There’s knowhow

The H.R.&C.E. Department has an engineering wing which is involved in the maintenance of temple structures in addition to the construction of new buildings. The engineers are drawn from the PWD and Highways Department. In the past they have restored several temple rajagopurams as also ancient temple structures. To my knowledge they restored the rajagopurams of Madurai Meenakshi temple, Srivilliputhur temple and also, more recently, the Kancheepuram Ekambareswar temple. One of the retired engineers of the PWD was involved in the construction of an ISKON temple in Chennai.

So the PWD cannot shirk its responsibility by claiming ignorance of restoring heritage structures. In fact, the buildings in Madras Medical College, Museum complex, Ripon Buildings and famous heritage government buildings in several district headquarters were built using traditional materials such as lime, surkhi mortar etc. for which the specifications were available in ancient manuscripts.

It is not known what prevents the restoration of these heritage structures.

One of the solutions is that the building complex at Chepauk (MM, October 1st) could be leased out to some organisation to convert them as heritage hotels and use the new structures built for the Secretariat and Anna library to locate the offices at Chepauk.

S.N. Mahalingam

Superintending Engineer,

Tamil Nadu PWD (Retd)

santhri@rediffmail.com

Triplicane details

As MMM has pointed out (MM, October 1st), we cannot but be wary of modern day researchers and their ‘quick-fix’ history. Now that in their blissful ignorance they have metamorphosed Triplicane into Murugan of ‘Concert’ Tank fame and his consort, they should bear with the following correction. It is on record that Thiru Alli Keni was known from as early as the time of Nandivarma Pallava (8th Century CE). Both Peyazhwar and Thirumangaiyazhwar in later centuries have eulogised this sacred Vaishnavaite site. Peyazhwar was specifically praise of the “white waves venerating the coral and shell adorned beach” in the vicinity.

Rev. Philip K. Mulley

Anaihatti Road

Kotagiri - 643 217, The Nilgiris

S.S. Vasan the great

It was interesting to read the coverage relating to life of the great S.S. Vasan by Sriram V. I am currently in California and therefore not able to access the book. From my school days I dreamed of visiting Gemini Studios (MM, October 1st).

While seeing movies children always used to look for the “pe pe pe pey...” appearing before and at the end and this was a powerful selling point for Vasan films.

When I visited Chennai, I took number 9 or 17 route bus and got down near the Gemini Studios; no flyover at that time. S.S. Vasan’s daughter’s marriage was a milestone event in Madras life of those days.

Ganesh K.N.

(Camp Fremont, US)

B13, Sangeeth Apartments

137, Vandikaran Street

Velachery, Chennai 600 042