If Kaveripoompattinam, the ancient port city of Chola kings, was destroyed and swallowed by the sea, the Silapathikaram Art Gallery in modern day Poompuhar has been ravaged by vandals.
Both the gallery and Elanchi Mandram, close to the sea, lie derelict. The neglect is poignantly explained by the fact that the part of the sculpture representing Silapathikaram in the hands of the statue of Elango Adigal is broken and lying at his feet.
The Art Gallery and Elanchi Mandram were inaugurated by M. Karunanidhi in 1973 and 1975 respectively, when he was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
In the Art Gallery, fine granite carvings explain the story of Silapathikaram beginning with the marriage of Kovalan and Kannagi, their separation after Kovalan started living with Madhavi, and his murder in Madurai.
But the ancient musical instruments on display are uncared for and neglected. The glass windows of the racks are broken and all the instruments have been dumped in two showcases. The miniature plan of the old Kaveripoompattinam, covered by a glass panel, is poorly maintained and has little information for the visitor.
‘Polical reason’
“Poompuhar has a special place in the life of our leader Kalaignar. The AIADMK government turns a blind eye to its condition because it was created by him,” said former DMK MP A.K.S. Vijayan, who was elected from the Nagapattinam Lok Sabha constituency.
Elanchi Mandram is a recreation of the original structure, described in the Silapathikaram as a public place with a waterbody where people got cured of diseases including leprosy.
More than the Art Gallery, it is Elanchi Mandram that has borne the brunt of vandalism. Graffiti by people cover the wall of the temples in the Mandram and the two wells on both sides of the temples are in a pathetic condition.
Decorative panels on the doors of the temple have been removed, and the area has become a haven for drinkers.
Another issue is the proliferation of dry fish shops on both sides of the road towards the sea from the Kannagi statue, leaving an overpowering stench.
“The government should limit the number of these shops and create a path up to the sea for the benefit of tourists,” said V. Ganapathi, a Tiruchi-based writer and a regular visitor to Poompuhar.
