An ode to Madras, in 1939

This is that month of the yr when analysis and displays on Madras attain fever pitch. Some, nonetheless, appear to be ever ready with one thing new, or outdated, relying on the way you take a look at it. Karthik Bhatt who’s of that sort, sends me Chennai Kanchi, a poem on town, written in 1939 by Ra. Krishnamurthy, trainer on the Nagarathar High School, Devakottai.

It was certainly one of three publications on town to be introduced out that yr, which some sections within the metropolis noticed because the tercentenary of its founding. The first was the Madras Tercentenary Volume, edited by Rao Bahadur C.S. Srinivasachari and containing articles contributed by varied members of a tercentenary committee. The second was The History of the City of Madras written by C.S. Srinivasachari, and the third was Chennai Kanchi. 

Given that Srinivasachari was himself with the Annamalai University as historical past professor, it’s clear he should have recognized of Ra. Krishnamurthy’s expertise as a poet and invited him to write down. The work is predicated largely on the format of the famed Madurai Kanchi, a Sangam-era work that’s a part of the Pattupaatu compilation. Kanchi by the way, doesn’t seek advice from the temple city however is a type of verse. In his introduction to Chennai Kanchi, R.C. Subramania Iyer, lecturer on the Sri Meenakshi Oriental Training College, Chidambaram, which a decade earlier had been the seed of Annamalai University, affords some particulars on Kanchi as a format. 

He writes of it as an extended type of poetry the place the impermanence of youth, wealth, and so on. are contrasted with lasting glory by the use of valour and salvation. The Chennai Kanchi whereas talking of the glories of Madras, additionally warns the then ruling dispensation of the evanescence of rule, empire and domination. Even its traces originally, ostensibly paying obeisance to King George VI are tongue-in-cheek – “O those that rule over this wonderful land within the title of George VI who’s king of a small nation a number of thousand miles away.”

The work then goes on to explain Madras. It begins with the arrival of Francis Day, the expansion of the Fort, the inspiration of Black Town, its demolition after the French depart after which the development of New Black Town. It then proceeds with the event of firm village reminiscent of Chintadripet, Washermanpet, and Colletpet. It dwells on the style during which the Nawab was made to surrender his lands and the way the areas of Thiruvallikeni, Nungambakkam, and so on., regularly turned a part of Madras. Interestingly, it says Francis Day arrived in Mylapore! 

There follows an outline of varied vital places of town – the seashore, the University buildings, Ice House, the Senate House, and Queen Mary’s College. Likewise the Harbour, George Town, the High Court campus, Central Station, Général Hospital, the Madras Medical College, the Zoo, and the outdated jail are all talked about. At that point, the wi-fi was clearly a surprise and the poem describes intimately its use by the police round Fort St. George. What is of curiosity is the criticism about motor automotive proliferation and the noise consequently prompted. It makes you surprise as to what the composer would have considered the scenario right now.

The work ends with the poet telling the British to go away this metropolis to Indians and allow them to get on with it. And then comes the sting – which is on the again cowl – copies of the e-book may be had from an handle at Basavangudi, Bangalore. Surprising that no person in Madras metropolis might tackle the duty of promoting a e-book on Madras!