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VOL. XXIV NO. 24, April 1-15, 2015
Our Readers write

Cousins in Kotagiri

The note on Margaret Cousins’ work on our national anthem was informative (MM, March 1st). Being an accomplished concert pianist she is also said to have sometimes broadcast on All India Radio in its early days.

James and Margaret Cousins moved to Kotagiri in the Nilgiris while still being under the patronage of the Maharaja of Tranvancore. It may be recalled that it was the Maharaja who endorsed James Cousins' conversion to Hinduism in 1937. Between 1939 and 1943, the couple made their home at Ghat View in Kotagiri overlooking the main road to the plains. The Maharaja himself had his holiday home a little above Ghat View. It was known as the Tranvancore Palace and during Nehru’s time, Sheikh Abdullah, the Lion of Kashmir, was interned there for a short time before he was moved to Kodaikanal.

It is on record that Margaret Cousins had made the following remark on her stay in the hills: “My doings at Kotagiri were a mix-up of domesticity, feminism, patriotism, humanism, occultism, nature and music.” Her neighbours were certainly not amused by the oddity of the combination of these pursuits. The dabbling of Margaret Cousins, especially into occultism, continued to haunt the house for a long time to come.

James and Margaret Cousins frequented a picnic spot in the ‘Longwood Shola’ in the upper reaches of Kotagiri. James Cousins, also a distinguished doyen of the Irish Literary Revival, penned a delightful 82-line poem on the Shola’s pristine charm which to this day has been, thankfully, retained. Cousins beautifully rhymes this environment, in part;

.... Lilts alluring themes for lyrics

Under boughs that richly shed

Nourishment for heart and head

Fancy’s fruitage roundly ripened

As the early riser’s stipend.”

Rev. Philip K. Mulley
Anaihatti Road, Kotagiri 643 217

* * *

A propos the article on Tagore, Cousins and the National Anthem (MM, March 1st), my father, M.P. Sarangapani, was in the audience when Tagore sang the English rendering of the future National Anthem. It was published for the first time in The Madanapalle Magazine, the college journal, of which M.P. Sarangapani was the Managing Editor and Dr. James Cousins the Editor-in-Chief.

My father was a lifelong journalist, starting with Prakasam’s Swarajya in the 1920s and ending his career as the Executive Editor of Rajaji’s Swarajya for almost ten years, retiring in early 1971 when cataract affected his vision. He was 77 at the time and passed away two years later.

msparthasarathi@att.net
(6450 Old Chesterbrook Road
McLean, VA 22101)

Keeping it clean

Reader P.M. Belliappa is right in his criticism of the proposed ‘Nature Trail’ by the banks of the polluted Cooum (MM, March 16th). Any expenditure on Cooum, for that matter the Ganga also, will prove to be a total waste unless people are educated on how to keep the natural resources pure and clean.

I had the opportunity to take a Nature Trail by car on the banks of the Karukum Canal which brings water from River Amu Darya to Ashkabad, capital of Turkmenistan. The canal, running over 500 km from near the Afghan border, is kept in pristine pure condition without any pollution. I did not see men bathing or washing their cattle or clothes in the canal. There was a layer of foam to reduce evaporation.

If only our people learn not to chew and spit on the public roads, we will be ready for a transformation.

S.S. Rajagopalan
30, Kamarajar Street
Chennai 600 093.

English corrected

In column 2 para 2 (MM, February 16th), it reads “MMM could not able to do anything”. The words “could not” or “cannot” should not be used with the words “able to”. It should be “MMM was not able to do anything.”

Aaron David A.M. (NFSC)
Divisional Fire Officer (Retd.)
2, Thommayappan Street Royapettah
Chennai 600 014

Editor’s Note: We are delighted to find there are readers who go through every line of Madras Musings.

Trichy proclamation

Swarajyamag.com recently published “a declaration of independence you have probably not heard about”. This was the text of what was known as the Trichy Proclamation. It was issued by Marudu Pandyan in 1801. The document is a significant historical one, representing one of the earliest organised attempts at evicting the English East India Company from India (jamboo dweepa in the proclamation). It was issued by one of the leaders of a loosely organised confederacy of Southern poligars who resented the sudden usurpation of power and authority over the natives by the English.

Here are excerpts from the Trichy Proclamation, copies of which were found on the walls of the Arcot Nawab’s palace in Trichy, Srirangam temple and the strategically important Trichy Fort.

“Whoever sees this paper, Read it with Attention.

“His Highness the Nawab Mohammad Ali having foolishly given the Europeans place amongst you is become like a widow. The Europeans violating their faith have deceitfully made the kingdom their own and considering the inhabitants as dogs, accordingly exercise authority over them. There existing no unity and friendship amongst you the above castes, who, not being aware of the duplicity of these Europeans have not only inconsiderately calumniated each other, but have absolutely surrendered the Kingdom to them. In these countries now governed by these low wretches, the inhabitants have become poor and the rice has become vellum (water).

“And although they manifestly suffer, they are still without understanding to discern it. It is certain that the Man must die although he may live a thousand years! And it is as certain that his fame will survive him as long as the Sun and Moon (Shine).

“Therefore it is devised and determined that in future each shall enjoy his hereditary Rights, namely to His Highness the Nawab Arcot Subah, Vijaya Ramanah Tirumala Nayak the Carnatic, Tanjore the first place and to others their respective kingdoms all to be given to their rightful sovereigns without any violation of faith and national customs. (The Europeans must) confine themselves to a dependent service on the Nawab from which they may expect to derive a real and uninterrupted happiness.

“As the authority of the Europeans will be destroyed, we shall enjoy as in the service of the Nawab, constant happiness without tears. It is therefore recommended that every man in his place and palayam fly to arms and unite together in order to make even the name of the low wretches cease. Then all the poor and the needy will get subsistence.

“But should there be any who like dogs desirous of an easy life, obey the commands of these low wretches, such should be Karoo or cut off. As all know with what subtlety these low wretches, always in unity with each other, have subdued the country!

“Therefore you Brahmins, Kshetriyas Vysyas, Sudras and Musselmen, all who wear whiskers, whether civil or military, serving in the field or elsewhere, and you subedars, jamedars, havildars, nayaks and sepoys in the service of the low wretches and all capable of bearing arms, let them in the first place display their bravery as follows – Wherever you find any of the low wretches destroy them and continue to do so until they are extirpated. Whoever serves the low wretches will never enjoy eternal bliss after death, I know this. Consider and deliberate on it.

“To all living at Srirangam the priests and great people, Marudu Pandyan, prostrates himself at their feet. The Sovereigns made and kept ports, mud bastions, churches and chapels, the above great Rajahs and People by the injustice of the low wretches are now reduced to poverty. So great a people as you are reduced to this State! Grant me your Blessing.”

Reader K.S.S. Seshan in his article on the Indian National Anthem (MM, March 1st) has attributed to Dr. Cousins a comment on the ‘second verse’ of the anthem which outlines the various religions of India. I recall having had to sing during my school days in 1938 the National Anthem in chorus with other school children. The second verse was sung with great pride. I reproduce from memory the bits and pieces of this verse hereunder:

Aaharava Tharavaja Vanaprasthitha Sumitha Bhavadhaya Vani...

Hindu, Bhaudha, Sikha, Jaina, Paarasika, Mussalmana, Christhani

Purva Paschima gaathe...

Thaava Singhaasana Paase

Jana Gana Aikyavi Gaayata Jayathe Bharatha Bhagyavi Daatha

Jaya He, Jaya He, Jaya He, Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya He. ..” (E&OE)

This verse was omitted from the National Anthem by the ruling party of the day, for reasons unknown.

Today’s rulers should examine the possibility of restoring this verse in the present National Anthem to enhance the value of this beautiful song. This step will cause no offence to any community in India.

K.S. Narayan
A23, Chaitanya Nest
9, Rathna Nagar Main Road
Chennai 600 018

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In this issue

Can a few cosmetic changes lure them?
Madras Landmarks - 50 years ago
A disappointing budget by the Corporation
When sewerage came to Madras
Words from the 'Father of Nilgiriology'
The rush for bondas
Does denomination or ethnicity matter?
WATER
A curate's egg of a dance season

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Short 'N' Snappy
Readers Write
Quizzin' With Ram'nan
Dates for Your Diary

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