HRH Queen Mary
Jeypore block, Queen Mary’s College
Exquisitely carved in white marble, this bejewelled statue sits on a dark-stone pedestal, in the place it was installed originally. Queen Mary, consort of King George V (1910-1936), delighted in wearing jewellery, particularly Cullinan diamonds, but sculptor Nagappa has used pearls — 15 strings — to recreate her favourite necklace. The beautifully embroidered lace bodice is what she generally paired with her chiffon skirts. A report in The Hindu (archive # 19290122) dated 2/1/1924 said the bust was a gift from the Raja of Panagal, then Chief Minister of Madras, and was unveiled by Lady Willingdon; her speech is quoted in the news item.
Grime covers this work today. The back of the bust and the pedestal are defiled with names, probably carved with compasses or dividers. The peeling pillars supporting the canopy and pigeon droppings on the floor complete the portrait of continuous neglect. “After my write-up in Madras Musings, M.V. Appaarao, great-grandnephew of the Raja of Panagal came forward to help with protecting the statue,” said Nithya Balaji, QMC alumnus.
Prof. Eyre Burton Powell
Presidency College
Thorough cleaning by the students has left the imposing statue of the founder-principal at the entrance to the Geology department shining — reflecting the glory of the institution Powell helmed.
The statue was carved by John Adams-Acton in 1838 in London, and the plaque in front introduces Powell, MA/CSI as the “first principal of the Presidency College and afterwards Director of Public Instruction”. The statue “[was] erected by many Rajahs, Zamindars, former pupils and friends to mark their respect for his character and their grateful appreciation of his services in the cause of higher education for more than 30 years”.
A wooden railing protects the 200-plus tiles — each of a different pattern — on the ground around the statue. The decorated dome was constructed in 1940 with “subscriptions from past and present students and by a generous donation from the Government of Madras, as a memorial for the first centenary of the foundation of the college”. “Powell’s great grandson got emotional seeing the statue,” recalls former principal Mohamed Ibrahim. “He later sent a cheque for Rs. 49,000 to improve facilities in the college.”
Lt. Col. James George Neil
Egmore Museum
It takes some effort to find the 10-ft-tall gun-metal figure of Lt. Col. Neil, but it’s worth it. According to historian Vakula Varadarajan, Neil was with Royal Madras Fusiliers, a European unit at Allahabad. His “fame” rests on his ruthless quelling of “rebels” of the 1857 Mutiny. He burnt villages and hanged inhabitants as he marched from Allahabad to Kanpur, indulged in unspeakable acts of torture and was responsible for the death of nearly a lakh Indians.
In 1860, the British “honoured” him with a statue at the Binny Road-Mount Road junction. During the freedom struggle, the Tamil Nadu Volunteer Corps started a campaign for its removal. In 1937, Rajaji, then Prime Minister of Madras Presidency, steered a resolution and shifted the statue to Ripon Building. In 1952, it was formally handed over to the Museum.
In what looks like posthumous punishment, Neil stands behind locked bars. His original citation on a side-wall says, “James George Neil, Aide-de-Camp to the Queen, Lt. Colonel of the Madras Brigadier General of India, a brave, resolute and self-reliant universally acknowledged as the who stemmed the torrent of the rebels in Bengal. He fell gloriously for the relief of Lucknow, 25th September 1857 aged 47. Erected by public subscription in 1850.” (sic)
Dr. Annie Besant
Junction of Dr. Besant Road and Marina Beach Road
She may not have approved of gold as the preferred colour for her statue, but she certainly would have nodded approval at the location. The monument fronts Dr. Annie Besant Park; the triangular park is technically a traffic island, but has been beautified with a fountain, and a “Fishermen-at-the-Buckingham-Canal” sculpture designed by GCAC students (in 2010).
Near the statue are Vivekananda House and Lady Willingdon School. The blue pedestal has excerpts from her speeches and notes on her work in India.
Did you know she translated The Gita into English? Created the basis for college education for women? The “grateful public” that contributed to the statue will appreciate it if the lettering was clearer, making reading easier.
Queen Victoria
University of Madras
This statue faces Wallajah Road and is hidden by the overgrowth. Walk past the statues of S. Subramania Iyer, V. Krishnaswami Aiyer and Gopal Krishna Gokhale and scramble through thick vegetation to reach her majesty’s cupola across the lecture hall.
The ‘Queen Empress of India’ sits on a marble base, with a crown and the folds of her dress covering her throne. Her hands hang loose and her expression is inscrutable. The umbrella-shaped roof is supported by eight carved metal pillars — rust-red at the bottom and black at the top-half.
The canopy has a fringe of lacework. The plaque below reads: “This statue is erected in token of his loyalty, respect and admiration of her majesty’s many virtues by her faithful subject — Rajah Goday Naraen Gujputee Rao of Sree Goday family, Vizagapatam.” Sir Rao (KCIE), an aristocrat/politician, served as a member of the Madras Legislative Council from 1868 to 1884. The statue was unveiled by Governor of “Fort St. George” (Madras), Robert Bourke, 1st Baron Connemara on June 20, 1887, the Golden Jubilee of the queen’s accession.
