Thiruvallikkeni aka Triplicane is a famed
land… a place where religion, nationalistic fervour, patriotism, sports,
education and the individual dignity have interspersed for the benefit of the
State and the larger interests of the Nation. That the place acquired its name
from the famed temple pond ‘Kairavini’ – the pond of lilies – thus becoming
‘Thiru Allik Keni’ – the pond consisting of lily flowers; Our lives dwell around the Great Sri
Parthasarathi Swami and that Triplicane houses some best historic
educational institutions driving home the point of scholastic excellence for
decades – have all been detailed in my various posts. Triplicane was the seat of freedom struggle –
Balagandhara Thilakar and very many patriotic leaders had delivered powerful
lectures in Triplicane (Thilakar thidal at Marina
There are many houses which have a rich history
behind them – in the
intersection of Car Street [Theradi Theru] and Singarachariar Street is this
building which in my school days had ‘Mysore lamps’ advertisement …… which in
fact was hiding most of the name ‘Jaganmohini’ … the house of ‘Vai Mu
Kothaiyaki Ammal’ the first women writer of novels who also ran a magazine
featured in one of my earlier posts. Vaithamanithi
Mudumbai Kothainayaki Ammal (1901 – 1960) – popularly known as ‘Vai Mu Ko’ was
a Tamil writer, novelist and journalist who is remembered as the first woman to
occupy the editorial board of a Tamil magazine. She wrote 115 books and she
published monthly Tamil magazine.
Besides her writing skills, she participated in the satyagraha agitation
against Toddy and Liquor shops and was arrested by the Police and received a
prison sentence and participated in the agitation against Lodhi Commission and
the stir for the boycott of foreign clothes. To add to these traits, she was
good in mid-wifery too.
There are some old buildings which are yet to
turn into multi-storeyed apartments….. at North Tank Square Street is this
building bearing No. 26 …. (Rex School
Mahatmaji Seva Sangam was started with the aim of
emancipating women. The driving force behind the endeavour was Vai Mu
Kothainayaki ammal and hence has a glorious past. In the conservative yet the house of revolutionary freedom
fighters, a group of women led the way in spreading the ideals of Mahatma
Gandhi even after his death. It was a
welfare organization in the memory of the great National leader, with a
difference – for it was an organisation `by women, of women and for women.' One can well imagine the plight of poor and
destitute women decades ago and through this Organisation, the founding members
persevered to provide opportunities to women teaching them music (vocal and
instruments like veena, violin), religious ones (slokas, Bhagavad Gita);
vocational skills like shorthand, weaving using chakra and more.
The women raised funds by organizing exhibitions and sales
of handicrafts (made by the members) – have heard from elders that Rajaji,
Kalki Krishnamurthi and many others have frequented this place – so did
renowned musicians including DK Pattammal.
There had been religious discourses by renowned people including Sri
Prathivadi Bayankaram Annangarachariyar Swami.
Vaithamanithi Mudumbai Kothainayaki was a writer far ahead
of her time – coming from a small village with no education, she achieved so
much and this Sangham was indeed a great contribution towards the emancipation
of women. She was the founding member of Mahatmaji Seva Sangh – the first
President was another woman of fame. She
was the first (lady) Harikatha exponent who was on the rolls of honour of Music Academy
Have only read about Vai Mu Ko and Saraswathi Bai – but
have seen and know another great women, who for many decades ran the activities
of Mahatmaji Seva Sangh and lived in that building too.. – that is another
singer – Mrs GP Kamala, who rose to prominence in her young years –started
singing accompaniment to famed exponents of
Baratha Natyam - Tmt Kamala Lakshmanan, KR Geetha and more. In 1989 she was conferred the title
‘Sangeetha Agnya’ by Bharathanatyam exponent Sri Dhananjayan. Years later, in 2004 she was the proud
recipient of ‘Kalaimamani’ and received the award from the Chief Minister J
Jayalalithaa. Recently, she was honoured
in another forum by Smt. Alarmelvalli conferring title “Gana Vidyadhari”..
Valli stated that Mrs Kamala had sung for her arangetram too.
Had made a post on Mrs GP Kamala earlier …...
With regards – S. Sampathkumar
19th June 2014.
PS : I have a personal connection … there were 4
tenants in this famed house… my father’s family were the third. In 1970s and later, I have been there almost
daily, grew up there, playing in the backyards ….. and cherish great memories
of this place – though was not aware of its historic importance those days.
No comments:
Post a Comment