A pilot street design for Chennai

A pilot design for Chennai’s streets

 

Chennai’s  poorly designed and improperly executed roads, with even shoddier maintenance may soon see better times, if the present attempt by Chennai City Connect (CCC) , an organisation set up by Janaagraha, a Bangalore based NGO and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) succeeds.

 

Janaagraha (Chennai) and CII (Tamil Nadu) have setup up CCC for various stakeholders of Chennai to interact and support the Government of Tamil Nadu for improvement of urban infrastructure. It is based on the success of a similar initiative in Bangalore which goes by the name of Bangalore City Connect.

 

In Chennai, CCC will aim to work on long-term and short-term projects. Among the latter, it has begun looking at street design in the city and the ways and means to improve it. The idea stems from the root belief that most street designs and their implementation follow a one-design-fits-all approach which does not look at ground local realities. Consequently, implementation of such plans do not offer any benefit to the local residents. Footpaths are often a foot high and even if present, are encroached by shops, two wheelers and squatters. As a result nobody is able to see any visible improvement.

 

CCC taking its credo from Janaagraha aims for a bottoms up approach and feels that the most manageable unit in any civic body is the zone. Each zone should be studied for the street plan and layout to be effective and this then has to integrate upwards via wards, councils and finally the city corporation. Therefore, each streets problems need to be studied individually and solutions identified for it.

In order bring make a difference and help the Chennai Corporation to improve the city’s pedestrian facilities, CCC, along with interested groups adopted the following methodology:

1. Consult with city officials, especially the Corporation Commissioner and explain the project to them and sign a detailed MOU with the government. This MOU will detail on deliverables from government, CCC and other participating organisations along with timelines. Such MOU will take existing government plans into account and hence will ensure our effort is not wasted by future changes in the area.
2. Conduct survey of footpath to identify the dimensions of the road, footpath, etc.
3. Conduct study, take digital photographs, of the corridor to document the existing issues and devise practical solutions. Compile international standards.
4. Employ an urban planner or architect to design the footpath, crossing, street furniture, etc. taking earlier observations into consideration.
5. Design proper bus bays and shelters to help passengers and bus operators; to ease congestion of road; to prevent crowding at bus shelter.
6. Design proper signs and locations to prevent accidents and improve citizen safety.
7. Optionally, conduct traffic flow study to arrive at optimum signal time and road architecture. This will ensure smoother traffic flow, lessen pollution, and reduce accidents.
8. Present the plans to Mayor, Corporation Commissioner, Police Commissioner for Traffic and other relevant officials. They can conduct public participation meetings to present the plans with diagrams to explain the project to the public.
9. Present international standards to city officials for use as guidelines.
10. Help implement by conducting periodic meeting with officials and help in monitoring.

The final deliverables included the following:

• Clearly defined road-footpath boundary that is visible to all road users even from a distance.
• Demarcate user-friendly footpaths that encourage maximum usage by pedestrian
• Proper pedestrian crossings to ensure safety and ease.
• Identify space for street hawkers to co-exist with pedestrians and other stakeholders.
• Proper signage, identification of no parking areas, landscaping, street furniture for safety and comfort, garbage bins, etc.
• Introduce bus bays or clearly marked spots as bus stops, for safety and comfort of passengers and to prevent haphazard parking of buses and congestion of road.
• Improve safety of pedestrians along the corridor.
• Involve all stakeholders in preparing solutions that is acceptable to most.

CCC has since presented its findings and recommendations to the civic body. The Corporation it is learnt, is delighted with the study and has begun the process of tendering for the actual implementation of the plan. The idea has now extended to getting corporate bodies in the vicinity to also chip in with funding for the execution. This if taken up and implemented effectively, could well be a blueprint for all city development to come.

 

 

 

Short and Snappy – 15th December 2008

Just to show that I did not neglect my larger canvas – Madras, while taking a deep look at the micro – the Music Season.

A bit outdated, but never mind.

‘Ringing in’ the Music Season

 

As the Man from Madras Musings wrote in his last epistle, the Music Season is here. MMM has been going hither and thither in search of music and what he has heard in plenty are the cell phones which ring all the time, right through the concerts. MMM realises that our music sabhas are not conducive to any kind of audience discipline and those who attend concerts view these venues as a kind of a cross between food courts and bus stops. But even among these comings and goings, there was a silence in the era when there were no cell phones. But these are days of high connectivity and everyone, just about everyone has them. MMM does not object to this, but what he does object to is the tendency that concert goers have of not switching off their cell phones or at least putting them in silent mode when inside the venue. As a consequence, just as the musician strikes an inspired patch, there is a loud jingle-jangle competing with the song and sure enough some has received a call.

 

A couple of seasons ago, those who received calls when inside auditoria would blush hotly and silence the phone immediately. But these days, even that courtesy is denied to fellow concert goers. Those who receive the call think nothing of answering it by bawling into the phone. Those with a semblance of sensitivity roar “I am in a concert” into the instrument. Those that have left such niceties behind continue their conversation which could be anything from an animated discussion on the latest cricket scores to something as mundane as where the salt shaker is kept. “It is exactly where it is all the time. Next to the cane basket with the broken handle. You would know these things if you just deigned to visit the kitchen once in a while”. These were the inspiring words of a matron sitting next to MMM. Barely had this finished when the man on the other side received a call. It appeared that there had been a bereavement, but it later transpired that the maid had given notice. MMM sympathised but it took all his will-power to control himself. But one of these days if you read the headlines “Concert goer runs amuck and slays six”, you will know what the provocation was.

 

Teacher, cure thyself

 

It is examination time again and parents are a hassled lot. The Man from Madras Musings is a kind of father confessor to many and one of his confidantes came to him with his latest troubles. His child, all of eleven, apparently had a rich collection of er… colourful words and the matter had come to the notice of the school which immediately summoned the parents. They were censured in a full Parent Teacher meeting and were told summarily that such a wide vocabulary was acquired from the servants at home, if not the parents themselves. The father rather timidly answered that the words could have been acquired from the school as well. Whereupon the headmistress drew herself up to her full height and said that was impossible as the school does not recognise such words, whatever that means. The parents were told to discipline the child at home and that was that.

 

But that was not the end of the story. Within a week there came a note, this time from the class teacher. It said that the child was not paying attention in class and was talking all the while to his neighbours. The parents were asked to look into the matter, failing which the note hinted, the consequences could only be described as dire. So this time the parents went back and tried remonstrating with the teacher. How could they control what goes on in class asked the mother. The teacher said that was the mother’s problem. She, the teacher, wanted peace and quiet in the classroom and it was the duty of the parents to ensure that the children realise that it is their responsibility to provide that.

 

Then came a day when the parents were summoned again, this time on the charge that the child was not shining in its studies. Not enough time was being spent on his schoolwork at home was the accusation. The father had had enough. What do children come to school for if pretty much everything is the responsibility of the parent asked he. The headmistress looked pityingly at him. Modern thought, she explained in a manner reserved for the less intelligent among her wards, has it that children come to school to have fun. So presumably do the teachers. The rest, MMM feels, is left to the parents.

 

The Brighter Side of Recession

 

The Man from Madras Musings was delighted to read the statement made by the chief of a credit card company recently. The chief announced that in view of the current economic debacle and the inability of many cardholders to pay up their dues, the company would exercise greater restraint in the issuing of new cards. MMM fervently hopes that this will translate into lesser number of calls from the agents of the card company, all of whom apparently fondly share the hope that MMM, who already has a card, will be game for acquiring a few more. Whenever time hangs heavy on their hands, the tele-marketing agents of the card company feel they should call MMM. Their concern at MMM’s well-being is touching but MMM would feel a lot better if they called a little less. Their desire to ‘touch base’ with MMM reaches its peak on Saturday afternoons when MMM has his weekly siesta. A typical call goes like this:

 

“Mr NNN? (or OOO or PPP. They never get the name right).

 

“No. MMM.”

 

“Oh! Sorry sir. Very good afternoon to you sir” (usually said in a sing-song tune based rather loosely on “How’d you solve a problem like Maria?”)

 

“Hmmmph”

 

“Sir?”

 

“What do you want?”

 

“We are calling from the Itty bitty bank sir. We are offering you a credit…”

 

“I already have one. So get lost.” (MMM, much to his good lady’s distress, is rather rude when roused from his slumber).

 

“Just a moment sir, we are not offering you a credit card. We are upgrading your platinum card to a vanadium card with a free add on uranium card for your wife and a plutonium one thrown in for your mother-in-law. Plus your loan limit is upgraded to Rs xyz lakhs from what it is at present” (all this in thirty seconds flat)

 

“I don’t need all this. So will you buzz off?”

 

“Sir don’t disconnect. Can we offer you a home loan…”

 

At this point in time, MMM has hung up, his mind filled with homicidal thoughts. So the next time you read about a serial credit card killer, you will know where to look.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seats in Sabhas – an analysis

The Mother-in-law’s tongue: There are sharp among the seats and have nails protruding at all inconceivable spots which usually give your rich raiment a friendly tear. These if deep can also draw blood and bring tears as well. The sounds here are sharp, occasionally accompanied by howls.

 

The Manic Depressive: This variety comprises the long suffering ones, which have borne the burden of many heavy posteriors. These settle with groans and moans even as you settle into them. A drop of oil would ease their problems but MMM supposes that your average Sabha secretary has much more to moan and groan about than mere seats.

 

Jaws: These resent your sitting on them and are waiting for an opportunity for you to rise, whereupon the seat and the backrest snap together like the jaws of a crocodile, often catching a part of your posterior with them. Then you add to the sounds.

 

The Dear Departed: This seat treats you like the Great Maker and as soon you arrive and descend on it, it gives up the ghost, sinking into the ground with accompanying sounds. Your weight may have something to do with it, but lack of regular maintenance could also be a reason and if so, please see what is written under Manic Depressive about the duties of the Sabha Secretary.

 

Poseidon Adventure: This one lurches from side to side as you shift in it, with accompanying noises. If you suffer from sea sickness, this may not be for you and your best option is to grip the handles (if available) and mutter prayers all the while. After all, Carnatic Music is religious as well.

 

The Love Seat: This one has a loose cushion usually made of rexine. It sticks closer to you than a brother and when you leave, it leaves with you and only strong muscular force can separate you from it. Often there are cries of anguish. But just think of Romeo and Juliet.

 

The Hyena: The most harmless of the lot. But when you sink in it will let loose a hyena like laugh owing to the hinges having starved of oil for so many years. The secret is to simply jump in and not take your time.

 

The Throne: Usually found in the older Sabhas, this seat is so big that you have second thoughts about having left your car in the street outside. You also begin to feel lonely after some time, especially if the lights are dim and the concert is thinly attended. But watch out, these seats are rich in bed bugs.

 

The One Seat Orchestra: This is usually found in Sabhas that operate out of schools, marriage halls and other such totally unsuitable venues. These specialise in metal chairs which can be dragged about and when that happens a plethora of noises emanate. You can hear bugles, drums and at times even the concertina, all badly played. But nobody appears to mind, least of all the musicians who accept performances at such venues.

Season Tales – 17

And that is the end of the Season, at least for me. A friend said rather sadly that now we need to get back to mundane matters like rice, sambhar, electric motor, water in the well, toothpaste, velaikari etc. But I am jolly glad to get back. It is only by immersing myself in the mundane throughout the year that I get to enjoy the Season for two weeks.

To all those who have been following this column – A Happy 2009 with good health and happiness.

Sadas at the Music Academy

It was one of the most painful events that I have sat through. There were too many speeches and as for Mr Ramadurai of TCS, he should realise that brevity is good in everything. AKC’s speech was straight from the heart as usual and so was PS Narayanaswami’s when he felicitated AKC.

It was a grand affair. Full auditorium. But after sitting in biting cold and with a cold myself, I had to steal out at 7.00 pm. The other awards had just begun.

Some of them:

1. Yogam Nagaswami Award – Ranjani and Gayathri

2. Best concert overall – OS Thyagarajan

3. Best Sr Male Vocalist – Sanjay Subrahmanyan

4. Best Sr Female Vocalist – Nithyashree Mahadevan

5. Best Concert overall in sub senior – Mambalam Sisters

6. Sub Senior Male Vocalist – Kunrakkudi M Balamuralikrishna (not sure if sub senior or junior)

7. Junior Vocalist – Amritha Murali

8. Best Pallavi – Pantula Rama

9. Best Sub Senior Male – Saketharaman (not certain in what category as this appears to be same as KM Balamuralikrishna)

10. Best Sub Senior Female – Nisha Rajagopal

11. Best Lec Dem – shared by Sriram Parashuram and Jaya Chandran (Tiruvarur sthalam as interpreted by Rukmini Devi in her choreography for the varnam Rupamu Juchi)

The Academy has done a very sensible thing in clubbing many endowments together. This has reduced the number of prizes but has given each one more meaning in terms of prize money particularly. It was touching to see so many members of the nagaswaram community, all of them making it to the stage to felicitate AKC. The Semponnarkoil clan, the Sheikh family and others. Similarly, it was great seeing Sarada Hoffman being honoured and flanked by three of her students – VP Dhananjayan, Adyar Lakshmanan and CV Chandrashekar, all three Sangita Kala Acharyas themselves.

Anavarappu Ramaswami could not make it owing to a bypass surgery. BM Sundaram accepted the award on his behalf. The proceedings began with a prayer by three students of the Teachers College of Music singing Sri Saraswathi Namostute. A very ordinary rendition. Wonder what they teach when they graduate from the college.

Open House @ Music Academy

The Members Breakfast (a tradition from the era of King George V when the Academy was ‘at home’ to its members on the 1st of January) was held and for once (or I may be mistaken and it may have always been so), the food was of the highest quality including the coffee. The menu included pongal, dosai, puri with masala, vadai, badushah (originally badshah I suppose) and badam halwa. Three chutneys, respectively white, orange and green were served along with sambar and molaga podi. Good stuff and with the old digestive tract having reported all clear, I did full justice to it all.

The Open House had Dr Pappu Venugopala Rao, Dr N Ramanathan, TR Subramaniam, V Subrahmanyam, Prof SR Janakiraman, AKC Natarajan, TK Govinda Rao, Dr MB Vedavalli, BM Sundaram, Kalpakam Swaminathan, Suguna Purushottaman and Dr SAK Durga.

The proceedings were initially most tiring with speaker after speaker lavishing praise (most deservedly) on Dr Pappu until he firmly got them on track and asked for comments and criticism. The peregrinating mike was then with Dr MB Vedavalli who said that while the lec dems were all good, she could not understand why the lec dem on Dasa kritis was allowed at all. She was also not in favour of the lec dem on Mysore as a Seat Of Music as she felt it was all her work being presented once again with nothing new. She also felt that Periasami Thooran should not have been qualified as a vaggeyakara as all his songs had been tuned by someone else. This irked TK Govinda Rao no end as he apparently had also tuned some of Thooran’s songs and he had presented the lec de anyway. But the mike had already passed him and so he had to bide his time. Then it was BM Sundaram’s turn and he said the great positive in the lec dems was the way Dr Pappu cut short all rambling speeches that had no relevance to the subject under discussion. But BMS also felt that the Dasa lec dem was of poor quality and that the speaker had merely read out from a prepared text.

Suguna Purushottaman perhaps sensing the tension over Thooran was more conciliatory and said that she enjoyed all lec dems in particular the one on the Rupamu Juchi varnam and the also liked the Dasa one, the latter more so because she did not have the opportunity to attend Sudha’s concerts often (was this praise?). The mike then went on to Dr Durga who differed from Dr Vedavalli and felt that the lec dems were not to be the prerogative of the Experts Committee alone but research scholars such as Vikram Sampath should be allowed. In any case, the audience each year is new and so what is the harm in representing a subject after twenty years?

The mike darted back to TKG who disagreed with Dr Vedavalli and said that looking at it that way, even Annamacharya and Purandara Dasa songs are not sung in original tunes. Dr MBV replied that everyone knew that they were great musicians unlike Thooran etc. At one stage the two were even grappling with the same mike. Dr Pappu stepped in and asked audience members to speak.

Some of the points:

Sanjay Subrahmanyan – Academy must ask vidwans to record their versions of old compositions and keep it in the digitised archives for the benefit of future generations

Other queries/comments etc (did not catch names of most speakers)

1. There must be at least one veena lec dem each year

2. There are problems of comprehension if the speaker presents in a regional language.

3. Can the Academy digitise its old journals and put them up for viewing. This was agreed to by Dr Pappu

4. Can the speakers be given more time?

5. Can more youngsters be brought for these lec dems?

6. Can the Lakshanas of only two ragas be discussed?

AKC thanked everyone for helping him conduct the conference smoothly.