|
FREEMASONS HALL |
|
 Freemasons,
a Masonic Temple on the Commander-in-chief Road in Egmore after three years
of talking, planning and exerting, has been restored almost with a magic
wand to its original magnificence. |
The building, a fine piece of colonial
structure, constructed on January 26, 1923, has a symmetric form with four
imposing circular fluted columns of Ionic order. The highly decorated
ceilings with cornice bands and circular motifs in the center, enriched with
interior walls in the form of architraves, mid level cornice brands, the
Italian tiles and marbles all speak volumes of this ornamental but
functional edifice.
The two-storey hall, headquarters of the Regional Grand Lodge of Southern
India, has a large Lodge Room, capable of accommodating about 200 Brethren
and a small Lodge Room, suitable for Masonic Meetings with attendances of up
to about 60, on the first floor. The one dinning room on the first floor,
which can be approached through a winding staircase, can accommodate 150
diners. The winding staircase is constructed of Sholingar Stone with wrought
iron hand grill. The verandahs are paved with Italian tiles.
 The two Lodge Rooms, more
especially the larger one, have been lighted and ventilated by means of
clerestory windows placed at 12 feet above the floor. The walls are
decorated with Masonic emblems formed in plaster and gilded; there is a
large gilded star at the center of each ceiling.
The joinery in the Lodge Rooms is of rosewood and the floors are paved
with grey marble. In the large lodge Room there is a tessellated pavement
with an indented border in black and white marble.
The design of the building which is finished internally and externally
with fine polished Madras plaster is based on Greek motifs modified where
necessary to suit modern conditions of planning and Indian conditions of
climate.
With the exception of certain special door and window furniture, it is
interesting to note that the whole of the work was supplied and erected by
Madras firms.
Address: Freemasons’ Hall, 87, Ethiraj Salai, Egmore,
Chennai-600008
MADRAS WAR CEMETERY
A tribute to the valiant men and women who laid down their lives in the
Second World War, the Madras War Cemetery was set up in 1952 by the
Imperial War Graves Commission, which is now known as the Commonwealth
War Graves Commission (CWGC). The Cemetery is maintained by the CWGC in
partnership with the Indian Government.
 The
Stone of Remembrance greets the visitor to the Madras War Cemetery with the
words from the Book of Ecclesiasticus 'Their Name Liveth For
Evermore'. Then there is the Cross of Sacrifice, which is set up on an
octagonal base bearing a bronze sword upon its shaft. These two monuments are
common to all large CWGC cemeteries.
The Madras War Cemetery honours 855 men and women of the Commonwealth forces
and one Polish airman who died during the war of 1939 - 1945. It has been a
kind of second burial for these armed forces personnel, who died in the line of
duty at different places while serving in various units during the war. Most of
the graves were brought together from civil and cantonment cemeteries in the
South and East of India. There is also a memorial commemorating a merchant
seaman who was buried elsewhere. The Cemetery also has three non-world war
graves.
 "There
is also a Memorial to soldiers who died in the First world war between,
1914 - 1918. It is known as the Madras Memorial. The Madras Memorial has
all the 1,039 men who died in the First World War inscribed on it. This was
done, because the permanent maintenance of the graves of these men in various
civil and cantonment cemeteries was not assured", says N Rajaram who is the
caretaker of both the Madras War Cemetry and St. Mary's Cemetery.
Of the 857 war graves in the Madras War Cemetery, 659 served for the forces
of United Kingdom, 110 served for the forces of West Africa, 49 for the forces
of undivided India (India before partition), 17 for the forces of Canada, 14 for
the forces of Australia, 5 served for the forces of New Zealand, one for Burma,
one for Malaya and one for Poland. The Madras Memorial honours 936 men from the
forces of United Kingdom and 103 from undivided India.
The St. Mary's Cemetery, which belongs to St. Mary's Church Fort,
contains the Commonwealth burials of both World Wars. There is one Commonwealth
War Grave in the adjoining St. Patrick's Cemetery and also one non-world war
burial. Of the First World War casualties buried here, 17 served for the forces
of United Kingdom while 6 were from undivided India. Of the Second World War
casualties in this cemetery 75 are from United Kingdom, 19 from India, 3 from
West Africa, 1 from East Africa, 1 from Southern Rhodesia and 1 from Burma.
 N
Rajaram who is caretaker of both Cemeteries says, "It costs approximately around
Rs 50,000 every month to maintain the cemetery. November 11th,
Armistice Day, which signifies the end of the Second World War is celebrated
every year. Wreaths are laid at three places - the Stone of Remembrance, Cross
of Sacrifice and at the First World War Memorial. The bugle is sounded after
the wreaths are laid, then the Guard of Honour reverse arms, after which the
bugler sounds 'Just Rest'. At the end of the bugle, 2 minutes of silence is
observed. Then the bugler sounds 'Rouse'. This is the way in which the graves
are honoured. There is also a small prayer service. Every year a prominent
personality is invited to grace the occasion."
Prominent visitors include the Prince of Kent and Princess Anne.
Contact Person: N Rajaram, Caretaker.
Address: Madras War Cemetery, Nandambakkam, Chennai 600 089
Phone: 234 0966
RIPON BUILDING
 West
of Central Station is Ripon Building, the dazzling white headquarters of
the Corporation of Chennai. One of the few public buildings in Chennai that time
has not managed to ravage.
Named after Lord Ripon, the Father of local self-government, the foundation
for the magnificent building was laid by Sir Gilbert John Elliot Murray Kynyn
Mound Bart and Carl of Minto, then Viceroy and Governor General of India on
December 12, 1909.
The Municipal Corporation of Madras, after functioning from several other
places, settled at Ripon building in 1913, with P.L.Moore as the President of
the Municipal Corporation at the time of the inauguration.
With a floor area of 9,628 square metres, this classic structure, built at a
cost of only Rs.7.30 lakhs, is a combination of three types of architectural
styles - Gothic, Ionic and Corinthian. Four engineers at various points of time,
were involved in the construction of this beautiful building - C.L.T.Griffith
(1909), J.E.Hensman (1910-1911), E.P.Richard (1912) and James R.Coats (1913).
 To
support the gargantuan structure, the walls have been constructed with stock
bricks, set in lime mortar and plastered with lime mortar. The roofs are
supported with Teak wood Joists. On the ground floor, the Cuddapah stone
flooring has now been re-laid with marble flooring. The flooring on the first
and second floors is of the pressed terracotta variety. The overall depth of
foundation including footing is 5.34 metres. The ceiling height on the ground
floor is 5.64 metres.
The highlight of its construction is that all joinery works for the building
were made with the best teak wood. The West Minister Quarter Chiming Clock,
installed by Oakes and Co. in 1913, about 20.58 metres from terrace level, is
one of the main attractions in the building. The clock is provided with a
mechanical key system, which is wound every day. There are a total of 4 bells,
which were cast by Gillet and Johnston in 1913.
It is perhaps ironic, but the recent addition of a Golden Jubilee memorial
(for Indian independence) has only managed to mar the once unobstructed view of
this great landmark.
FORT ST. GEORGE
 It
was originally just a warehouse with a stockade around it. But the establishing
of Fort St George in 1639, for all practical purposes, marks the birth of
the city.
Today the Secretariat building (where the Tamil Nadu Legislative
Assembly is housed) is the reason why most people visit. But across its
colonnades and columns, the history of the East India Company can be read
by the discerning.
Tipu Sultan's cannons decorate the ramparts of the Fort Museum.
And inside are relics of the founders and leaders of the fort.
 The
National flag flutters atop a 150-feet Flagpole - the tallest in the
country. Raised in 1687, this pole was till 1994, made completely in teak. Its
replacement now, is in metal.
Clive House (where British campaigner Robert Clive once resided) now
houses government offices.
Aptly, the fort also houses the southern office of the Archaeological
Survey of India, with its much valued and splendid library of books
BHARATHIYAR ILLAM
 One
of the greatest Tamil poets, Subramanya Bharathi was born in
Ettayapuram (around 600 kms from Chennai), in 1882. He was skilled enough to
write verse even at the early age of seven. The last years of his life were
spent in a house in Triplicane. This house was bought and renovated by the
Government of Tamilnadu in 1993. It was opened on 2nd October 1993.
Named 'Bharathiyar Illam' (Home of Bharathiyar), the house takes us
back to the life and times of Mahakavi Bharathi. Photographs of
Bharathiyar, his family, and his friends are displayed here. His hand written
verses are framed and displayed. There is also a letter from Mahatma Gandhi
(in Tamil!) to mark the occasion of the opening of Bharathiyar Mani Mandapam
in Ettayapuram, in 1947. Bharathiyar's letters to his friend Nellaiappar are
also displayed.
A must-see place for those eager to know more about one of the greatest
Indian poets ever.
Open from 9.45 am to 5.45 pm.
VALLUVAR KOTTAM
Opened in 1976 in memory of the poet-saint Thiruvalluvar,
Valluvar Kottam is a massive auditorium, constructed on reclaimed land from
an unused lake filled with the city's garbage and debris. The auditorium can
seat up to 4000 people.
All 1330 verses of the poet's epic - the Thirukkural, are inscribed on
the granite pillars that surround the auditorium. The auditorium itself is not
supported by any pillars!
There is a 101-feet high temple chariot structure with a life-size image of
the poet in it. The base of the chariot shows in bas-relief the 133 chapters of
the Thirukkural.
Over 3000 blocks of stone were used to create this memorial to Tamil culture.
Open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm.
Closed on Fridays and National holidays.
VIVEKANANDA ILLAM
 Originally
called Ice House, this landmark was re-christened Vivekananda Illam
in 1963. This was in remembrance of Swami Vivekananda's brief sojourn
here. (in 1897 when he delivered seven historic lectures at Chennai).
The building served the Tudor Ice Company, which used it for storage
of ice from 1842 to 1874. Its structure was such that Ice could remain without
melting for long periods. The Government took over the building in 1930 and it
has been renovated recently, with a statue of Swami Vivekananda
installed. Today, it houses a Gallery of 150 rare photographs on the life of
Swami Vivekananda. It also houses a section on India's cultural heritage and
on the history of the building itself.
Open from 9.00 am to 12.30 pm and from 3.00 pm to 6.30 pm
Closed on Wednesdays.
 THE
SENATE HOUSE
One of Chennai's most impressive architectural marvels, Senate House,
at the Madras University campus on the Marina, was constructed
under the supervision of Robert Fellowes Chisholm, one of the greatest
architects of the 19th century.
This building, whose foundation stone was laid in 1869, was occupied in 1873.
The entire structure is a harmonious blend of Indo-Saracenic style, with
Byzantine architectural features.
The Senate House has a central hall on the ground floor, 130 feet long, 58
feet broad and 54 feet high, with the corridors supported by six massive stone
pillars on either side. The stone arches between the pillars, with the four
towers rising high at the corners of the building, surmounted by exquisitely
shaped domes (painted in different colours) gives the building a grandeur that
is difficult to match.
The main entrance at the north, leads to the convocation hall, while a
corresponding entrance, in the South, leads to the rooms on the southern wing.
Besides these, there are two entrances on the eastern wing of the convocation
hall and two corresponding entrances on the west. Elegantly constructed porticos
adorn the frontage of all these entrances. A parapet surrounds each of these
porticos, at the corner of which appears a decorated dome of a miniature size.
Initially, the Senate House housed some of the University departments and the
offices of the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar. In some of the
smaller halls the meetings of the Senate, Academic Council and the
Faculties were held. But after the construction of the new departmental
library building and later on the centenary building, the use of Senate House
was limited to the holding of the convocation and examinations, besides being
used as classrooms for teaching foreign languages. However, since 1965,
convocations have been held only at the massive centenary auditorium, built in
1960.
 The
ravages of time and the extremes in climatic conditions have left the Senate
House dilapidated; with cracks on the walls and ceilings, broken drainage pipes,
damaged flooring and broken windowpanes. Sporadic attempts to renovate were made
by way of red oxide painting of the original red brick stones, cementing against
original lime mortar plastering and plain glass replacements for stained glass
windows.
But, realising that in restoration, one has to be faithful to the original
character of the building, the University authorities have taken concerted
efforts to study systematically and obtain technical advice for the renovation.
The University has also appealed to alumni, lovers of art, philanthropists, the
public and private organisations interested in the preservation of this heritage
monument, for funding the renovation of the Senate House.
|
Author : S Natarajan
Photographs : V Ganesan |
PANCHA MANDAPAMS
 Adjoining
the Governor's residence (Raj Bhavan) at Guindy, there are five memorials. To
the father of the nation - Mahatma Gandhi, the first Indian Governor General - C
Rajagopalachari, former Chief Ministers of the state - Kamaraj and
Bhaktavatsalam and one to Martyrs.
The Gandhi Mandapam is immediately recognisable by the temple gopuram
styling of its portals. The Kamaraj memorial has a distinctive Charakha
(Spinning Wheel) atop the memorial. The Rajaji memorial, with its
dominating pink, is quite conspicuous. Clustered among these are the memorials
to Bhaktavatsalam and the Martyrs.
KAMARAJ MEMORIAL HOUSE
 Inaugurated
on 15th July 1978, by the then Chief Minister M G Ramachandran, Kamaraj
Memorial House is now a permanent gallery that showcases photographs and
personal effects of Kamaraj who rose out of poverty to become the Chief
Minister of Tamil Nadu (elected to the post thrice).
On the ground floor is the bedroom of this bachelor, whose austere living
comes across so clearly in the plain furniture that occupies the room. Leaning
over the railings, one can spot yellowed volumes of 'Lok Sabha Debates', '100
Modern Lives', 'Churchill' and 'Doctor Zhivago' amongst the books
lined up in the well-stocked library. Obviously, having to discontinue his
schooling did not stop him from becoming a well-read man.
 The
Black and White photographs that adorn the walls of the Dining Hall, cover
Kamaraj's life across all stages - Kamaraj at the age of five, in his youth, in
middle age and in the final years. Notable among the collection are pictures of
his 1954 swearing-in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, the first Kamaraj Ministry
of 1954, the second of 1957 and the third of 1962. Photographs of Kamaraj's
public life show him rubbing shoulders with stalwarts like Jawarharlal Nehru,
Sarojini Naidu, Sathyamurthy, Dr S Radhakrishnan, Rajendra Prasad, Lal Bahadur
Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Periyar, M G Ramachandran, Govind Vallabh Pant,
Martin Luther King and Queen Elizabeth. Among the personal effects of
Kamaraj that are on display are his spectacles, pens, a spool tape
player....even a Gillette Shaving set used by him! Several pictures
showcase the leader in different moods: playing Cricket, hauling the rope in at
a 'Tug of War' for the Legislator's Sports Meet, drenched under the
Courtallam falls, supervising relief work for flood victims, chairing
meetings etc.
 The
second floor has displays of Kamaraj's several luxuriant Felicitation Shawls. In
marked contrast are the displays of his own simple attire, his suitcases,
timepiece, pens and utensils. Of special mention is the prison coat worn by him
while serving term in prison in 1942. Photographs on the second floor show
several personalities paying homage to the dead leader. Among those pictured are
Indira Gandhi and veteran actor Sivaji Ganesan. Especially impressive is
the bird's eye view of the multitude, on Mount Road (Anna Salai), who
accompanied the body of their leader on his last journey.
Open 9.00 am to 6.00 pm.
Address: Kamaraj Memorial House, # 52, T. P. Road, T. Nagar,
Chennai - 600 017
|
