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Built in the memory of Shri Kamaraj, the late chief minister
of Tamil Nadu, Kamaraj Memorial House is now a
permanent gallery that showcases photographs and personal effects of
Kamaraj who rose out of poverty to become the Chief Minister of
Tamil Nadu (elected to the post thrice). Kamaraj
Memorial House was inaugurated on 15th July 1978, by the then Chief
Minister M.G Ramachandran.
On the ground floor is the bedroom of this bachelor, whose austere living
comes across so clearly in the plain furniture that occupies the room.
Leaning over the railings, one can spot yellowed volumes of 'Lok Sabha
Debates', '100 Modern Lives', 'Churchill' and 'Doctor Zhivago' amongst the
books lined up in the well-stocked library. Obviously, having to
discontinue his schooling did not stop him from becoming a well-read man.
The Photographs Of Shri Kamaraj
The Black and White photographs that adorn the walls of the dining hall
cover Kamaraj's life across all stages - Kamaraj at the age of five, in
his youth, in middle age and in the final years. Notable among the
collection are pictures of his 1954 swearing-in as Chief Minister of
Tamil Nadu, the first Kamaraj Ministry of 1954, the
second of 1957 and the third of 1962.
Photographs of Kamaraj's public life show him rubbing shoulders with
stalwarts like Jawarharlal Nehru, Sarojini Naidu, Sathyamurthy, Dr S.
Radhakrishnan, Rajendra Prasad, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi,
Periyar, M.G Ramachandran, Govind Vallabh Pant, Martin Luther King and
Queen Elizabeth.
A Unique Collection
Several pictures showcase the leader in different moods: playing Cricket,
hauling the rope in at a 'Tug of War' for the Legislator's Sports Meet,
drenched under the Courtallam
falls, supervising relief work for flood victims, chairing meetings,
etc. Among the personal effects of Kamaraj that are on display are his
spectacles, pens, a spool tape player and even a Gillette Shaving set used
by him!
The second floor has displays of Kamaraj's several luxuriant Felicitation
Shawls. In marked contrast are the displays of his own simple attire, his
suitcases, timepiece, pens and utensils. Of special mention is the prison
coat worn by him while serving term in prison in 1942.
Photographs on the second floor show several personalities paying homage
to the dead leader. Among those pictured are Late Prime Minister Mrs
Indira Gandhi and veteran actor Shivaji Ganeshan. Especially impressive is
the bird's eye view of the multitude, on Mount Road (Anna Salai), who
accompanied the body of their leader on his last journey.
Timings: 9.00am to 6.00pm.
Air: Chennai has an airport with both domestic and
international terminals. Regular flights connect Chennai with the major
cities within the country and also with countries like USA, Singapore,
U.K, etc.
Rail: Chennai is well connected by rail with the important towns
and cities within and beyond the state.
Road: State transport buses and private buses connect Chennai with
the major towns and cities within the country. For local transportation
local trains, city buses, auto rickshaws and taxis are available.
Being the capital city of the state, Chennai is well equipped with various kinds of accommodation options, varying from economic class to luxurious ones.