Oasis of peace: Built in 1796 by James Brodie, a civil servant of the East India Company, the 20,000-square foot structure was designed to resemble the Brodie Castle in Scotland. The Government Music College has been functioning from here.
| Photo Credit: RAVINDRAN R
A group of first-year students rushing to their violin classes in this century-old building say they have googled about its history after growing curious about what went down in the building when it was first built. Some argue that taking a moment to appreciate the past is kind of slipping away, but truly the spirit of inquisitiveness has seeped inside many.
What was once called as Brodie’s Castle, Thendral (the breeze) is brimming with life and reverberating with music, even as the dense trees try to hide the charm of the architecture. What else can be more fitting to inhabit those historic walls than a music college.
Tamil Nadu Music and Fine Arts University took over the castle for its classes in 1956. Built in 1796 by James Brodie, a civil servant of the East India Company, the 20,000-square foot structure was designed to resemble the Brodie Castle in Scotland.
Ill-luck and misfortune
Back in the day, this place was seen as the second residential building on the banks of the Adyar, but at the same time it also earned a reputation for bringing ill-luck and misfortune to its early residents in the 18th Century.
But here is the prophetic truth on how change is the constant. With all the time that has passed over, it has become a hub for all things music and artistry. “We are grateful that we can house different folk art forms, such as Thapattam, Silambam, and Isai Nadagam, and different types of instruments in this ancient building which has all the character for music to take place,” says Thoppur B. Sairam, Principal, Government Music College.
The landmark is under the control of the Public Works Department, with the building recently restored with a grant of ₹2 crore. Legends have walked its corridors: S.R. Janakiraman, T.R. Subramaniam, T.K. Govinda Rao, and Sirkazhi Govindarajan, who were a few of its many alumni.
Musiri Subramania Iyer was its first principal, followed by iconic personalities like Sandhayavandhanam Sreenivasa Rao, and violinist T.N. Krishnan.
Heritage restored
As the college expanded with more courses and students, new buildings were constructed. “We have restored the heritage of the building with the Heritage Conservation Wing. When it comes to preserving heritage properties, there is a special kind of care,” says Mr. Sairam.
The staff of the music college also appreciate how the architecture influences a peaceful teaching experience. The building is located at the busier Raja Annamalaipuram; but the moment a visitor steps into the premises, there’s an undeniable calm.
Writer Humphrey Trevelyan in his book, The India We Left, remarked that Brodie’s Castle is the most imaginative of the merchants’ palaces, with its long drawing room jutting out into the Adyar and catching every breeze. Many students of architecture colleges visit here to learn about its colonial heritage, but if heritage walks are conducted, there would be much more curiosity over the quiet building. Permission from the college administration is required to stroll around.
Published – February 09, 2025 10:54 pm IST