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An imprint for the future

Madurai Medical College, constructed more than five decades ago, looks distinctly different from the city's several other structures

PHOTO: S. JAMES

STANDING TALL Impressive stone structure.

Stone structures are always a fascinating sight to behold. The imposing buildings, housing Madurai Medical College (MMC), are one such example with exterior walls as thick as a Century-old tree and the huge space inside the construction that can hold a mammoth gathering.

The college came into being once former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, convinced the then Union Government. The MMC was dedicated to the nation in 1954 and admissions began the same year.

Classes were conducted in the semi-permanent buildings constructed at the behest of the college authorities.

Big project

S. Periathambi, son of the building contractor P. Santhanam Servai, who along with P. Gurusamy Servai, constructed the buildings reminisces: "The sprawling 11 acres was an extension of the present Rajaji Park. Once the land was identified for the college, we were asked to construct semi-permanent buildings as a makeshift arrangement to run the college. It was constructed during 1952-53. The closed rubble mason work (stone structure) of the main building was one of the big project we were bestowed upon at that time."

The magnitude of the work can be well judged when the septuagenarian narrated how big the pit to lay the foundation was. "The foundation pit was as big as to enable a lorry to pass through."

"More than 600 people were involved in the work, including masons, mazdoors and labourers. Every morning there used to be a roll call following which everybody carried out faithfully the instructions given to them by the contractors," he said.

Strong

The secret of the building's strength with no obvious cracks is in the preparation of the cement mortar made with brick powder and cement and known as `surki'.

"We also obtained soil test reports to proceed with our work. Since the land contained gravel soil, no sand filling was required in the foundation. While laying the foundation, we took into account the load bearing, which included the dead weight, and the load because of property, people moving around and due to shocks like people jumping around."

The stones for the construction work were obtained from the Yanaimalai.

"There were experts who had a thorough knowledge of the texture of the stones. Hence, they broke the stones in accordance with the layers. Hence, we received stone boulders, which catered to our needs. We were entrusted the construction works of East, West and Central wings of the college. Subsequently, we were also given the job of constructing some of the buildings of the then Erskine Hospital (now Government Rajaji Hospital)."

Skilled personnel

"The skills of our labourers were widely acknowledged as administrators from Karnataka contracted our workers for the construction of Vidhan Soudha in Bangalore, which was built during the same period. We had to struggle a lot to get workers for our project." "The work got completed in 1958. If I can remember all these things even now, it stands as a testimony to the effort we have put in," Mr. Perithambi goes nostalgic.

The style of architecture is very Indian and lends itself for any modernisation work. The 16 feet tall ceiling of the building with two floors provides enough ventilation.

The college was dedicated on August 2, 1954 by Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, the then Union Minister for Health. Sarah J. Souri was the first principal of the college and K. P. Sarathy was the special officer.

Only couple of years back the college celebrated its golden jubilee. With the majestic presence of its stone structures and the semi-permanent buildings, which have stood the test of time and are of immense use, the college is a potential landmark of the city.

T.SARAVANAN

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