Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006
Online edition of India's National Newspaper Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006 |
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Tamil Nadu
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Chennai
R. Sujatha
CHENNAI : From humble beginnings in 2004 when only a handful of photographs adorned Rajaji Hall, the Madras Day celebrations have picked up quite a bit of momentum. Last year, three men exhibited their collection of coins, books, maps and photographs at Clive Hall in Fort St. George. This year a dozen participants, including the Archaeological Society of India and Southern Railway, have displayed their collection. Clive Hall, which houses the ASI, is abuzz with the excited chatter of visitors trying to piece together the history of the city. Robert Clive, who earned five pounds annually, arrived in India and carved out an empire for Britain. It is only apt that the exhibition on Chennai should be held here. The buildings that dotted Chennai's skyline in the last 300 years narrate the story of its builders. Fort St. George currently houses at least 50 to 60 heritage buildings by one estimate. Some of them are under the ASI's control. Some others are used by the military. Only photographs of buildings under the ASI are on display. The exhibition illustrates how business shaped Chennai's economic growth. Between 1639 and 1900, when Chennai's regal buildings were built, thousands of natives found employment and moved to the city. Then came commerce and banking. Thomas Parry, who set up a business unit (now EID Parry), was considered an excellent employer. The exhibition also traces the 200-year history of State Bank of India, besides offering a display of coins and currency notes issued over the centuries. As the city expanded, mass transport evolved. Royapuram became the first railway station in South India in 1856. Twenty years later, the Central Station came up; the Egmore station was built in 1908. Reports on the first electric train, the commissioning of the Madras-Tambaram railway line, the introduction of trams and photographs of the first tram being hauled from the ship to the city have been reported in Tamil newspapers of that time. Rare, out-of-print books and maps, paintings of buildings that have since been razed down are on display. The exhibition is on till Wednesday from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entry is free.
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