Selective Amnesia There was a point to this. But I forgot.

Dear Dr. J Jayalalitha

I know this comes late, but congratulations on a landslide victory. And, best wishes. You’ve set upon yourself the task of cleaning up the state and putting things right. Commendable.
And, I know this is a sensitive subject, and I really don’t know all of the wheels and cogs in play, but I would like to talk to you about the new building for the Tamil Nadu Legislature. You know, that massive, spanking new building on Government Estate, Mount Road.
It’s no Fort St. George, I agree. But it is a great building. Unlike most people in my city, I think this is actually a good looking building. And quite impressive. A city like Madras, Chennai, needs a shot in the arm architecture wise. And I think this new Assembly building is just what the doctor ordered. It’s, honestly speaking, a lot like the new Welsh Parliament building in Cardiff Bay.

I am sure, when it is fully constructed, fitted out, and all the bells, whistles and frills are put in, the new Assembly building may even give other modern structures a run for their money.

However, I understand your current reservations about not moving your government into it.

I agree that it doesn’t make sense to have one half of your ministerial college here, and another half in Fort St. George. I understand and agree that it makes zero sense in having your ministers in the Fort and their support staff in the new building (although, frankly, it’s such an easily solved problems in this day and age. Internet, high-speed cables, video conferencing, Mobile phones on CUG, etc. And not to mention, the distance between the two buildings are laughably short.) when there are pressing issues to solve.

So, while I may not like your decision to move into Fort St. George, I will shrug and let it go. (Not that my view on this matters at all.)
But, but, please, do not let this beautiful new building – the Assembly building in Government Estate – become an overpriced storage area.
I’ve heard rumours over the last week and half – rumours that are frightening – that allege, variously, that the building will be a vegetable warehouse, a granary, and or an empty building on rent to filmmakers.

Are we, in 2011, living in such a poor state? Does Tamil Nadu really need a granary any more?

What Tamil Nadu, Madras especially, needs is a centre for cultural engagement. A centre where the people can engage the things that make up their culture and, importantly, debate those. What Madras needs is a prestigious, prominent, public venue for the arts, performance, history and culture. What Madras needs is a Museum. A museum that, in the words of Lewis Mumford is “the most typical institution of the metropolis”.

Imagine. Monthly concerts. Of the Indian tradition, or the western. Classic music. Rock. Jazz.
Imagine. Performances. Dances, plays, experimental theatre, improv.
Imagine. A permanent museum taking people through the different ages of Tamil and Tamil Nadu, of Madras.
Imagine. Art shows, paintings, photography, sculpture, films.
And now imagine. All of this, in one place right smack in the middle of the city.
Imagine. A superb backdrop to announce your schemes to bring some fresh blood to the film industry.
Imagine. A great setting for press conferences.
Imagine. Something to show off to the world. Another Madras gift, like the cotton that bears the city’s name.
Imagine. People coming in and out, photographing each other, themselves in and around this building, sharing them on flickr, facebook and twitter. Another landmark in Madras, and a welcome relief from the Napier bridge. (Beautiful as it is, it is now a cliche)

Please, please. Madras needs a centre of the caliber that the new Assembly promises. Do not let it be a large fridge.

C