Regular Articles

• Vol XXXI No. 22, March 1-15, 2022

Our Readers Write

More on Natyarangam We thank Shri K. Rajendran, who has written a letter about my article on Natyarangam (MM, December 1st, 2021). I wish to inform him that the dancers chosen to present at our thematic festivals are advised to use ancient and modern poetry from any Indian language relevant to their themes. Dancers have […]

• Vol XXXI No. 22, March 1-15, 2022

Quizzin’ with Ram’nan

Quizmaster V.V. Ramanan’s first 10 questions are on current affairs and the next 10 on Lata Mangeshkar. 1. Name the leader of the Islamic State (IS) who was killed following a US raid in northern Syria recently. 2. Which film has led this year’s Oscar nominations with 12 including Best Picture? 3. Why was software […]

• Vol XXXI No. 21, February 16-28, 2022

Local Body Elections – what should we look for?

by The Editor

At long last, we are to have elections to the Council of the Greater Chennai Corporation. The oldest civic body in India has 200 wards all of which will go to the polls on February 19. Newspaper reports have it that as many as 3,546 nominations have been received for the 200 council seats. Of […]

• Vol XXXI No. 21, February 16-28, 2022

Invasion of the cows: Chennai motorists forced to share roads with cattle

by A Special Correspondent

It was past midnight when Latha, a resident of Thiruvanmiyur, hopped into her car. She had an emergency on her hands – her son was unwell but there no medicines at home. Latha bought the necessary medication from a 24×7 pharmacy on East Coast Road and was driving back home when she was held up […]

• Vol XXXI No. 21, February 16-28, 2022

Heritage Watch: Time running out for this clock tower

William Satish sends us this photograph of the famed Pattalam Clock Tower and wonders as to the fate it awaits. Inaugurated on August 4, 1948, it was originally designed as the centrepiece of the Selvapathi Chettiar Park – a two-kilometre stretch of green on Strahans Road. The inauguration of the tower was by Dr. U. […]

• Vol XXXI No. 21, February 16-28, 2022

Short ‘N’ Snappy

-- MMM

Why don’t you…? The late Chief, on whom may there be peace, had a habit – any time The Man from Madras Musings brought to him some news item on the city, he, the Chief, would smartly lob it at MMM asking him, MMM, to write a story on it. “Why don’t you do a […]

• Vol XXXI No. 20, February 1-15, 2022

Heritage Watch: When a Historic Property Changes Hands

The newspapers are awash with rumours about the sale of the land on which Crowne Plaza (formerly Park Sheraton) stands. The present owners have denied it while the prospective buyers in sharp contrast have confirmed their interest in the transaction. They have also said that the hotel will make way for residential high rise once […]

• Vol XXXI No. 20, February 1-15, 2022

Short ‘N’ Snappy

-- (Wo)MMM

Losing the corona lottery It was bound to happen. The Woman from Madras Musings greeted the first week of the new year with a tickle in the throat. She was singing a favourite tune when the better half interrupted her in concern, pointing out that it sounded more horrible than usual. The tickle soon grew […]

• Vol XXXI No. 20, February 1-15, 2022

Our Readers Write

Reminiscing about Salim Durrani Thinking about Salim Durrani (MM, Jan 1-15) along with Partab Ramchand, I recall a couple of incidents which happened in the late fiftees when Salim was in full cry. I was in Nagpur then and the year was 1959 or so. West Indies who were touring India were then playing a match against […]

• Vol XXXI No. 20, February 1-15, 2022

Quizzin’ with Ram’nan

Quizmaster V.V. Ramanan’s first 10 questions are on current affairs and the next 10 are on mountains. 1. Which animal represents the Chinese New Year that began on February 1? 2. The WWF recently released a list of 224 new species of flora and fauna in which region of Asia? 3. The far side of […]