Registered with the Registrar of Newspapers for India under R.N.I 53640/91
Vol. XXV No. 17, December 16-31, 2015
Our Readers write
Diwali reason
This has reference to My first Diwali by W. Frances (MM, December 1st). Diwali marks the killing of Narakasura, the Demon King (Narakasura Chathurthi), and not the return of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana from their 14-year exile after the death of the demon king Ravana.
D.B. James, Ph.D; F.M.B.A.
Principal Scientist (Retd.)
37, Sadasiva Metha Street
Metha Nagar
Chennai 600 029
No record
It has been stated in MM, November 16th, that there is no record regarding the shifting of the altar painting at St. Mary’s (MM, November 16). The following is stated it the 1967 edition of the story of St.Mary’s Church.
The picture is not mentioned in the church records until 1782 when the church was handed over to the Civil authorities to be used as a store.
It was replaced for a time, but in 1795 it was relegated to the vestry to allow a window being pierced in the east wall. Later on it was skied over the chancel arch, where it remained for 100 years, until it was replaced in its original position above the altar by the Rev. C.H. Malden in 1902.
Since the Nawab of Arcot is said to have made a large contribution towards this painting in 1780, it probably was completed by 1782, by George Willison, the official painter for the Nawab.
Rev. Philip Mulley
Anaihatti Road
Kotagiri, The Nilgiris.
PS. In traditional terminology altar signifies the table, free-standing and accessible on all sides and upon which the Eucharist is celebrated and hence consecrated for this purpose. At St.Mary’s this setting has always remained intact. Stained glass and any architectural manipulation do not necessarily make the altar more hallowed. So there is no question of the existence of any “hidden true altar”.
Also, I am at present in Kotagiri and not Coonoor as printed. There was also a minor printer’s error in my last letter: “were” misprinted as “where” relating to the clerics in question.
P.M. Island, not bridge
As I had lived in Mandapam for nearly five years as Project Manager for the construction of the Pamban Road Bridge, I read with considerable interest the well-illustrated article that appeared in MM, November 1st.
Quoting Wikipedia the author writes: The Ramsethu bridge is a chain of limestone shoals between Rameswaram and Mannar island, off the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka. Geological evidence suggests that this bridge is a former land connection between India and Sri Lanka. The bridge is 30 kilometres long and separates the Gulf of Mannar (Northeast) and Palk Strait (Southwest). It was reportedly possible to cross it by foot up to the 15th Century when a storm deepened the channel. The temple records record that Rama’s Bridge was completely above sea level until it broke in a cyclone in 1480CE.
The last two sentences are factually incorrect. The temple inscriptions refer to Rameshwaram island, which was part of the Indian mainland until 1480 CE. How such wrong information is conveyed through Wikipedia and quoted!
Incidentally the photo that appeared with the article shows a lone vehicle passing through the mighty Pamban bridge. The traffic on the bridge would improve enormously if the link is extended upto Talaimannar.
I would like to grab the attention of the readers to my article The India-Sri Lanka Bridge – a new initiative needed that appeared in Madras Musings, March 16th. The keen interest shown by Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, in the bridge is a positive step. I wish the bridge will become a reality during my lifetime.
D. Srinivasan
Alai Isai Illam
39, (T13/A) Sixth Avenue
Besant Nagar
Chennai 600 090
