Periyar.

◼️Periyar– The name literally translates to “great one/ a wise elder” and he indeed was one. He was conferred that title by women in the Tamilnadu Women conference held at Madras in 1938.

Erode Venkatappa Ramasamy was born in 1879 in the Madras Presidency to a wealthy family but he soon began to realise his true calling. In 1919, Periyar joined the Indian National Congress but resigned in 1925.In 1939, he became the head of the Justice Party which paved way for Dravidian politics in tamilnadu.

Periyar started the Self Respect Movement in 1925, which aimed at removing social injustice and inequality. He also voiced out this views about Freeing women from the shackles of family and culture. Periyar was one of the first voices to oppose the Hindi Imposition and that spirit still remains intact in Tamil Nadu even when all the other states gave in to the accepting Hindi.

Periyar’s contribution to Tamil Nadu politics drastically changed the face of politics in South India with regional parties gaining a stronghold over national parties. He shaped Tamil Nadu politics as we see it today.

In his ideologies, thoughts and actions, he was hell bent on thrashing everything that was wrong with our social system. A staunch believer of social justice and eradication of the caste system.. Like every great visionary he was also misunderstood by many. Swear words, Cow dung and slippers are what he got for his path breaking ideals. He took it all in a positive stride and exclaimed

“One who comes to public service should be void of any pride or dignity. If one feels ashamed or embarrassed he can’t serve the society”

பொதுத் தொண்டுக்கு வந்தவன், மானம் – அவமானம் பார்க்க முடியாது; மானம் பார்த்தால் தொண்டு செய்ய முடியாது!’

Periyar is too big to be contained in one post, essay or even a book. His ideals and thoughts are life lessons upon which we must build our lives. Tamil Nadu and its people should be eternally grateful to this great man for changing the political and social landscape of our state.

Peraringar C. N. Annadurai

 Perarignar C.N. Annadurai was much more than just a politician or a chief minister to Tamil Nadu. His life and political career was a legacy that still remains untouched. He is regarded as one of the charismatic and forceful political leaders of modern India. Besides, he gained fame as an acclaimed orator, Tamil and English litterateur, and a stage actor.

Anna was born on 15th September 1909 to Nataraj – Bangaru Ammal in Kancheepuram. He was fostered by his foster mother Rajamani Ammal. His wife is Rani Ammaiyar. He was born in a family with a simple background. He was a good student, Eloguent Orator, Best Writer, Editor, Honest Leader, Uncomparable Guide, Chief Minister praised by the entire Country, Scholar of intellectual world filled with efficiency in various departments.

He created a knowledge revolution among the poor and simple by his sparkling speech. “Kadamai, Kanniyam, Kattupadu” – The politico – philosophical magical words were coined by him. He inculculated a sense of family relationship in politics. He was a teacher who educated us to respect others Great democratic leader.

We remember him with great pride on the occasion of his 109th birth anniversary. Tamilnadu owes its progress and development as a state to the yesteryear chief minister.

Government House, Guindy

Another place that is always in the spotlight a lot in the recent times is the Raj Bhavan, residence of the Governor of Tamilnadu. The earliest official residence of the Governors of Madras were in Fort St. George.

Raj Bhavan or Guindy Lodge as it was once called was built by Governor William Langhorne (1672-78) in the early 1670s in garden space carved out of the Guindy Forest that had helped make St. Thomas’ mount a salubrious place for rest and recreation. It went to the hand of several indian and English private players until it was given to the government to settle a debt of 10,000 pagodas. Government also acquired a nearby property for Rs.8,750 from the Armenian merchant Joseph Nazar Shawmier. Between 1821 and 1824, Government linked the two properties with a third purchaser and the Raj Bhavan property as it existed at Independence came into being. It was in the 1820s that Governor Thomas Munro (1820-27) made Government House the official residence and what has now grown into Raj Bhavan .

Today The Raj Bhavan is a lush green escapade of about 156.14 acres. It comprises of 3.5 acre nursery, a lake and a very rich flora and fauna.The large Durbar Hall, a part of the Raj Bhavan complex has witnessed several swearing-in ceremonies. Alongside lie the plush Main Lawns where one can find deerand endangered blackbucks and many other species. Raj Bhavan is home to 500 deer, 830 blackbucks and 160 birds. About 7,000 trees border the pathway and the boundary of Raj Bhavan with the oldest being 150-year-old Neem tree.

Photo: Frederick Fiebig in 1851.
Source: S.MUTHIAH | THEHINDU

Kapaleeswarar Temple

Mylapore is one part of Chennai that is always in the festive mood owing to the innumerous temples that dot this area. But one of the most celebrated ancient saivite temple has to be the Kapaaleeswarar temple.

Earlier it was claimed that the temple was built in 7th century by Pallava kings who were visited by the great 4 saivite saints Tirugnanasambandhar, Appar. The temple also finds a mention in Arunagirinathar’s Thirupugazh but it clearly states the temple as being on the sea shore. Hence there is uncertainty as to if the temple was destroyed by portugese settlers in 15th century to build Santhome church or by sea erosion which made them shift the temple inwards. The present temple is said to be only 300 years old built by the Vijayanagara kings using some of the fragmentary inscriptions of the old temple.
The famous temple tank on the west side was built in the 18th century by Nawabs of the Carnatic and in recognition muslims were allowed to use it during Muharram. The temple’s spectacular 120 feet tall gopuram was built in 1906 with stucco figurines to narrate the important puranic legends.
Despite the chronological ambiguity the temple has turned out to be much more than just a place of worship. Today the temple is a cultural center in the heart of mylapore. The Aruvathimoovar festival and float festival are sought after by people of from all parts of the country.

Photo:Delcampe
Source: Madras Rediscovered | S.Muthiah

Madras Race Club,1837.

When you cross by Guindy you simply can’t miss the old world feeling that part of town boasts off. The freshly cut grass, horses galloping in the track fields, lingering smell of dung.A little part of Madras has latched on to guindy despite the sea of change it has undergone.
The Madras Race club at guindy was officially constituted in 1837, but its origins go back to 1777, when 81 cawnies of land were granted by the government to conduct races. The land was taken from the Adyar villages of Venkatapuram and Velacheri. The first race meet in the country was held around 1760 on the island grounds.
Racing became irregular and almost stopped soon because of the siege by Hyder Ali. A few years later, 35 cawnies were added and two race courses came up to train horses and to watch the races.

The club functioned till 1875 and then went through a tough phase and the club was finally revived in 1887. In the 1900s racing continued, but on a low key. World War I brought it to a temporary halt.In 1920, the first stands were built out of the generosity of two indian princes.

In 1931, the Guindy Lodge was built in the club premises for the secretary and in 1933, the weighing room was constructed. In 1966, the MRC became an independent turf authority. After 1985, the Government took over racing and this lasted a decade.
The club now has about 625 horses in station, three stands and boasts of the best race track in the country. The racing season begins in November and goes on till March after which races are conducted in Ooty between April and June. A monsoon season has been introduced with races being conducted between August and October.

Photo: Hinduimage Archive.
Source: The Hindu | S.Muthiah | Madras Rediscovered.