Heritage buildings
I have been a regular reader of Madras Musings for several years and I appreciate your focus on matters of history and heritage. However, I wish to offer some thoughts on heritage conservation which are slightly different from yours (and most other readers). The basic aim of conservation is to preserve buildings and structures as a live record of history for educating and enlightening posterity. Many of them have lost their original value or purpose for which they were built. To elaborate, two or three specimens of Gothic or Indo-Saracenic architecture in Chennai may be preserved. To contend that every heritage structure should be preserved is to insist that all dinosaur skeletons found on the planet should be kept in museums!
There is another, more important, angle, i.e. financial. Some heritage structures happen to be in areas whose real estate value has shot up due to efflux of time. Their owners naturally would like to redevelop the site, by demolishing the heritage structure. The hue and cry regarding the destruction of heritage buildings is from enthusiasts, who have no financial stake, i.e. they don't stand to lose if the site is prevented from being put to a different use. To fulfil their objective, a fund can be created with donations, which can be used to buy heritage structures.
S. Subramanian
Plot 317, Kamaraj Salai Valasaravakkam
Chennai 600 087
Metro Rail & Heritage
It is most disheartening to note that the Metro Rail babus have scant respect for heritage structures. The questions that come to mind are:
- Many European cities have underground rail networks that pass along and below heritage buildings. These lines were laid much after the heritage buildings were built. When they were able to lay underground lines without damage to structures, why are we unable to plan a route that will skirt such buildings without having to demolish them?
- New Delhi has many heritage buildings. Not one of them was touched for laying the Metro lines there. If it can be done in Delhi, why cannot the same be done in Chennai?
It appears that the babus in Chennai Metro Rail have a "don't care" atitude. With such an attitude, we can be certain that the Metro here will be as good as the MRTS.
C.S. Ananth
Neelankarai
Chennai 600 041
Senate House
Your article on the condition of Senate House (MM, April 1st) has brought to light the insensitive attitude of authorities towards the heritage structure for whose restoration several crores were spent a few years back. Civil contractors are not competent to undertake jobs of this nature. I do not know whether conservation experts were involved while undertaking the project. In Chennai I do not know of any such professional institution. Experts available with the National Museum Institute, New Delhi, and its alumni would do a perfect job. More importantly, the structure should be put to proper use so that it is living heritage.
R. Ramamurthy
737, Lakshmibai Nagar
New Delhi 110023
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Senate House – II
I have passed the psalmists three score and ten to reach four score and ten and have fond memories when, grandly robed, we had our convocation in majestic Senate House (MM, April 1st) and took our degrees! I weep to think that it is now an apology for a Museum as well as a storehouse! Soon, it will be in a shambles. Why not have colleges use it for what it was, a grand Convocation Hall?
Our disregard for heritage is appalling. Everywhere else you travel, there is an effort to preserve, but not in Madras.
Anna Varki
1-D, 'Rosamere'
18, Harrington Road
Chennai 600 031
More identities
'Perambur's pacesetter' was an excellent article and brought back many happy memories.
I joined the Southern Railway Hospital in March 1958 as a young doctor fresh out of training. Not long after I joined the Hospital, the Maternity Ward was opened. I was one of the two doctors in charge of the Maternity Ward and Women's Surgical Ward.
It was my privilege to work closely with Dr. T.J. Cherian during the few years I worked in the Railways before I left it to go abroad.
I can identify three of the doctors in the 1966 picture taken of the doctors in Southern Railway Hospital.
Seated Left to Right are No. 6 Dr. Ramachandran, No. 7 Dr. T.B. Rao, and No. 8 Dr. N. Govindaraj.
Dr. Vimala Ramakrishnan
1658, Cardinal Drive
Munster IN 46321
U.S.A.
Phone phonetics
In Chennai some people pronounce 'pronunciation' as 'pronounciation' and spell it wrongly to boot. To transcribe what a Chennaiite speaks is tough and proper nouns especially are a painful nightmare.
In 1985 I worked as private secretary to the boss in a Bank. I was given the job of recording the RSVPs for one of the Bank's invitations for the elite. The phone rang and a man (himself a private secretary) said that a Reverend Sundakka will be attending the function. I asked him three times, "Reverend, who?" because it sounded like the Tamil name of vegetable. When I asked him for the spelling, he lost his temper and shouted at me.
Later he put his shirt back on and spelt the name. It read Rev. Sundar Clarke!
C.G. Prasad
9, C.S. Mudali Street
Kondithope, Chennai 600 079
Can you help me?
INTACH, Kodaikanal, is publishing a coffee table book on the architectural and natural heritage of Kodaikanal – its houses, their occupants, the forests and wildlife. The special focus is 1920-1980.
If anyone can help by way of memories, photos, they will be examined and gratefully acknowledged if used.
Those interested can contact pradeepandanusha@gmail.com
Pradeep Chakravarthy
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