- Mr. D’Angelis fired two or three shots and then the boat suddenly capsized. (Murasoli Maran, then Minister a blast furnace at the Visakha- and fertiliser plants that suffered (BOT) basis as concessionaires. age construction time of just 80 Angelis, lives in Chile and from there has been researching his family history. His latest find is Mr. Willow, after doing all he could, went in search of help, which in that deso- of Industry, who inaugurated the patnam Steel Plant. On another corrosion. Concrete structures Of course, it involved unknown days per school thanks to exten- information about the tragic death of his uncle Carlos D’Angelis (also surnamed Wilme). And Hi-Tech City, was so impressed late place was not available. He sent the car back to Madras in search of help. occasion, I chanced to travel also saved 15-20 per cent on to- risks, like the initial resistance to sive standardisation. this he found related, to his surprise, in some detail in the Straits Times, making him wonder he replicated the effort in con- The driver having reported at D’ Angelis Hotel, the manager, accompanied by with him on a flight from Frank- tal cost, as steel was expensive. paying tolls. I remember AR con- why a Straits Settlement newspaper should record this death in some detail unless it was because structing Tidel Park, Chennai). A matter for disappointment Inspectors Upshon and Moss and Sub-Inspector Govindarajulu, proceeded to furt to Chennai. That was the This technique became industry vincing political and administra- is the lack of recognition on the the Hotel D’Angelis was a well-known hotel in South and Southeast Asia at the time. The the scene, where they spent a whole day in vain efforts to recover the body. time L&T ECC was constructing standard and was even adopted L&T invested 89 per cent in tive leaders on the need for such part of Delhi and the State gov- report, headlined ‘HOTEL PROPRIETOR DROWNED – Peculiar Fatality on a Shooting a stadium for the World Cup by international construction gi- the equity of Hi-Tech City which tolls. In quick time, the massive Subsequently, the body was recovered and at the inquest the evidence of a ernments to the multifarious Trip’, stated: cricket match in Barbados, West ants like Toyo Engineering. put Hyderabad on the global IT highway development program- contributions made by AR, many shikari who had been with the deceased for some years showed that the latter software map. Hitex, the inter- mes adopted BOT as the stan- The death has occurred owing to an accident while on shooting of Mr. Carlos Indies. AR explained the chal- Skills development and train- of which were of a pioneering national exhibition centre in dard model. was thrown out of the boat by the premature explosion of his gun, and was lenges involved in completing ing have been receiving atten- nature. Tamil Nadu leadership D’Angelis of the well known firm of Messrs G. D’Angelis and Son, owners of Hyderabad, is another presti- probably stunned, which accounts for the fact that he sank almost without a the project to a tight schedule at tion at the national level only in AR was also involved in the has been focussing largely on the Hotel D’Angelis. a place 10,000 miles away! The gious L&T project. struggle and without shouting for help. recent years. ECC set up a well- setting up of the Construction politics, films and social issues of Mr. Carlos D’Angelis left the hotel early on February 22nd on a shooting trip stadium was got ready in time for mass appeal. Sadly, the invalu- A verdict of accidental drowning was recorded. The remains were interred equipped centre at Manapakkam The first modern airport in Industry Development Council with Mr. F. Willow of The Madras Mail staff. They started at about 6 a.m. by the World Cup match. for training construction workers the country promoted by GMR (CIDC) and was its first vice- able contributions made by busi- in St. George’s Cathedral Cemetery. motor car and drove up to Panapakkam tank in Saidapet Taluq, about 20 miles Such challenges were met in in a variety of skills. The centre in Hyderabad was constructed by chairman. The rich expertise of ness leaders, professionals, scien- L&T. AR also opted for L&T L&T ECC, and of AR in particu- tists and academics are not re- from Madras. At Panapakkam there is a large tank or jheel where , teal and a great measure due to the 18- has comprehensive curriculum Editor’s Note: A search at St. George’s Cemetery did not reveal Carlos D’Angelis’ last month specialised training AR and training systems and sophis- joining the Bangalore Interna- lar, was a big help in opting for ceiving the attention they de- snipe are to be found in the early morning. Mr. D’Angelis seems to have en- resting place. The tombstone was possibly covered by later burials. But a book kept in the cem- underwent in structural design ticated tools and equipment for tional Airport as a promoter and standards in design and con- serve. Just think of this Mr. tered the boat, his own, having sighted some duck on the tank, while Mr. Wil- and engineering in the then Ger- partner. The second road linking struction. Just look at the Builder not being considered for etery recording burials in it has his name (see picture). training artisans in several cen- low followed him along the bund. man Democratic Republic. This tres spread across the country. Tirupati to Tirumala was con- diseconomies and wastages suf- a Padma award! (Courtesy: In- enabled AR to gain proficiency In-house training facilities are structed by L&T-ECC in record fered due to lack of attention to dustrial Economist) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS November 16-30, 2013

G ‘Pages from History’ Another Madras first by DR. A. RAMAN Charles Sturt University Orange, New South Wales – The first entomological paper from India Australia ranquebar’s missionaries and working quarters. This area Tincluded medical doctors is the coolest and most insu- employed by the Royal Danish lated section of the mound. The Lutheran Mission (also known royal chamber, which is the as the Tranquebar Mission, largest chamber in the nest, Halle Mission). Samuel Ben- houses the queen and king. Be- jamin Cnoll (1705-1767), a sur- low the royal chamber, the geon from Halle (Germany), worker termites store food and was employed in Tranquebar care for the young termites. In from 1732 to 1767. When Cnoll some colonies, the workers tend died in 1767, Johann Gerhard gardens where fungi grow. The Konig (1728-1785), a surgeon termites grow this fungus inside trained in botany by Carolus a comb, which is located in sev- Linnaeus (Uppsala, Sweden), eral pockets in the central sec- succeeded him in 1768. tion of the inner core of the Konig gave up the Tranque- mound. bar Mission position to join the Termites live on cellulose, Court of the Nawab of Arcot in the carbohydrate that builds 1775. During his employment plant material. The tunnels lead with the Nawab of Arcot, Konig outward and branch into a net- travelled to the mountains work of passages that open to north of Madras and to Ceylon the outside. The insects make collecting plants. Through the their trips to the outside at efforts of Joseph Banks, the night, when it is cooler, and col- most influential president of the lect twigs, leaves, seeds and Royal Society of London, Konig Cover page of Volume 4 of Beschaftigungen der Page 1 of D(octor) Johann Gerhard Konig’s article, other vegetable food. The tow- was offered the job of Natural- Berlinischen Gesellschaft naturforschender Freunde, ‘Naturgeschichete der sogenannten weiben Ameise’. ers of the termite mounds act as ist with the English East India 1779. turrets pushing the rising hot Company in 1778, with which air, generated by the breaking he remained until his death in minations of different plants of translated to read The Research compare a termite to the size of down of the fecal comb by the 1785. While travelling to Viza- southern India. Activities of the Berlin Society of an average human, the relative fungus. Amazingly modified gapatam to meet Claud Russell, I was amazed to find that the Friends of Nature) in Volume height of one termitarium (ter- structures of the exteriors of ter- the brother of Patrick Russell, Konig had published a profes- 4, 1779. As customary in the mite mound) would be as tall as mitaria occur throughtout the Konig contracted an enteric in- sional paper entitled ‘The 18th Germany, Konig’s a 180-storey building in human world, adapting to local envi- fection. William Roxburgh, Natural history of the so-called paper is printed in the difficult terms. They build termitaria us- ronmental conditions. Woeful then at Samalkot, treated Ko- white ants – the termites’ to read Fraktur typefaces (the ing the soil mixed with their sa- it is that we – humans – look nig, but in vain. He is interred (Naturgeschichte der soge- calligraphic hand of Latin let- liva. A system of channels and with bias and contempt at these in Jaggandhapuram near Kaki- nannten weiben Ameise) in the ters of alphabets) (see images). ducts circulates air through extraordinary natural engineers nada. Konig is remembered in Beschaftigungen der Berlinischen Today we know that ter- these mounds, which have po- as pests. Gesellschaft naturforschender mites are the master architects rous walls. At the lower core of India as an avid botanist for his In ‘The Natural history of Freunde (which can be crudely of the natural world. When we the termitarium are the living extensive collections and deter- the so-called white ants – the termites’, Konig refers to ter- mites and termitaria he studied at a location east, southeast of When fire strikes twice... Tanjore. He describes vividly the elegant structure of the ter- mitaria and the biological de- (Continued from page 1) has been in existence since the Justice Padmanabhan Commit- authority is willing to learn from tails of these relentless social 18th Century, first as a gunpow- tee report on heritage structures repeated incidents of fires in demolition was the only solu- animals. His inspiration to write der mill and later as a mint and precincts as qualified for heritage properties. Chennai’s tion. this article, he declares at the where the East India Company Grade I importance. list of victims is long – Spen- The Government had an- start of his article, comes from struck coins for the Nawabs of The Heritage Conservation cer’s, Moore Market, Gandhi nounced after the first fires that the previous work of Johan Arcot. It was later made over to Committee (HCC) of the Illam, the GPO, Chepauk it was sanctioning the construc- Christian Fabricius (1745- the Government Press, which CMDA has chosen to remain Palace and now the Mint – and tion of a 4000 sq ft building on 1808), a Danish Naturalist, has been in operation here for a silent on the fire. Shortly after hardly an edifying record. But the site. With the more recent whose writing on castes in Eu- long period of time. The pre- its inception, it had received a yet we find that many old build- fire, the planned building can ropean termites was published cinct, for it houses several proposal for the demolition of ings are easy targets for fire be even bigger. But at what a big in Germany. loss of heritage! The building buildings, has been listed by the the Mint and the construction accidents – plenty of old timber, of modern highrise in its place. faulty electric wiring and loads I was astounded to read The Committee had then re- of flammable rubbish, making many details in Koenig’s article fused to sanction the plan. Now for a deadly combination. Such published way back in 1779 that OUR ADDRESSES the new construction has be- apathy does not bode well for elegantly match with our For matters regarding subscriptions, donations, non-receipt of come a fait accompli. the remaining heritage proper- present understanding of the receipts etc.: CHENNAI HERITAGE, 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott It would appear that none in ties. termites and termitaria. Road, Royapettah, Chennai 14. I am nearly cent per cent Madras Musings now has its own email ID. Letters to the editor can confident that this article of be sent via email to [email protected]. Those who wish Chess & corporate strategy Konig is the first formal scien- to intimate change of address can also do so provided the tific paper in entomology from subscription number is quoted. (Continued from page 2) and played with a lot of flair and India. The next formal entomo- For non-receipt of copies, change of address, and all other circulation style. logical paper was by James Kerr, matters: Madras Musings, C/o Lokavani Southern Printers Pvt. Ltd., times when people put you After active chess, what, be- a medical officer in the India 122, Greames Road, Chennai 600 006. On editorial matters: The Company’s Service, who pub- Editor, Madras Musings, No. 5, Bhattad Tower, 30, Westcott Road, along with the all-time greats, sides the initiatives in which you lished the paper entitled ‘Natu- Royapettah, Chennai 600 014. that’s a special feeling. You are already involved? Will there be No personal visits or telephone calls, please. Letters received will be can’t deny it. a greater involvement in spreading ral history of the insect which sent from these addresses every couple of days to the persons You said you admired Bobby the chess movement in schools? produces the gum lacca’. This concerned and you will get an answer from them to your queries Fisher most among chess champi- Writing/commentating on chess? was published in the Philosophi- reasonably quickly. Strange as it may seem, if you adopt the ‘snail mail’ ons. Can you tell us why? Definitely, but I am not cal Transactions of the Royal So- approach, we will be able to help you faster and disappoint you less. What he achieved in 1972 thinking about it. (Courtesy: ciety of London in 1781. – THE EDITOR was unthinkable in that era. He Asterix, the journal of the Another feather to Madras’s had a special feeling for chess Sanmar Group) cap – I am, of course, pleased! November 16-30, 2013 MADRAS MUSINGS 7

(Continued from larly conducting raga identifica- last fortnight) tion competitions in selected schools. ntil the age of 40, Chari’s Sharing wealth *** interest in music was re- U In February 2002, Chari stricted to Tamil and Hindi film launched the TAG South India music. Listening to Binaca Geet Heritage Programmes to de- Mala hosted by the legendary R.T. Chari. with music velop a deep understanding of Amin Sayani was a must for him elled flat in Poes Garden. For 10 Academy, of which he was al- great love for Classical dances South India’s cultural heritage. every Wednesday night. In fact, years, Chari organised nearly 50 ready an executive committee earlier, decided to also extend Held on the last Sunday of ev- as a youth he would get peeved chamber music concerts lasting member, to provide space for his help in archiving Indian ery month, these lectures by when he was not allowed to lis- for about 150 minutes each. the proposed TAG Music classical dance. The TAG eminent speakers focus on spe- ten to his favourite programme, Not satisfied with just offering a Academy Digital Listening Ar- Viewing Gallery was launched cific aspects of South Indian as his brothers wanted to listen feast for the ears, Chari ensured chives which he agreed to es- recently at the Music Academy, heritage. to Carnatic music on the only that every concert was followed tablish and maintain for five adding one more dimension to The invitee audience, which radio available in the house. by a sumptuous dinner for all years (which he has now ex- the Academy‘s efforts in pro- is served breakfast, consists This resulted in his developing the invitees. When I asked him tended by another five years). moting classical music and mostly of senior citizens, all an aversion towards Carnatic about that, he said “I learnt that The Digital Archive was dance. The TAG Music Acad- eminent people in their respec- music. from my mother. Seeing the sat- launched at the Music Acad- emy Listening and Viewing Ar- tive vocations. However, One evening in later years, isfaction of the guests after a emy on December 13, 2008. chives has ambitious plans for Chari’s effort to bring in the he was hosting a dinner for hearty meal gives me immense acquiring 20,000 hours of mu- younger generation into the some of his family members in pleasure.” sic and many more hours of programme has so far not been the more spacious independent Not just the meal. Chari also G dance programmes, in the next by R.V. Rajan very successful. But Chari con- house on TTK Road where his ensured that every guest who five years! tinues to encourage music tal- family had moved in. Much to attended the concert received a His passion for music and ent in the young in several ways. his dislike he found that the en- cassette containing 90 minutes Chari says, “The difficult job how it should be received by the In the last five years he has tire conversation was about of the edited version of the con- of converting and indexing was audience has now extended be- been also organising monthly Carnatic music. He felt totally cert. done by my son Prakash and his yond TAG Centre which he lectures on various topics con- left out. When he protested, his “Delighting the customers” team. Empowered by a touch owns. TAG Corporation has al- nected with religion. Chari says, brothers-in-law posed a chal- is a phrase used extensively by screen technology, the user can ready sponsored state-of-the-art “I have learnt a lot about our lenge to him; “They asked me marketers in the corporate in ten seconds listen to a song auditoriums in eight schools. heritage and religion from these to listen to 500 hours of Car- world. Chari has always be- of his choice, categorised under Chari has also donated a Super lectures. I will continue with natic music to realise its magic”. lieved in delighting his guest a raga or name of the song, Tech 400-seater auditorium to this effort and hopefully some- Chari accepted the challenge. audience in more ways than singer or composer”. Guindy Engineering College, day I will be able to rope in the And his brothers-in-law were one! Chari’s dedication to the which he considers as one of his younger generation to attend proved right. Chari became * * * cause of promoting Carnatic best contributions. these programmes” hooked to Carnatic music in a This abiding interest in music has led him to sponsor According to Chari, “Gifting big way. Soon he became a do- Carnatic music led Chari to col- similar archives in cities like is fine, but it is also important * * * nor member of Music Academy, lect more than 6000 hours of Bangalore, Mysore, Hyderabad, to see that it is received and Chari’s saga of service to so- attending concerts regularly. music from not only his own ar- and Palakkad, apart from the used properly”. So Chari con- ciety in the area of health, edu- Chari realised that Carnatic chives but also from other col- one in Madras University’s Mu- tinues to monitor the institu- cation, music and heritage and music was not only giving him lectors. As a person with a vi- sic Department. His foray to tions where he has extended his other social causes still con- great joy but also helping him to sion who always believes in establish such an archive support. tinue. His other areas of inter- become a calmer and a focussed thinking big, Chari realised the abroad started with the inaugu- In the last couple of years, est are travelling. “I have so far person. need for chronicling and pre- ration of one in Singapore, in Chari has been organising lec- travelled to 60 countries and He decided to share the joy serving for posterity the trea- association with SIFAS (Singa- ture demonstrations to help collected coins and miniature of listening to Carnatic music sure trove of music he had col- pore Indian Fine Arts Society), people appreciate Carnatic mu- dolls from other countries. I with his close friends and rela- lected. and has extended to three sic. He also started supporting have so far collected 3000 sets tives. His first initiative in this The idea for a Digital Listen- places in . efforts to create greater aware- of dolls and 3500 coins. I also direction was to hold Chamber ing Library was born and soon Not content with promoting ness about Carnatic music have a collection of miniature music concerts in his remod- Chari persuaded the Music only music, Chari who had no among school students by regu- chess sets,” he says proudly. As for future plans he says, “I want to continue to sponsor auditoriums in schools. I have How good, this team of ours? already identified schools in Cuddalore and Chengalpattu.” he Tamil Nadu probables for the 2013-14 Ranji Trophy sea It’s also good to see the emergence of Selvam Suresh Kumar Chari is a highly focussed in- Tson appear to have been selected on form. But, it is surpris- through sheer dint of hard work. His excellent showing in the dividual. “I don’t take on any ing that young Maruthi Raghav has not been inlcuded in the league and Buchi Babu games certainly proved him an all- list. He is a batsman who displayed superb form in the league rounder of merit. He also did well in the Moin ud Dowla Cup project which I feel will be a circuit and the Buchi Babu tournament. Raghav certainly de- tournament. waste of time and effort. When served a look in. Off-spinner Malolan Rangarajan was good in the league cir- I find something worthwhile, I The choice of young fast bowler is also surpris- cuit but was most disappointing in the Buchi Babu final. It was totally concentrate on that just ing as he is untried material. He has turned up for a none-too- here that he was really tested against a strong outfit from North one thing. I am aware that I strong club in the league circuit. However, his selction has to be India. He needs to learn from the experience. Left-arm spinner have a one-track mind, which supported as he’s done pretty well over the years in the league is a dependable tweaker and should be the is both my strength and weak- and age-group cricket. The TNCA First Division League has lynchpin of the home team attack. should be a good ness.” He is also known for in- not been producing quality bowlers as it did about a decade ago. back-up since he has performed well thus far. Leggie M. Ashwin sisting that the recipients of his I wonder, therefore, why a genuine quick and experienced fast has shown a lot of improvement this season. It is to be hoped generosity agree to contribute bowler like Chandrasekhar Ganapathy has not been considered. that he overcomes his no-ball problem. A.C. Parthiban may be The re-emergence of M. Mohammed, Sunil Sam and considered for the limited over tournaments where he’ll be quite something as their share for the Jagannathan Kaushik augurs well for the season ahead. It was handy. project, before he commits to good to see that Sam spent time with the Aussie legend and Among the wicket-keepers chosen, Aditya Karthik appears support it. Anything given free MRF Pace Foundation guru Glenn McGrarth. That Bharath to be the best bet when Dinesh is away on national duty. He is never appreciated by people, Arun is headng the Tamil Nadu Cricket Academy augurs well appears pretty quick in his work. according to Chari, so “I insist for fast bowlers in the State. He is a perfect teacher for young It’s difficult to pinpoint as to who’d be the better captain, on a ‘deal’ to ensure total com- fast bowlers. or Subramaniam Badrinath. It appears that mitment from the recipient of The selection of Baba Indrajith along with his twin brother the selectors have struck a compromise in naming Balaji to lead my charity, for the maintenance Aparajith is most welcome. These siblings are the best bets for the team in the longer version of the game and Badrinath to lead and continuing success of the selection to the senior India squad in the none-too-distant fu- the one-day combination. ture in view of their outstanding and consistent showing since THE PROBABLES: S. Badrinath, L. Balaji, R. Ashwin, M. project I have supported.” last season. Aparajith did well for the Under-23 side that played Vijay, A. Mukund, B. Aparajith, B. Indrajith, R. Prasanna, Vijay If more people start sharing in Singapore in the Asian Cricket Council Emerging Players Shankar, , S. Suresh Kumar, K.B. Arun their wealth and passions like tournament. We’ve never seen a batsman perform with such a Karthick, K. Bharat Shankar, S. Anirudha, Kaushik Gandhi, U. the way Chari has been doing degree of consistency in the recent past. Sushil, Karthik Adithya, R. Rohith, R. Aushik Srinivas, Rahil for the last 35 years, I am sure Older players like and Anirudha Shah, Vijay Anand, M. Ashwin, Malolan Rangarajan, M. this world will be a better place Srikkanth will have to show better form. The media needlessly Prabhu, Sunil Sam, J. Kaushik, M. Mohammed, Aswin Crist, to live in! undermined the younger Srikkanth when he did well year be- V. Yomahesh. – (Courtesy: Straight Bat) Feedback welcome on fore last, as he was playing under pressure of his illustrious fa- 9840392082 or ther heading the national selection committee. Also, injuries – A Special Correspondent hampered him last year. email: [email protected] (Concluded) 8 MADRAS MUSINGS November 16-30, 2013

G The fifteenth in a series of profiles by V. RAMNARAYAN of cricketers who may have made an all-time Madras* squad.

amil Nadu – the erstwhile The last season has perhaps TMadras included – has been by far the most satisfying boasted of some good wicket- An energetic cricketer for Dinesh. He played a major keepers,A including captain’s quite a few dream player role in ’s success in the who represented India in offi- IPL, which earned him a berth cial or unofficial Tests. Madras in the ODI side for the 2013 Musings Editor S. Muthiah rates reaching his peak Champions Trophy in England. H.P. Ward – one of the four Earlier, he had been Tamil musketeers he eulogises in his Nadu’s most successful batsman My choice for the wicket- however, returned for India’s riveting Spirit of Chepauk – as of the season. keeper’s slot, however, is tour of South Africa towards worthy of a place in his all-time India’s captain Dhoni says of Dinesh Karthik, who has 56 the end of 2006, and consoli- State XI. S.V.T. Chari, S. Par- Karthik, “He is someone who victims in and 51 dated his position in both Tests thasarathi and M.O. Srinivasan can bat really well in the middle in one-day internationals. He and ODIs. On the tour of kept for India in unoffi- order. He is a good runner. He has also scored exactly 1000 in 2007, he was a cial Tests, and D.L. Chakra- reads the situation pretty well runs in Test cricket – including specialist Test opener and varthi, P.K. Belliappa, Bharath and he is someone who can look a highest of 129 – with an aver- scored 129, his only test hun- Reddy, M. Sanjay and Dinesh to go on and play big innings age of nearly 28, and 1263 runs dred, in the second Test in Karthik have been some of the and that is what is really impor- in ODIs. Though he has not Dhaka. prominent names among those tant in the middle order. He is quite lived up to his early prom- There was perhaps not much who did duty for the State be- technically sound and once he ise, he has quite a few fighting to choose between Karthik and hind the stumps through the gets going he keeps himself busy innings and at least one incred- Dhoni, when the present Indian decades. throughout the innings.” ible stumping to his credit at the captain first replaced him in the With due respect to the A restless, energetic soul, highest level – during the Nat team, but Dhoni was a brilliant Editor’s choice as well as the Dinesh Karthik follows a pun- West Challenge series in 2004 if unorthodox batsman, as we reputations of all the other ishing work schedule. Training in England. K.K. Dinesh Karthik. all know, and has improved his ’keepers in this list, I zoomed in with Prasanna Agoram, the I first set my eyes on K.K. keeping by leaps and bounds on the two Tamil Nadu stum- South African team’s video Dinesh Karthik around the first arguard actions. He performed over the years. Add his superb pers who have played official analyst, and S. Basu, trainer year of the millennium, when brilliantly in the Under-19 captaincy skills, and it is a won- Tests. Bharath Reddy was in the with Royal Challengers Banga- he made two consecutive tall World Cup in Dhaka, Bangla- der that Dinesh has managed to 1970s an athletic wicket keeper lore and a close friend, the 28- scores at the junior level to at- desh. remain in contention for a place who occasionally played a use- year-old sets the bar very high tract everyone’s attention. I also Making his Test debut in the India team at all. ful tailend batsman’s role. In the for himself in terms of improv- happened to watch two succes- against Australia on a notorious Unfortunately, Dinesh failed four Tests he played on the ing his technique and focus. He sive hundreds by him in the Wankhede Stadium wicket in to capitalise on his chances 1979 tour of England, he had a is perhaps approaching his peak Ranji Trophy. Both were daring Mumbai, Karthik was part of an when Dhoni dropped out of a highest score of 21 and nine as a batsman and ’keeper in all counterattacks launched by Indian batting line-up which Sri Lanka tour in 2008, failing catches and two stumpings. He three forms of the game, and him, with Tamil Nadu in deep was bundled out in the second both in front of the stumps and also played three ODIs. with the support of the likes of innings by the left-arm spin of behind them. trouble. Both were splendid re- Dhoni and Ponting – his erst- Clarke. India, however, won the In domestic cricket, Dinesh while senior – match by 13 runs. Though has been consistency personi- he is poised for a brand new Karthik failed with the bat, he fied for Tamil Nadu and South phase in his cricket career. If he did a reasonable job behind the Zone, barring one or two rela- learns to unwind a bit, relax MADRAS MUSINGS ON THE WEB stumps. tively unsuccessful seasons. The when the chips are down, and In Test cricket, Dinesh 2008-09 season was a high To reach out to as many readers as possible who share our wait patiently for better days, he Karthik’s wicket keeping was point. He scored three centu- keen interest in Madras that is Chennai, and in response to can continue to play a vital role fairly decent, though he had a ries in the Ranji Trophy and requests from many well-wishers – especially from outside in Tamil Nadu’s Ranji Trophy few off days. Scoring only one captained Tamil Nadu through campaign. And he may still Chennai and abroad who receive their postal copies very late half century in ten Tests (88 to the semi-finals. He also figure in the selectors’ scheme – for an online edition. Madras Musings is now on the web at against England), he was forced scored two centuries in the of things for the 2015 World www. madrasmusings.com to make way for Mahendra , earning a recall Cup. THE EDITOR Singh Dhoni, one of the most to the Indian team, for the tour exciting prospects for a long of New Zealand, being selected time in Indian cricket. Karthik, in all three forms of the game. *Madras Province/State/Tamil Nadu.

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