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Cinematic side of Manikkodi

In the article, “Cinematic side of Manikkodi,” published in Madras Musings, September 16th, 2024, I had written that the movie Sri Ramanujar was released around September 1938. However, I have now found evidence that the release of Sri Ramanujar was hindered. A document dated 1943 states, “The picture is still pending general release, subject to the settlement of certain disputes among partners. Official liquidator S. Narasinga Rao, Advocate, 37, North Mada Street, Mylapore, Madras.” 

Based on this, I can conclude that the movie was never released.This could be the reason why the film is not widely known and why documents like the songbook are scarce. The trade show for the Sri Ramanujar movie was held on 9-9-1938 at Gaiety, Madras (18,000  feet in length, and its Madras Censor certificate number was 2038. It was a joint production of YESSEL Film Co and Srinivas Cinetone) –  Source: Film Diary, 1943.

It’s evident that the reviews of the film were solely based on the trade show, and I couldn’t find any advertisements for running shows  in  my search.

There seems to be a typo in my previous article. Instead of “Balamani or Baghdad Thief,” the correct title should be “Balamani or Pakka Thief.”

S. Muthuvel
muthuvelsa@gmail.com

A Tale of Two Doctors

The brief account each of Dr. H.V. Hande and the late U. Rama Rau (Madras Musings dated Sept 16 and Oct 1) make inspiring reading. Hailing respectively from South Canara (now Dakshina Kannada and Udipi District, formerly part of Madras Presidency) they brought glory to Madras, that is, Chennai, by their selfless service.

The life and work of these great men unmistakably indicate their strong conviction that man does not live for himself alone and that one should have higher principles in life. By their noble deeds they have set an example to successive generations to emulate them. We are thankful to the contributors for highlighting the qualities of their head and heart.

In an article in Dinamani recently Dr. H.V. Hande wrote convincingly on the magnificent role played by the Election Commission of India in conducting the General Election, praising it sincerely and lavishly which nobody did so far. He pointed out the heavier burdens which the ECI bore (than possibly any other departments) to complete its task competently and admirably well. How I wish the write-up was translated in all Indian languages and published in all leading dailies!

Dr. Rama Rau’s devotion to the welfare of his fellowmen, particularly in uplifting the underprivileged by joining hands with like-minded people of his time has left a lofty example.

In short, to say in one word, these great personages have wielded ‘humanising’ influence on people.

R. Soundararajan
1/46, Sivasakti Nagar
Nagapattinam 611 003

Chennai or Madras

I am so happy to see the Dr H.V. Hande article in online edition and in print (MM, Vol. XXXIV, No. 11, September 16th). Thanks.

Here is a piece I wrote:  

It’s a little late in the day with the curtains having come down on the Madras Day/Madras Week celebrations but I may be allowed my reflections, my two cents’ worth.

Any guesses on what arguably is the second most important day in the history of this metropolis, our home, we now call Chennai? July 17, 1996, the day when the government of the day renamed Madras to Chennai. Those not for it had to go along with William Shakespeare’s ‘What’s in a name’ and so on and so forth. But as age catches up so does nostalgia. Like Rip Van Winkle, it has taken me 28 years to realise that I want to stick with the Old. It’s Madras and not Chennai for me. The latter is Tamil alright! But the word Chennai spelt in English is not the way it is spoken in Tamil. So, for me it’s either the Tamil Chennai or the English Madras. Now, you see I am not comparing life in the ‘old world charm’ of Madras at one end of the spectrum versus life in the ‘dog eat dog’ Chennai at the end of the other. What I am worried is that the word ‘Madras’ will soon lose currency. But there’s cause for hope. Thanks to ‘Madras Musings’, ‘IIT Madras’, ‘Madras Coffee House’ and the beautiful ‘MadRasana’ which word to my mind encapsulates what could be…a life in this city lived with great taste savouring every bit. Let me end with one more reminiscence. In the early seventies as a 8-year-old in Bombay I have heard my parents speak fondly of ‘Patnam’ while talking of the Madras of those days. 

T.K. Srinivas Chari
srinivaschar@gmail.com

P.S. MM’s issue (September 1-15) dedicated to Madras Day/Week celebrations was first class chronicling, a fitting tribute to the city. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed reading Geeta Doctor’s piece (September 16-30) on the Woodlands Drive-in in its new avatar. It so happened that  our watchman at the gate gave us the paper when we were all set to drive down there. Reading it on the way we were so taken in that we showed the article to the waiter who served us coffee in our car. On enquiry, we were told that ‘Uncle Gopi’ had not yet come back from Manchuria.

A Legacy in Stone that spans generations

From the time, I was a young child, Dhenupureeshwar Temple in Madambakkam has had a deep connection with me. Located in the quiet suburb of Chennai, this temple is a treasure trove of history and spirituality. It was built during the reign of the mighty Chola king, Parantaka Chola II, who ruled between 956 and 973 CE. He was the father of the illustrious Raja Raja Chola I, the visionary behind the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur. The Dhenupureeshwar Temple stands as a testament to the architectural brilliance and devotional fervor of the Chola dynasty, a legacy that has endured through centuries.

The temple’s story is intertwined with myth and history. It is believed that Lord Shiva, here known as Dhenupureeswarar, granted moksha to a devoted cow that worshipped him by pouring milk over a Shiva lingam buried in the ground. The cow was the rebirth of Sage Kapila, who had committed the sin of improperly worshipping a Shiva lingam with his left hand. The story tells of forgiveness and divine grace, qualities that are deeply embedded in the temple’s aura. As a child, I was always captivated by the stone elephant that guards the temple entrance. This sculpture has withstood the test of time, and is more than just an artefact to me. It is a symbol of the temple’s enduring spirit, a silent witness to the countless stories and prayers that have been offered here over the centuries. I would eagerly climb onto its back, imagining that I was a queen riding my royal elephant through the grand corridors of a Chola palace.

The temple itself is a marvel, with contributions from various dynasties, including the Vijayanagara rulers. The walls are adorned with intricate sculptures, each one telling a story of devotion, power, and art. Among these is the rare depiction of Lord Sarabeswarar, a fierce form of Lord Shiva that calmed the wrath of Lord Narasimha. The temple, with its sacred pillars and ancient carvings, is a living museum, a place where history comes alive with every step.

Now, as an adult, I bring my daughter, Meenakshi, to the same temple. Walking through the ancient stone corridors, I feel a profound sense of continuity. Meenakshi, just like I did, is drawn to the stone elephant. She climbs onto its back with the same enthusiasm I once had, her imagination taking flight as she pretends to be a queen riding her majestic elephant. The sight fills me with a deep sense of connection – not just to my past, but to the generations of worshippers who have found solace and joy within these temple walls.

Dhenupureeshwar Temple is more than a place of worship; it is a bridge between the past and the present, between history and personal memory. Every visit with Meenakshi is a journey through time, a walk through the legacy of the Cholas, the stories of the gods, and the simple joys that bind us across generations. As I watch my daughter delight in the same stone elephant that brought me so much joy, I am reminded that the essence of this temple is not just in its stones, but in the lives it touches and the memories it helps create.

Priyanka Soman
cspriyankaa@gmail.com

The author is a teacher in The School (KFI). She teaches music, history and chemistry.

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