I have wanted to inject some energy into this space for a while but I really didn't know what to write about. This four-day (yup, that's 4) weekend gave me a lot of time to browse through some old photographs. And boy did I trip on some good ones.
The picture above is of Ramanathan Krishnan, possibly India's finest tennis player. He created history by reaching the semi-finals of the Wimbledon in '60 and '61. Some would say "he was the most recognisable Indian face after Nehru during that period."
My grandfather was under the impression that Rod Laver was present at the Gymkhana when he clicked this picture. I decided to do some investigation. I called up the Nungambakkam Tennis Stadium in Madras and requested them to give me Krishan's contact number.
Armed with the information, I called up the number and a lady put me through me to him. All that I told him was "a picture in the 50s" and the "Delhi Gymkhana Club" and he immediately rattled off the details. In the picture, he is shaking hands with Jack Arkinstall after beating him in the final of the Northern India Championship in the January of '54 or '55 at the Delhi Gymkhana Club.
According to him, Laver only gained prominence around '59 and never played a competitive match in India. It was Laver who defeated him in the semi-finals of Wimbledon in '61. What amazed me was the power of his memory. Most sportsmen seem to possess this quality.
I was actually planning to brag about a rare picture of Rod Laver but instead I will just have to be content with sharing this little conversation.
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This here is a historic picture that my grandfather procured from someone. The scene is set in the heart of Delhi. The many thousands gathered are part of Mahatma Gandhi's funeral procession on January 31, 1948 -:
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Look who's back in town! Nope, I am not talking about Papa Bachchan and Bachcha Bachchan in Delhi. I am just indulging in truckloads of vanity.
And now that I have decided to get back to my old ways, I really do hope that the three of you will come back to me blog.
p.s. Why, Cricinfo, why?
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11 comments:
These are museum-worthy photographs! I hope you keep them safe!
thats the second comment...now who's third :P
@sridi : y so much mystry for 3 ppl??
@rapidrewind : yea, me the 3rd
Athos, Aramis and Porthos
hehe,I thot you were drunk!Welcome back to your old ways old fellow!
Must have made the Mr.Krishnan's day by calling,wish I was the one,but then again I would not have held him in the same light as you :)
2009???
I believe that's typo???
Oh and nice pics :)
I have an idea: create a webpage for people where they can upload such pics and thus make an online visual museum.
@Nandu: I didn't quite make the "man's" day but he sure did make my day :)
@VS: I like idea. We work idea
Whoopsy Daisy...thanks for pointing that out aaStha
what if Mr.Krishnan read your blog?took that into consideration. wont be the first when that someone stumbled across ur blog :P
ps:did not backfire?next time it will,I'll mail the 10 odd people myself.
heyyy...nice pictures...i like the way u write...i randomly follow ur blog and find something interesting always...
Keep writing..tc..
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