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Vol. XXVI No. 08, August 1-15, 2016
Archives: Vol. XXVI No. 08, August 1-15, 2016
Will UNESCO rescue our temples?
(By A Special Correspondent)
How often have we seen the most wilful damage being inflicted on some of our most ancient temples in the name of restoration and consecration? Towers of doubtful merit being built over Chola gateways, Nayak period paintings being whitewashed, polished granite and vitrified tiles being pasted over age-old stones bearing inscriptions, and grilles being riveted on stone pillars are some of the common instances of vandalism that happen in the name of restoration of the shrines. The culprits in most of these cases are the HR & CE department officials who are invariably ignorant of what amounts to sensitive restoration and, more often than not, do not wish to know better. Of late, rich devotees with a mistaken zeal to put up giant statues and tall towers have worked in tandem with these officials. All these may be matters of the past if the High Court (HC) of Madras has its way.
Early in July, the Hon’ble HC ruled that the Tamil Nadu Government needs to involve experts from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in all temple restoration efforts from now on. It has asked the Government to ensure that UNESCO officials are present on August 23rd at the court to take up matters further. In the interim, the State Government has been barred from taking up any repair works on its own, except for what may be termed as emergency activities, those that are needed to prevent any collapse.
The entire case concerning temple renovation began in June last year when the Court took suo moto cognisance of the matter. It had then appointed a special committee to study in depth the quality of restoration that had been done in temples. A team of four experts then went around visiting recently renovated temples and submitted its report in November last year. Acting upon this, the Court had even earlier suggested that the State Government go slow on repair works that it was undertaking and bring in experts from UNESCO. But with the authorities dragging their feet over contacting the latter, it became necessary for the Court to intervene once again recently. Incidentally, UNESCO has a presence in India dating back to 1948 and it is a mystery as to why the HR&CE took all this while to establish contact.
A promise to clean the Fort’s moat
by The Editor
Last week saw a glimmer of hope as far as the conservation of Fort St George is concerned. Two of its many part owners, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Army, have agreed that it is high time that the moat surrounding the fort is cleared of stagnant water (read untreated drainage from within). But before there is cheering all around let us hasten to add that the same announcement was made in October 2014. Nothing came of it. It is to be hoped that this year’s resolution will result in some concrete action.
Fort St. George’s sewage filled moat. (Photo: Vijay Sriram.) See page 12 for what it once was.
The moat is one of the many historic components of Fort St George that is rapidly going to seed. Originally a dry ditch, it later became a full-fledged moat in the 18th Century, with water from the Cooum River being let in to fill it.This was kept up till Independence when it was also common practice for the soldiers garrisoned in the Fort to fish in the waters. In later years, with hardly any water in the river, the supply was cut off and the parts of the moat fronting the fort went dry.
More sewage needing cleaning
B. Wilson of Hyderabad was recently given the Magsaysay Award for his work in Hyderabad, saving thousands of workers from the indignity of cleaning city sewers. But in Chennai such cleaning goes on with no one batting an eyelid (See Our Readers Write )
Some thoughts on Swathi – & the aftermath
by R.K. Raghavan – A former CBI Director
Swathy, the young and sprightly IT-professional of Chennai, allegedly slain by an infatuated neighbour a few weeks ago, has touched the raw nerve of this hallowed city. Coming so soon after a series of murders, Swathy’s confirms that the city is no longer a haven of peace and safety. In a manner of speaking, it has hurt my ego more than any other event of the recent past. I am extremely proud of my native city. But this is not the city that I grew up in and used to adore. Also, this certainly was not a ‘one swallow does not make a summer’ case. Many violent crimes against innocent citizens have marred its reputation.
A Prime Minister in (en)action
by Sriram V
Remembering the Raja
(continued from last fortnight)
Ramarayaningar when he was the Chief Minister of Madras.
It must be recalled that the Justice Government formed in 1921 was elected by a limited franchise and that the real executive powers continued to vest with the Governor and the bureaucracy.
