Wednesday, 22 August 2018

Suzhal Methai /சுழல் மெத்தை, Kalmandapam Market /கல் மண்டபம் மார்கெட், C S I Christina Rainy Hospital, Monegar /மணியகாரர் & Rajah of venkatagiri and Robinson Park at Royapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. - A PART OF ROYAPURAM HERITAGE WALK/RIDE.

11th August 2018.
SUZHAL METHAI  - சுழல் மெத்தை -( SPIRAL WINDING STAIRS), ROYAPURAM
This indo-saracenic style building with two inside spiral step towers was built in the year 1930, by the NV Shanmugam Company’s  Pattanam Podi (snuff powder – மூக்கு பொடி) for their tobacco product advertisement, which exists since 1904.  The architect for the building was from Persia and Arabia. The total land was purchased at a cost of Rs 167. The stones required for the construction are brought from Rajasthan.

It was a landmark once, a new owner purchased the building and renovated the 2 floors without altering the towers. Addiction Sindur, a ready-made garments store is functioning. The area is named after this building Suzhal methai –சுழல் மெத்தை
(http://www.nvsgroups.co.in/index.php )

LOCATION OF THE SIZHAL METHAI:     CLICK HERE 



KALMANDAPAM MARKET – கல் மண்டபம் மார்க்கெட், ROYAPURAM.
One of the oldest markets in Royapuram is believed to have been built and renovated by Subbiah Achari in 1818. Open shops with a raised platform arrangement. The shops were built in rows and the center rows were accessible from both sides. The roof was laid with Mangalore tiles made in 1865, by Basal Mission Tiles Works, Mangalore. Some of the supporting pillars are in stone. The litigation in court between the previous seller and the present owner Koteswara Rao leaves this market without any maintenance. Hence absolutely no maintenance is carried out and the roof is about to collapse and looks like a junkyard. In spite of this pathetic condition, about 5 shops, vegetable, fish and mutton shops are functioning. The saleswoman stays there hoping for a miracle to happen.

LOCATION OF THE KALMANDAPAM MARKET: CLICK HERE



CSI. CHRISTINA RAINY HOSPITAL, ROYAPURAM
This hospital was founded by Miss Christina Rainy. In 1890 two women started this hospital with 12 beds in MacPhail’s own bungalow under the auspices of the United Free Church of Scotland. MacPhail had her doctorate degree in London and came to India in 1887. For the new hospital foundation stone was laid by the Governor of Madras Sir Arthur Lawley on 22nd March 1911. The relocated new hospital was opened in 1914, by the Governor Lord Pent Land, with 75 beds and special wards to treat women patients. As per the records MacPhail worked till 1928. Supported entirely by local funds, mainly fees collected from private patients.  The hospital was handed over to CSI Mission in the 1950s.

LOCATION OF THE HOSPITAL: CLICK HERE



MONEGAR –மணியகாரர் -& RAJAH OF VENKATAGIRI CHOULTRY, ROYAPURAM.
In 1782, a local headman, locally known as “Maniakarar” – மணியகாரர் started this charity gruel distribution center - கஞ்சி தொட்டி -  to the poor in his garden, at Royapuram. After the war, this was converted as Choultry for the sick and poor. In 1807, to cater to more poor people, the Government and  Arcot Nawab made substantial donations to this Choultry. In Choultry, with Dr Underwood as Assistant Surgeon, a hospital was started in 1799. In 1801 the same hospital was combined with the “Native  Hospital and Poor Fund”, The Native Hospital & Choultry land was taken over by the Government in 1910 and renamed Royapuram Hospital, later called Stanley Hospital.  The Choultry was shifted to the nearby Rajah of Venkatagiri Choultry.

On 28th June 1890, Rajah Kumara Yatchama, Rajah of Venkatagiri made a donation of 1,00,000 rupees to upkeep the Choultry. The Collector of Madras is the Chairman of the Choultry managing committee. Now the Choultry is an asylum for the poor and orphaned elderly people. There are 51 inmates in this Choultry, now. Donations are received for providing breakfast Rs750/Lunch Rs 1250/ dinner Rs 1000 from the well-wishers. The inmates are admitted after getting a written undertaking, that after the death, the corpse will be handed over to the anatomy department of the Stanley College for Study. 

LOCATION OF THE MONEGAR AND THE CHOULTRY: CLICK HERE



ROBINSON PARK, ROYAPURAM.
The evolution of the “Dravida Kazhagam movement” was due to the conflicts between Brahmins and Non Brahmins. As per Eugene Irschick, the denial of equal education to the Non-Brahmins was the reason behind this movement. Iyothee Dasar started the “Dravida Maha Sabha” in 1892. In 1912, Veerasamy Naidu, Saravana Pillai, Narayanasamy, and Doraisamy Naidu, who were affected by the Civil service due to Brahmanism, started the “Madras United League”, later renamed as “Madras Dravidian Association”.

“South Indian People’s Association” was formed, in 1916, later renamed as “Justice Party” and got power in 1920. Justice party remained in power for 13 years till the death of Rajah of Panagal. In 1944, Periyar’s supporters took control over the party and C N Annadurai was instrumental in passing a resolution to change the name to “Dravidar Kazhagam”. When Periyar married Maniammai, CN Annadurai and his supporters came out and formed a new party called “Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam” in short “DMK” on 17th September 1949. The next day the same was announced in a  public meeting held in Robinson Park about, the formation of “DMK” a new party and its principles.  

LOCATION OF THE ROBINSON PARK: CLICK HERE


---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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