Madras Manade

Amidst of my busy schedule (Oh, I see), sometimes, I just browse through the books, which I planned to read this year. One such book is the history of Tamil Nadu politics (Tamilaga Arasiyal Varalaru by R Muthu Kumar), in which a chapter is dedicated to the claim of Madras (Chennai) by Andhra.

We all might know that Andhra was the part of Madras State, with the efforts and struggle of Potti Sriramalu and others, Andhra was formed. While the demarcation was happening, Andhra people\parties started to claim Madras and started “Madras Manade” (In Telegu, Madras is ours) campaign. 

Why this flashback now, have you noticed the emblem of Chennai Corporation, if not it is here below.

The book talks about the story behind this emblem. When “Madras Manade” campaign was happening, politician M. P. Sivagnanam (Ma. Po. Si) gave lots of evidence to the committee which was considering whether to give Madras to Andhra. He was also demanding Thirupathi. He then took the support of the Madras Mayor Chengalvarayan. With the help of the mayor, he changed the emblem.

They added three items to it, bow & arrow, tiger and twin-fish, respectively these were the symbols of the Cheras, Cholas and Pandiyas.

Agitations grew stronger, the ruling Tamil Nadu (It was Madras State then) Congress government too opposed the idea of ascending Madras to Andhra. At last, all the parties, including the Nehru government had to climb down. Thirupathi went to Andhra and Madras remained with Madras State (which in 1969 will become Tamil Nadu).

பல்லவர்கள் ஆண்ட இடத்தில் மூவேந்தர்கள் கொடி!

**Above Ripon Buliding image by the blogger.

** Chennai Corporation logo from the Google.

What's The Point ?

Brisk business was happening in selling national flags at Tidel Park Signal. Further down to Perungudi- small, medium and large sized flags were for sale in the stationery shops. While I entered into my shift some colleagues who were about to leave for the day (14th Aug) wished me “Happy Independence Day”, I thought “What!!”. I don’t want to spoil their mood and so politely replied back smiling “Enjoy the day off”. At the stroke of the midnight my Facebook wall was filled with greeting messages. NRI friends were waiting for that auspicious 12 AM Indian Time and started to post greeting messages. AR Rahman released his mobile app. People became patriotic! I asked to myself “What’s the point?”

I’m not here to say that the country is in shambles and why to celebrate the day. Corruption, black economy, rich-getting-rich, poor-getting-poor, wo\men empowerment, blah.. blah.. blah. These issues are faced by all the countries.

I might be wrong, but my question is “Where was India some 500 years ago?”. Travel to 1400’s, before the arrival of the Europeans, you’ll see there was no country “India”. The land was ruled by the kings- Mughals, Rajputs, Marathas, Nawabs, Katabommans, Palayakarans… The English merchants named their company as East India as their business nomenclature, which was later acquired by British Empire. They commonly referred to this land as India for administrative purpose.

Do we call all English speaking men as Brits? Then how can all the people living on the right side of the River Indus can be termed as Indians? 

While talking about “Independence Day”, people say “India got independence from British”- This is just to keep reminding us that our ancestors were once slaves to British. We are indirectly taught that we are inferior! 

Some part of this land was ruled by Mughals, so is there a day to celebrate of when we got independence from Mughals?

Technically or factually there was no country named as India before the British Raj, so August 15th shouldn’t be labelled as Independence Day, instead it can be called as a Formation day or Foundation day.

OK. Post World War II new nations were born and one was India. Willingly or unwilling it has been forced on us or we are programmed from our birth. So we all have to accept to this concept of Indian (Not Hindusthani!). Respect the nation. Fight for the piece of land. Build big barbed wire fences. Salute the flag, but not like the politician below.

Image 1: Tipu Sulthan Palace in Srirangapattanam by the blogger.

Image 2: Junior Vikatan Facebook Page

If you had endured this article, you might also like- Denationalize The Nations