I should have begun this a couple of weeks ago. But anyway, here goes:

With the Principal and teachers of WCC

Aug 18 – Had three events today – in the morning a speech at the Women’s Christian College during their Assembly, on the Heritage in College Road. I enjoyed putting this presentation together and from the response I assume the students did as well. I like these local history sessions. The WCC campus was its usual well-maintained self and old Doveton House was a treat. We had coffee and sandwiches at the main pillared hall, now called the lounge and used as the staff room. This must have been where old Doveton deliberated on Sanskrit, Malhar Rao must have jousted and probably where Roebuck made ice. As take home gift, I got the college’s coffee table book – a very good publication with some excellent photos.

At the press conference for Madras Week 2018

In the afternoon to the press conference to announce the launch of Madras Week. The Chief made it despite his indifferent health. It was nice to see the press crowding around him to get his sound bytes. Good turnout of press for the event as well.

In the evening an address at my Rotary Club (of Madras South) on significant episodes in the history of our city. A somewhat wandering talk by me.

Traditional performing arts by students of Vedavalli Vidyalaya
The Nawab speaks
A model of Delhi gate, Arcot
Audience going through the exhibits

Aug 19th – Day began with a wonderful event – the silver jubilee celebrations of Vedavalli Vidyalaya Schools of Ranipet, Arcot and Vellore. As part of Madras Week,students had brought models in terracotta, pith and other materials of heritage buildings in their towns and displayed them at the CP Arts Centre. These three towns had an important role to play in the history of Madras and so it was appropriate. The exhibition of paintings and miniatures by the students was declared open by HH Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, the Prince of Arcot. He was his usual self, making a lovely speech, straight from the heart, full of humour and appealing for communal amity. Dr Nanditha Krishna, the Director of the CP Ramaswami Iyer Foundation, was the Chief Guest. The exhibition was really good.

In the evening we had the first of the Chennai Heritage-Madras Musings lectures. It featured Pavithra Srinivasan, who apart from being a writer, translator, blogger and organic farmer, is now a miniaturist, capturing many of the city’s heritage buildings with her ink. She had brought some of her works to show and made an interesting presentation on what took her fancy at each of the locations. The event was at Hotel Maris. Tiffin – Dosa, Vada, Kesari, Coffee and some other things.