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The headquarters of the Theosophical Society at
Adyar are situated in a charming locale from where a path passing
through a coconut grove leads to the sea across a wide stretch of
sandy beach where the Adyar river pours into the Bay of Bengal. In
the perfect winter climate, there is no place in the world more
beautiful than Adyar.
On the bank of the Adyar
river which marks the southern most boundary of Madras, stands Adyar
which offers three unique attractions. Firstly as an historical site
of relics from the days of the British empire consisting of some of
the oldest houses built by the East India Company, as also the
Chettinad Palace and a couple of castles. Secondly, as nature’s
beauty spot where scrub forest occupies hundreds of acres whose
thicket of trees and sylvan glades present a cool, relaxing and
refreshing resort. The natural gardens, orchards and woods include a
banyan tree known to be the second largest in the sub-continent. It
covers an area of 40,000 square feet whose dense green canopy offers
room to 500 persons to rest in a cool and quiet shelter. Here the
visitor not only overcomes his physical weariness but also is
inspired to hold communion with nature. Nearby, lies the Elliots
beach, an exclusive bathing beach over a stretch of sea and sand far
removed from the crowded Marina in Madras. To protect its natural
beauty, Adyar has been declared a sanctuary.
But Adyar is also a
sanctuary of another sort i.e. a spiritual sanctuary being the
headquarters of the International Theosophical Society. This took
place through the initiative of Madame Blavatsky, Col. H.S. Olecott
and Mr. W.O. Judge who visited India to introduce and preach the
doctrine of Theosophy. The Theosophical Society of India was founded
in 1883 by Dr. Annie Besant who dominant personality figured
prominently in the early stages of the Indian struggle for freedom.
But it is be remembered that Theosophy keeps strictly aloof from
politics because its principal aim is to develop humane qualities in
a person. The Headquarters building of the Theosophical Society was
once a modest Anglo-Indian house called Huddlestone’s Garden
flanked by two octagonal pavilions. This together with twenty seven
acres of land, was bought for 600 pounds in 1882 by the first
President of the Society, Colonel Olecott. The building standing on a
beach consists of a library, Convention Hall, Shrine Room, offices,
guestrooms and suites for the leaders of the Society. Gradually, the
Society acquired adjoining properties, new houses were built and old
ones rebuilt to accommodate the growing members of the Theosophical
residents and visitors. Their homes and properties, together with a
printing press, communal Hindu Kitchen and a small farm, were
incorporated into one big compound. The original Huddlestones Gardens
has, thus, undergone alterations and enlargement. After Mrs. Annie
Besant became President in 1907, members of the Society were
encouraged to build themselves houses and live in them whenever they
visited Adyar, on the understanding that in their absence, she could
dispose of the accommodation as she chose, and that on their deaths,
the buildings became the property of the Society.
Theosophy is not a new
religion or a Gospel – the founders in fact called it a Wisdom –
Religion which strived for a synthesis of science, philosophy and the
existing religions. Theosophy rests on the twin faith in Karma and
Transmigration of the soul. Karma is perceived as more than the
effect of causes produced and forces awakened into activity by our
own actions. Man is held accountable for his own actions whose
results accompany him until death and beyond it. The Theosophical
beliefs in Karma and reincarnation come into clash with Islam and
Christianity but this in no way prevents Christians and Muslims from
becoming members of the Society. Theosophy, emphasize its leaders, is
a practical religion which, with self-discipline and meditation can
discover the hidden source of all energy – whether spiritual or
of matter.
The principal founder of
the Theosophical movement, Madame Blavatsky claimed to have been
initiated by a Master from the Himalayas. She has said “The
function of Theosophy is to open men’s hearts and understandings
to charity, justice and generosity which belong to the human kingdom
and are natural to man when he has developed the qualities of a human
being.” Theosophy believes that there is no religion higher than
Truth and its central object is to attain the Universal brotherhood
of Man. In the Meditation Hall of the Society, are inscribed the
symbols of various religions of the world. Attached to the Hall, is a
well-equipped library where there is a rare collection of palm-leaf
manuscripts and ancient books dating back a thousand years.
South of the Theosophical
Society, on the Besant Memorial Road within Adyar, Mrs. Rukmani
Arundale founded Kalakshetra, the School of Indian Art where young
students are given training in creative arts such as painting, music
and dance particularly the classical dance forms of Bharata Natyam
and Kathakali. The craft of handloom weaving has been developed to
produce and specialize in hand-woven textiles, especially saris,
which are highly popular because of their artistic colour blends and
ancient designs. This has helped to revive and keep alive the
traditional craft of weaving and the typical Indian designs and
colour combinations which have evolved over a period of time.
Kalakshetra is situated close to the sea in a captivating natural
setting.
In the vicinity of
Kalakshetra, stands Thiruvanmiyur which is an ancient village. It is
known for the 11th century temple which is a magnificent
piece of Chola architecture and the work of the famous
temple-builders in Tamil Nadu. The sculpture of the temple ranks
amongst the finest to be found in Madras. Another village,
Cholamandal, lies close to Thiruvanmiyur which is reputed for its
modern sculpture and art.
The Adyar complex is
surrounded by institutions which should be of interest to the
visitor. These include the Central Polytechnic where training is
imparted in certain skills of marketable value. The Central Leather
Research Institute conducts various experiments and practices to
improve the leather industry and its products which have an
increasing demand in foreign countries. The Anna University also
occupies a place in the Adyar complex. Again, in the close
neighborhood of Adyar, the visitor may take a jaunt to the National
Deer Park, the Snake Par and Raj Bhawan. The well-known Cancer
Institute is also situated close to Adyar. Thus Adyar encompasses a
multiplicity of institutions and a variety of interests while
retaining its natural ambience and surroundings.
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