The way we spell
The British had intriguing ways of spelling the names of our villages. This can be seen from the 18th Century village records pertaining to Chingleput District (the present Kancheepuram District), which are available in the Archives of the Government of Tamil Nadu. A few examples are given below. The way they are now spelt is given on the right in italics.
Tirikitchcoonum Thirukalukunram (Thirukazhugukunram)
Trevadundy Thiruvidanthai
Covelong Kovalam
Strepermadoor Sriperumbudur
Parravantongel Pazhavanthangal
Oottramullor Uthiramerur
Porichaloor Pozhichalur
Cundighy Kandigai (this could be our present Guindy)
Cholepuram Sholavaram
Cornwoday Karanodai
Tiroonunioor Thirunindravoor
Peroonacody Perungudi
Tarramoney Tharamani
Madrantcum Madurantakam
Chinglaput Chingleput / Chingalpattu
Taumerum Tambaram
Ommunjicarry Aminjikarai
Puddapy Padappai
Mauvalyporam Mahabalipuram
Wuddacaput Vadakupattu
Sekhar Raghavan
D-15, Bayview Apartments
Kalakshetra Colony
Besant Nagar, Chennai 600 090
Editor’s Note: But, are many of our present English spellings of Indian names correct?
View from the bridge
The Elphinstone Bridge across the Adyar commands a spectacular view of the estuary. In the mid-1970s, we were living in Sastri Nagar and I used to take my two children to this bridge in the mornings and introduce them to the thrill of birdwatching. Along the eastern side of the bridge was a wrought-iron walkway and the three of us used to stand on this and try and identify the birds feeding in the estuary. An occasional vehicle that passed over the bridge would cause gentle vibrations on the walkway and that would amuse the children.
The bridge, with its short parapet wall, commanded an excellent view of the estuary and the sea beyond. In winter, when the sky was clear, sunrise over the estuary was dramatic. Moonrise on Full Moon days was equally captivating, with the estuary being transformed into streams of molten silver. Returning from work, I have often stopped on the bridge to watch the moon rise. Traffic was very thin. These views of sunrise and moonrise made you feel part of the wide universe.
But views are not considered a heritage in our country, are they? So we sacrifice it without a whimper in order to transport sewage pipes. I remember the speech Chief Minister Karunanidhi made when he inaugurated the Thiru Vi Ka Bridge. “We are not the folks who destroy bridges. So we will retain the old bridge also.” But the old bridge was closed for traffic and, after decades of use as an open latrine, it is now used to carry sewage tubes. Sic transit gloria mundi.
S. Theodore Baskaran
thillaikan@yahoo.co.uk
Vanishing posters
On December 29, 2008 our Chief Minister inaugurated the flyover at the G.N. Chetty Road-Dr. Nair Road junction. I was sceptical about this venture, as the Corporation cut down huge raintrees on G.N. Chetty Road to find space for the flyover. However, watching its construction everyday, as I passed by Vani Mahal, was an experience. The final and finished work was altogether attractive, making me feel proud of living near it.
Alas, I was soon shocked to see posters stuck on most of the pillars at the junction. The posters featured the Chief Minister as well as his son. That was on January 2, 2009. Spotting two police officers on duty at the junction, I went up to them and praised the magnificient work done by the Corporation, but wondered ‘How these posters had been allowed to be stuck, defacing the construction’. They hemmed and heaved. I then said, “Surely the posterwallahs are trying to make capital out of posters depicting our CM and his son, as who would remove their posters. If we yielded to this, a lot more will come up, destroying the good work.” They were now totally embarrassed. I then went on, “Why don’t you inform your superiors that the people around are asking these questions.” At last they said, “Yes, we will take up the matter with out superiors.” I then left wondering whether this flyover too would become a junkyard before long.
I wanted to send an E-mail to Madras Musings the very next day, but on my way to the Internet cafe, while passing the pillars, I was most pleasantly surprised to see that all the posters had been removed. Did our police have something to do with it? If they did, I hope they will continue to take such action in the New Year and help create a cleaner and more beautiful Chennai.
K.V.S. Krishna
2A, Parkland Apartments
Kamala Bai Street
T.Nagar, Chennai 600 017
On snakes
The article on Snakes (MM, January 16th) was very interesting. Hindus, especially, wherever they are, revere and respect snakes, as they are connected to our Gods – Vishnu, Siva and Subrahmanya. Very rarely do we harm them but worship them with special poojas.
As the article states, snakes do not harm human beings, unless provoked and harmed.
Dr. C.V. Subramaniam
1017/1023, Gitanjali Layout
Bangalore 560 075
Spirit still alive
Reader T. Seshachalam has kindled old memories of my prestigious school (MM, November 16th), the Hindu Theological High School, Sowcarpet.
The dedicated efforts of Headmaster K. Rangasamy Iyengar, whose very presence had a magic effect on the students, is still fresh in my memory. The sense of discipline enforced painlessly cannot easily be forgotten. His successor, the great S. Balakrishna Joshi, guided the school to its peak. His successor, T.K. Padmanabha Sarma, who collapsed in the prayer hall, was a great Geography teacher.
The Deenabandu Sangam provided sumptuous midday meals to needy students. It was accomplished without any government aid. There were endowments granting scholarships to needy students. Poverty was not allowed to stand in the way of pursuing academic studies. All this was done without publicity or fanfare. The students were equipped to learn public speaking in the classroom itself. The art of drama was nurtured by the late M.S. Venkatachary, a Tamil pundit. Dramas were staged at the Walltax Theatres, V.P. Hall and Saundarya Mahal in Govindappa Naicken Street.
It is heartening to note that efforts are underway to restore the school to its past glory and that an English medium and Higher Secondary level classes introduced.
D.V. Subramanian
6, Sriram Colony
Theosophical Society
Adyar, Chennai 600 020
Wrong person
I note with some disappointment that you have fallen into the sort of error that we strive to have our students avoid: downloading material from the web without checking its correctness.
I refer to the photograph accompanying your article on Mr. Natesa Mudaliar (MM, December 1st) and your rather summary dismissal of Mr H.R. Pandurang’s letter, (MM, December 16th) about the same.
The photograph is indeed that of Dr. Sarvepalli Gopal, and Mr Pandurang should know: Dr. Gopal was his brother-in-law.
R. Chandrasekar
Flat 10, SPL Bay Breeze
9 New Beach Road
Thiruvanmiyur
Chennai 600041
Editor’s Note: We agree with you the web is a dangerous thing. But, unfortunately, Madras Musings does not have the staff to check everything. We rely on contributors – and their record over the last 18 years has been very good.
However we do not think reader Chandrasekar’s statement “your rather summary
dismissal of Mr. H.R. Pandurang’s letter about the same”, was fair comment. If Mr. Pandurang had categorically stated that the picture was that of Dr. Gopal, we would have said so. As it was, in his letter he conveyed a degree of uncertainty and that was reflected in our response. Now that reader Chandrasekar has categorically identified the picture, we regret the error.
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