The stories of Chennai’s statues: a package

The striking equestrian statue near the Island Grounds in Chennai is that of Sir Thomas Munro, considered a lion among British administrators. Installed in 1839, the absence of saddle and stirrups on the statue has long been a subject of controversy. One theory holds that this is because Francis Chantrey, the sculptor, forgot them. Another says Munro, a riding enthusiast, preferred to ride bareback.

At the premises of 133-year-old heritage building of the Madras High Court is the white marble statue of Sir Justice Tiruvarur Muthuswami Iyer. There was strong opposition from a section of Europeans to the appointment of an Indian as a judge of the High Court. It was this resistance that triggered the birth of The Hindu in 1878 primarily to support the elevation of an Indian to the very high judicial office during the British Raj and to counter the antagonism.

The package contains articles on the following seven statues located across Chennai city.

1. Thomas Munro statue at Island Grounds
2. Kannagi statue on Kamarajar Salai
3. Justice Tiruvarur Muthuswami Iyer statue at Madras High Court
4. Triumph of labour statue along Marina beach
5. Equestrian statues below Anna Flyover
6. Police Memorial statue at the Tamil Nadu DGP office campus
7. Lord Ripon statue at the Greater Chennai Corporation office premises