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A renowned journalist, an editor, a publisher, a successful corporate director and a prolific writer. Identify him with any name. They are all different facets of the same man. But unerringly all symbolize the success story of Mr. Muthiah – a balding, bespectacled man of formidable intellectual comportment. Most of his life has been spent in an intense and obsessive literary pursuit. Just how passionate he is can be gauged from his attainments in this scholarly field.

Inspite of his strong Ceylon connections, this erudite gentleman who calls himself  ‘a storyteller’, has carved a niche for himself in Chennai. Today he is a respected and eminent Chennai Citizen. His impassioned zeal for the revival of the rich heritage of this historic city, has coined him a new identity – that of Mr.Madras.

He has, in no small measure, contributed to the unravelling of the glorious past of this land, once the hub of the British and French Empires. The sublime earthiness of Madras has been brought forth in all its magnificence in his books – Madras Discovered, Tales of Old and New Madras, Madras – the gracious city, Parrys 200, The Parry Story, Getting India on the Move, A Planting Century and Madras- its Past and its Present, The Spencer Legend and The Spirit of Chepauk.

Shortly, he will be launching the fourth edition of his book Madras Discovered. "What started as a small work has now taken on the proportions of a large sequel," says Muthiah. "The growth has been directly proportionate to the addition of each edition," he continues.

When I quiz him on his exhaustive knowledge on Chennai, he replies, "I maintain a vast collection of paper clippings on Chennai. Everytime I come across any write-up or any information relating to Chennai in either a newspaper or a magazine I cut it and file it away for future reference." In fact, Muthiah enjoys browsing in the Tamil Nadu Archives and the India Office Library at London. He feels "they provide exhaustive information on Chennai."

Incidentally, Muthiah has authored a number of geography textbooks and written Words in Indian English as well. "I have also edited A Social and Economic Atlas of India and An Atlas of India for the Oxford University Press in New Delhi," states Muthiah. Other credits to his name include Madras-its Yesterdays and Todays and Tomorrow’s. "I have also written a handbook At Home, In Madras," he opines.

Mr.Muthiah is a versatile writer. "I contributed regularly to the Gemini News Service and the Compass News Feature based in London," mentions Muthiah "and still do to airline, travel and hotel glossies for international and local publishers of travel books."

Significantly, Muthiah is the editor of Madras Musings. "It is a city fortnightly on Chennai’s heritage and environment," states Muthiah. " But my involvement with Madras Musings is just a fraction of the total amount of my time."

Incidentally, Madras Musings, a focused publication has been catalytical in getting the reputed newspapers and other media interested in Chennai. States Muthiah "It has made its hallmark in Chennai and is much sought after."

When he is not tied up with his writing assignments, Muthiah is an active votary of burning social and cultural issues. "A group of us have formed a trust," says Muthiah. "Once a year we undertake the Citizen’s Run - a short marathon from the Gandhi Mandapam to the Beach."   The purpose is to collect funds. "These are then donated to lesser known charities that are interested in undertaking specific projects, but lack the finances for them," he continues.

He is also a member of the Intach Group founded by Rajiv Gandhi. It is engaged in the resurrection and preservation of Chennai’s rich manmade and natural heritage. Or rather in the improvement and abetment of the city. For instance, the DGP building is a living example of the attempt to restore our architectural heritage.

So how and when did Muthiah’s tryst with writing start? Walking down memory lane he reminiscences, "I started my career as a journalist with The Times of Ceylon in 1951. I was then working as the Foreign News Editor and was later the Features Editor." At the same time Muthiah continued to be in-charge of The Sunday Times, the group’s magazine publications and The Times of Ceylon Annual.

A Tamilian by origin, Muthiah’s family had been residing in Ceylon for more than 40 years then. "While still based in Ceylon, I represented The Observer, London and its Foreign News Service," he continues. "I was also associated with the production of various Ceylon Tourist Board publications."

Subsequently, he helped found T.T.Maps and Publications Ltd and headed it as well. A unit of the TTK Group, it publishes maps, atlases and tourist guidebooks and has a large offset printing unit for its work. "Even after my retirement I have continued as its President Emeritus," says Muthiah. "I am still very much associated with the TTK Group in the capacity of Director, Group Communications, and as editor of its prize-winning house journal, TTK Spectrum."

According to Muthiah, "My function in public relations has increased considerably in the recent years since our tie-ups with foreign companies have become much more substantial, especially with London International and Sara Lee."

Muthiah has also worked as an information consultant and freelance editor for various institutions and publishers through his editorial consultancy services, Madras Editorial Services.

In fact, since his school days, Muthiah has been a writing enthusiast. He authored a number of features for the school magazine and then worked on campus newspapers in the U.S. He graduated in Engineering and in International Affairs from U.S.A. "Later I also completed my post graduation in International Affairs," mentions Muthiah. A keen athlete he dabbled in sports reporting as well. "As a freelancer, I contributed features for the local newspapers in America, particularly on sport."

When he shifted his nerve-centre to Ceylon, he was interested in pursuing the diplomatic services but ran into citizenship problems. "This prevented me from joining the Foreign Service either of India or of Sri Lanka, which was my main ambition in life. So I turned to journalism instead."

Queried on whether both his daughters are following in their father’s footsteps, Muthiah replies, "My daughters have not been influenced by me in their choice of career. Though both are good writers each is pursuing her own specialised area of interest." The elder daughter has completed Ph.D in Metallurgy in U.S.A. while the younger one who worked at the Taj Group of Hotels in Chennai, "has left for U.S.A. to undergo an advanced Course in Hotel Management," he adds.

Personally Muthiah feels that his younger daughter would have made an extremely good journalist. "But my wife is very clear that financially I am a failure!" comments Muthiah. "So, she is very firm that both our daughters have to pursue a career other than that of journalism."

Incidentally, Mrs.Muthiah is a company secretary. She also handles all accounting and financial matters of Madras Editorial Services. Besides Madras Musings, Muthiah is also involved in the production of ‘Eves Touch’, which puts forth the women’s point of view on Chennai. "I teach journalism and public relations at the Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan, the University of Madras and at Anna University," Muthiah mentions. "I am also a member of various publishers and printers associations," he continues.

Surprisingly, Muthiah is a sports buff as well. He was an athlete who ran in good company in the U.S. In fact, he was in the running for an olympic berth in 1948. Unfortunately for him, he was unable to participate in the competition because of citizenship problems once again. But nevertheless, he loves to watch all kinds of sports on his television, whether it be a rowdy rugby match or an enthusiastic superbowl tournament.

The epitome of a successful man is Mr.Muthiah. A very well known and respected Chennai Citizen too. States Muthiah, "Through my writings I have attempted to create an insight into the city’s rich heritage. A heritage which is slowly debilitating with the rigours of time… And it requires a cohesive effort on the part of society to restore it to its former glory."

The restoration of the Police Headquarters is a start. Hope there is more to follow!  

Shobha Mathur Pandian

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