Pavithra’s Perspective

Pavithra Srinivasan is a writer, journalist, artist, translator, columnist, an editor and is fascinated with History.

The Lonely Gate

As a girl, I was not an adventurous sightseer; when I travelled (which wasn’t much), I stuck to the usual paths and never strayed beyond the lines. Authority figures terrified me and I always took care never to antagonize them; staying in my place usually worked. Despite visiting the Museum Theatre in Egmore in 5th Std and then a few more times later, I never thought to step beyond a few feet on either side of the door.

But my fascination only grew over the years – that perfectly round edifice with its beautiful red-brick face and the clear aura of history cast a never-fading allure. Once I’d explored the theatre itself, I began to venture outside the boundaries I’d drawn for myself, which is where I saw this beautifully designed gate. It stood quite alone, waiting for what or whom, I never quite knew. No one seemed interested in opening it; it seemed to be guarding a gateway to nowhere. How many people have stood here, Indian or English? What conversations had happened as people leaned negligently against it? Who had passed through, and when? It wasn’t just this one; Madras itself seems chock-full of enigmatic places and monuments like this – once important and relevant, now forgotten.

The idea of it was enchanting, not to mention the intricate working as well. It was surprisingly easy to draw, and I finished it within two hours.

Description: 3.5” by 3.5” approximately
Medium: Black Micron pen.

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