The man who cared for 'Madras that is Chennai' passes away

Renowned historian S Muthiah passed away on Saturday (April 20). He was 89 years old. A chronicler of the cultural history of Madras, Muthiah was a writer, journalist and advocated for preservation of heritage.

A renowned columnist, he was also the editor of the Madras Musings, a fortnightly newspaper that covered the history and heritage of Chennai city.

Born in Pallathur, Muthiah lived in Sri Lanka working for the Times of Ceylon, till he was 38, after which he returned to India and settled down in Chennai, where he took up a job at TTK Maps.

Post retirement, he immersed himself into writing and  focussing on the history and heritage aspects of Chennai alias Madras. Some of his  published works are Madras Rediscovered, The Anglo-Indians: A 500-year History that he penned with Harry Macclure, Madras, its past & its present and Madras Miscellany.

Apart from being the main organiser of Madras Day celebrations in the city, which is celebrated every year, he is also the founder-president of the Madras Book Club.