October 21, 2014 -- Cousin Linny's Tanjore (Rob)

Hi all

On Tuesday, Oct 21, we set off for a city named Tanjore to retrace my cousin Linny's photographic footsteps (see below). It is about 187kms and 2 hours from Pondicherry as the crow flies - as the car drives, 187ms and 4-1/2 hours (5+ hours at night!).

Cousin Linny (Linnaeus Tripe, Captain, British Army, India) was seconded to and commissioned by, the Government of Madras to go out into South India to photograph "objects of archeological or architectural interest". In 1858 cousin Linny photographed the Great Pagoda and the Raj's palace in Tanjore (Thanjavur), in the present day state of Tamil Nadu.

I always thought it would be a great adventure to go back to where cousin Linny to his photographs and take them again as they are today. The last time we were in India, we ran out of time, so when this chance to return came up last December, I decided that this was likely our last chance to do this.

We took a couple of days extra off around the Diwali holiday to come down to Tamil Nadu and, aside from taking a fun trip, go to Tanjore. So, that's the background. 

Hansi will describe the journey so I'll focus on the Palace and Temple (Pagoda). Of course the city of Tanjore has grown up around these sites and 158 years have gone by but it was a huge thrill to see the palace and walk around, even though it is hard to recognize most of it from cousin Linny's photos. The interior has been converted into a library and art gallery but the major structures are still there. In particular, got good shots of the seven-storied tower and inner quadrangle. (I'll create some side by side photos using cousin Janet's captions from cousin Linny's photos.) The street has obviously changed a lot but the seven-storied tower is still visible.

The great Pagoda and surrounding temples are much easier to see since the grounds are still in use - I'll simply let the photos speak for themselves. It was awe-inspiring to gaze at the same scenes as cousin Linny did 156 years ago - also quite a weird feeling. I am so glad that we took the time to do this and that the photos turned out so well. Cousin Linny, RIP - mission accomplished and I can return to base.

Rob (cousin to Linnaeus Tripe, the great one)