Those of you who would have read the Novel KORKAI by JOE D’CRUZ would perhaps remember his graphic description of festivities associated with the PON–THER in one of the exclusive chapters. In this Chapter, he mentions the various dignitaries seated in the dais witnessing the movement of the PON–THER among whom there is a reference to one Prof. DR. RAJARATNAM. Who is this Dr. Rajaratnam ?. On this, a little later.

KORKAI by JOE D’CRUZ is not only a novel but also a chronicle of the times. We must all appreciate JOE for his deep study, extensive research, versatile scholarship, and graphic portrayal of the times he presents in the novel.

One wishes that everyone who has moved far away from the sea and has started living inland should read this novel to have a glimpse of the trends of the time and the rise and fall of our community in the last century .

Those among us who are in the faculties of universities and the colleges must strive to include Korkai in the syllabus under Neithal ilakiyam. A few may grudge the language used by characters in the novel, but it is not difficult to defend as it is the language of ordinary folks of the sea and that it lends reality .I am hopeful one day someone will take this up and get this included in the syllabus.

Now to RAJARATNAM in the novel who is supposed to have attended the festival.
He was the Dean of Studies and professor of Genetics in Madras Veterinary College, Vepery till he died in 1942. Born in Kilakkarai on 30th March 1890 he had his elementary education in the Local school, and thereafter his high school education in St. Mary’s Madurai and early college education in St. Joseph’s college, Trichirappalli.

After St. Joseph’s he went to Madras and appeared for an interview to become a doctor but he was not lucky enough to enter the medical college. However he took up the offered seat to become a veterinary doctor and became a veterinary Assistant Surgeon and was posted in Coimbatore Agricultural College. After a stint there, he was posted in Renigunta and Cudappa districts in the Madras presidency and later posted in Pasteur institute, Ooty.

It was while working in Ooty he thought of upgrading his knowledge and decided to go to Edinburgh University to study Genetics at his own cost. It is said that he sold the jewels of his wife for his trip, stay and study. He worked under the Assistant of celebrated Dr. Mendel of DNA fame in Edinburgh. After his education in Edinburgh, he made a tour of Europe and went to Vienna especially to, see the university where Mendel worked and returned to India; and to Madras and was posted in the Veterinary College, Madras and later King’s institute Guindy, Madras.

N.R. Rajaratnam was well acquainted socially with stalwarts like L.D. Samikannu Pillai who became the Speaker of Madras Legislature, and Prof. Rathinasamy, who became M.P. and Mr. Soosainathan who became deputy commissioner of police.
The real name of RAJARATNAM is NICHOLAS RODRIGUEZ but he called himself N.R.Rajaratnam as one of the so called high class individuals in Andhra forbade him a place in the marriage feast along with high caste men as his name sounded Christian. Therefore he did away with his Christian , and Christian sur name – but not his religion.

He remained a steadfast Christian with a very deep veneration for Mary our mother as evidenced by the Medal he wore in his gold chain while he went to Europe to study. He wore a golden Medal of Mother Mary, Help of Christians.
His wife was MUTHAMMA Poobalarayal, daughter of Arulanandam Poobalarayen. B.A. of Kamuthy who was Inspector of Schools in the last decades of 19th century.

He had three sons and one daughter. All, of course, no more now.
The eldest son was one of the very early graduates of Guindy Engineering College—a civil engineer who joined the Govt. of Tamilnadu and later SVOC – Standard Vacuum Oil Company and later Elephant Asbestos, Colombo. When the pogrom struck Colombo, he moved to Trichy, invested all his money in an asbestos factory and lost .He then became the Chief Engineer for the construction of Pamban road bridge and did a significant job.He retired to Colombo after the work was accomplished.

The Second son was an Indian Revenue Service Officer and became the Commissioner of Income Tax at Chennai and retired.

The third son was a leading Charted Accountant in Chennai whose company still goes on in his name, by those he trained in accountancy.

The daughter was an accomplished housewife good at violin, embroidery, painting etc. She had three daughters . The first Daughter was the Director of Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Superintendent of Women and Children hospital, Egmore. The Second daughter was Additional Secretary to Government of Tamil Nadu, and the third was Chief of Human Resources Department of Indian Additives Limited.

The grave of N.R. Rajaratnam is well within the church premises of Little Mount, Madras– A tribute to his close association with Ecclesiastical authorities.

By Dr.Cynthia Alexander MD.DGO.,