The man who took Chennaiites to Madras

Chennai: Whether it was a doubt about the name of a heritage building or confusion about a date when an important historical event was held, S

Muthiah

, Chennai’s most famous chronicler who passed away on Saturday, was my go to person. And he referred to me whenever he needed information of maritime

history

and tidbits about engineering.

Warm, inquisitive and a perfectionist, that’s how I remember Muthiah. It was again a tryst with history that led to our first meeting. When the Association of British Scholars in collaboration with the British Council decided to bring out a record of sorts like a gazetteer on 400 years of Madras, a subject close to Muthiah’s heart, he was the editor and experts in the respective fields were asked to contribute to it. On the subject of port and shipping in Madras, my name was suggested. I had settled down in Madras, following my retirement from Vizag port as its chief mechanical engineer and was able to share some information.

But I had known Muthiah before that as a member of the Madras Book Club. I knew about his interest in books, but it was only when we met that we connected over the history of Madras, books, the English language and as engineering students. Ever-encouraging, he was excited by anyone who took an interest in the past. The first time we worked together I came to appreciate his incredible memory. He never took down notes, but dates and names were at his fingertips. As an editor, with vast knowledge of colonial history and languages, he was not only good at spotting errors but could supplement information in a way that left me surprised.

Later when he asked me if I could contribute on Civil Aviation and Language and Literature for 2nd and 3rd volumes of 400 years of Madras, I was thrilled. The next time we worked together on a book was when the Madras Port was celebrating its 125th anniversary and the port administration wanted a coffee table book. It was during my research for civil aviation in Madras that he guided me and when I located the remains of the old plane fuselage owned by Aavudaiyappa Chettiar, he was excited to publish the pictures. Simple and eloquent, he was always generous to a fault when recognizing others’ contribution to his column.

Always curious about the city, and looking for ideas for Madras Musings, the fortnightly English tabloid on the Chennai history which he brought out, he asked me to write a serial on the important ladies of old Madras.

He told me he loved editing more than writing and how proud he was of his Olivetti typewriter. He wrote on it till a desktop and an assistant replaced it. That instrument can be seen even today as his family members have put it up along with his prized possessions for people to see.

The man who took Chennaiites back to Madras will be missed.

(The author is a heritage enthusiast)