Taking a ride through Chennai’s history

A knowledge of our own history and past enriches us, it makes us whole. A lack of it may have us resembling a tree without roots. World Heritage Day, observed annually on April 18, reminds us to value a shared cultural past. It became an occasion for various groups to come together to celebrate the heritage of the city. While some relived the history of Anna Nagar through a series of photographs, others visited the Madras High Court to know more about its heritage. 

Did you know that the Madras Literary Society (MLS), established in 1812 as the Asiatic Society of Madras, currently located on College Road, is one of the oldest lending libraries in the south? The library boasts of a rich history: personalities, like Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Annie Besant, TT Krishnamachari and CP Ramaswami Iyer, were regulars here. It has more than 8,000 books, the oldest one being Aristotle’s Opera Omnia, in Greek and Latin.

It also houses original documents and surveys of the Ganges Canal Plain (1854) and Buckingham Canal project (1898). What is regrettable is that a place of so much historical relevance has not been preserved: its books are in poor condition. This Heritage Day, a couple of events will be organised to revive its glory. 

“We have organised an exhibition of vintage coins and household heritage items by Sivagami, an architect from Karaikudi. The second event is a photo exhibition on the Madras Literary Society hosted by the group, Nam Veedu, Nam Oor, Nam Kadhai,” says Tripurasundari, an architect and a member of MLS. She further adds, “MLS is embarking on a project to re-organise and classify all the books in its collection. 

We will also encourage individuals to volunteer with us.” In another event, panels have been placed outside Tower Park in Anna Nagar, where people can read about the history of Anna Nagar. History blooms in every nook and cranny of the city, and it is our loss if we ignore it. Cycling Yogis is a non-profit organisation that brings together people from various walks of life who share a common passion for cycling and heritage: it organised a ride to the Madras High Court. “This is an example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. 

The magnificent court halls, the old lighthouse, erected between 1838 and 1844, the statue of Sir V. Bhashyam Iyengar, the first Indian Advocate General of Madras, the history of court systems, and much more, offer us a glimpse of one of the oldest Judicial Courts in India, which was established in 1862-63,” says Cycling Yogis’ founder Ramanujar Moulana. “The participants got the opportunity to know about its history.”