Monday turned out to be an eventful day for many school students as they were provided insights into Madras as part of the ‘Madras Week' celebrations.
The interest of the students of Asan Memorial Senior Secondary School, Egmore, was evident through the models that they had made of city's old structures for an exhibition. From models of the Bank of Madras, the old Spencer Plaza, Madras High Court to pictures of the localities then, the students had made a fine attempt to depict the then Madras.
Many school students participated in a heritage walk inside the Fort St. George. Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) state convener S. Suresh said it was a first-time experience for many of the 160 students from 10 schools in and around Chennai who participated in the walk. They learnt about Clive House, King's Barracks and St. Mary's Church.
The programme was organised by INTACH in association with Fox Television.
The students would also get an opportunity to share their experience of the city through an essay competition, he said. A talk on Indo-Saracenic Architecture of Madras was also organised as part of the ‘Madras Week' on Monday. Historian V. Sriram spoke on Robert Chisholm who pioneered the style in the city. He said the architect shifted to the city during 1860s and designed the Presidency College building and Chepauk Palace.
The Senate House got architectural touches on the lines of Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, Madurai, which Chisholm renovated. He also designed Central Railway Station main building, Victoria public hall and the General Post Office, Mr. Sriram said.
The use of Madras dialect in films, particularly by actor Chandrababu, was highlighted in a talk by actor Mohan Raman. He said Chandrababu was the first actor to speak ‘Madras Bashai' and use Ceylon Baila in films.
