Registered with the Reg. No. TN/CH(C)/374/15-17 Registrar of Newspapers Licenced to post without prepayment for India under R.N.I. 53640/91 Licence No. TN/PMG(CCR)/WPP-506/15-17 Publication: 15th & 28th of every month Rs. 5 per copy (Annual Subscription: Rs. 100/-) WE CARE FOR MADRAS THAT IS INSIDE • Short ‘N’ Snappy • Dangers of cladding • The Mittaikaran of Madras • With ear and touch • Granny Rose & her children

Vol. XXVII No. 6 MUSINGS July 1-15, 2017 Time for TN to rein in finances (by Our Financial Correspondent)

amil Nadu has the dubious distinction of topping the southern Tstates in revenue deficit, going by a study of State finances prepared by the . The Government’s Budget fell from 64.02 per cent of total for 2017-18 shows that expen- expenditure to 41.86 per cent diture has been growing faster during the same period, indicat- than revenue. Revenue grew ing a declining emphasis on from Rs. 1,29,000 crore in essentials (CAG Study). 2015-16 to Rs. 1,59,000 crore in Increasing resort to free doles 2017-18 (Budget), whereas in may produce votes, neglecting the same period expenditure is the foundation for growth and expected to grow from Rs. welfare. 1,41,000 crore in 2015-16 to Rs. Even that little water that was in the Tank for its ducks has vanished. This picture was taken to show 1,75,000 crore in 2017-18, wid- (Continued on page 8) what rainless Madras is going through. (Courtesy: Mylapore Times.) ening the revenue deficit from Rs. 12,000 crore to Rs. 16,000 crore. The same document explains that the rise in expen- diture is due to increase in food A shake up in the world of IT subsidies, loan waivers, free electricity and other items. or long, Information Tech- considered a virtue. But with rules in the US has hit everyone now hopes to cash in on the About 78 per cent of rev- Fnology was the blue-eyed job vacancies being in the thou- hard. disaffected. Given that this was enue goes towards expenditure poster boy of Indian industry. It sands, hirers and recruits were The nature of work too has an industry that celebrated any- of a non-development nature, brought in foreign exchange, not bothered about such things. changed. With blocks of code thing and everything American, constricting discretionary fiscal employed millions and made Poaching and overnight job that do basic IT work now be- it has strangely not been able to space for improving public sure we were part of the new switches were considered new ing freely available, such opera- stomach another typical Ameri- services and leveraging borrow- world. Manufacturing, which age. It was all held up as an ex- tions have ceased to have any can feature – the pink slip with ings for productive asset had kept Tamil Nadu going for ample of how Indian IT was demand. IT has shifted focus to no reasons being given. creation. Interest payment as a decades, was suddenly passé closely following the tenets of robotics, internet-of-things and The IT industry need not be percentage of revenue receipts and lost its sheen. Nobody the American industry. Loyalty cloud computing, all of which written off as yet. Far from it. It for the State is large, at 13.8 per wanted to work with machines, was old world and so dowdy. require new skills. Indian IT is just undergoing a much cent for 2016-17, Kerala outdo- in factory spaces, filled with needed correction phase and ing Tamil Nadu being the unionised labour. In contrast to will emerge leaner and better largest at 14.9 per cent. that, the world of IT was hugely G by A Special Correspondent from it. It may also begin focus- Telangana presents a refresh- attractive. But that scenario ing on excellence rather than ingly different picture at 7.6 per may soon change, for the worse. what was the key measure thus cent to be reckoned as the best The nature of the industry The money that flowed in what with all its focus on filling far, numbers. disciplined state (RBI Study). has suddenly undergone a was invariably measured in dol- jobs, has not had any time to What does all this have to do Growing revenue deficit is an change. Gone are the days lars as well. Most IT companies train its people in the new re- with , or for that area of concern, as it means that when IT companies required thrived on a wage arbitrage quirements. Educational insti- matter with Madras that is we are borrowing even to meet millions of coders, 50 per cent when it came to outsourced tutions that churn out IT Chennai? The city is the second routine needs. of them on the bench, to cover work. Costs in India were low as graduates in the thousands are largest exporter of software in Overlooking this compulsive up in case of sudden resigna- compared to what the same a generation or two behind. In India, second to Bangalore. need to borrow, even the qual- tions, something that was skills demanded in the USA. As such a scenario, it is no wonder Around three-fourths of Tamil ity of spending has not been endemic to the business. Job- for on-site jobs, there too wages that recruitments are now Nadu’s Rs. 50,000 crore IT irreproachable. Capital expen- hopping was the mantra and were pegged lower and all the turned off at the main and, export is from Chennai. A diture on Health and Family anyone who stayed on in a com- big names in Indian IT thrived what is worse, existing jobs are downturn in the industry will Welfare to aggregate expendi- pany for more than two years on wholesale bagging of the visa being axed in the thousands. have a huge impact on our city. ture fell steeply from 9.78 per was considered a has-been. quotas that the US authorities The response has been typi- It is best that we view it as an cent in 2013-14 to 7.61 per cent Such an attitude, requiring a opened up every now and then. cal. Those affected are talking opportunity to correct several in 2014-15 and similarly capital complete burial of norms such Most of these placements vio- of forming a trade union. One ills that the industry is known expenditure on water supply, as notice periods and commit- lated the norms and it is no already exists in Madras, but for but has chosen to brush un- sanitation, urban development ment to an employer, was not wonder that the tightening of with very few members and it der the carpet. CMYK 2 MADRAS MUSINGS July 1-15, 2017

● Not strictly Madras, but a warning to all of us Wheels within wheels Death trap decor etting India on the Move sion and plenty of grumbling. they deliver the terms is more Gwas if The Man from MMM found all of them walk- effective. Madras Musings recollects cor- ing about with perfect ease, On Being Overweight – If Was cladding to blame for rectly, was the first book he each one carrying a suitcase there are three speakers in a read of yours, Chief, and let that in shipping parlance would stand-up comedy you can be London tower fire? him add it was love at first have qualified for a bulk cargo sure that the man in the sight. And since then what a container, such being its size. It middle will be fat. And he will (by Neal Baker) beautiful relationship we have transpires that it is this con- keep making jokes about it. had. Since the time you wrote signment of probably pickles, And most of these so called olourful green and blue It is now been claimed that that book, Chief, India has savouries, prayer books, pots wisecracks on excess pound- Cpanels designed to improve the “death trap” cladding is been getting around quite a bit and pans, a mixer and a wet age have been around from the insulation and soften the looks banned in America – and a fire- as is evident from the swarms grinder or two that really ne- time of Shakespeare. There of the brutalist concrete block proof version could have cost of our brethren to be seen at cessitates the wheelchair. All of was a time when cinema were fitted to Grenfell Tower in just £5,000 more. various international airports! those wheeled about, without milked the subject dry and, to- Kensington, West London, as a When six people died in a MMM was recently at quite a exception, were then found to day, the presence of a fat per- few and in all of them he saw be having an enormous box son on screen probably evokes part of a £10 million refurbish- 2009 fire at Lakanal House, a nothing else but, Indians are neatly tucked between their more sympathy than amuse- ment in May 2017. Dense foam 14-storey block in Camberwell, on the move. And how! legs. ment. Why then do these boards coated in zinc rainproof South-east London, exterior Nowhere else is the colour MMM took aside an airline stand-up comics imagine that sheets were spaced 30 mm apart cladding panels ignited in just and chaos of this community employee and asked if his sur- obesity is going to make an across the 24-storey building, four-and-a-half minutes. in migration more in evidence mise was correct. To this the audience laugh? which housed 120 flats and at The sub-contractors who than in our very own Chennai other simply replied by stating Shouting – There is a school least 500 residents. carried out the cladding work International Airport, run by that being in the service indus- of thought among these people Residents claimed cladding were paid £2.6 million to over- the beloved Atrocious Air- try was a tough job and the that they need to yell all the on the outside of the building see the installation. A spokes- ports of India Limited. And worst frustration was not being time. MMM quite understands among the first things to strike able to call off an all-too-visible that, most of the speakers being was responsible for spreading man for the Company told The you are the number of wheel- con. MMM nodded in sympa- young, they have surplus energy the deadly fire so quickly. And Sun: “Harley Facades Limited chairs being er… wheeled thy, wondering all along as to and so it all comes out in the experts confirm the composite completed the refurbishment about. And that brought to how those enormous contain- volume at which they speak. foam sandwich panels helped work to Grenfell Tower. This MMM’s mind another book of ers would be stuffed into the But if it is continuously at that spread the fire quickly from the included the installation of yours, Chief – Moving India on overhead baggage cabins once level, it makes most people tune lower floors all the way up the exterior cladding. Wheels. Inspired by your book inside the aircraft. out after some time. block. “The Aluminium Composite Material used in the clad- Material (ACM) panels are a ding on Grenfell was the commonly used product in the cheaper, more flammable refurbishment industry. But SHORT ’N’ SNAPPY

titles, Indians by and large, ap- MMM would like these tal- pear to first be moving and Flat comedies ented individuals to ponder then only on wheels! his is the era of the stand- over the above points. At the Now, before the bulk of Tup comedy act and The risk of being dismissed as an Madras Musings’ readership Man from Madras Musings has old windbag, he makes bold to descends on MMM with cries been to several. He likes them suggest to these performers of being insensitive, let MMM by and large. The speakers are that there is so much of assure one and all that he is young and, therefore, full of humour in everyday happen- aware of people with mobility, energy. And they can be irrev- ings in Chennai that can be visibility and stability issues, erent, which makes it all the taken on to the stage. And, no, all of which necessitate the use better. But, of late, there is a it does not have to be crude, of wheelchairs. To all such certain monotony that has or about being fat or involve people MMM extends his crept into many of these acts shouting from the rooftops. sympathies and understanding which makes MMM wonder if version of the two available Harley Facades Limited do not and hopes that they will get keeping humour going in the Tailpiece options, an investigation of the manufacture these panels.” well soon or at least be at long term can be detrimental to supply chain by The Guardian Similar cladding to that used peace with their afflictions. everyone’s health rather in the The Man from Madras has claimed. at Grenfell Tower has been fitted But he is simply unable to be- manner of passive smoking. Musings has periodically been putting up pictures that speak Arnold Tarling, 55, of the to high-rise blocks across Britain lieve that so many people on a Having recently been to a single flight would need few more of these stand-up louder than words in this col- Association of Specialist Fire and the rest of the world. wheelchairs. comedies, MMM has come to umn. But this one is silent but Protection, said the foam “went Numerous schemes have made This suspicion was the conclusion that several of deadly, as they say. On that up like matchsticks”. And, he use of cheap insulation to get strengthened when MMM them have a few standard fea- happy note… see you all next said, the waterproof zinc green energy ticks next to devel- found several of those perched tures: fortnight with more fun and coating made it even harder for opments. Brightly coloured on wheelchairs and being Profanity – There is a cer- frolic. firefighters to douse the blaze. exterior panelling can be seen on moved about to be pictures of tain class of audience which – MMM He said: “They clad the con- new buildings and added to health. MMM said as much to probably feels that the more a crete of the building with flam- existing crumbling estates. his good lady, also known as speaker swears, the funnier it mable insulation panels and Devastating consequences She Who Must Be Obeyed, is. If not the audi- who put MMM properly in his ence, the speakers rain screen cladding with a 30 linked to the design craze have place by stating that he ought themselves appear to mm gap, which acted like a been seen in Dubai, where there not to be so insensitive. But think so and the less chimney. All the burning mate- have been several major blazes. for once MMM was able to an audience laughs, rial falls down, starting more On New Year’s Eve in 2015, a prove her wrong. For shortly the more the speak- fires below, and the flames fire tore through the 63-storey after MMM made a headcount ers curse, in the spread up and across searching Address Hotel. Fortunately no of the numbers on wheels, he hope that they can for oxygen. Meanwhile, crews one was killed but it left the heard a commotion to his rear. raise a titter. The can’t tackle the fire effectively building in ruins. There were More and more people were point is, why would because their water just also fire at the 826 feet Marina arriving, apparently all of anyone pay good bounces off the rain covers. Torch residence in February whom needed wheels to money to go and ‘locomote’ so to speak, and the hear a few cuss “The cladding looks lovely, 2015 and at the Tamweel Tower airport was running short. words, all of which it’s cheap, complies with regu- in November 2012. Experts say And so the more able-bodied can be had for free lations and gives the building a there are more examples of the had to be asked to give up from autorickshaw high environmental rating. But cladding’s use in West Asia and their carriages and navigate drivers on the street? it’s a silent killer.” He added, China. the last and, perhaps most dif- In all probability, the “when this block was built, it Editor’s Note: This article was ficult section, namely the latter have a far complied with the old fire regu- sent to use by architect Krish stairs and then the aerobridge, richer vocabulary lations. Had it been left alone, Chitale with the question: Is on foot. Some did get up, and the flow and it would never have burned like such cladding being used in though not without persua- punch with which this.” India, in Madras? July 1-15, 2017 MADRAS MUSINGS 3 Save the Senate House Ready for rain? am compelled to break my long silence on seeing your open I constituted a Technical Committee too, with Dr. P. Iletter to the VC of the (MM, June 1st). Sivalingam, retired Chief Engineer General (PWD) and first VC he ways of the Chennai Appreciating your sustained concern about Senate House (SH) of , as Chairman. On his advice, experts from T Corporation for flood pre- for more than four decades, I wish to reveal some facts and events, SERC, IITM, PWD, INTACH (Deborah Thiagarajan) and an vention during the monsoon a quarter century ago, which have remained hidden. You have a architect (P.T. Krishnan) were included. The Chairman directed are indeed inscrutable. policy of usually not mentioning names of persons, but I believe the team first to check the soundness and safety of the founda- On heavily traversed mentioning names on positive matters is essential. Accordingly, I tion and of the brick columns to ensure the worthiness of reno- owe very much to two of my predecessors for my interest in SH, vating SH. An amount of Rs. 6 lakh was spent to dig the ground. Habibullah Road in T’Nagar, Dr. B. B. Sunderesan (1984-87), an engineer, and Dr. A. Gnanam It was found that the foundation was sound. When a layer of they built a stormwater drain (1987-90) a biologist. bricks was removed from a column, it was noticed that the layer not on the pavement but on the BBS did some basic work in assessing the damage in SH. At was only ornamental over strong steel girder structures and a pro- road itself, placing U-shaped his request, I asked Prof. Md. Harris of the School of Architec- tective layer to prevent corrosion. Hence, the columns were also precast RCC pieces in exca- ture to, through a student project, collect and document this data safe. The committee gave the signal to go ahead. They also started vated pits, cementing the joints, accordingly with maps to indicate the exact locations of damage. working out the materials needed – to get Cambridge bricks from BBS put the renovation of SH in the budget and sought funds a Kerala original manufacturer and tinted glass from the UK – covering them with flat covers from the UGC. Dr. Gnanam followed it up and got a Rs. 10 lakh and the modus operandi. and cementing their joints. But UGC grant, on condition that the State Government provided a That is when my term of office ended. For about a year, the for rainwater to enter the drain, matching grant. The State Government did not consider it a VC’s post was vacant. Then Dr. P.K. Ponnusamy took over. He only in a few places over the priority and was not forthcoming. perhaps did not think the committees were necessary. Meanwhile, entire stretch from Thirumalai I took over on November 26, 1990. The then Government A.M.M. Arunachalam wrote to Dr. Malcom Adhiseshiah, head- Road to Usman Road, the was dissolved on January 30, 1991. However, motivated by the ing a dormant committee, to return his donation of Rs. one lakh, adjoining covers were laid with previous VC’s initiatives, I decided to act. There were five since nothing worthwhile was happening. Dr. Adhiseshiah, in Government Secretaries in the 21-strong Syndicate. They never turn wrote a strong letter to the VC, who was then the Secretary a few inches of space and in a took SH as a serious subject. You can’t do much without their of a non-functional committee. The VC urgently called for details few other places, a 4" dia PVC support, particularly that of the Secretaries of Education, and, from the Registrar, who was not really involved in the matter. pipe was laid into the cover! A more so, of Finance. Yet, without looking for government sup- The VC had his own problems. The matter rested there. few months later, the road was port, not even informing the Syndicate, a mistake I realised later, The VCs who followed did not consider this a subject until given a fresh coat of tar and the I initiated a ‘Save the Senate House’ movement. Dr. S.P. Thyagarajan shouldered the burden. One VC even went entire drain was covered with It was prompted by a philanthropist, M.A. Chidambaram to the extent of remarking that people are too concerned about Chettiar. He came unannounced to my bungalow one evening, this ‘katta mannu’. It was on arrival of Dr. Thyagarajan that SH tar. Some months later, a simi- probed my interest in SH and, getting a positive response, asked saw some light. I am sure he remembers my serious and sincere lar drain was laid on Giri Road, about the funds needed. At that time Rs. one crore or so was the efforts when he worked with me for the development of the Uni- from Thirumalai Road to G.N. estimate. He promised to mobilise Rs. 52 lakh of which his versity in general and SH in particular. He was fortunate that the Road and this one had no such organisation would give Rs. 10 lakh. This was a great encourage- Post Centenary Golden Jubilee fell during his tenure. The UGC entry points for water. Only a ment. How many know this, even the University. He, then, was granting liberally for buildings and other developments. He few covered man-holes were wanted me to address 43 people, having in mind a donation of took efforts to tap financial and moral support from other sources Rs. one lakh each. too.* The renovated building was opened by President Abdul provided and the drain was cov- Though I could have done this on my own, I thought differ- Kalam. I refused to attend the function because some uncon- ered with tar. ently. I urgently formed a committee of former VCs of the Uni- nected people, especially the HOD who refused not only his A year ago, on the entire versity of Madras, with Dr. Malcom Adhiseshiah, as Chairman donation but also threateningly urged his colleagues to follow suit, stretch of Thirumalai Road an and I, the then VC, as Secretary together with Dr. NDS (though were to be on the dais while I was to be the audience. 8" dia serrated pipe was laid at a bed-ridden), Dr. Santhappa, Dr. BBS and Dr. Gnanam as mem- Regarding your concern about curator and maintenance, I depth of one foot with small ce- bers. Dr. GRD was no more then. On a specially printed letter- wish to state that I was also concerned. I visited Brighton Palace mented pits at every 20 feet or head with a leaflet titled, Save the Senate House, letters were shot at London, which was to be sold and demolished. The town people out. MAC had put in a word to many, but fund flow was not jointly opposed it; saved it; renovated it to become a popular tour- so which were connected to the encouraging; not even from him as promised. I met him to find ist centre. I collected information and handed over to Deborah stormwater drain. All this ap- out the reason and he explained his difficulties. Yet, he wanted Thiagarajan, on her request, a booklet of the history of renova- parently was to provide addi- me to proceed. I am keeping as a treasure an encouraging letter tion of Brighton Palace. From the Curator’s office, I received on tional drainage capacity. But in accompanying Rs. one lakh from Suresh Krishna of TVS, then mail, the procedures they followed for day-to-day, weekly, the process, the pavement in the Sheriff of Madras, who was involved with the uphill task of monthly and annual maintenance, and emergency and occasional many places was extended by renovating Victoria Hall, and who was aware of what was meant maintenances. This, I handed over to the Registrar to clip to the by renovation of heritage buildings, like VH and SH. relevant file. 1½ feet to accommodate this Meanwhile, I addressed all employees of the University de- Now, we cannot wait until the public, including me and you, drain, reducing the road width partments, both faculty and supporting staff, to cooperate in this Mr. Editor, spot from Anna Samadhi, the trees growing on SH that much on this road with project and as token of that contribute one month’s salary in ten and alert the University. Urgent action is needed. I thank you for heavy traffic! The crowning easy instalments. Pleasantly, all, except one department, agreed. I your timely reminder through your open letter, to the newly piece is that all these pits today also requested all colleges affiliated to the University to contrib- appointed VC. He should take steps as you sketched and also are full of leaves conveniently ute – Arts & Science colleges Rs. 25,000 each and Engineering seek help from the previous VCs who were interested in SH. colleges Rs. one lakh each. All did so, while Satyabhama and New swept into them by the cleaning College paid two lakhs each. This amounted to Rs. 26 lakh. I was S. Sathik staff of the Corporation! aiming at Rs. 40 lakh. What was wrong with this? With the Former Vice-Chancellor We are thus ready for the approval of all the bodies of the University, I introduced a Devel- University of Madras monsoon. opment Fee of Rs. 20 each on all the entering students in colleges (The initiator of the ‘Save the Senate House’ movement) and University every year and, in turn, offering SH to the colleges Chennai 600 020 Indukanth Ragade to conduct programmes. It amounted to Rs. 16 lakh then. This I [email protected] thought would again increase year after year and take care of the EDITOR’S NOTE: Dr. SPT formed a five-person committee to The black kites future maintenance of SH forever. Whether this fact was not put supervise the Senate House restoration project and it collected on paper or the paper was removed from the file, the money so the bulk of the money (a few crore) needed for the restoration he report on Haliastur indus collected was lost, going into Account B, meant for day-to-day and saw to it that it was spent well. A solemn understanding T(Accipitridae) in Madras University expenditure. This fact came to my notice only after I entered into it with the University went to nought with the arrival (MM, June 16th) brought pleas- had left. of subsequent VCs. ant memories of seeing popula- birds from a distance, since tion. Various organisations like If we could attract this bird fighting for species survival. tions (12-15 at one time) of their majestic appearance al- MNS and Greenpeace back to it’s normal habitat – it Kudos to Murugavel for spot- Milvus migrans govinda (the ways made me feel good. should join hands to, at the would be a yeoman service to lighting this rare visitor. black kite), equally fascinating Dr. A. Raman least, save this rare and Avifauna conservation. Please K. Karunanidhi large predatory birds of [email protected] colourful, and also essential spare a thought for this bird, [email protected] Accipitridae. On the days I used predator of rivers and estuaries to walk from the Entomology Endangered species from total extinction in the Research Institute to the gate of propos the article (by Chennai habitat. Loyola College, before 1996, I A T.Murugavel, MM June have invariably seen, especially 16-30th) , there is a painful de- I have been well aware of the MADRAS MUSINGS ON THE WEB in monsoon months and imme- cline in numbers and survival of disappearance of this Brahminy To reach out to as many readers as possible who share our keen diately after, these birds resting the Brahminy Kite. Other than Kite for some years. The reasons interest in Madras that is Chennai, and in response to requests from many well-wishers – especially from outside Chennai and abroad on the sprawling college cricket creating a public awareness may be obvious: habitat who receive their postal copies very late – for an online edition. field, with one of their wings through “A very rare Visitor”, destruction, pollution of the Madras Musings is now on the web at www.madrasmusings.com , oil spills and so spread out in an effort to dry it. there must be an integrated ef- – THE EDITOR I loved seeing these elegant fort at wetland habitat restora- on. 4 MADRAS MUSINGS July 1-15, 2017 July 1-15, 2017 MADRAS MUSINGS 5

CHARIVARI – 3 The Halda Tamil across The Mittaikaran of or anything we wish to buy today junction the oceans Fthere is a vast range of brands to choose from, promoted through multi- he intersection of Sardar Patel Road and he Tamil Heri- Madras media advertising blitzes. But, once, (Mount Road) is still known Dr. Subashini T T tage Foundation is in the Paris there were products that commanded as the Halda Junction, though chances are that a global initiative Bibliothèque. the respect and choice of consumers al- very few of the present generation would even started by heritage and though they were not blitzed as a know of the Indo-Swedish collaboration that language enthusiasts liv- brand; one of these was Parry’s Sweets, once dominated that corner. But while it ing abroad to preserve the term used as a double-barrel proper lasted, it was a name to reckon with. Tamil Heritage in digital noun and, therefore, referred to in sin- It owes its name to M(adipakkam) media. Most of THF’s gular. It commanded recognition Rajagopal Naidu, who began his career in 1915 ground activity happens among children and adults alike or thereabouts as a mechanic with Simpson’s The Halda junction today with ’s HQ towering in Germany, India, UK over it. throughout the country. This Madras and later moved up the ladder at Addison’s. In and South Korea. It is Province product wore, at one time, an 1922, or thereabouts, he left to start a business registered under the So- aura rivalling those of ruling interna- of his own. The first contract was from LOST LANDMARKS OF ciety Act in Chennai tional brands for consumer products. Simpson’s to assemble fire pumps from the but has a worldwide member- Bibliothèque Nationale de If you had then asked what Madras completely knocked down kits that the Com- CHENNAI – SRIRAM V ship. Dr. K. Subashini Kanaga- France, the National Li- was known for, it is highly likely that pany was importing. This proved successful sundaram, a Malaysian born brary of France, in Paris. Parry’s Sweets would have been one of and, emboldened by this, and Tamil, living in Leonberg, Ger- This library’s extraordinary the items. School textbooks on Social also realising that automobiles many, an IT architect in a lead- collection includes 578 Studies never failed to mention the were the business to be in, he most preferred brand in South to meet the specific ing international IT Company, is Tamil manuscripts both in second largest sugar factory (sarkkarai Parrys’ sweet tins over the ages. launched Rajagopal Motor India, after Remington and progressive manufacturing stipu- President and co-founder of palm leaf and paper form aalai) in the country – ranked so at that (referred to technically as gum tion network and selling policies. Works, with workshops on Underwood. lations of the Government,” the THF with Dr. N. Kannan from and images from Tamil time – at Nellikuppam and the confec- and gelatine sweets), almond A three-tiered distribution Lang’s Garden Road, Pudupet. With Independence, the new article noted. Malaysia (earlier Korea and Nadu. Some of them are tionery factory making sweets (mittaai centres, sugared nuts, throat pas- network was set up on a national In a way he was one of the Industrial Policy mandated de- At its peak, the Halda factory Germany). already digitised and avail- gedangu). Some texts referred to it by tilles, pan rolled varieties like scale over a period of time. The founders of the auto parts hub veloping of indigenous manufac- spanned over 40,000 square feet In order to e-preserve Tamil able on the Net; the rest name as paari mittai! School children gems in a flush of colours, the network comprised wholesale that Pudupet has now become. turing. Calcutta, Bombay and of constructed area, employed Heritage material in England, are stored in palm leaf and were thrilled to be taken on a con- very popular lemon and orange warehousing firms at major cen- The Company then diversified Madras were the three port cities over 450 workmen and produced THF London has photocopied paper manuscript form, ducted tour of the factory, particularly slices authentically shaped and tres, distributors in every town into dealerships for cars and that received the bulk of the in- typewriters in just about every several Tamil books in the India others in microfilm form. as they were given samples to taste and coloured to imitate the real serviced by the nearest whole- trucks, with office and showroom dustrial licences for various prod- Indian language, of course in- Office Library and digitised them Like the British Museum take home. This was practically the at the intersection of Ritchie ucts and typewriting was no ex- cluding English, Nepali, Sinhala for public study. Researchers Library, this library too has slices, extra strong mints, bull’s saler, and innumerable retailers Street and Mount Road. As a ception. Remington, Godrej and and Arabic, the last requiring make considerable use of all collections of manuscripts eyes etc. Gift tin containers for drawing bi-weekly requirements matter of policy he took on only Rayala were the three licensees, everything to work in reverse. these works. The digital version and books from India, es- festivals, printed gorgeously with from the distributor in the local- cars that were not of British ori- respectively in each of the three The technology, involving over is fully downloadable as PDF files pecially Tamil Nadu, contextual themes, were very ity. The hallmark of the system The Eurasian in popular. Most of the varieties was that the product at retail gin – American models from the cities. Godrej was the first off the 1,800 parts largely of steel and at the THF site. mostly accumulated by Hudson Motor Corporation and mark, launching the first Indian aluminium, was considered intri- Subashini in search of more Christian missionaries. were packed in lacquered 7- points was always recently deliv- French ones from Renault. Busi- typewriter in 1954. Remington cate and the factory received materials available outside India In Paris, Subashini has pound tins sealed air-tight with ered fresh stock. the Legislature ness was good, and with the re- followed in 1955 and, on March enormous press coverage. Lo- in Tamil, recently visited the successfully digitised se- soldered tin taggers, sixteen of them in each stackable wooden G by N.S. Parthasarathy his is a dark horse that would have remained hidden had it turns Rajagopal Naidu invested 13, 1956, Rayala successfully as- cated as it was in what was the Illustrations found in a lected rare manuscripts in real estate, buying up succes- sembled the first Halda type- southern border of the city, the like Thiruvalluvar Kural, case. The price was per hundred Tnot been for the Indian Charivari album. The write-up against book in the Paris library. weight, cwt in short, equivalent his name states patronisingly that the Hon’ble James George sively large tracts of land in the writer at the Western Castlet. facility became a landmark and Tanmandiri udar kuru, Price of sugar, the main ingre- to 112 lbs (about 50 kilos). Coleman, member of the Madras Legislative Council, was some- newly developed T’Nagar area, The launch was overshad- lent its name to the junction. Samuttirigapalapalan, dient, was subject to variation, Confectionery, being basically thing of an exception to his community. He was a Eurasian, what and, later, the Western Castlet on owed by the death of the founder The Swedes were an exotic pres- Mariyamman Paadalkal, affecting the price of confection- a food product, marketing pre- the modern world classifies as an Anglo-Indian. The album states Mount Road. ten days later. M.R. Pratap took ence, and at least one, Gosta Sittirakadaegal and C.J. ery. If wholesalers and distribu- sented quite a few challenges. that he is a shining example of “what a Eurasian can do, unaided, During World War II, the re- over as Managing Director of the Rundberg, came as a technician, Beschi’s Grammatica tors suffered loss having to sell except by his own personal talent and energy.” What is made had to be sold and tailing of gasonators – plants pro- fledgling company. He gave up stayed on to become Director, Latino-Tamulica. Beschi their stock at lower prices, when- Coleman was born in the Nilgiris in 1826 and his antecedents consumed before quality was af- ducing gas as substitute for petrol his interests in all the other busi- helped found Facit Asia, an in- (1680-1742), an Italian Je- ever sugar prices fell, they were were humble. Sent off while still young to join the navy as an fected. Ahmed Mohideen, who – brought in more money. So too nesses of the family to focus on dependent entity that made cal- suit priest like his prede- The Parrys’ factory at Nellikuppam. offering reimbursement of the apprentice, he soon rose to First Officer and then Captain. In joined the company in the mid- did running bus services in the Rayala and its Halda typewriters. culating machines, and wound cessor de Nobili, learned difference in price provided the 1850, he resigned and took to business, becoming a partner in only public relations exercise till, in 1930s, as senior assistant to the mofussil, with his Sri Venkates- By then, Atvidaberg AB had up as President of the Madras Tamil, composed a lexi- stock had been bought not ear- McDowell & Co., Madras, a company that was trading in wines later years, formal advertising cam- English Manager at the Head and spirits. Founded in 1825 by Angus McDowell, a Scot, the wara Bus Union being the first been taken over by Facit, which Club! When he and his wife left con, Chaturaharathi, and lier than eight weeks. paigns were launched on meagre bud- Office, played a significant part company was greatly successful and when the senior partner company to ply up and down the launched typewriters under its India, it was after a tenure of 23 wrote several books. His As sweets were generally sold gets by current standards. in masterminding the marketing decided to retire, Coleman became the sole proprietor. Under him ghat roads at Tirumala. It was own name all over the world. In- record years. grammar book was written in ones and twos, careful atten- strategy, designing and building the company got into cigar manufacturing, all done in the premises said that Rajagopal Naidu him- dia, however, being a conserva- Sadly for Rayala, and Halda, c. 1738. He is known in * * * tion was necessary in determin- the national distribution net- in George Town. Coleman did not neglect the liquor side of the self steered the first bus down the tive market, the old brand name battles between the promoters Tamil Nadu as Veerama- The chord line train in the 1950s ing the size and price of new va- business either, making several visits to Europe to familiarise work, and formulating sales poli- hill. He also ran cinema theatres was allowed to remain, thereby saw a plethora of court cases munivar and is the author stopped reluctantly at Nellikuppam rieties. Each piece has to be sold himself with various vineyards and distillers there. cies. These evolved out of the in Tirupati. making it the only country that during the 1960s and 1970s. of the well-known and you could, seated in the train, in- for a round unit of coin. Lower In Madras he took a keen interest in city matters, becoming product and consumer buying That was a time when type- sold Halda machines. That put all expansion plans on Paramartha Guruvin hale the fresh boiling sugar syrup waft priced ones for a smaller coin and President of the Municipality (see MM, June 16, 2017 for a story characteristics. writers, for some reason, went The facility at the Western hold. By the time matters righted Kathaigal. emanating from the confectionery the better ones for a larger unit on a tree-plantation drive taken up during his time). He involved Exposed to air, boiled sweets himself in the Volunteer Guards, becoming in time a Colonel. He along with the vehicle business. Castlet was but a makeshift one themselves, it was somewhat The Jesuit missionaries unit. The confectionery unit was of coin. Even thus sold, the re- oxidise, become sticky and could was a member of the Madras Legislative Council from 1879 to Rane sold them as did the once and work was going on simulta- late. Rayala did try a comeback Vischenu Coorma Outharam started learning Tamil headed by an Englishman, Harry tailer has to be able to make a become unpalatable and some- 1883. He passed away on December 14, 1883. prominent firm of Byramshaw’s neously on building a factory set with Olympia electronic type- once they arrived in Tamil Donovan, an expert confectioner who handsome margin of 20-25 per times harmful for consumption. Coleman was a long-time resident of , where he on General Patter’s Road. The in a vast expanse of empty land writers in collaboration with the Nadu in the 16th Century was succeeded by his understudy, cent. The shelf-life is limited. A very lived in a palatial house abutting the sea, said to have been in the Swedish firm of AB Atvidabergs in Guindy. The Economic and Po- eponymous German company in so that they could propa- George Inglis. They were not univer- Such intricacies shaped by same line as the “Railway Terminus and the Biden’s Seaman large proportion of sweets bought Industrier was looking for a local litical Weekly noted in February the 1980s. But the sweeping gate the religion. Language sity graduates but had outstanding Mohideen set the trend for the Home.” Described as a bungalow of fine proportions, it appears to by a consumer was not in large partner who could represent its 1960 that the machinery and computer revolution of the late was necessary for prosely- skills and were perhaps the best con- confectionery industry. He es- have been swallowed up later by the expansion works to the quantities packed in sealed con- brand of Halda typewriters in tools had arrived at Madras. 1980s meant it did not have long tisation and some of them, fectionery technologists in the country. tablished the product as the mar- Madras Harbour. tainers but in ones and twos South India and, in 1944, “This is the first time that the to survive. The factory was like Father Henriques, What they made, innovating new vari- ket leader for pricing as well as One son of Coleman was M. McDowell, probably taking his against small coins. The product Rajagopal Naidu signed up. The Facit Group, collaborators of the relocated on the Old Mahabali- mastered the language and eties all the time, set the standard for practices. Morton and Raval- name from the company that his father owed his wealth to. But had to be produced, stored and when in 1898 the firm was restructured as a private limited com- new business, styled Rayala Cor- Rayala Corporation, are helping puram Road, where it eventually produced books of Tamil the rest of the manufacturers in the gaon dominated the market in distributed to final outlets just in pany, it had as its principal shareholders A.M. Hooper, G.D. poration, after Rayalaseema from in setting up a factory outside shut down, though the Company grammar. All these works market. the North, but had to contend time for consumption and this Coleman and G.N. Ruppell. Presumably, M. McDowell was dead where the founder came, had the Sweden,” it recorded. The Com- as such went on to other are now preserved in li- Donovan’s genius was reflected in with Parry’s Sweets from the had to be repeated at a frequency by then. The company had by then added tea to its portfolio. A Rajah of Bobbili as its Chairman. pany, it said, was sending its businesses. The land in Guindy braries abroad. the large range of sweets, over a hun- South. Nutrine emerged in the that ensured that sweets in the decade later came insurance, where it was a Managing Agent for The offices were in the Western technicians to Madras to help in was put up for sale and was even- Among other books dred items, unrivalled in the market for South as a competitor after Oriental Insurance. In 1951, McDowell’s became a part of Vittal retailer’s jar were not older than Castlet, Mount Road. M.R. the setting up of the plant and tually acquired by Ashok Subashini found in Paris the variety of flavours and packaging. securing the services of a senior Mallya’s liquor empire. It was his second major acquisition after jhkiu g[lgj; jpy; ; clfhh; e; J; two weeks. Pratap, Rajagopal Naidu’s eldest was, in turn, also training Indi- Leyland Limited for its corporate was Castes et professions There were hard boiled sweets, boiled confectionery technologist from United Breweries. The rest of the history is known. bfhzoUf; Fk; ; mtuJ bgzrhjpahd; pulled sweets, toffees, marshmallows, The special needs and charac- Sadly missing today is the massive headquarters that McDowell son, handled the actual business ans in Sweden. “The Facit Group office. de l’Inde, a book with Nellikuppam and competed and it made a name for itself, has assured that it will go all out But where it was, is still re- ylRkp; mtSfF; ehY if/// buzoy; ; jujubes like jelly in different colours teristics of the product deter- & Co. built for itself on Moore Street, Madras. jhkiug ; g[&;gKs;sJ/ with Halda becoming the third to develop full production in ferred to as the Halda Junction! (Continued on page 6) coated with shiny crystal sugar mined the design of the distribu- (Continued on page 6) 6 MADRAS MUSINGS July 1-15, 2017 90+ and still going strong

Quizmaster V.V. Ramanan’s ques- tions are from June 1st to 15th. Questions 11 to 20 relate to Chennai and Tamil Nadu. Offering ‘a listening ear’ 1. On June 2nd, the first moon discovered around a major planet in six years, was announced. Which planet? for better health 2. Which European country offi- .30 am is when I start my that they liked my classes be- Dr. KVT loves music and cially joined NATO as its 29th Dr. K.V. Thiruvengadam member at a ceremony in Wash- “6 day, generally,” says Dr. cause I treated them as equals!,” Maharajapuram Santhanam, ington, D.C. on June 5th? K.V. Thiruvengadam, FRCPE, says Dr. ‘KVT’ as he is fondly M.S. Subbulakshmi and Sudha mum of one hour, to unravel 3. What is the nationality of renowned physician and medi- known. Raghunathan are favourites. family history and personal life. Jelena Ostapenko, who won the cal teacher. He goes on, “I go “His eyes light up as he looks The instrumental music of Patience is the key and French Open women’s singles? through my morning routines at Master Teacher Award con- Lalgudi Jayaraman and Mando- poruthaal bhumi alwar (The one 4. Which country became the and the newspapers till about ferred by the Indian College of lin Srinivas too! who is patient, rules the first Asian nation to qualify for 9.30. Then it is time to get ready Physicians in 2002. As a former Speaking of a long life, Dr. world!), is a phrase I often share next year’s FIFA World Cup? for my patients, who usually student Dr. Abraham Verghese, KVT advises, “As long as you with my patients! 5. Why did the novel A Horse come by prior appointment and (currently at Stanford Univer- exercise your brain, there is al- “It must be a combination of Walks into a Bar, the English are referred by other physicians. sity Medical School) once remi- ways less risk of Alzheimers. family genes and a simple veg- translation of the Israeli work Sus I look forward to meeting and nisced, “It is from Dr. KVT I And it is important to move etarian diet that keeps me go- echad nichnas lebar make news? connecting with them.… and learnt that the patient’s body gracefully from an active to a ing. Clean living and thought, 6. On June 14th, telecom giant each one has an interesting tells the story and that it is the retired life, also to be mentally, working hard, being kind and Verizon acquired which Internet forgiving to everyone I meet pioneer’s core business for $4.48 story. Consultations go on till power of touch and bedside ex- physically and emotionally con- billion, thus ending the latter’s about 3 pm, and I only see a amination that counts in holistic nected to friends. Earlier, I used and a few minutes in prayer is two-decade long run as an inde- maximum of about ten patients treatment. Also, the patience to teach at many institutions – what I try to follow every day. pendent company? during that time, as the ‘listen- the General Hospital, the Rail- As a student I used to pray only 7. President Pranab Mukherjee ing ear’ that guides them onto G by way Hospital, the Voluntary before the exams, but I have recently launched a mobile app better health! Now, more than Health Services, Ramachandra changed a bit now,” Dr. KVT for ‘raising awareness among ever, the role of the family phy- Shobha Menon Medical College, Kalyani Mis- says with a twinkle in his eye! people about female foeticide and sician is crucial. sion Hospital besides my prac- ‘KVT Sir’ was known as a sex selection’. What is it called? “In my profession, you see a and excitement with which he tice. One by one I wound down, dynamic teacher, a fast-walker 8. Which Indian media house is lot of human misery. Being a taught us the simplest things, till at 90 (he is now 91) I de- and very soft spoken. Many old part of the BRICS initiative that good ‘listening’ doctor helps the even though he has said and cided that I will only practice students remember his ward has established a $1 million fund done the same things with thou- rounds with each one straining for boosting media cooperation in patient greatly, to sort out from my clinic. My students oc- the five-nation grouping? struggles in the mind too. I be- sands of students over the year!” casionally come over to meet to hear the Chief’s views. He 9. Which two Indian cricketing lieve firmly in treating the Dr. KVT continues, “Be- me, and I still feel nostalgic to still is soft spoken, and his ‘tem- greats have joined UNICEF’s ‘Su- whole patient and not a part of tween 4 and 6 pm I go through think of the wonderful years I perament of being accepting of per Dads’ campaign that high- him!! One patient even re- medical journals, to keep have spent teaching! people’ has not changed. “I be- lights the critical role played by marked that I must be from the abreast with the latest medical “Age certainly brings in its lieve that if you do err, to do so fathers in children’s early devel- Stone Age because I spent so news. I keep up-to-date with wake its own aches and pains, on the side of generosity is opment? much time taking notes on him the news on TV, but I’m not but it is important to keep at a wiser. ‘They know not what 10. Name the railway station in before I prescribed medi- much into reading fiction!! I normal life in spite of them! Just they do’ is a good dictum to Bhopal that has become the cines!!”, he confesses tongue in used to enjoy Sherlock Holmes make the pain your compan- hold fast to when you wish to country’s first railway station to cheek. When he was younger, and Thorndyke earlier. My lat- ion… not an enemy but a forgive.” be redeveloped in a public-private est gift is a collection from Dr. K.V. Thiruvengadam partnership (PPP) mode? the day started at 5.30 am and friend. With the pain you walk, usually ended only by 11 pm! Kahlil Gibran and I am enjoy- with the pain you read… it can graduated from the Stanley * * * “A teacher for 30 years at ing it very much!” By the way , I only get easier as you get more Medical College in 1950. He 11. The original name of the the General Hospital and then am not at all computer savvy ‘friendly’, Dr. KVT smiles.” ‘In has been the recipient of several Arignar Anna Poonga was that of for 25 years at the Railway Hos- and much prefer to keep it that the departure hall, with a prestigious awards including the a former acting 19th Century pital, I have aimed at learning way, Thank you... I like to read boarding pass ready’, I like to Padma Shri and the Dr. B.C. Governor of Madras. Who? to teach and teaching to learn. holding a book, with some focus on doing my best for each Roy Award for Eminent Medi- 12. Name the resident of bright lights on !” cal Teacher. Chennai who’s won the first-ever Many of my students confess patient I meet. Take a mini- World Food Prize in 1987. 13. By what more famous name is the Tamil theatre veteran N.V. Natarajan better known? The Mittaikaran of Madras 14. Which legend of Tamil and (Continued from page 5) over 20 years. He became adults unfamiliar with the mes- He was from a family that Indian cinema made his Tamil film debut in Mukta Srinivasan’s through lower prices. Mohi- President of the Indian Confec- sage of this religion. He had descended through one branch Thamarai Kulam in 1959? deen, not wanting to undersell tionery Manufacturers’ friends across the religious di- of the Muhammad Ali 15. What is the common English a prestigious brand, innovated Association. vide – which fact, unfortu- Wallajah, Nawab of Carnatic name for the bird called neenda ‘Deccan Sweets’, to sell at lower Mohideen who had a nately, needs special mention (1749-1795) family and married alagu kazhugu or pinam thinni prices. He called it the “fighting Master’s degree in Philosophy, these days but was assumed as into a family that descended kazhugu in Tamil? brand”. wrote books on fiction, poetry, normal in his time. In retire- through another branch, his 16. What two-word term was Mohideen served Parry’s for drama and philosophy after re- ment, his advice was sought by wife being the first cousin of the given to a type of song by which thirty years of which his associa- tirement. His book on Islam for Hamdard products. seventh Prince of Arcot. Her news was disseminated in Madras tion with confectionery was for children is worth reading also by father pre-deceased his younger during the late 19th and early brother to miss becoming the 20th Centuries? sixth Prince of Arcot. 17. What was the name of the Senior colleagues and avenue that started at St. Xavier’s Tamil across the oceans Mohideen used to go together Parchery and ran via Monegar Choultry Road to ? (Continued from page 5) like that classic, Castes and Coloriées de Divinités Hindoues for lunch to the Company’s 18. What is the archaeological Tribes of Southern India by Ma- containing 142 figures of vari- lunch room reserved for seniors, significance to the death of Eliza- hundreds of illustrations depict- dras-based Edgar Thurston, as- ous Hindu deities, with names and when, at times, he could beth Baker, wife of Aaron Baker, ing the professions of people in sisted by Rangachari. written in Roman letters and not join them in time, his the first President of Madras? Tamilzhagam in the early 19th Another important work is descriptions provided in friends asked jocularly: Where 19. Which famous literary logo- Century. The hand-drawn illus- Divinités et souverains de l’Inde, a French. The illustrations are is the mittaikkaran? Ahmed character was created by C.V. trations show the occupation of book with illustrations of Hindu brilliant. Mohideen was indeed the Margabandhu (C.V. Morgan)? a man and his wife based on deities, sculptures and some Mittaikkaran of Madras. 20. What imposing public utility their caste. This book, by temples. Handwritten notes Subashini says that there (The writer worked in the was inaugurated on Mount Road Philippe Etienne Ducler (1778- both in Tamil and French de- are, in the Paris library, a rich confectionery factory and the on All Fool’s Day in 1973? 1840), Administrateur at scribe each deity. Another book treasure of manuscripts await- controlling office in Madras, for (Answers on page 8) Karaikal in 1830, is something that attracts the attention is ing researchers. five years, 1952-56) July 1-15, 2017 MADRAS MUSINGS 7

NOSTALGIA AS HISTORY – 3 Granny Rose and her 17 children n unrelentingly dark book that throws little light on life beyond the author’s Aown tragic world is a slim volume called From Roses to Ashes (published by Akshaya). Anna Shaw, the author, was the daughter of a wealthy Anglo-Indian who lived in Madras and ran several successful catering businesses. Life was mostly picnics and parties and the somewhat Anglicised lives that Anna and her peers lived. “My father had a weekend cottage at , a small fishing village,” Anna writes. “He was a PG and Rose with their 17 children in 1936 – (Standing left to right) Irene, Gerry, Mary, Tittu, very keen angler. We too would fish in the backwaters with his precious rods and Bullu, Otty (Seated 1st row left to right) Tilly, Alphy, PG, Rose with Blanche in her arms, Noel, reels, in our motor boat....We also had a caretaker for the cottage who, when sober, Louise, Sonny, (Seated 2nd row left to right) Gussy, Tony, Corinne, Joey and Xavy. used to cook the most delicious food and a dish called Portu- guese fish which literally melted In the foreword to the book, College and we had to pay a very well designed book, that in the mouth… It is a filet of her grandchildren remark, “ ‘Oh heavy insurance premium… So feature Rose’s entire family, all fish covered with, besides other you are related to Mrs. P.G. I spent my time in needlework seventeen of her children in- ingredients, a mint and corian- D’Souza, the lady with the 17 and cooking and had to give up cluded. She was very proud of der chutney, packed in banana children?’ It’s a question that social life, except what was ab- her large family, and sometime leaves and shallow fried...” many of Rose D’Souza’s descen- solutely necessary.” in the early 1950s, when Weekends at the Madras dants across Bangalore, Man- By 1928, her husband had Cheaper by the Dozen, the Gymkhana Club, summer holi- galore, Chennai, Mumbai, risen quite high in the Mysore American comedy about a days in Ooty, the best schools Delhi… even London, and San Government, they were invited couple with a large family was and colleges to study in… Anna Francisco, have answered over for all the major functions in the promoted in Bangalore, a con- obviously grew up very privi- the years with a proud, ‘Yes’.” Mysore Palace. They also got test was sponsored for ‘The big- leged. Then there seems to have Granny Rose’s seventeen were invited to birthday and anniver- gest and the best family’ in the been a reversal of fortune and born without ceremony in the sary celebrations of Nawabs and city, open to families of a dozen her father’s business began to Dr. Rose D’Souza’. double bed at home with the Princes in North India. Rose or more. One of her sons, Tony, fail. Anna went to work in an midwife in attendance. One excitedly recalls, in a letter, her told Rose about it as a joke. She advertising agency, met a young child alone arrived prematurely first trip by aeroplane to promptly entered the contest boarder. “I saw my first motor at an inspection bungalow in Bahwalpur in Rajasthan to at- and, of course, won. Although man there she fell in love with, car in Poona,” Rose recollects in and married him although they tend the Nawab’s birthday. the children were totally embar- one of her journals. “When we “We had dinner in gold plates rassed by the whole thing, Rose came from different communi- G were at home at 2 pm, a black by with the Nawab… We were roped in at least some of them ties. The difference in their noisy conveyance would go on Janaki Venkataraman ‘castes’ was to haunt her forever present for the Nawab’s birth- for the prize giving function at the road – it was a wonder to day, which was celebrated in a the Theatre. after. Anna’s life seems to have see it going without any animal been on a downward swing huge tent. He sat on a throne When Rose and her husband pulling it.” Rose returned to Hassan where the couple had thereafter. and every officer and landlord had more money, they bought Bangalore when she was 16 and travelled. It was a normal deliv- had to go and bow before him not just a large home but a piece She lays bare her marital and her stepmother decided that ery and the baby was swathed in and throw golden coins at his of history, Oorgaum House. other troubles with a sort of she was ready to be married. cotton wool, the only incubating feet. There was a big heap of Rose and her siblings had to careful candidness, as if to tell The man she married had material to be found in Hassan. them all around him. Then men trudge a long way to school and the reader not to make the same known to the family from when Apart from the fact that they came with small bags and filled back when they were little. To mistakes in life as she has done. Rose was a baby. had a large family, Rose and her all the coins in them and took rest on the way back, they She speaks of her possessive na- Peter George D’Souza was a husband also supported their them away…” stopped opposite a huge bunga- ture towards her husband and lawyer in the Mysore Civil extended families to the extent What is refreshing is the low on Seshadri Road (later her two sons, of the almost irri- Service. When the matter of possible and this put a huge fi- sheer gusto with which Rose Grant Road). During rainy tating involvement she had Rose’s marriage came up he of- nancial strain on them. Rose embraced every happy event or weather its low- lying grounds with her children’s real and fered to marry her. Although he pitched in with knitting and moment in her life, every oppor- filled with water and Rose and imagined ailments, of the cruel- was 30 to Rose’s 15, they needlework to augment their tunity by which she could help her companions named the ties she inflicted on her children seemed to think nothing of it resources. “When I got married, someone other than the mem- house the ‘Island House’. The because of her own frustrations and were engaged for five years I found it difficult to manage bers of her own family, every bit house belonged to Lavelle, a and the guilt she felt because of before getting married. with the Rs. 400 that my hus- of travel to widen her horizons Frenchman who discovered the this. She details the financial One of Rose’s grandchildren band got… We had to pay (she also became an avid pho- gold mine in the Kolar Gold disasters in her life and the recalls, “Granny Rose was mar- house rent, keep a carriage and tographer, an unusual hobby for Fields, called Oorgaum Mine. many unwise financial decisions ried in September 1910 and for horse, send Rs. 80 to Mangalore the women of those times), and The Maharaja of Mysore, so she made. And then occurred a while there was no sign of the to help my parents-in-law, send was seriously into social work. pleased with him, gave him the final disaster of her life, the expected ‘good news’. As the Rs.30 to my brother-in-law There are some beautiful se- about seven acres between death of her elder son. What first months went by unevent- Alexander in Madras Medical pia tinted photographs in this (Continued on page 8) the author hopes to achieve by fully, Grandpa PG tried to her almost self-flagellating console her by attributing the confessions, is difficult to delay to the fact that he was al- understand. ready well past 35 years of age! A complete contrast is the How wrong he was, as time – biography of Rose D’Souza. It is and a fervent and effective no- full of the joy of living and rich vena they both made to St. with a wealth of detail about Francis of Assissi – would soon Catholic life in Bangalore in the tell! Their first born, Tilly, came early 1900s. Rose, born in 1890, in October 1911 and then in lost her mother early and, later, double quick time was followed her father too. But she was by Sonny, Gerry, Mary, Bullu, lucky in having a fond step- Tittu, Irene, Otty, Xavy, mother who looked after her Gussie, Tony, Joey, Alphy, and her siblings with great care Corinne, Noel, Louise, and despite straitened financial cir- Blanche – 17 children in all in cumstances. the space of 25 years! That is Rose was sent to school in not counting the eighteenth Good Shepherd, Poona, as a which was a miscarriage! Oorgaum House – the stately home with fond memories. 8 MADRAS MUSINGS July 1-15, 2017

July 10-12: Storytelling Therapy Workshop by Eric Miller. Details are Time to rein in finances at http://storytelling institute.org July 25-26: Psychodrama Workshop (Continued from page 1) The State’s outstanding debt meet revenue deficit, it is like by Sue Daniel. Referring to quality of spend- has surged as a percentage of borrowing for everyday living. Details are at http://indianinstituteof GSDP from 16.14 per cent in Uncontrolled revenue deficit July 6-31: The Art of Aari, an exhibi- ing, it is necessary to clarify that tion on the traditional art of aari psychodrama. blogspot.in Contact: the “accountant’s” classification 2012-13 to 20.90 per cent in leads eventually to borrowing to embroidery, is presented by Thama- 98403 94282 of expenditure as capital and 2017-18 (Budget) and in terms return previous borrowing. rai, a Chennai-based bespoke House * * * revenue could be misleading. In- of value it stands at a staggering That means that all of annual of Embroideries started by Yoga, creasing hospital and nursing Rs. 3,14,000 crore in 2017-18 borrowing is not available for Sangeetha and Kiran who share a staff or strengthening conser- (Budget) – twice as much as discretionary spending. If this passion for the centuries old art form revenue, indicative of deterio- trend continues, borrowing for of hand embroidery (The Gallery, vancy staff or reinforcing police InKo Centre). force or improving their emolu- rating financial discipline. Fis- repaying previous borrowing Till July 25: Unexpected Outcomes, an ments – all go towards improving cal deficit has gone up from Rs. snowballs over time, leading to exhibition of paintings by Vera de public services although they are 16,500 crore in 2012-13 to Rs. a debt trap. Jong at DakshinaChitra. categorised as revenue expendi- 42,000 crore in 2017-18 (Bud- There are silver linings. The Workshops ture. The classical example is get). Fiscal deficit as a percent- State’s revenue has been grow- East West Center for Counselling and Training presents Workshops in 3 that of the mid-day meal scheme age of GSDP was as high as 4.58 ing at ten per cent, year upon The Photographic Society of types of Expressive Therapies in which is revenue expenditure. per cent in 2016-17, breaching year, from 2015-16 to 2017-18 Madras, sharing 158 years of its Chennai, in July. Closer insight shows that it has the Tamil Nadu Fiscal Respon- although it could have taken history with the City, is holding a built children of yesterday into sibility Act (TNFRA) norm, better advantage of GSDP Are you a – Trainer, a Psychological photography contest for an exhi- Counsellor, or a Special Educator – bition during Madras Week. healthy youth of today, reduced but the Budget promises to growth to tap revenue sources. or might you be considering becom- school drop-outs thereby im- bring this down to 2.79 per cent The State’s own revenue con- ing any of these? If yes, these work- proving literacy and brightening in 2017-18. That constitutes a stitutes as much as 69 per cent shops are for you! WANTED by Nam Veedu, Nam Oor, Nam Kadhai which is organising challenge, but at least signals an of its total revenue receipts, in- July 5-8: Drama Therapy Workshop family futures. This so-called several events during Madras Week. by Evan Hastings. (4 days). Details revenue expenditure built the awareness that the situation cluding grants-in-aid from the A school or auditorium or hall in are at http://storytellinginstitute.org community’s human asset. The needs control. Centre. These are signs of a rea- for an Anna Nagar Ex- late MGR had the vision to think Neither fiscal deficit nor bor- sonable degree of self-reliance hibition - 2017 and several competi- beyond numbers and conven- rowing is undesirable by itself, that could be built upon to ity of life and low All-India tive events for children from 10 am to tional wisdom to perceive great provided it is within repaying erase the revenue deficit alto- ranking for Tamil Nadu which 6 pm on August 19th or 20th (Satur- capacity, and the proceeds are gether. Till 2015-16, the fiscal day and Sunday). To help contact: value in providing nutrition to once set the pace for the rest of Thirupurasundari: annanagarshg@ children. We have a much utilised for creating social as- deficit norm was within the the country. Political uncer- gmail.com; +91 9444253532 healthier youth today than sets, improving public services/ limit under TNFRA. It was tainty must end. Whichever when this scheme was utilities and capacity building. breached in 2016-17. The Bud- political party is in government, introduced in the 1980s. On the A healthy fiscal deficit would get promises to bring it back it has no time to lose and must other hand, capital expenditure ideally be self-resolving if it fi- under control. The situation is seize the opportunity to clean Answers to Quiz on arches, memorials and cos- nances creation of the basic as- retrievable if there is political up the house, resisting competi- 1. Jupiter, 2. Montenegro, 3. metic beautifications do not sets that spur growth and stimu- will. We have been writing tive populism and reckless Latvian, 4. Iran, 5. It won the contribute to growth and wel- late tax revenues to be able to about poor sanitation and other waivers. Tamil Nadu can lead prestigious Man Booker Interna- fare. repay the borrowings. If it is to public facilities, declining qual- the country yet again. tional Prize for David Grossman, 6. Yahoo!, 7. ‘Selfie with Daugh- ter’, 8. , 9. Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, 10. loan to strengthen the building often housed in the extensive Habibganj. GRANNY ROSE and add a pretty portico. quarters in the grounds. * * * The couple lived in this In 1959, after her husband (Continued from page 7) When Lavelle died all his 11. Sir William Rose house until their passing and it died, with no one to attend to property was auctioned except Robinson, 12. M.S. Swami- Grant Road and Lavelle Road became the base for their huge at home, as her children too had for Ascot. It was Oorgaum House nathan, 13. Koothapiran, 14. as a gift. Lavelle’s daughter Eliza immediate family and, later, grown up and moved away, she that Rose and D’Souza bought Nagesh, 15. Indian vulture, 16. married a horse trainer who their equally huge extended got more actively involved in Guzili Paatu, 17. Popham’s from an agent at Rs. 9,000. named Lavelle’s house Ascot family. (Their dining table social service. When she died in Broadway, 18. Her tombstone in Later, when bits of Lavelle’s and built a huge number of could formally seat 24, but still 1986, her entire brood mourned St. Mary’s Church. The 1652 in- grounds were auctioned, they stables in the grounds. Oorgaum needed to be used in shifts dur- her loss. Rose D’Souza. Precious scribed on it, is the oldest British bought some more land and House was actually a ballroom ing holiday time!) Oorgaum memories. is an expression of inscription in India, 19. The added it to their property. The that Lavelle built to celebrate House was also home to any love for a woman who gave so brahminical-looking person on couple had to take a bank loan the homecoming of his son from number of orphans or destitutes much of her love to the world. Ananda Vikatan covers, 20. The to buy the house and a further England where he was working. whom Rose wished to help and It’s also a lovely read. .

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