Fri Nov 07 00:00:00 UTC 2025: News Article:
“Santiniketan” Plaque a Silent Witness to Tagore’s Madras Visit
Chennai, November 7, 2025 – Amidst the evolving landscape of Mylapore’s Kutchery Road, a simple stone plaque bearing the name “Santiniketan” serves as a poignant reminder of Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s historic visit to Madras (now Chennai) in 1919.
Tagore stayed at “Ranganadha Vilas” on Cutchery Road, then the residence of Justice T. Muthuswamy Iyer, the first Indian judge of the Madras High Court. The house, now rebuilt, retains the original name in honor of Tagore’s visit.
According to The Hindu archives, Tagore arrived in Madras on March 9, 1919, to raise funds for Visva-Bharati University. He was greeted with enthusiasm and delivered a lecture on “National Education” at Gokhale Hall, captivating the audience with his vision for transformative education.
Tagore extended his visit due to student requests, lecturing at various colleges on topics like “Folk Religion in India” and “The Message of the Forest.” His words resonated deeply with the students, inspiring them with his ideals of education and cultural exchange.
The original house where Tagore resided no longer stands, having been purchased in 2005 and rebuilt by the Mohideen family, who chose to preserve the name “Santiniketan.” While the structure may have changed, the plaque remains a tangible connection to Tagore’s visit and his profound impact on the city. Even though Tagore visited Madras again in 1926, the plaque stands as a reminder of his first visit to the city.
First Piper 