Thousands lined up on the 30-km route from Meenambakkam to welcome Queen Elizabeth II in the heart of the city
Thousands lined up on the 30-km route from Meenambakkam to welcome Queen Elizabeth II in the heart of the city
Not many know that Queen Elizabeth II arrived in Madras in 1997, decades before her much-talked-about visit on the sets of actor Kamal Haasan’s film. MARUDHANAYAGAM (which was never created), when the city got its new name Chennai.
Rewind February 19, 1961. Thousands of people lined the city streets on the 30-km route from Madras Airport in Meenambakkam to the heart of the city to give a grand welcome to Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. feet here.
“Many said that such a reception was not accorded to any foreign dignitary in living memory. It was unparalleled in both its magnitude and warmth.” Hindu The report dated February 20, 1961 stated.
Queen Elizabeth II with some families in the quarters of the Integral Coach Factory in Ayanavaram on February 20, 1961. Jagjivan Ram, the then Union Railway Minister, is on the left. , Photo Credit: The Hindu Photo Archives
taste of the city
Take a long “scenic tour” drive through the city to catch a glimpse of the Marina, Adyar, Fort St George and the War Memorial or experience the magic nadhaswaram Ustad Karakurichi Arunachalam, dancer-actor Vyjayanthimala, performances of Padmini and Ragini and many folk dances, Queen Elizabeth II truly experienced the different facets and tastes of the city. As part of this tour, Rani visited the Integrated Coach Factory and was very impressed by the modernity.
She also took a quick tour of a worker’s house and asked the women of the house how they arranged the spices in their kitchen and whether they used firewood or charcoal.
Replica of the Ripon Building, the headquarters of the then Madras Corporation in silver, being presented to Queen Elizabeth II at a children’s rally at Madras Stadium on February 21, 1961. Photo Credit: The Hindu Photo Archives
second visit
After this brief brush with the Queen, the city once again hosted her after 36 years.
During this walk, the queen was treated to a taste of South Indian art and culture, with a visit to Kalakshetra, a 25-minute tour of the Ekambaranathar Temple in Kancheepuram, a demonstration of silk weaving and a scene from the film’s shoot. , ‘ MARUDHANAYAGAM,
On 16 October 1997, the Queen, sitting in a special enclosure, witnessed the shooting of a scene in the film.
Actor Kamal Haasan shows Queen Elizabeth II around the set of his film Marudhanayagam at MGR Film City on October 17, 1997. Photo Credit: The Hindu Archives
According to Hindu report good,”[TMC founder and Congress veteran] Mr. Moopanar clapped for the shot in the background of a fort, while [Chief Minister] Mr. Karunanidhi “switched-on”.
Rani exchanged happiness with some of the invitees like actor ‘Shivaji’ Ganesan. Mr Cho Ramaswamy, Amrish Puri and Rajinikanth.”
Actor Kamal Haasan on Friday reminisced about visiting the sets of Rani MARUDHANAYAGAM And that said, it was probably the only film shoot in which she participated.